SCARLET THREADS

Scarlet Threads is a brand new boutique with most adorable aprons! You have to see how awesome and unique these aprons are! Here are two of my favorite:




Aren't they cute?! The best thing about Scarlet Threads is their purpose, their heart. Here is what I copied off of their website:

Scarlet Threads is a compassionate boutique, specializing in fairly-traded handmade aprons. We're working to transform the lives of rural Asian women through dignified and safe employment opportunities. You can be a part of our vision by purchasing one of our beautiful products!

Isn't that awesome? So by buying an apron, you are doing WAY more than just looking cute while you are cooking! You care helping these sweet hard working women in rural China have a meal on their table. You are helping them provide for their family.

Also - if you notice that your favorite apron is out of stock, keep checking back. These aprons are hand made. They are worth the wait!

ELEVENTY BAJILLION THINGS

Eleventy Bajillion - that's how many things I think about each day regarding our adoption. Big things, little things. Important things, silly things. My current thought and wonder is photography.

I am a documenter. I document everything, it's what I do (hence this blog!). I have two great cameras - one little, one big. I have a camcorder. I blog. My children have baby books that I actually write in. I stress if I can't photograph a moment or if I forget a date before I can write it down.

So imagine my concern on our upcoming (however far it may be in the future) trip to China. I know that I am going to be consumed with my new little girl, I am not going to want to be messing with a camera (at first, at least). I am going to be needing a photographer and a videographer. How will I ever pull this off?

I am mostly just concerned with our Gotcha moment. I am going to be a basket case. Not to mention I am going to be busy smooching my new little one. I will have a lot of smooches to catch up on, I can not be bothering with a camera.

So BTDT moms, tell me, how did you capture those moments? I will pay an innocent bystander on the street if I have to, but I would like to hear what other's have done or plan to do?

**DISCLAIMER** For the record, I am well aware that "eleventy bajillion" is not a real number. I also am well aware that "documenter" is not a real word. I just wanted to put minds at ease, especially those that know I homeschool my children.

DISCERNMENT

I am thanking Jesus for discernment today. There is no doubt that I have a heart for the orphan. No doubt that each little face I see on a waiting child list, tears at my heart and makes me want to bring him or her home. I have wondered when the time came for a referral how I would know if she was Jessica. Surely, I wouldn't be able to turn away any sweet little one.

Well, we requested the file of a little girl from the shared list on Friday. It was closing time, so we didn't hear back until today. My family coordinator called letting me know she was sending the little girl's info to me via email. Her complete medical record and several photos. I kind of felt numb. It was the weirdest thing. Maybe because I had the whole weekend to think about her and pray. I am not sure. Anyway, the file came, and I immediately opened it. Let me just say, this child had the most sad eyes. As little as she is, her eyes told a story that would make anyone with a heart, break down in tears.

I called Brad and told him about her and her need. The whole time I was talking to him, I knew what his answer would be, because my answer was the same. She is not mine. I felt that her need could be manageable, so it wasn't that. I truly believe with all of my heart that my precious Father was whispering to our spirits, she is not our child.

It was difficult to say no to this precious baby. I will commit to praying she finds HER family soon. Also, I am committed to thanking my Jesus endlessly for showing me the way. On my own, I would never be able to turn away a child in need.

I also fully trust when we do receive Jessica's file, we will know without any doubt in our hearts that SHE is meant for US. Sure we will have questions and concerns, but I believe the peace of my Saviour will transcend all understanding.

RACE

There are several things that I am *very* passionate about: My Messiah, abortion, adoption, and racism. Nothing hurts my heart like the latter three. Today however, I am just going to talk about racism.

I can say with 100% honesty, I do not have a racist bone in my body. I just don't see color. I never have.

Our pastor preached today on racism. It was awesome. He presented biblical and scientific facts. I learned so much! While, I thought it was awesome, and it really hit the nail on the head, I am sure he stepped on some toes.

It always amazes to me to hear people say, "Oh, I am not racist!" Yet, when you probe a little further, you discover their true heart. They share that while they are not racist, they would indeed be uncomfortable if their child brought home a date that was not their race.

Kevin (our pastor) challenged us to look at people through the eyes of Jesus. He also shared the fact that actually, we are all one race. Sure there are different people groups and different cultures, we are all from one blood. Biblically speaking we are the same. In the eyes of Christ, we are all one. In fact, he went as far as saying that genetically, there is only .02% difference between us. ALL OF US. That means that our DNA is 99.98% the same as everyone else's.

Let me ask you a question. Take a look at this picture.



Now tell me, what color do you think the person was that had this heart? A white man? A black woman? Asian? Hispanic? We don't know. We don't know, because past the melanin in our skin, we are all the same.

Speaking of melanin - we all have different amounts. Some much more than others. Some of us has what appears to be none. With blonde hair and blue eyes:



While others have a little more. With brown hair and brown eyes:



Now do I love my children based on the amount of melanin in their skin? Of course not. That would be ridiculous. So why do we accept others based on that? Does your level of melanin make you superior or inferior to someone else? Absolutely not.

Anyway, it was just a nice message today. A message that I am sure, a lot of people needed to hear. My prayer is that I can see people through the eyes of Jesus. My prayer for my children is that they find Christian mates and friends. If they chose to marry someone with more or less melanin than themselves, so be it.

Where are you on the issue?

I, INTERRUPT THIS SCHEDULED PANIC ATTACK

To say everything is fine!! I just spoke with our family coordinator, she has met with the director and everything is ok. I do have to redo a couple of things (my financial worksheet and employment letter) and have the financial part of the home study re-written, but all in all, it wont be a problem.

GOD IS SO GOOD! I love how He answers and EXCEEDS my prayer requests! I was thinking the whole time I was on the phone with her, oh gosh, I have to get busy! If I still want to be considered for the shared list in November, I have to get moving to get all of this stuff done. I didn't mention any of that to her, but she said to me, "Also, since technically, we have a draft of your homestudy, even though it needs changes, you can still be considered for a match when the list comes out in TWO WEEKS." YAY!

So you girls were right - He who started a good work, will carry it to completion! I love adding things to my "list" of confirmations that we are absolutely in the midst of HIS WILL. There is no place I would rather be!

WELL, THAT WASN'T WHAT I HAD HOPED

I got our homestudy draft yesterday. I was so excited! For about 10 minutes. I got an email after she emailed the draft that completely sucked the joy out of completing the HS milestone.

Brad is a ordained minister. Because of that, his salary is wacky. A large part of it is not taxable, therefore not listed on his w2. We meet China's reuirements of $10,000 per family member, including the adopted child. However, it "appears" that we don't on our tax documents. We have provided a letter from his employer stating his annual salary, which is in excess of the requirement. We have supplied a breakdown of the financial picture. We get a housing allowance, a health insurance allowance and a mileage allowance. Apparently, my agency isn't sure we can include those allowances in his total salary. I have explained to them that, that money is Brad's regardless of how it is designated. It is only designated that way so we don't have to "claim" it at tax time.

Anyway, I am waiting to hear back. It literally could be the end of the road for us. They may not let us move forward. I am devastated. I have no idea how it's going to turn out. PLEASE PRAY!

CUTEST THING EVAHHH!

Oh my, you guys have to check out Kim's blog post from yesterday. I am not kidding, her kids have to be the cutest kids I have seen in a while.

Their Halloween costumes are TOO much for me. My heart just can't stand it! LOL! Considering the fact that I lack any creativity (We had Thomas the Tank Engine, a football player and Barbie. I rest my case.), the costumes are just precious. Put precious costumes on the cutest kids ever, and well... go see for yourself, Cutie Patooties. Try not to feel bad about your crappy costumes. We can't all be as creative as Kim. We have other gifts though, right? Right???