Another hiccup...prayers appreciated!

Hiccup. Yep. Anyone who has gone through the adoption process knows there are many hiccups along the way. The hiccups usually drive us a little crazy and lengthen the time it takes to get our new kids...

More documents and information is being requested before our petition for the boys' visas are approved. We are hoping we can quickly receive and forward the information needed. But it is Christmas. And New Year's. And things often come to a screaching halt this time of year--both here and overseas. But God is sovereign.

Sovereign.That was Scott's "word" for 2011.  And boy, have we both learned alot about God's sovereignty this year. My "word", you ask? Abide. Yep, we have been doing a lot of that this year, too.

To quote one of my favorite verses: Romans 8:28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. "

We would covet your prayers as we patiently, or not so patiently, navigate through this latest hiccup.

We're coming to get you , L and J. Soon.  Hopefully, soon.

Jo Anna

Cutting for a Cause

Lord of all the earth/we shout your name, shout your name/filling up the skies with endless praise, endless praise/Yahweh, Yahweh...we love to shout your name, Oh Lord!    

- excerpt from "At Your Name" by Phil Wickham

We are human. Yep. I know this is a surprise. I hope you were sitting down for that one. We get discouraged...we get beat down (especially by a certain employer who will remain nameless, though it might sound kind of like Beavis)...and we get exhausted, especially in the adoption process.

All kidding aside, we are in awe over the way God has blessed us in regards to the adoption -- in His time, in His way -- and the event announcement below is another example of that. We had a successful poinsettia sale, raising nearly $1,200! For that we praise He from whom all blessings flow. That leaves us with around $3k to travel. For that, we also praise Him. Why? Jesus Christ gave everything for me -- for you -- on the cross, why would I believe He is going to abandon us now? I don't. His grace is greater than any problem I have, and He loves me like I am His own...because God adopted me into His family in 1994. Please check this out...

Progressive Image Day Salon and Day Spa in Winston-Salem is sponsoring "Cutting for a Cause" an another means of assisting us with the remaining funds. For a minimum donation of $15 you will receive a shampoo and haircut by one of their professional stylists. They are located at 3538 Vest Mill Road, 27103. and the phone number is 336-760-1292. The event will take place on Sunday, January 15th from 2-6. Please contact the salon for more details and to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins are welcome, however. We hope to see you there!

The Crawfords

A Time to Reflect: Conditional or Unconditional Praise?

Psalm 106

 ¹ Praise the LORD.^[a]
   Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
   his love endures forever.
 ² Who can proclaim the mighty acts of the LORD
   or fully declare his praise?
³ Blessed are those who act justly,
   who always do what is right.
 ⁴ Remember me, LORD, when you show favor to your people,
   come to my aid when you save them,
⁵ that I may enjoy the prosperity of your chosen ones,
   that I may share in the joy of your nation
   and join your inheritance in giving praise.

This time of  year, our focus is on thanking God for the ways and things He has blessed us with. And we thank Him often for His Word, family, friends, provision, the measure of health He has given us, our freedom, the list goes on and on. And we should live a life that expresses our thanks to God and others regularly.

As I study this psalm, if I am honest, my prosperity, joy, and praise (vs 5) are often dependent on my cirumstances. In our human condition, it is HARD to praise God in the valleys, disappointments, broken relationships, poor health.

God is good ALL the time. May His praise be continually on my lips.

Jo Anna

Christmas in...October??? (Adoption Fund Raiser)

(UPDATED)
We have been an approved prospective adoptive family by the Inter Country Adoption Board of the Philippines since February 2010 and now are officially matched to bring home our 2 sons!  In August 2011, we were notified of the brothers newly listed to the Special Home Finding List. Their ages are 3 years and 20 months old. We have recently learned that the younger brother has severe to profound hearing loss. We are stepping out in faith to adopt these two special little boys. We hope to travel in early 2012.

Adoption can be very expensive! We have currently paid over $7500. In addition, we anticipate needing over $19,000 for fees, expenses, and travel within the next 3 months. We are approximately $5000 short of our immediate need.

We are asking you to partner with us and help with our adoption expenses by purchasing 1 or more poinsettias for this holiday season. We are willing to deliver to western Triad (Winston-Salem and surrounding) area.

FAQs:
When do I need to have the order in by? Initial order - by Friday, November 5th. ^^^^We can and will take more orders after this date (this was to the be the largest delivery)
When can I expect to receive them? Tentatively the week of December 5th (contact us if you need them earlier)
How big are they? Cannot give a specific size - LARGE, select plants in 7 1/2" pots with 6-8 'blooms'.
How much are they? $15 per plant.
Can I get a specific color? Yes - email us for details.
When do I pay? Upon receipt/delivery.

***If you are not local, would you be interested in making a purchase for a local nursing home, assisted living or other organization?  If so, please pre-order by emailing Scott  at wreckedforgood@gmail.com. Be sure to include your contact information.

Thank you for your consideration in coming alongside our family and helping us bring our sons home! Feel free to contact us at 336-945-6010, text Scott at 724-816-2797 or our adoption agency with any questions: Christian Adoption Services in Matthews, NC at 704-847-0038.

Scott

Our Adoption Story

For our 10 year wedding anniversary (May 2007), Scott gave me the option of a piece of jewelry or for us to go on the Christian MusicBoat Cruise from Miami to Jamaica. I chose the cruise. That spring, I began to be interested in researching foster care and adoption. I really didn't know why I was so intrigued by it. But he kept putting people and situations in my path that involved those 2 topics. The topper was on the cruise when David Nasser preached from Isaiah 6. The title of his sermon was "God wants to ruin your life." Well, it was there that God told me (not in an audible voice) "I want you to adopt." In my spoiled, sinful state, I didn't like that proclamation very much. In fact, I wrestled with God the rest of that trip. I was MISERABLE. Scott didn't know why. I wouldn't tell him. Our trip pretty much sucked thanks to me. I just prayed that if this was in fact from the Lord, that Scott would also come to that same conclusion. I wouldn't push him. In fact, I prayed privately about this for about 6 months before I even mentioned the subject of adoption to Scott.  At first, he thought I was crazy. But I asked if he would pray about it. He said yes. We began praying about it as a family as well. Of course, the girls were onboard from the getgo.

              On Monday, Jan 12, 2009 Scott called me right before I went into my BSF leadership meeting. He told me he believed God has called us to adopt, he was onboard, and let's started! I was so happy. Deep down, I never even thought we would get to this point. I knew it was God. Just a few days earlier, I had learned about an adoption information expo that was going to happen at a local church. I asked Scott if we wanted to go to the "Hands of Hope" Adoption expo that weekend. He said yes. It was there that we began our process together.

              When we received the initial info on S (SHF listing) in Jan 2010, everything looked good. Even though I believed  the Lord had called us to brothers, I really thought "S was the one". It was only after we asked additional questions and received the email (through ICAB) from the foster mother in February 2010 that the Lord made it very clear in several ways of confirmation that S was NOT the one.

              Ever since then, we have prayed for clear confirmation from the Lord. Some sort of connection or something to confirm to us who our children are. Ok, here's what I believe is the connection: The date of the adoption expo was January 17, 2009. The date of the social worker's first visit to J's home was January 17, 2009. L of course wouldn't even be born for another year. When I read through their cases again the other night, the Lord reminded me of that date. I went through our adoption paperwork and found a bulletin from that expo. Although I may be crazy, I believe the Lord showed me that as confirmation that he planned for J and L to be in our family. To me, that is no coincidence.

              I know that God's plans are not our plans. I truly hope that I am not going to be disappointed again by unfulfilled expectations. I pray that we are in the center of God's will and that the Lord continues to confirm.  Isaiah 30 says ²⁰ Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. ²¹ Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”

Jo Anna