The Young Family Farm »

February 9, 2010

Just a few reasons I am thankful for our agency AGCI…

OK…there are lots of amazing agencies out there…but currently I’m biased;). Here is my top 5…

5. Monthly updates from your caseworker inform you of where you are currently on the “the list”…so you have a better 2 cents of how long your wait might be. Not all agencies do this…but AGCI does…and I love that. We started out in November as…
IMG_5232 copy and today we are sitting pretty at 19:)

4. As if a monthly date isn’t enough to hold you over…AGCI clients have a really cool online list-serv where we create an “unofficial list” ourselves (or rather one awesome momma volunteer does it for us!) and every time a referral goes out…we have a better guess at where we are. These relationships are super cool too because as travelers go over you can tell them to give your baby some lovin’ for ya once you have a referral and you’re just waiting! I get tips on everything from transitioning our child home…to great children’s books…to sweet little family stories that remind me the many joys of adoption.

3. Hannah’s Hope in Ethiopia…one of the nicest care centers (I’m convinced!) and the caregiver to child ration…um–1:2 or 1:3…wow…that’s lower than what it will be at our house on a normal day 1:4! I’m gonna have to ween my baby from such wonderful care! DSC00603_thumb[9] I can’t wait to be here and finally meet Almaz!

2. I love that our agency is a Christian based agency…that many of the adoption families have been led their to not only grow their families, but to CONTINUE to poor into families and serve Hannah’s Hope. There are families there who have adopted from Guatamala, China, Vietnam…all over…and they are all apart of the listserv and pour into one another. They send in donations each month to take over to the orphanage—and I love how blessed the care facilities are because of them. Seriously—every travel group takes over big containers FULL ON DONATIONS to benefit the sweet children there…how thankful I am for this! 211458731 (Thankful that folks like the Pratts go to GREAT LENGTHS and cost;) to finally get donation there! Can’t wait to repay the favor one day!)

And the number 1 reason I am soooo thankful for AGCI today is…
Before we’re even close to a referral we have DEAR, PRECIOUS friends to support us and be a part of our journey along the way!!! Sweet Kristi Johnson, who the Lord used to encourage our family to adopt (along with countless others!), had a little playdate for me while we were up visiting family! NONE of us here have our little ones home YET (besides Kristi of course!) but by the time we do we have made friendships that are sure to stand the test of time! (Pictured here is Kristi, Vanessa, me, Cris, Rachel (private blog), and Amy.

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Amy @ Filled With Praise - February 9, 2010 - 5:25 pm

I love our agency too!!! Nothing but good things to say from my perspective. Glad you guys made it home safely. If you get a chance would you email me that pic 🙂 Thanks friend.
Blessings,
Amy

Joy - February 9, 2010 - 5:32 pm

I just stumbled on your blog from Kristy’s! I live in Illinois and we are currently waiting to bring home our little guy from Ethiopia. We are having our 5th court date in 2 days, and hopeful that we will pass! I also have three biological children (10, 8, and 4). Our little boy is 3.5
I also have a photography business…like you do, right??? I just wanted to send you a little note to let you know how much your blog just encouraged my heart! The Lord has been so evident in every step of our adoption. He stirred our hearts, and called us to obedience when we felt comfortable! We are so thankful for all the treasures that He has taught us on this journey! And even now, as we have had to completely surrender our plan and KNOW that the Lord’s timing is best! It truly has been a joy in the midst of a few storms!
ALSO…wanted to ask where you got those darling tees that say “Go Seek Love”…LOVE THOSE!!!!!
Joy Rugaard

Cris - February 9, 2010 - 5:58 pm

I LOVE our agency too. It is such a blessing. It was so fun to have you here for a visit. I am eager to hear more about your visit with your friend in the afternoon.

Vanessa - February 9, 2010 - 9:36 pm

I just love our agency too!!! I’m so glad that I can be a part of it!! It was so nice to meet you in person! I feel so blessed to have such a wonderful support group of faithful friends!! I can’t wait to see what wonderful blessings God has in store for all of us!

rachel overton - February 9, 2010 - 10:37 pm

So nice to meet you and share our stories. I am so blessed to have such a supportive group of friends. Oh, I can’t wait til we all get to see our sweet baby’s face. Maybe some of us will travel together!!!!!

kristi johnson - February 9, 2010 - 10:52 pm

yayyy, great pics!!! My hubby walked in and saw the pics you sent, and said, “man, those are some clear pics”..I said…yea..she’s a professional 🙂 so great seeing ya AND can’t wait till next time 🙂 kristi

JonesEthiopia - February 9, 2010 - 11:25 pm

Yeah, I just really feel there is no comparison when it comes to AGCI v. other agencies. There is no question in my mind that AGCI was the right one for us to use to build our family!

Karee - February 10, 2010 - 12:00 pm

Great post for me to read today! Just got the call from AGCI that our application has been approved and we scheduled our orientation call for next week. So thrilled to be on this journey too!

Sarah - February 10, 2010 - 11:34 pm

You have such a beautiful family….can’t wait to see that new little face, SOON! 🙂

Hugs,

Sarah

February 8, 2010

Exodus 22:16-24:18

Gueeeessss what?! We got snowed in Tennessee:). So…now on top of fun AGCI fun…an afternoon spent at another PRECIOUS family’s home with a heart for adoption (I think they have 12 kiddos now!) and then we got snowed in at the fam’s…so finally we’ll be heading home Tuesday. Yes, I love it here–and one day I’d love to be here…but for now…Atlantans we are:) We just have to pump up the fun gatherings like they do here in Nashvegas. The HIGHLIGHT of my day was sitting on the couch in a precious momma’s home who does NOT blog because she…well, doesn’t have time to with her many children. MY DREAM. Ok, I’d still have to find a time to blog because you know me;)…but I had so much fun with a precious little man from the Sudan sleeping on my shoulder and all her others running around playing with my kids. She mommies beautifully…homeschools, grinds her own wheat even;)…and lemme tell ya, does a beautiful job rearing those beautiful children. I just soaked her in…and I’m so thankful that people like these are my role models verses people that the world would consider “famous”. I can learn a lot from this mom, so I hope to be able to introduce her to you one day. We had such a good time talking about Biblical truths and our love of the Lord and following Him NO MATTER WHAT…leads me to today in the Word…

Today’s reading…Exodus 22:16-24:18

Key verses for my heart today…

22:22-27…God’s love for the orphans, widows and poor…it’s full of protection and love. He is the God of justice and we can trust Him to hear their need, their cries and to deal with their oppressors. Let Your justice prevail Lord…and use us to bring glory to Your name! Help us to die to ourselves, live for You and not for the world and to do anything you ask us to.

23:10-11…What if believers lived this?! What if the 7th year of all our years we gave our profits away? Did the Lord intend for this to be for Moses and the Israelites only…or for us too?

23:12…THE SABBATH…something the Lord continues to teach me and put on my heart to honor and observe for Him. Ceasing from labor on the Sabbath frees not only ME up to worship and know the Lord–but it also frees others up to know the Lord. Maybe I shouldn’t be making the line at Kroger longer that day?? What if all believers truly lived by this verse and the world realized that it just wasn’t profitable to be open on Sunday? Okay–that will never happen…BUT if we lived this Biblical principle…it’d be pretty cool–and honoring. I will not live like the world and it doesn’t matter what others think of me–I need to be obedient because the Lord has called me to be. Help me Lord to look only to You…to not look to the right or left…but to YOU and follow YOU in what you call me to do for Your glory.

23:20 – The Lord tells Moses He is going to send an angel to guide and guard him. The Lord protects when we follow Him! I have nothing to fear as I throw off the old–put on the new and race to the cross doing anything and everything the Lord calls me to. He will not only make a way–but He will guide me and guard me along the way!

Chapter 24…I love that while 70 elders were called to worship the Lord at a distance…the Lord called Moses to come near. And for 40 days and 40 nights he was on the mountain with the Lord. (For 40 days and 40 nights it rained and the Lord wiped out the Earth…and it would take 40 days and 40 nights to establish His commandments and decrees for Moses to write and tell the people…and how long did Jesus fast? I love how everything in the Word always leads back to Jesus.)

Oh Lord–how I long to come close and worship You. I don’t want to worship you from afar Lord…how I long to come close. By the blood of Jesus—you have invited us to come. How precious and what a holy honor. Oh that I wouldn’t take this privilege lightly. Take us deeper into the house of worship Lord…

Let us not give up on the reading of God’s word! How powerful it is when we come daily for the bread of life!!!

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Kim - February 8, 2010 - 10:38 pm

What a precious post. You have painted a wonderful picture in my head of this loving family. Hope we get to “meet” them soon. I trust you had your camera!
Love & Blessings from Hong Kong,
Kim

april - February 8, 2010 - 11:31 pm

oh how I hope to meet other adoptive families in ohio to share times like you just mentioned above with! how wonderful!

kristi johnson - February 8, 2010 - 11:34 pm

ok, who else did you hang with today?? Or ,were you talking about me and all the grinding I do of wheat?? LOL…Ok, so introduce us to your new friend!! 🙂 And, I want your pics from today…I know they’re better than mine 🙂 kj

April - February 9, 2010 - 8:22 am

A friend had seen your blog & sent me the link just a short time ago knowing our desire to start our adoption soon. I read Kristi’s blog & have actually met her on a drive thru N’ville too:) I am just north of Atl in Lawrenceville & when I saw you were from Atl, I had to comment! I would love to get together & chat adoption if you are open to that. I have met a couple of other adoptive moms in the area & we all have the desire to build a network in the area (or hook up with an existing network!) Thanks for sharing your journey & your blog!
a7ellis at hotmail dot com

Jenny - February 9, 2010 - 10:02 am

How fun that you were able to fellowship with some sweet moms in Nashville. I have so enjoyed reading your blog the last few months. Your sweet spirit and commitment to the Lord is evident in your posts. We are also on the journey to an Ethiopian blessing. Just started our paperwork for our 4th child. Excited to see the Lord’s hand in your adoption as well.
Jenny C.
calcrew.wordpress.com

Megan - February 9, 2010 - 9:33 pm

With the sabboth thing…that has been something that has been our hearts for years now and we are constantly reigning ourselves in more and more to really keep the sabboth holy. It’s hard to turn down friends for lunch after church or not to go to the grocery store when we forget we are suppossed to bring treats toour sunday class…but we are learning to be a bit more prepared.
And I had no idea Moses was on the mountain for 40 days and 40 nights. (Is there something with that number? That was how many days it rained during the flood also.) For some reason I thought that he just went up, talked to God, got the commandments and came down. It really puts the story into perspective a bit more.
Still having issues with my blog, but I figured I might as well post here. Thanks for sticking to it and leading the rest of us!

February 8, 2010

Honey…don’t ya wanna…

Move to Tennessee;)?! A short and sweet hello from Tennessee…and can’t wait to upload pics from our fun when we get back home! Rich didn’t have to twist my arm to come up on a biz trip with him. Sweet Parker has blown one of his ear drums so he was out of school ANYWAY…so we jumped in the van and came up with him! Love that his family lives just a hop, skip and a jump away from so many of my AGCI family too!!!

Just got back from a fun morning with a fun Nashville area crew!!! SUCH fun…and as always…love that these families are a part of our lives and we get to do life with them. NOOOOOWWW…I want this kinda adoption community in Atlanta! Another thing I love about AGCI (All God’s Children) is the awesome community of families you meet with them. I *know* every agency has awesome families…but I have to say I’ve been blown away by the families with AGCI and how they have loved and ministered to ours!!!

Today’s scripture reading…

Today’s Scripture Reading is: Exodus 22:16-24:18…do I still have some folks out there reading with me?! Can’t wait to post my thoughts on today’s reading…and to share a few fun pictures from our weekend too.

Let us not give up on the reading of His Word! Wish us safe travels back to Atlanta…and how thankful I am for the amazing friends I have made on this beautiful journey of life! (Yes…that includes YOU!)

XOXO!

Andrea

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Amy - February 8, 2010 - 3:53 pm

LOL. My husband actually asks me that question almost daily. In honesty we are actually considering moving to Nashville (shhh, that’s a secret 🙂 So part of DH’s business trip is actually a scouting trip. It would be quite an adjustment for us Oregonians, but seriously homes are soooo much cheaper in the south 🙂 Right now my biggest concern is moving away from our families but seriously, we could bring so many more children home through adoption if we moved to Nashville. Cost of living is just way to high and seriously the houses down your way are way huge for the price compared to here so if I can handle the summer heat, it would be a no brainer.

Amy @ Filled With Praise - February 8, 2010 - 4:15 pm

It was so much fun visiting with you this morning. Wish I could have stayed longer. Seriously, you should move here. Now I really wished you lived closer so that we could visit more.

(I haven’t stopped reading 🙂
Blessings,
Amy

Nikki - February 8, 2010 - 5:12 pm

I’m still with you! I’ll try to comment more… time is not my friend right now. Frankly, I’m amazed that I’m not behind, given the week we have had.

We actually lived in Nashville for several years while I went to grad school at Vandy. Great town, wonderful people. We almost moved back a few years ago, but instead chose Denver… my husband says the mountains beat out the music.

cris - February 8, 2010 - 5:28 pm

We had a BLAST. SO much fun. Thanks for taking the time to head our way. And YES…we would love to have you closer. I love the support group we have here. It is FANTASTIC.

cris

Dawn - February 8, 2010 - 6:05 pm

I’m Still reading 🙂 Hanging in there. So glad you had a great time!

Megan - February 8, 2010 - 6:22 pm

Funny Andrea…I had the same thoughts this morning. I was reading Kristi’s blog and feeling really jealous about all the families at the baby shower! I only know two families from our area and we haven’t even met yet! I wish I could meet every blog from AGCI I’ve come across, including you! Hopefully someday! =)
Still following your reading I’ve just had some internet issues…satan trying to prevent it, I’m sure of it! I’m tryng no to let it get me down. Hopefully I’ll be posting again soon.

emily v - February 8, 2010 - 7:16 pm

Amen sister, I’m praying for community too!! Atlanta has some good families…we just need to get them all together! Soon, very soon friend!
EV

kellycoury - February 8, 2010 - 9:19 pm

I think that you’ll have some families in Atlanta that will object to your move! 🙂

becky - February 8, 2010 - 9:41 pm

move to TN! still haven’t met you but love reading your blog and enjoy your great pictures!

February 7, 2010

Making the Sabbath Holy…Sunday Scripture Reading – Exodus 20-22:15

Saturday night…what sweeter way to begin my Sabbath prep than celebrating what is to come with fellow “waiting mommies”…

Our Atlanta Ethiopian Adoption group got together…my first time to go…and we met 25 other families at Queen of Sheba for dinner. YUM. Candi (left) is just waiting on her court date to get her baby boy and Angie (right) is on the waitlist…this is her 2nd Ethiopian adoption and will be her 4th child…packin’ out the mini-van like me:). I’m so thankful to have met some fun mommas to share this journey and our families with!!! There were 25 other families who joined us…and even another AGCI family! Such fun:)

And today…we celebrate the Sabbath. Ahhh…to be with Him and with family…no sweeter way to celebrate the day…
Help me Lord today to sit back and enjoy You…to celebrate you in all the moments…from sweet moments watching my little ones as they discover new things…
to fixing lunches and getting children nustled in their beds for nap time…

I praise you today…throughout the day…so many reasons to offer you praise…I praise our Father that He loves us too much to let us stay in our comfort zones…and in less than a month, my hubby gets to leave us for 10 days to be with some of the children we love most in the world…
Oh Father—pour down your love on these sweet children…how thankful I am you know their needs, their hearts…their joys and sorrows…let them feel Your love today…Jehovah Jireh we trust in You…use us for Your glory—how thankful I am that You are writing our story! Raise up others to join us Lord…how thankful I am for how our worlds are changed the more we become a part of theirs…these too, are our children…

Take these tiny feet…that pitter patter the floors of my home…that make messes…that play chase…that some times stomp and disobey…Oh…that you would help me to love and lead wisely…I rest in You today…I pray that these feet would learn to dance a life for You…
Fill me Lord today with Your sweet Holy Spirit…so my life may shine so they go whirling right behind me…for Your glory. I pray that the mommies who read this…that you will bless them this day…call them away for quiet moments with you…fill them Lord with Your Holy Spirit and speak to their hearts as they open up Your word today…

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Jennie Allen - February 7, 2010 - 9:54 am

I feel a bond with you- we are awaiting a child from Rwanda and I just moved from blogger to wrodpress- and it is kickin my boohinie!

Found your link on Suzanne’s maybe- anyway! I will check back- so exciting!

angie - February 7, 2010 - 11:38 am

great seeing you last night 🙂

have fun on your little road trip!

april - February 7, 2010 - 2:14 pm

i LOVE the prayer you wrote about their little feet…how beautiful!

Heather - February 7, 2010 - 4:49 pm

Thank you for reminding us to keep this day holy!

Jamie - February 7, 2010 - 5:18 pm

I absolutely love the pic with the barefeet – I think I may try a shot like this with my little blessings!! Beautiful blog…

admin - February 8, 2010 - 12:23 am

And what powerful reading today!!! I am amazed today at God’s grace and love that He didn’t leave us to blindly figure it out for ourselves but He clearly gave us boundaries to safely remain in…for our good and for His glory. This is souch more powerful to me to have Him clearly speak after reading Job and tracking through Exodus…40 years in the wilderness…and then He graciously gives us guidance. Each of these commandments are so powerful…and some more difficult to follow. I love that He did not say love no other gods more than me but instead He said love no other gods BUT me. What do I put before Him? What does my daily calendar…how I spend my time say about my priorties? Is God first in my world?

Shannon - February 8, 2010 - 2:49 am

Beautiful post Andrea! We just talked about keeping the Sabbath holy at my womens’ bible study on Friday…it’s so good to be reminded that He intended this day to be one of rest and setting our eyes upon Him.

February 6, 2010

Moses (Exodus – 16-19:25)

One Year Scripture Reading – Exodus 16-19:25

Some thoughts on today’s reading…

Chapter 16
The people forgot so quicky about the Lord’s great deliverence once hard times set in again. They were in the wilderness–and they were hungry. They complained and the Lord heard them. The Lord told Moses his plan to rain down manna and quail from heaven–and He would provide JUST ENOUGH for each day. On the 6th day, he would rain down twice as much. The Lord will always provide. He is our Jehovah Jireh. Our great Provider! BUT…

Check out 16:7 in the morning you will see the glory of the Lord, because He has heard your complaints, which are against Him, not against us… Do I realize that when I complain that it isn’t man that I am complaining about. It is the Lord. Philippians 2:14 instructs me to do everything without complaining. It breaks my heart to think that when I complain I am actually complaining “against the Lord” (verse 7). Forgive me Father.

I love verse 18…But when they measured it out, everyone had just enough. Some got a lot, some got a little. But when they measured it out–everyone was provided for. God has truly given me and my husband much in comparison to the world. What will we do with it? How will we use it for His glory? The Lord has provided for all—but I believe He is seeing how He can trust us like He did with the Israelites. Oh that we will be faithful. Help us Lord to look away from the world and keep our eyes on YOU.

verse 23…This is what the Lord commanded: Tomorrow will be a day of complete rest, a holy Sabbath day set apart for the Lord. So bake or boil as much as you want today, and set aside what is left for tomorrow.”

Hmmm…I think I hear you Lord. Coincidence that I read the chapter from “No Ordinary Home” today about making the Sabbath day holy and how to do that with my family?? From sundown on Saturday night to sundown on Sunday…it is YOUR holy day. My holy day to BE WITH and CELEBRATE You. Help Richard and I to lead our family in making this day holy.

verse 29…They went out anyway on the Sabbath…and the Lord asked…how long will they disobey? “They must realize that the Sabbath is the Lord’s gift to you.

Is it coincidence that you and I are reading this the DAY BEFORE THE SABBATH?! I think not. This is how much God wants us to understand this day. To wake back up—understand that it is HIS GIFT to us…to experience His holiness in a new way…to experience Him…to be filled for the week ahead…to enjoy and be with Him.

And this is how the Lord provided–with manna and quail–and REST on the Sabbath…for the next 40 years in the wilderness.

Read on to Chapter 17 where the Israelites complained yet again…this time for water. The Lord again heard and was their Jehovah Jireh. Water poured from a rock. Yet another miracle of God’s faithful provisioin and grace.

Chapter 18…Jethro comes to visit Moses…brings his wife and sons with him…and they give honor to the Lord for all He has done. Jethro teaches Moses the art of deligation (an art I need to learn!).

Exodus 19 The Lord reveals Himself at Sinai

Let us not give up on the reading of God’s word!!! How powerful it is when you open it each day!!! Thank you Lord for this sweet manna…prepare us Lord for tomorrow—the Sabbath. May we keep it holy and draw near to you on your holy day.

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Heather - February 6, 2010 - 4:26 pm

It is very easy to get caught up in the world. To think, “Okay, I went to church & honored Christ…now the rest of the day I can do whatever.” That’s not how it’s supposed to be though. He wants it to be a Holy day & we should honor that. Congrats on you new numbers!

april - February 6, 2010 - 5:49 pm

LOVE the pictures of your kids…they are beautiful and adorable!

Angela - February 6, 2010 - 10:25 pm

Stopping by from Patty’s party. I’m not at Blissdom either, but reading the Word brings a feeling of bliss doesn’t it?

patty - February 7, 2010 - 2:29 am

love the photos of your kiddos… they are beautiful! {and cute boots, too!}
and i also love your background.. beautiful color and design.
polly of bliss and bumps, who linked on my party, is also considering an ethiopian adoption, and her blog is dedicated to that… you might want to visit her… 🙂

thanks for blog-hopping with me! would you please include a link back to my blog so that your readers can join the party, too? thanks!

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The Young Family Farm

Welcome to my blog!

Just a few reasons I am thankful for our agency AGCI…

Exodus 22:16-24:18

Honey…don’t ya wanna…

Making the Sabbath Holy…Sunday Scripture Reading – Exodus 20-22:15

Moses (Exodus – 16-19:25)

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