God Sized.

As I look at the pile of paperwork sitting on my desk and the price tags that go along with that mound of paperwork I am humbled that God would call us to adopt again. Not only would He call us but He has also called three other families in our little church. Three. That's four families total. When you do the math it means a daunting amount of money needing to be raised. That's over $100,000.00 in order to bring these FIVE kids home. Yep. Four families. Five kids. One Hundred Grand. Did I mention that we are a VERY small church plant? Yes we are. This is God sized. There is no other way to explain it. This is only something HE could do. Watching as another family stepped forward to adopt just a day after we announced is incredible. God is clearly moving in our midst. We are SO excited for these precious kids to grow in this community! What a gift!

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.

Proverbs 31:8-9

It's so neat to see each family figure out ways to save, cut out expenses, sacrifice their own comfort to bring these precious ones home. Each one of us fully believe that God will provide every last penny needed and we're all geared up to do the work it takes to make it happen. We can't do it alone. God hasn't called us to do it alone. He will make it clear to those He's calling to step up along side of us and these three other families to bridge the gap financially, to support emotionally, and to carry out HIS call on our lives.

In you the orphan finds mercy.

Hosea 14:3

Watching as our kids want to get involved in this process is amazing. Kid things like car washes, babysitting, craft making, and all kinds of other ideas burn in their little hearts as they figure out ways to bring their precious new family member. Just thinking about it melts my heart and humbles me. Kids getting involved in bringing kids into their forever families. I need the heart of a child in so many areas of my life.

Thinking about the reality of the cost I started breaking it down. For each family if 500 people gave $50 over the course of the next 12 months these adoptions would be paid for. Broken down further that's 42 people a month donating $50. That seems so simple. I started thinking about the phenomenon that could begin if everyone adopting "shared" resources and those not adopting shared their resources as well we wouldn't have the HUGE fund raising burden. Can you imagine? I don't know about you but $50 is NOTHING in the grand scheme of bringing a child home from Ethiopia. If we all share the burden of the cost imagine the effect we could have on poverty?

And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.
1 John 5:14-15

If our little tiny church which is only a year old is bringing five kids home from Ethiopia with four families gearing up for one of the most life changing experiences I can only imagine what He has in store for the future or what He may call us to next. I know I can speak for each of these families. We are excited. Humbled. We feel so honored to parent these precious babies.

In his heart a man plans his course,
but the LORD determines his steps.
Proverbs 16:9

I want to introduce our "family" here in Pinellas County, here at LifeBridge Church.

Joe and Rachel Walser, their kids Nathan, Josh, Hannah, and Danielle. Not only our pastor and his wife but precious friends with kids that feel like my own. They are sweet gifts from the Lord and an answer to prayer for this mama. Check out their blog right here. Follow along as they journey to bring a child home from Ethiopia.

Josh and Christy Waulk, our first friends here in FL, they have a son Trevor who loves Silas and can't wait to be a big brother! They are adopting TWO babes from Ethiopia! Check out their blog here.Jon and Melissa Maser, four little ones under eight, with a hearts desire to follow the Lord wherever He calls they have answered His call to adopt a precious little one from Ethiopia. You can be apart of this families journey of faith.Check out their blogs, follow along, pray for each of us and consider partnering with us as we raise funds to bring these sweet children home! To God Be The Glory!

For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. Psalm 84:11

Stay tuned for ways you can help support us or one of these families. We're in this together supporting one another and working together to bring these children home to their forever families. We'll have regular prayer requests, fund raisers, and updates as the weeks and months move on.

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus
Romans 15:5

For us T-shirt sales will start this week, we'll be hosting a facebook-a-thon to kick off our fund raising and our first yard sale will be the first weekend in May!

We covet your prayers most of all as we embark on this journey!