DADS FOR ADOPTION !!

I wish I had pictures, but I don't yet (promise to get them off Suzanne's camera very soon) ... When I say the spirit of the Lord showed out at the conference, I mean HE showed off ... He prepared the hearts that came to hear, He spoke through Suzanne and I as we shared HIS story in our faith walk for speaking up for the least of these, He brought many servant hearts together to organize the event and HE DREW PEOPLE CLOSE TO HIS HEART ....

Sweet people were coming up to us left and right w/ questions, encouragement, and stories ... I am seriously not sure who was blessed more us or them ...

One of the highlights for me was the panel discussion at the end ... Suzanne, Mike, Scott and I took questions from people ... It was real dialogue about issues that people were struggling with and/or curious about on the road to adoption ... PEOPLE, REAL DIALOGUE IS THE KEY ... Talking to those who have gone before you and sharing truthfully how God has worked in your story is biblical ... To watch Scott and Mike share their hearts as I looked into the eyes of the many men sitting in the auditorium was mind blowing ... Fathers speaking to other Fathers saying you are not alone, saying I understand your fears, AND SAYING YOU CAN DO IT ... seriously, God was doing HIS THING !!

We met some amazing people and truly found sisters who share our hearts (can't wait for them to visit TN) .... I can't tell you the joy and excitement that comes from the emails we have already received from people saying they are moving forward to adopt ... CHILDREN WILL BE COMING HOME !!!

WE LAUGHED, WE CRIED, AND WE REFRESHED OUR SPIRITS ... thanks NORMAL for letting us crazy southerners crash your state !!!

Check out our website 147millionorphans.com for more details on the conference Suzanne and I are speaking at this weekend along w/ our sweet hubbies ... Marianne and Lisa (and I am sure many others) have put so much of their heart into this weekend and wanting to help others find their way to SPEAK UP FOR THOSE WITH NO VOICE ...

or you can go to connectingheartsconference.org  .... IF YOU LIVE ANYWHERE NEAR THIS AREA PLEASE JOIN US !!!  We will be bringing all the 147 gear !!!

Suzanne and I are humbled to be used in this way ... We are Two Families trying to live out the word of the Lord ... We fail miserably on most days, but we try to let the Lord shine through and show HIS glory ...

I ask for some special prayers for my heart at this time ... There is so much going on in my heart and I can feel God preparing us for many new journeys and some definite BLIND leaps of faith ... Love You All !!!

http://www.wsmv.com/video/22537935/index.html  Enjoy ... You will never see me this quiet again !! lol

CONTEST TIME !!! 147 Million Orphans is coming out w/ a totally new product end of next week ... FIRST person to guess it will win one for free !!! DON'T CHEAT IF I HAVE TOLD YOU WHAT IT IS ...  hee hee ... The RED FEED 1 shirts are selling so fast .... We just got our second shipment in yesterday, so order yours now off the website ... 147millionorphans.com

HAVE A FABULOUS WEEKEND !!

http://nohandscurrentinfo.blogspot.com/2010/02/how-can-i-adopt-precious-maggie-josie.html

This post has been in my heart and mind for year ... It was just time ... It is honest and true, not really an easy read though ... blessings !!!

click the title of the this post and listen to the song Josh wrote for 147 ... It paints a picture of our hearts at the Oatsvall, Mayernick, and 147 team ... It encourages me on this journey to loving orphans like Christ wants us to !!! ENJOY !! listen to each word and let it wash over you !!!

I can't tell you how many emails I get about adoption fundraising, so I thought I would do a post and see if I can put all my thoughts into one place ... This will not be a quick or easy fix to hurdles of raising funds ... I do cling to a saying my husband uses - "GOD WILL FUND WHAT HE FAVORS!" ... And we know HE favors the LEAST OF THESE !!!

So here are a few bullet points that I hope will make your journey clear and encourage you  ...

1. Prepare your prayer life and be prepared to work really really HARD !!!

2. Do you believe what the scriptures say ?  We are all called to care for orphans, speak up for those with no voice, where your heart is there also lies your treasure, whatever you did for the least of these you did for ME  !!! And there are many more that call us to stand up for the FATHERLESS 

3. You need be to share your story and the journey you are on ... God calls us to be prepared to give a TESTIMONY of what He is doing in our life ... How can people come along side of you when they don't know where you are on your journey ... 

4. What are you talents ??? My husband is a coach and during our 2nd adoption he did a few special sports camps to raise money ... Use what God has gifted you w/ to raise funds ... 

5. Don't ever be embarrassed to write letters to any and all who you are in contact w/ about your adoption and the RANSOM needed to bring your children home ... I can not tell you the people who have come along side of us financially because that was their part in our journey  ... God called them to aid us and we are proud to say that they have a hand in bringing our children home and when they see Emily, Maggie, Joseph or Daisy at the gym playing, running around the yard, or at church they can know they are part of our legacy !!!

6. Katie has taught me about saying YES !!!  Her life has showed us how to live more radically for Christ ... How amazing and peaceful it is to be in the center of God's will ... I will be honest and say on a teacher's salary and 6 kids (4 adoptions, 2 special needs angels, and all the medical) it doesn't make sense on paper ... We have even had people ask us HOW, WHY, and SAY WE ARE CRAZY ... but I will also say that we have never missed a meal, a house payment, gone cold, or needed anything, so how crazy really are we ... WE HAVE ROOM AT OUR TABLE, WE HAVE ROOM IN OUR HEARTS, WE HAVE ROOM IN OUR HOUSE, WE HAVE ROOM IN THE CAR, WE HAVE ROOM IN OUR DAY ... so why wouldn't we !!!

7. WHAT ARE YOU WILLING TO GIVE UP ??? cable (gave that up a year when bringing Maggie home), TIVO, texting, STARBUCKS, dinner out (gave this up for 3 months when raising funds for Joseph/Daisy), Target new shoes, Magazine habit (gave this up when raising funds for Joseph/Daisy), concession at the games, or stick to a strict grocery budget ... We have done all these at one time or another ... It is not a sacrifice when you think of the eternal blessing you will receive when holding your child !!! 

8. ACCEPTING HELP ... Katie Jo is a prime example of a selfless, gracious, and precious friend, who truly understands how precious it is to bring home a child and how hard that can be ... I can't tell you the amount of help she has been to me in raising funds, spreading the news about 147, and just down right getting in the dirt to get the job done ... She is an adoptive mom raising funds herself and yet, she has helped countless others do the same ... IF YOU HAVE A FRIEND WILLING TO HELP YOU, THEN LET THEM BECAUSE WE ARE THE BODY OF CHRIST NOT AN ISLAND !!!

9. check out the following for additional help ... LifeSong, Both Hands, and Show Hope 

10. Last but not least ... After creating my first tee to fundraise and God completely blessing my efforts, Suzanne and I created 147 Million Orphans with a 3 fold purpose - 1) Bring awareness to the Orphan Crisis, 2) Feed Children in Uganda in Katie's program, 3) HELP FAMILIES FUNDRAISE.  We know we have a great product ... We have sold to over 35 states in the United States along w/ British Columbia, Canada, Costa Rica, and Europe ... We have been and are helping over 15 families raise funds w/ all of our products (we are now offering the Ugandan Necklaces for fundraising efforts).  IT IS OUR HONOR AND PRIVILEGE TO WALK THIS JOURNEY WITH YOU ... I have been there ... I UNDERSTAND YOUR HEART ... We have worked out most of the kinks in the process and it seems to be running very smoothly ... We have moved all the gear back into our garages (Jan's to be exact ... She is a whole other post ...Angel sent to 147) ... We are mom's helping other mom's to bring home the children God has for them !!! 

Don't be afraid to SHOUT ... Tell the world your desire to see a LONELY PLACED IN A FAMILY! YOUR FAMILY !!!

You won't be alone ... God will send the troops !!!