tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20957729853121869112024-03-19T03:57:26.777-07:00Isaiah 40:31“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint.” Lauren and Matt http://www.blogger.com/profile/00291641763045922339noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095772985312186911.post-76264500644385927032014-09-28T20:21:00.000-07:002014-09-28T20:21:51.463-07:005 Ways to Wait on God Well <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Ways to Wait on God Well</h2>
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Times of waiting are inevitable, but they don't have to be miserable.</div>
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<a href="http://www.relevantmagazine.com/user/236638" style="-webkit-box-sizing: border-box; color: #6e6e6e; line-height: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Joel Delgado" src="http://cdn1.relevantmediagroup.com/sites/default/files/styles/node_author/public/user/joel%20bw%20edit.jpg.jpg?itok=-uQHsF3M" style="-webkit-box-sizing: border-box; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; height: auto; line-height: 1em; max-width: 100%; width: auto;" /></a></div>
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<span style="-webkit-box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1em;">By</span> <span itemprop="author" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person" style="-webkit-box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1em;"><span itemprop="name" style="-webkit-box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1em;"><a href="http://www.relevantmagazine.com/user/236638" style="-webkit-box-sizing: border-box; color: #6e6e6e; line-height: 1em; text-decoration: none;">Joel Delgado</a></span></span></div>
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<span content="2014-06-30" itemprop="datePublished" style="-webkit-box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1em;">June 30, 2014</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Joel Delgado is a writer, sports fan and coffee enthusiast living in Miami, FL. He is a staff writer at Florida International University and blogs about faith, life and more at </span><a href="http://www.joeldelgado.com/" style="-webkit-box-sizing: border-box; color: #6e6e6e; line-height: 1em; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">JoelDelgado.com</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">. You can follow him on Twitter </span><a href="https://twitter.com/JoelMDelgado" style="-webkit-box-sizing: border-box; color: #6e6e6e; line-height: 1em; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">@JoelMDelgado</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">.</span></div>
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<span class="firstletter" style="-webkit-box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1em;">W</span>hether it’s waiting for the results of that make-or-break exam you took last week or waiting in line for a white chocolate mocha at Starbucks, we can all agree that waiting stinks.</div>
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We <em style="-webkit-box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1em;">always</em> seem to be waiting. It's a part of life. When the wait for one thing ends, we seem to quickly move on to something else to wait for. A job offer. A romantic relationship. A big break. </div>
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In a society where we are quickly getting used to getting what we want, when we want it (usually, that's <em style="-webkit-box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1em;">right now!</em>), waiting can be as frustrating as watching a soccer game that ultimately ends in a scoreless draw. </div>
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But there is value in waiting, because it builds patience. And patience—the capacity and willingness to endure all things—helps turn a passive twiddling of our thumbs into a meaningful, purposeful waiting period. Patience isn't about what you are waiting for, but how you are waiting for it. It’s about waiting well.</div>
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Patience isn't about what you are waiting for, but how you are waiting for it. It’s about waiting well.</div>
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When King David wrote Psalm 27:14, I feel like he was writing specifically to those of us stuck in the waiting room of life, waiting for a yes. Or a no. Or just any answer at all. He writes: "Wait for the Lord; be strong and courageous. Wait for the Lord."</div>
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<span style="-webkit-box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1em;"><br style="-webkit-box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1em;" />Read more at <a href="http://www.relevantmagazine.com/god/practical-faith/5-ways-wait-god-well#pDkPA08ix7zj0eZL.99">5 Ways to Wait Well </a></span><br />
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<br />Lauren and Matt http://www.blogger.com/profile/00291641763045922339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095772985312186911.post-92025487098592997702014-09-16T06:11:00.000-07:002014-09-16T09:24:10.985-07:00Our trip to FL and Puzzle Update<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We had a great trip to FL last week to meet our potential birthmom. We had a wonderful time getting to know her a little and we even got to see her stomach move as baby kicked. She gave us permission to share an ultrasound photo too. She is really active and spends her days off swimming at the beach. Most of the time she is working her butt-off though. She was so sweet and reminded me of my younger cousin in both looks and personality. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Things are getting real! And thanks each of generous donors our puzzle is <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">80% complete!</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Can you help us complete our puzzle by October? The goal is in sight! And there has never been a better time to give. If you give this week, you'll get a chance to win <a href="http://isaiahfortythirtyonelove.blogspot.com/2014/09/puzzle-fundraiser-updates-giveaway.html" target="_blank">a bundle of beauty products</a>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_donations&business=PWK5QJVUQ8T7S&lc=US&item_name=Matt%20and%20Lauren%20Adoption%20fund&currency_code=USD&bn=PP%2dDonationsBF%3abtn_donateCC_LG%2egif%3aNonHosted" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Donate Here</span></a></span></div>
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A big thank you to <a href="http://truegoodandbeautiful.net/" target="_blank">Jonathan</a> for his graphic design skills which made this puzzle happen!</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Be a piece of our adoption puzzle for a $25 donation. You are welcome to buy as many pieces as you'd like. There are 1,000 pieces total. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-We will write your name on the back of your puzzle piece(s). You can also buy a puzzle piece 'in memory of' or 'in honor of' a loved one. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-When the puzzle is complete, we will frame it in double glass and hang it on Baby Wier's wall.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Baby Wier will grow up knowing that hundreds of people played an important role in uniting our family. We look forward to showing our little one the names of all the people that made their journey home to us possible. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"How can I donate?" </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I can see us sitting down one day with our child and reading off all the names that helped bring him/her home! "These people loved you before they knew you!"</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #313131; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">We would be so honored if you were a part of bringing our baby home! To get a puzzle piece, just click on the Paypal link to the right side of this blog. Or email us at lalappe@gmail.com to get the address so you can mail a donation. </span></div>
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Lauren and Matt http://www.blogger.com/profile/00291641763045922339noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095772985312186911.post-7492916680350787212014-09-09T10:20:00.000-07:002014-09-09T10:20:59.255-07:00Puzzle Fundraiser: Updates & Giveaway!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">UPDATE: Our puzzle is now <b>57% </b>complete!</span><br />
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<a href="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_donations&business=PWK5QJVUQ8T7S&lc=US&item_name=Matt%20and%20Lauren%20Adoption%20fund&currency_code=USD&bn=PP%2dDonationsBF%3abtn_donateCC_LG%2egif%3aNonHosted" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Donate Here</span></a></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">Jaime Manion at MaryKay has generously donated a gift basket valued at $100. Anyone who donates this week will be entered in a drawing to win this awesome prize. It could make a great gift for someone in your life. Winner will be notified via email and/or facebook. </span></b><br />
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Thank you to all who have taken the time to give. </div>
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We are so honored that you've chosen to give so generously to help bring our child home.</div>
<a name='more'></a>Yesterday, Lauren was lucky enough to get to talk to our potential birthmom on the phone for the first time since the interview. Out of respect for her privacy we can't share much other than she is very sweet, hard-working and is passionately determined to give her baby the very best. She would like to meet us in person before the birth so we will be flying to FL this week. We are so excited for this big step. Your prayers that all would go smoothly would be greatly appreciated. The purpose of the visit will just be to get to know each other a little. The adoption social worker will be there too and we'll be busy exploring FL together.<br />
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We've also been in a frenzy trying to prepare a nursery and gather all the essentials. We're told mom is measuring big and could easily deliver early. <br />
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Our reality is that we cannot bring this baby home without the help of a village. Of course we feel silly begging on the internet but we see value in humbling ourselves before God and pretty much the whole world- we can't do this on our own. We aren't meant to rely on our own power. For now, we continue to work like everything depends on us and pray as if everything depends on God. We trust everything will come together somehow someway. <br />
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Again <strong>Thank you </strong>to each and every person who has joined our puzzle. <3<br />
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<a href="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_donations&business=PWK5QJVUQ8T7S&lc=US&item_name=Matt%20and%20Lauren%20Adoption%20fund&currency_code=USD&bn=PP%2dDonationsBF%3abtn_donateCC_LG%2egif%3aNonHosted" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Donate Here</span></a><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Be a piece of our adoption puzzle for a $25 donation. You are welcome to buy as many pieces as you'd like. There are 1,000 pieces total. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">-We will write your name on the back of your puzzle piece(s). You can also buy a puzzle piece 'in memory of' or 'in honor of' a loved one. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">-When the puzzle is complete, we will frame it in double glass and hang it on Baby Wier's wall.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Baby Wier will grow up knowing that hundreds of people played an important role in uniting our family. We look forward to showing our little one the names of all the people that made their journey home to us possible.</span> </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I can see us sitting down one day with our child and reading off all the names that helped bring him/her home! "These people loved you before they knew you!"</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #313131; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">We would be so honored if you were a part of bringing our baby home! <b>To get a puzzle piece, just click on the Donate link above. Or email us at lalappe@gmail.com to get the address so you can mail a donation. </b></span><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #313131; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">If you would like your donation to be kept anonymous just mention it in the pay pal message box. Thank you all! </span></strong></div>
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Lauren and Matt http://www.blogger.com/profile/00291641763045922339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095772985312186911.post-48433906111267801932014-09-05T11:24:00.002-07:002014-09-05T11:24:40.718-07:00Bringing Home Baby Girl Wier: Puzzle Fundraiser Day 2We've been SO touched by the many many people who have reached out and donated, sent encouraging words, and offered prayers. Thank you all! You will each be receiving a handwritten thank you (we're just a little behind with those:-)). <b>Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for making our dream for a family possible. </b><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Our puzzle is 48.5% complete. Can you help us get to 50% by Monday?</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_donations&business=PWK5QJVUQ8T7S&lc=US&item_name=Matt%20and%20Lauren%20Adoption%20fund&currency_code=USD&bn=PP%2dDonationsBF%3abtn_donateCC_LG%2egif%3aNonHosted" target="_blank">Donate Here</a><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Be a piece of our adoption puzzle for a $25 donation. You are welcome to buy as many pieces as you'd like. There are 1,000 pieces total. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-We will write your name on the back of your puzzle piece(s). You can also buy a puzzle piece 'in memory of' or 'in honor of' a loved one. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-When the puzzle is complete, we will frame it in double glass and hang it on Baby Wier's wall.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Baby Wier will grow up knowing that hundreds of people played an important role in uniting our family. We look forward to showing our little one the names of all the people that made their journey home to us possible. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I can see us sitting down one day with our child and reading off all the names that helped bring him/her home! "These people loved you before they knew you!"</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #313131; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">We would be so honored if you were a part of bringing our baby home! <b>To get a puzzle piece, just click on the Donate link above. Or email us at lalappe@gmail.com to get the address so you can mail a donation. </b></span></div>
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Lauren and Matt http://www.blogger.com/profile/00291641763045922339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095772985312186911.post-5483538778160070912014-09-04T10:20:00.000-07:002014-09-05T10:13:26.767-07:00Bringing Home Baby Girl Wier: Puzzle Fundraiser<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We need to take a picture of the puzzle progress thus far, but Lauren doesn't have all day to put it together. Currently waiting on our 5 year old prodigy neighbor to come over and put into together quickly so you can all see the progress:-). Here are a few of the pieces with names written on them.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Thanks to all who have donated! Our puzzle is <b>43% complete!</b> We need to get to 50% by Monday. Can you help us?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"></span></span></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"></span></span></b></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Did you know that 30% of Americans have thought about adopting? Only 1% will ever adopt. If you have a heart for adoption but haven't been able to do anything about it, now is your chance. Please consider helping us bring home our baby. This child needs a village to bring her home. </span></span></span></span></b><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Be a piece of our adoption puzzle for a $25 donation. You are welcome to buy as many pieces as you'd like. There are 1,000 pieces total. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-We will write your name on the back of your puzzle piece(s). You can also buy a puzzle piece 'in memory of' or 'in honor of' a loved one. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-When the puzzle is complete, we will frame it in double glass and hang it on Baby Wier's wall.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Baby Wier will grow up knowing that hundreds of people played an important role in uniting our family. We look forward to showing our little one the names of all the people that made their journey home to us possible. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I can see us sitting down one day with our child and reading off all the names that helped bring him/her home! "These people loved you before they knew you!"</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #313131; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">We would be so honored if you were a part of bringing our baby home! <b>To get a puzzle piece, just click on the Paypal link to the right side of this blog. Or email us at lalappe@gmail.com to get the address so you can mail a donation. </b></span></div>
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Lauren and Matt http://www.blogger.com/profile/00291641763045922339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095772985312186911.post-41305209705494399042014-09-03T08:05:00.003-07:002014-09-04T09:56:25.624-07:00It's official...we've been CHOSEN!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Baby girl Wier is on her way!</span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.lauraivanova.com/" target="_blank">Laura Ivanova Photography</a></td></tr>
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We are thrilled to announce that we've been chosen to parent a baby girl due at the end of October. We cannot believe it happened this fast. </div>
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We have no doubt that your prayers have played a huge role in this miracle so please keep them coming!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpIZ887CiTa9o86TFguUXJvqyo1unaJsZvfxKI_FJUZWwBlAnvVoR592GsTpWlEcFPjwaQSQ1reFVa1hU8LTJKzcgc7gKYOaYPxqa-u2joCeG2FDxGPI0Sv_rw2RnQIz4NWs5JzjKSAF0/s1600/006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpIZ887CiTa9o86TFguUXJvqyo1unaJsZvfxKI_FJUZWwBlAnvVoR592GsTpWlEcFPjwaQSQ1reFVa1hU8LTJKzcgc7gKYOaYPxqa-u2joCeG2FDxGPI0Sv_rw2RnQIz4NWs5JzjKSAF0/s1600/006.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.lauraivanova.com/" target="_blank">Laura Ivanova Photography</a></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Thanks to so many generous donors, our puzzle is <b>38% complete</b>! The majority of these donations have been $25. That's means we've raised over $8,000 with just a little help from so many of you! </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We need to complete our puzzle before baby Wier makes her debut. Please consider being a part of bringing home baby. <b>Click the paypal button in the upper right corner to donate.</b> </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Be a piece of our adoption puzzle for a $25 donation. You are welcome to buy as many pieces as you'd like. There are 1,000 pieces total. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-We will write your name on the back of your puzzle piece(s). You can also buy a puzzle piece 'in memory of' or 'in honor of' a loved one. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-When the puzzle is complete, we will frame it in double glass and hang it on Baby Wier's wall.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Baby Wier will grow up knowing that hundreds of people played an important role in uniting our family. We look forward to showing our little one the names of all the people that made their journey home to us possible. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We're almost halfway there! Please consider sharing our puzzle with your friends. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for helping to bring our family together. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3rka6UBF_oQOGgGbSDYxexLt6co264m1AHiyn4vTcNOVVOprdP13q-JtFYnTB9yKHkwrbKLUahyphenhyphenWfAFIbHIfnFqAVOTNS4PL_eqXH-kRsjNSxiBukxH2rSOPeVTTSpXcRHl7cg5oZZzE/s1600/059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3rka6UBF_oQOGgGbSDYxexLt6co264m1AHiyn4vTcNOVVOprdP13q-JtFYnTB9yKHkwrbKLUahyphenhyphenWfAFIbHIfnFqAVOTNS4PL_eqXH-kRsjNSxiBukxH2rSOPeVTTSpXcRHl7cg5oZZzE/s1600/059.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.lauraivanova.com/" target="_blank">Laura Ivanova Photography</a></td></tr>
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<br />Lauren and Matt http://www.blogger.com/profile/00291641763045922339noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095772985312186911.post-31973867938902080352014-08-23T14:11:00.001-07:002014-08-23T14:25:31.883-07:00Puzzle Fundraiser Update: Help us bring home baby Wier<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPK1nyBFiw7IggAcoXd7k9BS53J2i_JAmcLac5rnMR8Nd9GEiVmLiKzDLgoQDokp5l1CR2K_UQn5LQfOHGLQyNsLmZNXaqyemIej-3ALEshIKw3R4ULO9ytW_slWlGjlUfjSjhCltCNyk/s1600/029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPK1nyBFiw7IggAcoXd7k9BS53J2i_JAmcLac5rnMR8Nd9GEiVmLiKzDLgoQDokp5l1CR2K_UQn5LQfOHGLQyNsLmZNXaqyemIej-3ALEshIKw3R4ULO9ytW_slWlGjlUfjSjhCltCNyk/s1600/029.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A <b>HUGE</b> thank you to all who have donated so far. We are grateful beyond words for the gift of your kindness and generosity. We've been truly humbled by the amount of support we've received in the past few days. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My mom has been working her butt off trying to spread the word. She's offered to teach free tennis lessons for those who donate. This woman already works 60+ hours a week- talk about generosity.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There have been people at my mom's work making minimum wage who have donated $25 to be a piece of the puzzle- truly, truly humbling. </span></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">OUR PUZZLE IS 26.6% COMPLETE</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">. We still need you. </span></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"></span></span></span></b></div>
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"></span></span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"></span></span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><a name='more'></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Did you know that 30% of Americans have thought about adopting? Only 1% will ever adopt. If you have a heart for adoption but haven't been able to do anything about it, now is your chance. Please consider helping us bring home our baby. This child needs a village to bring him/her home. </span></span></span></span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"></span></span></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: cyan;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO DONATE YOU CAN CLICK THE </span></span></span></span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How it works:</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Be a piece of our adoption puzzle for a $25 donation. You are welcome to buy as many pieces as you'd like. There are 1,000 pieces total. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-We will write your name on the back of your puzzle piece(s). You can also buy a puzzle piece 'in memory of' or 'in honor of' a loved one. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-When the puzzle is complete, we will frame it in double glass and hang it on Baby Wier's wall.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Baby Wier will grow up knowing that hundreds of people played an important role in uniting our family. We look forward to showing our little one the names of all the people that made their journey home to us possible. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I can see us sitting down one day with our child and reading off all the names that helped bring him/her home! "These people loved you before they knew you!"</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #313131; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">We would be so honored if you were a part of bringing our baby home! <b>To get a puzzle piece, just click on the Paypal link to the right side of this blog. Or email us at lalappe@gmail.com to get the address so you can mail a donation. </b></span></div>
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Lauren and Matt http://www.blogger.com/profile/00291641763045922339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095772985312186911.post-48259820437962087142014-08-19T17:44:00.000-07:002014-08-23T15:57:21.598-07:00Puzzle Fundraiser: Help us bring home baby Wier!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixFoaoDYocc4t0nbysFn4Z3YukQWvMrdC0OQp94KSw008lGxdHoP7CK_OIFn6dNWffP4q94Ob0zJFLMcak6tLJHyjKQa7lByrF3n6ZHmYD_dSdqG2XSg4zGrThc5oHR4Tt-khaAADKo-E/s1600/039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixFoaoDYocc4t0nbysFn4Z3YukQWvMrdC0OQp94KSw008lGxdHoP7CK_OIFn6dNWffP4q94Ob0zJFLMcak6tLJHyjKQa7lByrF3n6ZHmYD_dSdqG2XSg4zGrThc5oHR4Tt-khaAADKo-E/s1600/039.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are approved to adopt </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">AND</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> we need your help! We won't be able to bring home our little one without a little help from <i>a lot</i> of people(if you like us even just a little bit please consider helping;-)). We need you to be a piece of our puzzle. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's not easy asking for help but we all need help sometimes. Right now, we feel God calling us to make ourselves vulnerable in this way- to invite others into this important process.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnk19QLWn5b-3VKhBaXY4sDrS37pLNpPF842n0rBU2ymwDvIznEg3kUjQp5tlg9xpv5BNhmuxt0VAyVYe3rHP6x8NnBsx8tynFwTktjRjkS7A0EU2Iep3kTYbUDZIXrvB6Y1HwlCAlS5k/s1600/001.jpg" height="265" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A big thank you to <a href="http://truegoodandbeautiful.net/" target="_blank">Jonathan</a> for his graphic design skills which made this puzzle happen!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnk19QLWn5b-3VKhBaXY4sDrS37pLNpPF842n0rBU2ymwDvIznEg3kUjQp5tlg9xpv5BNhmuxt0VAyVYe3rHP6x8NnBsx8tynFwTktjRjkS7A0EU2Iep3kTYbUDZIXrvB6Y1HwlCAlS5k/s1600/001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How it works:</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Be a piece of our adoption puzzle for a $25 donation. You are welcome to buy as many pieces as you'd like. There are 1,000 pieces total. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-We will write your name on the back of your puzzle piece(s). You can also buy a puzzle piece 'in memory of' or 'in honor of' a loved one. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-When the puzzle is complete, we will frame it in double glass and hang it on Baby Wier's wall.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Baby Wier will grow up knowing that hundreds of people played an important role in uniting our family. We look forward to showing our little one the names of all the people that made their journey home to us possible. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"How can I donate?" </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I can see us sitting down one day with our child and reading off all the names that helped bring him/her home! "These people loved you before they knew you!"</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #313131; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">We would be so honored if you were a part of bringing our baby home! To get a puzzle piece, just click on the Paypal link to the right side of this blog. Or email us at lalappe@gmail.com to get the address so you can mail a donation. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #313131;">We will update often so you can see the progress. </span></span></span><br />
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Lauren and Matt http://www.blogger.com/profile/00291641763045922339noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095772985312186911.post-46359017568940817492014-08-05T10:43:00.004-07:002014-08-23T15:57:40.587-07:00The waiting <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are at the very beginning of our <em>official</em> adoption wait. The papers are in. The family profiles printed and mailed. Now we wait for a potential birthmom to choose us to parent her baby. It is a strange state of limbo to be in. We've felt ready for this next stage of our lives for years now. The average couple makes the decision to be parents and before they know it they're at their first doctor's appointment hearing baby's heart beat. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Any expectant mom will tell you, you start bonding with your baby as soon as you see that positive test. Your hopes, dreams and plans for your future are already being made. The tricky thing is, we already feel attached to this baby. We are already love this baby. We just don't know where they are or when we'll meet them. We are making plans for this next stage of our life but we have virtually no control over when this stage will begin. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As we wait, I take some comfort in the words below, which inspired our blog name. A close friend of mine sent me the below email at just the right time: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">"They who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength." -Isaiah 40:31, RSV-CE<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">How do we wait for something we need so badly, something we know for certain is God's will, and something that we just can't live another day without? We must wait patiently and confidently, not complaining. To do otherwise would be to insult God by displaying a lack of faith in His ability to deliver. We renew our strength by "waiting" for the Lord (Is 40:31, RSV-CE). <u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Hebrew word translated as "wait" or "hope" in Isaiah 40:31 can mean to twist together, as cords of a rope are intertwined. In our waiting, then, we wrap ourselves around the Lord and He wraps Himself around us. When discouraging forces pull at us, we are not pulled apart. Instead, like strands of a rope, we and the Lord are pulled more tightly together and grow in strength. We never "come to the end of our rope" because the Lord has roped us tightly into His presence. <u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Hence do not grow despondent or abandon the struggle" (Heb 12:3). Stay focused on Jesus (Heb 12:2) and confident in Him. Don't even move an inch out of your position of hope.</span> </div>
Lauren and Matt http://www.blogger.com/profile/00291641763045922339noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095772985312186911.post-30859482316483985772014-08-03T21:42:00.001-07:002014-08-23T15:57:56.970-07:00What our photo session meant to me<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It was my intention to keep this blog about adoption, but it's pretty much impossible for me to speak about our life in any authentic way without mentioning infertility. Infertility touches everything.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"...for those who deeply want children and are denied them, those missing babies hover like silent ephemeral shadows over their lives. Who can describe the feel of a tiny hand that is never held?"</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">-Laura Bush</span></div>
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Infertility is a loss- a huge, shattering, life-altering loss. There is no "getting-over" infertility. Like any profound loss, the longed for passage of time seems to offer the only hope for relief. But these past few years I've learned that time does <i>not</i> heal all wounds. God <i>does</i> give us more than we can handle. And sometimes things happen for <i>no</i> good reason. With the grace of God, I am learning to live with the ache. I cannot imagine it ever going away.</div>
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The road of infertility can feel like being in a windy dark tunnel with only flashes of light every so often that then quickly give way to even more darkness. </div>
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We have been so blessed to hear the voice of God in this tunnel, crying out to us to build our family through adoption. Adoption is <i>not</i> a cure for infertility but it is a beautiful path of its own. </div>
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Even though adoption doesn't make the dark tunnel of infertility go away, it does require us to <i>allow God to lift us out </i>of the darkness and to begin on the road to bring home our little one. </div>
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Now that we are on this road filled with hope, it is <i>so</i> important to me to drink in every moment, to allow my weary soul to rest in the joy of anticipation. </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"For this is a taste, a taste of what is to come. Let if lift you up. Let it fire you up. Let it give you hope. You're not crazy. You're not wrong to believe there's something more. You will not be unhappy. Have faith. Trust. Open to the gift. It's coming. Your desire for life is not in vain."</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">- Christopher West, Fill These Hearts</span></div>
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Of course this is not about "getting what we want." It is about letting the earthly blessings we do have point us toward the joy of something this world cannot offer. I certainly have no delusions that mommyhood is going to be a cakewalk. What I do know is that God has momentarily called us out of this season of suffering and he is allowing us to experience a glimpse of what he promises. </div>
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It can be difficult to stay-the-course. Perhaps this is why the smallest gestures of excitement and joy from those around us can mean so much. We are eager to leave behind the seemingly endless tunnel of sorrows and to bask in the light of hope. And we are so grateful to all those around us for sharing in our joy. Joy really does multiply when it is shared. </div>
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And so in my efforts to soak up the joy of this journey, I reached out to a few photographers about doing an adoption announcement photo session. I was so excited when my long-time style crush, <a href="http://www.lauraivanova.com/blog/" target="_blank">Laura Ivanova</a>, said she was up for the task. </div>
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There was one thing standing in our way though- money. Neither Matt or I felt right about spending money on pictures when we need every last penny we can get to fund the adoption costs. I explained our situation to Laura and to my great surprise, she offered to generously give of her time and talents to make the adoption shoot a reality for us. Words cannot express how loved and cared about I felt upon hearing this news. Having someone you don't even know help you in such a huge way is truly humbling.</div>
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It will be a few weeks before we get to see the photos, but just the process itself was tremendously healing. I felt as though I was letting go of the crushing weight of my grief. The photo session offered us an opportunity to connect again as a couple, to step out from under the silent ephemeral shadows and to let this anticipation lift us up, fire us up, and give us hope. </div>
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Thank you, Laura. </div>
Lauren and Matt http://www.blogger.com/profile/00291641763045922339noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095772985312186911.post-91593443355573199992014-06-30T21:26:00.003-07:002014-08-23T15:58:15.515-07:00Updates<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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- We had our first meeting with the social worker at her office today. I think it went well. She will visit our house in a couple weeks and then we will be done with the home study! We will just need to wait for her to complete the report and then we can send our applications to the agencies on our list. Once we send in our applications it is possible for us to be chosen at anytime!<br />
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- A very kind friend gave us our first donation toward our adoption costs. We are so humbled and grateful! Thank you!<br />
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- As many of you know from Facebook, another wonderful friend got us our first baby gift- a onsie all the way from France. It was SO heartwarming. And shortly after my sister sent us Baby M.innetonka moccasins. It is really starting to feel real!<br />
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- We submitted all of our essays and photos for our family profile (the book the potential birth moms look through to choose an adoptive family). It is SO scary to know so much of your future rides on you coming across well in print.<br />
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- As our excitement grows so does our anxiety. We are both feeling so invested in this process now and we are finally feeling like our dream to be parents is within our reach. It can be difficult to imagine things actually working out after so many years of infertility. We <i>really</i> need prayers right now that we'd be able to renew our faith and trust in God each day no matter what setbacks might lay ahead.<br />
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<br />Lauren and Matt http://www.blogger.com/profile/00291641763045922339noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095772985312186911.post-25674963570461394312014-06-04T13:21:00.000-07:002014-08-23T15:58:36.846-07:00Quick takes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Today we handed in the giant packet of completed paperwork! Now we wait for our background checks to come back, which can take up to a month. Then we will be able to start the interview process. We will meet once with a social worker at her office and then once at our home. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Yesterday I went to get fingerprinted at the jail. I was so teary on my way there (oh, this is Lauren writing in case you were wondering ;-)). Every little thing we do, whether it's getting a physical to confirm we're healthy enough to parent, writing essays to show we will be a loving mom and dad or spending our Tuesday morning at the county jail surrounded by terrifying drunk driving posters- brings us one small step closer to holding our baby in our arms. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- The woman doing my fingerprinting shared that she and her husband started the adoption process but were discouraged by 2 separate agencies from continuing. They were told her husband was "too old" and they would not be chosen by a birthmother. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My heart absolutely broke at the absurdity and injustice of the whole situation. She was only 34 and she said her husband was about 10 years older. It was 4 years ago that they were told he was "too old." She seemed to have a really positive outlook on the situation and I admired her strength; still, I couldn't help but feel deeply saddened by it all (</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">not pity</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- more like righteous anger that this world can be so backwards). It was certainly a momentous reminder (not that I needed one) that adoption is a </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">tremendous</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> gift and not some consolation prize. We are </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">so</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> blessed to be able to pursue this road. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- This brings me to my next thought. We will not have the thrill of hearing this baby's heartbeat on a sonogram. We will not get to share with our families the joy of that first ultrasound photo. There is a lot we will miss to be sure. It is </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">so</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> essential that we celebrate these small, <i>seemingly</i> insignificant milestones. As we savor each tiny step in this process, we can strengthen our ability to be grateful for </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">each and every</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> moment, to look with anticipation and hope toward the future and to love our child and their birth parents even before we meet them.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">so </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">cheesy I know, but how I cannot think of that Savage Garden song 'I Knew I Loved You Before I Met You?' Judge me all you want :-) but these lyrics nail it (and obviously they apply to all parents before they 'meet' their baby). I want to share how </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">real</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> this is even though our baby's not growing in my womb. </span><br />
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<b style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"I Knew I Loved You"</span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Maybe it's intuition </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">But some things you just don't question</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Like in your eyes</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I see my future in an instant</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">and there it goes</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I know that it might sound more than</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">a little crazy but I believe </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I knew I loved you before I met you</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I think I dreamed you into life</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I knew I loved you before I met you</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I have been waiting all my life </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">There's just no rhyme or reason</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">only this sense of completion</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">and in your eyes</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I see the missing pieces</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I'm searching for</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I think I found my way home</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I know that it might sound more than</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">a little crazy but I believe</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">A thousand angels dance around you</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I am complete now that I found you </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">- Finally, because we both needed to write at length about how we will discipline our kids, we've been watching a DVD series called 'Conscious Discipline.' We use it at my work and it is amazing! It is all about the importance of adults learning </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">self-</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">discipline and </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">self-regulation </span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">before they try to discipline children. This is definitely another wonderful thing about adoption. We're forced to examine our pasts, our values and our priorities whether we want to or not. Yay for self-awareness!</span></span></div>
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</span>Lauren and Matt http://www.blogger.com/profile/00291641763045922339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095772985312186911.post-54164211701322286472014-05-31T15:10:00.001-07:002014-08-23T15:58:51.405-07:00Our neighborhood family<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
When the winter hibernation is over we spend most evenings outside with our amazing neighbors. Little Cece can't wait to meet the baby!</div>
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The kids are currently obsessed with conga lines. </div>
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"Wait for me brothers!" </div>
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<br />Lauren and Matt http://www.blogger.com/profile/00291641763045922339noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095772985312186911.post-2831823828807292592014-05-30T13:54:00.001-07:002014-08-23T15:59:07.739-07:00Totally dependent on another's love I am in awe of the way God has brought us to our knees throughout this journey.<br />
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Our becoming parents is only going to be possible through the self-sacrificing love of a birthmother. What a tremendously humbling thought! The trajectory of our lives depends on a hurting woman choosing to live the rest of her life with a hole in her heart because she values the life of her child more than her own comfort and desires. Our child's birthmother will embody the love of Christ in the most literal way- giving her own flesh and blood for another's good. I cannot help but to get weepy when I think about it.<br />
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We are totally and completely at the mercy of another's love. The love of another whom we have never met and may never meet. We will owe the very existence of our family to one woman's choice to respond to God's voice in her life. <br />
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It's hard to imagine someone having the courage and strength to make an adoption plan for their child without the love and grace of God. The circumstances leading to an adoption plan are most often painful and isolating. It seems to me that women who choose adoption for their babies are also making a choice to let God work in their lives- to let God love them. <br />
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This reality gives me pause and points me toward all the places in my life where I have refused to let God work; where I've refused to let him love me. I can foolishly and stubbornly push him away out of anger and hurt or I can open myself to his grace. Like our child's birthmother, I have a choice to make. Will I let Jesus love me? Or will I push away the gift (and all the graces that come with it)? Will I try to rely on my own power and miss out on the miracles that are possible through allowing God and others to love? <br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">“How beautiful it is to let oneself be loved by God, because if you feel loved you can do anything,” and this is “the most important thing in life: to let yourself be loved in order to love and die happy.”</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">-<span style="font-size: small;">Chiara Corbella</span></span></span><br />
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Lauren and Matt http://www.blogger.com/profile/00291641763045922339noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095772985312186911.post-76917272909280558322014-05-29T19:39:00.000-07:002014-08-23T15:59:25.453-07:00We're paper pregnant! Almost...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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It's been a long 3 years. We've faced surgery after surgery, countless doctor's visits, crazy inducing medications and more than our fair share of grief and disappointment. Through it all, we have been so blessed to have our families and friends by our sides. Truly, no act of kindness has gone unnoticed. Whether it was a meal you made us, a card, a phone call, a lunch-date- your love and thoughtfulness has sustained us through the darkest of times.<br />
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No matter how dark the road got, God never left us. He has been by our sides through every tear, negative test, and failed treatment.<br />
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Many of you already know that Lauren has felt God tugging at her heart to pursue adoption literally throughout our entire journey. Even when top specialists were telling us we would conceive and there was nothing wrong- I felt an indescribable pull.<br />
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Nearly 2 1/2 years later, we are both at a point where we are ready to move forward on our journey to bring home our baby. It has been so amazing to see the beautiful ways God has worked on our hearts. More on that another day...<br />
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Today, we received our home study application and once we are through with the mountains of paperwork and required appointments we will be able to officially start the home study process.<br />
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Our hope is that this blog would help each of our loved ones to feel and know that your are an integral part of this process. Part of the beauty of this journey is that you truly cannot rely on your own power. The only way we can bring our child home is with your support. We need your prayers for our sanity, our child and his/her birthparents. <br />
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With love, <br />
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Matt & Lauren <br />
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Lauren and Matt http://www.blogger.com/profile/00291641763045922339noreply@blogger.com1