Two brothers wish for 2013 - A Family!

Seth and Justin long to have a family to call their own.  Seth is 9 years old and Justin is 7 years old.  This is what their case worker shared about them: 

Seth is a unique and likeable guy, who enjoys playing with his peers. He has a magnificent memory and would be happy to take you on in any memory games. When he is feeling energetic, he likes to go to the park or play with his scooter. During quieter times, Seth indulges in writing and reading. In the third grade, he benefits from an IEP (Individualized Education Plan); he has progressed leaps and bounds recently. Justin is a helpful kid who is very interested in arts and crafts, books, puzzles, video games and Batman. He is a bright boy who does extremely well in the second grade and, like his older brother, really enjoys reading and writing. Justin tends to relate especially well with adults and can be warm and affectionate with those he trusts. If you want to make him feel proud and important, give him a task to do and see the successful product as he beams.


 For more information about these brothers, contact the Adoption Exchange at - 1-800-451-5246  Their case numbers are 9819 and 9820.

Finally Home Foundation - End of the Year Matching Grant

Finally Home Foundation supports foster and adoptive families in a significant way.  Please consider participating in this matching grant.   http://finallyhomefoundation.net/

FinallyHomeFoundation
Dear Friend, When you invest in foster and adoptive families, your gift will be doubled!   When a child joins a forever family, a journey to health and wholeness begins. It’s hard to deny these realities when families come together for a Family Wellness event, with children who exhibit:   » Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (30%). » Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (57%).   » Other children attend with Oppositional Defiance Disorder, plus physical and mental health challenges, caused by trauma and neglect.   These precious families need your help!   Until December 31, your investment in these treasured families will be doubled by a generous $20,000 matching gift from the owners of OtterBox. This means your gift of:   √    $    100 becomes $200 √    $    250 becomes $500 √    $    500 becomes $1,000, and √    $ 2,500 becomes $5,000.               When you consider a year-end investment, it’s hard to imagine a stock that could double what you put into it, especially by December 31.  [click here] to give now.   With the partnership from OtterBox, you can become like one of the two faithful servants in Matthew 25:21-23, dramatically increasing what was assigned to them.               Your response by December 31 also propels the cause of healthy foster-adoptive families – enabling them to attend a Family Wellness Retreat, join a Support Group, or benefit from Scholarships.   God bless you for caring. Your gift of any size, received by December 31, is fully tax-deductible, and matched. To make an online gift, [click here]               Kristin Orphan Founder/Director	December 2012 Match Gift Challenge   Goal: $20,000   Today's Status: $15,769   Amount to go by December 31: $4,231 Quick Links Our Website Donate Now Contact Us
FinallyHomeFoundation

Understanding Attachment Disorders

                          

Finally Home Foundation and Welcome Child Ministry would like to invite you to a lunch reception where David and Carol Boyd will be our guests.

Sunday – Dec. 9^th at 11:30 in Room 211 at Timberline Church  Childcare is available during service

David and Carol served with YWAM for 36 years before moving to DC to work with Pastor Dick and Ruth Foth. 

Through their many years with YWAM they gained extensive experience working with orphans around the world.  They are adoptive parents and most recently Carol completed her PH.D. dissertation on attachment disorders.

They have graciously offered to share their experience and expertise with us while they are visiting here in Colorado.

As we gain a better understanding of the challenges that attachment disorders bring to our families, the better equipped we will be as parents.

We look forward to seeing you.  Please RSVP so that we order enough lunch for everyone!

Kristin Orphan at Kristin@finallyhomefoundation.net

Kari Stewart at kstewart@timberlinechurch.org

International Adoption Information Meeting

Learn About International Adoption

Date:: DECEMBER, 5TH 2012 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

Are you interested in learning about international adoption? Then this information meeting is for you! Among the topics covered will be:

• International versus domestic adoption
• Deciding where to adopt
• Eligibility requirements
• Choosing an agency
• The international adoption process
• Costs and travel considerations
• And much more …

The meeting will be held in Room 154 of Resurrection Christian Middle School (attached to the church). Child care will be provided for birth through kindergarten. Please RSVP by sending an email to rezorphan@gmail.com

Location
Room 154 of Resurrection Christian Middle School

Reposted from Photas Ministries

This morning we posted a blog post on Love Reaches about The Baby House in Guatemala.  Read the below post by Sean and Tiffany Cherry of what happened last night.  Babies are abandoned everyday in Guatemala.  God doesn't tell us in His Word that caring for orphans is a good idea - It is a mandate.  James 1:27 says: This is pure and undefiled religion, in the sight of our God and Father, to visit orphans and widows in their distress.

Please pray for this little girl and for Sean and Tiffany as they walk in obedience to the call that God  has placed on them to serve in Guatemala.  :)

Monday, October 15, 2012

PLEASE PRAY FOR THIS LITTLE GIRL

Today we have heavy eyes, but even heavier hearts. Last night a little girl, 2 1/2 years old was dropped off at Mimi's House. Not for a couple hours, for the rest of her life. Her Mom did not want to care for her anymore. Within a matter of 30 minutes this little girls world was turned upside down. 

As we all tried hard to distract her, nothing worked. She continued to cry for "Mama" and point in the direction where she knew she had last seen her Mom. Words can not even describe this moment. The fear in her eyes was indescribable. Eventually she gave up the fight, buried herself in my chest and fell asleep.

As I layed in bed with her, I could not fall asleep. I was so sad for this little precious girl. I tried to come up with every reason in my mind why this happens. Nothing made sense to me. As I began to pray for her and her mother, I started to think about the message we had just heard at Church an hour before she arrived here. We had been going through a series called "When God?" by Andy Stanley for the last three weeks. He tells the story of Lazaras, a man Jesus said was the greatest who ever lived. And yet, even this man struggled with God's inattentiveness.  But the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead offers a picture of hope in the midst of a hopeless situation. If we continue to trust God through our pain or lack of understanding, he will eventually show His glory.

Today, I have seen His glory! As I played a small part in helping this sweet little girl adjust last night, I knew that my role moving forward would be different. As much as I would LOVE to be the person to fill the void in this lovable girls life, I know that I can not commit to being here with her the rest of her life.  But God has given me a front row seat to see an awesome ministry with BEAUTIFUL people who have stepped up for this girl in such a short time with short notice.
 They took her to the Doctor today and determined she was pretty sick with an ear infection, throat infection a fever and a bad cough. She started her medicine and is a different girl this afternoon! They have played with her, hugged her and made her smile.

She was not safe where she was but by the Glory of God, She is safe and with her forever family at Mimi's House!!

 http://waitingwithfaith.blogspot.com/2012/10/please-pray-for-this-little-girl.html

Welcome Child Meeting

Sunday - Oct. 14th - 5pm - Room 210

Orphan Care Weekend - 2 weeks away - Oct. 27/28

  - Walk Beside, ....walk in love, just as Christ also love you.  Ephesians 5:2

Safe Families for Children Event  - Friday, Oct. 26 - Family Event  

  - Tickets available now - $25 each or $75 per family 

Kristin Orphan and the Finally Home Band in Concert at Timberline Windsor - 

   - Sunday, Oct. 28th - 6pm - Free Admission

God is using Welcome Child Ministry to make an impact in Northern CO.  Our meeting tomorrow night will allow you to hear from Welcome Child Ministry Leaders.  These ministries are growing and your involvement is needed!!

Prayer is the foundation of all ministry that grows out of Welcome Child!!!

Please pray:

- upcoming Orphan Care Weekend Events

- growth and expansion of ministries that are under the Welcome Child umbrella

- hearts to be stirred to respond in obedience to God's call to the church to care for the widow, the lonely ad the orphan

Prayer has a way of opening the right doors at the right time - even when we least expect it.

These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David.  What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. I know your deeds.  See, I have placed before you an open door that no once can shut.  

Revelations 3:7-8

Orphan Care Weekend - Oct. 27/28

Orphan Care Weekend

For the past several years, we have been on a journey together seeking God's heart for the orphan and marginalized.  In  2010, we were dared to take a step and move towards those who are hurting, to simply open our eyes to the realities of so many in our world.  We were challenged in 2011 to go near to the brokenhearted and visit them in their distress.  This year, we have been invited to "Walk Beside" orphans and those who are caring for them, to love as Christ has loved us, and to be willing to share the cost with those who are on the difficult journey from brokenness to wholeness.  

 

Please join us on October 27-28 during all of the weekend services at Timberline Fort Collins and Timberline Windsor Campus for our annual Orphan Care Celebration.  Admission is free for a Sunday evening concert at Timberline Windsor Campus, 6pm, featuring Kristin Orphan and The Finally Home Band.

Finally Home Family Wellness Event

Building Family Wellness

POSTED ON SEPTEMBER 18, 2012 BY LOVE REACHES

It was a beautiful day as twenty families gathered together to eat. Meat sizzled on the grill and grinning face-painted children ran around underfoot. It wasn’t a family reunion or a neighborhood block party, but rather a gathering of families on the similar journey of fostering and adopting kids who have experienced trauma.

On September 15, 2012, Timberline Church was home to the third Colorado Family Wellness Event sponsored by the Finally Home Foundation and put on through the efforts of many volunteers. Families from all over Northern Colorado committed their Saturday to learning and growing.

The parents spent much of the day working on skills like being a team with their partner, parenting as a leader and model, making rules, and solving family problems. The workshops, taught by certified instructors, counted toward the hours needed to maintain a foster-care license. In addition to learning practical strategies to strengthen their marriages and communication skills, they were able to spend invaluable time with other families and brainstorm solutions gleaned from their collective experiences.

Meanwhile, over 50 children ages one to thirteen had a day filled with fun activities including face-painting, inflatable bounce castles, board games, and age-appropriate crafts. If a child needed one-on-one attention, a qualified volunteer was there to help. For many, it was the first time parents had been able to leave their children in childcare knowing they would be able to remain for the day in a loving and supportive environment.

In the middle of the day, the SERVE 6.8 cooking team prepared and served a delicious meal including hot dogs and hamburgers with all the fixings, macaroni salad, fruit salad, and chips along with cookies and brownies for dessert. Additional volunteers were on hand to hold open doors, help families juggle multiple plates and drinks, and clean up.

Fostering and adopting kids who have experienced trauma is a challenging road.  Finally Home Foundation exists to encourage and equip these special families and give them a forum to connect with one another. The Family Wellness Event was provided at no cost to the families they serve.

The goal was to give families a much needed break and to make their day. Judging by the many smiles, they certainly did.

Congratulations to The Adoption Exchange!!!

This is Exciting News for The Adoption Exchange!!  :)

http://www.adoptex.org/site/PageServer

Thank you for helping connect 7,000 more children with their forever families!

Building Hope Playhouse up for Auction on Ebay - Bid Today!

Ebay Link:  http://www.ebay.com/itm/251126519820;jsessionid=6F6CE9A6F343C5A48E5C529E87CCACE9?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_sacat%3D0%26_nkw%3D251126519820%26_rdc%3D1#ht_2948wt_1186

Building Hope Vision: To bring hope and healing through restorative home repair to families in our community.

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But desire fulfilled is the tree of life.  Proverbs 13:12

Building Hope will not be limited to, but will specifically serve: Foster and Adoptive Families, Single Parent Homes, Widows and those with health concerns or disabilities.

All proceeds from this auction will got to serve families in our community through Building Hope.

For more information about Building Hope contact:  Kari Stewart at:  Karalot9@gmail.com

A Backpack of My Own

Timberline Windsor has started collecting their filled backpacks!!!  That pile will grow this weekend as people continue to bring in their backpacks.  Windsor is partnering with Windsor School District and Weld County Children Services to distribute their filled backpacks.


Timberline Fort Collins will have Backpack sign-ups and supply list available in the mall this weekend.  Filled Backpacks can be delivered to our Fort Collins campus the weekends of Aug. 4/5 and Aug. 11/12.  Fort Collins  is partnering with Foster and Adoptive Families of Larimer County and The Matthews House to distribute their filled backpacks.


When a child or youth is in a desperate situation they often don't have the supplies that they need to be successful in the classroom setting.  When you take the time, expense and effort to fill a backpack for a child - you are making a deposit into their life that will not return void. :)


A Backpack of My Own Contacts:
Timberline Fort Collins:  Erin Branchflower - erinbeth21@hotmail.com
Timberline Windsor: Lynn Peterson - LPETERSON6876@msn.com

Hillcrest Children's Home Trip

We have been home from Hot Springs, Arkansas for a couple of weeks.  Our experience individually and as a team touched us in such a way that we are each committed to be a part of next years team - I hope you will join us!

What does it mean to be present in someone's life?  Being present sometimes means that you don't say anything - you are just there - serving and being a part of their daily life.  

Our team was present in so many ways:

- painting 15 rooms in two cottages - this was a quiet and interactive way for us to get to know the kids

- painting 2 rooms in the administration building

- stripping wallpaper in the conference room

- trimming bushes at Highlands Maternity Home

- spending time with the young women at Highlands 

- sorting, hanging and organizing clothes in their donation center

- children's ministry time every evening that involved games, devotions, bowling

- a minor league ballgame on the 4th of July

- going with 4 cottages on two different afternoons to an area amusement park

We ended our time with the staff and kids with an ice cream social at their large pavilion area.  Dean and Beth brought the sound system from the gym down to the pavilion, sidewalk chalk (enjoyed by all ages) and bubbles.  They have a basketball court right near the pavilion that we cleaned earlier in the week, so it was full of kids playing and enjoying each other. It was even more than we could have prayed for.  It was a crazy moment to cry, but that is exactly what I did.  As we began scooping the ice cream a song titled: "My Wish" by Rascal Flatts started to play over the sound system - the sounds of the kids laughing and the house parents and staff talking completely overwhelmed me because this song spoke what my heart was saying. At that moment Dean came up to me and asked what I thought of this amazing picture before us and the tears started to flow.  We had talked about this ice cream social months ago when we first visited Hillcrest - it is an amazing thing to see the plans and ideas that God speaks to our heart come full circle.  To know that we could have even been small part of God's plan in showing His love to these kids and staff this week was an amazing feeling - WHAT AN HONOR FOR OUR ENTIRE TEAM!  


One of our team verses for the week:


 I will be with you, I will never leave, fail or forsake you.
Joshua 1:5


Read more about this trip at:  http://lovereaches.wordpress.com/2012/07/17/being-present-in-hot-springs-july-2012/


** We did make a video of our time at Hillcrest Children's Home.  Due to privacy considerations we cannot post it on a blog or social media site.  Watch for it in to be in a video loop in the Timberline Cafe soon.  


Here is Rascal Flatts - My Wish

If you are looking for something fun to do tomorrow, Sunday July 15 (9am - 5pm) come and join us in Old Town Square in Fort Collins from 9am to 5pm to watch as a playhouse is being built to benefit Building Hope. 

Building Hope is an outreach under SERVE 6.8 providing restorative home repairs and renovations for foster/adoptive families, single moms, widows and those with disabilities.

The playhouse will be on display at various businesses over the next month and will be at the Men's Ministry golf tournament benefiting Building Hope on August 13th.  An ebay auction account will be set up for this playhouse.  Bidding for the playhouse will end mid August.  I will post the link when it is up and running!

This is a great way to be in our community advocating for the things that God has put on our heart and given us the ability to be a part of.

See you there!!  :)

The First Step.....

 

....to becoming a Host Family for Safe Families for Children.  

It is so exciting to see the dream realized of launching Safe Families for Children in Northern Colorado.  There are many ways that you can get involved - one of them is by becoming a host family.  We have received several calls and are in need of host families right away.  Please share the below information with anyone you think would love to be part of opening their home for a few days to a child that needs a safe place to be for a night or a couple of months.  :)

Please go to  safe-families.org

Click on "Find SFFC Locations" under What is Safe Families?

Click on the state of Colorado on the map that is displayed on the screen

Click on the gold "Agency Home" button

Click on Helpful Resources you can Download - the password is Colorado

Click on Home Screening and App - it is the last one listed.

You can download this form and fill it out right on line and submit it.  Someone from Bethany Christian Services will be contacting you after you submit the application to come to your home to do a home assessment.

For more information contact:

Mike Walker at mwalker@timberlinechurch.org

Kari Stewart at Karalot9@gmail.com

Have a Great 4th of July!!

Clarissa's Story of Hope - Safe Families for Children

GIVE - HOST -VOLUNTEER - SHARE

Safe Families for Children Training 
Sunday - June 24 - Timberline Church
1:00-5:00 - Room 213


Watch Clarissa's Story at the link below:


Safe Families :: Home

Safe Families for Children provides care to kids and parents in crisis with the goal of supporting the entire family so that they can be reunited as quickly as possible.  Safe Families for Children is an opportunity for volunteers to have a powerful impact in the lives of others while practicing biblical hospitality and extending the love of Christ to people in need --- all from their own home!  

Parents like Clarissa find themselves in difficult situations that leaves them unable to care for their kids like they would like to.  These situations might look like:

- unemployment or loss of housing

- financial difficulties

- postpartum depression

- illness or hospitalization

- incarceration of one parent

Your compassionate response to serve families in our community through Safe Families for Children will have a positive impact in their life.  :)

Thinking About Adoption

If you are considering Adoption - click on the link below.  It has a lot of helpful information as you begin this journey.  :)

http://www.adoptionjourney.com/ 

Thinking About Adoption.

Are you considering adoption but still unsure if it is a good fit for your family? If so, we understand. Allow us to guide you through the process of considering adoption. Learn more.

Starting the Adoption Process.

Have you decided to start the adoption process? If so, great! We are excited to share with you a step-by-step process that will guide you along the way. Get started now.

Safe Families for Children - We need You!!

Safe Families for Children is launching in Northern Colorado!!!!

Matthews House along with Northern Colorado Christian Alliance for Orphans and churches in our community would like to invite you to be a part of launching this Family Strengthening Initiative in Northern Colorado.

Safe Families for Children provides care to kids and parents in crisis with the goal of supporting the entire family so that they can be reunited as quickly as possible.  Safe Families for Children is an opportunity for volunteers to have a powerful impact in the lives of others while practicing biblical hospitality and extending the love of Christ to people in need --- all from their own home!  

Parents find themselves in difficult situations that leaves them unable to care for their kids like they would like to.  These situations might look like:

- unemployment or loss of housing

- financial difficulties

- postpartum depression

- illness or hospitalization

- incarceration of one parent

There are many ways that you can help Safe Families for Children be a success in our community:

- Become a Host Family-hosts families give the kids a safe place to be while their parents work out the     details of getting their family back together.

- Support a host family through meals, supplies, prayer and encouragement

- Support through a financial gift to help Safe Families for Children to be the net of support that these families need

- Become a Safe Families for Children Church

**Orientation and Training for all levels of involvement will be on Sunday - June 24 at Timberline Church from 1-5 pm.  

We have become aware of a situation of a single mom needing to have surgery in July.  She does not have a network of support to help her care for her 5 year old daughter during her hospitilization and rehabilitation (4-6 weeks).  Let's support this mom by spreading the word about Safe Families for Children!!  

Safe Families for Children will have an impact in helping families!  They will become healthy and successful through family support services that will include Extended Coaching from the staff at Matthews House.  These coaches will meet with the parents and help them connect with resources and support that they are not aware of, while at the same time creating a net of support that they didn't have to begin with.

You can make a significant impact in a family in our community by committing to support Safe Families for Children in some way.  

Plan on attending this one afternoon training on Sunday, June 24th from 1-5 pm.  

RSVP to Kari Stewart at Karalot9@gmail.com   

Mike Walker has accepted the position as the Director of Safe Families for Children beginning July 1, 2o12.  

For more information about Safe Families for Children go to:  http://www.safe-families.org/

It is Summertime!!!  Summer can be a long season for foster and adoption families. Set aside some time to spend time with families like yours who know from experience the journey that you are on.  Our foster/adoption support group will be meeting through out the summer.  Please mark these dates on your calendar.  :)

Tonight at support group we scheduled some fun summer activities, in addition to our being together on the fourth Sunday evenings of June, July and August for our regular support group meetings from 5-7pm at Timberline.  If you would like to get in on those (our regular meetings at the church) but are needing childcare please use the link below to sign up.  The sooner you sign up the better but if you don't fill out the form at least one week prior to our meeting your kids won't have a spot in Childcare.  

http://fs8.formsite.com/timberline/Childcareenrollmentform/index.html 

Here's the summer schedule--mark your calendars and get ready for some fun times!

June 2012:

• June 11th-- moms are taking a quick tour of the FAFLC (Foster and Adoptive Families of Larimer County) facilities--the Little House (where clothes are housed and can be picked up by members of the association) and the Construction Supply Warehouse (where surplus food is stored as well as miscellaneous supplies--sometimes cribs, beds, and such for members who are in need of things for their families, especially as kids come and go from your care)  We will meet at Bounce on Lincoln Ave in Loveland at 9:30AM.  Erin Branchflower is our contact for this outing so call her if you have questions about specifics or if you get lost or are running late that morning :-)  (970) 420-5784

        more info about FAFLC if you are interested: https://faflc.org/default.aspx

• June 24th--Regular Support Group meeting (room 212 from 5-7pm at Timberline)

• June 29th--Mom's play date  Bring your kiddos and meet at Troutman Park at 9am  Come play and leave when your kids hit the wall :-) 

               Troutman park: http://www.fcgov.com/parks/finder/park/id/53    (500 West Troutman Parkway; Fort Collins)

July 2012

• July 6th--guys night out  (dad's only--no kids please)  Details TBA when the date gets closer

• July 15th--meet at 5pm at Spring Canyon Park, stay as long as you want to.  Bring your own picnic dinner for your family only. 

        link for Spring Canyon Park--this is the park if you take Horsetooth Road until it dead ends into a park on your right.   

The address is: 2626 West Horsetooth Road; Fort Collins    http://www.fcgov.com/parks/finder/spring-canyon 

• July 22nd-- Regular Support Group meeting (room 212 from 5-7pm at Timberline)

August 2012

• August 10th--Girls night out (no kids please)  Details TBA when the date gets closer

• August 26th --Regular Support Group meeting (room 212 from 5-7pm at Timberline)

We look forward to seeing you this summer as we are out and about with our group!  If you have questions feel free to contact myself (Heather Alverson-- 970.391.4913 or Erin Branchflower 970.420.5784