Thursday, June 24, 2010

My Heart Is With . . .

First, thank you all (bloggy readers and Facebook buddies) for you sweet birthday wishes. I have survived the first few days of being 40 (and thus far haven't needed medical attention). It has actually been a fabulous start of a new decade and I can't wait to see what God has in store for our family in the coming years.

I've often said my heart is with the people of Guatemala. When we adopted Daniel last year, I left a piece of it there. It felt like I left all of it there. There are children in that country (mentioned here) that I will always love as my own, ministries that we will continue to support monetarily and with mission trips, and a country that I will always feel loyalty to because it gave us our sweet son.

But over the past several months, I've realized that I didn't leave my heart in Guatemala. I gave it to all 147 million orphans in the world. It's not just the beautiful faces of Guatemala that I ache for, it's the children in China, Kazakhstan, Uganda, Ukraine, Ethiopia, Haiti, India, the United States, and any country that has a child longing for a family.

In our search for seeking God's will for our role in caring for orphans, I came upon a wonderful ministry called An Orphan's Wish. (Click the bloggy button below to visit their site.)

An Orphan'sWish


They care for orphans in China who have medical needs that can't be met in a regular orphanage. The children range from infants who need surgery to older children with cerebral palsy. I've been helping write this and that for their new newsletter and we are sponsoring the cutest little guy named Cooper. People can help by sponsoring children and soon there will be a listing of needs that people can give to for one-time donations. And if you sponsor a new arrival to AOW, you get to pick his or her English name. How cool is that?!

In just the last several months of watching the work at An Orphan's Wish, I have been blown away by what I have seen. The quality of care, the amount of love, well, I'd trust my own children to their care. Because it is a smaller ministry, it has been fun to see firsthand how my donations are used. I get amazing updates on the little guy we sponsor--monthly reports via e-mail with lots of photos that make my kids do their "awwwws."

I don't plug a lot of things on my blog, but this cause I felt was worthy of it. Right now Stefanie from Ni Hao Y'all, also the director of AOW (also one of the gals behind Wild Olive Tees--see the bloggy button on my sidebar), is celebrating her 1000th post by matching dollars for every comment. (That is one brave lady.)

Well, I'm not celebrating a 1000th post, but I am celebrating. My birthday gift from my husband was his official blessing for us to start another adoption. We are in the process of updating our homestudy and will share in the coming months as God leads us to the child who has been waiting for our family.

For every comment you leave below, I'll also donate a dollar to An Orphan's Wish. (That means I want all you loyal lurkers to come out of the shadows and say hi!)

Thanks for the blessing you all have been to me!

So Grateful,
Kathie

65 comments:

Stefanie said...

Hey that is AWESOME! On SO many levels!!
CONGRATULATIONS on starting another adoption... that's fantastic!!
And how cool that you are going to donate to AOW for every comment left... hope you get LOTS AND LOTS :)
Woohooo!!!

Rachel said...

What an amazing program... heading over to check it now!

Thank you for sharing your heart for orphans!

trustandobey said...

Wow Kathie, I cannot imagine a more beautiful birthday gift than your husband's blessing on another adoption. How exciting for you!!!
Rejoicing with you in NC,
Lisa

Ashley said...

Had to come over from Stephanie's blog and post a comment. :) Now to go lurk, I mean look around.

Elizabeth said...

I am saying hi as a reader of Stephanie's blog.

Julie said...

Another comment, another dollar for AOW!

Together we can make a difference.

DebM said...

Love what you are doing!!! Another dollar for An Orphan's Wish! Deb

Chandra said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KATHIE! What a fantastic birthday gift! CONGRATULATIONS!

Chris, Tammy and the gang! said...

What a gift! Thank you for being so generous!!!
Tammy

Our 7 Blessings from God said...

Happy birthday!!! What an awesome birthday gift!!
Blessings,
Karen

antares.apryl said...

How wonderful!!!!! I'll be praying! Apryl

Erin said...

Thank you for your love, compassion, and commitment to the orphans in China. We are currently in the process of adoption (from China) and I rejoice with you in your journey to another little blessing God has waiting for you!!

Kristin Ferguson said...

Congratulations Kathie! First on being such a young, beautiful 40yr. old and second on starting another amazing adoption journey. How wonderful is that???

I can barely keep my eyes open and I hate that I've been AWOL in commenting on my favorite blogs but I'm still trying to get my body on U.S. time. This time of night (8:00ish) is when it really hits me. Hopefully just a few more days of the adjustment period to endure. :)

Can't wait to see where God is taking you this time!

Waitingfaithfully said...

One more dollar, cha-ching, for An Orphan's Wish!

One big HALLELUJAH for the beginning of another adoption journey . . . to a waiting child. YOUR waiting child. May the Lord direct your path! I'm so excited!

Love from Texas~

Tina

Karen said...

I am touched by the heart that you have for the orphans of the world. and, I'll be checking out the link! Happy Belated Birthday!

Rita said...

You have brought me hope on SO many levels! Thank you first off for your generous heart for The Orphans Wish Campaign! You have such a beautiful heart for orphans all around the world and I love how you have shared and inspired all of us with your words. You said it SO beautifully, it cannot be underscored enough. I too will be turning 40 in about a month ... and I am hoping to face it with the beauty that you did. And if my husband surprised me with the gift that your husband gave you--wow that would be the gift of a lifetime! That would be the wish of my heart. I'm going to bookmark your page and hopefully follow along with you on this next leg of your journey. Blessings to you!
And please stop by our blog if you have a moment.
Valerie
http://almyfamilyjournal.blogspot.com/

Valerie and Jeff said...

Sorry, that LAST comment I posted was from me
Valerie, not Rita ... I'm chairing Rita Rippee's fundraiser for their family's adoption and I forgot to sign out of her account after making updates this morning. So it looked like Rita left the comment, not Valerie. Please check out their blessed site if you would like.
http://blessingsahundredfold.blogspot.com/

I would LOVE for you to spread the word of this fundraiser/drawing ... there are many great prizes to win if you post the button, comment, chip-in, pray for them--there are so many ways to enter! As well as the joy of knowing that a beautiful little girl will wait no more for her mom and dad.

Sorry about the earlier confusion with the names. Maybe God can use this for His glory!! :-)
Blessings,
Valerie

Cheri said...

What an awesome birthday gift!

Chris said...

From one AOW volunteer to another!!!!

:)

Congratulations...what a absolutely wonderful birthday present!!

Here's hoping for many comments!!!

Kim said...

Wow that is great Kathie! Praying for you as you begin the process again & find another forever child. My heart hurts for the orphans too! I'm always looking for new ways to support them so thanks for the info. Part of my heart is in Kazakhstan also & I dream of going there with Lindsay with an organization for a mission trip when she's older. I'm excited for you all!

Allison said...

Congratulations on your upcoming adoption! That is absolutely WONDERFUL! And thank you so much for what you do for AOW!

Mommy (aka Susan) said...

This is awesome - thanks for being a part of AOW!

Sam-Is-Mad said...

For the children of China!

btartag said...

My husband often talk about orphans. I think God gives all of us gifts and I know ours is a love for the orphan. It has not been easy but through the fire of it all he has refined me. We are on our 4th and we would not say no if God lead us down that path again. Thank you for listening to God's pull and for speaking out for the orphan. We will be praying for you on this new journey! Braidi Tartaglia

Patricia said...

Happy Birthday, Kathie!!
That is WONDERFUL news!!

And thanks for all of your help with the AOW newsletter! :)
Blessings always,
Patricia

Serving the King said...

Wooo-Hooo!! Another kiddo will be getting a home!! Congratulations!! I can't wait to follow your journey!!

Quietangelsb said...

what an awesome thing to do for the kids at An Orphan's wish!

Heather said...

Helping the littles at An Orphans Wish! Love the idea!

katrina said...

CONGRATULATIONS and good luck

Ava's Mommy said...

Best wishes as you begin the process. What a great gift!

mamatree said...

Thanks for joining in! This is awesome!

mom2three said...

Just had to visit and post a comment....anything for the children!

Jen said...

Wonderful news! That is such a sweet gift from your h hubby. Thanks for sharing with us. I'm so glad to have found your blog.

-Jen
sjwaits@aol.com

Heather (Chaos Controller!) said...

Congratulations on your adoption announcement! (I found you through Stefanie's site).

Jerry and Christy said...

Congratulations on starting another adoption. What a wonderful birthday gift. I can't think of a better one.
An Orphans Wish will be blessed by your contribution. I want to see the children get all the help they can.

Michelle said...

What a wonderful birthday gift you were given and giiving!

Michal said...

Wow! Congratulations on your growing family. I can't wait to see how God continues to work through you!

Carla said...

Congrats on your new adoption!!

Shanny said...

Another dollar for AOW. You are awesome! Congratulations on your forthcoming adoption.

Nancy @ Ordinary Miracles & The Crazy 10 said...

Once to see the Lord's children in the orphanges, nothing is the same.
Blessings to you,
Nancy (mama to 6... so far. From VeitNam and now on to China)

Amy said...

I found you today through Stephanie's blog, and I just wanted to say CONGRATULATIONS on starting another adoption! That is very exciting:)

Amy said...

I found you today through Stephanie's blog, and I just wanted to say CONGRATULATIONS on starting another adoption! That is very exciting:)

Savi said...

Congratulations! What a wonderful birthday present!

Sam-Is-Mad said...

Congratualtions on starting to bring another child home!

Rachel said...

This is my first time visiting your blog (visiting from Stephanie's). Congratulations on your growing family & many blessings to you! Thanks you for donating to AOW!

Unknown said...

Congratulations on your beginning of another adoption!!! God is truly wonderful and He KNOWS who He calls to help the plight of the orphans will listen to His voice. And way to step out for AOW!! What a wonderful ministry!! Congratulations and I will be praying for you! :)

Chad and Kristy said...

Thank you so much for your kindness!!

Chad and Kristy said...

Thank you so much for your kindness!!

Isa + Steph + Sijia + William said...

I found you through Stefanie's blog. It's amazing what you're doing for these kiddos. Congratulations and Happy birthday ;o)

Lisa A : Izabella said...

What an amazing gift! I so wish my husband would give me a gift like that--hmmmm...perhaps I can plant the idea by sharing your story. You never know--but God does. :)

Blessings to you--it's clear you have a beautiful heart Kathie--bless you on your journey to the next precious addition to your family.

Lisa
izabella's Mom (Home since Oct 2009)

Pam said...

THANK YOU, BEST OF LUCK, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Denise said...

What a great birthday gift!

Shannon said...

Congratulations on beginning the process for a new adoption. Also, what a wonderful gift you are giving by donating to An Orphan's Wish!

Joanna @ Asking with Faith said...

Woohoo!!! Congratulations on your adoption!!!!! That is SO exciting!!

Carrie said...

Hurray for this awesome giveaway to An Orphan's Wish and congratulations on your next adoption!

Sam-Is-Mad said...

Congratulations!

Angela said...

What an awesome program!

Congratulations--a great gift that your husband is giving to both you and the child fortunate to become part of your family.

Jodi said...

I too have a heart for orphans, we adopted from Ukraine this spring.
Blessings to you on your journey~

jodi

Prairie Lady said...

Congratulations and great job!

Mom Of Many said...

WoooHooo!! So excited for all of you...and can't wait to hear more...I will be praying as God directs your steps....so amazing to imagine that He has had this all planned since long before you and I were even thought about! Yippee Jesus!! xo

Teri said...

I just saw this and WHOOHOOO!!! Another adoption!!! YEA!!! I am SO HAPPY I seriously have a big ol' goofy grin on my face right now.I can't WAIT to post that same announcement on my blog one glorious day, that my husband has given me his official blessing to start ours. =)

This sounds like an amazing ministry, I will go and check it out right now that is way more fun than working anyway. Thanks for letting us all know about it and post some pics of Cooper if you are allowed to, we would love to meet the little guy.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Hi Kathie,

Happy Birthday! Thank you for your heart for orphans and all that you do to help.

Kirsten.

Jody Herpin said...

Congratulations! Happy Birthday!

Amy : ) said...

Oh, Kathie!! (I found a few moments to catch up with you on here). How exciting! How sweet! How wonderful!
We'll be praying for your family as you look to our Precious Father to direct your steps...
BIG HUG!! : )
And Happy Belated Birthday!!

Abby said...

hi