We want to PRAISE THE LORD!!!  God has provided the first set of fees to begin our home study process!!!!  Our orientation meeting is scheduled for November 10th!!! 

ALERT... Fundraisers this weekend!!

Just a note to let you know that we are having two  fundraisers this weekend:

Saturday, October 20th -

Car Wash this Saturday, Oct 20th from 8:45am - ??  at Beef O'Brady's on 98 North in Lakeland.

Yard Sale - 7979 Princeton Manor Circle, Lakeland (North of Duff Road)  This will begin by 8am (Community Wide) 

Thank you ALL for your support!

How God led us to this point...

Many years ago, God burdened my heart for the country of China. The stories of the babies that were being abandoned in the street, left to die, or sent to a cold, dark orphange truly broke my heart. I researched adoption but never saw a way possible due to having four children, lack of the finances needed and we were also on deputation to be church planters in Australia. Life just never seemed stable enough to accept this call on my heart. I continued to be moved and wish that I could do something but again... excuses. The Lord continued to prick at my heart through the years with different circumstances but again it wasn't time. Jeff began reading "Radical" by David Platt and his heart began to be convicted about the call of God for every believer to care for orphans in some way. Jeff met a friend for lunch one day and found that he was already in the process of adopting a beautiful little girl from China. We went to a spaghetti dinner fundraiser to support he & his family and learned all we could about their journey and the process of adoption. What we heard was all God. Its God who places the call on our hearts to minister and serve Him in whatever capacity He wills. As I Thess 5:24 says "Faithful is HE who calls WHO will also do it". When God has a task for us to complete, HE will provide a way to do it. We called for information and over months prayed and prayed. God used our study "Experiencing God" to move our feet forward. Many of us wait for God to "give us a sign" or "confirm in our hearts" if we are to move in a certain direction when we know that only He could have laid the direction on our hearts. We learned that God wants us to step out in faith and trust Him. We are to be obedient and then watch Him work. So, here we are today. We have been accepted by CCAI to adopt from China and are in the process of pulling together our finances through faith in God and fundraisers, as well as filling out all the paperwork needed. We are scheduled for our orientation to begin our home study process on November 10th. Before we can do this we must have paperwork filled out and the first fee turned in. We are in the "matching" process now which could take up to 6 months (depending on waiting list). We trust God will provide for what He has called us to do through whatever means He desires. If you would like to help by donating or helping with fundraisers or in any other way. Please let us know. Thank you SO much for your prayers. 

Why Adopt?

Many ask us.. "Why adopt"... "Why bring a child in when your children are almost grown"... "Are you crazy" (duh)... "Why.... " Because God said so... you know Mary said at the wedding "Whatever Jesus tells you to do... do it" :-) Why were we willing to go half way around the world to share the gospel in a dark country? Same reason... God gives us His desires and asks us to obey. Is obedience easy? Not always, but it is necessary! (Credit to Jeff) Our hearts desire in life is to please our Lord..we will have to stand and give an account one day -- I want to hear.. "Well done good and faithful servant" --- God is giving us the opportunity to bring Missions home--to bring "one of the least of these" into our arms and show them the Love of Christ -- sacrificially and whole heartedly. To imitate Christ..."what you have done to the least of these.. you have done to me".   We are called to care for orphans .. plain and simple - in some way... God has asked us to step out in faith and do this --we can bring missions home :-) We know that we can't save them all but we can save atleast one. To give a child, lost and afraid, the message of salvation that they may never have heard... priceless!!! Thank you SO much for your prayers!!We know that God will do "exceedingly and abundantly above ALL that we ask or think"... Isaiah 65:24 says that He has already answered before we even called or asked... PTL!!!   God has given us a burden to adopt from the country of China.  We are in the process right now and are raising funds to accomplish this mission.  We have been blessed by some who have given of themselves, their time, finances and love for us.  We are planning fundraisers and trusting God to provide for what He has called us to do.  Thank you so much for following our journey.  Stay tuned .... we will walk with you through this journey and share as we move along this path.  Our love goes out to all!!