One more blessing

Dear Family and Friends,


We are the recipients of a $3,000 matching grant from Lifesong for Orphans.  Every dollar donated will be matched dollar for dollar.  100% of the funds will go directly to help cover our adoption expenses.  


"A father of the fatherless...God setteth the solitary in families... " Psalms 68:5-6


Most of you know the desire that we feel God put into our hearts for building our family through adoption. We have been incredibly blessed already with Emily and we cannot wait to grow our family again.  We are adopting two little girls from Ethiopia, we have accepted their referral and hope to travel this summer before the court closures in August.  The girls are ages 7 and 4.  As a family we've been excitedly praying for them and getting our home ready.


Did you know it is estimated less than 10% of all orphan children are adopted into evangelical Christian families? According to current estimates, if only 10% more Christians in America would adopt, it would be equivalent to providing homes for all the orphans in Eastern Europe (1.5 million), Latin America (400,000) and the US foster care system (150,000).


Some of you are probably wondering what has prompted us to adopt.  Well, primarily, we've felt so clearly directed by God to adopt that we want to obey Him, and we also desire to give our soon to be orphaned daughters a family.   God desires for orphans of all nations to be loved, cared for and adopted into Christian families - ultimately so they can become saved, and be adopted into His eternal family through Jesus Christ! There are so many things God has used to prick our hearts and move us to adopt, here are a few:


Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will - Ephesians 1:5


Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this,, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction... James 1:27


A mission trip to Guatemala in 2007 where the Lord spoke into Ricks heart about going to Africa


The biggest challenge for us is not opening our hearts and home to more children, but it is the funding of finances to make this happen.  We estimate our total cost for adoption fees, document preparation, home study, airfare, travel, etc to be $ $25, 000-$30,000 - that's certainly money we don't have, but we know God is faithful and is leading us to trust Him.  By Gods grace we've been able to pay the initial $6,500. 


Honestly, it's a little difficult (because of our pride) to make our needs known to the Body of Christ around us, but we also know it's very Biblical to do so.  We appreciate your friendship very much and would like you to pray and consider helping us in our adoption.  There are two ways you can help:


1. Prayer - Please pray God would tenderly care for our girls in Ethiopia until we are able to bring them home, that God would prepare Emily for the upcoming changes to our family, and that God will give us wisdom, discernment, and insight as we raise our girls to know Jesus Christ.  Please join us in praying for our girls birth moms salvation as she is not expected to live much longer.


2. Financial support - Will you please consider making a tax deductible donation to help us pay for the remaining $16,000 in adoption expenses, to bring our daughters home?


If you would like to be a part of God bringing our girls to Himself through our family, you can send your tax deductible gift between now and May 21st to the address below.  Lifesong is a trusted organization administering the funds on our girls behalf, and will pay adoption expenses out of the funds received.


1. Please make checks payable to: Lifesong.  In the memo section of your check please notate Davis #2725 (*Note: In following IRS guidelines, your donation is to Lifesong which retains full discretion and control over its use.)


2. Mail checks to: 
Lifesong for Orphans
Att: Davis/2725
PO Box 40
Gridley, IL   61744


Thank you for investing in the Kingdom through prayer and finances - it will be an investment with an eternal reward! ( Matt 6:20) We'll give you an update with a picture and details as we receive them.  Please pray this entire process will glorify God and fulfill His purposes!


In Christ,
Rick, Connie and Emily 

Only 2 Days Left - Tshirt Sale

"I was worth the wait" ...FUNraiser

Please be a part of the "Journey to our Beloved(s)"  FUNraiser...

With each journey to and through adoption there is a story to tell that gives insight into all that was poured out.  For some it may be financial mountains to overcome, others have hiccups along the way with  paperwork, or wait times that increase and open the door to discouragement, and the list goes on.  It's easy to become weary; this journey is not for the faint of heart. We have personally experienced all of these things at one time or another.

But that is not the news I want to share, the GOOD and AMAZING news is that each and every child is worth the wait. 


To celebrate each child whether you are waiting or home with your child(ren) we are doing a FUNraiser t-shirt sale.  


Our sale starts today March 14th and ends on Wednesday March 28th. This is a pre-buy sale. 

• Sizes: Onesies: 6 & 12mo | Tshirts: 2T, 3T, 4T, Youth S-L, Adult S-XXXL
• $25.00
• FREE shipping

To make your purchase click on the "   " button. Please note type (onesie or tshirt) size, country (Africa or China), phrase (I was, He was, She was)  and mailing address. Thank you!!  Please allow up to two weeks for delivery after sale closes. 

Please note the type, size, country and phrase 

I was worth the wait

She was worth the wait

He was worth the wait

 

Please note the type, size, country and phrase 

I was worth the wait

She was worth the wait

He was worth the wait

 

Davis Family Adoption Fundraiser | Dinner & Silent Auction

Welcome Family, Friends and Business Associates!!

We are excited to have you join us on the evening of Saturday, March 24th from 5:30p-8p for a dinner and auction at the Vineyard Boise.  This event is to help raise money for our adoption of two precious girls from Ethiopia.  We cannot wait to bring them home and love on them!

     Location:
          Vineyard Boise
          4950 N Bradley St
          Garden City, ID  83714


They say that it takes a village to raise a child.  I know that is true.  The biggest hurdle to overcome with adopting is the expense; it literally costs thousands of dollars. And while we have paid several thousand already we still need your help. We have a small window of time to raise the remaining $25K before rainy season and the courts close. It sounds like a lot to have to fundraise; but I was looking through my contact list of almost 3k people and realized something. If each person gave $9, we'd easily make the $25k.  We would appreciate it if you would please pass on the information for this fundraiser to your family, friends and business associates. 


We have chosen to have a dinner and auction on Saturday, March 24th at 5:30p.m.  It will be a lasagna dinner and dessert. Beverages will be available for a minimal cost.  There will be a silent auction as well as a live auction during dinner. We have donations coming in from all over our community for the auctions.  You will be surprised with some of the great items we've received; everything from lower priced items to upper end items with the retail value of $3000.  We also will be selling raffle tickets for your chance to win an iPOD shuffle.


All money raised will go towards our adoption and travel fees to bring our soon to be daughters home.  We will be setup to accept cash, check or credit.


Tickets can be bought online or at the door.  If you're not going to buy in advance, please let us know that you are planning on coming.  We want to ensure that everyone has plenty to eat and bid on.


Thank you kindly,


Richard, Connie and Emily
Our Blog: http://2ourbeloved.blogspot.com
Buy Tickets: http://2ourbeloveds.eventbrite.com
richard@bslphoto.com

Fun Field Trips

Field trip days are always so much fun!  Usually the pre-k students and the kindergartners go together for the adventure.  Parents are always welcome and it's neat that so many do choose to come along.  The last two field trips daddy went with Miss Emily and her class.  They visited the Discovery Center and a local fire station.
At the Discovery  Center the pet clinic was a huge hit with Emily.  There was just so much to do and explore, it was a great day! The best part is that it is hands on learning and fun.

At the fire station they learned a lot too, some things we hadn't even thought of.  The first question that was asked

• do you have an escape route set up and put in place at school and in your home
• they learned to stay low and crawl against the floor if they smell smoke to prevent smoke inhalation
• they learned what a fireman looks like all dressed up in his gear so that they don't hide in fear if they ever encounter seeing one
• does your smoke detectors work 
• do you know how to call 911

probably other questions as well, I just can't remember!  The day ended with each of them receiving their very own little red fire hat to take home.  Good times!

Discovery Center pics first followed by Fire Station #17

up, up and up I go....

Weeeeeeeeeeeee!

I'm a genious ;)

I think you quacked your neck 

This is cool

Me and couple of my buddies listening to the fireman talk 

This is what a fireman looks like, do not be afraid

Fireman Phil lending a helping hand.

Has to be a certain weight for the bottom to open up on pole

Pre-K and Kindergarten

Pre-K Class 2012

This was fun!!

Chinese New Year Dinner

January 23, 2012, Year of the Dragon.....

This year on Chinese New Year we celebrated at home.  Emily invited a few special guests to dinner; Grandma and Grandpa Great and Grandma Connie.  Daddy took Emily to buy flowers to remind us that new things can always grow. We decorated with red lanterns and dragons.  Red means good luck and happiness in China. We put the tiny tangerines in a bowl that stand for money and good luck. We put some chocolate coins in the red envelopes. Emily put on her pretty pink Chinese dress (thank you "M" family for bringing this back from China), and my hubby in his Chinese shirt. I stayed in pj's as I began the meal prep.  We served Edamame beans, pork with hot mustard, egg drop soup, shrimp fried rice, Szechuan chicken, and the dessert came from a local Asian store that I do not know what it really was, kind of like a doughnut only not as soft. We toasted plum wine and drank hot tea.  It really was a lovely dinner.  I think I am starting to get the hang of making a few Chinese dishes. So far the Szechuan Chicken is my favorite.
Note to self that I need to get myself ready before the doorbell rings and our guests are arriving. LOL....

Enjoy the pics...

Chinese New Year Dinner (yes that is a snowman in the back ;) )

Our Family

Grandma & Grandpa Great with Emily 

Grandma Connie and Emily 

Yum!

Trusting your plan

Ok, this is going to be the longest post I have ever written. So if you don't have time to grab a cup of something warm and sit down you may want to come back. :)

I want to make sure that I remember as many details as I can, thank you for letting me share my story with you.

Isn't it funny how we plan our lives thinking that we are in control?
"In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps" proverbs 16:9 


We started this "Journey to our Beloved" with a desire for a baby girl.  Over the course of the past 14 months the Lord has been opening our hearts for the change that was about to happen that we knew nothing about.
Most recently on our agencies waiting child list two precious little girls who are in need of a forever family tugged at my heart.  So began a deep soul searching and prayerful time as to what the Lord was asking us to do.  Believe me, fear had a grip on me. Dear Lord this was not MY plan.  We prayed and we talked, we prayed some more.
 Our pastors wife, Nancy prayed with me before I sat down to hear the message.  Rick was home sick in bed. I actually think he already knew in his heart and he was just waiting for me to catch up.  I believe that I was there by myself so that I would have the ears to hear. It needed to penetrate my heart.  We are studying the book of Joshua and when I look at the notes that I took I am in awe.  I needed to hear this!

• Put your trust in God - step out and let me move
• You are rooted in Gods promise and plan
• I'm going to do this and I'm going to give you the confidence it's Me.
• To see me move, you are going to have to obey

Our associate pastor Trevor went on to say that God is going to do things that we can't do on our own.  Pause and prepare yourself spiritually so that you are in His presence. Let Gods power work in you and through you. 

I had two different people give me something to think about at church. I love when people share like that. 

After coming home the soul searching began intensely.  My poor hubby, I am analytic, I'm a women and I process ALOT... it was good though, I needed to ask myself the hard questions, I needed to face my fears and search my soul.  It really all came down to His plan was different than mine and I was stomping and kicking my feet.  The funny thing is I have prayed all along "Your will, not mine" I just didn't take into consideration that His plan might look different. I wrestled with confusion too.  I am so thankful God is patient and merciful. I knew deep in my heart that I was being asked to say yes to these sweet, precious girls.  However to do that it would take surrendering and a heavy dose of trust. Did I mention that I have trust issues?  I know right?! 

One of the moms from Emily's school had joined us for some impromptu prayer earlier in the week and she took me aside afterwards and said "God is going to make a direct path to your girls".  I should have appreciated the encouragement but I was still not sure what that meant.   

I am happy to say that God is bigger than my fears, my hang ups and I can trust Him. I took that step of blind faith and when I said yes, I felt peace!! 

We are going to be the proud parents of two cute little girls from Ethiopia.  My husband is so happy and our daughter Emily cannot wait to meet them and play with them. I already can envision "The Three Musketeers" running and playing.  

We appreciate any and all prayers,

hugs,

Connie :)