Yesterday I had another one of those days, I am guessing that the stress of getting the yard sale together on top of school work, and trying to get the house cleaned, while still trying to be there for our friends who are having hard times... Yeah I think I am a little over stressed.
So yesterday was the first day of our yard sale, and it sucked! Straight out, no other words can even compare. It was overcast and cold, and then it rained. Before the rain I had to run home and let my dogs out, as they had not been out for some time that day. It was while I was at home that it rained on the yard sale, though it didn't rain at my house. So when I returned to the yard sale, and found that it was all closed up and we still had 3 hours left, I was not all that happy. That is when they told me it had rained, (ok I know I seem focused on the rain, but yesterday that rain was my breaking point) That was the moment where I just lost it and gave up for about 20 min. Thankfully my wonderful husband was there to talk me down from doing anything stupid like packing up all the donations and sending them to goodwill.
After I calmed down I got to thinking about how God works. We always ask Him for this or that, and we treat Him like a magic genie. If we just pray then God will grant us any wish we want, and if he doesn't then God does not care. Well that is crap! I know because I was in the trap yesterday! While things were going great for the yard sale, I had a positive outlook, "We are so Blessed. God is bringing this all together." etc... But then yesterday happened. In the morning when we were setting up, I told God that the yard sale was His, not mine. That he could do with it what he wanted. Then I followed that up with asking Him for good weather. When I didn't get it I had a melt down. I forgot that I told God that it was his Yard sale and that He could do anything he wanted to do with it, but God didn't. I started to think that the rain was just God telling us "NO" about everything. because at that moment that is where my head was, because things weren't going MY way. I started to add up all the things that could be taking as NOs and making them bigger to support my case that the rain was God saying no. Like the fact that we were only 2 home studies away from finishing our process with the first agency we were with when our social worker stopped calling us back, or that we had to decline our first round of adoption classes with the new agency this past spring because it was in the middle of the semester and I could not change my class schedule. And then the rain on our first day of our yard sale.
I had it all together, God was telling me that we were not meant to adopt. I was convinced! Luckily I was not able to convince my husband. We sat down and cried and talked, well he talked and I cried. but he made since.
See when we are going through what ever it is we are going through, sometimes God's "NOT YET"s to us look like His "NO"s. But that is because we are too close to the situation. See God was not telling me "NO" yesterday, I think He was asking me if I was truly giving him my yard sale or were they just words. And I know that He was not saying "NO" because we have been pretty study all day. That and the desire for us to hold our baby is still VERY strong in mine and my husbands heart. See I believe that God does not put a desire in your heat that burns as much as this does, only to let it tease you when He says No. I believe that the desire to do what ever it was that you wanted to do when He said No will go away once you submit to God's will. I know that is the way it has always worked for me in the past. But yesterday I was just so overcome that I was ready to believe it even with the desire burning in my soul.
I learned that when you tell God something is His, you had better mean it, cause if you don't He is going to take you on your word any way and if you don't like what He plans on doing with it, too bad. I also learned that just because it looks like a NO from where your standing, sometimes means you need to move to see the rest of the letters that spell NOT YET.
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Depression hits
So for the past few days I have been feeling very low. I have been trying to keep a positive outlook on everything. I know that God tells us to rely on Him and His timing. But I guess it is just been one of those low times.
I have been feeling that I am all alone in this world. Don't get me wrong, I have a wonderful husband and a mom who would give me the moon if I asked. I am thankful for them both. I have a few friends that I can call on and say "help" (and believe me I have) and they are very supportive.
But I just feel alone. Almost like... I don't know how to put it into words. Maybe its because of this yard sale. It felt great when we started planing it and All the donations are amazing! I have so much stuff that I am going to have to line the driveway with tables and put some in the front and back yard as well as the back porch! I am overly blessed. But I'm scared. I'm worried about the out come. I am concerned that we won't make enough money. Our Goal this weekend is $1,000.00. That pays for the next leg of the process for us. We have this other fundraiser planed and only one person has signed up for it.
I guess I am getting very discouraged. SO If I do have anyone out there who is reading this, Please pray for me. Pray for encouragement, that the yard sale does well, that more people will sign up for the Stay In Bed 5K I guess I am just needing a little more encouragement then most days.
Thanks for listening.
I have been feeling that I am all alone in this world. Don't get me wrong, I have a wonderful husband and a mom who would give me the moon if I asked. I am thankful for them both. I have a few friends that I can call on and say "help" (and believe me I have) and they are very supportive.
But I just feel alone. Almost like... I don't know how to put it into words. Maybe its because of this yard sale. It felt great when we started planing it and All the donations are amazing! I have so much stuff that I am going to have to line the driveway with tables and put some in the front and back yard as well as the back porch! I am overly blessed. But I'm scared. I'm worried about the out come. I am concerned that we won't make enough money. Our Goal this weekend is $1,000.00. That pays for the next leg of the process for us. We have this other fundraiser planed and only one person has signed up for it.
I guess I am getting very discouraged. SO If I do have anyone out there who is reading this, Please pray for me. Pray for encouragement, that the yard sale does well, that more people will sign up for the Stay In Bed 5K I guess I am just needing a little more encouragement then most days.
Thanks for listening.
Monday, September 10, 2012
Stay In Bed 5K
OK, So some amazing friends of ours, whom by the way are adopting also, but from Ethiopia, (find out more about them here ) have put together a fundraiser for the both of us.
So here's the deal, Its a 5K, but not your normal 5K. You will sign up for it just like any other, You will have a $30.00 buy in for your shirt packet. You can still get sponsors and everything just like a normal 5K, but there will be no need to get in shape, because there is NO RUNNING!!!! That's right I said no running! The day of the "race" you ware your shirt and your number and you just go about your day. Take pictures and post them to the facebook page. Find some unique places or unique sleeping positions to take the pictures. We will be picking the best picture and sending you a wonderful prize! This is a great way to have fun with your friends while supporting a great cause!
Here are the details in full:
Deadline for registration: September 22nd (so we can order shirts and other goodies for you!)
Day of the 5k: October 13th
Where: Anywhere you go on Oct 13th!!!
How much?: $30/ participant (includes shirt, race number, goodies and opportunity to win a prize!)
How?: Go to the pay pal link at the top left of this page and submit 30 dollars add a note with your shirt size and address!
Goal: 75 participants
Day of the 5k: October 13th
Where: Anywhere you go on Oct 13th!!!
How much?: $30/ participant (includes shirt, race number, goodies and opportunity to win a prize!)
How?: Go to the pay pal link at the top left of this page and submit 30 dollars add a note with your shirt size and address!
Goal: 75 participants
Join us in making our families whole. Help bring our trues Loves Home!!!
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Breaking News
We had an interview with our local news paper last night. It was nerve racking. But it went well.
OK so here is how that happened. As I have stated previously, we are having an adoption fundraising Yard sale. Before a few months ago, when our friends had theirs, I had not even dreamed of having a fundraiser for our adoption. It still feels odd asking people for money. So I was driving down the street listening to Klove and thinking about how we where going to set up this yard sale. I has already been so blessed by some of my friends who had called me up and told me that they had things for me the day that I told them that I was having the yard sale and asked for donations.
So I was driving down the street and talking to God when He decided to talk back. Out of the blue I hear God's voice in my head telling me to contact the local paper and run an ad. I was like OK. So I told my mom about it and she said it was a great idea, and I should call them soon. Well... I forgot. I was so distracted by getting ready for school that I didn't think about it. Until one day last week. God reminded me that I needed to call, so I did. When I called I was connected to this nice lady. I explained our situation to her and told her what the yard sale was for. Her next question was "Can I come out and interview you?"
So here I am just wanting to run some thing about our yard sale, maybe a quick explanation about what it was for, and she wanted to come to our house and interview us. Wow. She said that she wanted to know more about adoption and was sure that more people in the area would be interested in it too. So she came out last night and talked to us for quite some time and took a few pictures with us and the dogs.
Now I am nerves about what the article will be like, but again it was God's plain not mine, so I'll let him deal with it.
So moral of the story is this. When God whispers in your ear, there is a reason behind it and you should listen.
OK so here is how that happened. As I have stated previously, we are having an adoption fundraising Yard sale. Before a few months ago, when our friends had theirs, I had not even dreamed of having a fundraiser for our adoption. It still feels odd asking people for money. So I was driving down the street listening to Klove and thinking about how we where going to set up this yard sale. I has already been so blessed by some of my friends who had called me up and told me that they had things for me the day that I told them that I was having the yard sale and asked for donations.
So I was driving down the street and talking to God when He decided to talk back. Out of the blue I hear God's voice in my head telling me to contact the local paper and run an ad. I was like OK. So I told my mom about it and she said it was a great idea, and I should call them soon. Well... I forgot. I was so distracted by getting ready for school that I didn't think about it. Until one day last week. God reminded me that I needed to call, so I did. When I called I was connected to this nice lady. I explained our situation to her and told her what the yard sale was for. Her next question was "Can I come out and interview you?"
So here I am just wanting to run some thing about our yard sale, maybe a quick explanation about what it was for, and she wanted to come to our house and interview us. Wow. She said that she wanted to know more about adoption and was sure that more people in the area would be interested in it too. So she came out last night and talked to us for quite some time and took a few pictures with us and the dogs.
Now I am nerves about what the article will be like, but again it was God's plain not mine, so I'll let him deal with it.
So moral of the story is this. When God whispers in your ear, there is a reason behind it and you should listen.
Friday, September 7, 2012
just a reminder
This is just a reminder for anyone who is following our journey and is adopting or thinking about adopting.
If you are in the process of adopting, and have friends who are single or just don't have kids yet, you need to be aware that none stop talk about your adoption will start to over whelm them. try to keep the talk of your up coming baby to a low key. Your friends may be happy for you, and excited for you, but they will get sick of the only thing you are talking about is your adoption.
That being said, you are going to need/want the support of your friends during this long journey. So keep the lines of communication open with them and explain how important this is to you and that you need everyone aboard for this to work.
Also if you can find a group at church that is set up to be support for adoption couples, or friends who have gone the same route that you are going through. Ask these people to mentor you and pray for you. I know it helps talking to friends of ours that are doing an international adoption. We are able to give each other support and encouragement where other who have no idea what we are going through can. We are both "paper pregnant" and have our ups and downs. We talk to each other when we hit those times when we start second guessing ourselves. We are also helping each other fund raise and are planing a fundraiser together and plan on splitting the proceeds for both of our adoptions.
So don't be afraid to reach out. If you want to find a web site that has list of Adoption Support groups you can click here or here. There are many more on the web all you have to do is look them up, or talk to your adoption agency to see if they have one or can recommend one to you.
I guess the bottom line is this. If you are going down this long and emotional road to adoption, you will need support, but just make sure that in looking for that support, you are not isolating people who love you.
OH! and just one other thing! Our Yard Sale is Next Weekend! So if you are looking for some really great stuff at good prices, and want to give to a good cause, please stop by 802 Swigart Dr. Fairborn, OHIO 45324. Or if you are not in the area and still want to give, please use the donate button here on our blog. Also If you would love some great coffee for a great price, that is shipped directly to your house, the click here and it will take you to our coffee store front. You buy coffee and we get money To Bring our true love home.
If you are in the process of adopting, and have friends who are single or just don't have kids yet, you need to be aware that none stop talk about your adoption will start to over whelm them. try to keep the talk of your up coming baby to a low key. Your friends may be happy for you, and excited for you, but they will get sick of the only thing you are talking about is your adoption.
That being said, you are going to need/want the support of your friends during this long journey. So keep the lines of communication open with them and explain how important this is to you and that you need everyone aboard for this to work.
Also if you can find a group at church that is set up to be support for adoption couples, or friends who have gone the same route that you are going through. Ask these people to mentor you and pray for you. I know it helps talking to friends of ours that are doing an international adoption. We are able to give each other support and encouragement where other who have no idea what we are going through can. We are both "paper pregnant" and have our ups and downs. We talk to each other when we hit those times when we start second guessing ourselves. We are also helping each other fund raise and are planing a fundraiser together and plan on splitting the proceeds for both of our adoptions.
So don't be afraid to reach out. If you want to find a web site that has list of Adoption Support groups you can click here or here. There are many more on the web all you have to do is look them up, or talk to your adoption agency to see if they have one or can recommend one to you.
I guess the bottom line is this. If you are going down this long and emotional road to adoption, you will need support, but just make sure that in looking for that support, you are not isolating people who love you.
OH! and just one other thing! Our Yard Sale is Next Weekend! So if you are looking for some really great stuff at good prices, and want to give to a good cause, please stop by 802 Swigart Dr. Fairborn, OHIO 45324. Or if you are not in the area and still want to give, please use the donate button here on our blog. Also If you would love some great coffee for a great price, that is shipped directly to your house, the click here and it will take you to our coffee store front. You buy coffee and we get money To Bring our true love home.
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Little Hands, Big Hearts!
Ok,
I am sure you all have had someone some where that has done something that brought tears to your eyes in a moment. In a good way.
Well that happened to me tonight. To understand this you have to know some of the back story.
Chad and I work as youth leaders for our church. We have had this gig for a little over 3 years now. At one time we where in charge of all children's programs as well as middle school and high school. During that time there was one young man who was desperate to learn about God. His family lived across the street from our old building, and he would get up in the morning and be the only one in his family to come to church. Then he started to bring his little sister with him, than his older sister would come to help keep an eye on the little sister. About 2 years ago this young man was baptized. This young man will come to the church everyday during the summer, offering to help clean the church, build sets for VBS, any thing he can do, he will. His family is not well off, but his heart is so big and he gives what he can.
Well, I am sure you can imagine how it didn't take long before Chad and I where over whelmed by running all the programs for kindergarten to 12th grade, so we took a step back and focused on just middle school/ high school.
Well this morning was our first Sunday in our church's new building, and times where shifted by 15 min. That in its self would not have been an issue, until we got a call from one of our youth kids asking for a ride to church. We can't say no, so Chad and I where late getting to the church. My mom stepped in for our Sunday school class while they waited on us, and they where going over prayer request and praises. My mom asked that the kids keep praying for the yard sale to be a success. They all asked questions about what is was for, etc. My mom explained to them that it was a fundraiser and that it was for our adoption.
That same young man that I was talking about in the back story now comes into play. He is now in middle school, so he is back in class with Chad and I. He was in the class this morning with my mom and heard her talking about our adoption. He needed a ride to youth group tonight, and I told him that it was not a problem. We swing by and pick him up, when he got in the car he handed me a fist full of change and said "Here you go Adrienne, it is all I was able to find right now." I turned around and asked him what the change was for, and this is what he said. "Its to help you get your baby."
Just like that. Nothing more, just simple and plain. The entire ride to the church I was in tears. I just could not believe what he did. It reminded me of the story Jesus told to his disciples about the people who where giving their tithe and where treating it like it was a huge sacrifice and making a big show out of giving their 10% even tho they still had plenty to live on. But there was that one women who put in all the money that she had and did make a peep about it. And Jesus said that she would have more reward from her small amount then the others would with their large donations.
That is how I feel right now. I am so excited to see what this yard sale brings in, but none of that will be as precious to me as that small heartfelt handful of change from that young mans hand.
I am sure you all have had someone some where that has done something that brought tears to your eyes in a moment. In a good way.
Well that happened to me tonight. To understand this you have to know some of the back story.
Chad and I work as youth leaders for our church. We have had this gig for a little over 3 years now. At one time we where in charge of all children's programs as well as middle school and high school. During that time there was one young man who was desperate to learn about God. His family lived across the street from our old building, and he would get up in the morning and be the only one in his family to come to church. Then he started to bring his little sister with him, than his older sister would come to help keep an eye on the little sister. About 2 years ago this young man was baptized. This young man will come to the church everyday during the summer, offering to help clean the church, build sets for VBS, any thing he can do, he will. His family is not well off, but his heart is so big and he gives what he can.
Well, I am sure you can imagine how it didn't take long before Chad and I where over whelmed by running all the programs for kindergarten to 12th grade, so we took a step back and focused on just middle school/ high school.
Well this morning was our first Sunday in our church's new building, and times where shifted by 15 min. That in its self would not have been an issue, until we got a call from one of our youth kids asking for a ride to church. We can't say no, so Chad and I where late getting to the church. My mom stepped in for our Sunday school class while they waited on us, and they where going over prayer request and praises. My mom asked that the kids keep praying for the yard sale to be a success. They all asked questions about what is was for, etc. My mom explained to them that it was a fundraiser and that it was for our adoption.
That same young man that I was talking about in the back story now comes into play. He is now in middle school, so he is back in class with Chad and I. He was in the class this morning with my mom and heard her talking about our adoption. He needed a ride to youth group tonight, and I told him that it was not a problem. We swing by and pick him up, when he got in the car he handed me a fist full of change and said "Here you go Adrienne, it is all I was able to find right now." I turned around and asked him what the change was for, and this is what he said. "Its to help you get your baby."
Just like that. Nothing more, just simple and plain. The entire ride to the church I was in tears. I just could not believe what he did. It reminded me of the story Jesus told to his disciples about the people who where giving their tithe and where treating it like it was a huge sacrifice and making a big show out of giving their 10% even tho they still had plenty to live on. But there was that one women who put in all the money that she had and did make a peep about it. And Jesus said that she would have more reward from her small amount then the others would with their large donations.
That is how I feel right now. I am so excited to see what this yard sale brings in, but none of that will be as precious to me as that small heartfelt handful of change from that young mans hand.
Yard Sale and Disc Golf Fundraisers
Hi all! This is Chad.
For all who are reading this and are in the Dayton, OH area, we are having our first fundraising event, a yard sale, on Sept 14 and 15. Please stop by 802 Swigart Drive in Fairborn and check out what we have. Clothes, electronics, toys, glassware, kitchen items, movies, crafts, and much more. Also, I am planning a disc golf tournament to raise funds as well. This will be some time in the spring and more details will follow as I get them ironed out. Please let me know by posting on this blog if you are interested and spread the word to anyone you know who likes to disc golf so I can get an idea as to the level of interest.
Also, please notice the donate button on the right below our profile picture. If you feel led to support us financially and can't make to the yard sale, don't like disc golf, or just want to help out more, please donate using this link.
Thanks everyone for all your support.
For all who are reading this and are in the Dayton, OH area, we are having our first fundraising event, a yard sale, on Sept 14 and 15. Please stop by 802 Swigart Drive in Fairborn and check out what we have. Clothes, electronics, toys, glassware, kitchen items, movies, crafts, and much more. Also, I am planning a disc golf tournament to raise funds as well. This will be some time in the spring and more details will follow as I get them ironed out. Please let me know by posting on this blog if you are interested and spread the word to anyone you know who likes to disc golf so I can get an idea as to the level of interest.
Also, please notice the donate button on the right below our profile picture. If you feel led to support us financially and can't make to the yard sale, don't like disc golf, or just want to help out more, please donate using this link.
Thanks everyone for all your support.
Saturday, September 1, 2012
Our first post
Wow! Never in a million years did I ever dream that I would be posting a blog, let alone one that would be focused on my life's events. This is kinda humbling and scary.
Well let's get started!
Hello, my name is Adrienne and my husband's name is Chad. We met in the spring of 2004 and this past July just celebrated our 7 year wedding anniversary! Because we both were in our late 20s when we met, Chad and I had talked about starting a family right away. But God had other plans. Sept of 2004 I was diagnosed with endometriosis.(To learn more on endometriosis click here) A month after my diagnoses, I had to have surgery that changed my life forever. I have to have one of my ovaries removed due to the endo, and my other one had suffered major damage. At that moment it felt like my dreams of ever becoming a mother were ripped out from under me. The Drs. all said that there should be no issues with getting pregnant, and that we would be parents in no time. That was 8 yrs. ago.
The Drs. decided to put me in a 6 month menopausal state after my surgery. after that I was on all different types of meds. Meds to stop bleeding, meds to start bleeding, meds to get pregnant, meds not to get pregnant because my body was not ready for it.
Finally after 2 years of this back and forth, I had enough. Chad and I decided to seek out what God wanted us to do. (I know we were a little slow on the up take during that time.) We decided to pray. It seemed like the answer came as quick as lighting! ADOPTION!!! Then we started thinking. (Bad thing to do right after you ask for God's direction, just saying.) There was a couple in our church who went through fertility treatments...lets look into that. Adoption just is not for us.
Well we looked into it, and we prayed again. And once again the answer hit like a ton of bricks. ADOPTION!! Thankfully this time we listened.
Now Chad and I are excitedly working our way through a domestic adoption! We have been with our agency for a little over a year now. Catholic Social Services. We have had a great experience this far. I am so glad that we got out of God's way and decided to let him lead us to our child!
And I am thankful for any and all who will bear with us on our journey, because its not close to being over with.
Well let's get started!
Hello, my name is Adrienne and my husband's name is Chad. We met in the spring of 2004 and this past July just celebrated our 7 year wedding anniversary! Because we both were in our late 20s when we met, Chad and I had talked about starting a family right away. But God had other plans. Sept of 2004 I was diagnosed with endometriosis.(To learn more on endometriosis click here) A month after my diagnoses, I had to have surgery that changed my life forever. I have to have one of my ovaries removed due to the endo, and my other one had suffered major damage. At that moment it felt like my dreams of ever becoming a mother were ripped out from under me. The Drs. all said that there should be no issues with getting pregnant, and that we would be parents in no time. That was 8 yrs. ago.
The Drs. decided to put me in a 6 month menopausal state after my surgery. after that I was on all different types of meds. Meds to stop bleeding, meds to start bleeding, meds to get pregnant, meds not to get pregnant because my body was not ready for it.
Finally after 2 years of this back and forth, I had enough. Chad and I decided to seek out what God wanted us to do. (I know we were a little slow on the up take during that time.) We decided to pray. It seemed like the answer came as quick as lighting! ADOPTION!!! Then we started thinking. (Bad thing to do right after you ask for God's direction, just saying.) There was a couple in our church who went through fertility treatments...lets look into that. Adoption just is not for us.
Well we looked into it, and we prayed again. And once again the answer hit like a ton of bricks. ADOPTION!! Thankfully this time we listened.
Now Chad and I are excitedly working our way through a domestic adoption! We have been with our agency for a little over a year now. Catholic Social Services. We have had a great experience this far. I am so glad that we got out of God's way and decided to let him lead us to our child!
And I am thankful for any and all who will bear with us on our journey, because its not close to being over with.
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