An Amazing Auction: Generosity & Awe

 

  When I had the idea of doing a Facebook auction to help us raise the remaining funds for the adoption, I had no clue that in just a matter of 36 hours, the auction would be LIVE. And within just a day or two of that, we would have well over 20 businesses contact me to donate incredible products, gift cards and items!  The generosity of the donators was nothing short of incredible- and we felt overwhelmed by the outpouring of kindness, love and support!  As we started the auction, we really had no idea of what to expect.  And over the last week or so, we have watched as amazing people have bid on these items- on several occasions going over the retail value of the item- all in an unreal show of support!  We have to say, from the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU to all the DONATORS and BIDDERS!  Because of you, we have raised over $1,500 with this auction- bringing us closer to bring a child into our family and home, forever.

   Most people know that the adoption process is difficult. The time, energy, finances and emotions invested over the last 13 months have been challenging at times. But we feel so called to this journey and walk joyfully.  YOU all have encouraged our hearts more than you will ever know.  THANK YOU again.

   Below is a comprehensive list of all the donators so that you can support their small businesses for your future needs and purchases. Their generosity and excitement for our adoption is just one of many reasons why you should support them!

Bodywise Chiropractic Center, Donated a One Hour Massage

Missy M of Princeton, Donated a Custom Jersey Bag

Angela of Advocare, Donated the 24 day Challenge

Brittany J of Stella & Dot, Donated a $50 gift card

Alisha and Anthony C, Donated a $25 Old Navy Gift Card

Kim C and Michelle G of Isagenix, Donated a 9-Day Cleanse

Jill H of Bodycounter, Donated $55 in products

Hannah of Taco Johns, Donated (3) $15 Gift Certificates

Painter Kelly O, Donated (3) Lithographs of 'Mine for a Moment'

Ashley W of Rodan & Fields, Donated a Skin Care Collection

Ralu W of Sweet & Shy Boutique, Donated children's Bow Tie & Hair Bow Set

Tammy K of Sassy Bean Boutique, Donated a Shabby Chic Window Frame and Christmas Set

Adrienne, Donated a Lia Sophia bracelet, earrings and necklace set

Susan S of Mary Kay, Donated a TimeWise Miracle Skin Care Set

Sarah S of Arbonne, Donated the Baby Care Collection & the Neutral Eye Set

Katee of Katee Holland Photography, Donated a Mini Session & Images

Jess Z of Norwex, Donated Household Package and Travel Cloths

Rebecca W of IT WORKS, Donated Ultimate Body Applicators

Stacey of Ramshackled Treasures, Donated two Window Art Frames

Sarah E of Beachbody, Donated 21 Day Fix, Shaker Cup and Shakeology Samples

Chrissy J of Babycakes, Donated $25 Gift Certificate

Katy F of Jamberry Nails, Donated Four Holiday-Themed wraps and application kit

Shana B of doTERRA, Donated the Beginners Trio of Essential Oils

Kary T of ThirtyOne, Donated the Gifts Solution Set

Strouf of Red Shed Supply, Donated a Snap Circuits Jr toy


DIRECTIONS FOR WINNERS OF AUCTION ITEMS:

If you placed the highest bid on a single item or the highest bids on multiple items, please follow the directions below to receive your winnings:

1. Go to our PURE CHARITY site and click Donate to this Fundraiser.

2. *Donate the amount that you bid on the item NO LATER THAN DECEMBER 16th. Please be sure to NOT donate anonymously. You will receive something from Pure Charity for taxes as this will be a tax-deductible donation.

3. Contact Kate Wenzel either on Facebook or at kate@katewenzel.com. Please provide your name, what you won, address & e-mail address so that the winning item(s) can be shipped to you directly from the donating business.

4. Enjoy your winning item(s) and know that you GREATLY contributed to the adoption of a child in need of a family & forever home!

That's it! :)



**** Please be sure to donate by Dec 16th at 10pm so that the donators can ship your winnings on the 17th.

Humbled

Again, while this blog sat quiet, we have not been idle in the least! 

In October, after sending in an extensive application and then being interviewed by a small panel, we learned that we are receiving the Micah Fund Grant!  This is a grant where they match $2,000 of the donations we received from family and friends. Please check out more about the Micah Fund HERE and head to our personal fundraising site HERE for more information and details both about our story and this process as a whole.  We have been greatly blessed by those who have donated thus far!

We would be lying to say this last year has been easy. Don’t get me wrong; we are INCREDIBLY blessed and grateful. But, as I have learned while talking with others who have adopted- life seems to become full of trials, (both related and unrelated to the adoption) when in this journey.  In all of it, we can feel Him shaping us, leading us and loving us.  Anyone who knows me well knows I love the following John Piper Quote: “He is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.”  What I am learning (again) is that I often have to be emptied of myself and what I held too tightly to in order to hold most tightly to Him and therefore, find that HE is most satisfying. No amount of success, friendships, church involvement, or anything else can fulfill what our hearts were made for: something eternal. That something eternal happens to be a wonderful God- the author of joy, peace and love, of grace and truth, and of transformation. He transforms lives and we think He is doing just that as we walk the path of adoption.  While this child’s life will be changed, OURS are being changed now and will continue to be. We are growing, our worldview is expanding, and our perspective for what is important is shifting.  All of this is great, but most great things require work, sacrifice and, I believe, surrender.  Between significant health challenges, expensive car repairs and a few other challenging circumstances, we are emptied. Thankfully, that is when we most greatly cling to grace and find a peace that was allusive to us in our own strength.

The definition of humbled is: reflecting, expressing or offered in a spirit of deference or submission.  I find that we are in this place. It really isn’t something you can create or force- but through a series of trials, and when you’re in a place where you can’t move forward alone, you’re humbled.  Asking for family and friends to partner alongside us in humbling.  It is not natural to our human nature to want to share a need, or to be unable to accomplish what we feel called to in and of ourselves.  And yet, I am learning, that is the point exactly. God gets so much more glory by moving mountains. That is why so many that adopt cannot afford it themselves.  And yet, if we took that as a definitive ‘no’ to adoption, if all those before us did, how many MORE orphans would there be?  This convicted us.  We cannot let our pride, our limitations; stop us from advocating for, and pursuing the orphans.   Inconvenience, and dare I say it, hardship, is so worth it because these children who need families and homes are so worth it. 

So our lives are a poured out offering.  We can only seek to honor Him day by day, and trust that He will bring to pass what He has so clearly called of us. 

Thankful, above all, for Him,

Kate

Grants, Grants and ....Waiting

Hello friends & family!  While this blog has sat quiet, we have been so busy on the adoption front!  We have been working hard and have applied for six different adoption grants!  All together, we have spent about 20 hours on the applications, forms, essays, financial documents, reference letter gathering, etc!  It has not been easy, but it again points to the truth that adoption is hard, and yet this child's life is abundantly worth it and more!

Jeremy and I continue to grow in and through this process.  I am realizing there is no way a person can be the same as there were before they began their adoption journey.  Two verses have really been sticking out to me in the last few weeks. Again and again, the Lord has brought me to them.

I learned months ago that this adoption process wasn't going to be in my timing. As a planner, this was hard to release- but it has also been tremendously freeing to rest in the truth that HE has it all.  HE has a child already ordained for our family. HE knows the way he will bring it to pass. HE knows how all the big and minute details will fall into place.  And so, I continue to stand on that and repeat, "His will, His way, for His glory" in my heart daily.  Really, this process isn't about us, its about Him and it's about the blessed child He will gift us with.  We have been so moved by the amount of people that ask us how this process is on a continual basis. It is so encouraging to know that so many are thinking and more so, PRAYING for us in this.  A few of asked us, why? Isn't this too hard? Isn't it too much money?  It is too hard, it is too much money, for US.  BUT, it isn't too hard for Him.  And where He guides, He provides, so it isn't too much money for Him.  And truly, can you limit the price on a human life?  Should it cost $30,000+ to adopt?  I don't think so- and quite honestly I still don't get it. BUT- I don't have to. We have been called to this journey and we obey. We go forth joyfully, knowing it is part of His plan for our lives, and for this child's life.  We consider it a privilege, no matter how hard, draining, wearing, and costly it may be.

And that is where Matthew 6:21 has come in.  We have saved for years for this adoption- and still, we can't move forward because it isn't enough.  Would it be easier in some ways to spend the money elsewhere- or to keep it in savings, of course!  BUT, where our treasure is, our heart will be also.  Do we treasure comfort above His calling?  Do we treasure money more than  His will?  Do we treasure convenience over eternal joy?  This is where the rubber meets the road of our faith.  It isn't easy. Sometimes, this has been scary. There have even been moments where I have wanted to give up.  But it is in those times where I hear Him speak to my soul- clearer than I have ever felt or heard Him in my life.  He says, "I am the Father of the fatherless. I am calling you to SHOW my love for this child. To DEMONSTRATE My heart for adoption."  God is the first author of adoption. I am His because He adopted me.  His passion for adoption as a whole and for our future child specifically, is far more than I can begin to understand.

Our passion for this adoption grows, even as the cost (time, finances and heart) grows.  And we are so thankful that we are not walking this journey alone. Your prayers, your care, mean more than we can convey!

The Beauty of the Right Now

This summer is coming to a close and it has me getting a bit sentimental and nostalgic.  Is it possible to get nostalgic about moments and a season of life that just occurred? In the last several months, there have been sweet times where I have stopped short in my tracks.  I have ceased to move and simply soaked. I have soaked in the sheer joy that these two boys exude and thus, bring out from my own heart. I have realized the beauty of the right now.  The little boy wonder and curiosity.  The bright blue eyes-so-wide with amazement.    In this present, in the now, there are nuggets of growth, change, refinement, laughter, happy hearts and challenges, peace in surrender, love that is undeniable.  I don't want to miss this. I will forever remember this summer as one of hard, uncertain times and joy-filled, live-right-now moments.  And while our hearts prepare and we get more excited with each passing day to welcome a new little one into our lives, there is an unexplained feeling of contentment that comes from knowing we are in His will and blessed beyond words by the gifts only He can give.  The beauty of right now is just that: beautiful. 

Moving Mountains

Wow. This blog has sat silent for many weeks.  We hit some mountains- big ones and seemingly impassible ones.  For several weeks our adoption future was unknown. Due to unforeseen circumstances, we didn’t know if we could continue both financially and logistically.  But in His way, His timing, after weeks of silence and then within 24 hours, He literally moved the mountain.  He moved it by providing just what we needed, when we needed it in ways we could have never predicted nor expected.  He showed His faithfulness and HIS heart for adoption to us. When we hit a brick wall and by sight, saw no where to go, no way to more forward, He moved through the generosity of a couple in our lives.  Literally moments after I prayed out loud with Jeremy for Him to show us His will for this adoption, we received the call.  Time and time again in this last week, after weeks of mountains, He has cleared a path as only He can.  Logistics became uncertain, adoption is such a complicated process with so many moving parts and yet just today, as I write this, several moving parts fell into alignment in ways they shouldn’t have- in ways that seemed impossible, just so perfectly that we can continue our adoption.

There are so many lessons, so many ways He has grown us and changed and refined us these last 6-7 weeks that I think I could write a short novel.  However, Jeremy said it best when he said we were tried and tested [and have grown!] in primarily two things:

1.     How much do we trust God? 

I think it took things falling apart in a way for us to totally surrender. At this point, my planning, type-A self has released any sense of control.  Timing, provision, and the means by which this adoption will come to fruition are let go and [joyfully] released to Him.  I say joyfully because in other seasons, I may have surrendered plans, dreams, hopes, and things I thought were sure, but it was often not joyfully- it was about hitting the end of my rope and realizing I had no other option.  Walking the path to adoption has made me realize that there is no other place to be than a joyful submission to His will, His way, His timing.  That is the place of peace.  My faith has grown through this. At times, I walked by sight and felt helpless.  At other times, I clung to His promises and recognized His sovereignty and found rest in the truth that what He wills, will be.  It was just a matter of patience, of trust, and of faith.  The verse He gave us as we started this entire process in November was Romans 12:12:  “Rejoice in hope. Be patient in tribulation. Be constant in prayer.”   This has become a life verse to us.  Time and time again, when waves of difficulty and weariness come- we say this to one another, we pray it and we find that this is calling for our lives and we are learning these truths in deep ways through the journey of adoption.

2.     How much do we believe in adoption?

I will say, if we were not called, if we did not feel this call in the depths of our hearts, we would have stopped long ago. This process is draining, wearisome, full of trials and unexpected hardships.  And yet, our belief in adoption has only grown.  Our desire to fulfill the calling of adoption and to open our lives up to a child to be in our family forever, has remained.  If anything, it has deepened.  As we came against obstacles in this process, our pastor said, “Anything great is worth suffering for and the greater the cause the more proportionate the suffering must be. You have been adopted into the family of God…at great cost.  God calls you to adopt a child into your home so that His adoptive love will be reflected through your sacrifice.”

This is so true and really encapsulates our hearts here. We want to look our child in the eye one day and share that we pursued them through hardships and obstacles, we loved them with a love that couldn’t be explained and fought for them because they are worth it and because God is good and loves them and pursues them.  And truly, the cost of OUR own adoption into the family of God was Christ on the cross.  Our momentary sufferings are nothing in comparison.  Our heartaches are minute when standing next to the suffering of Christ.  The bigger picture, the full story here is one that I believe will be beautiful and full of much joy.  But we walk the line of uncertainty and the unknown in adoption. We walk the road that is less traveled and more rugged.  We follow a path looking upward and onward- because He can [and does] move mountains.

In awe of the One who moves mountains,

Kate

    

Progress

It was so fun to finally share our news about adoption with everyone we know and love last month! The response was amazing and unexpected!  It was so beautiful to feel such support and to have renewed excitement about the process. Of course, we haven't lost excitement over the child that will be placed in our home in the coming months or years, but the process is one that can drain you and so this aspect of sharing our news and having it received so joyfully, was a wonderful blessing.

Although this last month has been full for us, ( sessions, weddings photographed, including one in California, a house full of pneumonia, Jeremy wrapping up another year of teaching and in the midst of interning and classes for his masters, and more), we still managed to get our birth parent letter written, designed and printed as well as the photo album completed.

These will be viewed by birth mothers as they make their decision for adoption and select a family for their unborn child.  It was a heavy process and a huge milestone for the process!  In just a few days, we will officially be 'in the book' and eligible for being selected and matched with a baby!  We know the wait could be short or very long and anywhere in between, so we will continue living our full life, but we are excited to say that we have completed all TWELVE of our orientation meetings, home studies, medical exams, background checks, training meetings, and more in the last six months!

Because we had so many of you ask to follow this blog, we plan to update more often and also to keep you up to date with what we could use prayer for regarding the adoption and other family-related needs. :) I plan on ending each entry with the following from now on!  Thank you for your continued support, love and prayers!

Praises:  Getting through a big part of the adoption process!  Jeremy one week away from summer break. While he will still be interning for his Masters, our family schedule will ease up and allow less stress!
Prayer Requests: Please pray for the next steps in the process: the waiting and applying for grants towards our adoption!

Trusting

Another couple months have FLOWN by.  It is amazing how quickly time passes when your life is full of love, (and responsibilities).  We completed our home study in the beginning of March, and have met with a few attorneys to select which one we want to work with for this process.  These meetings were heavy- talking about worst case scenarios is not fun but is necessary to prepare.  We also have had several training meetings- discussing more about the process and preparing us to meet and work with a birth mom.  It all became very real and went from abstract to concrete fast.

At this point, we are putting together our letter that will go into a book and on our agency's website. This letter is addressed to birth mom's and shares about our lives.  It wasn't easy to write- how do you encapsulate everything you are into one letter- in hopes of being chosen to be the forever family for the baby within her womb? I have become increasingly aware and amazed at the selflessness of these woman- to carry a child within her- and then selfless choose a life that she believes will be better for the baby- it is amazing and humbling. That takes courage and strength.

We are hoping to get into the book in about a month- and then, we could potentially get a call anytime - although it will likely be many months.

We were hit with some financial challenges these last five weeks- one thing after another changed our situation a bit and made us realize we are in need of more assistance than we originally hoped.  This has been refining and humbling...but as friends have encouraged, adoption is something the entire body of Christ is called to be a part of- some through actually adopting, some through being prayer warriors and some through financial support.  We hope to apply for grants this summer and explore other options as well.  Although we wrestled with this, we have felt such continued peace overall that we are called- and where He has called, He is faithful.

In my times of prayer, I keep surrendering- and it feels so good- I have such joy in that- HE HOLDS THIS.  His timing and the child He has for us- designed and designated for our family - these are all ordained and orchestrated by Him.  I just want to be His vessel. I just want Him to be glorified. Less of me. MORE of Him.  Peace that passes understanding and joy in the waiting and trusting- these are good places to be.

Our Adoption Journey Begins

 October 3^rd, 2013

“The deepest and strongest foundation of adoption is located not in the act of humans adopting humans, but in God adopting humans. And this act is not part of his ordinary providence in the world; it is at the heart of the gospel.”   - John Piper

Jeremy and I have always had a heart for adoption.  Even when we were engaged, we discussed that we both had this desire.  Then, we struggled with infertility issues.  Month after month passed and my heart ached to be a mom.  Adoption was not a stretch for us- we both love children and it didn’t seem like a ‘last resort’.  A few months into the adoption process, we became pregnant with Isaiah.  It was a beautiful miracle.  While we stopped the process in 2009, we knew that God had only grown our desire to adopt and given us a passion and a deeper understanding of our call to this at sometime in the future.  Then, Noah was born in 2012.   Separately and individually, God kept pressing adoption on our minds and hearts.  I couldn’t understand why, as Noah was a newborn and I was so happy, blessed and content for the time being with my two little boys.  As the weeks and months went by, I mentioned it to Jeremy and found we were experiencing the same leading.  

For the months that followed, we talked for hours, researched, prayed, listened to sermons, talked more, shared this with a few close friends, read books, and talked even more.  Then, the week we were going to start the process, we were hit with some obstacles.  Our insurance costs increased substantially, we found out the adoption tax credit would not be much of a help as we were planning and we were told by the agency we were hoping to use that there was a 2-5 year waiting time. I was heartbroken.  For one moment, we thought of not going through.  After all, it would be easier.  It would be so much easier financially, emotionally, mentally, and logistically.  But within the hour, I felt again a firm sense of knowing that He who has called is faithful.  It is a sweet, amazing thing to know the will of God;  to firmly hear Him speaking to your heart, to read in His Word, His own heart for adoption.  Although this is not audible, it is something deeper, more pervasive and sure than anything else.

That week, I spoke with a friend who had just adopted a newborn domestically, and she brought me so much encouragement.  To know we are not alone in this, to know the beauty of this process.  I asked her how hard it was… the waiting, the trusting, the time period when you have the baby in your arms and must wait weeks and months before that sweet baby is legally yours- the uncertainty of that time… and her answer was perfect.  She said, “Yes it was hard, but I have never been closer to the Lord than I was during this time.”  Cleaving to Him is a beautiful thing.  And I know that there is no way to get through this process without that.  As I write this, we just confirmed our attendance for the first meeting that begins the process officially.  I feel nervous, scared, excited, joy-filled, ready and completely unprepared, all at once.  But again today, as I started to get anxious about the financial aspects, He reaffirmed that He will provide. He will take care of us- most likely in ways I don’t expect. 

So…why are we adopting?  This is a multi-faceted answer, but the bottom line is because the Lord has called us to it.  Here is a more detailed answer:

1.    Adoption is a beautiful portrayal of God’s adoption of us.  It is the gospel displayed in a real, practical way. 

2.    There is a need.  There is a need domestically; there is a need internationally.  There are birth-moms who choose not to parent, and children that cannot be cared for well and as Christians, we feel compelled to open our lives, home and hearts to a child in need. Abortions continue to rise.  This grieves us to no end.  Adoption is, in many ways, the antithesis of abortion.

3.    We love children.  We both have always loved all children.  We both have always saw beauty in multi-racial families. 

4.    This is somewhat of an irrelevant point because I believe we would adopt regardless of this, but I have very difficult pregnancies.  25 weeks of throwing up (sorry if TMI) and 24 hours a day of extreme nauseousness, followed by other complications, trips to the ER, a scary labor and delivery of Isaiah and C-sections with both boys.  We may have another biological child someday, we may not- but I am not sure I could endure another year of feeling like this while trying to care for the little ones, and run a business alone. Certainly, things could have been worse of course and it was worth every second to have Isaiah and Noah, but it puts a huge stress on our family and our marriage to have me that sick for that long. 

And so, we start this journey.  We can’t predict what will happen, how we will change, grow, suffer, and experience joy, but we do know that we will likely not be the same people at the end of this process.  We know this is a life-long commitment and this child will, without a doubt, be loved as much as Isaiah and Noah.  We know that God goes before us.  We know He has the child chosen for us, created to be a part of our family.  We know He will carry us through this, we know we cannot do this alone.  We need Him and we need you.  We need your prayers, your support, your encouragement on the tough days and your joyful celebration with us on the wonderful days.  If you’re reading this, it is because we’ve shared this blog with you- which means you’re an instrumental part of our lives.  And we are so excited for you to walk this journey with us.

For His glory and His praise,

Kate

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Nov 3^rd.

A friend of ours posted this on facebook on “Orphan Sunday”, which is November 3^rd

“You see, He had given us this desire and we knew we couldn't go wrong with being at the center of his will. It wasn't about us and our comfort, or the money, or the time. It was about these two precious ones that God see's as valuable, as loved, as accepted. Two children who have great worth in the eyes of our Creator. Two little ones whose lives have changed ours for the better, and who God has used to allow us to know His heart better. I can't imagine life without them. It's hard thinking about all of the kids who are still waiting. ‘There are 164.8 million needy children. And though at first glance that looks like a big number, 2.1 billion people on this earth proclaim to be Christians. The truth is that if only 8 percent of the Christians would care for one more child, there would not be any statistics left.’To adopt a child is to follow the lead of our God who has adopted so many.”

This was such a powerful testimony of the beauty of adoption, I had to share…

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November 18, 2013

Last week, Jeremy and I officially started our adoption process.  We went to a long meeting and learned details about the process; everything from the timeline, the costs, the legal aspects and more.  It was eye opening and if anything, made us even more certain that He is calling us to this.  We both walked away with such peace to start this process.  As they discussed the financial aspects, I kept thinking, what better reason to continue working hard, to put every cent we have towards something eternal, to know that this is a beautiful life that we can love deeply and support fully.  As they mentioned that the average wait time for a baby is over 20 months, I thought, it is YOUR timing, God.  It is YOUR way, YOUR will for YOUR GLORY.  And then, as Jeremy and I prayed on the way home, I was overcome with love for this unborn child that He has for us. With tears streaming down and a big smile on my face, I felt such joy to know we are in His will for us, and that He has already given Jeremy and I such a great love for this little one.

------

Feb 27^th, 2014

Three months have passed since I last wrote. We have been so busy with the holidays, traveling, Noah’s birthday, activities, Noah’s dedication, work, Jeremy’s schooling and many adoption related things.  At this point, we have completed our paperwork- this was hours of dedicated time answering questions, making copies, completing questionnaires, getting fingerprinted, having physicals, and more!  We are also almost done with the home study process- one week from now we will be done with that portion of this long adventure.  At times, this all feels surreal.  It is hard to believe we will have a baby in our arms at the end of this journey…which is really just the beginning. 

I have felt my faith stretching and growing. One thing I am certain about adoption is that this journey forces you to surrender entirely to Him. It can’t be in my way, and my timing- it is completely out of my control.  When I was pregnant, I felt like I had some sense of control. Of course, ultimately, I had far less control than I can imagine- but I knew the general date the boys would arrive, how to prepare, the steps to take.  This is foreign territory.  My heart feels like it is starting to prepare to have another little baby- and yet this could be many, many months or years before it comes to fruition.  Thankfully, with the two little boys, and life in general, I feel my days are so full that time, for now, is flying. 

We continue to press on to this calling- and love the baby that grows in our hearts-