The "BIG" Present... Literally

Why is it that one present on your birthday or Christmas has to be called, "the big present?" You know, "I got so and so, and such and such, but... that was my big gift." Well, a trampoline was his "big gift." In fact, after it was home he said, "That's the biggest prsent I ever got. Well, parents are biggest, then this." But, for the record, the trampoline is actually bigger than me. Ryan had jumped on trampolines at other kid's houses and really liked them. However, Iwasn't crazy about buying a new one, because I wasn't sure his long-term zeal would match the price tag. We hunted a used one and luckily our church friends had a neighbor selling one. We got a fantastic deal, $60 for this commercial grade trampoline! And, since it's hard to keep a giant 14 foot circle a surprise... he got to help put it together. He loves it.

Come to Ryan's Birthday Party!

Everyone is invited to Ryan's 1st Birthday... in America that is. It's his first real birthday party, according to him. However, he does not understand the concept of a theme, so don't ask us if we have one because he's just decided to incorporate EVERYTHING he likes! After explaining all the ideas for celebrating a birthday, he decided he wanted a "soccer parity." When pressed for what that would be, he simply said, "I just want everyone to come over and play soccer." Well, that's easy and it's what he wants. So, as I looked online for soccer plates and cups and all that jazz, he sat and thought. I asked if he wanted something different, "American stuff?" Yes, ok, so we are having an international soccer party with Americana accents. Got it. Next, the cake. Last night I showed him the cutest soccer cake, complete with little plastic player people. Again, he sat and thought. I asked if he wanted something different, "Iron Man?" Yes, ok, so we are having an international soccer party with Americana accents and now an Iron Man cake. Got it. Like I said, we're sort of all over the place, but he's so excited to just make his choices known and work everything into one party!

Our Soccer/Americana/Iron Man Party takes place at the Fortified Hills Baptist Church Soccer Fields, 4705 East Paulding Drive, Friday July 25th, 6:30-8:30 pm. Bring your soccer cleats and your water gun. Eat dinner before you come so you're not running around on a full stomach. This party is for the whole family. Join us as we celebrate Ryan's biggest gift this year- family! No gift required, it's your presence that's desired.

Independence Day

What a great Fourth of July we had! We went to see my mom and dad for a couple days in Gatlinburg. It was a double header for sure. Ryan saw his first parade. Gatlinburg has a midnight parade in order to be the first Independence Parade in the nation. So, he and I, along with mom, stayed up for that and it was worth it. On the 4th night, we wandered up in the hills a bit to get good seats for the fireworks over the city. Boy oh boy did we. We pulled the car off alongside the road. Shortly thereafter, others came along, jealous of our location. It was perfect, the trees just sort of parted and there was the sky! One other family finally stopped and pulled in behind us. Then, a local guy came and said he had been coming to that spot for 6 years. Come to find out, the fireworks were directly underneath us, literally. Just at the base of the hill we were parked on, sat all these little white boxes... which contained fireworks. We had a front row seat and I've never seen a show to that magnitude. It was awesome! I know the video is going the wrong direction, I can't figure out how to rotate it, but you'll get the point. This was the finale, about 60 seconds of it. I'm taking it from behind Ryan, just to get him in the shot. It was a great holiday, celebrating America's Birthday. Of course, while we were there, we used our Dollywood passes and rode some go-carts. We packed alot in a couple of days, that's just life for us here lately. We wish we had time to do more, but this summer is just packed with a million things to handle for this new youngun', as we say down south.

Who will cry for the Orphan?

Who will cry for the orphan boy who is lonely all his years
Who will cry for the orphan girl whose eyes have run out of tears
Who will give an orphan child the things they really need
Like home and love and family, yes who will hear and heed
Who will love an orphan child, the Bible says we should
Who will give an orphan child a loving home for good
Who will love an orphan child, the Bible says we must
Who will give an orphan child a sense of belonging and trust
We live in a culture that has it all, but tells us we need more
Will orphans without home or love ever see our door
What use is faith that fails to love the orphans as we should
God gave us wealth so we could give an orphan a home for good
What use is faith that says to a child who desperately needs a home
"Go in peace, be warmed and filled", but then leaves her all alone
How can I tell an orphan child of a God who loves them so
They'll never understand God's love, if my love they don't know
How can I tell them Jesus died to take away their sin
They won't care that Jesus died when they are dying within
God said we're all orphans here, and sent Jesus to pave the way
And if we accept His gift of love, we're a Child of God today
Adoption is God’s proof of love according to His Word
Adoption is the word of love the orphan has never heard
Adoption is God's gift of love, the love that we all need
Adoption is the orphans cry, but who will hear and heed
Who will cry for the orphan child, it's something they cannot do
But, who will cry for the orphan child? If they can't, will you?

Copyright © 2007 Gerald D. Clark Author grants duplication privileges for non-commercial ministry use only. Any such use must include this copyright notice. The Home For Good Foundation can be found at www.hfgf.org

Final Trip Complete

We have just returned from our third and final trip to Latvia. As for Jon and I, we are so happy to be finished with this part of the paperwork journey. More is to come now here in the states, but at least we can unpack our suitcases for a while! For Ryan, well, I think there is probably a mixture of emotions. Just as the enemy has sought to shake Jon and I over the last 5 months, he has tried to shake Ryan and make him question himself and his decisions. We just keep reminding one another that God has done a big work, in all our lives, and we must continue thanking him for the gift of one another and trusting Him with the path He is leading each of us on. We praise him for Ryan's opportunity for new life.

We ask for your continued prayers when Ryan comes to mind. It will not be easy, he has been led astray in so many areas; by his former parents and the incredibly tough life of an orphanage kid. However, we believe in the plan of God for his life and believe He will give all three of us the discernment, patience and direction to set him on the right path, especially as we begin to breakdown long-time strongholds, re-frame life experiences and set a new moral standard (a Godly standard according to His word) for his life. It's a gift for Jon and I to be a part of this young boy's life and we thank everyone who has walked and prayed with us in this journey. I've posted a few pictures from our trip.

In the way of continued prayer, we've only been able to raise $1885.00 towards our adoption costs. I need to finalize my receipts today from this trip, but it looks like start to finish cost for this adoption will end around $21,000. We've long since trusted God with this debt, as we knew it would be a reality of the process. Next tax year we will receive a tax credit from the federal government of about $10,000 of the costs. Until then, we had hoped to fund raise at least $8,000 of the adoption. I'm afraid this economy has kicked in and everyone is strapped. Grant organizations are being bombarded and there just isn't enough for everyone and it's completely understandable. If you are able, and feel genuinely led, to make a donation towards Ryan's rescue, please see my May 9th post entitled "status of grants/fundraising." Details are there on how to make a tax-deductible donation. We KNOW that not everyone who would like to help financially can do so. Please just pray alongside us for God to open the door of opportunity, wherever and however it may come. We will not place God in a box or any limitations on how He plans to guide us in accomplishing this feat! (Singer for hire... ha, ha)

The other two remaining prayer needs are that God will guide us quickly in the decision of Ryan's new school. We feel very strongly that he needs to be in a Christian school environment this fall. He is simply too vulnerable right now to throw him into a gigantic public middle school. Also, we've been praying all along about moving Ryan's age and whether that is the right decision. As you know, Ryan "technically" turns 15 this summer, but was only at a 6th grade education level in Latvia. Quite simply, he isn't a true 15 year old when compared to American 15 year olds. He has developmental delays as a result of the traumas he's been through. For institutionalized children such as him, that cannot enter our society at the level of their age counterparts here in the states, you can actually apply to roll back their age up to 2 years. Sounds crazy, I know, but it can be quite a gift to give a child who is severely off in their mental, emotional and social development. After 5 months of observation and prayer, I do think we need to do this for him. Pray for that process, for God's will to come to pass.

God Bless everyone who has traveled the journey with us. Your prayers have sustained us. Your encouragement has lifted our spirits. Your willingness to help has blessed us. You are our treasured friends and we pray that God is working miracles in your life as well. We pray He astounds you today with His love for you. We pray an answered prayer of this magnitude finds it's way into your life. If it does, but looks a little different than you pictured it, follow Him. He will affirm you and guide you every step of the way.

Thank you- Jon, Michelle and Ryan

"My Mom Rocks!"

Ryan was given a T-shirt that says, "My Mom Rocks!" Can you imagine how much I love that shirt? Seriously, I think it's super-fabulous. Well, without too much nudging, my precious son agreed to wear it to church today. Isn't he awesome? Also, my parents surprised us by showing up at our church this morning. A nice surprise on my first Mother's Day. Just a few pictures from My Day! Sorry to make this post all about me...

(by the way, you can always click inside the picture to make it open up larger)

Status of Grants/Fundraising

Well, we've not had the best news as far as grants are concerned. One still hasn't completed the review of our application submitted back in March. The other let us know we didn't receive an award. That one did, however, set us up a non-profit account to allow donors to receive a tax deduction for any donations made. We submit receipts to the organization for our costs, and they disperse funds to us that are collected in this account. I'm very grateful for this because the least we can do is provide non-profit status for donors to be good steward of the funds pledged to us.

I genuinely LOATHE talking about money! I also genuinely LOATHE that adoption costs are upwards of $20,000 for adopting families. This is the number one factor in Godly, Christian families deciding whether to adopt. It's not usually a matter of the heart, but a matter of the pocketbook. There are many grants out there, but many families competing for them. There just aren't enough funds to help every family and every child. I honestly wish I could do something to change this! I refuse to look at an orphaned child and see a dollar sign, it breaks my heart! But, I know the reality of costs because we are living them. We are not people to live above our means, we never have and hopefully never will. We've never lived on credit, both our parents taught us to live inside what God provides. But, we also know the stress of acquiring almost $20,000 of debt in only a 5 month window. We haven't had that kind of debt in 11 years of marriage! It's un-nerving and I regularly speak with God about it, but I find myself feeling the need to justify the debt, which I know is crazy because it's not like we went out and refurnished our home or bought a new car on credit. For heavens sake, we are saving our son. That shouldn't have such a high cost, but it does. It's not unlike someones medical expenses when an emergency strikes. I tell you, the enemy looks for ways to shake your faith. This is new territory for us though. It's times like this when I think about the prayer of Jabez, I really wish God would enlarge my territory and my boundaries. My greatest passion in life is helping these children in their orphanages. My new second greatest passion, is seeing them be completely delivered and into a Christian home. I honestly pray that God would allow me to do more for them.

For this reason alone I mention this. Many of you from afar have asked what you can get Ryan as far as a welcome gift. Truthfully, Ryan has been blessed with much. We have quite a few people in our church that have given him gifts, freely given us used items like bikes, etc! He truly has what he needs. In lieu of purchasing him another gift, I would ask you to consider making a donation to his rescue. It is just as important for Ryan to learn that "gifts" aren't always tangible things. Consider a spiritual gift, it isn't always something you can "see." In the past couple years, I've learned what a gift it is when others faithfully pray along side me! Prayer is free, but it's worth cannot be measured. In While we would never desire to make him completely aware of the costs associated with this adoption, we do think it can be a good lesson to teach him that Christians help one another in the ways they are capable. Some pray, some put their hands to service, some give financially. So, while I know it's not a "tangible" gift, for those wishing to give him something, I'd ask you to prayerfully consider a donation to his rescue. Then, when you give him a card welcoming him here, please just write a heartfelt message that says how proud you are that he is coming here forever and for that reason you desire to help complete his adoption. It points to God as the only Savior in this picture, the only true Deliverer. It also mirrors that we as Christians do nothing alone, we need one another and we need Christ.

LifeSong for Orphans (www.lifesongfororphans.org) is a non-profit Christian ministry dedicated to help meet the needs of orphan children around the world. They believe adoption, at its core, is evangelism; a vital part of the Great Commission to bring the mission field home. God desires orphans from all nations to be adopted into Christ-honoring families so they may ultimately be adopted into His eternal family through Jesus Christ. If you would like to be a part God’s plan financially, you can make a tax-deductible gift to LifeSong for Orphans. Write “preference Vernon Adoption” in the memo section of your check. Deadline to have funds received is June 30, 2008. Send your gift to LifeSong for Orphans, PO Box 40/202 N. Ford St, Gridley IL 61744

We're home... again!

We returned from Trip #2 last night. What a fast and furious trip! Court was a little nerve-wracking. This court was in an actual courtroom, 9 people present; Me, Ryan, My translator, Our attorney, the Orphanage social worker, the Tukums Court director, the Judge, Court secretary and Prosecutor. Yikes! It was the real deal this time! I had the "pleasure" of a new prosecutor that had never done an adoption case, so I think he wanted to prove to everyone that he knew what he was doing. He asked me every question listed in the adoption laws, though all had been answered a million times over in the paperwork. Oh well, all gave their final consent and approval to the adoption and as of May 7th, 2008, we are the official parents of Mr. Ryan Blake Vernon. The court takes 14 days to finalize the verdict, then there is a 20 day waiting period, then we can pickup our verdict. So, about 5 weeks from now, we will revisit Latvia again and finalize all the paperwork for the adoption. Next trip looks to be around June 15-21st. Thanks for your prayers, we are weary, but home!

School Days... ???

Ryan and I have been very busy. It's nearing the end of hosting signup, which means I am trying to get any and every opportunity to speak about the orphan hosting ministry. Between last Sunday and today I've had 5 different singing and/or speaking opportunities. One was in the evening and as I was leaving Ryan said... "you are going to talk about me again?" Funny, but yes, I'll be talking about you for the rest of my life. I followed up with, "don't you want to hear me sing again?" He quickly said no, then followed it up with, "but I hear you sing every day." Truly though, he's been a great sport about accompanying me to the daytime functions.

Ryan is LOVING having a soccer team. This is his first chance ever to be on a "real" team. He loves the team concept. All during the week he talks about his game coming up on Saturday. Coach Dad is, of course, "required" by law or something to teach him about American football. With that, Ryan asked me this week if his Upward team won the next 7 games in a row, did they get to play a big, final game? As you can see, the sports are running together and there's been too much superbowl talk! (Ha) Yesterday I used the NFL draft to point out that the people sitting at those tables with those athletes were their momma's and daddy's... i.e. I will always be important...always! And, one day when he has his name etched on a table sign, I will gaze ever so sweetly into the camera and wave to everyone and say, "that's my boy." Now I just need one of those Chunky Soup commercials to come on so I can further illustrate my point, that momma's are FOREVER important, not just at draft tables but in his subsequent commercials as well!

Oh my, now my need of prayer! While we never considered this before now, we are now and find ourselves in new territory. Observing Ryan, getting to know him, realizing the special needs he has to build foundational, key things these next couple years in particular... we are considering and entertaining the idea of Christian School. This is for several reason. This is not about dogging public education, seeing as we are both public school teachers. Ryan's class in Latvia was TINY. Now that he's gone, he said there are 3 remaining 7th graders! His entire school was in sort of a small two-story house. Plus, he is not a fan of crowds. If there is a crowd, he would just as soon find a way out of it. He's quite social, but larger group settings just make him a little uneasy. So, throwing him into a 1000+ enrollment strikes me as something he's not ready for. He will also need very patient teachers. He has alot to learn, not just in subject matter, but in boundaries, cultural norms, social skills, etc. This first year will be critical in how he embraces schooling in America. In that regards, being surrounded by Godly people who will practice grace, mercy and loving discipline, will be a priceless addition to his growth and maturation here.

Finally, he's been surrounded by the "world" for so long. I want to think he's paid his dues in full to meanness, abuse, apathy and cruelty. He's more than seen the darkness of humanity, he's lived it. I think he deserves and needs to be surrounded by love, salt and light. I pray he never again has to re-visit the depths of human sin that he has witnessed. Everyone should pray their children never experience such, but mine already has.

This schooling decision isn't as much about his protection as it is about his redemption and his restoration. We as humans and sinners don't deserve much of what God blesses us with. But, every once in a while, he just blesses us for our patience and faith. I'd like to think that's how it will be this fall for Ryan. He isn't perfect, but he's had a certain amount of faith and patience, he's held onto hope when everything around him was screaming otherwise. I'd personally like to think this is God's plan, just to bless my son for holding on, not growing hard-hearted and not becoming bitter. Joel 2 says, "I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten." I believe God is opening our eyes and placing this idea on our hearts because He himself wants to bless Ryan with an environment that is loving, kind, gracious and patient. For how long? I don't know. I'm thinking at least 2 years, 7th and 8th grade. Then, if he's ready and grounded, maybe he'd like to go to high school with his dad. I can't see the future, only what I feel led to right now and this is how we are leaning. We would ask for your prayers. As public educators, we are not wealthy people and this type of education is not free. We desperately need God's wisdom and guidance starting now. One thing we're praying about is if it's God's plan for me to get a position at such a school, that would certainly help, as the children of employees are on reduced rates and it would be an answer to two prayers 1) our son's education and 2) where does God plan to plant me this fall job-wise?

Everything is our world is so new, not unlike many other brand-new parents. I pray alot. I cry alot. Not because I'm sad of course, but I just look at the face of this precious commodity God has given me. I feel so vulnerable and, at the same time, he looks so vulnerable to me. Not in the natural of course, but I see the condition of his heart. You know, I have my first Mother's Day coming up and I'm more than a little excited! I was thinking in church this morning, if someone asked me on my 1st Mother's Day what I loved most about my child, what would I say? Others could draw on their child's strength's and accomplishments. They could reference all the wonderful things their child has done. But, I don't even know entirely who Ryan is yet! I don't know all his strength's and bless his heart, his first accomplishment might have been the red star (for best defense) he won at the Upward game on Saturday. The only reason I'd be able to give is... because he's mine. And, know what, that's pretty good reason to me! God Bless everyone! Thanks for your encouragement, thanks for reading, thanks for praying!

2nd Adoption Trip Coming Up

I got a call this morning. Our 2nd of 3 court appearances in Latvia will be Wednesday, May 7th. The 2nd court appearance is incredibly simple and short, yet requires one parent and the child's attendance, if over age 12. Appearance for the 3rd court requires an elapsed time frame of 21 days minimum after the 2nd court. So, it's possible our 3rd and final court completing his adoption could be late May/early June. We have an additional legal issue we need to enter into here in the US, but can't start until his adoption is complete. It would be wonderful to begin that at the start of the summer so hopefully everything regarding him legally could be complete before school begins. God is in control of all these dates and times, He's moved this child along so fast that we can barely keep up! It's just greater evidence that He too wishes him to be able to begin his new life without any more strings or legal proceedings.