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The amazing blog world…

Before our adoption journey, I really didn’t even know the blog world existed. I had a photography biz and updated my photography blog every week or so…but I had no idea the families you could connect with and how many of them would impact my life. I. Am. So. Thankful.

I want to share a special person’s blog with you this weekend. Her name is Christie.Christie went to high school with me. And we reconnected on Facebook. Where she found my blog last Fall…and found another blog…and another…and another. Christie and I started cooresponding back and forth in December quite a bit on Facebook…and it was AMAZING to see the Lord begin to work in her life. You see, just last year—Christie was on her own…she had yet to meet her Savior–and it was through her eyes being opened through the poverty of Africa that God won her heart (you can read about how Katie in Uganda especially grabbed her heart on her blog). I remember her being frustrated with their poverty…getting really bothered with “why me here—why them there”…and miraculously—the orphan was used to save Christie. In January, Christie surrendered her life to Jesus–and through several wee hour conversations in January on Facebook…I watched Christie begin to GET IT (God even used a tooth ache to make her realize her need for dependance on HIM!) and I got to watch her become a believer and IMMEDIATELY follow Him as she contacted Wiphan to sponser who she so endearingly refers to as “her Moses”.

Christie became unemployed just after becoming a believer…yet she did whatever she had to so she could continue supporting Moses too. She has felt the Lord leading her to go on a mission trip to Uganda–and she has worked very hard raising the money to go. For months she has been selling children’s clothing in trunk shows…on ebay…on Facebook…just to make extra money for a mission trip. She prayed for the Lord to open the door to Haiti after the earthquake…she inquired about this place and that…and it wasn’t until recently that the Lord opened the door—and she is now planning to go to Uganda. The sweet part is…is that this is the country that really led Christie to Christ. And now…she will go there—and love on orphans through Christ. AMAZING.

I have watched many, many, many other adoption mommas and orphan advocates support Christie in her walk of faith and come beside her and encourage her. WOW. How thankful I am for the body of Christ! Christie needs around $1800 to have her trip completely funded (it’s a 2 week trip totalling around $4000). Will you pray about supporting Christie? You can make a donation toward her mission trip by going to her blog here. You will not only be investing in the children of Uganda…but you will be investing in the body of Christ as you love on our new sister in Christ. This girl is on fire for the Lord…and I stand amazed. AMAZED. If you support her…follow her blog so you can watch her story unfold–because I know it’s going to be a beautiful one. And if you support her, please leave her a note of encouragement as she steps out in faith as a new believer in Christ to follow Him with reckless abandonment.

And this…is just one of the many things I love about the crazy blog world I didn’t know about before. You guys. You guys have loved and encouraged ME. Today…was a hard day for me. I’m just being honest. It’s been 2 weeks now since passing court and we are really ready for travel dates. The Lord knew I’d need some extra love this week…and He sent some love my way through the blogosphere;)…

On THURSDAY…I met Kim—she doesn’t have a blog but she and I started emailing through mine and she is a DEAR friend of one of my VBBF (Very Best Blog Friends…LOL!) Becca. Love me some Becca…and Becca really “introduced” me and Kim…they are friends from their North Carolina days…and Kim and I met THIS WEEK…she traveled my way to bring donations for our orphanage…

And Becca…this picture is for your kids from our kids (and to make Miss H smile after her tough week;)…

Kim kept my mind off my phone ringing on Thursday…and then the postman visited and I got a PRECIOUS gift from another one of my VBBFs…Shannon…Shannon has 4 little monkies…and they are PRECIOUS…and they are also waiting on a baby boy in Ethiopia and have an adoption blog too. She sent me the sweetest note of encouragement…and to think I wouldn’t know her if it wasn’t for the blog world! She also sent a sweet little monkey T for Isaac (affectionately being referred to as “Ike” by Rich…but I’m not diggin’ it;)…how cute is this T…

And the cutest hand-made sign EVER (did YOU make this YOURSELF Shannon?!)…now the real question is…it matches his nursery PERFECTLY…so do I leave it RIGHT HERE…OR do I put it downstairs for when we walk in the door with him? I love it here:)

And I can’t WAIT to welcome him home!

Now…we wait on the call for travel dates. And I am so thankful for the love of my blog readers and adoption momma friends. SO. THANKFUL. Richard and I were in the backyard tonight before dinner and just saying how ready we are. Our caseworker called to say “no news…but maybe it’s next week” and the tears came. My heart…again—LONGS. He is my baby…and he belongs home. We are ready…and we wait upon the Lord’s timing. Thank you for praying for us…and for praying Isaac home. Thankfully…it won’t be long now.

Hope you all have a great weekend. Much love from the South.

XOXO,

Andrea

P.S. Just found out Shannon DID make that sign HERSELF! Very impressed. LOOOOOOVE it…and love that I’ll think of her precious family and their love and support every time I see it. Feelin’ the love today…and so thankful!

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Becca Harley - June 5, 2010 - 7:36 am

Oh my sweet friend – I was praying for you all night long. For peace, for your weekend to be incredible sweet and fly by, for a phone call early next week. And I love love love the pictures!!! Oh, how I wish I could “play” with you all! and hannah says “thank you” – she is feeling so much better today – Praise the Lord!

Catherine Besk - June 5, 2010 - 9:39 am

Oh, Andrea – I found your blog through a blog, through a blog. Pretty amazing how we can all connect, and support one another without knowing each other. Wow. We have just begun the process, but I can only imagine the ache in your heart as you wait. Now that he is yours and you have to wait. It seems so crazy, but the day that you are united with your son, is going to be a day of dancing and singing in Heaven and on earth. I will pray right now for the news that we will all be waiting on, and that your travels and transitions would be safe and smooth. Sending you love from a Mother’s heart.
Catherine

Lara - June 5, 2010 - 10:30 am

I love the banner for Isaac! We just got your cupcake note in the mail yesterday – he is sooooo yummy! That smile melted my heart. Can’t wait for you to bring him home.

Elle J - June 5, 2010 - 10:40 am

I love seeing pictures of you with your family and friends. Your smile lights up the world, Andrea. I just love it and can’t help but smile back. I think the calm of the phone is precious ~ gives you time with your three babies and time for Frank for his first weekend away. He needs that before you travel. God is preparing you AND your family perfectly. In His Time Thy Will Be Done.

Natali - June 5, 2010 - 11:49 am

Andrea, i just want you to know I’m praying for you and dear precious Isaac. I really admire you for doing what you’re doing and HOW you’re doing it 😀 Kudos to you, for surrendering it ALL to Him and helping others along the way :)) Love ya!! And praying for you!

Dawn - June 5, 2010 - 9:07 pm

Definitely praying for your travel dates soon!

Kim - June 6, 2010 - 11:02 am

WOW.
Very touched by the story of Christie as well as the outreach, love and support of this amazing blog community.
What an example you are to us all. You have a real gift in encouraging others to persevere and trust as you wait with expectancy for the endless glimpses of glory He has provided along this journey to Isaac.
Love & Blessings from Hong Kong,
Kim

Gini - June 7, 2010 - 7:54 am

Love that Becca, too. 🙂 And, yes, how cool is the blog world? Love how encouraging and inpsiring it is. 🙂
~Gini