Our October

This past week has been a week of rest for our family.  We had run ourselves ragged for a few weeks before that and needed time to recoup.  Our church recognized Orphan Sunday last weekend and we had as a guest speaker Johnny Carr, author of Orphan Justice.  He also held a training for orphan care ministries in the Jackson area which was awesome.  A few days before all of that, we went to a fundraiser for 200 Million Flowers where Robert Gelainas spoke.  Both of these men are huge advocates for vulnerable children and were great speakers.  If you ever have the chance to hear either or both of them, I highly recommend it!  Then a few days later, I listened to a webinar on "The Church as a Partner in Biological Family Reunification."  Ouch.  As I am sure most of you know, the goal of foster care is to reunify the child/children with their biological family.  For me it is hard to think positively about the biological families much of the time though.  And I am very guilty of thinking the worst of them.  It was a challenging webinar with much truth in it.  What a powerful witness it would be if the church truly came along side these parents and helped them with their struggles.  During our Orphan Justice weekend, I learned about a program called Safe Families.  It trains families in the church to learn how to be a support for families in need - before the government gets involved.  Its goal is to help struggling families who have no support network.  They might need someone to help with their child for a day or for a month - it varies from situation to situation.  Bethany Christian Services is heading up the program and has it in 17 states so far.

I have heard several people this past week lament that their churches are not recognizing Orphan Sunday and that they do not have orphan care ministries.  If that is you, I strongly suggest you pray about possibly starting a ministry in your church instead of leaving for another church with one already established.  Pray that your leadership in your church will have an open heart and mind to you starting one.  And let me know if you need materials to give you a jump start!

The kids are all doing well.   Benjamin continues to thrive and enjoy life here in the U.S.  We met friends for a day at the pumpkin patch and had a great time.  Jocelyn had her 8th birthday in October.  Our new boys have been with us for 3 months now and have finally adjusted to our family and the way we do things.  They are getting along with our kids and for the most part have blended right in.  They all loved dressing up as super heroes this week and of course, enjoyed the candy.  In any spare time I have, I am making jewelry (which I enjoy) and selling it to help adoptive families and vulnerable children (which makes me happy to contribute in a small way).  If you have Christmas shopping you need to do, check out my etsy shop.  I can even send you the jewelry gift-wrapped!

Now for a few pictures of our month:

Ellie Grace burying herself in the dried corn pool at the pumpkin patch.

Jocelyn was just a little excited when she realized she was opening a watch on her birthday!

Our superheroes.

First fall fire (the boys had great fun with this!).

All in all, we are having a great time.

And last but not least, since today is officially Orphan Sunday and November is National Adoption Month, think about how you can care for an orphan or a vulnerable child.  It is about so much more than adopting or fostering.  We are not all called to those things but we are all called to care for orphans.  And there are oh so many ways to do that.  Sponsor a child or a family in danger of losing their child.  Help support foster and adoptive families you know by praying for them, taking them a meal, babysitting, or just encouraging them.  Become a mentor to a foster child.  Donate supplies to a local resource room for foster children.  Sponsor a foster child this Christmas.  Support your local social workers who work tirelessly to make decisions for children in your county.  Take them lunch or a cake or a note of encouragement.  They are way under-appreciated.  There are hundreds of ways.  Be creative....and wait for the blessings that will come your way!

James 1:27