I couldn't know then, that God was, once again, weaving another beautiful strand into the tapestry of my own life. Last year, while we were fundraising and paper-chasing, the Rogers family committed to bringing home two beautiful babies from the Ukraine. Erika and I began messaging each other, because they are in Virginia, same as us. We made plans for our family to visit them once we had our boys home, too. The process to adopt from the Ukraine is super fast and so, Erika's babies, Clare and Malachi, have been home for about 6 months.God began to unite our hearts and friendship blossomed.
Erika had been quiet on facebook for awhile, busy helping Malachi and Clare adjust to life with 5 siblings. I want to give you a look behind the scenes as God astonished Erika and I. Our hearts fell in love with the same girl and when I began to holler and pray for Bernadette a family, I had no idea God was going to call my friend to step forward. On March 13th, Erika sent me the first message about Bernadette and Mason, not because I was advocating for Bernadette (she didn't know that I was) but because she wanted to share with her friend and ask me to pray. Here's how the conversation progressed over the next few hours...
From Erika to me: Can you please pray for us. We are in the process of committing to Bernadette and Mason at 39, we just can't say anything yet. We have only been home 4 months so the finances are not where we would like them to be for the adoption. A little scary, but know God is calling us to do it.
My response: Erika! You're going to commit to my Bernadette? I'm seriously crying here. We'll help you! Have you seen our Praying Them Home blog? We're committed to helping the kids in 39 come home. I cannot believe it! I'm so thrilled for you! When will you be able to make it official?
Erika: Hopefully in the next 2 weeks they will be moved to the MFFM page!
Then, we exchanged a couple of messages about home study agencies and the cost of this adoption. Went on about our days and that evening I received this message from Erika...
OK, so now I'm the one in tears. I have been such a slacker lately with reading blogs, etc. ( my children have no idea why I don't have time). Beautiful tapestry, that's what you are friend. I had no idea what you have been doing for our Bernadette. Sobbing like a baby now. Just cannot wait until we are all face to face with our children.
God, friends, that's all I know to say about that. God! Don't ever doubt that God is in every little detail of our lives. He loves us so much more than we can ever know! If all of this weren't enough, a few weeks later Erika is messaging me asking for a hotel recommendation in our area, because they want to come down and support some other adopting families in their fundraising efforts. I immediately said, "Call me, I know a place." It was a great JOY to open our home to our friends for a weekend and love on them. I hope we were an encouragement to them, as they certainly were to us. You can see the pictures of their beautiful kids here: Rogers' Family Visit.
I hope you're all hanging with me still. I hope you're encouraged by the mountains God has already moved for Bernadette and for Mason. I promised this family that we would not abandon them. They never reached fully funded on their first adoption journey to bring Clare and Malachi home. They made great financial sacrifices (I know, they'd rather I not share that, but it's true). They knew the money would eventually come back in the form of a tax refund, but it was still a sacrifice. The thing is the tax refund won't happen for Bernadette and Mason's adoptions. This family absolutely must be Fully Funded! I can't think of anything braver than stepping out only 4 months after arriving home to go back again. What amazing "YES" people my friends are.
The financial mountain alone is huge. I'm working on a giveaway to help tear down the mountain. This post is getting long, so I'll share the giveaway this evening. In the meantime, if you have something you'd like to donate to the giveaway, please contact me and let me know. You can email me at mamarhodes@live.com.
Or you can just head over to the Rogers' Family Sponsorship Page and make a donation. Every dollar helps. There are no small or big gifts in God's Kingdom. He's excellent at multiplying the seed. He just needs us to begin to plant and water. Will you help my friends? Will you rally for our Sunshine Girl and precious Mason?
They are worth it! Let's lay up some treasure in Heaven, where moth and rust can't destroy it. Love an orphan, it will change your life.
Pray, Adopt, Advocate, Support...
Hidden in Christ,
Mandy
truly amazing!!! God's big picture is an awesome thing!
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