Orphan Summit

Orphan Summit

I went to Orphan Summit for the first time last year. It was a great experience - I am looking forward to going again this year. They have excellent speakers for the main services and a wide range of break-out sessions. It is good for more than one person from your ministry team to go because you can all attend different sessions and get more information. It is also AWESOME to be with other people who have a heart to answer the call for the widow, the lonely and the orphan! You will be Blessed, Blessed, Blessed!!! :)

Registration is now open at: http://www.christian-alliance-for-orphans.org/

Adoption Creed

Adoption Creed

Not flesh of my flesh,

Nor bone of my bone,

But still miraculously my own;

Never forget for a single minute

You didn't grow under my heart,

But in it.

:) I love this poem.

Each and every one of the children who joined our family through adoption was miraculously knit to my heart in such a way that it could only be done by God.

When God places the desire to adopt on our hearts it is amazing how we feel like we are "missing" someone even through our vehicle may be full and our dinner table may be full. But, we still have the feeling that someone "a very special someone" is to be a part of our family. It is very hard to explain this feeling to our friends and family who don't get it. It's okay - you don't have to explain and make them understand. The most important thing is that you understand this is just God's way of preparing your heart and mind to be ready for you next blessing!!! It is an exciting (and sometimes scary) journey! :)

Fundango :)

Every foster and adoptive family should know about Fundango! Fundango is an outreach ministry of Kids at Heart through Heart of the Rockies Christian Church in Fort Collins, CO. Here is a description of Fundango from their website: http://www.heartoftherockies.org/serve/kidsatheart/

The most visible work of Kids at Heart is Fundango. Fundango is a respite program for all children of Foster and Adoptive parents in Larimer County. Screened and trained volunteers lead groups through stations like crafts, snack and games. While we are playing, parents have an opportunity to take a break from parenting. Parents pick up their children after the program refreshed and energized.

During the months of September and May we have two events a month, one in Fort Collins and one in Loveland. During the summer we have one event a month, better known as the SUPER FUNDANGO.

I noticed that they haven't updated their website to show the revised cost of Fundango so I wanted to make sure you knew that the cost is $5 per child - not to exceed $15 per family. There are scholarships available.

The first Saturday of the month Fundango is hosted at The Boys and Girls Club in Fort Collins from 5-8pm. The third Saturday of the month Fundango is hosted at The Boys and Girls Club in Loveland from 5-8pm. You must sign up by emailing the director at: director@kidsatheartfundango.org

We have participated in Fundango for 7 years and it has been such a blessing to us to have a date night that we could count on every month. Date Night is so important and here is a great opportunity for you to have one every month. It is also possible for you to participate in both Fundango's each month if there is space available.

If you are looking for a way to minister to Foster and Adoptive Families you can be a Fundango volunteer!!!

Contact them - they seriously are just waiting to bless you and your children every month - how can we say no to that? :)

Project 1.27 Orientation

Orientation at Flatirons Community Church

March 3, 2010
6:30 pm	to	9:00 pm

Project 1.27 Orientations are for Parents and their Support Teams wanting to explore adoption through foster care. It is an introduction to Project 1.27 and an official Colorado State training qualifying event. You will receive a professional and informative presentation on how the church, working together, can adopt all of the legally free orphans in Colorado. There is no cost for this event but you do need to register.

This is the first requirement in the adoption process.

You must attend an orientation to join Project 1.27 or attend its training.

Come join us!

For more information go to Project 1.27's website at: http://project127.com/

Can I join your family?

Name: Gabrialla R
Profile: Gabrialla, who goes by Gabby, loves drawing, listening to her iPod, and painting her nails. She also enjoys playing outdoors, and recently went snow sledding! Gabby sometimes likes to help out around the house. In fifth grade, she benefits from an IEP (Individualized Education Plan). She participates in counseling, which may need to continue following placement. Gabby thrives on patience, structure, and feelings of safety. Her caseworker prefers a two-parent or single-female Colorado family; however, all family types will be considered. Gabby would do well in a loving home that provides reassurance and trust. Financial assistance may be available for adoption-related services. For Colorado children, both home studied and non-homestudied Colorado families are encouraged to inquire; only homestudied families from other states should do so.

Gabby is in 5th grade and she needs a family!!!! Please contact the Adoption Exchange for more information at

303-755-4756. Her ID number is 8128. :)

Take time....

to remember how God has been there for you!!

One of the most powerful motivations for believing in God in our present is intentionally remembering how He's worked in the past.

Beth Moore

It is easy to get stuck in a rut of discouragement if we don't take time to remember what God has done for us in the past. If you are feeling discouraged today - take some time to sit down and write down how God has helped you in the past. It is a faith builder that we all need from time to time.

Then write down some of God's promises from His word.

One of my personal favorites is:

For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

Seeing His testimonies in your life along with powerful promises from God's word on paper will help us do all that He puts before us today!!

:)

Happy Valentines Day Weekend!

Happy Valentines Day Everyone!!!!

Spread the Love that God has filled your heart with.

Get together with your family and ask God who you

are to bless this weekend.

:) Kari

Brothers in CO need a forever family!

Aren't these young men adorable? They need a forever family to open their hearts and home. Please pray for them and share their information with families you think might be interested. You just never know!!! Contact the Adoption Exchange at 303-755-4756 for more information. :)

These brothers are a great pair to complete your family! Jalear is one great kid! He can be found playing a variety of sports including his favorites, football and t-ball. Jalear is big on playing outside with his friends. He is in first grade and likes to read and being read to. Jacari is a very active little guy. On nice days you will find him riding his scooter. Being read to is a favorite pastime and he is now in preschool. He is healthy and has a happy disposition. Jalear and Jacari both benefit from counseling, which will need to continue after placement. Their caseworker would like these brothers to be placed with a two-parent family or a single male; however, all family types will be considered. They would thrive with an experienced family who can provide patience, structure and a nurturing environment. Financial assistance may be available for adoption-related services. For Colorado children, both homestudied and non homestudied Colorado families are encouraged to inquire; only homestudied families from other states should do so. We only accept inquiries on the sibling pair, who will be placed together.

Praying for our children

Prayer Changes Things!!! Praying for our children in a powerful thing. This prayer I am sharing with you is from The Power of a Praying Parent - Praying through a child's room. :)

Dear Lord, I invite Your Holy Spirit to dwell in this room, which belongs to (name of child/children). You are Lord over heaven and earth, and I proclaim that You are Lord over this room as well. Flood it with Your light and life. Crowd out any darkness which seeks to impose itself here, and let no spirits of fear, depression, anger, doubt, anxiety, rebelliousness, or hatred (name anything you've seen manifested in your child's behavior) find any place here. I pray that nothing will come into this room that is not brought by You, Lord. If there is anything here that shouldn't be, show me so it can be taken out. Put Your complete protection over this room so that evil cannot enter here by any means. Fill this room with Your love, peace, and joy. I pray that my child will say, as David did, "I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. I will set nothing wicked before my eyes" (Psalm 101:2-3). I pray that You, Lord, will make this room a holy place, sanctified for Your glory. Amen.

Tom Davis - Red Letters

Just wanted to make you all aware of this great deal at Family Christian Bookstores on Red Letters by Tom Davis. :)
I’ve discovered a new way to live. Every morning when I get out of bed, I look for Jesus. No, not because I’ve misplaced Him. And I’m not talking about a feeling I get during prayer, or revelation that comes to me while reading Scripture. I’m talking about finding Jesus in the eyes of real people. In the eyes of the poor, the handicapped, the oppressed, the orphan, the homeless, the AIDS victim—the abandoned and the forgotten.
(Tom Davis, Red Letters, p. 15)

From Tom Davis' blog:

A Great Deal on Red Letters
I'm excited to tell you the Family Christian Stores has selected Red Letters: Living a Faith that Bleeds as their Member only title for the month of February. You can pick this book up for only $5 for a limited time at the front counter so buy a ton! Proceeds from the book help to benefit orphans through The James Fund.

In the Field - Orphan Ministry

Isaac and Serena Tyrrell came and spoke at our Orphan Sunday event last November. They are now in Africa and sharing the experiences and pictures in a blog that I thought you would all enjoy. :)

http://www.tyrrellsinafrica.org/

Are you mindful, watchful and ready?

Let be and be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10

In our Fields of the Fatherless class we are being intentional in the next two weeks in our daily lives to seek and to look for those that God desires to touch and bless.

Sometimes we get so busy with our to do list that we may walk right by someone who needs to know God loves and cares for them right where they are.
How can you show God's love today?
-Be mindful of the Holy Spirit's still, small voice speaking to your heart
-Be watchful as you listen to the Holy Spirit. At this point I personally have to remind myself that it is not all about what I needed to get done on this particular outing.
-Be ready to be obedient! If you are doing the above two things the Holy Spirit will speak to your heart.
Sometimes just making eye contact and giving someone a smile may bless someone's day. Just the fact the someone noticed them. So many people today feel insignificant and unnoticed.

:)