WELL SAID

This is from jasonjohnsonblog :

Adoption: An Echo of the Christmas Story

The gospel of our adoption, making its vivid debut that night in Bethlehem, acts not only as the emphasis behind why but also the model of how we as those adopted into the forever family of God are called to forever give our families to those who need them. Christmas is ultimately the story of God stepping into our darkness in order to bring light into it. It, above any and all other motivations, compels us to do the same on behalf of the vulnerable, marginalized and orphaned in this world. It is impossible for us to truly celebrate Christmas without considering both its implications for us and its expectations on us – to do for them exactly what God has done for us through Jesus.
In light of the gospel and the story of Christmas we can no longer remain on the peripherals of the plight of others, but must, at just the right time, meet them where they are by interceding on their behalf. Their brokenness no longer just theirs, but also now ours. An old story forever being rewritten by a new one. A better one. A brighter one. Together.
Adoption begins with our willingness to step foot into darkness, not merely to pull a child out of it but to bring light into it. This is exactly what Jesus did for us and what we are therefore compelled to do for them. We do not strut into their stories with a cape on our back but crawl into them with the Cross on our shoulders. We are not the rescuers, but the rescued. We are not the heroes, but on every occasion seek to point to Him who is. Our Hero has come. Immanuel. God is with us. Nothing will ever be the same.
In the end, the echoes of Christmas in adoption beautifully reverberate in forever-altering terms. A taking on of one story and a writing of a new one. A better one. Together.
Nothing will ever be the same.
This. Is. Christmas.

JUNK THE JAMMIES

  what a sweet idea from this adoptive mom..... 

SHE SAID...

We are now seven short days from leaving for China.  It’s a very stressful time.  As funds go, this is that time when the rubber meets the road.  It isn’t inexpensive to adopt, and I am panicking a little.  When this adoption came up, we still had lingering debt from Cate’s adoption.  Not a lot, but a little.  We’ve fundraised, paid as we went, worked hard with this adoption too.  But, it will leave us with some debt again.  We have the ability to slowly pay it off.  Some people don’t.
For some families, the nearly $30,000 cost to adopt a child is a deal breaker.  They can’t pay it.  So, a child waits.
We have been so fortunate this time to have people in our corner helping in little ways.  And, sometimes, not so little ways.  People who have sent Christmas gifts for our other kids, whose children have sent money, who have organized grants to give to siblings traveling to China, who have pledged money for the yard work the boys did, who have bought t-shirts, and necklaces, and tote bags.  The list is endless.
We’re paying it forward during this holiday season.  There are SO many amazing families working so hard to adopt right now.  In this season of giving, we’re going to give you a REALLY easy way to help.  We’re going to ask you to ditch your Christmas jammies.  No, we’re not asking you to be naked.  Although, Cate does love a good naked day.  We’re asking you to not purchase those cute matching Christmas pajamas you buy for your kids.  Instead, we’re asking you to purchase a tee to help a family who is adopting.   If you celebrate a holiday aside from Christmas, I would LOVE to see you in a tee on one of the eight nights of Hannukah.  However you choose to celebrate, please, join in!!!
I’m going to offer something too.  If you purchase a tee for an adoptive family, any tee you like, and send me a picture through email, Facebook, a blog comment, whatever, I’ll enter you in a drawing to win a ‘We Rise’ tote bag.  These totes fit EVERYTHING in them.  I’m not kidding.  Everything.

And the message, inspired by Juliana, is one that seems to fit this campaign so seamlessly.
If the Christmas jammies weren’t in your budget to begin with, and the tee isn’t either, could you do me a favor.  Could you take this image and share it on social media?  Could you make it your profile pic on Facebook?  Could you link this page somewhere so that people see these families, and their kids, and we all rise to get them home?

If you need suggestions on tees to purchase, I’m going to post a few here.  I’m going to keep adding to them as the holiday season rolls along.
These ‘Built Together’ tees are helping the Murphy Family bring Lulu home.  I met the Murphy Family, well, some of them, when we were in China bringing home Cate.  When our adoption agency (NOT our current agency) left us in the lurch, they took us under their wing.  Just a few months late, we got to spend Cate’s second birthday together.  Lisa is an amazing mom, and author.  Her son Daniel’s story is amazing.  Cam has now read it and is so looking forward to seeing the next release of the book.
The Murphy Family’s shirts can be purchased HERE.

The Worrell Family has a tee with a message I love as well.  These tees can be purchased by emailing weareblessed@hughes.net.

The Deavers family is bringing home an amazingly sweet little guy with a limb difference who I have adored from afar for forever.  Liam was born with a limb difference that involves missing both arms.  He waited and waited for so long for the perfect family to find him.  They have!!! If you would like to purchase this shirt to help get Liam home, please email deaverszoo6@gmail.com.

I absolutely adore the Chambers family!  They found their sweet son with the same adoption agency we are using to bring home Gigi.  Then, they found their gorgeous daughter in one of the AMAZING kids that Tess was privileged enough to advocate for.  I can’t wait to see this family bring their two babies home.  You can order a tee to benefit the Chambers family HERE.  This family has TWO tees for the offering!  If you’re interested in either, you can email jjmasse@sacoriver.net!


I’ve got to tell you, this is one of my FAVORITE messages yet.  It truly does begin where your comfort ends.  For this tee, you can email tannamr@msn.com.

A special alphabet message from this family, whose sweet baby is PRECIOUS.  You can email abelfundraiser@gmail.com to order!
I saved the funniest one for last.  Well, so far it’s last.  I have told this to Joe SO many times.  He’s wise to it now and simply doesn’t believe me anymore.  Props to this family for creativity!!! I LOVE IT.  If you’re the best kind of liar, you can order their shirt HERE.