There has never been more orphans in the world than there is today–the statistics…are just overwhelming. The foster care system in our own state is completely overwhelmed–as it is for most states all over the country. Yet thousands of families are being called to grow their families through adoption and foster-care.
While these families often feel support from their agency during the process, after they return home–for the most part…they are on their on. Only once they are home–they find themselves with a precious little bundle of joy…that has experienced orphanage life, trauma, abuse and brokenness. While some little ones show little effects of the transitions they have experienced, for others–it can be quite traumatic for.
When we brought home our son–he was almost one. LITTLE!!! But it took many, many months before he accepted me as MOMMY. I was able to go to learn from counselors–but I also had the need to hear from moms who had gone before me and could encourage me and who could give me ideas of how to help my child connect and heal. And that is when Created for Care was born.
Created for Care is more than a typical “Women’s Retreat”. It’s a retreat where moms growing their family through adoption can come to receive training and encouragement in breakout sessions AND also have the opportunity to meet with hundreds of moms on their same journey! After last years retreat, my inbox quickly filled up with testimonies from moms blessed from this retreat, and how for some families and lives were now forever changed. TO GOD BE THE GLORY!
Each year, we strive to keep costs AS LOW as possible so moms who would like to come can. The $165 registration fee pays for all of the mom’s food and snacks for the weekend, retreat t-shirt and breakout materials. BUT there are over $10,000 in additional costs to pull off a retreat–from a/v equipment, worship band costs, travel costs and expenses for our main session speakers. This year–instead of asking for donations–we’ve stocked up on Created for Care products to sell! If you would like to join us in serving adoption families and Created for Care in this way–you can get your gear on and make a difference with us in the lives of these women!
Please visit our store at www.createdforcare.org
If you share our store by sharing on FB, blogging or in an email to friends–let us know BY CLICKING HERE and we will enter you in a really fun raffle! (Nope–you don’t have to be a retreat attendee to enter!)
If you want to join us by making a donation toward our retreats–you can make a tax-deductible donation directly through Paypal or by mail. Please contact me if you are interested!
Thank you for joining us in serving these families! While I first stepped out to plan a retreat for myself because I needed it–the Lord opened our eyes that this is a great big need and instead of retreating–He wants us to bring moms together, plan retreats for them and bless them–ultimately pointing them to Him as they trust in Him for the rest of their journeys. 1 Corinthians 1:3 says, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.” I LOVE that the women leading the breakout and main sessions are moms who have gone before us–who can encourage–teach–and guide us on this journey. And what a joy it is to plan these retreats for this purpose!
Blessings to you!
Andrea Young
by admin
I had planned on attending this year but God had other plans with our money, paying down debt and putting anything extra into our own adoption account, so I sure hope I have the chance to attend next year!! Keep up the fantastic work, women are just jumping with anticipation to get there, I keep seeing blog posts and facebook comments. Praying for a fantastic weekend for all who attend.
I just want to tell you how much your waiting revelations have meant to me. We have 6 at our home (one adopted). I feel as if the Lord has spoken to me consistently and loudly about adopting again- a special needs child. But The Lord has not spoken to my hubby yet. I am 43 and I feel the clock ticking loudly. I have been so frustrated /confused that I felt the call and yet I have to wait for an “all clear for take off” from my teammate. Children are waiting and we have room… and I am getting older.
Thank you for your encouragement and transparency.