Saturday, May 31, 2014

More Treasure!

We are humbled at the response to our Treasure Tees!

We thank YOU for ordering so many that we sold out of the first round!

So, in case you missed out *or just need another tee*, we are taking orders once again with every size available!

*A note on the tee sizing ~ the fitted run a bit small so you may consider ordering up a size or 2.  The classics are p.l.e.n.t.y. big.  Both are high quality, 100% cotton, lightweight shirts.


Thanks to my adorable models, Lori and Macy!

*This is the fitted tee*  


Matthew 6:21 says what we hope to live out ~ “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”


And just to let you know, the classic fit Treasure tee can be worn by the loveliest of gals AND the manliest of men!


Women’s fitted or classic, sizes S, M, L, and XL ~ $25 (includes s&h)


Women’s fitted or classic, size 2XL ~ $27 (includes s&h)

You can use the Treasure Tee Paypal in the sidebar to order yours.

Feel free to leave a comment or email me if you have questions.

Our paper journey to KOHLBY ZANE is moving right along!  We will soon submit our I-800A application to immigration, wait for a fingerprinting appointment and approval, and then it's Dossier to China time!

We have asked the Lord to give us creative ideas for raising every dime we need to get our boy home, and we want to thank Him in advance that He will provide it all!

ALL GLORY TO HIM!

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

If You Give a Kid a Hoe...

Since Mr. Greenthumb raises some of the best sweet corn around...and melons, and cantaloupe, and cucumbers...we have a lot of weeds to keep up with!  And since Mr. Greenthumb learned to use a hoe when he was "knee high to a grasshopper," we thought it was high time our Treasures learned to take care of the produce they love to eat.

It was a great idea, in theory.
He shared the special technique of proper hoeing, just as his dad shared with him years ago.
All that wisdom and sound teaching reaped the reward of...
cute little holes
and weeded tire tracks :)
But they worked as a team!


Sorta
The big boys were a team, for sure!
And then the rain came!
So, if you give a kid a hoe...
Something will grow! 



Monday, May 26, 2014

Candle Scents and a New Item!

Here are the newest scents!  These can be ordered from my Kandle Site... or you may leave a comment if you have questions.


I've got a fresh batch of homemade candles in these springy/summery/wintery favorites!

You may use the PayPal button in the right sidebar, or feel free to leave a comment with questions.
Candles ~ $12 + shipping
Scent bags ~ $2 + shipping

Faith ~ Clean Cotton

Faithfulness ~ Pumpkin Pie Spice 

Gentleness ~ Cotton Blossom

Grace ~ Hawaiian Breeze

Hope ~ Vanilla Bean & Brown Sugar

Joy ~ Butter Cream

 Kindness ~ Cool Water

New!
Scent Bags for your car and home!

Cool Water ~ white

Leather ~ black

Friday, May 23, 2014

And Speaking of Changed Hearts...

My dear friend, Stefanie over at Ni Hao Y'all has guest posted on one of our favorite orphan ministry blogs ~ Show Hope

 Beautifully written, Truthfully inspired!

Guest Post: Why does God call people to adopt?

Why does God call people to adopt?

This might seem like a question with an obvious answer. But sometimes, stating the obvious is a good thing.
For us, the call to adopt was heard relatively late in life. In fact, it was about the time we’d decided we were done growing our family the biological way. Yes, we’d told God we were His, and surrendered our plans to Him, but no more kids, m’kay?
Adoption was not even on our radar.
Almost 10 years later, we have adopted 7 children from China. Our beautiful brood has grown from 4 to 11. The Lord has done a mighty big work in our little family.
But why? Why are some of us called to adopt?
When we accept Christ as our Savior, He calls us to join Him in His story of redemption. In fact, Jesus tells us to “Go…” For each of us that is a unique directive, and for some of us, that is adoption. And when God calls us to adopt, I can testify… He can use it to transform us in a big way.

5 Reasons God Calls Us To Adopt:

1. For the orphan. This might seem painfully obvious, but oh my, does the Lord do an amazing work in the life of a once-orphaned-but-now-beloved-child. And please don’t miss this: when we adopt, it’s God’s idea. It is God that’s going in – and He asks us to join Him. If we try to get into the driver’s seat, it can breed self-righteousness and back-patting. And God wants to use all things to draw us closer to Him, not elevate ourselves. The beautiful thing about being God’s assistant in this thing called adoption is that is you get go join in His work, get your hands dirty, see the way the Lord transforms and yet He holds up both ends. He begins the work – way before He invited you in – and He promises to finish it. And then He gets the real glory. There is nothing I have experienced in my 45 years that compares to witnessing a child bloom in a forever family. It’s a beautiful thing.
Guest Post: Why does God call people to adopt?
2. For you. This might not be quite so obvious, but I would say that adoption is just as much for you as it is for your child. When God chooses those He wants to be His hands and feet on behalf of the fatherless, He already knows our hearts. And although you already (obviously!) know the Lord, He isn’t done with you yet. And nothing can change your heart for the Father like adoption. Just as He has been loving, merciful and full of grace toward us, we get to do the same – to a complete stranger. A small complete stranger, but a stranger all the same. And experiencing how the Lord uses you to lavishly love this child is a tangible reminder of how lavishly He loves you – even before you were His. He is the perfect, loving and good-gift-giving Father. And He will use the mountaintop experiences of the adoption journey as well as the valley experiences to draw you closer to Him. Just be sure to keep your eyes open and your heart soft by staying close to Him, because these brushes with the Lord will change you from the inside out.
Guest Post: Why does God call people to adopt?
3. For your family. This might have some of y’all scratching your head. But I’m sticking by it – it has been an incredible truth that I might have missed if we had adopted only once. But adoption will completely change the hearts of your other children. We had 4 biological children, aged 2 to 14, at the time God called us to adopt. And I can’t even begin to imagine who they would be without having experienced the beauty, the heartbreak, and the joy that adoption brings. Our children from China all have special needs and to watch the heart of a 10-year-old boy completely turned over because of his love for his physically challenged sister is something that changed me – just by witnessing it. In a recent candid discussion with two of my boys (12 and 14) I asked, “What would our family be like if we had never adopted?” Of course, I hadn’t really intended on asking that question and once those words were out I immediately began to think of their possible perspective: vacations missed, the huge no-frills van we drive, fewer gifts on holidays, less time with mom and dad. But they both replied in unison, “Our family would be so boring! Only God can change hearts like that.
Guest Post: Why does God call people to adopt?
4. For a watching world. This goes for those inside the church and outside the church. Because adoption is a picture of the Gospel being walked out by busted-up people simply following after a perfect God. He uses us, despite us, to care for the least of these and bring glory to Himself in the process. Of course, this doesn’t mean you’ll be embraced by a watching world – in fact, expect be excluded by some – but you can be sure the Lord will use your family as a walking testimony of how He redeems, repairs and rescues His children. That includes the grown-up children, too. And know that you won’t see most of what He does in the hearts of those who are touched by your family’s obedience to the call of adoption, but trust that He is using your story for His perfect purpose. 
Guest Post: Why does God call people to adopt?
5. For Him. Ultimately, God calls us to adopt for Him. It’s His heart that beats and breaks for the orphan, the lost, and the lonely. And it is only because He calls us, equips us and sustains us that we are able to fulfill His purposes. And I believe He delights in transforming His children into the likeness of His Son along the way.
So if you are called to adopt, count yourself greatly blessed. As bearers of the Good News, called to adoption, we get to participate in His magnificent plan to redeem what this broken world has trampled on. What a merciful and loving God we serve. And if the journey gets difficult – and it will – just remember it’s His thing, this orphan care movement. And He will finish what He has started. Because these children are His beloved.
We are all His beloved.
And when we obey the call and join Him in His story we realize this is what we were made for. We were made for so much more than serving our selves and pursuing our dreams (just 4 kids and an early retirement, please). Instead, He comes down, changes our hearts and changes our dreams. And His plan is so. much. better.

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Forever Changed


God instantly gripped my heart in 2003 as I listened to a testimony of international adoption on the radio. In the two years since becoming a Christian at the age of 36, I’d never heard of international adoption, and I had no idea there were millions of orphaned children worldwide and reputable adoption agencies who specifically facilitated placing these children into loving homes.

As God broke my heart and burdened me for these children, my prayer became, “Lord, show me what to do or give me peace in knowing there’s nothing I can do.” As I nervously shared my heart with my husband, to my amazement he said he’d always secretly desired to adopt.

When we thought our family was complete with three biological children, God set us on an unfamiliar path, the path that, over the next 11 years, would lead us to nine China-born sons and daughters. Even though we were initially overwhelmed by the adoption process and the financial drain, we knew without a doubt this is what God had in mind for us.

Our first two daughters came home through the ‘healthy child’ program, but when we found our son on Lifeline Children’s Services Waiting Child list, we soon realized we were partnering with an incredible Christian adoption agency. We would ultimately choose Lifeline to bring home six more children from China.

The process can be daunting, even to the ‘experienced’ prospective adoptive parent, especially with the rigorous guidelines implemented by the Hague Convention. The Hague standards have driven the cost of the adoption process upward, caused additional paperwork and made the length of the process somewhat unpredictable, but it is in an effort to protect the children, which is of utmost concern to Lifeline, as well as our family.

Though each time we have adopted, the process has varied slightly, the Lifeline staff has navigated our family through the journey. Their educational requirements have helped to prepare us for the various needs of our children before we travel, and the process in country is handled efficiently and professionally because of Lifeline’s knowledge, experience and good reputation with the officials in China. Once home, we are free to call on Lifeline to help find resources in the face of unexpected challenges that often come with children from ‘hard places.’

It is for these reasons that we love referring families to Lifeline when they are considering adoption. It’s as if we are all family.

But adoption isn’t just about the business of paperwork. There is a child’s life on the line. A child who has, in the very least, suffered loss, and oftentimes, unthinkable circumstances. Adoption is a physical picture of the gospel. Father God meets us where we are, 
in our brokenness and oppression, in need of redemption. As adoptive parents, we are not the Redeemer, but merely a vessel to introduce our children to God’s unconditional love, tireless pursuit, endless mercy and unwavering Truth.

We had no idea that God would use the lifelong commitment of adoption to change our lives forever. He has introduced a new culture and strengthened faith to our family. He has proven that no obstacle, whether real or imagined, is too great for Him, and He has taught us to view things from an eternal perspective. To Him be the glory!

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 
Matthew 16:21


Saturday, May 17, 2014

This Week!

Our first order of Treasure tees is due to arrive this Wednesday, and I will sort and ship them immediately!

I'm so excited to see them and to ship them to YOU!

Because we had to order a large quantity, we still have these sizes available in this first shipment ~

Fitted Small (temporarily out of stock)
Fitted Medium
Fitted Large (temporarily out of stock)
Fitted XL (temporarily out of stock)
Fitted XXL (temporarily out of stock)
Classic Small
Classic Medium (temporarily out of stock)
Classic Large
Classic XL
Classic XXL

If you have questions, please leave a comment or email me, and you may use the PayPal button in the side bar to order.

To Him be the glory!!

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Kampaign for Baby K!

Isn't it incredible how swiftly our priorities are shifted in the face of tragedy?
It tends to reveal our motives and character - yikes!
It's also a reminder that despite our plans, God's are the ones that prevail.
Apart from Him, we have no good thing.
Only things eternal are lasting; all else fades away.

That is exactly why we are running the race to bring our boy home from China!
He has some medical issues that will need to be addressed immediately, but his greatest need is a family who will love him unconditionally and teach him about a Father who has loved him from the beginning of time.

In our many discussions with the Lord before we said yes to this incredible journey, we asked Him to rain down His provision for the costly process...and He has done just that!  We are so humbled and thankful for the ways He touches the hearts of His people.

Our experience has been that it truly does take a village to raise a child...and it also takes the body of Christ to bring him home from another country.  If you'd like to partner with us in this journey to bring Baby K home, we have two immediate needs: 

1)  PRAYER
 ~ Our son's health.  His diagnosis is HIE, basically a stroke or lack of oxygen neonatally.  With love, nurture and proper medical care, we believe he will progress quickly. 
~ His transition into our family.  The joy of bringing him into our family bears the reality that he has already experienced loss and brokenness in his young life.
~ That we would rely on the Father and draw attention to Him alone.  We just want to glorify Him as we enter each phase of the journey, continuing through our son's homecoming and until we draw our last breath.

2) GIVING
~ That God would draw hearts to Himself.  When we committed to bring our little guy home, we took a leap of faith that the Lord would provide all we need for the process.  We are committed to working hard, recognizing that all good things come from the Lord and the first fruits are due Him! 

The entire process will cost roughly $34,000.  We have already been able to pay over $6,000 toward our first agency and home study fee, leaving only $1000 to go before our home study is completed in the next few weeks!

In addition to working our 'normal' jobs, we will be fundraising to raise the necessary dollars to bring our son home. Maybe you don't really want a decal, a t-shirt or to enter a drawing, but the Lord is leading you to sow into our journey.  We never take these gifts for granted!  We constantly praise God for who He is and all He has done.  After all, He took two wretched sinners and totally transformed our hearts.  We want our hearts to beat in tandem with His, causing us to respond in love and obedience.   

If the Lord so leads you to give, we have set up a "Donate" button in the right sidebar of this blog.  We don't want this journey to be about money; we want it to be about a God who does extraordinary things through ordinary people, like YOU and ME!

TO HIM BE GLORY!

Thursday, May 8, 2014

T-Shirt Winners Are...

Marjorie St. John
Lori Gardner
Dana McGill
Liz Freeby
Jodi Anderson

Thank you so much for ordering our Treasure Tee and for sharing it!
Our first large order has been placed, and I should have the shirts ready to ship by May 21!
All sizes are still available for order in this shipment except Fitted Large and Fitted XL.

To HIM be glory!

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Got Time For a Giveaway?

Y'all, the response to our tee has been such a blessing I want to give something back.

If you have already purchased yours or you purchase it by Wednesday, May 7, 5 p.m. CST, you are automatically in the drawing!

If you have already shared (FB, Blog, Instagram), or you do share by Wednesday, May 7, 5 p.m. CST, you are in the drawing!  (please leave me a comment, PM, text or email letting me know this so I don't miss you)

You may use the PayPal "Add to Cart" order form in the right-hand column of my blog, or let me know what other form of payment is convenient for you.

We will draw for 5 shirts Wednesday night!

Ladies Chocolate Brown
Fitted and Classic
S, M, L, XL, XXL
S-XL ~ $25
XXL ~ $27

To HIM be glory!!!

Monday, May 5, 2014

Ordering "Treasure" Tees Tomorrow!!

Y'all!  We are so humbled by your response to our Treasure tee.  We will be placing our first large order of tees tomorrow, so there is still time!

If you've left a comment, PM, email or text stating you'd like to order, you may use the PayPal "Add to Cart" button in the right side bar, or make other payment arrangements and we'll get you in this order.

The PayPal button will show you all the size options and allow you to choose one or more sizes.  
More details are included in my original post found HERE.

Thank you!
To HIM be glory!!!

Sunday, May 4, 2014

Treasure!

We are so excited to launch a very special fundraiser to help us bring home Baby K!  

It is the culmination of efforts by two mamas with a passion for the orphan, and a call to ponder the things that really matter ~ those of eternal impact.

Clayton and I strive to chase hard after the Lord, laying aside the things of this world.  Our reminder of this moment-by-moment race is Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:21 ~ “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

When I asked my dear Jesus-loving friend, Amy Shaw, to sketch a t-shirt design using this Scripture, she was thrilled to do so (she and Brian share our passion for Jesus and the orphan)!  

Amy has sketched a unique and personal design which we’ve made into a t-shirt specifically to help us bring our Treasure home from China.

Introducing…



Women’s fitted or classic, sizes S, M, L, and XL ~ $25 (includes s&h)


Women’s fitted or classic, size 2XL ~ $27 (includes s&h)

Leave a comment or email me to order yours!

Saturday, May 3, 2014

Without Further Delay...

...this adorable face...


...is...


....our boy!


We haven't agreed on his name, so for now he is our Baby K.  He's 21 months old and has no idea how his world will soon be rocked by a boatload of K's loving him to pieces!

His name means "Believe One."  Exactly!

May God be glorified as we run this race to our boy!!!

"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you."
John 14:18


Thursday, May 1, 2014

Congratulations To...

We have a winner, y'all!

First, I want to say THANK YOU to every single person who prayed, shared and gave!

This fundraiser would not be a success without YOU!

We praise GOD for your generosity.  Thank you for sharing our heart for the orphan.  May the Lord bless you beyond measure!

We received two surprise Facebook messages today that bring us a little closer to our home study fees ~ thank, You, Jesus!!!

And now, congratulations to...
JODIE LUND, who donated at 9:05 p.m. on 4/26.
Jodie has been notified, and her camera will be shipped tomorrow!!!

Tune in tomorrow for, you guessed it, pictures of Baby K!!!

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!

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