A Celebratory Gift

We are overjoyed as we see many around us excited about getting involved in caring for orphans.  We  observe friends and family sponsoring puzzle pieces to assist in our journey , others have begun to look for opportunities to get their families more involved in caring for orphans around the world, and we know of a few that are making their own steps toward bringing an orphan(s) into their own families.  Together we are serving God’s scriptural call to care for the abandoned, orphan and widow. 


             "Learn to do good.  Seek justice.  Help the oppressed.  Defend the cause of the orphans.  Fight for the rights of widows."  Isaiah 1:17


As you share with us in this journey to love and care for orphans – via your enthusiasm, love, prayers and puzzle sponsorship – we feel led to share this piece our journey with you – the story of an amazing gift.

It is our 10 year wedding anniversary this week!  In acknowledgement and celebration of 10 years of marriage, someone gifted us with an opportunity to celebrate this accomplishment.  The gift was presented for one purpose –the sole intent to get away and celebrate us.  And get away, we did!

Because of this amazing gift, we celebrate in Hawaii.  With airlines miles to cover flights and rental car, and an amazing discount on hotel pricing, the gift has provided us the opportunity to celebrate each other in Hawaii without affecting our personal and adoption finances in any way.

We desire to openly communicate this with those of you who share in our adoption journey.  It is important to us that you know that our family remains committed to the financial adjustments to bring baby home.  That has not changed – if anything – our personal financial cutback has become greater over time.  We do not take your sponsorships lightly, and we do not take them for granted.  We want you to be assured that we have not accepted your puzzle piece sponsorships in order to free up our finances for adventures to Hawaii.  This is far from the case!  Our finances remain just as scaled back and committed toward our ministry and heart for our precious Ethiopian treasure!    

We are extremely grateful for this gift and the opportunity to have focused time together, enjoying one another’s company and the time to recharge as a couple.  Ten years of marriage has already brought us on an incredible adventure – I believe God has so much more in store in the years ahead!  We are blessed.

“Love suffers long, and is kind; love does not envy; love does not promote itself, is not puffed up, does not behave badly, seeks not her own, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails” 1Corinthians 13:4-8

Thank you all for your continued love, support and prayers!  We are grateful for you!