No Tengo Un Menor Idea...

In this latest installment of House of Stewart, I will basically tell you I have no idea what's happening :/

Okay, so I haven't heard anything definitive from the summer hosting program we had applied to - bummer. When I called a week and a half ago, they said they weren't sure if there would be any Ethiopian kids here this summer. When I spoke to the social worker, she hadn't heard either, so again - BUMMER.

What does this mean to us? I guess it means we are going to have to start looking at another agency, maybe. I'm not sure if the agency just isn't communicating with us on this particular project or if they are generally bad at communicating. If they aren't good at communicating with clients, I want a different agency.

We went to a meeting for adoptive parents last week and we did get some suggestions on agencies as well as some strong advice to research, research, research. I COMPLETELY agree with us needing to research, I just feel at a loss for how that needs to happen. I don't know what I am looking for. The couples who have gone before us all went through the same agency (which is now, unfortunately, bankrupt).

On another note, our fundraising is going slow - but steady! Another coworker gave us an unexpected donation, that was really cool. I sold a few more necklaces and Alan is doing a sushi party this weekend, so things are moving in the right direction. We just have to keep putting one foot in front of the other and move, right? So, we are having the home study packet sent to us and I guess we get that started (I know, friends, I know, I should have started a long time ago, but I was kinda hoping for this summer hosting thing to go through).

So, keep praying for us. Pray that we figure (some of) this stuff out and that we make a good decision when it comes to choosing an agency. Pray for our kids that are out there now, pray that whereever they are they feel loved, that they are as safe as possible and that they are hopeful that someone out there loves them and that they will be part of a family again.

What Happens If...

I had someone ask a me a good question earlier this week. It was one I had thought about, in a sense, but not really pondered, so to speak. I was talking about the possibility of hosting an adoptable child this summer and she asked, "what if you don't like the child?" Hmmmm...good question. Like I said, I had thought about it, but never really pondered (considered, thought deeply about, contemplated) the question. So, I guess now I will.

What if we don't "like" the child we adopt? What if we end up choosing a child from a picture and not a month-long experience? What if after a month the child turns into something other-worldly? What if, what if, what if...

I imagine that when you have a kid (in the "traditional" sense of the word) there is some worry about not liking the kid. I know, because I've heard parents express this fear. Usually, though, people talk about the fact that after the hard work is over (that is, birthing a child) something magically happens - it's called oxytocin - that bonds you to your child. That magical oxytocin is also at work during breastfeeding. And so it goes that the worry of "liking" the child is explained :)

Obviously, since we want older kids and I am not giving birth, nor will I (akwardly) be breastfeeding, there will be no "magic" happening. So tell me, parent friends, do you have older children that you don't like? I am pretty sure that the answer is yes - unless my family circle was just weird (which is totally possible). I would hear things like, "It's a good thing I love you because I don't like you right now!" Which leads, I think, into the question of love...what if we don't love the child we adopt? This is where prayer comes in, I guess. We will be praying that God will bring the right kid(s) to us, praying to understand that He knows who we need and who needs us, praying that we would love "the least of these" and that no matter what, we realize that love is a choice.

Thanks, friends, for being there for us and spurring on our thought processes when it comes to adopting. We realize that in no way will be ever be prepared for what is going to happen, as I think most new parents are never quite prepared. Please continue praying for us as we begin this adventure. Pray that we are able to tackle the tough issues ahead of us. Pray that we would be certain when it comes to the kids that God has for us. Pray that we will not only like, but love our kids unconditionally.

Where Are You At?

As I was sitting, thinking about what I would title this post, I started typing in "Where Are You At?" thinking to myself that the question was about where Alan and I are in the process, then I also realized that to me, it meant, where are you - child who will someday come home with us - at?

So, here is the answer to the first question. The organization that we originally had planned on adopting through filed for bankruptcy a few months ago. Luckily for us, we were in the VERY beginning stages and were really not "out" much money. On a side note, some of our friends were very far into their process and have lost time and money - PLEASE pray for them! Anyhow, back on track, Alan and I will have to decide on another agency to go through.

We are considering another agency and so we have applied to do a summer hosting program! That means if we are accepted for the hosting program, we would have a month to spend with an adoptable child that could potentially become a part of our family...OMGsh!!!

The program is kind of cool. It places adoptable orphans from the Phillipines and Ethiopia with families in the US in hopes of finding them families (unfortunately, we do not qualify, at this time, to adopt from the Phillipines - bummer!). The host families do not have to adopt, they just have to be open to adoption or to helping the child meet other potential families. While they are here, they will receive some routine medical care - eye exam, dental exam, etc., have some fun with other kids and get to have a great "summer vacation," if you will.

As for that second question...all I know is this: you are out there, you are alive right now, maybe you are in the orphanage, maybe you are still on the streets. Where ever you are, we love you and we are looking forward to meeting you (and hopefully a sibling!) someday soon.

Worshipping Through the Noise

YOUR GLORY SPEAKS IN EVERY LANGUAGE

So there I was on Sunday at church, ready to worship. And by "ready to worship" I mean coming in to church right as they are starting the service, looking for an open spot, putting all my stuff down, trying to not distract anyone else as I walk in (only seconds) late. I'm sure you know the story. I was ready to worship...

ACROSS THE SKY TO EVERY NATION

Worship (read: singing) is really my favorite way to connect with Jesus. There is something about knowing I am coming to the throne of God, praising Him for who He is, being in His presence, connecting with the Creator of the Universe, who also created my heart, you know, worshipping. I look forward to corporate worship because there is something about worshipping with others, hearing many voices lifted upas one, singing together for a common purpose...all of us worshipping, except when others aren't really worshipping...

YOU ARE BEAUTY UNIMAGINED

I like to sit in the cafe area of our church. The cafe area has tables so it's easier for me to take notes at the table and I love to take notes. The cafe area also has cookies and coffee, people see it as more relaxed...therein lies my problem, it's too relaxed for some. People coming and going, grabbing their coffee or cookies (or both), some of us are worshipping, and others, well, they're talking and chit-chatting in this relaxed atmosphere! I'm thinking to myself, "I'M TRYING TO WORSHIP HERE!" while simultaneously trying not to give the evil eye...

THIS IS WHO YOU ARE

As I'm trying so hard to not be irritated, I feel God speaking to me...The people I hear talking in the background of the cafe is really a metaphor for my life! I have a crazy amount of "noise" in my life. We all have it - whether it's our job or family, stress or fun - whatever it is, there is this noise that often times makes it difficult to worship, difficult to focus on the God we love, and we have to get over it. I need to worship "even though." What, then, could I do but press on and worship through the noise?

LIFT IT UP, LIFT IT UP

ENDLESS PRAISES TO OUR GOD

FULL OF GRACE

FULL OF LOVE

AND HE'S REIGNING OVER US

I KNOW, TOU ARE FAITHFUL

YOU ARE WORTHY, GOD

THIS IS WHO YOU ARE

Maybe you have some noise in your life keeping you from worshipping. Don't wait for the noise to fade, don't wait for the perfect worship environment, don't give the evil eye...just sing. Lift your voice and then let the noise fade away, let it be drowned out by the sound of your worship.

Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord;
let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come before him with thanksgiving
and extol him with music and song.
Psalm 95:1

Music Monday...again!

This is the One We Have Waited For

 

A refuge for the poor

A shelter from the storm

This is our God

And He will wipe away your tears

And return your wasted years

This is our God

A father to the orphan

A healer to the broken

This is our God

And He brings peace to our madness

And comfort in our sadness

This is our God

First, let me say I have been remiss at posting - 3 WEEKS since I've posted! Sorry :(

Onward...I love this song, I love the words...when I sing "this is the One we have waited for," I know that I AM waiting for Him. He fulfills the longings we have within us, whether we are poor, in the midst of a storm, if we are orphans, widow, in chaos, etc.

I just watched a video this weekend about a family who never intended on adopting...their son said he had prayed for a family...needless to say, God answered his prayers! How many kids are praying for families and waiting on us to be God's answer to a prayer? I look forward to chaos of being an answered prayer. I say "chaos" because I am not naive enough to believe it will be all smooth sailing, but life is full of waves and storms...we just have to trust Him to be our shelter.

Music Monday

Boys become kings, girls will be queens

Wrapped in Your majesty

When we love, when we love the least of these

Then they will be brave and free

Shout your name in victory

When we love, when we love the least of these

~Audio Adrenaline

I love this song! The first time I heard these lyrics I started crying. The thought of helping a couple boys from another country become kings (hmmmm...maybe helping girls become queens, if that's what God wants) is truly amazing. Alan and I really feel that adopting from another country is SAVING A LIFE; we won't be just giving kids a better life, but a chance at life. Some people will not understand this, I know. People have already politely suggested adopting from the US, or Montana. I have no problems with anyone adopting from the US, but for us, God has guided our heart internationally. We feel that if we get to "choose" our children, that we will follow His lead, and right now, Ethiopia is our starting point.

Just keep blogging, just keep blogging!

I really am trying to get the hang of this blogging thing. In general, I am pretty tech savvy, but I seem to be blog illiterate, which is frustrating (read: anyone who knows what they are doing can feel free to help me!). Anyhow, I did manage to create 3 new fundraising pages - it seems like that's all we are doing right now, focusing on how to raise $$$. So, you will notice 3 new pages on top - Jewelry, Sushi and Art. Also, for those of you who are so inclined, you can also give a tax-deductible donation to us by giving directly to Ethiopia Hope and tagging us (Alan & Chairsty Stewart) in the memo.