Our life in the adoption process.......

Good evening friends!! I realize that for some this is the first time reading this! If that's you, welcome! I always used this as a personal blog place, and now I am adding to it our adoption! I did think about starting a second blog for the adoption, because this is about my life. But, this adoption is our life, our ministry, so I decided not to! So here is what is going on in the Thorpe household!!

We are moving along in our adoption process! Our first step was our homestudy, which we were somewhat dreading! We ended up with an AMAZING social worker, who has held our hand through every step of the process. She helped us move right through that part of things, and we appreciate her so much! If anyone ever needs a social worker, I'll be happy to send Tonya your way! We wouldn't be where we are if it weren't for Tonya!

Since the homestudy was complete, our next step was sending off our I-600 for approval. It's basically giving preapproval for Julia's visa! It typically takes about 5 weeks to get the approval, but can take more or less time! We are praying for the less! It's now been 2 weeks since we sent this off, and we are awaiting our fingerprint appointment! While waiting, we are starting all the Ukrainian documents, which there are a good many of, and they have to be done exactly correct in order for the Ukraine to accept them!

We have also started our fundraising! As many of you know, adopting is not a cheap thing! It's kind of sad, b/c you are giving a child a family and a home! But then I think of the price that was payed for my salvation. Jesus gave His life that I could live forever with Him in eternity. That is the highest price anyone could ever pay! So no, this adoption isn't cheap, it isn't easy, but God has called us to do it! Over and over again He has confirmed that all He did was call us to adopt, yet He will provide all that is needed!!

I have been overwhelmed at the love and support that we have received with this adoption! When we first announced our journey that the Lord has us on, we received some wonderful financial blessings. To date we have received $3545.00 in gifts! To date our total expenses have been $3006.00. Every need has been met as it has come up! The total that we need for the adoption is approximately $25000.00, so we only have $22500.00 left to go! This is exciting for us! We know that God will provide! I have tried very hard to figure out how this is going to happen and how in the world we will come up with that much money on a tight budget!! But God is already doing this!

We have fundraisers in the works, and know that blessings will come in unexpected ways! We are expecting, and when God provides, we aren't surprised, for He promised this!! God willing we will be going to Ukraine towards the end of May! No one has told us that definetely, but in my figuring of time frames of documents, etc, that is my guesstimate! That only gives us a little over 2 months to raise the money! Now, I've had my weak moments of the flesh wondering how in the world this will happen.....but God has gently reminded me that He's got this!

None of this is happening without the Lord's hand on us. We couldn't make Julia say yes, that she wanted to be in our family.....that was God moving in her heart! We couldn't make the first money come in.....which we needed to get the process started. None of this would take place without the hands of the Lord blessing this! All He asked us to to was answer His call to adopt. We said "yes", so He is working all the other things out!

Thank you for reading this blog, and I look forward to sharing more with everyone along our process!! I also look forward to soon sharing the winner of our current raffle. The raffle is for a chance to win your choice of either a $500 visa gift card, iPad, or Kindle Fire. Tickets are $20 each, and if you are interested in buying one, please email me  amythorpe7@charter.net. I hope that you have a wonderful evening and weekend, and that the Lord will show you more of His love and peace than you have ever known!! Although many have already seen this picture, here is our family! Julia is 4th from the left, with the rest of our family! We are all surrounding her just as we all surround her and cover her with prayer daily!!

Good afternoon friends! It is "quiet" time in our house right now! Of course the dryer is running, I hear pages of books turning as the kids are reading them, and randomly hear a "mom, how much longer"!! LOL, I'm trying to teach the children that we ALL need quiet times, not just kids!! Mommy needs hers too!! Often the kids fall asleep, but sometimes not! I'm limiting their time today, so bedtime will be smooth sailing! It's been a productive day, with school accomplished, some housework done (including some extra helping hands), and some fun (mostly for the children, but I love hearing them play!). So I figured in this quiet of our house, I would blog a few things on my heart!

We have had so much support in preparing for the adoption, but with that support also comes the "disapproving" comments, looks, or whatever form they may take! The first one we received wasn't horrible, but suprising as we thought the person would be very supportive, knowing our stand on children and our desires to one day adopt! This came from a very close friend. We've accepted it, and moved on, and know that there are seasons for everything, even friends! You love them, but not everyone has to agree with what you are doing!

Recently we received another "disapproval", from a not really shocking source, but the words keep ringing in my ears. "I think it's great that you want to adopt, but you shouldn't ask others for help. You shouldn't do it if you can't afford it." When I read these words (it came in an email), I have to be honest, it hurt. I cried, and tried to hide if from Jarrod, b/c I didn't know if I wanted to share it with him. I had to search the validity of this, should I not be asking others for help?? This has been very humbling to ask for help, I've always had to do things for myself. So why is this so bothersome? Acts 2 talks about the people in ...the CHURCH coming together and sharing and distributing all that they had.

When we've shared our story, and sent out letters and starting raising support, we didn't twist anyone's arm, we simply asked to partner with us, in prayer, with financial support, or whatever way the Lord laid it on their hearts! It's the Lord that moves people, not Jarrod and Amy! I was thinking back on relay for life, the police benevolence funds, aids funds, all these different WONDERFUL organizations that daily call and ask for support.....for the chance of saving lives, furthering research, whatever their cause may be! Well this is our cause, to save our beautiful girl from a life of possible destruction. I feel honored that God has called us to this, I feel honored that the Lord is humbling us even more by having to ask for help.....b/c we are truly learning to lean on the one true source, and that is Christ. God is doing this, we are just sharing what we are doing, and of course doing fundraising (just like any good and worthy cause does)!!

After recieving this email (which I did finally share with Jarrod after I wasn't so emotional!), I started thinking about others that ran in this circle of friends. Jarrod and I talked about not hearing from them, not a phone call saying congrats, this is awesome. So we figured that they probably feel the same way, although they are active Christians. I found myself wanting more and more to know if we had their approval, so I started to send a text, but the Lord wouldn't let me. He said "why are you doing this adoption, for the approval of others or for ME"? Ouch, I have to admit, that one shocked me. I thought, but Lord they will get it, I just want to make sure. He reminded me that He has called US for such a time as this. Some will get it, some will not. Even Christians will not fully grasp the concept of what we are doing, even the asking for help part! We've also realized that many won't get it b/c they feel convicted about it, or something is stirring in them that they aren't yet ready to grab ahold of. So many times offense comes b/c you are doing something that others have been called to do, yet aren't doing.

So, I leave you with a bit more of my heart exposed. I still haven't shaken completely the email, I guess I'm still a bit emotional about it. I know, it's crazy, b/c I know it's the enemy's way at trying to get to me. So each time it comes up, I just cast it at His feet. And I won't lie, I have to do it SEVERAL times a day!! One last thought, I just read from a friend on facebook....."Every person wants so much to be accepted. But you cannot be accepted by the world and be effective for the Lord." ~Dr. John MacArthur, Jr. Be blessed my friends, and rest in His love and grace!!

Good evening friends!! Today has been a beautiful day, but filled with many, many emotions!! Church was awesome followed by some amazing fellowship! It was wonderful to be encouraged, edified and prayed for with all things concerning the adoption! It's encouraging that so many are for us and holding our hands us on this journey! I am constantly amazed at what the Lord is doing! We've had gifts given from some that just know we are adopting, without knowing what all will be involved with costs, etc. I know that the Lord is providing the means for this adoption, and it won't be the way that Jarrod and I may invision it!! God has a perfect plan, and we are learning to let go of our plans and move forward in His plans!! For example, the idea of having this cute little family (not that we aren't cute, lol!), perfect home, nice suv. We are ready to trade everything in for the chance of saving lives, changing a child's destiny that the enemy has deemed ruined. I'm ready for that 15 passenger van, that house that is simply filled with love and not necessarily material things! I used to want all the things"normal" people wanted.....like the material toys, putting my kids in every sport they wanted to be in, shopping sprees, cool cars, and the list goes on.....I wanted to better myself and my family, as I believe the American dream goes. Well, I have a better dream, to live what God has called pure and undefiled religion, which is found in James 1:27 "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world."

Although the great support, there are a few who have objected what we are doing. We do this not for ourselves, we do this because the Father has revealed His heart to us, and we are being obedient to the call He has placed on our lives!! While I have wanted to "defend" our cause, the Lord has shown me that He is our defender!! Psalm 59:1 "Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me." This is such a relief, b/c I know that God will defend those that rise against me, but I'll admit it's also hard to chew on at times! Out of natural reaction and needing to justify things, we want to defend! A friend reminded me of Matthew 5:11-12: “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." This is a comfort, for we are BLESSED!! When someone comes against you, it does make you question things, and I always search what they are saying to see if there is any truth! This too can be humbling, b/c many times the Lord may be speaking something through this person!

So in my evaluating our lives and our love for our daughter Julia, here are some things that God has revealed to me, and it's so beautiful!! I have 3 birth children...Noah, Hannah and Jonah. Each time I was pregnant with these children, I loved them before I even saw them! The Lord placed them in my womb and handpicked me to be their mother. I had a love for them that I had never known before, it was AMAZING, well I should say is AMAZING!! I would lay down my life for them. John 15:13 says "Greater love has no one that this, than to lay down one's life for his friends". A mother and a father understand that love. We will never understand that love to the magnitude that the Father does, but we grasp a little of it with being a mother and a father!! I would go to the end of the earth to get my child, I will fight for them and their protection, I will recruit others to help me if I need something out of my hands for them.

This is no different than our love for Julia! When we met her in December and were able to spend 9 magnificent days with her, there was no DOUBT that God had placed the love of a mother and father in our hearts,and He handpicked us to be her parents! It was just the same as He did when we were pregnant with our other 3 children, only she's a bit older!! It is not something we can force, it is something that only the Father could do and put in our hearts! So with that being said, we are ready to fight for her, run to the ends of the earth, ask others to help us bring her home to us! We want to save her life from a life of destruction. God gave us this vision and He will carry it about! He has put some amazing friends and family in our life to walk with us through this, and it's slowly coming together! It's not cheap, it's not easy, but we will do this. We understand this is our hearts, this is our calling, but the Father that has called ALL Christians to walk out James 1:27, so when others join in this effort to bring her home, they are operating in pure and undefiled religion!! I do believe that the Father speaks to hearts and moves them, even in the unbelievers hearts!!

So with that being said, we are beginning our first fundraiser! We are having a raffle, and we have 23 friends so far committed to helping us sell raffle tickets! I am overwhelmed with the love and support of this, but I am also expecting that the Father will move on hearts!! I had been stressing on fundraising, then God put this amazing family in my life (who is also currently walking the adoption process), who gave me some amazing fundraising ideas and encouragment!! So, if you haven't heard about the fundraiser, here's the info!! Buy a $20 ticket for a chance to win a CHOICE of ONE of the items: $500 gift card, iPad, Kindle Fire. We will hold the drawing on 4/30/2012. If you are interested in buying/selling tickets, please contact me via email @ amythorpe7@charter.net. We believe this fundraiser will be a success!! We have a few more things coming up too!!

So thank you for letting me share a bit of my heart and I pray that God will bless you with an abundance of Him over this next week!! Leaving you with pics of Jarrod, Julia and I; Tan, Ryan, Chelsea, Julia and Hannah; and our family!! Good night!!

Why Ukriane????

Good evening friends!! I just got the kids to bed and figured I would sit down for a bit and blog! I don't think I've had anyone directly come out and ask me this question, but I've heard others ask....why Ukraine?

Here's our adoption story and how God has put all the pieces together:

A few months ago God spoke to me in an awesome way! Our family was getting ready for church, I was drying my hair and Jarrod was in the shower! As I was drying my hair, God told me that we are going to adopt. We had said it before in passing, but never seriously! My heart starting racing and jumping for joy, but I also realized that I can't be the one to tell Jarrod....it had to be God! When Jarrod got out of the shower, he realized I was all giddy! I told him that God had shared something with me, but I knew that God would have to tell him. He wanted to know, so I told him to which his reply was "Ha, yeah He'll have to tell me!"About 3 weeks later, Jarrod came to me and said, "ok, we are suppossed to adopt."

We started talking about how we want to go about it, and decided that we should adopt here locally because there are so many children here in the United States that need homes. We also wanted to adopt younger children. We wanted Noah to be the oldest, and didn't want to interrupt our birth order. But we also realized it wasn't right now that we are to adopt, so that would give us time to find that child in our age range! I'll be honest and say, I was upset when Jarrod told me now wasn't the time.....I told him if we were pregnant, we'd have a baby.....but He reassured me that God had said it wasn't time.

So we talked with Noah, Hannah and Jonah about adopting these children that don't have families, or a mom and dad. Their hearts became burdened for these forgotten by the world, so we daily began praying for the children that we will adopt! They prayed for them, we prayed for them that God would prepare our hearts as well as the children that we will adopt! This was awesome because the childlike faith is amazing!

In my connections from the past on facebook, I realized that a friend and his family were in the process of adopting some handsome boys from the Ukraine. I messaged him and told him how excited I was and that we would be praying for them, and shared our desire to one day adopt! A few weeks later my friend contacted me to let me know that a ministry that they were involved was bringing a group of orphans from the Ukraine. (This is how they found their boys!) He said he thought Jarrod and I would love being houseparents! All you do is go in and love on them and be parents to them for a few days! We were a little concerned b/c of the language barrier, the children speak Russian. But we prayed and felt like we should move forward!

It turned out that Christmas weekend was the only weekend opened, so we took it! We really didn't know what we were getting in to! We came in completely intimidated, but within a few minutes, we loved all the children! I won't give all the WONDERFUL stories that we have to go along with our time with them, but those may come later! ;) But I will say, our world got turned upside down. We fell in love with a beautiful girl, who God gave us a love for.

We didn't go looking to adopt, in fact, we were completely against adopting older, so we knew we would be "safe" b/c the youngest child in this group was 8. We went just to love on some children and we ourselves learned what love truly is! I'm so excited and honored that God has called us to this. My heart breaks at the thought of ANY child being without a family.....both locally and in other countries. We are all called to different things and the most important is to follow the will of the Father. His will for our family is to adopt this beautiful 13 year old girl, and it has been confirmed in MANY ways! I sometimes find myself questioning whether this is to be (of course quickly realizing it's crazy to question), only to get another confirmation!

Not everyone understands, not everyone agrees, many don't want to talk about it, and if I start on it, I get so excited that it's all I want to talk about! We aren't doing this to please anyone, to get applaud, or for selfish reasons, we are doing this because the Father has turned our hearts to the ones the world has forgotten! My prayer is that we will keep adopting, keep being able to love on these children that need loving. It's not cheap, it's not easy, it's hard, you learn patience.......but it's so worth it! We are only beginning, but God has already been there with us every step of the way, and I know that He will continue to be!

Most that know us, know that we aren't "rich" with worldly things. However, we feel very "rich" with the things of the Lord! We don't have the money to do this, but God does! This has been a very humbling thing. I've always been so independent, and do not like asking for help. But I have to ask for help. But God showed me something really awesome yesterday. We aren't asking for help for us. We are asking others to join in to what the Lord is doing! You are doing the Lord's work when you bring her home, not Jarrod and Amy's! How awesome to be a part of God's work! I'm really overwhelmed at the love that friends and family have poured out on us! The support has been overwhelming, the donations bringing me to tears, and the encouragement wonderful!

See, I seriously could go on and on!! Through all this, God is showing me quite a few things in my life! I'm learning to love my own birth children in a new way, learning who really believes in me and supports me, and unconditional love.....among other things! I'm learning not to defend myself, for there is nothing to defend.....we are following God's plan for us! We can't get ahead of Him, and we can't make things happen!! All of this is out of our hands.....we are COMPLETELY WALKING IN FAITH! A wonderful spiritual growing experience this has become!!

Thanks for listening to our story. We hope that through this we will be able to minister to others, and help others realize the need for what God has called us to "to care for the widows and orphans" James 1:27. We are to be His hands and feet, and He is the Father to the fatherless, so what are we waiting for?? Be blessed my friends!!

Digging in the past.......

So, beginning this adoption process has been, for the most part, an easy thing! There have been mounds of paperwork, lol!! But we are moving right along, which brings so much joy to our entire family, b/c that means we are one step closer to bringing our daughter home!!

I have to admit, the homestudy, while mostly easy, has some pretty tough things in it! Like these wonderful things called self studies. We have to answer questions about ourselves, like.....what kind of mom are you or would you be.....describe yourself.....what's your role in your home......there was a total of 8 pages of these kinds of questions......which equals NOT EASY! You don't want to pump yourself up to sound like a saint, b/c we all know that no one is......but you don't want to sound like a horrible mom! You have to find that perfect balance! Thank goodness for a WONDERFUL social worker, who interviewed us prior to these, but in simpler form, so we were somewhat prepared for our essay of self studies!!

Then there was the interview about childhood......hmmmm, can we say a little dysfunctional? As I told her a few things, she just sat back. I said, let me tell you my story, then you go from there and type what you need! I told her that I was sorry that I had such a crazy life story, but she said I wasn't alone, that she's had plenty of others with a dysfunctional childhood! Some may know, life wasn't perfect as a child, but then again, who's childhood is perfect!! I'm praying that my children will experience a more stable childhood, and at this point, they have! My children have a mother and father who love them with all their heart and soul! We've dedicated them to the Lord, for they are His, and we've only been allowed a certain amount of time to train them!

Now, I'll go back and say that I was conceived out of wedlock, when my parents were fresh out of high school! I was an uh-oh baby to them, but I was not to my GOD. Some wanted my mom to abort me, one of which was my father (some think I should harbor anger at this, but I have forgiven him just as the Bible instructs us to). My mom chose life, for which I am so grateful for! When I was about 3 or 4 months old, my parents divorced. My mom remarried when I was 4, and my stepdad adopted me. My brother and sister were born a few years later, and life for all of us changed drastically.

With many different sicknesses and diseases, my mom was in and out of the hospital for about the first 8 or 9 years of my brother and sister's lives. So therefore, I stepped up many times to playing the mom role. I ended up leaving home at 18, and it wasn't a good leaving, but I left. I'm now 32, and all I can say is I am thankful that I am not who I was.

I was the good girl, the one that many wanted as their own daughter. The Lord graciously gave me a few spiritual moms, who helped me along life's journey. I also realize I was a major people pleaser.....God's still helping heal me from this!! There's so many things I could say, but I'll just say this.....my childhood wasn't perfect, but I am who I am b/c of many of the things from it. I know what dysfunctional looks like, therefore, I know how to keep my family from it (or at least the things I saw).....I know what divorce looks like and a marriage not unified, therefore I work even harder on my marriage, b/c I know things to keep from........I know how control and manipulation can make a child feel, therefore I will not be this way towards my children.......I know what emotional abuse feels like, therefore I will not abuse my children.

I recently went through an inner healing class and one of the things that we learned is that our parents did the best they could with what they knew.....based on what their parents had taught them. I don't fault anyone, I don't blame anyone. I'm not saying things were easy, in fact, at times they were very hard. The Lord has been so gracious to let me forget many, many things......and if you ask me for specifics, there are very few that I could probably name for you! But I also have realized lately that there is family from my past that harbors much anger and unforgiveness towards me.....and it hurts. Recently I have had many personal attacks in a public forum from a family member that should love me. This is a hard one to swallow, when this person really doesn't know me.....or the person that I am today. They hold on to the past, and can't seem to let it go. I've kinda had it though....so today I emailed (because they cleared stated they didn't want to talk with me) an apology. I have done everything the Father has instructed me to, now it's up to them whether they will harbor bitterness, anger and unforgiveness. I'll be honest.....I not real sure what I am asking forgiveness for other than general hurting of feelings.....but I felt like the Lord said do this. I want to be able to stand before the Father in the end and say that I have done all I can to be found blameless.

I'm not perfect now, and have never been! I'm thankful that the Lord is moving me along in my walk with Him. And just when things start moving forward, the enemy is there to slap me in the face with something else to drag me back. I will not listen to the lies of the enemy that says I am a horrible person. I know that I am a child of the most High King, and I will walk victoriously!

So all this preparing for adoption is bringing up many more things other than the current things. I do believe that God is allowing this to help me to heal and move past the past! I believe that He is showing me things that are still in my heart.....some good and some (honestly) not so good! I have a choice....I can shelve it, like I seem to have done for the past 14 years, or I can face it head on with the Lord and His Word. His Word says that I am new creation in Him, that the enemy has no place over me, and so many, many other things! I'm excited to bring this out, so that I never have to visit this hurt, frustration, anger, pain, belittling again!

I just needed to unload a bit....my heart was hurt today, but I have a wonderful healer named Jesus that is mending it as I write, He is refreshing my heart, and reminding me that I am created in Him. I am His daughter and I am fearfully and wonderfully made! I can also do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me!! So who am I to argue with Him.....God created me after all!! I fall, have many times, and will many more times......but He picks me up and I keep trucking!! I boast in my weakness, b/c I am nothing without Christ!

I pray for anyone that is reading this that you will ask God to search your heart....and reveal any hurt, anger, unforgiveness, or unworthiness that you may feel......and that you will release that to Him, and allow Him to heal you....and in turn heal any hurt relationships that you may have in your life. In Jesus name.

Here is another picture of our beautiful family! I realized that my blog is about 5 faithful Thorpes.....I might need to change the title.....or keep it up, b/c one day I believe that we will have 5 children or more!! For now it's 4, and that makes my heart jump for joy! One more tidbit.....our sweet girl has been sick and in the hospital. I sat our children down last night and talked with them about it, and how we really need to pray for her......this is their sister and our daughter, just like they are our children. They all individually prayed for her, and it was so genuine and loving, and it blessed me so much more than I can fully put in to words. They already see her as their sister and love her as such.....they are all ready for her to come home, and so are we! Good night!

The battle is raging........

Good evening friends!! I realized that I needed to update life in adoption, so here we go! My title is "The battle is raging", it's from a favorite worship song around here! When you decide to adopt is a battle! Currently, things are going good, but we also realize how very ticked off the devil is at us!

A couple of weeks ago, we were given an answer to one of the most important questions ever in our life! While the children were here at Christmas, or better yet we were there with them, we fell in love with one very special 13 year old! We knew she shared the love, but we didn't know if she wanted to be in our family! When she was asked, she said that she really likes us, and I am the mom that she would want, but she wanted to think on it. We were COMPLETELY at peace about this, b/c we've learned the hard way not to jump in a decision, so here this sweet girl wants to take her time. This is a big decision.....going to join a family that already has 3 children, small children at that!

We did get to spend a little more time with her, even going to the airport to see all the children off. To say this was one of the hardest things is a major understatement! We felt like we were putting our daughter on the plane, yet she hadn't even said yes yet! Many tears were cried, some of the most were by our daughter Hannah, who is only 5. She didn't understand why the children had to leave, and didn't want them too! She brought a few of the adults to tears! After saying goodbye, we headed home and immediately began the homestudy process.

This was definetely an act of faith....see, we need around $25,000 to bring her home to us, and it's broken down in many ways! The day that we found out she said yes, we had $300 come in! A huge blessing! Our first homestudy appointment we were to pay $800, and at that point we had only raised $425, so we had to fork out the other! Now, let me add, we don't have a lot of money! Jarrod had just gotten paid, and we felt that we were to go ahead with this, and trust that God would send the money, although we needed to pay bills with the extra $375 that we spent! So we did it, and the next week was a real test. I cried out to the Lord and asked Him if we got ahead of ourselves. Should we have waited until financially things were better for us? Should we have gotten things better in order for us to begin the expensive adoption process? When I shared my concerns with Jarrod, he said yes we are to adopt! I had no doubt in my mind, just wondered if we went too soon. But then, more money came in, some very generous, very unexpected sources gave us money. I cried at this sight of God's faithfulness. God has so far provided $2425 to us, and that's what we've needed to get some of the things done so far! (well some are in the next few weeks, but it's here!)

This is something completely out of my controlling hands, which I never should have anyway. God is completely in control of this situation, and that's a load off!! We've had 2 homestudy appointments, and both went great. We have an amazing social worker, and we are very appreciative of that! Our final homestudy appointment will be in our home in a little over a week, and then it will be finalized and God willing......approved! Then we'll move on to our next step! This is so exciting!

We get to talk with our daughter occassionally, although the language is different and we can't understand a whole lot.....usually I love you, I miss you, How are you! But we also get to talk with an interpreter sometimes, so of course then we have more in depth conversations! A friend recently told me that she is so excited and this is so exciting, and how fun, etc! I have to admit, this is VERY EXCITING, but it also has it's moments! When I received the email that she is in the hospital part of the orphanage, my heart sank, b/c I can't be there to take care of her. You know, as a mom, when your child is sick, you want to do anything you can to take care of them, but I can't here! I can't hug her and kiss her goodnight, have those daily moments with her right now! I know those are coming, but for the next few months they aren't here. Not just that, but this is a battle. We are saving a life that the enemy has marked as destroyed......the devil is majorly ticked off at us! I'm not complaining, we realize we are fighting, but this is not an all rosey thing, it's a MAJOR answer to the call that God has placed on the church. I am not in any way lifting us up, we just decided to answer the call, and are praying that through us doing this, that more will rise up and answer that call......it's AMAZING to be obedient to the voice of the Lord!

I appreciate all the prayers and support that we have recieved! Not all will agree with this, but that's okay, we don't do this for man's approval, we are answering the call of the Lord! I even wonder how in the world do I parent a teenage daughter, but God's hand is on us now, and it always will be as long as we are seeking Him! So this part, He'll guide us on! God is amazing us with His faithfulness, and although yes, we are being blessed with another daughter, and that in itself is wonderful, the spiritual level that the Lord is taking us to, is an overwhelming one! We are excited to take these steps of faith, and even more excited that with every step the Lord is there to hold our hands, even when we fall!

These have always been favorite Bible verses for me Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths." This is being taken to a whole new level in our lives right now! Be blessed all, and thank you for the continued prayer and financial support!

James 1:27

Good evening friends! It's been a while since I have blogged, and I felt it was time again! We've had a whirlwind of activity here at the Thorpe household.....and I have to admit it's been great! There have been times of tears, and times of joy, but we feel the presence of the Lord in a whole new way!

Let me take you back to the beginning! Back in November my friend Bill told us about this awesome group in Alabama, called Bridges of Faith, that brings orphans here from the Ukraine to offer them a cultural experience. Different families come in and houseparent them and just love on them, and have fun with them. No big deal, right? They don't speak English, but Russian. So this was a little intimidating at first!

I have to admit, we weren't real sure what we were getting ourselves into. We set up a time to go and houseparent and it turned out the only time that was open on our schedule and theirs was Christmas weekend. We had to pray about this, but thought what better way to spend Christmas than to be the hands and feet of Jesus! So we did it! We arrived Friday night Dec 23rd and were to leave some point Monday Dec 26th. The first night we probably had the deer caught in the headlights look!! We didn't know what in the world we were doing, or how we would be able to communicate. We did have interpreters, but still! Here we were staring at 9 beautiful children from the Ukraine. We got everyone settled down for bed since it was getting late and we headed to bed ourselves!

The next 2 days were amazing! We were hosted at 2 different homes on Christmas eve and Christmas day, and we were blessed! We began developing relationships with these children. We were both ready to take all 9 children home with us at that point! I'm going to back up a bit here! Jarrod and I both know we are called to adopt......but, we felt like it was for the future AND we thought it would be a younger child, like our own children's ages. The oldest child in this group was 15 and the youngest 8. Needless to say, God turned our lives around.

We prepared to leave Monday, but no houseparents showed up, so we stayed another night.....falling more and more in love with each of these children! Tuesday we had to go b/c Jarrod had to work later that day, so as we pulled out of the driveway, Jarrod broke down weeping. I have to say in our 9 years together, I have NEVER seen him do this. The Lord did a work in our lives that weekend, but He really moved in Jarrod's heart! Things worked out and about an hour into the drive we were able to turn around and go back! This was awesome b/c Jarrod was able to give his testimony! So we spent another 2 days with them, then had to head back to reality! (I'm leaving out many, many details, but they may come later!!)

We made 2 more trips to Alabama while the group was there, and the Lord revealed more and more of His heart to us, and about our family. More on that later! This was no short trip, this was a 3.5 hr drive one way, so making 2 more of those trips was kinda crazy! But it was so worth it! These children had a place in our hearts, each of them in their own way!

I remember when I was pregnant with Hannah; Noah was 2. I remember crying to a friend wondering how I could ever love another child as much as I loved Noah. I knew I would, but would it be different? But I did! Then I had Jonah, and the love just continued! Although I have 3 birth children, I realize that I have room in my heart to love MANY more children......9 of them being this group of orphans from the Ukraine! It's amazing to see the heart of the Father, and to want to walk in it!

I'll be honest, it saddens me to see the church as a whole, not walking out what the Father considers pure and undefiled religion. We have a responsibility to take care of orphans and widows. It doesn't say when our children are older or grown, it doesn't say if we can't have children or don't have children, it doesn't say if we aren't rich, it doesn't say only young couples......James 1:27 says "Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world."

Why is this so difficult? This doesn't exempt anyone....we are all called to walk out James 1:27. There are plenty of ways to walk it out.....it could be adopting those families that are adopting by taking a meal, financially helping them, babysitting, etc. It could be joining with some ministries that help care for orphans and widows and that help them find homes, families! What are you doing to help bring James 1:27 to life?

We are all so pationate about so many things, and the Lord gives us a special gift and heart for the things He has called us to. Jarrod and I have found our calling.....to work with orphans. The Lord has begun laying a plan on our hearts. It may not come to life for many, many years, but then again, it could be next year! We will be the voice for the ones that the Lord hasn't forgotten, the ones near and dear to His heart. I look forward to being able to share what God is going to do, and how He will use the Thorpe family. Our cry a few months ago was "Here am I, Lord send me." Well, we are ready and He is sending us!

We are preparing for battle, b/c we are fighting for these lives, to save them. The enemy doesn't like this, he wants these beautiful children to end up in a life of darkness. But we are here, armed to fight. We know it won't be easy, but our God promised to never leave us nor forsake us, so here we go. Please join with us in prayer as we begin this battle of loving the Fatherless, and awakening the church to the Lord's hearts for the orphans and widows.

Here is a picture of the group that we consider a part of our family! This was our first group doing this, so we know they will always hold a special place in our hearts! Some of them we will get to see again soon, and that excites ALL of us more than I could ever explain!! The morning this picture was taken was when we were leaving to go home, but everyone made sure to get up and send us off with lots of hugs and I love you's!! In this picture is myself, Vova (in front on me), Julia, Tanya, Vika, Hannah, Jarrod, Ruslan, Jonah, Zhenya (very front camo), Danil, Nastia, Katya, and Karina (all behind Zhenya). Each one holds a piece of our hearts!

I have to add one more little tid bit! Through this experience I gained so much respect for my children. Noah is 7, Hannah is 5, and Jonah is 3. They very much need their mommy, b/c they are so small and need help often! They were so giving during the time we spent with these children. If one of the Ukrainian children needed something, my children so selflessly let me go and take care of them. They never once fussed b/c I had to take care of someone else! This made my heart smile so much, b/c that means they have a glimpse of the Father's heart for these beautiful children! A proud mom I am b/c of this!