Double Happiness

Today was Day 8 of waiting for TA... But His mercies are new every morning.

Yesterday we received a estimated travel schedule and invoice from our agency. So we feel as tho TA is coming soon. And if we get the CA date they're hoping for, we could be leaving for China in just over 2 weeks...

What?!?!!!

2 WEEKS!

Wow, that is awesome, and scary at the same time.

What has gone on since our last post you ask...

Well the last post was about the Anonymous Angel upping the Matching Grant offer to $1,000. And today we hit that goal!!!

Yep, we actually went over it and raised $1,030 to get the $1,000 matching grant. Praise God!

But that's not the double happiness...

A fellow adoptive family saw how successful the Anonymous Angel's Matching Grant went, and wanting to help too, they have offered to repeat the challenge. :)  Woohoo!

They will match a donation of $500 when we get $500 donated to our new Friend Matching Grant Chip In. http://adventure4eli.chipin.com/friend-matching-grant

So if you missed getting your gift/donation "matched" to help bring Kai & Eli home... now is your chance! Thank you & God bless tenfold!

Also, the new 2013 Adoption Success Stories Calendar is READY!!!

http://adventure4eli.chipin.com/adoption-calendar

 

Wall Calendar (8.5 x 11) featuring a different adoptive family from around the adoption community  each month. Calendars cost: $15 each, plus S/H ($3.50 1st, $1.50 ea add).

 

Think Christmas gifts and how great these quality calendars will look on your wall. Order yours today!


So how am I holding up you ask? Or maybe you didn't, but I will tell you anyway... lol

I am so anxious to hold my boys!

I am trying to trust God to get us to China...

I am so grateful for what the Lord has done, and all the folks who have given and prayed.

I pray I will be the mom they need.

I pray my love is an extension of the Father's love.

I pray my life bring glory to God and show my boys My God.

And I don't get much sleep these day... lol

Grateful, scared, blessed, tired, ready to get to China...

Humbly in Christ,
Sherry

God increases

He must increase, but I must decrease. - John 3:30 (NKJV)

 

So God showed off last night...

 

We got the $500 needed to receive the Anonymous Angel's matching grant in less than an hour. Hallelujah! Thank you Jesus! So that is a total of $1,000 raised last night.

 

This morning I received the following message:

 

Hi Sherry, the donor said... to extend this, because the $500 was raised so fast. They are willing to add another $500, so they will match a total of $1,000. Praise God!!!!!!

 

So I have increased...

Correction - God has increased the Angel Matching Grant Chip In to $1,000.

Praise the Lord for HIS faithfulness!

 

Father God please BLESS these people who are giving to bring home Kai & Eli!

 

And those that didn't get a chance to get in on the Angel Matching Grant Chip In for our boys, now you can. :)

 

Go to Chip-In button on right of blog or to Chip-In page: http://adventure4eli.chipin.com/angel-matching-grant

 

So Day 4 of TA wait is spent praising God and fundraising to bring our boys home.

 

I had an opportunity to go to an adoption conference in Dallas today and hear some wonderful speakers, but I felt my time would be better spent today fundraising and filling out adoption loan applications.

 

I know it is not in my strength, but by God's grace and provision that Kai & Eli will come home. I have known this all along. God has shown us time and time again, this is HIS plan. But I thought I had to work and work and work to make it happen. I thought I had it figured out. I didn't want to beg and ask for hand outs. Which is true to some extent... But I also need to rely and trust God, whose calling and plan this is... and allow HIM to use the people and ways HE wants to use, to bring these boys... who HE loved first and more... home.

 

Yes, Lord I surrender. Not MY will, but YOUR will... in everything, every step, including where the money comes from.

Thank you Jesus, that your ways are better than mine.

Humbly yours,

Sherry

Windows from heaven

When a door closes,  

God opens a window...  

literally.

 

I found out this afternoon that we are not receiving a Show Hope grant as we had so hoped. 

Apparently the letter was sent to us in August, telling us this... 

but to the wrong address.  

Databse error.  

Sigh~ Oops!

 

So... Now what God?

 

Ok, I will be honest here... I started crying and had to leave the room so the kids didn't see.  

I had a Peter moment.

 

²⁸ “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
²⁹ “Come,” he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. ³⁰ But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
³¹ Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
³² And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. ³³ Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” - Matthew 14:28-33 NIV

read also -
 
²⁸ Peter, suddenly bold, said, “Master, if it’s really you, call me to come to you on the water.”

^29-30 He said, “Come ahead.”
Jumping out of the boat, Peter walked on the water to Jesus. But when he looked down at the waves churning beneath his feet, he lost his nerve and started to sink. He cried, “Master, save me!”

³¹ Jesus didn’t hesitate. He reached down and grabbed his hand. Then he said, “Faint-heart, what got into you?”

^32-33 The two of them climbed into the boat, and the wind died down. The disciples in the boat, having watched the whole thing, worshiped Jesus, saying, “This is it! You are God’s Son for sure!” - Matthew 14:28-33 Message

I normally read NIV, but I had to look this up in the message tonight. And it fits me tonight.

It was recently pointed out by my Pastor that the Word says they climbed back into the boat. Jesus took Peter by the hand... He did not pick him up and carry him.

So tonight I cried out to Jesus.

And I get a message from someone telling me that an "Anonymous Angel" has offered to to donate up to $500 as a MATCHING GRANT to help bring our boys home.

Within 30 mins God grabbed my hand and opened a window.

And actually the message said

"Hi Sherry, I got a message EARLIER today.... There is an Angel out in the community that has stepped forward to do a matching grant of $500.00. Please make a post with your blog & chip in and we as a community can share it. This family wants to remain anonymous!!!!"

Did you catch that, cuz I didn't at first... EARLIER TODAY!

God began opening windows before I knew I needed them.
Praise you Lord!
I know God would provide to bring our boys home. But like Peter I looked at the waves.

So here is the ChipIn for the Angel's Matching Grant to help bring our boys home:  http://adventure4eli.chipin.com/angel-matching-grant

And Yes, I realize $500 matched is $1,000. But it's a start...

Thank you Lord for your faithfulness and your saints! Forgive me for my breakdown this eve and doubt. I still BELIEVE God is going to bring Kai & Eli home to us next month.

Blessings,
Sherry & family

Praises & Prayers

Day 3 of TA wait brings: Praises and Prayers...
(Plus new pics, so please read all the way to the bottom.)
We have so much to God praise for...

I was recommended the following blog http://aplacecalledsimplicity.blogspot.com/
The author has a great perspective and I LOVE her posts already!

We have really stepped out in faith, obedience and continued giving this year as we carried on this adventure to Eli & Kai now too. And this blog just encouraged me all the more. BELOW is a questionaire she is doing for those adopting two and traveling soon... um, us! (lol) She will read them all and choose 7 families to highlight on her blog. Please pray we are chosen. We believe God will use people from everywhere to bring our boys home, all to bring about His glory. We will never be abel to say WE adopted these boys. But God enabled us to adopt them because He called us to, just as He has adopted us into His family.

Here's the Questionnaire that must be copied, pasted, answered and posted.
Each question must be answered honestly. There is no wrong answer, the only thing that matters is truthfulness. In the interest of most people reading your post, it would probably be best to be brief with your answers. I have questions that I feel honor the Lord, promote stewardship responsibilities as well as obedience to scripture allowing those willing to share what resources they have to get to know the folks participating.

1. How many children are you adopting? 2

2. What names have you chosen and what are their ages?
 

Kai Joseph FeiLong Patton - 13

Eli Joshua Xiao Patton - 11

{Please post pictures if able.}

3. Are any of the children you are adopting considered "Special Needs"?
Yes, both boys do.

4. If yes, specifically what Special Needs?
Besides being older children, Kai has complex congenial heart defects, including TOF, Pulmonary Atresia, Velo-Cardio-Facial Syndrome; and Eli is labeled developmentally delayed, having had Rickets left him with pigeon chest and bent spine.

5. What country or geographic area are you adopting from?

China
 

6. Have you adopted before?

No

7. How close to travel are you?

3-4 weeks

8. Do you attend church regularly? If so, what type of church is it?

Yes, Assembly of God Church
 

9. Do you tithe with each pay {at leastthe scriptural standard of 10%}?

Yes. The way we see it, how can we expect God to be faithful to His word, if we are not faithful to obey. We also believe in offerings and giving above your 10%, and we pray God bless tenfold those that give to us. *Note: I personally believe Tithe is not just in money, but time too.
 

10. Yesterday, did you participate in any way with the day of Praise, Prayer by giving praise on the link and then posting your request?

I am not sure if I did it right, but I was referred to this blog. I read the post and placed my praise report and prayer request in the comment section. Praising God is important. We teach our children that God is not a Santa Claus in the sky. He desires a real relationship with us and loves it when we praise Him.

11. How did you hear about the Link up? Brooke Henningfeld tagged me on facebook.

12. Is there anything, briefly, that you would like to share with our orphan-lovin', God-honorin', Jesus worshippin' bloggy friends reading this?

Only that we are God loving people who are living to serve Him and answered His call to adopt these boys out of obedience and faith… something that has completely changed our lives and we are so happy we did. We have not even got to bring them home yet, and we are so blessed already. If God calls you to it, no matter how scary or not in “your plan”, follow His lead. His plans are always better! And even if it looks impossible, remember ALL things are possible with God. We didn’t have savings to worry about having to “dip into”,but God created funds for us to use to bring our boys home. Our boys are older and have waited a LONG time for a forever family. But that only adds to the testimony of God’s love and faithfulness. He heard their cries and is sending us to answer them. I challenge you, if I may, is God calling you to answer someone’s prayers? Trust Him! I promise, you won’t regret it. www.adventure4eli.blogspot.com

****************
Finally, understanding that each gift received through this "Response Time" has been entrusted generously for our use from our loving Father, we promise, in the unlikely event that we would be unable to or decide not to adopt the children we are advocating for, we promise to return all of the money gifted to us as a result of this link to International Voice of the Orphan so they can, at their discretion, give to other families adopting.

{Please place your initials on the line.}
Yes, I will submit___SLP___ No, I am unable to submit to this ________

Now I hope you all go and read her blog, that it touched all of you.

And I hope these do too. Next Prasie report:
We got to Skype with Kai Joseph last night!!!

 

He was much more comfortable with us this time. He was so happy! :) He got to meet Cory this time. He showed us "his family" off to SFCV staff as they came into the room. It was so sweet! He is so excited abotu joinign our family and us coming to China next month. 

This was his reaction to Steve telling him he would bring "Temple Run" (video game) to China for the trip. They share the love of the same game.

Here he is showing us how tall he is... lol
We're guessing maybe 5' 3" tall. He says he weighs 35 kg, which converts to about 77 lbs. We are going to have to get some weight on my boy.

This pic says it all... In the past, he hasn't liked his pic taken. But when I asked if he would look at camera and smile he glady posed for us. (heartfelt sigh)

Tim Baker, SFCV Co-Founder/Director, even stopped in to say hello.

We did math on the chat part, as I asked him problems and he answered them. He just beamed when I told him good job. I can not wait to get him home and see him blossom!

We have so much to be thankful for...

Thank you to all our prayer warriors. We covet your prayer.

God bless tenfold,
Sherry & family

Day 2 TA wait brings calendars

Yep, that's right...

2013 Adoption Success Stories Calendars

Wall Calendar (8.5 x 11) w/ an adoptive family on each month.

These were a big hit last year,

and they are even better this year. :)  Practice makes perfect.
 
Christmas is coming... think gifts people!  Who doesn't need a calendar?  

It's a two fold project that the Lord gave me last year. 
Every calendar sold helps bring Kai & Eli home,
and also advocates for adoption and orphans. So more people can see orphans in families.

Calendars cost: $15 each, plus S/H ($3.50 1st, $1.50 ea add)

 http://adventure4eli.chipin.com/adoption-calendar

Note to self: try to add a Chip In widget on side bar of blog. :)

In other news, boy are we are getting excited around here. We are working on bedrooms & packing lists. Anxious to hear those wonderful two letters... T A

Because those letters mean travel approval and then we are looking at plane tickets.

And plane tickets means we are close to hugging our boys... Woohoo!

Our agency emailed us our article 5s today, and my heart leaped when I saw our name on the page with their names. ~heavy sigh~

Soon boys... soon!

In the meantime, some other APs were sharing these neat pics created on tagxedo.com, so I made our boys each one too.

Eli's favorite colors are red, yellow & green.

Kai Joseph's favorite color is orange.

And for those praying and wondering...

No news from Show Hope...   yet.
No news is good news I say. Still holding out Hope  ;)

We love you all and so appreciate your support and prayers. This has been a roller coaster year of work, faith and emotions...

Wow! I did not expect to FEEL pregnant. But I swear I have hormones and emotions and just want so badly to get to China and bring our boys home. I have heard they are getting excited too. And that makes this mommas heart pitter patter.

God bless you all tenfold & please share our fundraisers with your friends!

In His mercy,
Sherry

Praises, updates & prayer requests

For those who prayed, helped and supported our

TWO LESS JOY FEST

 

 

THANK YOU!

 

It was a wonderful evening of celebration & joy

 

 

awesome worship,

 

 

sweet fellowship,

 

 

nice variety of great entertainment

 

 

baked goods... oh the yummy baked goods...

 

 

and yes, praise the Lord we raised a lil' over $1,700 to help bring Kai Joseph & Eli home

 

 

But really we were blessed beyond dollar figures, and have been told many who attended were touched by God also.

Photography for the night was donated by a dear friend Celeste Sisemore and so I have been waiting for pics to be able to post. I have a bunch now, so I will post them all at bottom for your enjoyment.

 

 

We had so many baked goods donated, that we held a bake sale with the left overs and we raised another $186.83.

 

 

That is nearly $1900 combined...

Praise the Lord!!!!!

 

And the update is that we are officially WAITING for

 

That's right... Our ARTICLE 5 has left the building.

 

Which brings us to prayer requests...

 

We still needs funds to be able to travel.

 

We still have not heard from Show Hope concerning our grant application. So please join us in praying we receive a blessing from Show Hope.

 

We have lots of fundraisers still going on. Please share with all your friends. Because if everyone purchased something from our fundraisers, or donated to our Chip In or Reece's Rainbow...

 

Unfortunately we do not have figures of how much we need. I wish we did, but we don't even really know. Our agency says after we get TA they will be able to process our travel invoice.

But if I figure the estimated amounts in our travel book, for two provinces and three weeks in China. We need between $25,000-30,000. Praise the Lord we have about $9,000 now. But that's not enough.

We are trusting God. He called us to adopt these two boys and we believe He is going to send the money we need to bring them home. Our family is working, saving, scrimping, doing anything and everything we can to make it happen. But we do not have $16,000-21,000.

 

PRAY! PRAY! PRAY!

 

We are praying & trying to expedite in province process, to shorten the trip and lessen the costs. We are also hoping there is a misunderstanding or something on these figures. And for cheap airfare and hotel costs.

 

It's very humbling to be in this position. But God is in control. We know that we can not take credit for anything. He is providing the way he wants to. So we thank you all for your help to bring our boys home and we continue to pray God bless each donation/gift/help ten-fold, in Jesus name!

 

 

Sherry & family

 

Dickey's donated icea tea

 

Many people donated baked goods: ECCHO moms, That Church family, friends from Shreveport, LA
and even Catering By Yvette, http://www.facebook.com/#!/CateringByYvette

 

 

Pastor Bobby Rutherford Jr was MC for the eve

 

 

 

Whitney Rutherford started us off in beautiful worship

The Lacy Family entertained us with gospel bluegrass

 

 

Corsicana Cloggers were awesome!

 

 

 

This is what happens when you give "Bubba" freedom with the mic....

You end up crying in front of a crowd of people...

My wonderful hubby shared his daddy's heart for our boys

 

Evan Edwards shared his testimony & worship, accompanied by Leah White

  

  

 

Corey Thedford & the Broken Soulz were AMAZING!
http://www.coreythedford.com/