*Dear Santa

*I thought of encouraging him to ask for a referral for Christmas but that seemed like a rather tall order...and perhaps not a childlike request.

The Kid's Got Gumption

"My name is ---- and I am in Grade 5. I am raising money to build a well in Ethiopia. I am working with www.watercan.com and my goal is to raise $5000.

I am selling stainless steel water bottles that say "H2O for Ethiopia" on them. They come in 5 colours that are red, lime, blue, silver and smoke. I am selling them for a $20 donation. I am also selling organic and free trade coffee beans. The coffee is from the Ormomia Coffee Coop in Ethiopia and it is roasted here on Salt Spring Island at Salt Spring Coffee. I am selling 400g bags of coffee beans that are roasted weekly so they are very fresh for $15.

If you spend more than $50 the shipping is free. "

There's something about kids isn't there, that makes us want to help them?

There is something that enables us to see their pure motive for what it is: pure?

There's something about the a child's passion that seems more passionate than perhaps that of a weathered adult.

There's something unhindered about a child's heart and desire to actually see the world a better, less broken place.

There's something in all that, which makes us want to give more, help more, do more, and be more, when we watch a child seek after what is good and what is right and what is bettering this thing called Life and this crisis called The Water Shortage.

I found out yesterday about a young girl who lives very near to us. She has two younger brothers, both from Ethiopia. Before going to meet them (I am guessing this was a year and a half ago) and bring them home she fundraised so she could take school supplies over with her and her parents. I just found out that she raised about $1000 in a few short weeks before her trip. She's young...perhaps 11...and while I've gone back and forth a little with her Mum I don't have those kinds of specifics.

I digress.

She's setting her sights higher this time. (See what I mean about the kid thing? An adult likely would have been happy with the past achievement...but this kid's going bigger.) She's raising money for Wells in Ethiopia. (She is partnering with WaterCan, which is a leading Canadian Charity dedicated to fighting global poverty.)

Her goal is $5000.

Again - do you see what I mean? One little girl is single handedly trying to raise $5000 and I would like to say I am confident she will achieve this goal.

This isn't just a pre-Christmas whim or gig. She'll be selling her couple items later in the year also. And, she's chosen wisely when it comes to raising money...

Stainless Waterbottles

Coffee
(Ever tasted freshly roasted salt spring coffee? ever had ethiopian beans?
I can assure you this is a deadly combo...truly the best way to kick-start any day.)

Both items we all love. (And, I don't hesitate long, before I say "need" when it comes to coffee...Tait has some crazy hours as of late and if it weren't for the caffeine hit...well, let's just say coffee helps everyone around our house right now.)

Oh and the kicker? She lives just moments away. Ok, so it's on Salt Spring but really it's just moments. So if either of the above items interest you, let me know and I'll make the shipping easy on you. Call me your middle man or FedEx Girl, or friendly Postal Woman, if you want...or just spend $50 and the shipping is free to you anyway. (Contact me and I will give you a contact email address is you want to make a direct order.)

And I want to help her. Actually, I want to help families in Ethiopia who walk miles each day for water...which is more than likely not sanitary...likely you can't even see through it. I want to help them. Not just because it is a passion but because it is a responsibility of mine. And yours. And together we can actually do it. We can make a difference and help solve the world's water problem. I truly, wholeheartedly believe this.

And you know what else I wholeheartedly believe?

To Whom Much Is Given, Much Is Required.

Little Things

I was sharing a few sweet quotes and moments between the boys and I over the past few days, with my Mum. Her reaction to one of the recants wasn't what I'd expected and it was a reminder to me of how often I (likely) miss the "precious" or "innocent" moments our kids experience daily.

How often am I - are we all - rushing about trying so hard to make a meal, fold the laundry, write Christmas cards, or get out of the house that we miss these times?

The moment that I took for granted went a little like this:

It was bathtime, a favourite time around here. The boys were in the tub but since I would not take Noah to the pool for a swim with his new goggles I told him he could wear them in the tub this once.

It was a good compromise: he was desperate to try them out and I was desperate not to go outside in the rain only to get in the pool. Wet and cold followed by wet and cold just didn't entice me.

After "swimming" around in the tub for a few minutes with the new prize, he discovered Tait's leg, his own hand, etc. After a few minutes of kickin' about he unearthed his biggest "treasure" yet.

"Mama!! I can see the drain" he exclaimed.

Make sure you don't miss out when your kids notice the drain. Don't take their comments or antics for granted. No it's not always a lifechanging moment for you, but it likely is to them.

Why do we go out and try to find the best toy, or spend many dollars researching the most educational item when their truest memories are made with goggles in the tub?

A Quick Recap...I'm Still In Disbelief

Yesterday was a day full of obsessive email checking. Seriously constant. You gotta give me brownie points for enthusiasm.

I posted an update around 12:30pm stating that if I didn't hear by 2:30pm I would stop checking. This would have been 5:30pm EST and I was certain the agency would have been closed by that time.

Around 1:30pm (well, 1:33 if you're being really sticky) we received an email stating that 246 signed retainers and renewal fees had been received - and apparently a few more are en route.

We needed 200 for agency viability.

This is huge. If we were anticipating a best possible outcome this was/is it.

All that aside, I am in a bit of disbelief still. I know what has happened in my head but in my heart it's tough to grasp completely. Having lived in this "bubble" of unknown for well over 4 1/2 months it's hard to believe that we are expecting again from Ethiopia. I was at MOPS this morning and after signing in, the speaker asked those who were expecting to make sure they marked down their due date on the sign-in sheet. It took me a moment and then the ball dropped...I am in the same category as those round women! (I can say that, having been physically round twice before.) I didn't act upon the whim...had we been a little further down this road and I had some sort of ETA for Baby M (if you read my pre-marathon post you'll know this initial)...I may have done something.

We do need to wait for BDO to sign off on a few final things and there are a few legal logistics that need ticks in their boxes but this was The Big Hurdle. And we flew over it without even a chance of knocking it over.

So, there you have it...

We Are Expecting From Ethiopia.

At 1:33pm, Monday November 30, 2009

We Did It
(we now wait for final BDO approval)

May Our Week Be Merry And Bright...

...Fa La La La La, La La Laaaa Laaaa

Foto Friday

Take That You Salamander!!

After 3 sessions in swim lessons, with the promise of goggles if the pending end result was a pass into Sunfish, he finally did it. He passed the Salamander swim level.

At the end of each month long session, there was a promised reward of ice cream. Simply for the effort put forth, (and there was a lot of effort put forth) there would be a small token of "A for effort kiddo"at the end. But the big dream upon achieving a "pass," was and always has been the promise of goggles.

So, as they exited the pool yesterday and Noah looked way up at his instructor with sweet, sincere eyes as only this kid has, he asked "do I get goggles?". His instructor looked at him as though he had rapidly grown a third eye.

"Don't worry about it" I said, as I whipped the report card out of the life guard's hand. (He was only holding the fate our how the remainder of our afternoon/evening would unfold.)

One quick peek at the "register in" line at the bottom of the written feedback and a grin swept over my face. SUNFISH. Finally, after 2 previous experiences of looking at "register in Salamander", this was the perfect ending to a soggy day. This was the ticket to his first pair of goggles.

Happy swimming little fish. I am so proud of you.

In An Attempt To Distract Me...Advent Conspiracy

In a desperate attempt to stop checking my email obsessively, in hopes of a "yes you did" email from Imagine, I thought I'd post our first Advent Conspiracy video. By "our" I mean the clip we chose to share as our lead up to the first of four Advent Sundays at Warmland.

I have had the privilege of selecting the clips we will show over the next month of Sundays (and the one this past week as a "warm up"). And I have to say, I am pumped. Trying to tie in the four concepts to...

1. Worship Fully
2. Spend Less
3. Give More
4. Love All

...was no small task.

Yet each time I watched (and re-watched) the clips to try and match each one to the four concepts, I felt privileged and also guilty for our wealth. Not only material wealth but for the clean water that sat beside the computer for me to sip as I scrutinized each one over and over. The fact that I could see through my nearly full glass and that I didn't have to walk anywhere to get it was enough to nearly push me over.

So, Warmland is dreaming big this season.

I just got off the phone with our Pastor and after he suggested a specific financial goal, (because on a global level we're raising money to build a well,) my response to him was that he has more faith than I. He laughed, as I then realized that I can dream big, too. And if our goal is big we will work harder to achieve it. Plus, his point to me was that any amount we give (big or small) won't be noticeable to us, in comparison to the difference it will make in the lives of those who will benefit from clean water. A hundred bucks (or more) is not going to change us. It won't cause us to live differently - and if it does then GOOD. Because what's the point in all this if I'm not gaining a better understanding of the global crisis and sacrificing for others so they can live the way they should.

And, isn't this a part of the Great Commission? Isn't this how we live it out? I am pretty sure.

Amharic Kids Support Imagine

Located in the States, I just found out that Amharic Kids will be financially supporting Imagine Adoption by giving 15% of all purchased orders between November 29 and December 5 to the agency. This applies to almost everything purchased on their site...plus, place an order between the above dates and Amharic Kids will send a free pack of Ethiopia Traditional Art Greeting Cards (which I happen to think are really great!).

The link to items which will profit Imagine will be posted on the site shortly...as a (pre)adoptive parent or as a parent who wants to educate their children not only about Ethiopia but also about different cultures, races, and heritages this is the perfect opportunity!

I am continually amazed at the sincerity, generosity, and support offered nationally by many who don't know the families involved in this. I guess if we're on the hunt for a little Silver Lining, this would be it?!

Thanks For That, ABC

You may have heard of, or even seen by now, ABC's newest creation of a show "Find My Family", which aired/premiered last night. Created by the producers of Extreme Home Makeover, from what I hear they've gone to about the same extremes. (And if you've seen the latter you'll know that too much of a good thing is in no way, good.)

The show focuses on birth families and their search for the children they never knew, who were adopted out in what I would guess to be closed adoptions. They don't address the years of worth and love offered to the adopted children by their families.

For years, the adoptive community has sought to rectify the past vilification of birth-parents as people who gave away their children. Birth parents are now widely recognized as the First Parents of children, deserving of love, respect, and understanding. It is in no one's best interest to turn the tables and begin to portray adoptive families as second-class, or less-than' a family created biologically. This new series is a step back for everyone.

I won't go in to it too much, as I've honestly not watched it. Nor will I give it the time of day watch it. My time is far too valuable to be wasted in anguish. And that's not my belief that I am "too good" for anything, it's just the reality of the fact that there are children without anything, who are starving and my time is far better spent working to do good for them. If this series anything like the glorified episodes of Extreme Makeover I'd likely leave angry. It's hurtful and damaging to the adopted child and a tragic reflection of Hollywood's negative impact on our society. Don't take it at face value...or like me (and many many other adoptive or pre-adoptive parents, just don't watch it).

Unfortunately, the general public's opinion and understanding of adoption is largely shaped by the media. ABC's exploitive new series will focus on the most extreme issues in adoption, and is sure to have an effect on how our children's teachers, extended family, and friends view and accept adoption.

-quotes sited from Rainbow Kids dot com

14

Movin' up there in the teens, fourteen is looking more promising that it's predecessor.

Cummon November 30.

On Audacity

I love this. Thanks to Jason and his visit to the Martin Luther King Centre.

National Adoption Day

Is Today.

Interesting that it's (also) International Children's Day, as stated by the U.N.

I'm thankful for how far we've come since that horrible horrible day in mid-July and I'm ecstatic to see where this journey will go and how it will evolve over the next 10 days. What a true testament to those who have worked together, so hard, giving sacrificially of their time and resources. Push on, I say. For the sake of children, who each deserve the chance at a happy, healthy and dignified life.

Roll on November 30.

Brainstorming Conspiracy

Are you like me?

Do you find it hard to brainstorm 2D on a computer?

I just can't do it.

Obviously, I'm a technology lover, (hence the blog, my main waves of communication being email, work done mainly from through databases etc). I don't think I will ever be able to brainstorm on a computer, in a word doc, or in bullet point form. It just ain't gonna happen. I feel too restricted.

It's like when kids draw or colour pictures. How often do they create far greater work on a large, blank sheet, than when they are given a small 4x4 paper or "just" a colouring book. It all has a time a place but we like big, empty, tabula rasa spaces on which to work out our ideas and allow the creativity flow around here...most of the time.

So, when given a whack of packing paper by friends we set to work using it efficiently. The creative juices surge when crayola and packing paper meet. We eat our meals and snacks on our art, because the paper pretty much covers the area of our table. Don't like it? Just use it to start a fire, heat the room, and grab a fresh sheet.

So, when I was asked to begin brainstorming on how our church will approach Advent Conspiracy I grabbed a sheet of the big white stuff and got to work...yes, with crayons. Yes, alone.

There's something special about Crayola. The waxy chubby crayons bring me back to when everything just seemed easy, simple, child-like. And the best way often to be creative is to set ourselves in a child-like mindset.

It worked. My computer on one side, (navigating good sites and great video clips) and the basket of crayons on the other, I jotted down what I could find online and in my head. Oh - and in my heart.

And what I found excited me at first and then scared me. You see, there are literally dozens upon dozens of (Relief) Organizations out there. They are all doing something great. They are all very well intentioned. They are all making some sort of difference. A majority is focusing on the water crisis in Africa and also on (the welfare of) children.

And that frightened me.

Because here's the kicker:

The more knowledge I posses, the more responsible I become to take action.

Maybe it shouldn't scare me. Maybe I should face it head on and just go for it.

But what do I go for exactly?

You see, currently there are around 884,000,000 (that's nearly a billion) people in Africa who have no access to clean water. That number is anticipated to sit at 2 billion by 2050 and while 40 years may seem a long ways off, it's really not that far in the grand scheme.

So how does one go about making a difference so-to-speak?

I don't know yet. I'm working on it. One day, one idea, one focus at a time.

Because it's now my responsibility as an aware individual and I would be remiss to ignore the opportunity to leave this earth a better place than when I arrived.

How are you scheming? What exciting Advent Conspiracy plans do you have churning in your mind? What will you teach your kids? How will you share with others that Christmas, true Christmas is more than empty consumerism.

We're working on lots. I cannot wait to see what pans out. How our congregation, our family, our friends rise to the challenge to worship fully, spend less, give more, and love all - this will make a difference somewhere.


I'll keep you posted.

If I were to need to get little girl toys, I would get this.

Well, not that one exactly b/c I can't seem to digest the thought of a $50 kids' stroller. But I would ask Ben to make her one. He could do that right? Doesn't look too hard. He's a smart guy. Plus, I'd get to chose the fabric.

And, not sure if you've noticed the Little Travellers on the side bar but they are just the coolest things. And I'm not in to "things". However, when 100% of the proceeds go to helping those with HIV/AIDS in South Africa, you can't help but think they are just perfect.
Stocking stuffers you ask? Why of course. And what a story you will have to share with any one who asks you about the individually, handmade traveller sitting on your diaper bag, strap, coat, or scarf. What about your kid's hat? We've done that before...remember the adoption pin? That one provokes a lot of conversations. It was perfect.

I'm placing my Little Travellers order tomorrow.

Why don't you do the same?

It will be the easiest life-changing decision you will make all week. I promise.

All Goals Achieved

I have tears in my eyes as I type this.

BDO has just updated their site and it is fantastic news. The 3 Imagine delegates who have just returned from Ethiopia attained all goals set forth prior to their departure 12 days ago.

To say this is anything less than miraculous would be an understatement.

I'll share the biggies...

Mowa:
MOWA reassured the group that they are pleased and looking forward to continue working with Imagine Adoption.

Orphanage Updates:
Two orphanages have re-signed with the new Imagine. One of those two orphanages is comprised of 3 orphanages. The contracts stretch a 2 year period. They anticipate referrals starting sooner than originally anticipated!!
There are ongoing negotiations with two other orphanages than those mentioned above.

Key Staff:
Relationships have been re-established with the three key staff members working in Ethiopia.

Transition Home:
A new transition home has been established for children who [will be] referred, after acceptance of referral is made. It is located just around the corner from the hospital where children receive medical care.

Head on over and read for yourself, the Update on trip to Ethiopia - November 10, 2009

Only 199 To Go

We joked last night (ah hem, Ben joked - I am far too nervous to joke) that now that our Retainer and $$ is in the mail there are only approximately 199 more needed.

Come on 199.

Slick, Sunny, Saturday

In an attempt to not think about the only thing I seem to be able to think about, we headed out to the park for some real Vitamin D.

It was crisp, cold, and calming.

But please, someone talk me down, (or distract me).

I don't think I can hold out for 23 more days...

Please Conspire With Me Again

You may remember Advent Conspiracy from last year. I am passionate about this true reason for Christmas and the organization is fantastic.



The notion to post about Advent Conspiracy has been lurking in the back of my mind over the past couple of weeks but I didn't want to jump the gun.

Except now I can't help it.

I am moved again. Near tears, I am reminded of the materialism that seems to quietly embed itself all year and then show it's true, nasty face as it evidences itself around now.

So here we go.

Along the lines of the Be Rich Project which Katie is talking about, I would ask that you would join along with me to celebrate Advent Conspiracy in your own way.

Be touched as you watch the 2009 video and dig deep down inside to see what you can challenge yourself, your family, and your friends to do. We all have a responsibility to leave this world better than when we entered it. What a simple way to worship. What an easy way to better mankind. What a perfect example to set for your kids. What a contagious way to spread joy as the season approaches.