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Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Every penny paves the way to Kiev!

9/28/2010
So a great lady suggested that we put a flyer with a change bucket around local establishments and say “We’ll take your change”. Because not everyone wants to part with dollar bills, but everyone has change they don’t mind dropping in. I thought that was a great idea, but haven’t started it yet. Then today my friend randomly drops off 3 piggy banks at my door! I guess I’m supposed to do it. How great! God is using everyone, in big and little ways, to sow into this calling of caring for orphans. It’s so encouraging. Every day we receive a donation it helps chip away at the total cost. It truly, literally warms my heart. And even when I feel slightly down that it’s not just “pouring in”, I get a little reminder that God always in control. BUT, if we can raise the funds very soon, and we Fed Ex every thing, and keep on top of all the paperwork getting circulated to USCIS and SAD in Ukraine, then this could happen by Christmas. I had a great talk with Jane again today, and she can’t wait to tell the kids they’ll have a family and home very soon. We tracked what needs to happen still and it is possible, if we get things done quick enough and God fast tracks this (as He has so far) we could bring our kids home on December 22! We speak and pray every day about them and really are so very excited to be with them. Not a day goes by that either Steve or I say, “I wish Kristina, Igor and Denys were here”. Please help us by spreading the word to everyone in your address book or facebook.  

Friday, September 24, 2010

Our Faith,our friends ...

9/24/10
Last nite I had “date night” with my best friend, Dawn. We had such a lovely time together. Later as I was walking the dog, I was praying for God to “confirm” this desire for Kristina, Igor and Denys again to me, either thru His Word, or thru somebody. 
First thing this morning I’m notified of another $1000 deposit for the kids, and just as I am like wow God! I open this forwarded email from my faithful and great friend Rori: As things unfold before you, take nothing for granted. Recognize divine providence. These are days when you can see purpose in what has taken place in your circumstances as a reference point to where you are going. Refuse to allow the attacks of the enemy to bring discouragement. Let Me establish you in greater discernment and vision as I open your eyes and heart to view your choices and possibilities, says the Lord. 
This could not be more clear!! I thank and praise you God!
2 Peter 1:2-4 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
Thank you all for reading, following and donating – please pass the word on to your friends.  

Monday, September 20, 2010

Steps in our journey

I begin my day, taking my boys to their first practice baseball game. I had taken along with me one the several books that we have been encouraged to review during the home study phase of this journey. As I open the book (fields of the fatherless by Tom Davis) and began to read the very first sentence along with the following page, he writes the identical thought we had when we first received this feeling in our hearts. I immediately felt a connection with this author. Tom Davis is a wonderful example of what God’s heart looks like. One who said yes, even when the world, and the Christian community, had reservations and excuses. A great read, backed up by the Word.

I often think about the day when we arrive at the Ark to finalize the paper work for the children. I review in my mind the first time they see us in their community, how it will look and feel. I consider the time we spend together at their home, the times of laughter, joy and the love we will experience. In the very depth that it moves my heart; I can’t help to see this thru the children who will witness this love connection, and how they will feel, knowing they still will be waiting for a family, even now, my heart aches for them. My desire is that it will give them great hope that someone is coming for them as well.
I see a great celebration when we return to our and their new home. I see the entire church body coming together to receive their new brothers and sister, an immediate fusion of spirit. I see the home schooling community welcoming these three with open arms and acceptance as their own, like they have been with us for years.
Kristina, Igor and Denys will have a river of emotions run thru them upon their first few months but I believe that some time later, when they realize how much God loves them and from where He has delivered them. They are being launched from despair and hopelessness, to Gods glory and goodness, His love, tenfold over their lives. At times it may feel like a dream, I mean, can any of us really fully understand the fullness of His glory, and what he wants to give to those who will say yes. Steve (SS)
Our father puts the poor, widow and orphans in our lives so we will reveal compassion, it’s a test for us and a promise to them. ( Tom Davis )
Stepping out into this heart of adoption opens up a new way of thinking, what it means to love, to accept and to parent. Our life as we know it is going to change. It’s going to be harder in the sense of a complete dying of ourselves for these six. I know that God will not give us anything we and He knows we can not handle. So if this for us, then I know He is along side of us too.
Father, allow us to be the vessel that the spirit can work thru and bless these children to a new life in you.
For His glory and for the kingdom . . . .

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Had to share ...

We are so excited! We were very encouraged on Sunday by our Home Fellowship friends that felt burdened to pray for us and our new kids. It was really needed. I was feeling just slightly down the other day. I thought for some reason, the funds would pour in and we would be on our way to Ukraine.  After spending all day on Friday with our great case worker, Missy, and then on to Life Point Counseling for our psyche evaluation, I think I was just a bit tired. We took a 440 question, bubble true or false quiz. To think some mentally disturbed and paranoid people really feel the way most of the questions were, is sad to say the least. 
Then a good day: Saturday at work, a wonderful and generous new client just hands me $100 towards the kids – wow! 
And then - WOW WOW WOW – we received a large donation via pay pal! Unbelievable – people care and are behind us!! Thank you so so much – you know who you are! 
We Skyped Kristina on her birthday and it felt really cool to see them again!! Denys asked to come and visit. I could barely keep from telling them, “We’re coming for you!!” 
I must remember that this is a faith walk and not to get ahead of God and His timing.

These are our three cherubs that God has already so richly blessed us with.  We are truly counting the days until we can have ALL of our blessings in the nest.  We imagine the feeling of kissing all of our children 'Goodnight', our faith is in God.

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Guess who?

Guess we must be Papa Bird and Mama Bird ...
can't wait to have all our 'chicks' in the nest!

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Our Chip In account is on the move!

and we are on the way raising the money we need to get to Kiev!
Please send an e-mail with our Website and Facebook fan page, or hit 'suggest to friends'
 to your friends.

this is the blog address
this is the Facebook address

Thank you for being here and for your support,
may the Lord bless you and keep you xxx

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

An Evening of Blessings

9.8.10
Gathering for Nathan, Courtney and the girls.
As the evening was winding down, I was scanning the group of the people who had come over to bless and pray over the McConnell’s. I thought to myself, what an awesome God we have and how blessed I was and my family along with everyone here. We are all part of the homeschooling network whose families love the Lord and also in a church body who has fruitful relationships with God. How blessed we are! 


Knowing that we have two solid communities backing and praying over our desire to have these children come into our home with hope of restoration for their hurting, empty hearts.

This is what the bride looks like, what God had intended for us all. Having the security of knowing that we have families supporting us is precious, something we need to protect and guard, its something worth fighting for.

I see Christina, Igor and Denys as our children; I have come alive in stepping out for the kingdom. I see more of our destiny unfolding.

The Lord showed me an image last Sunday during worship.  He was standing in front of many warehouses, and every warehouse had a name over the entry door. Above this particular door was my name. It read “ My favorite one Stephen” The emotions alone that ran thru my soul were overwhelming.

Our Lord had a warehouse full of blessing and gifts, more then I would or could ever hope for just sitting there waiting for me to step thru the door and receive them, freely. We, together in unity are doing something for His kingdom, purely on faith and trust in Him. There is so much excitement walking on the edge of this world and living on the edge of His kingdom. All new talents and opportunities will be launched for us because we were obedient in saying yes, and stepping out. I hope God gives me many more years to work for him. I am alive . . . .

Monday, September 6, 2010

Our very first post, on our very own BLOG!

8.12.10 was the day that 'our' kids that were visiting from Ukraine went back home. I went to work and my first client, comes in. We make pleasant small talk, and then I hit him with, “so we’re thinking about maybe adopting 3 kids from Ukraine.” He easily replies, “Great!” As we talk on further, he is full of encouragement and gives me so many good examples of the fruit it will bring. Like a table full of children enjoying laughter and sharing stories will far outweigh any restaurant dinner. And the years it may take of us putting extra money in that jar for a family vacation, will be better than the vacation itself.  The dreams shared, and the bonds that we will form are unlike anything else. So the thru the whole haircut, I am on the receiving end of a “charge” and backed with scripture verses from God’s Word, I can’t go wrong! Upon checking out, he tells me about a job he used to have selling storm shutters. He was showing a prospective buyer how well the shutters hold up to a hose spraying water full force on them. Then for fun he says, “lets get a firehouse on them!” and still the shutters hold up. The verse he shares next is the house built on the sand falls down when the wind and storms come; but the house that is built upon the rock, the storms come, and it won’t fall down. Not “if” they come, but when they come. So at this point I am feeling full of encouragement and confirmation in my heart that this is the right thing. He leaves, walks out of our sight past the salon, and I say to Cindy, “wow did you hear all that!!?” Then he swings open the door to Back Bay and says, “ by the way, I was adopted in 1966”, and leaves again.
     Oh my!! I was just blown away. I mean Holy Spirit bumps, tears, you know, the whole thing! I couldn’t believe that during his whole 40 min appt he never mentioned it. It was like he was holding back till the Spirit led him to tell me! What hope I received that day!!!
     Steve and I have both been in agreement for over a year now, that caring for orphans is non- negotiable. It’s an obligation to all who love Jesus. In some way or another, we can all help out orphans, homeless and widows. It’s what He would do.
8.20.10 So the journey begins…
Donations come in today equaling $200! Thank you Jehovah Jireh for providing not only monetary confirmation, but the realization that this could come to fruition. All in all, the first day raised $350.
8.22.10 Home fellowship. I tell Gus about our hopes, and very non chalauntly he says “its already done”!!
8.23.10 $80 more donated!
8.27.10 $65 more! The momentum and energy is palatable.
8.28.10 while sharing this story with another great person in my life, she just hands me a check for $750 which matches what I had raised at home and is what we need to start the home study!
9.1.10 I'm telling another friend who has also met these great children and has a special place in her heart for them and she writes me a check for $500! This is what we need to finish the home study! Now we have $310 raised for the doctor’s appointments which is the nest step. Then on to INS for fingerprinting. That will be $670.
9.3.10 Home Study appointment goes very well! Missy Campo is excellent! Such a pure and honest heart! It is a blessing that she is our caseworker as we have been emailing a few weeks before this. My best friend in the whole world since forever says to me today as we were talking after our morning meeting at Shepherds’ Care; that God has put in me a heart for rescue. It has been there since I was little. AMEN! She said laughingly, that a few days before when her sister had heard what we were up to, she thought …yeah she has moved from animal rescue to people! lol
9.4.10 we had a live recording of worship at the Harbour Church and it was awesome to be in His presence! I have awestruck wonder at what He is doing in the earth. To realize that Jesus sings over me when I sleep is so amazing… I could hardly breathe at times during worship. He has such good and wonderful plans for us all if we just step into the river! I feel so alive! Its like when I said, “yes God” (and obeyed Him specifically in a previous issue), He opened the floodgates of Heaven. Bring them home here Lord!
9.5.10 Steve has the revelation that God has given him a heart of restoration. He has always had that desire in him since he was like 16. Very cool! Earlier in the day I said to him how I am so excited because he will be so, so important to Igor and Denys. He says he knows and is very excited too!
     In all this, we must remain humble and Bless His name for bringing us even to this place… being prepared for whatever God’s plans are for them.