~Consultation~

I met with Night Light Christian Adoption agency today. I have to be honest, I was thinking about canceling my appointment because I'm trying to not focus on the process too much until after I finish school (June), but I decided to go anyway. And I am SO glad that I did! I had an incredible meeting with the President and International coordinator (Ron & Kate) in the Loveland, CO office. They were extremely authentic, encouraging, and helpful. I felt extremely comfortable and thankful for the questions the had for me as well. We discussed domestic and international adoption- but we definitely spent more time talking about the international process. They work in many different countries- but the most exciting part is they work in Central Asia: Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and are currently pursuing working in Uzbekistan! I very much enjoyed our conversation about the nations and people of the world that hold my heart :)

I still have not decided on whether or not I will pursue domestic or international adoption - but for today my heart and mind are focused on the beautiful children of Central Asia! I am also praying about adopting an older child up to age 8 years old ... we'll see where God leads.

Agency

Wow- first let me just say I feel like I have been researching agencies for months no years! ha... okay it hasn't been that bad- but really after what seems like 5+ hours for 7+ days my eyes are starting to go cross-eyed. Totally worth it though!

The agency I am planning to work through is called Nightlight Christian Adoptions www.nightlight.org. They serve the states of Colorado, California, and South Carolina - ironically I have lived in all three of those states! - the only one missing is Wyoming!

They are located up in Northern CO (Loveland) and I plan on being up there this weekend and some of next week - so hopefully I will be able to get an appointment and start my home-study process.

I still have not fully decided on a domestic or international adoption. I have been considering Kyrgyzstan (country is closed right now--too much corruption), Kazakhstan (country is on hold right now--working on Hague certification --please pray they continue to allow single women to adopt), Ethiopia (not many single women are allowed to adopt & as of this month 90% reduction in adoptions) or domestic (intercultural adoption). Please pray for this decision and for my sweet little boy/little girl out there- somewhere :)

I have been completely overwhelmed with everyone's support, encouragement, excitement and prayers! I appreciate you all so very much!! THANK YOU!!

start of something great ....

For the last four years this blog has been about me. Just me. Well this blog is about to become a place were you all get to walk through an amazing...terrifying...surreal...joyous...expectant...faith-filled....challenging...journey with me.

.I.
.am.
.going.
.to.
.be.
.a.
.mommy.

...........what?!..........you're pregnant?! but I thought .............

Ha. No... I'm not pregnant ... but I feel like I just found out I'm expecting - not that I know what that feels like -being that I've never been pregnant before. Anyway..on to the point.

I AM ADOPTING.

Whoa. I know. Let it settle. You read it right ... I am adopting.

-But you're single.
-Yup

-But you're only 27.
-Sure am

-But ...
-But- God.

About 3 years ago- my heart became burdened for the orphaned. For children who needed love- for someone to hold them-hug them-and encourage them. I have been praying about adoption/foster care ever since then. Not seriously looking into it - but the passion- hearts desire has been there. So whenever I would start thinking about it, I would pray and ask God to lead me and show me when.where.how.if.,etc.

Being that I was not married 3 years ago- nor am I now- I have been wrestling with the idea of adopting as a single. Is it right? Biblical? Fair to the child? and all the other questions you may be asking yourself right now.

A couple nights ago I clearly heard the Lord speak to my heart- that yes- I am to pursue adoption. And yes -the time is now. I felt overwhelmed by the answer- the response. Me. I get to be a mommy? I'm going to get to share the love that is overflowing in my heart with a precious child who has no mommy or daddy- who has never had someone invest their time.energy.and love into them. Who sits at an orphanage and wonders if anybody will ever come ... if anybody will ever love them.

I have so much love to give --- it is bursting out of me --- and I cannot keep it to myself any longer. I know that this child will not only feel loved by me, but by every one of my family members and friends! I cannot think of a better family to bring a child into --- nothing is more precious than the children in our lives. I think of my parents- who have the biggest hearts of all time and what amazing grandparents they will be, all the cousins he/she will get to play with, the aunties/uncles who will encourage them!

This is not the way I have ever pictured my "family" - but I know God is faithful.good.& I can trust His plan. Now that I have surrendered my will to His and said 'Yes' the picture of my "family" is looking pretty amazing and I cannot stop smiling.

From here on out this blog will be about my adoption journey. It may take years ... but it began 3 years ago when I first began to pray about it and it began between March 16th & March 17th, 2011 in the early morning hours that I said 'Yes' to becoming a mommy & praying for my son or daughter for the very first time.

I appreciate your prayers and support during this process. I am clueless as to where to begin --- but ready to take that step.

Friends.&.Adventures

My good friends Justine & Katie

... who I had not seen in over 2 years, met Colorado for the first time last week. We had such an adventurous-fun-filled week! I love spending time with friends that you can pick up where you left-off, even if you have not spent enough energy or time investing in your friendship over the years gone by. I am so thankful for these two precious friends. It meant the world to me that they took the time & extra finances to come and visit me. It just so happened that the time they could come was over my birthday - which made my day/week extra special!

Justine & Katie experienced the sights, sounds, ever changing weather, and people of Colorado throughout the week. We spent time in Colorado Springs by riding the Cog Rail up Pikes Peak - exploring the Garden of the Gods - experiencing the interesting society of Manitou Springs - walked around the beautiful Broadmoor hotel- relaxed & was pampered at a day spa - hung out with the animals at the beautiful Cheyenne Mountain Zoo- and enjoyed the cultural side of Colorado by watching the Broadway show 'Legally Blonde'.





... us on the Cog Railway going up Pikes Peak ...





*Garden of the Gods*




*Broadmoor Hotel*



We enjoyed Northern Colorado as well (Loveland/Estes Park/Ft. Collins)...

Snowshoeing and being in awe of the indescribable beauty and majesty of Rocky Mountain National Park (our favorite day of all!) Enjoyed the most delicious breakfast at the Blue Bird Cafe' (if you ever go to Ft. Collins, CO you should really eat there! It will change your life- and your waist-line).






All-in-all we had a wonderful time hanging-out, catching up, laughing, and exploring CO together. I am so thankful for friendships with special people - and these two are definitely that. <3 you girls & until next time ...

LoVe

C.S. Lewis- The Four Loves (about the vulnerability of love):

"To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly be broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket—safe, dark, motionless, airless—it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable.…The only place outside Heaven where you can be perfectly safe from all the dangers and perturbations of love is Hell."

the sun goes UP the sun goes DOWN

Hello again friends! Hope you all are having a wonderful New Year! Can you believe it is already 2011? You know, we probably say that every year "Can you believe it is _____ already?!" You think we would start believing at some point?! ha ha.

So as I mentioned in my last post I haven't really written in a long long long time and so much has happened this past year it would take a book to catch you all up... so I figured I'll just write about things as they happen or I think about them.

....

Exciting news: I started a new job last week! I know, you're thinking, 'wait-didn't you just start a 'new' job back in July?' and yes, you would be correct. Through a surprising turn of events and conversations with some leadership I am now working in Compassion's Marketing department. I am a part of the Donor Relations team and support four of our regional relationship managers. A very exciting part of this new job is getting to hear more about and engage more with our Leadership Development Program (LDP). Sponsors provide funds to help students go to college...an incredible program! Even though there is a lot of new information and processes to learn I am really enjoying the challenge and new group of people I get to work with.

....

Crazy news: I'm training for a marathon.Ha! I know. CRAZY! So far I'm really enjoying it ... I'm at the beginning of the training program and so far my long runs haven't been too bad ... I'm running in the Big Sur International Marathon *along the coast*Hwy1*California.

Once again it has been too long.

Well hello there friends! I sure am great at writing posts aren't I?! I mean seriously aren't you tired of reading my writing?! ha... I post like once a year. Ridiculous. Pretty sure last year around this time I said I was going to start making it a priority to blog---well now you all know how good I am at following through ;)

Not sure where to start or what to talk about. I went on an Alaskan cruise in September ... absolutely incredible! Trip of a lifetime indeed! I went with my Grandma Trafton and my dad to celebrate her 79th birthday. I always told her I wanted to take her on a trip of her choice before she turned 80. So off to Alaska we sailed. Well not technically, we relaxed on a big cruise ship while the crew did all the work... so "sailing" is probably not the right word to use :)

Alaska was breathtaking. Pictures definitely do not capture the true essence of the incredible landscape that is Alaska.







We saw whales... eagles... seals... lumberjacks...dolphins...lumberjacks ;) I had a friend at work tell me the best place to find a husband is Alaska. Men out number women like 4 to 1 or something. Don't quote me on that statistic... but I'm seriously considering moving to Alaska... ha... okay not really. But yeah there were lumberjacks, they were buff. 8-)

Well I don't really want to write everything that has gone on for the last 4 months in one post so this will have to do. Enjoy the pictures!