FAQ: but no one is asking!

We have encountered many questions from people...but the questions or for lack of a better word accusations are not asked to us...So we will address them head on! But please, ask us. We would rather give you accurate information, than for you to talk behind our backs.

Adoption is an important call. A call we are all called to do. But NOT EVERYONE IS CALLED TO ADOPT! We are all called to help.

Question one:
Why are they going all the way to Liberia when there are orphans here.
Answer:
We have been pursuing adoption from foster care for several years. We see the huge importance. And there are MANY orphans in our back yard....currently around 400 of them just in MN. If everyone of you that reads this would adopt from foster care in MN, they would all be cared for. What are YOU going to do about that?  We came across Shadrack last April. I tried to find him a home from Minnesota down to Texas. I told Wayne one night..."I've tried to find this blind little guy a home, or someone to help him medically, and I cannot find anyone." His answer, Why are we not doing something? Exactly. So when you ask us why we are not doing something here in Minnesota...I respectfully ask you...Why aren't you? Until I laid eyes on Shadrack, I wasn't quite sure we were doing the right thing. The Sunday before we left, I had all I could do to hold it together at church. I ran into a friend who excited asked me if I was ready to go and how exciting...and I broke down and couldn't even put it into words the emotions I was feeling....I have dreamed of adopting for years...and my dream was coming true...but i was headed to a country that I knew very little about....I was leaving behind my children. And we were NOT LOOKING TO BRING A ONE YEAR OLD INTO OUR HOME! But, things worked out, and God willing we will bring Shadrack here in the next couple of weeks!

Question 2:
They can't afford to adopt/care for another child....
Answer:
God has provided thus far. Through Waynes retirement, through generous family and friends. Through some fundraisers. Everything has worked out. Frankly, we can't afford not to bring Shadrack or possibly other children into our homes. Plus our finances are really none of your business! With all due respect!
Currently the fundraiser last weekend has given us plane tickets and room while we are there...if we can get tickets cheap enough that is! We are confident that it will all work out....

Question 3:
We now have grandchildren, we won't have time for them with a one year old....

Answer:
Shadrack will require care and attention. But he also loves to sit and listen to music. He is really a very easy baby. I stayed home with 5 children, and Wayne worked his butt off with a full time job...I think I can handle 2 one year olds and a 4 year old. And I look forward to it. We obviously love kids...No brainer!

Question 4:
The fundraiser last weekend was a publicity pull for Hope Blooms...

Answer:
All I can say is WOW! Us caring for Shadrack has nothing to do with Hope Blooms. But we are doing what Hope Blooms stands for. We are caring for the worlds orphans...plus some.... We have never profited from Hope Blooms. All donations go back into helping the families that we service...those caring for orphans...Donations last weekend, which is another question we have been asked...behind our back, are going to bring Shadrack to the US for essential medical care. And any funds beyond that will go for medical care while he is here. Simple as that! Weather we  get him here in a couple of weeks, or weather we get him here in a couple of months. If you don't feel like you want to help a boy our with medical care...then don't. Simple as that. We are thankful for those that have helped. And we are excited to share him with those that care.

Watch that video...if it doesn't get to you...Then you should come to Liberia with us...see what we saw. Learn what we learned. Orphans are mentioned frequently in the Bible...and it is very clear we are all called to help in some way.

Hope Blooms will soon become licensed to facilitate adoptions through Liberia. That is how passionate we are about this. Wayne is ready to head back to Liberia on trips to check on an orphanage that we partner with...We are living out a call...what will YOU DO?

Apple Jacks: No Clowning Around

One of the highlights on Sunday was Apply Jack the Clown! I was hoping to get a picture before I posted our thanks...but I do not have one yet! So will update with a picture when I can!

Kids loved following around the mute Clown. He riled the troops and was surely a high light of the day!

thanks Apple Jacks for sharing in the day of Shadrack Support!

Family

 

 

Family:

 

Families come in all shapes and sizes. All different colors, different homes, different beliefs. But, families fight together, and stay together...or they should!

 

Yesterday we had an amazing day of family sharing and showing support! At the risk of forgetting someone....I am going to tell you some amazing family moments!

 

The above song struck Wayne and I as Shadrack was jamming to TobyMac in Africa. We are fighting to get Shadrack here for essential medical care. He is from a different family...and we are waiting to bring him into our home...our family.

 

It amazes me when people come and show support to something that is huge for me. Shadrack and many other orphans are important to me. Something I am called to do. And so many people came to show support.

 

Fire fighters: Kari, Chad K, Chad N, Nikki W. Matt L Janelle N. They came early, stayed until the end. They worked their butts off and didn't blink an eye over any task. They willingly came and helped us fight a good fight. And some other Firefighters came and ate, and shared their support!

 

Karen...she came early and did many back massages....all for Shadrack!

 

Janelle Lloyd and family...they made, bought, gave and helped! They brought so MANY Auction items! I couldn't even begin to count the amount they donated! Plus many encouraging words.

 

Karen N. She celebrated her birthday with us...we didn't know her beforehand. But she came and encouraged many others to come. She donated an acupuncture certificate! Was great to chat with her for a bit!

 

Julie F. She came with bake goods in hand, lots of encouragement. Worked the bake sale like a trooper. Plus her and Lee have supported and cheered on Shadrack above and beyond!

 

Shannon L and her friends at Becker Baptist Church...they donated over 60 items to our bake sale that raised over $500! We don't know them and they don't know us...but all for Shadrack!

 

Barb, our loyal board member. Came and worked, chatted, supported and is always available when we have a need.

 

Our children, they showed up at 9am. Took turns caring for Laila, helped with whatever we needed help with. They may think we are crazing bringing a one year old home! But they are all eager to love on him too~

 

Our families~ Ida, Milo, Gary Diane, Juanita Kaylee, Bob, Connie Grandma and Grandpa F....what you all did hasn't gone un noticed! You guys came and helped with so many things....brought goodies, auction items. You blessed us by blessing Shadrack.

 

So many more of you stayed and ate, purchased auction items, heard us talk Liberia. We appreciate each of you more than you will ever know. WE thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

 

We don't have anymore updates on Shadrack...we hope to by the end of the week. But you will all be the first to know! We are getting excited to bring him here and for ALL OF YOU TO MEET HIM!

 

Wayne and Shannon

Another Small Nugget~!

We received a letter yesterday asking us for a notarized letter with some specific information on it. I am having a phone meeting with our attorney today at 2, then will see how we should proceed! But our attorney was happy to have gotten this far, this fast. She has NEVER seen something move this fast. So we are confident we are in the right direction. Many thanks to Klobuchars office for expediting!

Hope Lifter

I had the pleasure of reading the HopeLifter by Kathe Wunenberg. Creative Ways to Spread Hope When Life Hurts. I have had my share of hurt over the years, and so I was eager to dive into this book!
Hopelifter is broken up into three sections along with Recipes for Hope Topics.
Hopelifter will help you Discover Hope, Embrace Hope and Give Hope.  There is also a discussion guide at the end. Verses of Hope and Helpful websites. This book is chock full of great things to share hope with others...or discovering hope for yourself. As my blog and a non profit that I started says...Hope Blooms. So this was a fun read for me. I needed to remind myself how to Discover Hope, but I also need to be ready to spread Hope to Adoptive and Foster Families. There are so many golden nuggets in these pages! You will be certain to love this book.
My favorite part is the Recipes of Hope Topics. These are broken down into topics such as: Abortion, Coma, Depression, Seniors, Suicide and more. These are topics that you can look up and read about. Adoption has two posts...ways that people shared hope after adoption and after a long journey back with an adopted child. The books gives you practical ways you can support others in situations they are going through. When you don't know what else to say.

When you are traveling through some rugged times, grab a copy of HopeLifter and share some joy that overflows from YOU!

I received my copy of HopeLifter for Free from Booksneeze to review. I have not been paid for my review. I have enjoyed the book on my own will and posted my thoughts!
Go to www.booksneeze.com to grab your own books to review on your blog!