Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Roe v Wade

Today marks the 40th anniversary of the Roe vs. Wade decision... a day that forever changed American culture. My heart is heavy today as I think of all of the live's lost... of those children.

As I think of these children, I cannot help but think of my own Silas... half the world away from me in Taiwan. In a nation where the abortion rates outnumber the live birth rates, I am so grateful for Silas' birth mom and the decision she made to give him life.

Taiwan is a nation approximately the size of Maryland and Delaware combined. It is estimated that Taiwan has between 300,000 and 500,000 abortions each year. In comparison, there were only 166,000 live births in Taiwan in 2010.

The statistics break my heart, but also bless me in that our son has an amazing momma who chose to give him life!

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

What is Gotcha Day?

Today I would like to post a link to my work blog to explain something known as Gotcha Day in the adoption community. Looking forward to celebrating this with my little Silas.

http://icmadoptionnetwork.wordpress.com/2013/01/16/gotcha-day/

Also, please continue to pray for Elijah and the Davis family. http://theelijaheffect.com/

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Prayers Needed

So many people have been praying for our little Silas over the last several months, and we are so appreciative of that. His heart surgery has gone well, and he should be able to develop some healthy eating habits and start growing strong! I know so many of you continue to pray for him as we earnestly await the day we can travel to Taiwan and bring him home.

But today, I am going to ask you not to pray for my little boy... because there is another little boy that needs your prayers so much more than my little boy. His name is Elijah, and Steve and I attended Bible College with his parents, Chris and Becky. I can't even begin to express or adequately describe his situation... so here is the link to Becky's blog: http://theelijaheffect.com/

Please take time today to pray for little Elijah and his beautiful family. We serve a very mighty God!

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."
 --2 Corinthians 12:9

Friday, January 4, 2013

It's about time Maria

I know it has been forever since I have blogged. During the holidays things just get away from me. But it's a new year, and new opportunities everyday!

Let me begin with the best news that Steve and I have received a referral of a little boy that we are going to be naming Silas! He is the most adorable little guy ever. I am choosing not to share any pictures of him on here at this time. Since he is not yet officially ours I would like to protect his privacy... but believe me, he's cute! He is only a couple of months old, and we have already sent him a package of items, including his first University of Kentucky baby beanie.

Since we got the phone call that we had a little boy, things have been a whirlwind! Along with the holidays, we have been working on paperwork. We received all of our paperwork from Taiwan on the 20th of December, and were leaving for Seattle on the 22nd. So we couldn't do anything until we got home. So on New Years Eve, I made the long and very snowy trip up to Chicago by myself. It was a long day. I walked about 3-4 miles in Chicago 30 degree weather. First I went to the Secretary of State to have everything apostilled (a notary of a notary). One of the documents was not done correctly so I had to walk to the nearest notary to have it renotarized. Then I walked back to the Secretary of State, and had everything apostilled. Then I walked to the Taiwanese Economic and Cultural Offices (TECO)... which is on the 57th floor. I hate heights... scariest elevator ride EVER! But they needed copies of all of the documents for their file. So I went downstairs to Kinkos, which was of course closed because it was New Years Eve. So then I walked quite a ways to the nearest Fedex... which was open! Then walked back to TECO, and handed in all of my paperwork. Then ran to my car so that I would make it back in under 3 hours and not have to pay extra parking fees. Then drove three hours home and went to our youth group all-nighter. Fun day (note the sarcasm).

So now we are waiting for the documents to be mailed to us from TECO, then we will turn around and mail them to the orphanage in Taiwan. Once they receive them they will be able to file for a court date for us. We hope for a court date in February and that will be our first trip.

Anyway, wanted to give you all an update! I hope you have a terrific weekend!