My childhood is full of the most precious - yet hysterical memories. I wouldn't trade them for any amount of money in the world. Despite our best efforts... my sisters and I did not send my mother to the funny farm... and let me tell you, with four girls in the house (all born within five years) we gave her plenty of opportunities to pull her hair out. I can't think of ONE favorite memory... and not have it include my family. My sisters, while all very different, are very much a part of who I am... and they are the most precious and dear part of my childhood. I cannot imagine life without them... and it breaks my heart now as an adult to have Jean so far away, although I know they love being in Arizona. There is just something wonderful and amazing about sisters. And I am blessed to have three! (And a mother with the patience of Job!)
Because of this, I have always known that I wanted to have a big family - full of the same joy and energy that we had at home when I was a child! When Tim and I began this journey of parenthood - there was never a question that we would have a large family.
We began our journey...with Ali and Rachel... and celebrated our 3-year anniversary of our Forever Family Day on February 3rd, 2007. (It took us 15 months to bring the girls home... so they have really been in our hearts much longer. That was just our final adoption day in Guatemala.)
Then last year in April, we traveled to Guatemala to bring McCaleb home. It was such a wonderful experience to be able to take the girls back to Guatemala... to attend a church service in a small community church with our friend, Hugo and the Blanford's from Bardstown who were there to bring Eli home as well. It was such a blessing... to spend time with and worship with the local people. To be so involved and intimate with them. Already there was a tug at our hearts that still... we could do more. We had learned of a young boy who was 8... and of a family trying to bring him home... and the challenges and difficulties they had faced for several years. The story was heartbreaking enough... but worse when Tim, Robbie and Hugo went to the orphanage and met this young boy - as well as the other older children. They saw what precious children they are... and what a huge need for these older children still exists. It was during this trip that we became painfully aware of the urgent need of these older children - waiting for their forever families. We began talking about the "next time" while we were still in Guatemala.
Somewhere along this journey - our focus has changed from what we want as parents... to making a difference in the lives of children. It's not about us... and despite whatever we might want to think... it never has been. God had a reason that He set us on this path. He has a plan and a purpose for our lives. We are simply trying to be faithful and obedient in that service. We still want a large family - and we know that we cannot bring every child home. We can only make a difference one life at a time.
As we began to talk about adopting again... our hearts were immediately drawn to the older children. The children that were waiting, and are so often passed over for the younger children and infants. Everyone, it seems, wants a baby. With this need on our hearts and minds- as soon as we returned home, we began making phone calls to learn more about the plight of these older children.
That is when we learned of Sara. Sara was six years old and had recently been relinquished to a home in Guatemala City.
They say that adoption is a calling… and not for the faint of heart. This is certainly true for our family. Knowing that our plate was already full… McCaleb had only returned home… we began to network with others to find a home for Sara. However, after several weeks and months of prayer and counsel… we turned this decision over to God. Once again, His voice was clear – He had already found a home for Sara, and two parents that had already opened their hearts to her. Now… we simply had to find a way to bring Sara home.
It is with great thanksgiving and joy - that we introduce you to our new daughter, Sara.
This new path on our journey brought with it many challenges of its own. Primarily; how do we handle this financial commitment after just bringing McCaleb home? With that in mind - we have set up a few Fund Raising events for Sara's adoption expenses, the first of which was Sunday, February 11th in our home. My good friend, Leigh Reed, is a director with Pampered Chef. She is one of the kindest and most energetic people you would ever want to meet! She held a Pampered Chef Fund Raising event that is going on now through February 25th. She gave out packets for people to help us by collecting orders... and by selling $4 Raffle Tickets for one of several $200 Pampered Chef shopping sprees! She is an amazing person...with a very big heart! If you want more information, you can log onto her website: www.pamperedchef.biz/leighreed or you can call her at 502-867-0814. Each order placed will help benefit Sara's Adoption Fund!
Because of this, I have always known that I wanted to have a big family - full of the same joy and energy that we had at home when I was a child! When Tim and I began this journey of parenthood - there was never a question that we would have a large family.
We began our journey...with Ali and Rachel... and celebrated our 3-year anniversary of our Forever Family Day on February 3rd, 2007. (It took us 15 months to bring the girls home... so they have really been in our hearts much longer. That was just our final adoption day in Guatemala.)
Then last year in April, we traveled to Guatemala to bring McCaleb home. It was such a wonderful experience to be able to take the girls back to Guatemala... to attend a church service in a small community church with our friend, Hugo and the Blanford's from Bardstown who were there to bring Eli home as well. It was such a blessing... to spend time with and worship with the local people. To be so involved and intimate with them. Already there was a tug at our hearts that still... we could do more. We had learned of a young boy who was 8... and of a family trying to bring him home... and the challenges and difficulties they had faced for several years. The story was heartbreaking enough... but worse when Tim, Robbie and Hugo went to the orphanage and met this young boy - as well as the other older children. They saw what precious children they are... and what a huge need for these older children still exists. It was during this trip that we became painfully aware of the urgent need of these older children - waiting for their forever families. We began talking about the "next time" while we were still in Guatemala.
Somewhere along this journey - our focus has changed from what we want as parents... to making a difference in the lives of children. It's not about us... and despite whatever we might want to think... it never has been. God had a reason that He set us on this path. He has a plan and a purpose for our lives. We are simply trying to be faithful and obedient in that service. We still want a large family - and we know that we cannot bring every child home. We can only make a difference one life at a time.
As we began to talk about adopting again... our hearts were immediately drawn to the older children. The children that were waiting, and are so often passed over for the younger children and infants. Everyone, it seems, wants a baby. With this need on our hearts and minds- as soon as we returned home, we began making phone calls to learn more about the plight of these older children.
That is when we learned of Sara. Sara was six years old and had recently been relinquished to a home in Guatemala City.
They say that adoption is a calling… and not for the faint of heart. This is certainly true for our family. Knowing that our plate was already full… McCaleb had only returned home… we began to network with others to find a home for Sara. However, after several weeks and months of prayer and counsel… we turned this decision over to God. Once again, His voice was clear – He had already found a home for Sara, and two parents that had already opened their hearts to her. Now… we simply had to find a way to bring Sara home.
It is with great thanksgiving and joy - that we introduce you to our new daughter, Sara.
This new path on our journey brought with it many challenges of its own. Primarily; how do we handle this financial commitment after just bringing McCaleb home? With that in mind - we have set up a few Fund Raising events for Sara's adoption expenses, the first of which was Sunday, February 11th in our home. My good friend, Leigh Reed, is a director with Pampered Chef. She is one of the kindest and most energetic people you would ever want to meet! She held a Pampered Chef Fund Raising event that is going on now through February 25th. She gave out packets for people to help us by collecting orders... and by selling $4 Raffle Tickets for one of several $200 Pampered Chef shopping sprees! She is an amazing person...with a very big heart! If you want more information, you can log onto her website: www.pamperedchef.biz/leighreed or you can call her at 502-867-0814. Each order placed will help benefit Sara's Adoption Fund!
As for the Hanks Family... we find ourselves very blessed and humbled by the family and friends that we have. The love and support that you all show us is overwhelming. We ask that you continue to keep our family in your prayers as we face this new adventure... and we also ask that you pray especially for Sara: that God would begin to prepare her heart for this enormous change that will occur in her life.
I have (again) been studying a Beth Moore Bible Study. (For those of you unfamiliar... you are missing a blessing.) This one is "To Live Is Christ" about the Life and Journey of the apostle Paul... and I will end with some of his thoughts to the church at Ephesus:
"I keep asking that the God of our LORD Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better. I pray also that they eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for us who believe."
Ephesians 1:17-19 NIV
2 comments:
YAY!!!! The annoucement I've been waiting for :) Congratulations! Sara is very beautiful, and she has such a sweet smile. I cannot wait to meet her! Please know that we will be praying for you and for her. . . we will really be praying that you have a short and smooth process -- it's definitely due!!!! It is amazing how God puts things on your heart, and you just KNOW what you are supposed to do.
OH Jennifer! I am amazed at your journey! I am amazed at your strength! This is Amaging Grace indeed!
As I read this, a song continues to go through my head....One that our own children sing quite often at church....
"open the eyes of my heart Lord,
Open the eyes of my heart!
I want to see you! I want to see you!"
I think HE has shown you his way over and over again and now leads you and the family through even more of his power and love!
congratulations on the journey to another piece of your heart....your beauty and soul knows no limits and knows no bounds!
"O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever"!
your valentine,
Leigh Reed
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