Well, I guess it has been long enough. Life got busy and apparently I stopped blogging. I don't want to wait until January to make a new years resolution. I will blog more. Starting now.
It is crazy to look back and see how God has shaped your
life from the beginning. So, in order to share our story, that is where I will
start. In high school, I started a journal that I would one day give to my
future husband. It was filled with specific prayers, but also the ramblings of
a teenage girl. One of the most important sections to me was “the list”. Every
girl has made one, whether it was in her head or written down on paper. Unfortunately,
I lost the book somewhere between sophomore and senior year of college. I still
remember a few details off my list, which combined characteristics I was
looking for and things I wanted to do with my future mate: eat chocolate
covered strawberries with my husband, go to Santorini, Greece, a man that loves
God first and family second, funny, and loves to love to name a few. I still
remember the first one on my list - willing to adopt. Even as a high school
student, God placed this desire on my heart.
My freshman year of college, I felt the call to go to the
Ukraine to work at Camp Friendship with my home church. Each camp lasted two
weeks. I was there for two camps, with a week between the two. During the time off, I visited a hospital and a few different orphanages. I remember going in
the hospital and seeing two sweet baby boys in their metal cribs. They would stay in
this sterile, cold room until they were old enough to go to an orphanage. Then at
age 16, they would “graduate” and be sent out in to the lonely world. If they
didn’t go to a trade school to learn a skill, they would have to live on the
streets. Most boys would turn to crime and girls to prostitution. Some turn to
drugs or even take their own lives. In this small hospital room is
where I realized why God calls us to care for the orphans.
“Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to
the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.” Isaiah 1:17
“Religion that God our Father
accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in
their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” James
1:27
"Father to the fatherless,
defender of widows — this is God, whose dwelling is holy. God places the lonely
in families."
Psalms
68:5-6
God
calls, no, commands us to protect, love and care for these children. It is our
responsibility to protect those who cannot protect themselves.
After
much prayer, months of research and many tears, the Jones’ have decided to
adopt from Russia. We will start our home study in January of this year. We
don’t have many details right now. We know it takes three trips, each trip
being about a week. We hope to travel sometime next year, but nothing is set in stone.
Originally I wasn't going to blog about the process. Not because I don’t want to
talk about it, trust me. But because this is my family, this is our future. It
is real life that will have its ups and downs. I have learned recently that people want to be informed. Our family and friends want to know how to pray for us as we go through this next phase in life. I know I have read many blogs this past year that have helped me to understand what to expect. So, if we can help another family down the road, it will be worth it. If you have questions, PLEASE do not hesitate to ask us (even though I may not have answers)!
In order to raise funds to go towards bringing our baby home, I have designed letterpress Christmas coasters, among other fun things. If you are interested in purchasing a set, please let me know. I am not sure how the payment process works yet, but I will get it all figured out! Check out the album on facebook, comment on the photo and I will get in touch with you.
Thank you to those who have already/have always been there for our family and for your love, support and prayers for during this exciting time!
