Fingerprints (again) and a really easy recipe

We found out today that we have a  fingerprint appointment on May 25th.    To  apply for an orphan visa you have to go through a fingerprint clearance.  Our current fingerprints expire in July.  Obviously, we had thought our process would be over by now but that is not the case.  We are thankful we got an appointment so quickly! We wish everything could be done this quickly! :)

This brownie recipe was given to me by my Mom and it is so good and so incredibly easy!

Cake Mix Brownies
1 butter yellow or chocolate cake mix
1 egg
1/3 cup of water
1/3 cup of oil
chocolate chips

Blend the egg, water and oil into the cake mix.  Once mixed, add chocolate chips (I use about half of a bag).  Grease a 9x13 pan.  Bake in 350 degree oven for 25-30 minutes.

Love
Tracy

A small update

Good things happened in our case this week.  I wish I could share the details of the  last couple of weeks  but I can't at this point.  We are closer to bringing J home than we were at the start of this week and that is a good thing.  It is still going to be much longer than we wanted or expected it to be, but that is o.k.  Thankfully we are with an agency who wants to do things the right way.

Please continue to pray for sweet J!  Also, please pray for those handling our case that they would have wisdom as they work the case.

Happy Mother's Day!  I am  excited to not only celebrate Mom's day with my kiddos but I also get to celebrate 17 years of marriage to my best friend!!

Have a great weekend!
Love
Tracy

Training starts tonight

Here are the kinds of beliefs that God our Father accepts as pure and without fault. When widows and children who have no parents are in trouble, take care of them. And keep yourselves from being polluted by the world.

James 1:27, The Message

Last October I wrote a post about the CASA program.  I was supposed to begin CASA training in March but we got a court date so that pushed my training to this month. CASA stands for court appointed special advocates. As an advocate you represent abused and neglected children in court and other proceedings. You are their voice!  I know that not everyone may feel lead to adopt or to foster but the CASA program is a way to help and get involved with children who need someone to stand up for them.  Would you consider being a CASA volunteer? 

Nobody longs for a safe and loving family more than a child in foster care. As a CASA volunteer, you are empowered by the courts to help make this dream a reality. You will be the one consistent adult in these children’s lives, vigilantly fighting for and protecting their fundamental right to be treated with the dignity and respect every child deserves. You will not only bring positive change to the lives of these vulnerable children, but also their children and generations to come.

-CASA website

If you would like information about the CASA program you can go here.

Love
Tracy

Captivate Us!

The words in this song are beautiful!

Happy Monday

She is waiting!

 This post was written by my friend, Megan.   I love Megan's  heart.  She saw Naomi on the Holt waiting child list and is advocating for this sweet, beautiful girl who needs a Mom and Dad.  Maybe you are her parents or maybe you could just donate to help fund her adoption.  All donations are going through Project Hopeful and are tax deductible. 

Can I tell you about a sweet little girl named Naomi? She was born in SE Asia. Both of her parents passed away when she was very young. She was brought to the orphanage as a very sick child. She has been there waiting for a family to adopt her for 6 years. In those 6 years, she has slowly grown healthier, and is now thriving just like the rest of her peers. The virus in her body is more under control now, and with the love of a family and the right meds, she will have a full life!!!!


Here she is described by people that know her, and the type of family she needs...
"This adorable little girl has been in care since 2007, as her birth parents passed away and her grandparents were impoverished. She is an observant little girl and is extremely shy and scared of strangers, as noted by the Waiting Child Program Manager on a March 2011 visit. She has not had any formal education, but appears to be a bright child and is starting school in May 2011. Her motor skills are appropriate, and her language is on track, though she does not talk much. She tends to lack self-confidence and need a lot of encouragement to try things. She is HIV positive and responding well to medication. She is described by her caregiver as generous and caring and is mostly independent in her self-care needs. The right family for this child will understand the medical and social ramifications of HIV, and be able to advocate appropriately. In addition, they will need to be very patient with the transition into their home, as she will likely fear them and withdraw. She will need a calm, understanding and encouraging family to help her thrive in a completely new environment."


Want to learn more?...She has been featured here...
http://holtinternational.org/blog/2011/11/with-room-to-grow-she-blossoms/



And here...http://holtinternational.org/blog/2011/11/seeing-the-child-not-the-label/

Isn't she amazing? But still she waits. I have been advocating for her for the past year, and over and over, I hear, "We would, but the money..." And I TOTALLY understand this concern. TOTALLY! Naomi will be eligible for a Holt SNAF (Special Needs Adoption Fund) Grant, and well as a Brittany's Hope grant. So there is already $8,000-$12,000 towards her adoption. AND I am committing to help raise the rest of the funds to help eliminate financial barriers presented to potential families. 


Along with Project Hopeful, I have started a safe and secure FIG Fund for Naomi. All donations are tax-deductible, and will go directly towards Naomi's adoption! Would you consider giving? You can donate below : ) Or there is a link on the side bar.

 


FINALLY....the WHOLE point of this is to find a family for this sweet little one! So please share her story with anyone that you think would be a good match for her! Tell them there are people that love this little girl, and want to help them bring her into their family! TELL THEM! OR maybe, tell yourself...is there room in your own family for Naomi?

 

 

 

 

Quote from chapter 10

I am thankful that God always provides us with comfort when we are least expecting it!

No matter what unfolds here, He is always good and we are always loved.

Ann Voskamp

Foster Care

May is National Foster Care Awareness Month.  Right now there are over 400,000 kids in the foster care system.  107,000 of those 400,000 are waiting to be adopted.  If you would like information about foster care or adoption in the US you can go here or here.  This video is about 9 minutes long but please take the time to watch it.  If fostering or adoption are not in your future there are many other ways to help.   The CASA program, and this link to other opportunities are a good place to start.