Wrecked for (His) Good

Bringing L and J Home...FOR GOOD!

2012-02-14T03:44:00.001-08:00

Deuteronomy 31:6 "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Today YOU have a unique opportunity. Two precious young boys, J and L are waiting for a forever family...specifically OURS. We were officially matched October 13th and the USCIS approved their visa applications on February 7^th (Scott’s birthday). The authorization to travel is expected in the next 6-8 weeks.

As you may already know from our original post, we are stepping out in faith to adopt these 2 little toddler boys (our girls are 9 and 11) with the younger having complete hearing loss. God has brought us this far, and He will not leave or forsake us...EVER. Jo Anna is possibly not returning to work in any substantial way...any time soon. In addition, L's medical bills alone will be impacting the family budget. Currently, we are confident that we can provide for our soon-to-be family of 6, but the initial costs are immense. This is where you come in. You get to be a part of something so much bigger than ourselves. You get to be a part of a story and get to help unite a family with their little boys. L and J are about to be orphans no more. Please help us so we can travel without having to worry about funds.

In celebration and in an effort to raise the funds for this trip we're offering a chance for your very own iPad!

Here's how it works. A fellow adoptive family was kind enough to donate a brand new iPad because they understand the financial strains put a family that chooses to adopt (in our case, 2 children at once). There is a helping others paypal donate button on my blog in the upper left hand corner. You can donate there by Paypal or credit card.

Donate $25 for 1 opportunity for the giveaway. You may choose to donate more than once. ***DEAL: 2 opportunities for a $40 donation! Also, If you believe in what we are doing please consider spreading the word:

1. Repost on your blog or Facebook.
2. Tell others via email and other media.

We believe this will be our last fund raiser, with the goal of finishing off the purchase of airfare (2 adults and 2 children). Cutting for a Cause contributions made up the difference for this and accommodations. Entries will be numbered in order of donation receipt (displayed on blog) and the giveaway will be random.

The fine print disclaimer. In order for this FUNdraiser to happen we must raise at least $3000 for it to be ON! We need just 120 folks at $25 each to do this. We will announce when we hit that point and once we do, the giveaway will end 7 days later. This is NOT a r-a-f-f-l-e, please do not mention that it is. This IS helping to bring children into their forever family!

Visa applications approved!

2012-02-08T05:25:00.000-08:00

Praise God! We found out late yesterday afternoon (on Scott's birthday!) that the U.S. govt has approved the boys' visa applications! They now have to be scheduled for a 2 day medical exam and then the visas and passports will be processed. It normally takes 4-6 weeks from this point before we get authorization to travel. We are praying we can travel mid-end of March, but we know to expect the unexpected...

2 Samuel 22:50 Therefore I will praise you, LORD, among the nations;
I will sing the praises of your name.

Jo Anna

Thankfulness and Praise

2012-01-16T11:43:00.000-08:00

Yesterday we were blessed in so many ways! At least 60 people received haircuts compliments of the wonderful stylists at Progressive Image Salon and Day Spa.

A huge thank you to Debbie Jones for organizing this event and for all of the stylists and volunteers who made our Cutting For A Cause event possible. Thank you to each and every person who came out to join us and who so generously donated to help bring J and L home to their "forever family". It brought joy to our hearts to spend time with each one of you and for your support of our family. Words cannot fully express our appreciation.

We are happy to announce that the total raised was $1,533! We are still short by approximately $2,500 of what we believe we will need for travel to the Philippines. God has already moved mountains and we know that HE is faithful to provide the rest needed.

We are also so thankful for the staff at Christian Adoption Services who went above and beyond to see that our home study update be completed in a timely manner! Our homestudy is now complete and ready to be mailed off to the USCIS tomorrow along with the other documents requested.

We are praying that we will receive authorization to travel some time in the month of March. Nonetheless, we have learned to expect the unexpected!

Ruth 1:8 "May the Lord show you kindness as you have shown kindness...to me."

Jo Anna and family

Providential Provision

2012-01-09T09:23:00.000-08:00

Philippians 4:19 "And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus."

As we were so eloquently reminded this Sunday at Salem Chapel by substitute-teacher and my friend Bill Ketner, the "new" commandment given to us by Jesus is just that...a commandment. John 13:34-35 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” The Greek word used there is entole and speaks of "an order, command, charge, precept, or injunction" (via BibleStudyTools.com Greek Lexicon). Hmm. Sooo, in other words we don't have a choice? Correct. Have I always abided by that "rule"? Nope...no way. BUT, by God, I should. Jesus Christ came to earth, lived a sinless life, and paid the price for my sins (and yours as well, if you call upon his name - John 3:16) and rose again on the third day. God so loved the world...so loved me, that I ought to love others. Just. Like. He. Did. I appreciate the chorus that the worship band sang near the end yesterday: " Oh, praise the One/Who paid my debt/And raised this life up from the dead." He deserves my unending devotion...that which I fail to do, but strive to otherwise. Part of that is to obey His command to love, just like Jesus did and still does today (love us).

Now step forward to the reason for my post -- and backward (huh?) to the verse at the top -- God's provision. One of the "names" of God is Jehovah Jireh (English translation, if you will): The LORD will provide (Genesis 22:14). Just as He did for Abraham by supplying the substitute for Isaac with the ram, He still provides for His own today. We re-evaluated our adoption financials today. Wow. Our God has already provided for us, His children for our future children by His calling. We have miraculously paid $18,405 of the anticipated minimum of $29,015 that the adoption of L and J will cost. Again I say WOW. All this is in addition and during some unexpected expenses such as a new air conditioner, car repairs, a spinal fusion surgery and 4 months living on short-term disability and a mission trip to Guatemala for our entire family. Amazing. But wait...there is more.

We still have around $10,610 to go. We don't have that much in the savings right now. We have -- being transparent here -- around half that. Yep. Now, remember we had a great poinsettia fund raiser that yielded $1200 and have 2 more events scheduled...a hair cutting event and an iPad give away. We are trusting that He will provide for us through people like you -- our family and friends -- through these opportunities to partner with us in bringing our boys home. Trust. Webster's defines that word as the "assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something." We know what our God is capable of....we just need to believe it despite the circumstances. We must actually have faith that Jehovah will provide. After all, He loved us enough to send His Son. I am reminded of His command to love, just like Jesus did and still does today (love US). "...(our) God will meet all (our) needs..."

We have found our home/We have found our peace/We have found our rest/In the one who loves/He will light the way/He will lead us home/As we offer all/To the One who saves us...Forever His love endures/Forever and EVER! - The One Who Saves by Hillsong/Ben Fielding

Scott

A Timely Reminder-The Great Equalizer

2012-01-05T07:08:00.000-08:00

A Prayer from today's devotion-Dave Keesling's A Journey: Life in Real Time:

"Lord, You are the great equalizer. In Your presence, no one can stand. My best righteousness is like dirty rags compared to Your glory and majesty. Father, there is nothing I can bring to You by which I can be made worthy. I am like every other man or woman in Your sight, fallen and sinful and desperately in need of the redemption that can only come through the sacrifice of Your dear Son."

May the attitudes of our hearts be honoring to God.

Jo Anna

Cutting for a Cause Event and Adoption Update

2012-01-02T10:57:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

Progressive Image Day Salon and Day Spa in Winston-Salem is sponsoring "Cutting for a Cause" as another means of assisting us with the remaining funds needed for L and J's adoption. For a minimum donation of $15 you will receive a shampoo and haircut by one of their professional stylists. They are located at 3538 Vest Mill Road, 27103. and the phone number is 336-760-1292. The event will take place on Sunday, January 15th from 2-6. Please contact the salon for more details. We hope to see you there!

Thanks to USCIS (said with irony), we now have until February 5, 2012 to submit a new home study update in order for the boys' visas to be processed! This is mainly due to L being classified as "special needs" due to his severe hearing loss. Our new home study must show the resources available to us and ways in which we will specifically parent these two little boys. Of course, not only is there now increased expenses for the home study update and the $350 processing fee to USCIS, but it also delays our travel to bring the boys home from the Philippines. Please pray that things move quickly and that we will be approved upon submission.

Jo Anna

Another hiccup...prayers appreciated!

2011-12-22T16:33:00.000-08:00

Hiccup. Yep. Anyone who has gone through the adoption process knows there are many hiccups along the way. The hiccups usually drive us a little crazy and lengthen the time it takes to get our new kids...

More documents and information is being requested before our petition for the boys' visas are approved. We are hoping we can quickly receive and forward the information needed. But it is Christmas. And New Year's. And things often come to a screaching halt this time of year--both here and overseas. But God is sovereign.

Sovereign.That was Scott's "word" for 2011. And boy, have we both learned alot about God's sovereignty this year. My "word", you ask? Abide. Yep, we have been doing a lot of that this year, too.

To quote one of my favorite verses: Romans 8:28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. "

We would covet your prayers as we patiently, or not so patiently, navigate through this latest hiccup.

We're coming to get you , L and J. Soon. Hopefully, soon.

Jo Anna

Cutting for a Cause

2011-12-13T16:30:00.000-08:00

Lord of all the earth/we shout your name, shout your name/filling up the skies with endless praise, endless praise/Yahweh, Yahweh...we love to shout your name, Oh Lord!

- excerpt from "At Your Name" by Phil Wickham

We are human. Yep. I know this is a surprise. I hope you were sitting down for that one. We get discouraged...we get beat down (especially by a certain employer who will remain nameless, though it might sound kind of like Beavis)...and we get exhausted, especially in the adoption process.

All kidding aside, we are in awe over the way God has blessed us in regards to the adoption -- in His time, in His way -- and the event announcement below is another example of that. We had a successful poinsettia sale, raising nearly $1,200! For that we praise He from whom all blessings flow. That leaves us with around $3k to travel. For that, we also praise Him. Why? Jesus Christ gave everything for me -- for you -- on the cross, why would I believe He is going to abandon us now? I don't. His grace is greater than any problem I have, and He loves me like I am His own...because God adopted me into His family in 1994. Please check this out...

Progressive Image Day Salon and Day Spa in Winston-Salem is sponsoring "Cutting for a Cause" an another means of assisting us with the remaining funds. For a minimum donation of $15 you will receive a shampoo and haircut by one of their professional stylists. They are located at 3538 Vest Mill Road, 27103. and the phone number is 336-760-1292. The event will take place on Sunday, January 15th from 2-6. Please contact the salon for more details and to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins are welcome, however. We hope to see you there!

The Crawfords

A Time to Reflect: Conditional or Unconditional Praise?

2011-11-21T09:27:00.000-08:00

Psalm 106

¹ Praise the LORD.^[a]
   Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
   his love endures forever.
² Who can proclaim the mighty acts of the LORD
   or fully declare his praise?
³ Blessed are those who act justly,
   who always do what is right.
⁴ Remember me, LORD, when you show favor to your people,
   come to my aid when you save them,
⁵ that I may enjoy the prosperity of your chosen ones,
   that I may share in the joy of your nation
   and join your inheritance in giving praise.

This time of year, our focus is on thanking God for the ways and things He has blessed us with. And we thank Him often for His Word, family, friends, provision, the measure of health He has given us, our freedom, the list goes on and on. And we should live a life that expresses our thanks to God and others regularly.

As I study this psalm, if I am honest, my prosperity, joy, and praise (vs 5) are often dependent on my cirumstances. In our human condition, it is HARD to praise God in the valleys, disappointments, broken relationships, poor health.

God is good ALL the time. May His praise be continually on my lips.

Jo Anna

Christmas in...October??? (Adoption Fund Raiser)

2011-10-11T17:11:00.001-07:00

(UPDATED)
We have been an approved prospective adoptive family by the Inter Country Adoption Board of the Philippines since February 2010 and now are officially matched to bring home our 2 sons! In August 2011, we were notified of the brothers newly listed to the Special Home Finding List. Their ages are 3 years and 20 months old. We have recently learned that the younger brother has severe to profound hearing loss. We are stepping out in faith to adopt these two special little boys. We hope to travel in early 2012.

Adoption can be very expensive! We have currently paid over $7500. In addition, we anticipate needing over $19,000 for fees, expenses, and travel within the next 3 months. We are approximately $5000 short of our immediate need.

We are asking you to partner with us and help with our adoption expenses by purchasing 1 or more poinsettias for this holiday season. We are willing to deliver to western Triad (Winston-Salem and surrounding) area.

FAQs:
When do I need to have the order in by? Initial order - by Friday, November 5th. ^^^^We can and will take more orders after this date (this was to the be the largest delivery)
When can I expect to receive them? Tentatively the week of December 5th (contact us if you need them earlier)
How big are they? Cannot give a specific size - LARGE, select plants in 7 1/2" pots with 6-8 'blooms'.
How much are they? $15 per plant.
Can I get a specific color? Yes - email us for details.
When do I pay? Upon receipt/delivery.

***If you are not local, would you be interested in making a purchase for a local nursing home, assisted living or other organization? If so, please pre-order by emailing Scott at wreckedforgood@gmail.com. Be sure to include your contact information.

Thank you for your consideration in coming alongside our family and helping us bring our sons home! Feel free to contact us at 336-945-6010, text Scott at 724-816-2797 or our adoption agency with any questions: Christian Adoption Services in Matthews, NC at 704-847-0038.

Scott

Our Adoption Story

2011-10-11T17:10:00.000-07:00

For our 10 year wedding anniversary (May 2007), Scott gave me the option of a piece of jewelry or for us to go on the Christian MusicBoat Cruise from Miami to Jamaica. I chose the cruise. That spring, I began to be interested in researching foster care and adoption. I really didn't know why I was so intrigued by it. But he kept putting people and situations in my path that involved those 2 topics. The topper was on the cruise when David Nasser preached from Isaiah 6. The title of his sermon was "God wants to ruin your life." Well, it was there that God told me (not in an audible voice) "I want you to adopt." In my spoiled, sinful state, I didn't like that proclamation very much. In fact, I wrestled with God the rest of that trip. I was MISERABLE. Scott didn't know why. I wouldn't tell him. Our trip pretty much sucked thanks to me. I just prayed that if this was in fact from the Lord, that Scott would also come to that same conclusion. I wouldn't push him. In fact, I prayed privately about this for about 6 months before I even mentioned the subject of adoption to Scott. At first, he thought I was crazy. But I asked if he would pray about it. He said yes. We began praying about it as a family as well. Of course, the girls were onboard from the getgo.

On Monday, Jan 12, 2009 Scott called me right before I went into my BSF leadership meeting. He told me he believed God has called us to adopt, he was onboard, and let's started! I was so happy. Deep down, I never even thought we would get to this point. I knew it was God. Just a few days earlier, I had learned about an adoption information expo that was going to happen at a local church. I asked Scott if we wanted to go to the "Hands of Hope" Adoption expo that weekend. He said yes. It was there that we began our process together.

When we received the initial info on S (SHF listing) in Jan 2010, everything looked good. Even though I believed the Lord had called us to brothers, I really thought "S was the one". It was only after we asked additional questions and received the email (through ICAB) from the foster mother in February 2010 that the Lord made it very clear in several ways of confirmation that S was NOT the one.

Ever since then, we have prayed for clear confirmation from the Lord. Some sort of connection or something to confirm to us who our children are. Ok, here's what I believe is the connection: The date of the adoption expo was January 17, 2009. The date of the social worker's first visit to J's home was January 17, 2009. L of course wouldn't even be born for another year. When I read through their cases again the other night, the Lord reminded me of that date. I went through our adoption paperwork and found a bulletin from that expo. Although I may be crazy, I believe the Lord showed me that as confirmation that he planned for J and L to be in our family. To me, that is no coincidence.

I know that God's plans are not our plans. I truly hope that I am not going to be disappointed again by unfulfilled expectations. I pray that we are in the center of God's will and that the Lord continues to confirm. Isaiah 30 says ²⁰ Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. ²¹ Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”

Jo Anna