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Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Orphanology: What each family should consider about adoption
This is a repost from The Blog of Famly Research Council at http://www.frcblog.com/2012/07/orphanology-what-each-family-should-consider-about-adoption//
by Rob Schwarzwalder
July 13, 2012
Adoption is one of the crying needs not just of our culture but of our world.
Here at home, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, in 2009 there were more than 114,000 children in public foster care alone who needed to become part of a loving family. This number does not include the many thousands of children awaiting adoption through private agencies.
Worldwide, it is estimated that there are 15 million children growing up without either a mother or father.
Christians should have a special place in their hearts for adoption because all who know Christ are themselves adopted into God’s family. Paul the apostle writes that believers have been adopted by God through the Savior (Romans 8:15, 23; Galatians 4:5; Ephesians 1:5). The Lord Jesus was Himself raised by an adoptive father.
Last year, FRC was honored to host Ryan Bomberger, himself an adoptee who shared with us his beautiful testimony of love and healing. You can watch it here. Additionally, FRC’s Marriage and Religion Research Institute has shown that “Adoption Works Well.”
Pastor Tony Merida, in his new book Orphanology, describes both the theological foundation for adoption and the way that individuals and churches can be involved embracing little ones who so greatly need a mom and a dad. Pastor Merida is strongly pro-life and is the adoptive dad of five children. His book is a gracious exhortation to Christians to consider how they can partner with precious young lives to create families where affection and hope and security transform not just the lives of children, but of the parents who adopt them.
Pastor Merida is a realist. For that reason, he makes a compelling point about practical aid for children in desperate need:
Later in the same interview, he asks a poignant question: “Let’s say Roe v. Wade is overturned and there are more orphans than ever before. Are we willing to pay the price to care for them, to do all that is necessary to provide for them?”
That’s a humbling question, and one all Christians should ponder — even as, at the same time, we do all we can to end the horror of abortion itself.
Adoption is one of the crying needs not just of our culture but of our world.
Here at home, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, in 2009 there were more than 114,000 children in public foster care alone who needed to become part of a loving family. This number does not include the many thousands of children awaiting adoption through private agencies.
Worldwide, it is estimated that there are 15 million children growing up without either a mother or father.
Christians should have a special place in their hearts for adoption because all who know Christ are themselves adopted into God’s family. Paul the apostle writes that believers have been adopted by God through the Savior (Romans 8:15, 23; Galatians 4:5; Ephesians 1:5). The Lord Jesus was Himself raised by an adoptive father.
Last year, FRC was honored to host Ryan Bomberger, himself an adoptee who shared with us his beautiful testimony of love and healing. You can watch it here. Additionally, FRC’s Marriage and Religion Research Institute has shown that “Adoption Works Well.”
Pastor Tony Merida, in his new book Orphanology, describes both the theological foundation for adoption and the way that individuals and churches can be involved embracing little ones who so greatly need a mom and a dad. Pastor Merida is strongly pro-life and is the adoptive dad of five children. His book is a gracious exhortation to Christians to consider how they can partner with precious young lives to create families where affection and hope and security transform not just the lives of children, but of the parents who adopt them.
Pastor Merida is a realist. For that reason, he makes a compelling point about practical aid for children in desperate need:
In many countries, you can’t bring children home. The church should be thinking creatively and intentionally about how to care for these kids in terms of maybe sponsorship, in terms of helping to educate them, in terms of taking the Gospel to them. A big one would be transitional assistance for children who are not adoptable — how can we get them jobs, how can we get them into society and help them have a successful life? Churches could even underwrite an orphanage.
Later in the same interview, he asks a poignant question: “Let’s say Roe v. Wade is overturned and there are more orphans than ever before. Are we willing to pay the price to care for them, to do all that is necessary to provide for them?”
That’s a humbling question, and one all Christians should ponder — even as, at the same time, we do all we can to end the horror of abortion itself.
Friday, July 13, 2012
Both Hands Project - Still Time To Give
Thank you for your prayers and support of the Both Hands Project last month. Because of your support, a widow was blessed and an orphan was brought closer to home. To experience the project visually, watch this short video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5TuQ9y2lc4&feature=youtu.be or read the article in our local newspaper: http://crystallake. patch.com/articles/cary- couple-helps-widow-adoption- fund-through-both-hands- program Our team was able to paint Sandy's whole house and give it a fresh and beautiful look. A service door to her garage was replaced to keep unwanted critters out. Rotted siding was replaced. AND she has a beautiful new deck to sit and relax on and enjoy God's providence through this project. Over $5000 of materials were donated by area businesses toward her house to make this happen! Out of Sandy's own words: "Every time I look at the house, the deck, swing and doors, - everything - my heart just swells. I am so amazed at all that has been accomplished in just one day."
The project is not complete! We still need to meet our sponsorship goal to see the orphan brought home. If you have not given, or have been praying about how God would lead you to give, please consider a donation today. http://bothhandsfoundation.org/rick-and-summer-george. aspx
Monday, June 25, 2012
Trashed Boots on a Blessed Day
My 7 year old work boots, my favorite steel toe boots, have hit the trash can. And what a way to go - while blessing others!
A team with joyful hearts, a widow's home in need of some help, area businesses providing materials, and hundreds of sponsors ready to assist in bringing an orphan home.
Sandy has a new, and better, deck. Her whole house (HER WHOLE HOUSE) was painted (even the swing)! The trim, with a new color, has a fresh and beautiful look. Rotted siding was replaced. A new service door to the garage was replaced, keeping out unwanted critters. The rotted retaining wall was removed and the front graded downward and seeded for easier mowing. And a whole team of almost 40 people were fed and children babysat.
We began our morning with a short devotional from Matthew 25 "...whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." (Matt 25:40). We were reminded and encouraged that the acts of service done in His name is a sacrifice of worship to Him. The work was physically tiring and hard, but it was eternal work. Yes, the house will one day pass away, just like my boots are now no longer, but, as according to Matt. 25, God will remember what we have done for the stranger - both the widow and the orphan. It is our acts of kindness that have eternal value.
And the day could not have started without a Honduran mission trip style of singing "This is the Day"! And it was truly a worshipful day and the smiles on the volunteers as they left after a days work told the whole story. It was well worth trashing the boots over!
http://bothhandsfoundation.org/rick-and-summer-george.aspx
A team with joyful hearts, a widow's home in need of some help, area businesses providing materials, and hundreds of sponsors ready to assist in bringing an orphan home.
Sandy has a new, and better, deck. Her whole house (HER WHOLE HOUSE) was painted (even the swing)! The trim, with a new color, has a fresh and beautiful look. Rotted siding was replaced. A new service door to the garage was replaced, keeping out unwanted critters. The rotted retaining wall was removed and the front graded downward and seeded for easier mowing. And a whole team of almost 40 people were fed and children babysat.
We began our morning with a short devotional from Matthew 25 "...whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." (Matt 25:40). We were reminded and encouraged that the acts of service done in His name is a sacrifice of worship to Him. The work was physically tiring and hard, but it was eternal work. Yes, the house will one day pass away, just like my boots are now no longer, but, as according to Matt. 25, God will remember what we have done for the stranger - both the widow and the orphan. It is our acts of kindness that have eternal value.
And the day could not have started without a Honduran mission trip style of singing "This is the Day"! And it was truly a worshipful day and the smiles on the volunteers as they left after a days work told the whole story. It was well worth trashing the boots over!
http://bothhandsfoundation.org/rick-and-summer-george.aspx
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| Front of House - BEFORE |
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| Front of House - AFTER |
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| Deck - BEFORE |
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| Deck - AFTER |
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| Garage Service Door - BEFORE |
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| Garage Service Door - AFTER |
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Why they call it a "Faith Journey"
When we started our adoption journey in April of 2011, we had to mail in a $200 application fee. This was so hard for me to do - what if we didn't get accepted? That would be $200 down the drain. Yet, it was that small step of faith which God blessed. Then, after we were accepted, the first installment of $1500 came due. I had no idea where this would come from, but through the awesome work of my beautiful wife, Summer and many of our friends who donated items and helped work it, we were able to raise almost a $1000 through a garage sale. Combined with some savings, the payment was made.
Last fall there was another $2000 due for our home study to be done. This time, we had little savings. And this time, I doubted God's providence. I finally surrendered the doubt to Him on a Friday and on the following Sunday God provided through a generous donation of some equipment we were able to sell on ebay for almost the exact amount of what we needed! God provided again!
Then this spring we needed to get the immigration form completed, which is about $900. God moved a family in our church to anonymously give out of their bonus $300, combining this with some more savings and some leftover Christmas gift money, God provided again!
Now comes the big one - $8400 needed by our goal of July 1st to send our dossier to Honduras to begin the process of waiting for a referral. God led us to this amazing thing called Both Hands where the mission is simple: a Hand for the Widow and a hand for the Orphan. Through our friends, He provided an incredible team of volunteers who have sent out over 600 letters to their family and friends seeking them to sponsor them for a day of working on a widow's home. 100% of the money raised goes toward bringing home an orphan. The Both Hands team gets to bless a widow and help bring home an orphan!!! You can get more info at: http://bothhandsfoundation.org/rick-and-summer-george.aspx
A few weeks ago, Summer opened the mail to find that we had been given a huge grant through Show Hope (http://www.showhope.org) toward the expenses of our adoption. This grant will not be given until the time of our referral, but yet again - God's faithfulness as we live out His will.
It has been a lot of work, and will continue to be a lot of work. There has been a lot of prayer - *chuckle* and this is only the beginning. This has been a slow process - and we will continue to experience a lot of waiting as we just found out from an inside source in Honduras to expect a 12 - 18 month waiting period once our dossier arrives. There have been frustrations at times, as we have had to go back to several people and organizations to redo paperwork that was not done right the first time. YET, I cannot help but look over the last year in amazement of our God! He has provided every step of the way!
His heart breaks for the marginalized of our world, so much so that caring for orphans and widows and foreigners are mentioned all over His Word. Any time one of His children steps out in faith to stand in the gap for the least of these, He will provide all that is needed to minister in that gap. If you are doubting the call that God is placing on your heart at this moment, take comfort and courage in the fact that He is faithful in providing all you need to accomplish His purposes and the work which He has set out for you to do:
"And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." 2 Cor 9:8
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
A Hand for the Orphan, A Hand for the Widow
This last week Caden and his friend, Anna, ran a lemonade stand during a joint family garage sale. He worked hard to earn some money. Since January he's been saving up to buy the Alien Conquest Mothership lego package, so he was excited to learn that he earned over $12.00 toward his $70 goal. However, to our surprise, he handed Summer over half of what he earned to give toward bringing home his little brother or sister. It was a proud moment for us as we saw our child "get" sacrificial giving. Our prayer is that he will carry this on through all his years.
This adoption process has been teaching our whole family a lot. We are growing in our patience, our hope, our prayer life, and our faith. God has again and again renewed and strengthened our faith in Him through His providence in this journey. One of the ways we expect God to do something great is at an event called a Both Hands Project.
In April we were approved through Lifesong for Orphans for a Both Hands project. We are in the process of gathering a team of volunteers who will go work on a widow's home for a day. These volunteers will send letters asking people to sponsor them for a day of work, kind of like a race for the cure. 100% of the money raised goes toward bringing home an orphan for a chance at life.
This project will be on June 23rd and you can find out more information by going to The Both Hands George Project Page. You can also find information on Facebook at the George Both Hands Event Page.
How can you help?
We are excited to see God at work in this James 1:27 project!
PS - If you are local and are interested in donating materials to the widows home, please email us at rickgeorge4hg@gmail.com or summertime79@gmail.com. Here is the current list of needs:
This adoption process has been teaching our whole family a lot. We are growing in our patience, our hope, our prayer life, and our faith. God has again and again renewed and strengthened our faith in Him through His providence in this journey. One of the ways we expect God to do something great is at an event called a Both Hands Project.
In April we were approved through Lifesong for Orphans for a Both Hands project. We are in the process of gathering a team of volunteers who will go work on a widow's home for a day. These volunteers will send letters asking people to sponsor them for a day of work, kind of like a race for the cure. 100% of the money raised goes toward bringing home an orphan for a chance at life.
This project will be on June 23rd and you can find out more information by going to The Both Hands George Project Page. You can also find information on Facebook at the George Both Hands Event Page.
How can you help?
- PRAY! Pray that God would use our team mightily in blessing the widow and in raising up funds to help an orphan.
- VOLUNTEER! Consider volunteering for a day of work on June 23rd.
- DONATE! Either donate as a sponsor or donate materials that will be needed for the widows home. For donations of sponsorship, go to the Project Page link up above.
We are excited to see God at work in this James 1:27 project!
PS - If you are local and are interested in donating materials to the widows home, please email us at rickgeorge4hg@gmail.com or summertime79@gmail.com. Here is the current list of needs:
- 600 Stamps!
- Kentucky Blue/Rye Landscape Seed Blend 1290 SF = 10 LB of Seed. Estimated cost @ $25.00
- 12 Gal. of Exterior Latex soft gloss siding paint in a gray tone color, 2 Gal. of Exterior Latex Soft Gloss Trim Paint in a Redwood Tone, Ladders, Paint Trays, Rollers, Roller Sleeves, Brushes , Exterior Caulk, Exterior Spackle, Paint Scrapers. Estimated Cost @ $400
- 80 LF of 12" Flat/Beveled Primed Masonite Siding, 2 LB of 8D galvanized siding nails. Estimated Cost @ $100
- 2' wide by 8' long / 16 SF of 3/8" primed AC Smooth Exterior Grade Soffit Plywood. Estimated Cost @ $20
- 2x8 14' pressure treated floor joist. 2x6 #2 Pressure Treated wood Decking, (34-2x6-16' #1 or #2 Pressure Treated Lumber), 2 gal of a exterior latex deck stain in a Redwood tone. Estimated Cost @ $425.00
- 2/0 x 6/8 3/4" AC Plywood Doors ( 1-4x8x3/4" ) with 1x4 Rough Sawn Cedar Trim (26 LF). Estimated Cost @ $75
- Bushes, Shrubs, Perennials - Looking for donations from existing gardens or new from garden centers.
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Odds are... Who cares? God's in Control Anyways!
Rick and I knew that we desired more children after our loss of Michael. It had been suggested that we grieve his loss for a year before we entertained the idea of more children. God made it clear to us that we should permanently prevent any additional pregnancies as the chance of reoccurance of Michael's diagnosis was high. For as long as I can remember, adoption has been attractive to me. The month I got pregnant with Michael, I had started researching different adoption agencies and acquiring information about our options. When we learned that we were expecting again, I hung that dream up on the shelf. Little did I know the plan for our family would not be to bring our fourth baby home from the hospital. But we persevered with faith and joy. Michael's story is saturated with a faith that we have never experienced. To this, we are most grateful in our brokenness. We experienced God's ultimate plan for our family when we held Michael and he beheld God's glory that January 22 day two years ago. That next year was hard. It still can be at times. Grief is not linear. Some moments are still tough. But God does ask us to keep living and serving Him because He is so good. I can say that, because I have experienced his goodness in a way that many have not. If you are one of those, I dare you to try God. He WILL not fail you.
Spring of 2010, again, I started looking into agencies not having a clue where God would direct us. Rick wasn't there yet. I assured him that I was fine and that I wouldn't fill out any applications until we were unified with this life changing decision. I am not patient. Lesson number 1. (P. S. I haven't mastered this lesson yet either). In December of 2010, Rick came to me and shared that Honduras had recently opened up to adoption again. I found this interesting considering Rick hadn't really communicated to me that he was ready to entertain this idea. I also found it interesting that Honduras happened to be where Rick and I were blessed to serve for a week six months earlier on a medical missions trip. I was enamored with the people not to mention the sweet little children with those big brown eyes.Could this be where God was leading? I had researched the history of adoption in Honduras in years past. I didn't like what I read. The numbers of placements were very discouraging. Under 10 children had been placed into homes several years prior. Odds were not in our favor. It's a pretty darn good thing I have a God who is not the least bit concerned with odds!
The end of December, after a few emails to some contacts in Honduras (one of which is a lawyer), we felt confident that pursuing an adoption in Honduras would yes be lengthy and costly at many levels, but also that the country was in a state that for the first time in maybe ever, orphans would be placed into their forever families. The lawyer stressed though that we had to use an agency and he made a recommendation of one here in the states.
The first week of January, 2011, I looked into some of our old files and found an adoption informational folder that I had saved from seven years prior. This is hard to believe seeing as I do not save anything! I was at an adoption conference in Dallas and even then I was interested. Guess what the agency name was? America World! (www.awaa.org) The same one that I had just been referred to by the Honduran lawyer I had emailed with the week before!
Spring of 2010, again, I started looking into agencies not having a clue where God would direct us. Rick wasn't there yet. I assured him that I was fine and that I wouldn't fill out any applications until we were unified with this life changing decision. I am not patient. Lesson number 1. (P. S. I haven't mastered this lesson yet either). In December of 2010, Rick came to me and shared that Honduras had recently opened up to adoption again. I found this interesting considering Rick hadn't really communicated to me that he was ready to entertain this idea. I also found it interesting that Honduras happened to be where Rick and I were blessed to serve for a week six months earlier on a medical missions trip. I was enamored with the people not to mention the sweet little children with those big brown eyes.Could this be where God was leading? I had researched the history of adoption in Honduras in years past. I didn't like what I read. The numbers of placements were very discouraging. Under 10 children had been placed into homes several years prior. Odds were not in our favor. It's a pretty darn good thing I have a God who is not the least bit concerned with odds!
The end of December, after a few emails to some contacts in Honduras (one of which is a lawyer), we felt confident that pursuing an adoption in Honduras would yes be lengthy and costly at many levels, but also that the country was in a state that for the first time in maybe ever, orphans would be placed into their forever families. The lawyer stressed though that we had to use an agency and he made a recommendation of one here in the states.
The first week of January, 2011, I looked into some of our old files and found an adoption informational folder that I had saved from seven years prior. This is hard to believe seeing as I do not save anything! I was at an adoption conference in Dallas and even then I was interested. Guess what the agency name was? America World! (www.awaa.org) The same one that I had just been referred to by the Honduran lawyer I had emailed with the week before!
CONFIRMATION yes!
In April 2011 we were accepted into the Honduras program. Our journey on paper had officially begun!
In April 2011 we were accepted into the Honduras program. Our journey on paper had officially begun!
Monday, April 9, 2012
What if adoption meant more than giving a needy child a stable home?
I should have started blogging about this a year ago, when God first moved us to begin the process of adoption, but it wasn't the time. I made a list of the different events that took place starting last December leading us to where we are at now. I hope to expound on some through this blog later on.
So where are we? Who are we? Let me start with an introduction. My name is Summer. I have lived almost half of my life serving a God who is right now writing this story. My other loves include, my husband, children, friends, running, the outdoors, cooking, and sleeping on the most luxurious bed I have ever known. I am blessed to stay at home with my children and started homeschooling our oldest going on our second year of school.
I love teenagers, yes. And frankly just love people. People of all ages, colors, smells, and walks of life which happens to work out well because I am also a pastors wife. I am convinced that I have been blessed with the most amazing humble man as my husband, Rick. He is one of the pastors at our church in a suburban church in the Chicago area leading others in worship and developing adult ministry and any other hats he may need to wear for any particular need. We have lived here for over five years having moved after Rick completed his masters at Dallas Theological Seminary. We are convinced that we are smack in the middle of God's will serving this community for the Lord although we vowed on our wedding day that we'd be ready to go where God leads trusting him every step of the way. Is there a better place then this? We pray our daily living is a breathing example of this call and devotion to our heavenly Father in every aspect of how we live our life.
We have been blessed beyond words with four full of character children. Caden, 8 has a slight obsession with Legos. For those of you that know him, you know this is slightly an understatement. Caden will not allow me to play with Legos as he has informed me that I don't have a clue what I'm doing! He is totally right! Ellie is 6, but comes with brains and charm much too mature for her own good. She is the one that tries so hard to make others believe she is shy. Don't worry, you will learn quickly! Will is our four year old tender hearted one. Will has the ability to melt your heart with one grin and spends most of his time following his big brother and sister. Michael is our son that passed away at a full term pregnancy in January of 2010. As I carried this pregnancy, we also carried the burden of knowing that he would pass away at delivery due to the absence of both kidneys. He entered this world with no breath, but I found him to be the most breath taking of all creations. Michael still has the ability to touch lives as God used him powerfully to "speak" God's grace, mercy, and love to the world as his story was and still is shared at: giftfrom316.blogspot.org
So this is a snapshot of who we are. I will forewarn you that the only reason that I am blogging is because of friends like you pressuring me to tell our story. I, in no way, claim to be a gifted or schooled writer as even this week I had to research what an irregular vowel was! Any and all feedback is welcomed and encouraged.
And this brings us to how God's call on Rick's and my life to adopt has caused us to examine His heart for the orphan and the miracle of our own adoption into God's family. Coming next...
I should have started blogging about this a year ago, when God first moved us to begin the process of adoption, but it wasn't the time. I made a list of the different events that took place starting last December leading us to where we are at now. I hope to expound on some through this blog later on.
So where are we? Who are we? Let me start with an introduction. My name is Summer. I have lived almost half of my life serving a God who is right now writing this story. My other loves include, my husband, children, friends, running, the outdoors, cooking, and sleeping on the most luxurious bed I have ever known. I am blessed to stay at home with my children and started homeschooling our oldest going on our second year of school.
I love teenagers, yes. And frankly just love people. People of all ages, colors, smells, and walks of life which happens to work out well because I am also a pastors wife. I am convinced that I have been blessed with the most amazing humble man as my husband, Rick. He is one of the pastors at our church in a suburban church in the Chicago area leading others in worship and developing adult ministry and any other hats he may need to wear for any particular need. We have lived here for over five years having moved after Rick completed his masters at Dallas Theological Seminary. We are convinced that we are smack in the middle of God's will serving this community for the Lord although we vowed on our wedding day that we'd be ready to go where God leads trusting him every step of the way. Is there a better place then this? We pray our daily living is a breathing example of this call and devotion to our heavenly Father in every aspect of how we live our life.
We have been blessed beyond words with four full of character children. Caden, 8 has a slight obsession with Legos. For those of you that know him, you know this is slightly an understatement. Caden will not allow me to play with Legos as he has informed me that I don't have a clue what I'm doing! He is totally right! Ellie is 6, but comes with brains and charm much too mature for her own good. She is the one that tries so hard to make others believe she is shy. Don't worry, you will learn quickly! Will is our four year old tender hearted one. Will has the ability to melt your heart with one grin and spends most of his time following his big brother and sister. Michael is our son that passed away at a full term pregnancy in January of 2010. As I carried this pregnancy, we also carried the burden of knowing that he would pass away at delivery due to the absence of both kidneys. He entered this world with no breath, but I found him to be the most breath taking of all creations. Michael still has the ability to touch lives as God used him powerfully to "speak" God's grace, mercy, and love to the world as his story was and still is shared at: giftfrom316.blogspot.org
So this is a snapshot of who we are. I will forewarn you that the only reason that I am blogging is because of friends like you pressuring me to tell our story. I, in no way, claim to be a gifted or schooled writer as even this week I had to research what an irregular vowel was! Any and all feedback is welcomed and encouraged.
And this brings us to how God's call on Rick's and my life to adopt has caused us to examine His heart for the orphan and the miracle of our own adoption into God's family. Coming next...
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