Orphan Sunday is coming up!!!! and we will have shirts very soon

It's so exciting hearing from so many people that are interested in starting Adoption and Orphan Care ministries in our churches. A very wise friend of mine reminded me a few days ago that churches that are not participating in orphan care are either unaware of our responsibility to orphans or, they are just being disobedient. That is so true! My husband and I were leaders in the church for many years before we were really aware of this truth. However, once our eyes were opened we could not pretend that we did not know. Therefore, we now know that part of our ministry is to share this news with as many people as we can. So let me offer a couple of resources.

*Our family will be hosting an adoption/orphan care fellowship at our home on September 25 at 6:00. This will just simply be a time to come together as believers and share ideas, stories, and encourage one another. E-mail me at pollybice@aol.com or leave me a comment if you are interested in joining us.

*Orphan Sunday is coming up on November 7. This is a day when Christians across America and around the world take a stand for the orphan. It is an opportunity for us to awaken the church to God's call to care for orphans. Events will be held across the country and you can join one of those or simply hold your own event in your church, community or your home. To read more about this amazing opportunity for awareness check out THIS website. This site offers a ton of resources for churches or individuals to celebrate this day.

Last, if you having been praying the prayer, "God, break our hearts for what breaks yours", then I think you are going to love our new t-shirts. They are going to be so cool and we should have them by the end of this week. Obviously, the proceeds will be used to help us bring our baby girl home from Ethiopia. I will post a picture and all the details about them as soon as they arrive.

God is everywhere..... even Kinko's!!!!

Have you ever left Kinko's crying? We just did! Let me share an example of how good God is. Tonight, we headed to Kinko's copy center to get a bunch of copies made of what I have been calling our "begging letter". If you've adopted before you probably know what I'm talking about. It's a letter that tells the story of how God placed the desire in our hearts to adopt a child and it shares what our needs are right now. Obviously we are seeking prayer and help in raising the funds to bring our baby home to us. We have prayed over this letter and for the many families who will be receiving it in a few days. I just keep saying, "God please provide these funds for us". Okay, so tonight we go into the copy center. I go to the copier but I really want to use heavier paper than what is in the machine. I go to the counter and ask an employee if they have some heavier weight paper that I could use. She shows me what she has, I choose the one I want and turn to go back to the copier. She then asked did I want to do it myself or have her do it behind the counter. For time sake and the sake of the store (6 of my kids are on the loose and the little ones are pulling things off the shelves left and right) I decide it would be easier for her to do the copying.

While we wait, we run into someone that I have not seen in about 18 years. It's a couple who explains that they are trying to have a baby but haven't gotten pregnant so far. When I tell them why we are there, they have many questions about adoption and the whole process. In my mind I'm thinking, God you are so good. What were the chances of running into someone I haven't seen in so many years, sharing our story and them being inspired? That was cool but it gets better.

I look up to see the lady behind the counter walking to the register with my box of copies. As I approach the counter I notice she appears to be almost crying. Here's what she says to me....

"I read your story while making your copies. I am from Kenya and I came to America to get an education so that I could do mission work and help the poor. Some people don't get this but I do. I am in nursing school and work here to pay the bills. It's not much, but I want you to take this check for $50. and use it to help get your baby home from Ethiopia."

She hands me the check, I call Shawn over to the counter and tell him what this precious lady has just done for us. I pay for the copies (tears are literally dripping off my face and onto the check that I'm writing), we thank her over and over and I just about crawl up on the counter to hug her neck. As we leave she asks us to please bring the baby by to see her when we get home. Shawn and I round up the kids and walk to the car in tears and amazed by what God just did for us. Yes, my man cries and I love that about him. (Lately it seems like this little Ethiopian princess has us crying quite often.)

Is that story amazing or what? Our Father is so loving! I believe He just enjoys reminding us all the time how much He loves us and how much He plans to provide for our needs. We will be praying for this very special sister in Christ that we met tonight. Praying that God will bless her and continue to use her to bless others. Thank you Jesus for our new friend!

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." Matt. 7:7

Do you want to be used?

Have you been asking the LORD to use you for the sake of HIS Kingdom? Watch this video.... I believe you will find a way to be used by Him.

(turn my music off at the bottom of the page... you don't want to miss a word of this)

Ordinary Hero~ A day in the trash dump in Ethiopia from Kelly Putty on Vimeo.

Back to school and... a peek into the closet of a princess!

We are very busy around our house getting prepared to start school. Lexie had to start this week because she goes 2 days a week to a local co-op for home schooled kids and they began lessons on Monday. Dallas and Maggie are 4th and 7th grade and we are gearing up for them to begin school work next Monday. The twins are K-5 so they get to hang out for another 2 weeks. It seems to work best for me if I alternate them instead of starting everyone at the same time. We'll see how it all goes. It's the same yet always different from year to year.

We are very excited about tonight. Our church has a prayer service called First Day Pray at the beginning of the school year. Parents get the chance to bring their children and go to the altar with them to pray over them. Many ministers are also there and pray for all the children, parents, schools, teachers and faculty. This year my heart has been burdened even more to pray for our school systems especially, our public schools. We have precious nephews that are brand new students in brand new schools this year. So thankful that we have good schools for them to go to.

People tell me all the time that they don't know how mommas who homeschool do it. Well, I can't speak for all but I know I'm speaking for many when I say, it's all about PRAYER! So tonight might be "First Day Pray" but for this homeschooling momma there will be second day pray, third day pray, and eventually one hundred and seventy one day pray. It's an honor to get to be all my kid's teacher but HE's the strength behind the teacher. Thank you JESUS!

On another note, summer coming to an end has had one perk..... thanks to Target's summer clearance sale..... the highly anticipated Ethiopian princess coming to our house got herself a good start to a wardrobe. (We bought things that could be layered in case they fit when it's NOT summer... well, except the swimsuit but it was only a few bucks).

Can't you just picture her dark skin in that pink dress that says "Princess"? I sure can!

Ministry Update.... and a challenge for us sisters!

Yesterday was our second day to meet with my new girlfriends who are "Expecting a Blessing". As you can imagine, I received the blessing. There was a new girl, named Detra. Let me just say, lately the LORD has been making me so aware that something that happened in my life a few years ago was meant for my good and HIS Glory. Today, HE confirmed that through Detra. She is precious and she is on her way to freedom. She is finding her hope in Jesus and I know she is about to be busy doing some wonderful things for the Kingdom of God. She gets it! She gets that God allows trouble and sorrow to sometimes wreck our lives as we know them, so we can be used to make a huge impact on HIS Kingdom. He uses what Satan intends for our destruction and equips us to reach even more people. It's kind of like going back and getting an additional "master's degree" every time we are inflicted with pain, sorrow and trouble. However, this is only the result when WE decide to let God use us and put our new "degree" to work for HIM! Please don't let Satan bind you up away from the people that need you the most. Be willing to put yourself out there and share the mercy you've received from God with others.

Here's the scripture that I shared with my "girls" yesterday and boy, did it make for some amazing discussion (and crying).

Psalm 116

1 I love the LORD, for he heard my voice;

he heard my cry for mercy.

2 Because he turned his ear to me,

I will call on him as long as I live.

3 The cords of death entangled me,

the anguish of the grave came upon me;

I was overcome by trouble and sorrow.

4 Then I called on the name of the LORD:

"O LORD, save me!"

5 The LORD is gracious and righteous;

our God is full of compassion.

6 The LORD protects the simplehearted;

when I was in great need, he saved me.

Please reflect on these verses today and be amazed by the grace and mercy bestowed on us by our LORD!