What is Fundango?

Fundango is 3 hours of respite for foster and adoptive families!!!!  Heart of the Rockies Christian Church in Fort Collins has faithfully cared for foster and adoptive families through Fundango.  



Mark your calendar for the upcoming 2013 Fundango dates!!

Date Location Theme Coordinator
January 26, 2013 Fort Collins * Game Night Katie
February 16, 2013 Loveland ** Chinese New Year Katie
March 2, 2013 Fort Collins Happy Birthday Dr. Suess Katie
March 23, 2013 Loveland Science Jody
April 6, 2013 Fort Collins Western Katie
April 20, 2013 Loveland Earth Day Jody
May 4, 2013 Fort Collins Alice in Wonderland Jody
May 11, 2013 Loveland Spring Fling Katie
June 15, 2013 Greeley *** Bike Rodeo Erica
July 13, 2013 Fort Collins Summer Fun Jody
August 3, 2013 TBD TBD Katie
September 7, 2013 Fort Collins Carnival Katie
September 21, 2013 Loveland Fall Festival Katie
October 5, 2013 Fort Collins Music Katie
October 9, 2013 Loveland Pirates Jody
November 9, 2013 Fort Collins Hero's Katie
December 7, 2013 Loveland Lego Star Wars Jody
All events start at 5:00 pm and end at 8:30 pm. If you would like to sign up for any of these events, please contact Erica Wharton @ 970-223-1230 or via email at director@kidsatheartfundango.org. Please remember that all registrations need to be received by the Wednesday prior to the Fundango Event. 
*Our Loveland Location is located the Boys and Girls Club - 2500 East 1st Street
**Our Fort Collins location is located at the Boys and Girls club - 1608 Lancer Drive.
***First Christian Church in Greeley is located on 2230 13thStreet

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.

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

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.

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.

Love Reaches - Pastor Mark's Blog

A great blog for you to follow:

Love Reaches Blog: http://lovereaches.wordpress.com

Sometimes saying yes changes everything

POSTED ON MARCH 15, 2012 BY LOVE REACHES

Baptisms always get me. You don’t want to sit next to me at a baptism service. I may have to wipe my nose or eyes on your shirt sleeve. Last Sunday morning at the Timberline FC 8:30 service, the waterworks cranked up to a new level. Every baptism represents a miraculous story of God’s redemption in somebody’s life. Eleven-year-old Jill lit up the screen with her beaming smile and simple account of how she knew God had called her to take this step today. It hit me that this is not only what God called Jill to do, but her miracle story is a beautiful picture of what God calls the church to do.

Jill was an infant born to a mother who could not take care of her. Unfortunately, in many cases like Jill, a child ends up at some point becoming one of almost a half-million children trapped in our country’s foster care system. Eleven years ago a family “knew that God was calling them” to do something big. Every once in a while God asks us to do something that changes everything. This was one of those moments. Contrast the dark reality of children caught in the foster care system with the miracle of a family and a church that have truly connected with God’s heart for fatherless children: abandonment, neglect, hopelessness, anger, the firm grip of generational darkness versus passionate acceptance, loving care, a place to dream, tenderness, an eternal legacy. A willing response to what God was calling this family to do truly changed everything for Jill.

At the baptism, as a church, we reaped the benefits and celebrated a miracle that brought all of those “God-is-calling” moments together to change everything for one little girl. But not just for her—for her children and generations to follow. They were all saved from what all too often becomes a chain of generational despair. Let’s continue to become a church that hears more and more what God is calling us to do for the sake of fatherless children.

-Pastor Mark

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

James 1:27

Jill's Decision to Get Baptized

The beautiful girl pictured above is our daughter Jill. A couple of weeks ago she was reading the bulletin before church started and noticed an information table about Baptism. She looked at me and said "Mom, I want to get baptized. Can I sign up after church?"

As soon as church was over she went to the table and signed her name up to attend the information class.

What so impressed about this decision of hers was that "it was her decision". She owned it from the moment she read about it - it resonated in her heart and she responded with obedient action!

When asked why she wanted to get baptized she said "Because I think that this is something that God wants me to do".

If we all could be so obedient to respond quickly to those things that God speaks to our heart.

Last Sunday as her dad was baptizing her, God reminded me of our brief meeting with Jill's birth mom. She chose not to see her in the hospital after she was born and she chose not to see her the day that we picked her up in another state. She felt like it would be to hard to say goodbye.

The day that we met, was bittersweet, while Jeff and I were excited about God's expansion of our family, Jill's mom was saying goodbye to a daughter she had never held or seen.

As this precious woman sat in front of me she looked me in the eyes and said, "I don't want you to think for a moment that I don't love my daughter. I love her very much and I want her to have something I can't give her and something I didn't have - a dad." Those words have brought comfort to Jill over the years.

It was in that moment as Jeff baptized Jill that those words were more powerful in my heart and mind than ever. A dad provides safety, security, unconditional love and a spiritual covering.

The decision that she made to place Jill with an adoptive family, broke the spiritual stronghold in her life of the fatherless - that is powerful!

While our kids birth families are not physically present in our lives - they are always present in our hearts and minds. :)

The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

Matthew 13:44

Embryo Adoption - Nightlight Christian Adoption Agency

I love seeing local newspapers tell the story of adoption. Nightlight Christian Adoption was featured on the front page of the Loveland Reporter Herald over the weekend!! :)

Read the article here:

http://www.reporterherald.com/news/loveland-local-news/ci_20149489/funding-cut-threatens-loveland-based-program-that-encourages?IADID=Search-www.reporterherald.com-www.reporterherald.com

Super Bowl Winning Coach Tony Dungy

and his wife Lauren share a powerful message on this Super Bowl Weekend. We as the Body of Christ are mandated to be part of the solution. :)

Support The Adoption Exchange

Purchase a frosty key chain from Wendy's for $1 now through February 29th (while supplies last). Not only will you be supporting The Adoption Exchange, you will get a free jr. frosty with any purchase through December 31, 2012. YUM!!! :)

A Home for the Holidays!!!

Don't miss this tonight!! :)

‘A Home for the Holidays’ television special

“A Home for the Holidays” is a powerful CBS special. It shares stories of foster care adoption and features performances from some of America’s most popular musical artists. We have been a proud partner and participant since 1999, along with Children’s Action Network and Triage Productions. The program is generously sponsored by Wendy’s.

This heartwarming holiday special will air at 8 p.m. ET on CBS on Wednesday, December 21, 2011, featuring all-star talent. See the joy of having a family through the eyes of a child — not just for the holidays, but forever.

This year’s talent includes Justin Bieber, Mary J. Blige, Gavin DeGraw, Martina McBride, OneRepublic and Christina Perri. Presenters are Katherine Heigl, her Sister Meg Heigl-Beltran, Denise Richards and Jillian Michaels.

Give the gift of family. Text the word HOME to 50555 to make a $10 donation to DTFA. Standard text and data rates may apply. Follow our live Twitter chat (@DTFA) during the show using #ahomefortheholidays.

Adoption Poem

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.

HAPPY ADOPTION DAY!!!

Today we celebrated 3 finalization hearings!!!

Congratulations to the Branchflower and Alverson Families! Your persistence, patience and prayers shined through in this much anticipated day. :)

Stewart Family Goes to Washington DC

Our Family has been asked to be one of two families representing the State of CO for National Adoption Month - Voice for Adoption.

Our picture will be on display in Washington DC for the month of November and then will go to Senator Udall's office for 2 months before it makes its way back to CO.

Voice for Adoption makes a book of profile pictures and a brief bio on each family that is featured. The below information was taken from an interview and will appear along with our picture in the book.

The Stewart Family

“Please assure that adoptive families have the needed tools and resources.”

“Our family is a beautiful blend of nationalities,” write Jeff and Kari Stewart, parents to three biological children (Jeremiah, age 30; Sarah, age 25; Hannah, age 24), and six adopted children (Elisabeth, 17, born in China; Abigail, 15, born in Korea; Logan, 13, born in Florida; Luke, 11, born in Haiti; Jillian, 10, born in Tennessee; and Zinnia, 8, born in Hong Kong). The children were each adopted at various ages between infancy and toddlerhood.

The Stewart family bustles with activity; the children are all active with music, sports, school, and clubs. A week in the Stewart household might include Elisabeth working on college applications, Abigail running in her cross country meets, Logan practicing his drums, Luke fundraising for a Haitian orphanage, Jill practicing new recipes in the kitchen, and Zinnia playing with her friends and listening to music.

When asked what motivated them to adopt, the Stewarts reply unequivocally, “God put that desire on our hearts.” The Stewarts enjoy putting their faith into action in the way they care for each of their children’s needs. In discussing the difficulties they have faced in raising adopted children, Jeff and Kari explain, “Most children who have been placed for adoption have experienced trauma. That trauma can bring challenging behaviors into the family. The hardest part early on was educating our friends and families on these challenges and how we needed support.” Their youngest, Zinnia, has Down Syndrome, and benefits from Kari and Jeff’s extensive parenting experience.

Kari and Jeff were grateful for the Adoption Tax Credit, which allowed them to pay off expenses for their expanding family. The Stewarts are able to enjoy each other’s company on a monthly “night out” thanks to the organization Kids At Heart/Fundango, which serves foster and adoptive families. Jeff and Kari have also taken advantage of adoption support groups, where they found encouragement for the challenges they faced as adoptive parents. Clearly, this family also has much wisdom to offer others who are on the adoption journey.

Kari and Jeff Stewart would like members of Congress to know how crucial that post-adoption support is for adoptive families. They urge Congress, “Please ensure that adoptive parents have the necessary tools, resources and respite to raise a healthy, whole family.”

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!!

He is Mine

I tiptoed into your room one night.
I watched you sleeping there.
Your tiny body looked so snug
Wrapped in peaceful slumber's care.

I thought of how you came to be
The child we'd longed to know.
I wondered at the sight of you:
"How could she let you go?"

Tears streamed down my cheeks as I
Felt the pain she must have known.
For I will have to let you go
Some day when you are grown.

A mother I might never meet
Had given me her son.
Yet, surely as you've filled my heart,
A piece of hers you'd won.

"How could she let you go?"
The question kept returning.
And in the depths of my own heart
A question kept burning.

"How can I ever let you go
When years have come and gone?"
I stod there by your crib until
The nighttime turned to dawn.

And as the sun peeked through the shades,
The voice of God broke through.
"I trusted her to give him life
And now I'm trusting you."

"To show him what is right and wrong,
To love him and to be
The one who teaches him the way
To come back home to me.

"He wasn't hers to give, you know.
And he's not yours to own.
I've placed him in your life to love
But he is mine...on loan."
-Valerie Kay Gwin

Adoption is a Journey of Faith

I was recently talking with friends who feel God is leading them on an adoption journey. They have been going through a difficult time, waiting for God to reveal His bigger plan of adoption for them.

Waiting is hard!!! There is no way around it. Being matched with a birthmom and then having it fall through, wondering can we do it again? Can we put ourselves in the position to have our heart disappointed and hurt if it doesn't work out again?

Jeff and I found ourselves in this same position several years ago. The day we were to to travel and pick up our new daughter, the birthmom we had been working with changed her mind. It was devastating!! In my mind and heart that baby was meant to be in our family. I cried for days and asked God "Why? Why is so hard to adopt one little baby, when you put this desire on my heart so deeply?"

The Holy Spirit ministered to my heart through His word and through the prayers and support of friends. Once again we found ourselves opening our hearts, as we submitted our profile to be considered by prospective agencies. During a four month period, we were called many times by agencies saying that they had a birthmom in labor and asking if we would be interested in adopting the baby. We said yes every time. Then, the next morning we would receive a phone call saying that the birth family had changed their minds. The adoption journey is sometimes a whopper of a roller coaster ride of emotions (I don't like roller coasters, by the way).
Finally, we heard from an agency that wanted to match us with a 1 month old baby girl. That asked if we could come and pick her up at the end of the week? OF COURSE, I nearly shouted into the phone. Though the road was painful, God taught me that He had a plan and it could not be revealed until He was ready. There was nothing sweeter than holding our new daughter that God had entrusted to us.

If you find yourself in this position anywhere in your adoption journey - Press In and Press On in Faith that God is leading you to His perfect will for your family.

The promise in Isaiah 40:31 has encouraged me through all the ups and downs of our adoption journeys:

Yet, those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength, they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not faint.

Josh Wilson's song - Before the Morning - speaks to this truth! :)

Adopted for Life

Adopted For Life: The Priority of Adoption for Christian Families and Churches

by Russell D. Moore

This is a great resource for adoptive families and for those who support them.

In the first chapter of this book Russell Moore asks: "What would it mean if our churches and families were known as the people who adopt babies - and toddlers, and children, and teenagers. What if we as Christians were known, once again, as the people who take in orphans and make them beloved sons and daughters?"

Truly - WHAT IF??? Think about it. What if every church responded to the cry of the orphan in our community and around the world by saying, "Yes, Lord, what do you want me to do?"? Sometimes all it takes for an entire church body to respond is for one person to stand up and say "yes". Could that someone be you? :)

A free audio download of Adopted For Life is available during the month of February at:

http://christianaudio.com/free?utm_source=christianaudio&utm_campaign=a45a6017a2-Free_Feb_2011&utm_medium=email

9 year old Haitian Girl in the US needs a Family

Haitian Girl Available Through ReNEWed Hope Program

A nine-year old girl from Haiti, who has been living with her adoptive family and is now in therapeutic foster care is available for adoption. She is a sweet, intelligent, and artistic child who is well mannered and helpful. Because of her background, she needs a home with no younger children and a family who will provide her with counseling and support. An Evangelical family who is willing to home school is preferred. The family should understand attachment and adoption-related issues. The placement cannot be made until after January 15, 2011. For further information regarding this child or about our ReNEWed Hope program for children who come from other adoptive families, please contact: Laura Beauvais-Godwin Nightlight Christian Adoptions Laura@Nightlight.org

WRAPPING AROUND ADOPTIVE FAMILIES

How can you support those who are called to adopt?

Adoptive Families Need Your Help

When God puts the desire to adopt on a couple or single parent's heart it is truly an awe filled time, followed by a sense of joy and excitement that can soon be followed by fear. Most people want to be in situations that they can control. When you are pregnant there is a sense of control and timing. With adoption, each and every step is a step of faith. Adoptive moms and dads often describe the waiting time as exciting and scary at the same time. Being obedient to whatever God calls us to do can bring both of those feelings. Preparing for your child/children to come home is the same as preparing for the birth of a baby. You buy things you think you might need, you read books about parenting. Friends and family ask "when is your child coming home"? The road to and through adoption can be a difficult journey.

Instead of attending birthing classes at their local hospital they are attending pre-adoption classes at their agency. Adoptive families read books about attachment, grief and loss, handling challenging behaviors (that you hope you will never have to deal with). You try to educate your family and friends about how things might be.

What catches some families by surprise (it did me!) is that it can take time, sometimes a long time for you to feel like you have some order in your life. That's when you need to call in your support team. Establishing your support team before your child/children come home can be very helpful. In the moment you may not even be able to tell people exactly what you need.

Focus on the Family has put together a great little booklet called Wrapping Around Adoptive Families.

W.- Wrestle in Prayer - knowing that someone is covering you in prayer is a blessing

R. - Respite Care - respite care is crucial to the well-being of the family and usually does not come into play until the child has been home for several months.

A. - Acts of Service - meals, errands, laundry, yard work, cleaning, financial assistance, gifts

P. - Promise of God - promises are woven throughout God's word. Providing encouragement including those promises through notes, calls or emails can be a powerful source of comfort.

This booklet goes into much more detail. If you are an adoptive family it would be good for you to give this booklet to those in your life who can offer you support. If you have been wondering how you could better support an adoptive family in your life, this booklet is a great resource. If you are in Northern Colorado and would like some copies I would be happy to give you some. Just send me an email. Karalot9@gmail.com :)

These are available to order through Focus on the Family: http://www.icareaboutorphans.org/RBooks.aspx

Focus on the Family - Wait No More Event

Mark your calendars for this important event: Focus on the Family will be hosting their next Wait No More Event in Denver, CO on September 18, 2010 at Grace Chapel, 8505 S. Valley Highway, Englewood, CO from 1-5pm.

Wait No More has made a significant difference in the lives of many waiting children in CO. Since they had their first Wait No More event 2 years ago the number of waiting children has gone from 800 to 365. They work together with churches, ministries and agencies to advocate, educate and support families who respond and open their hearts and homes to Colorado's waiting children.

To find out more about how you can get involved click on the following links:

http://www.icareaboutorphans.org/Colorado.aspx

http://project127.com/

Adoption is more than just a good idea. It was God's idea and plan for us to be adopted into His forever family. I know that not everyone is called to adopt, but we are all called to do our part in advocating for those and supporting those who are called. :)