Hello Friends,
As we finish up October, I am amazed that it could be just as close as 8 months from now that we could have new "Baby Iverson" in our home. There is so much going on as we start our fund raising process, that I am almost stunned-still. I am feeling like I'm not doing enough, and I'm reminded of Psalm 46:10, "Be still and know I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" and in that, it reminds me, that this is not about me.
I don't feel like I have 'wanted' for a lot of things that I couldn't have. As it turns out, I am so stinking blessed, it's not really funny. I have liked to be the person who tries to help others, so as I sit in this position, relying solely on God and how He uses other people, I am challenged beyond what I have ever been challenged. People always say, "let go and let God" or, "we're just trusting in God for this" and to be honest, I have said that, and then turned around to do what I need to do to get what I want. So, as James says, "It's time to put our money where our mouth is!"
We are at a slight halt in the process, as the homestudy cannot go forward without a check in the mail to the agency. We have some, but not all of what needs to be sent. So, I am marketing my furniture a bit more aggressively online and have made some post cards to: 1. let people know, who don't already, what our mission is in this adoption, and 2. to see if anyone wants to join us to partner in this with our family.
I have never done a missions trip based on fund raising and the only way I have done things similar is to sell a ticket so someone gets to attend an event...which just pays for an experience that is tangible, I guess. So, I will be sending these out shortly and it is absolutely an exercise of dropping to my knees, leveling my pride and asking for help. Even now, as I type, I am mulling over each word, for fear of what others might think and debating each statement. In reality, it doesn't really matter what I say or where I strategically place each coma and period. I really believe that God absolutely has control over this situation and know that we will press on, until we are forced to stop or until our daughter gets to come home.
We will be dedicating Carter and Gracyie at church Sunday and will be able to share a bit more about what God is doing and has done in our hearts and lives. In the mean time, the need, as it is currently, would be to prayerfully anticipate 13 people from our 'One of 200' cards, to feel compelled to move on this with us at this stage.
If you have sent me your address, thank you! If not and you want to, please shoot me an e-mail, fb or text. Thanks for your continued encouragement and love. melanie
Friday, October 29, 2010
Monday, October 18, 2010
Quick Note...
Hello Friends! I wanted to post a quick link for our first efforts at fundraising. It's called Just Love Coffee and it's an organization set up to help people who are trying to raise the funds for an adoption!
Being that we have a boat load of people we know who love coffee, I thought this organization would be a perfect avenue for our fundraising efforts. Please check out the link and purchase some coffee. The organization supports orphans and their families, families who are fundraising for orphans and the Fair Trade farmers. We will receive $5 for each bag of coffee purchased and so each bag really helps.
Thanks for your continued support!
Iversons
http://www.justlovecoffee.com/iversonblessings
Being that we have a boat load of people we know who love coffee, I thought this organization would be a perfect avenue for our fundraising efforts. Please check out the link and purchase some coffee. The organization supports orphans and their families, families who are fundraising for orphans and the Fair Trade farmers. We will receive $5 for each bag of coffee purchased and so each bag really helps.
Thanks for your continued support!
Iversons
http://www.justlovecoffee.com/iversonblessings
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Home Study II
So, I didn't talk much about our first home study in the last blog. The first one we mostly went through our families of origin and seriously, if we weren't disqualified from it there, we should be good to go!
This second home study was on Saturday morning and we talked about our marriage. It's funny, but they really have to analyze everything in these studies. As we went through and dissected our strengths and weaknesses, it was surprising how honest we were about our struggles. One would think that you would put your best foot forward, but instead, I felt like we were baring quite a lot. I think Lindsey, our SW, must bring the honesty out in us!
Needless to say, after the tears were wiped, and our failures as spouses exposed, I felt strangely closer to James. In our marriage, we have had such ups and downs, but the best part is that our level of transparency with one another has absolutely increased. I think that going into marriage, we say things like, "yeah, I know it'll be hard" and "sure, we know we'll have to work at it," but I think secretly, in the stillness of our hearts, we often mislead ourselves to think, "but we're different because..." or "we're going to try harder than they did" etc, etc. But the reality is that in this process of sanctification, it usually has to get rough before it gets authentically better.
We, like gold, go through that refining process; the gold must be tested at such high heat that all the impurities are brought to the surface, so that the one crafting it can skim those impurities off the top and make their masterpiece a better quality at the end.
At this time, that's where we are. Going through the fire, being tested and ultimately trusting that our Creator is crafting us in such a way to make us better parents, friends and lovers. I love the quote by Gary Thomas in Sacred Marriage where he says: "Contempt is conceived with expectations. Respect is conceived with expressions of gratitude. We can choose which one we will obsess over--expectations, or thanksgivings."
In this process of adoption, we are coming against a number of obstacles and it's easy to be overcome with self-doubt, fear and anxiety. It's easy to think to myself, maybe we're not ready because we're so immature sometimes, or maybe once we stop having stupid fights over which thing in the budget stays or goes, we should move forward. I think that we are just in a lifelong process of refining and 'the time' will never come. Despite any book you read or counseling you receive, no one is 'ready' for life. We make choices, which shapes our lives and perceptions and right now, we're we're choosing this. Until the door closes, we're moving forward.
So, thanks friends, for sitting in the front seat and watching it unfold. m
This second home study was on Saturday morning and we talked about our marriage. It's funny, but they really have to analyze everything in these studies. As we went through and dissected our strengths and weaknesses, it was surprising how honest we were about our struggles. One would think that you would put your best foot forward, but instead, I felt like we were baring quite a lot. I think Lindsey, our SW, must bring the honesty out in us!
Needless to say, after the tears were wiped, and our failures as spouses exposed, I felt strangely closer to James. In our marriage, we have had such ups and downs, but the best part is that our level of transparency with one another has absolutely increased. I think that going into marriage, we say things like, "yeah, I know it'll be hard" and "sure, we know we'll have to work at it," but I think secretly, in the stillness of our hearts, we often mislead ourselves to think, "but we're different because..." or "we're going to try harder than they did" etc, etc. But the reality is that in this process of sanctification, it usually has to get rough before it gets authentically better.
We, like gold, go through that refining process; the gold must be tested at such high heat that all the impurities are brought to the surface, so that the one crafting it can skim those impurities off the top and make their masterpiece a better quality at the end.
At this time, that's where we are. Going through the fire, being tested and ultimately trusting that our Creator is crafting us in such a way to make us better parents, friends and lovers. I love the quote by Gary Thomas in Sacred Marriage where he says: "Contempt is conceived with expectations. Respect is conceived with expressions of gratitude. We can choose which one we will obsess over--expectations, or thanksgivings."
In this process of adoption, we are coming against a number of obstacles and it's easy to be overcome with self-doubt, fear and anxiety. It's easy to think to myself, maybe we're not ready because we're so immature sometimes, or maybe once we stop having stupid fights over which thing in the budget stays or goes, we should move forward. I think that we are just in a lifelong process of refining and 'the time' will never come. Despite any book you read or counseling you receive, no one is 'ready' for life. We make choices, which shapes our lives and perceptions and right now, we're we're choosing this. Until the door closes, we're moving forward.
So, thanks friends, for sitting in the front seat and watching it unfold. m
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Here Goes!
I'm not really sure where to start! Almost 2 1/2 years ago, my heart started to ache for more children. James and I wrestled for a long time whether or not we should reverse a vasectomy that we both agreed should never have been agreed upon. I personally spent a couple years asking the Lord to examine my heart...did I just want to be pregnant again? Did I think more children would simply complete me as a mother or the family as a whole? As I took time to dig deeper in my soul, I believe the Lord transformed on my heart, convicted me of my idols and strengthened what he, himself gave me.
The reality is I did love being pregnant and as I read the stories of Rachel and Hannah in the OT, I found my heart breaking. I had two healthy children, that are amazing and such a joy, but there was something that wasn't quite right. In our rush to grow up and travel and buy the things that would somehow fulfill us, I believe we missed something much deeper.
I remember a cold winter afternoon in January of 2009, Michelle Cody, my mentor and good friend, responded to my teary desires over a cup of coffee at the kitchen table. I expected she would give me a verse about the desires of my heart being good or something, but what I got was: "Well, sometimes we feel the pain from the consequences of our decisions, but what we mess up, God can make into good." I was hoping for a story of someone like me, who miraculously had children despite themselves and I did not feel like she delivered!
Now, I see the wisdom and strength in it. As time went on, we ran into more and more families who had gone through the adoption process or were going through it. My sister's brother and sister-in-law adopted two adorable boys, who were biological brothers. I would hear the stories of their first holiday's together where these brother's would walk up and say, "...so, you're my AUNT?" and how that was such a new concept because these boys had no family to speak of.
We met up with friends at church who had ridiculous stories about God's timing and sovereignty in their adoption and birthing processes and how that inspired the two of us to move forward. We started researching other countries and trying to figure out where we wanted to adopt this third Iverson baby from. We met with a couple whom we respect and I remember one of them saying, "God probably isn't going to care which place you adopt from; he is probably just going to ask if you were faithful to what you feel he is calling you to do."
So with that, this summer, we started contacting adoption agencies and finding which one would be the best fit. That is when Joni, my good friend and neighbor, introduced me to a friend who connected me with God's Children Adoption Agency, in Fergus Falls. I met with a social worker, who wasn't what I expected.
She walked into my entry in a pink sundress, black flip-flops with matching black toenail polish and a cool tattoo. We talked about adoption and her agency and although I think I was being covertly interviewed, I felt like I wanted to invite her back for a play-date with our kids. We set up an exchange of paperwork and it all began.
We had our first home study a week ago and our next one is tomorrow. The process starts with the 3-4 month long home study, and then it could be anywhere from 4-6 more months before we have a baby...which is stinking fast, if it goes that way!
I think we'll be planning events to raise some of the funds, which cover the cost of living expenses for the mom, administrative fees for time spent dealing with our paperwork, and unfortunately to offset the cost of advertising and PR. We have started reviewing grants and loans and will be selling anything that isn't nailed down to help in the process.
If you are reading...and you got all the way here...sorry for the novel, I ask a couple things: first, please pray. We know for a fact that this will not happen unless the Lord wills it. We trust that whatever the outcome, it will bring him glory and we want that to be the focus. Second, if you have time or ideas, I'm all ears on how to move the process along. I'm flying blind but willing to learn! Lastly, please get the word out. Any sort of word of mouth for the cause of adoption is helpful and anything helps offset these costs. It's not as far out of reach as I thought it was and I am so encouraged to see it moving along.
Until next posting, thanks for reading, praying and caring. melanie
The reality is I did love being pregnant and as I read the stories of Rachel and Hannah in the OT, I found my heart breaking. I had two healthy children, that are amazing and such a joy, but there was something that wasn't quite right. In our rush to grow up and travel and buy the things that would somehow fulfill us, I believe we missed something much deeper.
I remember a cold winter afternoon in January of 2009, Michelle Cody, my mentor and good friend, responded to my teary desires over a cup of coffee at the kitchen table. I expected she would give me a verse about the desires of my heart being good or something, but what I got was: "Well, sometimes we feel the pain from the consequences of our decisions, but what we mess up, God can make into good." I was hoping for a story of someone like me, who miraculously had children despite themselves and I did not feel like she delivered!
Now, I see the wisdom and strength in it. As time went on, we ran into more and more families who had gone through the adoption process or were going through it. My sister's brother and sister-in-law adopted two adorable boys, who were biological brothers. I would hear the stories of their first holiday's together where these brother's would walk up and say, "...so, you're my AUNT?" and how that was such a new concept because these boys had no family to speak of.
We met up with friends at church who had ridiculous stories about God's timing and sovereignty in their adoption and birthing processes and how that inspired the two of us to move forward. We started researching other countries and trying to figure out where we wanted to adopt this third Iverson baby from. We met with a couple whom we respect and I remember one of them saying, "God probably isn't going to care which place you adopt from; he is probably just going to ask if you were faithful to what you feel he is calling you to do."
So with that, this summer, we started contacting adoption agencies and finding which one would be the best fit. That is when Joni, my good friend and neighbor, introduced me to a friend who connected me with God's Children Adoption Agency, in Fergus Falls. I met with a social worker, who wasn't what I expected.
She walked into my entry in a pink sundress, black flip-flops with matching black toenail polish and a cool tattoo. We talked about adoption and her agency and although I think I was being covertly interviewed, I felt like I wanted to invite her back for a play-date with our kids. We set up an exchange of paperwork and it all began.
We had our first home study a week ago and our next one is tomorrow. The process starts with the 3-4 month long home study, and then it could be anywhere from 4-6 more months before we have a baby...which is stinking fast, if it goes that way!
I think we'll be planning events to raise some of the funds, which cover the cost of living expenses for the mom, administrative fees for time spent dealing with our paperwork, and unfortunately to offset the cost of advertising and PR. We have started reviewing grants and loans and will be selling anything that isn't nailed down to help in the process.
If you are reading...and you got all the way here...sorry for the novel, I ask a couple things: first, please pray. We know for a fact that this will not happen unless the Lord wills it. We trust that whatever the outcome, it will bring him glory and we want that to be the focus. Second, if you have time or ideas, I'm all ears on how to move the process along. I'm flying blind but willing to learn! Lastly, please get the word out. Any sort of word of mouth for the cause of adoption is helpful and anything helps offset these costs. It's not as far out of reach as I thought it was and I am so encouraged to see it moving along.
Until next posting, thanks for reading, praying and caring. melanie
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