First Friday

Hey guys! To all of you Atlanta folks, First Fridays is happening next Friday at 7pm!!! The website will be running this weekend so I will post it as soon as I can.

Whats First Fridays? Its a blessing. It is a place for people who have been there done that, people who are waiting for their China babies and for those who have questions. Dan and Susan were called by God to start this ministry and God has really been working. I will warn you that I have not been bringing my tissues but will try to remember this week. There are so many happy tears shed and this week will be no different. Referrals to celebrate and babies home from China to meet. I am just too excited! This week there will be special music and a special guest from Love without Boundaries.

I can not put into words on what this group has done for Michael and I. I have posted my story before but had Michael and I not asked to go on a different boat for an excursion on a Disney cruise, we probably would not be adopting from China and certainly would not have heard about First Fridays.
There are so many families who attend and are happy to answer questions for you. We have met new friends here that I know will last a lifetime.

First Fridays is meeting at NorthMetro Church on Barrett Pkwy in Kennesaw. I received a Christmas card in the mail today from a family who had been hesitant about First Fridays but will be there next week. I love meeting new friends.

Please email me at amyschristopher@comcast.net for more info and I can point you in the right direction.

For those First Friday friends, thanks for being our friends. Thanks for being kind to us, for letting us into your lives and for praying for us. What God has done through all of you is truly a miracle. I can not put it into words. We are still in the waiting stage but our lives have been forever changed. I probably need to get permission for the title of my blog but as I sit here the words of the song are in my head

"Where love takes you in and everything changes A miracle starts with the beat of a heart "

I guess I will end this now before my tears flood my keyboard.haha!

Steven Curtis Chapman-All I Really Want for Christmas

Happy News

Have you ever been so happy for friends you just get silly and maybe shed a few happy tears? Well, its happened again for us. Our First Friday friends Tymm and Laura are adopting babies from China and Ethiopia! and guess what? They got their Ethiopian referral yesterday.. Oh I can not wait to give them hugs in person. Tymm and Laura were the first of many new friends once we started the adoption process that we clicked with. I am sooooo happpy for them..I really am excited.

They are wonderful people who are going to be wonderful parents. They are fun, silly, and love the Lord. They are just really neat people and are blessed to call them friends. They have been an encouragement to us just by being our friends. I can not wait to learn more about their sweet baby.

ON another note, I just want to remind all of my blogging friends in the Atlanta area about First Fridays coming up. Its going to be a special time this month and hope you can make it!

Monday Meditations

Praises

1)I am thankful for all of my new friends, both in the blogging world and through the adoption community

2)that new families are home and adjusting

3) that November is adoption awareness month

Prayers

1) the families of the babies in the orphanages. Pray that they will be blessed

2)those caring for the babies in China and all around the world

3)that we will stay encouraged during this wait and will continue to stay positive

4) the CCAA

5) our spouses

6) that we use this time of waiting to prepare ourselves for this life changing event

Our Thanksgiving

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving with your friends and family. Its Christmas time and I am so excited. It is the family blog so I thought I would share with you (below in italics) the events that I wrote on my personal blog earlier. BTW, please send me your address to amyschristopher@comcast.net so I can get you on the card list and if you are in the Atlanta area, we are having a Christmas get together December 9th at 4pm.. Details to follow!!

I did get a little glimpse of the future Thursday though. I had what I like to call a "Father of the Bride" moment. Hope you can understand these. I just love movies that focus on the family.
As I walked downstairs right before dinner, I took a moment and stood still. I loved what I heard. Talking, laughter, sounds of the season. I love those moments. I can not wait to share these moments wit LynnMarie and any other children we have. I couldn't understand all the words but that was okay. It was family enjoying each other and to me, that's what every Holiday is about. I loved it. I loved the stress. I loved running out of things. I loved all of it.

I am so thankful this year for so many things. As our Christmas letter says, the adoption world has been our greatest blessing. I am so thankful to all of you who I know from First Fridays or from the blog world. This year, you have made me smile. I am thankful for my family, friends, my job, my home and every new emotion I have experienced (including the happy tears that have been raining from my eyes) I really do not think I have ever cried as much as I have since the year began.

Where do I begin? Its Christmas time and I plan on having fun this holiday season on this blog. Feel free to stop by during the day I plan on updating pretty frequently.Let's catch up shall we? So what do you think of my blog? Michael got a new one as well. Check him out here. Did I tell you how much I love Christmas time? It really is the most wonderful time of the year. How was your Thanksgiving?....I have had a wonderful week. The first part was cleaning and shopping and organizing. I am really not good at any of that, but I try and I enjoy what I do. HaHa!Wednesday evening, my mom and dad and sister came up to Atlanta and checked into the hotel (cat allergies) and we went to Chilis with everyone including my niece and 2 nephews. We talked about our menu and enjoyed the company. Thursday morning involved getting the turkey ready and all kinds of things..My family came over and helped soooooo much. While I made a last minute trip to the store, my mom and sister cleaned out my microwave and all kinds of stuff. So the in laws also came over and we had a nice time. Some of the family had to leave for the Falcons football game, so we wrapped it up and dad took us to Lake Lanier to see the Christmas lights. My dad knows I have always been the Christmas girl so it seems like he is always going out of his way to make sure I am in the Christmas trip. After seeing the lights, we got some hot chocolate and headed home. Kelly and I worked on a special project and planned on girl time shopping on Friday.Friday morning we slept in and headed out around 9am which was a blessing in disguise. While finding a Staples several miles away we passed a Target and Walmart I had never visited. So we decided to stop. Such a good thing as there were plenty of parking places, no lines and we got almost everything on our lists..Yipppee! We then went to lunch at Sweet Tomato's, shopped at Tadpoles and ended with Family Christian store. We were TIRED but had so much fun! We came home, finished our special project and continued getting into the Christmas spirit. We drove to Stone Mountain for their Christmas special ( we had never been there) and had a blast. We really enjoyed the Polar Express 4D special. We had too much fun.. Michael and I came home and I met my parents this morning to say goodbye at the hotel.Kelly (the sister) and I presented our parents with the special project. Thanksgiving Day was my parents 40th anniversary and during the past 6 months we have been collecting notes and pictures from friends and family and made it into a scrapbook (sister Kelly is very creative). The end result was wonderful. Mom shed some tears and was surprised to see notes and pictures from friends from decades . It was so much fun to do this for my mom and dad.Its time to work on leftover dinner for tonight. That was my wonderful week. I hope you had a good one.Cant wait to spending some time on this blog this month. I really don't care if people read it. Its just fun to be in the Christmas mood. I have not forgotten why I celebrate Christmas. I think about that night wen Jesus was born and how my life would not be the same had He not been born. For that I am eternally grateful...

HAPPY 7 MONTHS LID TO US! NEW BOOK TO BE ANNOUNCED AFTER WE GET BACK FROM STONE MTN TO SEE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS~ hAVE A GOOD DAY

Update: this is the book we chose for our LID. Its a very nice pop up book! Of course it had to be a Christmas book!

Friends

Do you want to know what I was thinking about today? Some of our friends are spending their first holiday with their sweet babies this year. This is so exciting and I can't wait to be in their shoes. I am sure children make Thanksgiving and Christmas and birthdays so much sweeter and I am very much looking forward to that. To all of my friends both in the blog world and First Fridays and my friends and family who read this at times, have a blessed Thanksgiving and enjoy every minute with your family. Our Thanksgiving will be at our house and our guest count has gone from 4 to 10 or 11. How exciting.. My mom, dad, and sister will be with me. It will be first holiday I have spent with my sister since I have been married and I can't wait for some girl talk.

This year I have so much to be thankful for. Have a wonderful day friends!

Monday Meditations

Praises

1) Shelby is home from China and is now with her beautiful family
2) that the adoption community is so wonderful
3)that the CCAA has made it into December 2006

Prayers

1) travel mercies for those in CHina now meeting their new babies
2) CCAA
3) our agencies as they have had to tell people about the wait
4)those who are discouraged by the wait. I know there are a lot of people who have been waiting a long time and are ready to throw the towel in.
5) our children. Many of our babies are not born yet, but I pray they will be a blessing to everyone who is a part of their lives
6) Families who are home and still adjusting


Does anyone have anything else?

The picture above was taken from google images

Oh yeah, last chance to sign up for the Christmas Card Exchange. Just click on the yahoo button below, join the group and fill in the database. List will be ready on Wednesday




Click to join amyscardexchange

Happy Adoption Day Friends and Family!

Thank for making this journey so incredible!

This was taken from bethany.org

What Does the Bible Say About Adoption?

Is adoption biblical?
Absolutely! The Bible is a story of our adoption by God. Adoption is the means by which all believers enter into the family of God.

“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. Romans 8:14-17

Is adoption a “second best” way to form a family?
Adoption is not “second best.” It is simply one way that God in His wisdom can choose for us to be parents. Whether one becomes a parent biologically or through adoption, the fact is that children are not a right—they are a gift from God.

“Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord. Psalm 127:3

Does the Bible refer to adoption in a positive way?
Yes! The Bible always presents adoption as a positive, gracious act that is part of God’s plan.

Moses was adopted by Pharaoh’s daughter and his adoption was part of God’s overall plan for the deliverance of Israel from Egypt. (Exodus 2:1-10)

When Esther’s parents died, Mordecai, her cousin, took her as his own daughter and adopted her (Esther 2:15). This adoption also led to a wonderful deliverance of the people of God!

And in a way, wasn’t Jesus an adoptee? Joseph, who raised Jesus as his own, was not His biological father. Joseph gladly accepted Jesus, providing Him with all the love, encouragement, and guidance that a son needs from a father. Luke1-2

Does God bless the adoption of an older child or a child born overseas? Yes!
God uses adoption to advance His Kingdom and to share the miracle of His unconditional love. The child adopted into a Christian family will have the security of knowing that God has been watching over and protecting him or her since before birth.

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5

Click here to see the whole article

Family Day

Hi again friends! Hope your day is going well. Today was another family day as we went window shopping at the mall, lunch at Ruby Tuesdays, Target, Walgreen's and bought our Christmas shopping. We also bought a Barnabas bear at Family Christian. When you buy one for 10 dollars, they send one to an orphan. Its a wonderful thing that Family has been doing for years.

As we shopped I people watched and saw so many things. Santa even waved at us..Yeah for Santa!!!!!

My prayers are for the family in China right now. I have read it on several blogs. A father went into a diabetic coma and passed away. I am not sure the details but I ask all of you to pray for the family.

I am really looking forward to mall days with LynnMarie and pictures with Santa Clause and going into the Disney Store and the puppy store and all of that fun stuff!

1 Samuel

5 But to Hannah he gave a double portion because he loved her, and the LORD had closed her womb. 6 And because the LORD had closed her womb, her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her. 7 This went on year after year. Whenever Hannah went up to the house of the LORD, her rival provoked her till she wept and would not eat. 8 Elkanah her husband would say to her, "Hannah, why are you weeping? Why don't you eat? Why are you downhearted? Don't I mean more to you than ten sons?"

9 Once when they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh, Hannah stood up. Now Eli the priest was sitting on a chair by the doorpost of the LORD's temple. [b] 10 In bitterness of soul Hannah wept much and prayed to the LORD. 11 And she made a vow, saying, "O LORD Almighty, if you will only look upon your servant's misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the LORD for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head."

12 As she kept on praying to the LORD, Eli observed her mouth. 13 Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk 14 and said to her, "How long will you keep on getting drunk? Get rid of your wine."

15 "Not so, my lord," Hannah replied, "I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the LORD. 16 Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief."

17 Eli answered, "Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him."

18 She said, "May your servant find favor in your eyes." Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast.

19 Early the next morning they arose and worshiped before the LORD and then went back to their home at Ramah. Elkanah lay with Hannah his wife, and the LORD remembered her. 20 So in the course of time Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, [c] saying, "Because I asked the LORD for him."


I have been doing a wonderful Bible Study at church called "The Amazing Collection" which guides you in reading and studying the Bible in 3 years. I can now believe I have really studied the word before now. What I am seeing is how relevant the Bible is. First I studied Sarah and her desire for a child, now I am studying Hannah. I do believe that God will grant us the desires of our heart. It may not be the same way as Sarah and Hannah, but He will provide in ways that are unimaginable. When you past the issues of jealousy and other emotions, its amazing what this peace feels like. I am so glad I am over that and can enjoy this time. I am so thankful for this wait (yes I wish it was shorter) as it is a time of preparation and I am thankful for adoption in general. I have enjoyed reading blogs of families who have been there, done that and although I do not know them, they have been such great encouragement. To have followed the journeys of Laney, Sheridan, Lily, Shelby and many others have taught me so many things and for that I am thankful that these families have allowed me to witness their journey. Thanks friends!!!!!

Monday Meditations

What are you praying for today?

I am praying
1)for all of us waiting- that we will stay encouraged

2)Shelby and her family. They are finishing up their China trip and will be bringing her home soon

3) CCAA

Doesn't sound too creative but its 11am, I worked last night and my words are running together!

Praises
1) referrals for 8 days (doesn't sound like much but it is in fact more than 5 days)

2) that people read our blog (haha!)

3) God is using China to open families eyes to other countries. Adoption is awesome!

Holidays and Dreams

As our first holidays since we were logged in are approaching, its made the think and hope and dream.

I wonder what it will be like to have LynnMarie running around while we make dinner and I wonder if she will enjoy the Macy's Thanksgiving parade as much as her mom does. I wonder if I will be able to help create memories that will last her a lifetime. I hope she likes to decorate the Christmas tree and listen to Christmas music way in advance.

I can't help but wonder what Thanksgiving and Christmas will be like in the future. Each holiday that passes I will think of LynnMarie and I will wonder when she will be home and will hope that it is sooner than later.

Special gifts

Yesterday I came home to find a box and looks what was inside..Definitely a gift that made me tear up and Michael loved it as well! Inside was a teddy bear that makes soothing sounds, the book I Love You Forever, which is my favorite book but I have not bought and the first thing to go on LynnMarie's wall. A beautiful print with her name on it which includes the red thread quote.. I have 2 wonderful secret pals who have put such thought into my gifts. Its been a wonderful experience..

Thanks for signing up for the Christmas Card Exchange. There is still time to join, just click on the yahoo button on the side..the list will be available right before Thanksgiving!

Secret Pal gift

I forgot to post a picture of of my October gift from one of my secret pals. This SP sent me the cutest outfit (LynnMaries first pair of pants), a Halloween picture, a bib, a spoon and bowls with a Halloween theme and chopsticks . Didn't she do great? I love it all!

The other pictures are the countdown vases..I was able to move 8 stones to the other one this month. This is the progress. Its something else to pass the time..

Tuesday

I guess I will be moving 8 stones from the "Waiting for LynnMarie" jars. Yeah for all the families who saw their babies for the first time today. How wonderful! Also, Shelby's family has seen smiles. Shelby just joined her family this week in China and you can see pictures and her story over at www.myshelbybaby.blogspot.com

Have you ever had something stuck in your head and it just wont leave? You try to think of something else but it just keeps coming back? For the past week when I wake up and during other parts of the day, certain words just come to my mind and I am not sure why. Perhaps I have heard them in a song, read them in a book or on a blog but they have been on my mind. Seriously, since last week I have constantly had these words running in my mind

Hope Dream Pray Respond

I thought maybe it should be Pray Hope Dream Respond but this is the way its been coming to my mind I assume this pertains to our adoption but maybe not. Any thoughts or have you read this somewhere??? I would really like to have something else running through my head.

BTW, did you know that Thanksiving is coming up which means Christmas is right around the corner...YIPPEEEEE I can't wait to have LynnMarie home for Christmas and Thanksgiving. I cant wait to help her make some memories...

Monday Mediations

Praises



1) Its referral day yall! For those not in the adoption process, waiting families get their first glimpse of the child they have been matched with. Im sure many families were up all night. I cant wait to see the pictures and hope to pass along a blog or 2 here.



2) Its Shelby Day! Shelby is being united with her family today. Click here to see the blog!

3) The CCAA is working into December! So far they have matched people logged in December 1-8th!



Prayers

1)Pray for the CCAA

2)Pray for all of us as we wait

3)Pray for the families who missed their referral by one day!!

4)Pray for those who are discouraged and are thinking of leaving the program!

5) Pray for our children may their lives touch many others!

First Friday

May I first say that Miss Shelby will be joining her family in the next day or 2? Please keep praying for a smooth adjustment.

Friday evening began with dinner at Fudruckers with Karen L and the Claxtons. I am so glad Michael was able to meet this beautiful family. He really enjoyed watching their sweet little girls interact! We then headed over to NorthMetro for our monthly gathering. We once again were blessed. We spent some time with Tymm and Laura and caught up on what was going on with them which led to talking about the church and the music and what songs I really love. After some socializing, Susan and Dan introduced Matt, who led us in some worship music. Matt is on the worship team at the church. The second song he sang was one of the songs that Tymm, Laura and I talked about. I have no idea what the song is called but I call it the "Oh No" song. If you attend North Metro, I think you will know what song it is. I really enjoyed the music.

The Chapmans shared a video to a song entitled "Glory Revealed". This video included families who are back from China. It was precious and hope all are able to see this amazing, beautiful video.
Craig B from North Metro Church spoke this evening and he shared his heart and the story about his family. Its amazing that we all have a story. Anyway, I cried but whats new huh? When you talk about infertility, the stories usually include the woman's feelings. It was nice to hear the other side. It was honest and I know many of us have shared some of those same feelings. One of the things he talked about was when he went to China to get his daughter, it was not the easiest time. She refused her father. She didn't want anything to do with him. Craig compared this to when we refuse or deny God and how He must feel. That hit home. Such powerful words.

We ended the night praying for a family who is leaving this week to get their 6 year old son and also viewing a video of Craig and his family arriving at the Atlanta airport from their China. What a gift this First Friday community is. I pray that everyone can find this type of support.

Before adoption entered my life, I was a non-public emotional person. Since then, I feel like my heart is literally exploding with emotions and feelings. Oh how I wish you could read my thoughts. I have a hard time putting them into words on this blog. As Rebecca said, this is so much more than just going to China to get our daughter. It is now a passion. It is a new lifestyle. My thoughts have changed. My heart has changed and I know that my life will forever be changed. Adoption has changed my friendships, the way I work and our marriage for the better. It is amazing and God is so good to bring us into this at such the right time. many people will question that in regards to the new wait. But trust me, we are in the right place right now and I will cherish every moment of this wait.

Adoption month

November is National Adoption Month

I can not believe it is November and during this month, we recognize adoption regardless if its domestic or international. I know that our lives are forever changed because of adoption and we are just waiting. I can only dream about LynnMarie coming home. If you are new to this blog, Michael and I are adopting a little girl from China. We have officially been waiting for 6 months but have been on this journey for over a year. 5 years ago, I thought adoption was just a wonderful thing to do and now it is etched in my heart. I hope that if you have thought about adoption at one time, you will take the next step and get information.Talk to your spouse. Pray about it. Its hard to take that first step, but I hope you will. Please pray for families who are currently waiting for their precious babies

If you are adopting or have been touched by adoption or are just a reader I ask that you de-lurk and post a message on this blog. Please leave your LID with your message. For new readers LID is your log in date or when China logged in your paperwork into its system.

On another note, if you are in the Atlanta area, I would like to invite you to First Friday this coming Friday at North Metro Church at 7pm. This is a wonderful place to learn about China adoption, meet people who have been there done there and just find support. Families who are thinking about adoption, currently waiting and families are home will be attending.There are also families who have adopted from other countries. If you have any questions, I hope you will come.