***AWESOME Tshirts! Help support our mission trip to Ethiopia!!

back of men's shirt

We have some really great tshirts available for a limited time, and all the profit goes toward our Reckless Abandon mission trip to Ethiopia in January! This is the trip that Nathan, Hannah, & I are going on. Please head over to Erica's blog and read the details on these shirts!

Seriously, the guy's shirt is one of the coolest I've ever seen. And I LOVE my gal's shirt--it has a great fit and is really cute! These are only available through January 6th, so order now! Trust me, you will love them!!!

front of men's shirt
front of gal's shirt

back of gal's shirt

a Merry Christmas indeed

Our Christmas tree will probably never be pictured on a Hallmark Christmas card. For one, my family has no patience when picking out a tree. So the one we got this year (after an excruciating 15 minutes of looking) is a little (alot) fuller on one side than the other. It's also leaning a bit in the stand, but I left it that way because I figured the two counter balanced each other. : )

While I insist on white lights, our ornaments do not match. They are a mix matched collection of ones we have accumulated over the years. We have a tradition each year that everyone gets a new ornament. One day, when my kids have families of their own, we will give them all of their ornaments for their own trees. It's a fun event, picking out our ornaments each year. This year, my ornament looks like a snowglobe and says "HOPE". I picked it, because for me, this Christmas is all about hope. One of my favorite verses is Roman 8:25:

"But if we HOPE for what we do not see,
with perseverance we wait eagerly for it."

We will celebrate and enjoy the bounty of all God has provided for us this Christmas, and we will celebrate the baby King---the promised Messiah--God with us. And it the midst of it all, we will HOPE and wait for the child we have not met yet, praying that maybe, next Christmas, we will celebrate together.

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!!

Reckless Abandon 2010!!

"Africa -
Once you see it, you will never be able to un-see it,
and once you see it, you will be responsible for it,
and for the self it reveals back to you."
Shauna Niequist

Most of you know this is primarily a blog dedicated to chronicling our adoption journey. It does, however, also provide an outlet for me to talk about my thoughts and daily family life. I hope you don't mind if I tangent a bit today and tell you about something else exciting going on in my family's life!

Our friends, the Shubins, who we met this summer, were a huge part of how God directed our family to adopt from Ethiopia. Dave and Erica have been planning for months to lead a mission trip to Ethiopia, a country that has left a mark on their hearts and souls. We at LifeBridge Church got excited when we heard their heart for this country, because we are excited to see how God will use our church to impact a country halfway around the world. As our young church plant grows, we are prayerfully considering how God will use us for global impact. This mission trip will help us discover how we can be used and shape that connection.

I knew immediately that I wanted to be a part of that process for our church. There is so much need in the world, and we as a church need direction and guidance and wisdom as we seek the specific areas and projects we will partner with long-term. I want to be a part of that discovery and development. Therefore I am planning to go, Lord willing, using funds from my direct sales business and local fundraising efforts.

Joe and I also determined, through much prayer, that we would like to begin passing on this value and opportunity to our children. After discussing it with our kids, we all decided to allow Nathan and Hannah to go on this trip as well. They are currently fundraising to cover their expenses.

Sooo....tomorrow is a Facebook-athon to raise money for our team. Here's how it will work:

Thursday December 17,2009 from 12:00am-11:59pm we're asking that you donate your facebook status (or write a blog post) to our cause. I'll have a paypal button up on our mission trip blog as well as this blog, all you have to do is copy and paste the info below. In other words spread the word and let the Lord work as He will in the hearts of His people.

Reckless Abandon Ethiopia - to unrestrained give of oneself without caution for the cause of another. Will you send us to Ethiopia to help build a chicken house? To sing and play with sweet orphan babes? To play soccer with the street kids? To be Jesus with skin on to those we meet? To show love in a tangible way. If everyone on my friends list donated $5 we'd be fully funded. Will you consider donating? Every dollar helps. http://recklessabandon2010.blogspot.com - Thank you for your support, check back often for updates!

For more info on our facebook-athon, go to Erica's blog here. For more details on our mission trip to Ethiopia, visit our missions blog here.

Thank you for helping us spread the word! We appreciate your prayers and support!

Ho Ho Ho with a purpose

I love Christmas and pretty much everything about it. The tree, the lights, the eggnog, the presents, the cookies, the eggnog, the music, the eggnog...sorry, lost my train of thought...where was I?

Oh, yes, Christmas! And even though we try not to get too caught up in the madness of this season, it is certainly a time for giving. And lately, I'm obsessed with giving gifts that have a purpose even beyond the gift itself. Here's a few of my personal recommendations of gifts I'd love to give (and get : )) this Christmas (most are $20 or less!):

Suubi Beads

My friend Erica is selling these beautiful necklaces made in Uganda. I have two and love them! Go to her blog here to see sample of necklaces or contact her directly here.

Card inserts

How cool is this?! My friend who is adopting from Ethiopia made these cards. Purchase them in a package and send them out with your Christmas cards, letting your friends and family know that you made a donation to the adoption in their name. Go here to get yours!

Andrew Peterson

Ok, so you're not gonna actually GIVE someone Andrew Peterson--that would be weird. But SERIOUSLY, this is the coolest Christmas album EVER. Andy decided to write a Christmas musical, but not just start the story at the book of Matthew. He went all the way back to Genesis. And I'm not kidding, it is awesome. If you're a little spent on tired carols with little truth and no theology, trust me--this one is for you. My kids love "Matthew's Begats", but it. is. all. good! He bring together several of my favorite artists to contribute to the project. Buy it here.

But, I will say, if you really want to be a rockstar gift-giver, take your special someone to see the show. (dates and locations here). It is my favorite concert I have been to in a long time (sadly, no shows in FL this year. : ( ). Andy MCs the first half of the show, and all of the artists who are with him on tour, as well as Andy, take turns performing whatever songs suits their whimsy that evening. It's a fun, rare glimpse of some of these great artists unplugged. Then, after intermission, you get "Behold the Lamb of God", live. Just go. Trust me. (And when you see Andy, tell him to pleeease come to FL next year!)

Just Love Coffee

Do you know someone who loves coffee? Then this is a perfect gift! Go here to purchase Ethiopian coffee, and support our mission trip in the process!

147 million orphans

Two moms start a business to raise orphan awareness and help families raise fund for their adoptions. Check out their cute merch here. I want one of each.

TOMSI love Toms. For every pair of Toms, you buy, a kid in need gets a pair. Not some shady percentage or portion of the sale... a shoe for a shoe. Blake has a cool story--read it on the website. Maybe you saw him on a AT&T commercial. These shoes are so cute and so comfy. Go here to shop styles for men, women, and kiddos. (If anyone was wondering which pair is on my Christmas list, don't think I picked this picture on accident. : ))

And, last but not least, I have to put in a couple plugs...

Tastefully Simple

Who doesn't love food?! It's the perfect gift every time! Buy Tastefully Simple from my website here, and all my profits go toward Nathan, Hannah, and my mission trips to Ethiopia in January. You can view the e-catalog here.

Tshirts

And, of course, tshirts. Cute shirts that promote adoption. All our shirts can be seen on the right sidebar. Or go here. Help bring home the littlest Walser from Ethiopia.

~~~~~~~~~~

So there's a little something for everyone. Have fun shopping! be sure and share your gift ideas in my comments!

Thankful

"How precious are my children who remember to thank me at all times. They can walk through the darkest days with Joy in their hearts because they know the Light of My presence is still shining on them. Rejoice in this day that I have made, for I am your steadfast Companion."
~from Jesus Calling, Nov. 26th

What a wonderful weekend I have had. It has been filled with fun fellowship, relaxing family time, and thoughtful reflection. During our Thanksgiving dinner with friends and family, we each went around to share what we were thankful for this last year. Many tears...tender words... I have been reflecting since then on what I am thankful for, since 5 minutes isn't near enough time to share it all.

• First and foremost, I am thankful for Jesus, His love for me, His pursuit of me, and His transformation process in me. I shared a few posts ago how God had opened my eyes to how to truly give thanks in everything, including pain and trials--because He loves me enough to do the work of making me more like Jesus. I feel His love for me in a way I never have before, because He is working out my salvation in me.
• I am thankful for my husband. He is a man after God's own heart, a man who is willing to spend himself on behalf of the King and us, his family. He loves us---we can feel it and see it in all he does for us. I'd follow him anywhere.
  
• I am thankful for my kids, who are growing into young men and women who are taking ownership of their walk with Jesus. They do not grumble about their role in ministry, and I see the Spirit at work in them. Plus, they are just fun to be around. : )
• I am thankful for this new journey of adoption, this test of my trust in His direction and provision. I am thankful that somewhere a little Walser waits for his/her forever family, and we get the privilege of loving that special child.
  
• I am thankful for an extended family that loves the Lord. Though most live far from here, I have never felt closer to them.
• I am thankful for my church family. LifeBridge is a core group of people who's lives are sold out for the kingdom, and I am excited to see how God will grow and develop our core and mission.
• I am thankful for my friends, who challenge me with their commitment to the Lord and accept me as I am. I feel so blessed to walk this road with them.
• And I am thankful for the health and logistical provision the Lord has granted me, grace poured into my life so I can turn around and pour it out as an offering to Him.

I could go on...as I think about all these things, I wonder why I have been chosen to get these good gifts. I am unworthy and I know it. But no doubt, this has been a year of change and challenge, and there have been dark days that have tested my faith. I have had to look over this list, and count it all as loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ. The Lord gives and the Lord takes away, and yet in the midst of it all, His love endures forever. I do not expect Him to give me good gifts, but I will enjoy them and seek to use them for His purposes in my life. And in the hardships, I will endure because I know He has proven Himself worthy to be trusted with my life. I will not worry about tomorrow. I will choose to rejoice in today.

"Return to your rest, my soul,
for the Lord has been good to you."
Psalm 115:7

"Vendor Blender" fundraiser!

We are in the midst of planning our next fundraiser, and we are SUPER pumped because we are doing this one with our friends the Waulks who are ALSO adopting from Ethiopia!

We are bringing in a variety of vendors for a special "one-stop shopping" opportunity before the holidays!

Right now our vendors include:
Tastefully Simple (of course! : ))
Pampered Chef
PartyLite
Lia Sophia
Silpada
Thirty-One
Creative Memories
Mary Kay
Cute Betty's Gold Emporium (they pay cash for your gold on the spot!)
Ugandan paper necklaces
and others

We will have soup for sale and an area set up for little ones to color and keep busy while parents shop.

We will also have raffle tickets available for giveaways from our vendors. You can purchase tickets for $1 each, $10 for 15 tickets at the door, OR $10 for 20 tickets if you purchase in advance!! (Need not be present to win!)

Also, even if you don't live in FL, you can get raffle tickets or make a purchase from any of our vendors in advance, and it will still benefit the fundraiser!

For raffle tickets or ordering information, email me.

Pray with us for a fun night benefiting two special orphans! : )

What I've been up to

It's been a while since I've posted and there's not alot new to report. We are working on our homestudy paperwork and planning our next fundraiser (subject of my next post). I thought for fun, I would tell you what I've been doing to pass the time (like I need time fillers in my life! ha!).

Some things I've been reading and listening to...

On my nightstand...

Forgotten God by Francis Chan (@ the Holy Spirit--great)

Adopted for Life by Russell Moore (a must read for everyone, adopting or not)

Southern Living magazine (I figured I should error on the side of full disclosure! : ))


On my computer...

Katie's blog here
(Seriously...run--don't walk-- to visit this blog. Bring a cup of coffee and a box of tissues and see what it looks like when a 19 (now 21) year old girl gives her life away for Jesus.)

Connie's blog here
(Where I go to be challenged in one way or another by a godly woman who teaches and shares from her (huge) heart.)

Suzanne's blog here
(I can hardly wait each morning to check in on her story as she is in Uganda this week to get her baby girl Josie love and bring her home!)

My buddy Erica's blog here
(Because she's posting good stuff every day this month, and sometimes she even puts a picture that happens to have one of my kids in it! : ) Oh, and she loves orphans and is trying to find a home for two sweet girls as I type.)

Facebook (As I said...full disclosure! : ))

And many others...check my blogroll to the right...frankly they're all good...


And I'm listening to...

Best sermons E.V.E.R. here...this guy can "bring it" (Yea, maybe I'm a little biased, but listen to one from the last few weeks and tell me I'm not right..promise you won't be disappointed and you WILL be convicted.)

Francis Chan on itunes....always challenged

Mark Driscoll on itunes...awesome Luke series

new Switchfoot album (actually,... I'm not yet, but it came out today and by the time you read this I bet I will be! : ))


Other than that? Well, in the last few weeks...

We celebrating my baby turning 9 years old...

We applied for our passports...
We served our neighbors chili and smores on Halloween...
We celebrating the marriage of two young Jesus-lovin' friends...

Oh...and my skater boys got a haircut!
(That they requested, no less!) Woohoo!

Do I really want what Jesus offers?

This post may have less to do with our adoption and more to do with my life in general, but oh well...here's what I'm thinkin' about...

I have had a busy few weeks, and life has been full of circumstances that require my trust and patience at supernatural levels. This has left me feeling overwhelmed, stressed, and fatigued. That leads to me being grumpy, frustrated at times, and not very joy-filled.

I feel like someone spinning plates at a carnival, running from one plate to the next to keep them all going at the same time. I feel like I work all the time, and yet my pile just gets bigger. My kids have asked me, Mom, what is it you do, exactly, when you work? I am, after all, a stay-at-home mom with no paid occupation. I don't punch a clock or go to an office. My responsibilities include the logistics of managing a home and homeschooling, ministry in our church, my side business in home parties, and of course, now, adoption and blogland. When I remind them of these things, they usually respond, oh...we thought "work" was your code word for facebook. Hahaha. Witty kids. (At this point I send them off to do extra schoolwork...who's laughing now?!)

I don't see an end in sight when it comes to my workload. When one thing is completed, something seemingly equally important comes right along behind it. I've come to the realization that I have to learn to order my life and time around what I believe to be the most important things, and with all the other stuff: just "do the next thing" for today and the rest will be there tomorrow.

So that's a good lesson. Still figuring out just how to do that. But most important for me, this weekend, was a realization of my sinful attitude. I'd like to blame the exterior "stress", but my feelings (worry, fear, frustration, stressed) are internal and are the response I've chosen to my circumstances. I have been frustrated with God for the trying situations and difficulties and have taken it out on others around me. And I realized this weekend, it is because I do not understand the gospel.

Sure, I am a worthy object of the wrath of God who has been saved from my sin and adopted as a child of God. Jesus died for me, and through Him I have a new life filled with peace, hope, purpose, a family and a home.

I love that part. I embrace that message of forgiveness and love. I love that new life.

But 1 John 2:6 says, "Whoever claims to live in Him must live as Jesus did. " (NIV) And in 2 Corinthians 3:18, it says "And we all...beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another." (ESV)

Thats sounds good, in theory. I'm becoming like Jesus. Woo-hoo! But do I want to be like Jesus? Do I want to live as Jesus lived? He was rejected and despised by men. He was overworked and unappreciated. He was homeless and owned next to nothing. His people denied Him and friends betrayed Him. He lived to serve and sacrifice for others, even to the point of death. He is called "the man of sorrows". Is this really "the life you've always wanted"?

I realized I only wanted part of what Jesus offers. Joy and heaven? Yep! I'm in! But as the Lord has sought to mold and shape and refine me these lase few weeks---transform me to be like Jesus---I have griped and moaned under the pressure and pain.

But today, I am thankful. My God loves me so much, despite my resistance and lack of faith, He who began a good work in me years ago is STILL working in me. He has not given up. He still plans to make me more and more glorious in Christ. Oh, how He loves me. I am so grateful for His persistence and pursuit of my transformation.

And I realized, understanding this is the key to having joy and peace in all circumstances. I really CAN give thanks in everything (1 Thess 5:18)! Not in an empty, head-nodding, sure-kid-sure kind of way. But in an embrace of the sovereign control a loving Father who wants the best for me--and He knows the best thing for me is that I decrease, and Jesus increase in my life. I can't muster up change in me. He does what only He can do, and when He does---I feel loved. And I am grateful.

Lots of words. Sorry. Just my thoughts. Maybe nothing to do with adoption. Maybe everything to do with adoption. (Especially in this paperwork phase! LOL)

Want to hear the sermon that sparked it all for me? Go here and launch jukebox to listen.

Oh and by the way...we're $200 away from being able to apply for our homestudy!! That's only 8 t-shirt sales!!! Want one? Go here!

BUY A T-SHIRT! Help with our homestudy fees AND help raise adoption awareness!

We are working on our homestudy paperwork, but cannot even submit our initial homestudy application without our full homestudy fee. HELP US raise the remainder of our homestudy fee by buying a tshirt!! These shirts are awesome, organic cotton, SOFT and comfy, and really cute!

We need to sell 35 shirts to raise these funds! They make great gifts, too!

You can order via to paypal links to the right, or email me using the button to the right, and let me know which ones you would like to order! Quantities of certain sizes are limited, so snatch them up while you can!

All the images and details can be viewed here.

Gratitude

Joe & Barbara

This post is long overdue. But ever since our Facebook fundraiser and garage sale, it has been a whirlwind! That does not diminish in any way our humble gratitude for all that God has done and the people He used to do it!

First: the financial update. To date, we have (God has) raised $2404.18 toward our adoption! The garage sale was a huge success---we made almost $1500 in two days! Tshirt sales have brought in some as well along with other donations that have trickled in this last week. We are blown away! We have used that money to pay our application fee of $700 as well as pay our upfront costs for our tshirts, so that from now on, every shirt sold is pure profit!

AND...we have a little over $700 still in our account towards our homestudy fee! It is a great start and we are blessed.

I have been so amazed these last few weeks how God has used the offerings of our friends--be in in time, resources, gifts, finances--to support our family in this process. And I want to take a moment to say thank you.

• Those of you who donated money towards our adoption and have asked for nothing in return---we thank you. We know many of you have little to spare and yet you gave generously. Some of you we've never laid eyes on. Our family is so, so grateful.
  
• Those of you who donated items for our garage sale--thank you. Some of you gave beautiful and valuable things that made our sale look more like an estate sale than a yard sale.
• Those of you who came out and worked during the garage sale--we thank you for your time and presence! We had a blast with you, and your hard work made the load easier.
• Those of you who have bought tshirts--thank you! We hope you love them as much as we do!
• Those of you who posted our blog link as your status on Facebook--thank you. It brought tears to my eyes as I would go down my news feed list, and see post after post of our link...we have never felt so loved and supported by our friends.
• Those of you who sent me notes of encouragement (especially after my last money post! : ))---thank you. I feel like you "get me". I'm thankful that I can vent, be heard, and still have people remind me to turn my eyes upon Jesus.
• Micha and Monica...I love my shirts. You two are geniuses. Thank you so much.
• And Barbara and Larry....there are no words. Only tears, as I think upon your humble service to us, never complaining, always delighting to serve us and the King. This garage sale was just one more demonstration of your incredible giftedness as hosts and the graciousness with which you share your hearts and your home. I love you.

So...what now? Paperwork! Begin homestudy and grant processes. Tshirts are still for sale, and now every dime goes right towards our homestudy costs!! See shirts here, and purchase via paypal links to the right or email me.

And now, some photos of the fun!
(Thanks Tara, for coming prepared! Without you I'd have nothing to chronicle this event!)

lots of stuff...lots of fun...

homemade signs share the cause
(Danielle & Olivia)


quality control (Skyler & Josh)
(Hey--someone had to make sure that backscratcher was effective
and the typewritter worked!)


sorting clothes

(me, Erica, & Dawnie)

Michelle sorts and organizes
(She's smiling...this was before I sold her brand new printer for $5)

Hannah tries out the ski poles
(Despite Lisa's best efforts to convince our clientel these were useful for a yoga-style workout on the beach that's all-the-rage at an upscale hotel on St.Pete Beach...
these did not sell. Oh well. But you did sell the birdhouse! : ))

Erica & Silas

the girls sell their bookmarks
(?...or bracelets..or keychains..or whatever you want them to be!)
(Olivia, Danielle, & Hannah)

Barbara & Hannah

me & Tara

This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's
people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.
2 Cor. 9:12

I hate money

I know that is not a great title right after a fundraiser. : ) But in an effort to be real, I will share my heart with you this morning.

Let me start by saying THANK YOU (((said with lots of emotion and accompanied by a huge hug))) for donating yesterday during our Facebook-ATHON. As of this moment, we have $465 towards our application fee...so thank you so much. You have invested in a child's life (and ours) in a way that will change it forever.

I am full of mixed emotions. One of humble joy, as I see many of you give when I know you have little or are saving to adopt yourselves. Another, excitement to know we are a little closer to our next step in this process of adopting. And, if I'm honest, a little discouraged that we're so far from our goal.

My fussiness with God is not that more people didn't give or that I don't trust Him to eventually provide. I know He will, because He always has.

And that's just it. It seems, since leaving my home at 18 to marry the man of my dreams, we have made decision after decision that have put us in a place of financial need. Joe is a talented man, smart, hard working, and a gifted leader, who could easily get a higher paying job if he was willing to go anywhere and do anything. Instead, God has called him to ministry, not exactly a money making scheme. And then, after years of enjoying some sense of security in a steady paycheck as a pastor, we are called to church planting and leave that behind. Some of you are our faithful supporters who have made it possible to plant a church and pay the bills at the same time. But because of the economy and a drop in support, he now works two jobs, some days exhausting himself with the responsibilities of a full time job and ministry, not to mention family.

I'm not sharing that for sympathy, maybe more to brag on him. In all that he has taken on, I have never ONCE heard him complain about it. He continues to be the spark of joy in this home and humble representation of my King.

I, on the other hand, can tend to gripe a little. Again, mainly because I hate money. I hate that we need money. And I HATE the "ask". That's what they call it, for those of you who may not be familiar with fundraising. It's that point where you lay your need out there and invite someone to partner with you by providing for that need. Everyone who's ever fundraised has had to do it. And I don't know anyone who likes it.

I hate it. I hate asking. I hate that I have a need that can only be provided for (through Jesus) by others. I would rather be self sufficient, take care of it ourselves. But we can't. And it's clearly not what God wants us to be able to do. He's called us to more than we can handle on our own. He's called us to be where we are, doing what we are doing, and it means allowing Him to move in His people to provide. Why He keeps doing that to us, I may never know!! But I'm a little tired of it. I'm just being honest.

I know we are supposed to adopt. I have never been more sure of something-- that He wants us to pursue this path and rescue this orphan who is living in who-know-what-kind-of-conditions right now. And we, like many of you, are barely paying our bills. We could never afford the expenses involved.

So where does that leave me? After wrestling with Him? Apparently, right where He wants me. In a place of brokenness. Utter dependence. With a wrecked heart. Lame and needy. All I have is His, and all I need is His to provide. I will humbly continue to serve and obey.

A friend wrote me this morning and said,

I wanted to share a piece of my heart with the hope of encouraging you to keep your eyes fixed on Jesus and rest there with humble trust, giving thanks as you are in these days of small beginnings. Jesus finishes what He starts, He loves the fatherless...you're on good ground to remain hopeful.

And so I will fix my eyes on Jesus. And I will remain hopeful.

Welcome Facebook and Twitter friends!

Thanks for stopping by to check out our story! We are so excited to be starting our process of adopting a child from Ethiopia! Feel free to stay a while and read a little about us...

• Our family
• Why we are adopting
• Why from Ethiopia
• The costs involved

We knew when we embarked on this journey of adoption that we could not afford it. But we decided to step out in faith and trust that if God truly wanted us to do this, He would provide. We ourselves are not special or deserving, ...but there is a child waiting in Ethiopia that we believe IS.

Our current goal is to raise $3500 to pay for our first round of expenses for our agency and homestudy fees. If you feel led to donate, you can click the "Donate" button to the right. It means so much that you would join us on this journey to love with abandon...love an orphan!

Tshirts are here!!!!!

(I am linking to this post on our t-shirts as part of My Crazy Adoption's "Shout Out"!! A few sizes are sold out, but there's still plenty to purchase! To get to know us a bit, check out the links to the right under "A little background on us." To read what's on my heart @ Africa right now, go here. Thanks for stopping by! ((hugs)) )

Our tshirts are in--yahooo!!! You can purchase right here on our blog via paypal! Before I show them to you, let me tell you about our message. Each of our shirts read:

"Love with abandon, Love an orphan."

We believe we have been given so much love, from the Lord and within our home, that it is overflowing. And we want to live lives that love without restraint, without inhibitions, without safety nets...we want to love with abandon. Because that's how we feel we have been loved by our heavenly Father, "who did not spare His own Son, but...with Him, freely gives us all things." (Rom. 8:32) We want to challenge those who are considering adoption but have held off because of fear, finances, the "right time", whatever....to "just do it"!! Take a leap of faith, and trust the Lord to work it out!

The scripture reference "(Matt. 25:40)" on the shirt is a reminder to all of us, that whether we are called to adopt personally or not, we are ALL called to love the least of these.

LADIES SHIRT:

front

back

The ladies shirt has a tree image with a momma bird and three baby birds, one a different color. The text wraps around the shirt on the bottom.

Alternative women's fitted short sleeve vneck shirt, ultra soft, 3.1 oz., 100% organic Pima cotton. Longer length and tapered waist. Earth Natural color.
(The shirt is fitted, and I recommend ordering a size up.)
Available in S, M, L, and XL. $25


ADULT SHIRT:

Alternative basic crew neck tshirt, lightweight & slightly fitted, 4.1 oz., 100% combed ringspun cotton. Chocolate color. Clear ink imprint.
Available in S, M, L, and XL. $20


KIDS SHIRT:

Anvil short sleeve crew neck youth tshirt, Pre-shrunk 100% combed ringspun cotton, 4.5 oz. Chocolate color (darker brown than adult shirt with a light brown imprint)
Available in XS(4-5), S(6), M(7-8), L(10-12), XL(14-16). $18


GIRLS FITTED SHIRT:

L.AT Sportswear Girls' vintage longer length heathered jersey t-shirt, 50% combed ringspun cotton/50% polyester, 4.0 oz. Clear ink imprint.
Available in S(5-6), M(7-8), L(10). $18



You may order via links to the right. If you have any questions about the shirts, sizing, or ordering, feel free to email me.

Nice to meet you...

For those of you who may be meeting my family for the first time through this blog, I thought I would introduce you briefly to us.

Rachel & Joe

Joe and I have been married for 16 years. We met in Houston, TX at our church. Joe was in the Marine Corps when we married, so we lived briefly in Hawaii (too briefly...) before getting out of the military and heading to seminary in Dallas. Joe has pastored for 12 years, in churches in Nebraska, New Jersey, and now Florida. He is now bivocational, working both as a church planter and also full time as a civilian for the Army Reserves. I am a stay at home mom, homeschool my four kids, serve in ministry, blog, and earn a little income through selling Tastefully Simple. To read our story about how we were led to plant a church, read here. To read about how we were led to adopt, go to our first post here.

Nathan

Josh

Josh & Nathan are twins and are 12 years old. As cute & innocent as they look here, this is more what they act like:Yeah, they're all boy. Seriously, though, they have wonderful hearts and are growing into godly young men. They love to skateboard and are still trying to convince me that working together to defeat levels on xbox games is "educational".

Hannah

Hannah is 10 (11 on Sept. 21st) and is the "other" mom in the house. She's one smart cookie whose love of reading is only surpassed by her love for horses. She'd clean stalls all day for a chance to ride for 30 minutes. She is becoming a beautiful young lady, full of wit and sensitivity.

Danielle

I have never seen a picture that captures the personality of Danielle like this one. She is 8 (going on 9) and has more energy than the rest of us combined. She always has a smile on her face and is pretty much up for anything, anytime. She shines the joy of the Lord in all she does, and is a constant reminder to us to "carpe diem" and live each moment to the full.

They are sisters and the best of friends.

So that's the Walser family, so far....: )