Noonday Collection...a brilliant idea!

I am so in love with the concept of this company! Incorporating fashion & style, giving back to those that are oppressed by providing entrepreneurship instead of just aid, fundraising to bring an orphan child into a forever family, empowering women, & sharing the gospel.....all in ONE transaction.

So much in love, that I forwarded the link to my husband to get me an "early" birthday present(: And because paypal is under my name, I got an email confirming this was purchased:

Each piece is handcrafted. This one was made by women in Ethiopia. Here is their story:

Their Ethiopia collection is made in partnership with Beza International which is dedicated to empowering Entoto Mountain artisans. Many of these women are forced into prostitution and early marriages. Many become pregnant or contract HIV, and are ostracized by their families and society with no where to go. Their families send them to the Entoto Mountains to seek recovery by bathing in the “magical waters”. When they are unhealed, their families abandon them and they are left to fend for themselves. Beza International has trained these women and given them a skill to support themselves and their children. Not only are these women learning a skill, they are learning that their lives matter (regardless of their health status). Learning these skills helps them feel valued, which restores their dignity and self-worth. Knowing that other women around the world are wearing their creations is the most empowering gift we can offer them.

Most of this collection is made from recycled nickel, copper, and bronze, including previous war conflict weapons – that’s what we call upcycling! Genuine silver embellishments are made by a local silversmith. Each of these spectacular beads is a unique piece of art.

Needless to say, I think this girl needs to host a "trunk show"! Unique handmade pieces from different countries, helping the poor & oppressed out of the vicious cycle of poverty, sharing God's love, the ability to bring home an orphan, and look stylish all at once? That's what I'm talking about! You just might be getting an invite to a "trunk show" here in the near future! Check them out at : www.noondaycollection.com 

ONE year ago....

It's hard to believe it has been ONE year since God stirred our hearts in such a way that we no longer could be complacent about adopting. I'll never forget hearing the news that the awful earthquake had hit Haiti and there were THOUSANDS dead, leaving even more orphans behind. I was sitting on the airplane when I glanced at the man next to me that had his face buried in a newspaper article for what seemed like hours.  My heart hurt for days, for months and it still does for those left behind. I found myself doing something that is completely out of character for me....I glued myself to the TV watching the news hour after hour. Pretty sure I was an Anderson Cooper stalker. My heart was literally broke.  Little did I know that 2011 would bring about so many changes in our hearts and home by this horrible devastation. Certainly not happy for the devastation the Haitian's experienced OR are STILL experiencing, but forever grateful that the Lord used this to grab our attention and lead us to action. 


Proverbs 19:2 tells us: "Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is only the Lord's purpose that prevails" 


This verse could not ring more true for us. Graciously, day after day,  He is humbling our hearts and gently inviting us to be a part of His redemptive work. We continue to pray for the people of Haiti. Our souls look to heaven for hope and healing for this beautiful country. And while OUR plans are to bring our precious daughter home this year, we want nothing more than to glorify our GREAT GOD through this experience. 

Compelling....enough said.

Missing you this Christmas

Baby Girl,
Oh how our hearts longed for you to be with us this Christmas. All I could think about as the kids opened their presents was how this day will look next year when you are finally home. I imagined you sitting there with big wide eyes in awe of each present and crawling around the floor picking up all the little wrapping pieces(-: We even hung 4 stockings and filled yours with a lovie. Something your brothers and sisters still adore to this day. Aria picked out a pink Elephant.  We can't wait to meet you in person so that we can give it to you. Although you weren't with us, you were definately in our hearts and always, always in our prayers.  We love you already and don't even know you! Merry Christmas sweet baby girl!

A glimmer of hope.....

Today we received an update from the director of our ET program at our agency. A group of staff just got back from Ethiopia after being gone for 10+ days. Everyone was anticipating the details of their trip.  I had butterflies in my stomach just reading it. Here is a blurp from the letter that sent some chills up and down my spine: " I know what is on many of your minds is the status of referrals. I do not have any concrete information on specific children to share, however, I do know that we have some referrals coming our way, hopefully in the next few weeks. I saw their sweet faces and do have photos that I will share when we have enough information to refer. "  OOOOHHH, we just can't wait to see that precious 1st photo! 


Minutes later we received another email about some major investigations going on at the US Embassy in Ethiopia. Here is a line from that email: "The Department of State continues to be concerned about reports highlighting adoption related fraud, malfeasance, and abuse in Ethiopia, and acknowledges the concerns expressed by families over the integrity of the adoption process. The U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa actively tracks all adoption visa cases, incorporating information provided by adoption agencies and the Government of Ethiopia, to ensure that the adoption process continues to operate transparently and ethically."  


Trying not to be too alarmed and praying that all of this gets resolved asap and that these precious children can be united with their families soon! 

Waiting Patiently......

or not so patiently(-: It depends on who you ask. We have now been on the waiting list for 5 months, and I'm getting so excited knowing our referral call is getting near. However, I've had PLENTY to do in the meantime, so it hasn't been excruitiating like it has for others in our family. That "other" is Big Sister Aria and it breaks my heart to see and hear how anxious & excited she is to meet her new little sister. She lives and breathes talking about her, dreaming about her and discussing name options with me(-: Her whole school knows, her Sunday school class, anyone who babysits her, practically anyone who she comes in contact with. Even complete strangers at the grocery store know we are adopting a baby girl. The first thing they tell me when I pick her up from ANYTHING is how much she talked about her new baby sister from "Efiopia". Daily she asks if this will be the day. She even dreams about her. A few weeks ago, I tucked her in after she had been asleep for a few hrs and as she rolled over she said "She's never coming home. This is taking forever"- all while completely asleep. She loves her babies and as she cares for them, she will say "this is how I will feed baby sister" or "i'm practicing changing diapers, so I can change baby sisters". I have no doubt in my mind that she will make one awesome big sister. 5 months doesn't seem that long to most of us, but to a 3 1/2 year old, I'm sure it's an eternity!

On another note, months ago I ran across a blog of two amazing woman who started 147 Million Orphans. I have followed it forever and am so encouraged by these two Moms.You just have to read for yourselves how incredible their ministry is......their blogs are linked to mine. We love supporting them and are starting to sport some of their really cool gear. Just another way to raise our voice for the orphans and you just may be getting some of these cute items for birthday/Christmas gifts(-:

Congrats to The Nelson Family

One of the first families that sparked our adoption and interest in Ethiopia were The Nelsons. Luke works with Micheal and they are an amazing family of faith. They have 4 biological children (2 boys & 2 girls) and their request at Christmas last year was for a brother and sister! We thought that was so cute. Of course, much thought and prayer had gone into adoption long before the kids requested their Christmas presents. God led this amazing family down the path of adopting two precious siblings and this September, they had the honor of bringing them home to the U.S.!  We wanted to give them something special and this custom piece of art done by Pitter Patter Art (Laura Kelly) just arrived in the mail today. I just had to post a picture of it because it is absolutely adorable if I must say so myself! (luckily, i don't think the Nelson's have our blog address so it will still be a surprise(-:) Laura Kelly is an amazing artist, crafter and all of her proceeds go towards bringing home another child from Ethiopia! Love this concept of not only raising money to give an orphaned child a home, but raising awareness of the orphan crisis. We hope The Nelsons love their gift and I might just have to buy one for our house!