bodner003

We have met some amazing people through our adoption experience. It's been really fun to see the Lord open doors and introduce us to other families who have been burdened for orphans. There's something really special about sharing encouragement with people who are living a similar life experience. When we first began our journey, we were introduced to a very special family. I have mentioned them before but I'm dedicating this entire post to them (yeah girl, you can thank me later with some of Evan's homemade ice cream). Evan and Angie McGinty (and their 3 children) are adopting a little boy from Ethiopia and are also using Lifeline as their adoption agency. They happen to live about 2 minutes from us. When Angie and I met, it was eerie how similar our stories were and how similar we are. Seriously, Angie and I were finishing each other's sentences the first time we met! :-) But that's not why I'm writing about them. They are determined and faithful in their ...

Our pastor at New Covenant , contacted me and Seamus earlier this week and asked if we'd be interested in opening up for worship this morning at both services. We responded, "Of course!" The "Call to Worship" is a 3-5 minute opportunity to awaken the body, to prepare our hearts for joyful worship. Needless to say, we were humbled and excited to be able to talk about our adoption with the ones we love most. More importantly, we were going to have the opportunity to share our testimony of who we are (adopted sons!) in Christ. If you know Seamus, you know that he loves the Lord with all his heart and loves the opportunity to live out the gospel. His gift is speaking to people face to face, informal, and impromptu. He abhors being the center of attention. I think he'd rather be stung by a thousand jelly fish. Okay, that's pushing it but he really doesn't like talking in front of a congregation of people. You get the point. It was hard for him. But y'...

We had our biometrics (fingerprints) appointment in New Orleans today, and I am happy to say that's one more little step behind us. From here, USCIS (Immigration) will assign an officer to our case and eventually approve us to be adoptive parents of a child from another country. We should receive their approval (I800A) in about 4-6 weeks. I'll be stalking the mail man around that time frame... again. ;-) In the meantime, we'll be putting lots of energy into planning our November fundraising event . Keep sending those prayers up, friends!

"Waiting" will be a recurring theme in my life over the next year or so. It's what the Lomans are doing now and we can expect lots more of it. Waiting. It's hard. It's so contrary to our carnal world. It's not something we tend to appreciate. Society tells us that we should have what we want when we want it. Our culture is impulsive, telling us that "now" is the time. "We've worked hard. We're doing the right thing. We deserve it. Why wait?" I'm guilty of this. I can grow weary. And skeptical. And fearful. I want my Emily Hope now. I want to know that she's being cared for. I want what's best for her and in my mind, that's being home, in our family... NOW. But God knows better. God's word tells us over and over again that waiting is a good thing. "But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not fai...

With doughnuts and t-shirts behind us (we do still have plenty of shirts left for sale), we are moving our fundraising focus towards a family event we will be hosting on Saturday, November 16th from 3-6 pm. I don't have all the details now but I would like to share some preliminary information. We are partnering with a very special organization (to be revealed soon) and it will be held on the Terra Bella Village  Square. The goal of this event is to bring awareness to our community of the global orphan crisis and to offer education on how ordinary people can help in extraordinary ways. Funds raised at this event will benefit this special partner organization as well as our personal adoption of Emily Hope. Things to look forward to are live music, delicious food, kid-friendly activities, and a silent auction! I am particularly excited about the silent auction we have planned. We want to make sure this auction has plenty of quality items. If you have an item ...

Ups and downs. Anything goes. That's adoption. Immigration fingerprint appointment secured for July 16th in New Orleans. This is the last action item on our end before we get our I800A approval. Even a fingerprint appointment is one step closer to being united with our Emily Hope. Further news... our agency has informed us that wait times to be matched with a special needs girl under 2 years old has just increased by several months. This could change again but for now, we've gone from about a year long total process to maybe summer of 2014 or later. All in God's timing. Lastly... Save the date! Our awesome friends, Evan and Angie McGinty are in the process of adopting a little boy from Ethiopia. If you live on the Northshore, please mark your calendar for Sunday, August 4th, for a BBQ to benefit their adoption. Their church family , Bridge Church, is hosting it at the Maritime Museum in Madisonville. They will be serving between noon and 2:00ish and you can eat it th...