My Christmas Song

I usually listen to Pandora radio every morning on my phone as I get ready. A couple of days ago, the song that began to play when I turned it on, stopped me in my tracks. It expresses exactly how my heart feels this Christmas. I hope you'll take a minute to watch the video below and say a prayer for all of those that will be alone at Christmas. (Hopefully next year, our child won't be alone anymore!!)

It's Been A While

It's been quite a while since my last blog post. This is the time of year when my schedule gets incredibly busy!! For the past couple of weeks, I've been running from one singing engagement to another and from one Christmas party to another. In the past, I've been discontent with how extremely busy the weeks leading up to Christmas are for me. This year however, it's been a great distraction. A distraction from thinking about our child spending this Christmas without us.

I've also been thinking a lot about WHY we celebrate Christmas. We celebrate because God chose to send his one and ONLY son down to this earth to save us from our sins. That's a love that is almost too hard to comprehend. That's a love that humbles me every moment of every day! Why? Because I know that I have done absolutely nothing to deserve it. That love is the exact reason why we have chosen to adopt. Our precious child has done nothing to make us love them (we haven't even met him/her yet). And he/she DOESN'T have to! We love our child with every fiber of our being (yes, without even knowing who they are yet)! We love because HE (God), FIRST loved us! When you've experienced the overwhelming love and saving grace of God, you have NO other response but to love. "They will know we are His disciples by our love." John 13:35

I hope you take a moment in the next couple of weeks to really think about what Christmas is all about. Sure, it's fun giving gifts, looking at the lights, decorating the tree and even eating yummy food until you almost feel sick. If that's all Christmas is to you though, you're missing it all together. "For God so loved the world (YOU), that He gave his one and only son, that whosoever believes in Him, shall not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16

May God bless you and your family in the next couple of weeks as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

My Birthday Adption Jewelry

Today is my birthday! (I'm sure you were all dying to know that!!) For my birthday, I received a few pieces of jewelry that I wanted to share with you. For those of you that may not know me well, I am a jewelry FANATIC! I firmly believe that it's all about the accessories! LOL

I awoke this morning and found this beautiful necklace from my husband and kids!

It's from a website called Many Hearts, One Beat. I love it!
Just to give you a little information about Many Hearts One Beat, "Many hearts are touched on a vast array of levels encompassing emotions from deep grief to great joy throughout the complex journey of adoption. Over the passage of time, hearts continue to heal, evolve and transform. Many Hearts One Beat offers adoption keepsakes that honor those who travel the journey of adoption - birth families, foster families, adoptive families, all who help bring a family together & anyone who believes all children deserve to know & feel, the love & warmth of family."


The next pieces of jewelry are a couple of things I purchased for myself, with my birthday money (Thank you Nanny, PawPaw, Grandpa and Pat!)
.

This necklace and bracelet came from a lady named Heather Hansen. I came across her jewelry on Facebook and I was instantly HOOKED!! The back of the Psalms 130:5 charm says, "Waiting".
"I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope." Psalm 130:5
You can find her beautiful jewelry at www.etsy.com/shop/thehansenfamily

I apologize for not putting the direct links to their websites on this post. For some strange reason, Blogger isn't letting me do it. Sorry!

Some Days It Just Hurts

I'm having one of those days today where my heart just hurts! My heart hurts because I want my 5th child home with me, in my arms. Somedays it's easier to go about my day-to-day "stuff" without thinking, every second, about how badly I long to have our child home. Today, however, is not one of those days. I took the two younger kids this morning to Hobby Lobby to pick up a couple of Christmas decorations (yes, I'm one of the crazy people that puts my Christmas stuff up as early as I possible can). As I was walking around looking at the stockings, an overwhelming ache came over my body. The thought of my child spending Christmas without us just plain hurts! I know some people don't understand how my heart can ache so much for a child that I've never even met. Well frankly, I don't exactly understand it either. All I know is that there is a 7th person that is suppose to be in this Cole household that isn't here yet and I don't like the empty feeling it gives me. Now, don't get me wrong, I have complete and total trust in God's providence and timing. God is completely in control of this situation and in that I do have peace. As a mom though, sometimes my emotions get the best of me!(Ok, those of you that know me, know that my emotions usually always get the best of me! HA!) So, I apologize to those unfortunate people that saw my emotional breakdown in the stocking aisle at Hobby Lobby! :) I can't promise it will be the last one.

Food for Missions

A very dear friend of mine and her family are going on a mission trip to Rwanda. In order to raise funds for their trip, she has started "Food for Missions". Hollie is the most amazing cook, and so she decided to use her "food talent" to raise money for their family to help homeless, orphan children in Rwanda. You can purchase meals, breads, desserts....and the list goes on. (She'll even deliver it to you for a nominal delivery charge.)

In Hollie's words, "We want to make an impact in the life of the orphans in Rwanda. The money raised in this business venture will be used to directly support Africa New Life Ministries and the homeless kids in Rwanda."

Please take a moment to check-out her blog. I promise, you WILL NOT be disappointed in her food. If anything, you may become addicted (which I am....to the artisan and pumpkin bread)!!


http://www.foodformissions.blogspot.com

I'm Not Sure What Day I'm On

Well, since I got behind on my daily postings, I'm not sure what day number I should actually be on! Ha! So, I'll just continue without a day number.

Saturday, November 12th
Write a letter to a foster care agency to tell them thank you for what they do for children. Most of the time they have a thankless job, and that shouldn't be the case.

On a side note, I had a wonderful visit with a friend of mine and her husband tonight. I cannot express to you the joy that "floods my soul" when I hear other Christians talk about their love for orphans and those in need. It encourages me in a mighty way! Praise You, God!

I've Fallen Behind

I knew at some point this month, I would fall behind in posting daily activities for National Adoption Month. Yesterday was my oldest daughter's 6th birthday, so we've been partying around here! She asked me yesterday, "Do you think my brother or sister from Russia will be here next year for my birthday?". I answered, "I hope so! I really hope so!".

Now to get back on track!

Friday, November 11th
Find ways that you and your family can help out orphans in orphanages for Christmas. Pack care packages filled with toys and items that the orphanage itself could use to help care for the children each and everyday. It's very expensive to care for all the many children living in orphanages, so every little bit that you can give will help. Many people, in many countries, work tirelessly everyday to care for these children. Brighten their spirits this Christmas by giving some of what you have to them. We ALL have at least something we can give!