My heart and mind still yearn for that special child...

Many probably wonder..."Are the Freys still adopting?" "I haven't heard anything lately." Or at least that is what my "mind-reading" mind is thinking. We are, we are! We just want to follow God's timing...and we all know how that works. Let's just say...not like our's, not even a little bit! Our friends moved here (which I'm sure I posted some pics of) and every time I see those two precious babies...I am reminded that I have a purpose...not yet fulfilled.
Adoption has lots of emotions to it. And we are just beginning. On good days with my kiddos...I feel I can take on two or three more homeless children. Give them a home of comfort, joy, peace, and love. On not-so-good days (and we all have them, don't kid yourself) I say to myself..."really God? Me? You want me...me of oh-little-patience...to adopt your orphan children?" And before I go to sleep...sometimes w/ tears, sometimes without...He and Brett (Brett is a very important component in helping me validate what is real or just natural effects of overworked, over tired mommy syndrome) both gently remind me...that God has a divine purpose. He absolutely does and I'm all about HIS Will for my life...even if I'm not sure what it is...its a FAITH walk.
Its too easy to allow Satan to convince me that I shouldn't adopt if I'm NOT the "has it all-together, patient as Job, rich as __________, self-disciplined as _______, kind of mommy...and my kids must be obedient all the time and respectful no matter what or I'm not fit to adopt." I have days when I can buy that hook-line and sinker. Because I am aware of the challenges of adoption. I am not one to be naive and think its a smooth sailing cake walk. But I refuse to allow Satan to generate foolish fear within me and keep me from accomplishing what God deams as a pure and faultless religion...to take care of his orphans and windows in their distress. The day will come! Till then I pray and dream for that special child (or children) that my heart and mind yearn for.

Adopting the right attitude

Life can be somewhat of crazy journey. The beginning of the year was filled with tons of excitement as we filled tons of paper work and attended training classes for our adoption. We found ourselves smack dab in the middle of our adoption...which wasn't exactly where we were planning to be that quickly. The good Lord has a way of slowing things down and putting you right back where he wants you...and He did! We were, maybe I should say I...was very apprehensive because I had felt from day one the Lord was whispering "allow me to show myself to you, let me show my faithfulness to you." So I pushed to move forward. Stubborn strong willed people...as myself most often think God is saying one thing...when He really meant something else. Hubby was very content to take a step back on our adoption journey. I on the hand felt like I wasn't allowing God to "show himself" if we stepped back. It took awhile before I gained the peace of heart that hubby had to "let go and let God." But it was then that I realize...I am doing exactly that...allowing God to show himself Faithful! So today...we are still riding the waves. Our hearts are still in love with Africa and her orphans. I read something about Africa almost everyday...and I shed tears for a nation that is poverty sticken and yet joyful. I have a shirt that says, "I need Africa more than Africa needs me." And its true in the sense of spirit...not money or food, but spirit. I'm not good with words to be able to explain exactly what that means but you feel it, see it and sense it when you are among the Africans.
I have been conversing with a lady from northern Illinois for some months now and she moved here a little over a week ago. She has adopted twins from Africa. I can't begin to tell you how Eli and Ruthie remind me...everytime I see them...what my hearts longs for. They keep it real for me, they allow me not to forgot what God has planted in my heart. Not that forgetting would ever happen. I know meeting them has been a God thing from day one. It was in the pit of taking a step back when I recieved an email from Jeanne. "Hi...saw in the church email that you are adopting from Ethiopia. My family and I are moving to your area and we have adopted twins from Ethiopia." SERIOUSLY! God you have the most unique ways of connecting people and keeping life real! Wow! I went from being in the slump to knowing that God knows exactly what he is doing.
Where are we now? We are riding the waves. We are waiting for God. We are still fundraising...taking donations and selling shirts. We still pray for the children. We still dream. We are commited to looking for an agency in the Spring. Then we will let go and let God.
Thanks for your continued prayers and support; The Freys.

Completely frustrated with this blog!

Well, it removed the link to buy shirts! Has a stupid photo bucket thing on it that I can't get removed...grrr. Enough!

And the winner is....

We finalize our Mother's Day Gift Basket Raffle Saturday night. May 1st as promised...just in time for Mother's Day. I collected approx $500 worth of donations...for the basket. It was awesome. I must say...if I had been on the recieving end of the basket...I would have been in bliss for months. Lots of goodies. Super thanks to all the people and businesses for their donations. Ok...the winner!

JO & MELANIE REGNER from Mattoon!

They attend our church. Mel is pregnant with their fourth child. They are a super sweet couple. I am so happy for them.

We did have a garage sale in Oakland this past weekend after all! I sat with it Friday till 2pm-ish. And my Mom and my Aunt sat with it Saturday. SUPER THANKS TO MOM AND AUNT LESA FOR THEIR HELP AND SUPPORT. It didn't rain on us! We have approx $200.00 so it was worth our time. It may not sound like a lot, but that much money can file some paper work, or take care of two required finger printing for the adoption.

Friday afternoon Brett and I headed for Champaign for the big May 1 CU Marathon! We stayed overnight so we wouldn't have the hour drive Saturday morning before the race. We ate out at Biaggis. Brett spoils me, this is my FAVORITE place to eat. They have the smoothest wine and the BEST spaghetti ever! We also hit the race expo...they are seriously some crazy things out there. Ever head of Power Balance? Read about it online...pretty sure its a hoax, but I was convinced there for a bit!

A little update...

A few quick things as my 20 month old baby girl is pulling out the Crazy Monkey Game and its only 6:45am! And no breakfast yet...not sure what she is thinking!!!!

We are having our raffle drawing this Saturday May 1st for our Mothers Day Basket...buy a ticket quick if you want in on the excitement!!!! $500 worth of goodies!

I think I'm going to cancel the garage sale set for this coming weekend, b/c its suppose to rain and on top of that Brett is running a full marathon...so I really want to be there to support him. We have another set for June 5th at the Charleston Warehouse.

We had an awesome generous $300 donation from one of Brett's friends. God is faithful all the time...he works on his time table, not ours.

We finished out International Hague training. All 10 hours of it...its good for three years...sooo happy to have that completed.

Off to make my babies breakfast. I think I need to get up earlier!

We are raffling a $500 Mother's Day Gift Basket! Tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20! Drawing will be held May 1st...so the winner will have Basket in time for Mother's Day. Thank you for helping fund our adoption. :)

In Ethiopia...

a generation of adults is dying leaving behind an estimated 4.8 million orphaned children. Source: AHOPEforchildren.org