Cut Loose

Before I dive into the difficulties of international adoption (as promised), I thought I'd start off by describing as least one of the joys. FYI, they do out-number the difficulties.
One of the most amazing experiences (as least for me--every journey is different) I am actually finding very hard putting into words.

Cut-loose. Freed.

There's a part of me that's always been very driven toward materialism/consumerism/what-do people-think-about-me-ism. It's not that I've cared so much about keeping up with The Jones--again, finding it hard to put what was into words. I've just always liked stuff and it's cheap thrills.

But through our adoption and our trip to Ethiopia (and even prior mission trips) this shallowness has gradually been replaced with more a enduring and meaningful pursuit.

I guess another way to describe it is like a leaving-and-cleaving from secular culture...in the world, but no longer of the world. Guess it's what Scripture calls "death to self". And this experience hasn't been painful at all! It's been liberating!! My thoughts and desires have been liberated...no longer concerned...consumed...with the American Dream (whatever that is). God is giving my existence more and more fully to His work. Decisions that once were difficult are now becoming no-brainers. Living is just becoming more simple--not always easier--just more simple. I don't have as many options suffocating me.

Oh, I hope I am making a grain of sense. Yes, bringing Micah home has been an experience beyond words, but he has been the floor of my experience...the ceiling is still out of sight! Everyday, my moments with Micah God uses to redeem and refocus my thoughts, desires, pursuits...it's all been just the beginning of a much bigger picture!!

But, as it is written,
“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,
nor the heart of man imagined,
what God has prepared for those who love him”––
these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit.

For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.
For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.
Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God.
And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.
The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them

because they are spiritually discerned.
The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one.
“For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?”

But we have the mind of Christ.

2 Cor 2: 9-13

HOT off the press!!

Officially, MICAH Yoseph Martin...
Officially, a US CITIZEN...

health care...DISASTER

OK, so I don't typically use my blog to discuss public policy/politics, of course unless it directly pertains to orphans. However, this issue it too serious...I am unable to keep quite.

Do we need health care reform?
Absolutely!!

Is socialized health care, national health care, a public-option...or whatever you prefer to call it the best solution?
Not by a long-shot!!

Why, you say?
-It gives gov'mt more control over the free-market. Sadly, our gov'mt is notorious for wasteful spending and inefficiency. I know the gov'mt acts like they had nothing to do with our current recession...better save my thoughts on that for another post. They can't even operate medicare successfully (meaning in-the-black) -- how in the world are they going to run health care for the entire nation. Not to mention, how are they...uh, I mean WE...going to pay for it???

-With a public-option, the long-term effect that you won't see until after 2013 (hmmm, after the next presidential election) is that you will be forced out of your private policy. Why? Either the premiums will become too expensive, or you will be unable to afford the additional tax (applied to your private policy) that you will soon owe the government.

-And, the premiums for the public-option are pretty pricey. You will be taxed an estimated 10-12% per family to paticipate...so if you make $50,000 a year, your premiums could run $850-plus/month. Of course, that's just where it will start. Sky's the limit with big gov'mt. Can you afford that?? Well, you won't have a choice. I think some people think the public-option will be free...uh, noooooooooo!

Be careful!! Everything sounds OK now, but most of the items in the bill aren't scheduled to happened immediately...that's how they can say "of course, you'll get to keep your private insurance".

So what do you need to do??
Contact your senator: click here.
Contact your state rep: click here.

Let them know you support health care reform, but NOT the bill being voted on next week!! Let's not cram a 2000 page bill down congress's throat, giving them only 72 hours to read the final version before voting. This is simply too much, too fast! What's all the rush?? I remember how Congress just had to pass the stimulus package...like right now. But if it was so critical to pass, why has only a fraction of the $$ been distributed?

Yes, let's tackle health care reform! But first stop, tort reform!!

Better yet, accept Michele Bachmann's invitation to the Capitol this Thurs to let Congress know your opinion--face-to-face!! Read more here.

OK. There. I've done my research. I've hopefully caused you to at least consider the topic. By the way, all senators and house reps in AL are opposed to this bill. Kudos, AL!!

Courtesy of Politico.com:
"The House health care bill unveiled Thursday clocks in at 1,990 pages and about 400,000 words. With an estimated 10-year cost of $894 billion, that comes out to about $2.24 million per word."

2nd Ethiopia Adoption

We're almost on the paper-chase again!

We've been accepted back into AWAA's Ethiopia program, but we must also be re-approved to adopt concurrently. Translation: we need a letter from our social worker, stating she sees no problem with us pursuing an adoption from Ethiopia while remaining on China's waiting list. We had to provide this recommendation when we started our journey to Micah as well...so no biggie.

We can't submit our dossier to Ethiopia until Micah has been home one year (3.28.10), but that will be here before we know it.

As I am prepping myself for the mental anguish (ha ha) of the paper-chase and wait for our referral, I've been reflecting on some of the difficulties of international adoption...at least, for me. Check back over the next several weeks, and I will share them with you.

what will YOU do with your WATER today?

I just have to share this. A fellow-adoptive parent passed it along. It is WELL worth your time to read...and to ponder.

"Will the beautiful women of the world please stand up. "
an excerpt:
...This is when I met Helen Apio. While most women hung back politely, Helen jumped toward me and screamed two inches from my face. Technically, it was singing. But the high-pitched shrieking was so loud and reverberated with such energy and emotion, I knew I had to talk with her.

She told me about the new freshwater well in her village.

“I am happy now,” Helen beamed. “I have time to eat, my children can go to school. And I can even work in my garden, take a shower and then come back for more water if I want! I am bathing so well.”

A few of the men chuckled to hear a woman talk about bathing. But all I noticed was Helen's glowing face, the fresh flowers in her hair, and the lovely green dress she wore for special occasions. Touching her forearm, I replied, “Well, you look great.”

“Yes,” she paused. Placing both hands on my shoulders and smiling, she said, “Now, I am beautiful.”

That really hit me.

My job is to focus on sustainable development, health, hygiene and sanitation; to make sure charity: water’s projects are working in 20 years. But nowhere on any of my surveys or evaluations was a place to write, “Today we made someone feel beautiful.”

CLICK THE LINK ABOVE TO READ THE FULL STORY!

pumkin' patch

ORPHAN SUNDAY: where will you be 11.8.09?

Sunday : November 8 : 2009

Orphan Sunday is the designated Sunday of the year for churches around the world to join voices and forces, raising awareness regarding the need and number of orphans world-wide.

I hope you've found an event to attend in your city, if not click here to find one.

If you're in the Birmingham area, please stop by Hunter Street Baptist Church during the month of November -- you'll be able to see pictures and read stories of adoptive families in our church.


Hunter Street is also hosting this live event, via webcast, on Orphan Sunday at 4pm : featuring Steven Curtis Chapman! Anyone is welcome to join us for this free event!!