Highview Adoption Ministry

Great Job, Church Family!

2011-06-09T22:47:00.001-04:00

Great job, church family! This is a picture how many diapers and wipes you brought in on Adoption Sunday for the diaper drive! These diapers will assist families in the foster system as well as teenagers in the foster system that have babies of their own. This is orphan care. Thank you for giving!

"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

Adoption Sunday 2011

2011-05-25T15:53:00.002-04:00

This year's Adoption Sunday at Highview was an incredible one!

View the video of the service here!

Combined Campus Celebration - May 22, 2011 from Highview Baptist Church on Vimeo.

Running for the Fatherless

2011-04-19T22:52:00.003-04:00

The Kentucky Derby Marathon and miniMarathon are quickly approaching and Orphan Care Alliance (OCA) is an official race charity this year! Many runners are raising money for the fatherless as they train for this big race. See the following announcement from OCA about the upcoming opportunities to serve!

God is doing so much within Orphan Care Alliance (OCA) we just wanted to take a couple of minutes to let you know of some opportunities for your congregation to serve within our community. If you would please pass this information along to those in your congregation, we would be so very appreciative!

Join OCA At The Derby Festival Marathon / Mini-Marathon

The race is sold out, but there are still plenty of ways to support the OCA around the Derby Festival. You can give your time before the race, you can volunteer on race day and you can support those brave souls who are running to raise money for the fatherless.

Before the race: The OCA will have a table at the Expo, where runners come to sign up. The hours are Thursday April 28 from 11-7 and Friday the 29th from 11-9. Set up is Thursday morning from 9-11. Everything must be out on Friday night. It is at the International Expo Center downtown. Volunteers are needed in 1, 2 or 3 hour slots, so please contact Lisa Twyman (twymanm@bellsouth.net) for more information or to volunteer.

On race day: The OCA will be handing out water at the race and will have a small booth for runners at the finish line. On April 30th, we’ll need all volunteers in place by 8:00 AM. If you’re interested or just need more information, please contact Lisa Twyman (twymanm@bellsouth.net) before April 12

To support the OCA though a financial donation, please visit http://www.active.com/donate/orphan_care_alliance

Special Summit VII Opportunities

2011-04-19T22:45:00.002-04:00

Check out the following information about special opportunities to attend Pre-Summit seminars or just evening sessions.

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I wanted to be sure each of you were aware of two new pricing options that have recently gone up on the Summit site. Folks can now either attend just the Pre-Summit seminars on Wednesday or just the evening sessions. Each of these packages are $20 and require a special promotional code. The info for each is below. Also, please note that the Wednesday night “Free to Live” tour is free and open to the public! No registration or ticket is needed for that concert. Please share with your teams and ministries!

NEW! Can I attend only the Wednesday Pre-Summit Events?
Yes! You can attend any of the Pre-Summit Events (for $20) without a full Summit registration. To do this, use the promotional code "Wednesday" when registering.

NEW! Can I attend only the evening concerts and afternoon drama?
Yes! The Wednesday night "Free to Live" concert is free and open to the community. You may attend all other evening sessions including the Sara Groves concert and Portrait of a Family (a drama by Sarah Carleton) by purchasing a $20 Evening Only registration. To register for only these evening sessions, use "Evening" as the promotional code when you register.

Summit VII

2011-04-19T22:39:00.003-04:00

The Christian Alliance for Orphans' annual Summit has become a national hub for Christians committed to adoption, foster care and global orphan initiatives rooted in the local church.

May 12-13, 2011 ♦ Southeast Christian Church ♦ Louisville, KY

JOIN organization leaders, grassroots advocates, pastors, and ministry entrepreneurs sharing your passion.

ENCOUNTER the gathering hub of orphan ministry partnership, networking and inspiration for service.

BUILD knowledge, resources and practical skills via more than 75 workshops & unforgettable speakers and music.

Time is running out to register! Visit www.christianalliancefororphans.org to make sure you are a part of this exciting opportunity right here in Louisville!

Great Focus on the Family Broadcast for Adoptive Families

2011-03-30T15:19:00.002-04:00

"Helping Adoptive Families Thrive"
You can listen to the broadcast here.

On each information-packed broadcast, the Focus on the Family radio personalities (Jim Daly, John Fuller and Juli Slattery), along with other guests provide practical advice on marriage, parenting, emotional and spiritual growth, health, social issues and public policy concerns...

News About Ethiopian Adoption

2011-03-09T21:37:00.002-05:00

This informational email came from a member of our church that works for an adoption agency. It contains unfortunate news for families adopting from Ethiopia, but you can try to make a difference by signing a petition for them. Please read below.

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As many of you know, Joint Council recently released a Statement regarding the announcement by the Ethiopian Ministry of Women’s, Children’s and Youth Affairs plan to reduce intercountry adoption by 90%. The Statement can be found on their blog by clicking here.

If you have not yet signed this petition for Ethiopia – Please consider doing so. The Joint Council is involved with trying to help find a solution for what is going on in Ethiopia. Details are still “sketchy” but you can help by signing this petition…almost 9000 have signed it so far…

http://www.gopetition.com/petition/43714.html

Please be in prayer for the many families affected by this new statement. Many already have their referrals or are futher along in the process. Lift them up to the Lord today!

Daytona 500 Winner Trevor Bayne Affirms His Support of Back2Back Ministries

2011-02-23T13:59:00.003-05:00

20-year-old Trevor Bayne is not only an accomplished race car driver, he is also an orphan care advocate! Read his amazing story below.

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by Lonnie Clouse

Congrats to NASCAR driver and Back2Back supporter, Trevor Bayne on winning the Daytona 500 on Sunday, the youngest driver ever to win the sport's biggest race! Bayne has served with Back2Back in Monterrey, Mexico and pledged to donate portions of his Daytona 500 prize money to Back2Back’s orphan care work in Mexico.

Bayne commented, “Hopefully this money will help us get some more races, and there are a lot of foundations and ministries that need support. Back2Back Ministries in Mexico is one, and there are a lot of good organizations that need some help, and we will help them out as much as we can.”

I met Trevor Bayne while serving as the lead chaplain to the NASCAR Nationwide Series with Motor Racing Outreach (MRO). I started a small group Bible study at the race track and we met every Saturday before the race. Trevor, Michael McDowell, Justin Allgaier and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. were the nucleus of our study. Trevor was also faithful to attend our weekly MRO chapel services. It was evident from the moment that I met Trevor that he was a young man that was not ashamed of his walk with Jesus Christ. I would occasionally have him read the Scripture at the start of our chapel services or open in prayer. Trevor was bound and determined to share the story of Christ’s love any chance he had the opportunity. He would take advantage of every speaking opportunity that was offered to him and he also wore a cross around his neck and even a big belt buckle with a cross on it. He would also flood his Facebook and Twitter with Bible verses that the Lord was using in his life at the time.

God put a passion in my heart to leave MRO and come serve alongside of Back2Back in helping provide “care for today and hope for tomorrow” for the orphan. God used the book by Crazy Love by Francis Chan to help nudge me in that direction. That also happened to be the book that we used for our weekly Bible study small group.

At the conclusion of one of our small group Bible studies, Michael McDowell came up to me and said “Lonnie, I have a special surprise for you at the California race.”

Well, none other than Francis Chan showed up at the race and Francis even concluded our chapel service in prayer and hung out with the Bible study group before the race started. Trevor had a blast hanging out with Francis. Francis even joined me in prayer at Trevor’s car before the start of the race.

Michael McDowell is a strong follower of Christ and God has really used him as a leader in the lives of the younger drivers in the Nationwide Series. Michael and Jami McDowell are powerful advocates for the orphan in the sport of NASCAR and they are currently adopting a young child from the country of Ethiopia. Michael called me to ask if he could come to Monterrey to see the ministry of Back2Back firsthand. Michael talked Trevor into coming alongside of him for their week of service in Monterrey and Trevor fell in love with Back2Back and the orphans of Monterrey. Trevor was not afraid to get his hands dirty. He worked on several construction projects such as fixing a broken gas line at one of the children’s homes (orphanages) and he also played soccer and loved on the orphans. We showed up at one orphanage and the pantry was empty. We drove down to the local grocery store with the caregiver and Trevor purchased an abundance of food for the kids. Trevor’s face was beaming the whole time that we were in store and there was no doubt that was working in Trevor and also using him in the lives of these kids. Trevor and Michael spoke about being racecar drivers for a few minutes to the kids and they signed hordes of their autograph cards for the children and adults.

At the conclusion of the trip to Monterrey, Trevor asked me when he could return to help serve the orphan. I mentioned that he had an open invitation and he was welcome anytime! Since then I have stayed in contact with Trevor and he has written a foreword for the Back2Back director, Beth Guckenberger’s new book (Relentless Hope, Standard Publishing) that will be released in April. Two days before the Daytona 500 Trevor texted me to ask me to pray that he would be able to handle the highs and lows of the sport. Little did he know that his name would be written in the history books forever when he won the Daytona 500 on Sunday February 20th. At the completion of the race I listened attentively to Trevor’s post race interview in Victory Lane. Trevor did not take any credit but, instead he used the platform that God had given him to share about his love for Christ and passion for the orphan. As his former chaplain it did my heart well to hear him sum up Gods two greatest commands on the biggest stage of his life with millions of people watching: love God and love others!

Trevor took a moment to call me after his win from the media center in Daytona. I had the privilege to pray with him and he in tears recognized that his win was not about himself but all about Jesus Christ! To God be the glory.

Excerpt taken from www.back2backministries.wordpress.com

Waiting Families Group at East Campus

2011-02-08T13:15:00.000-05:00

Just a reminder:

Couples who are in the waiting process of their adoptions or couples who are considering adoption are invited for an evening of prayer and fellowship. Join other seasoned adoptive parents for encouragement along the way.

Wednesday, February 9, 6:30-8:00, Room 311
East Campus

Being a Multi-Racial Family

2011-01-22T20:08:00.002-05:00

This post is borrowed from a blog of an adoptive mom in our church. Thanks, Shannon!

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Being a multiracial family...

This story by Noel Piper was very convicting for me! Thought I would share!

Monday, January 17th, 2011
Beads, braids, and baseball
http://noelpiper.com/2011/01/17/beads-braids-and-baseball/

On this birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, here’s a true story from early in our years of being a multiracial family.

I spread a shabby, faded quilt on the grass beside the baseball diamond, waiting for our son’s game to begin. One-and-a-half-year-old Talitha and I were in jeans and jackets because the day was cool and windy. She was wearing her big brother’s baseball cap and it kept slipping down over her eyes.

When Talitha spotted three little blond girls nearby – about four or five years old – she toddled toward them, hopefully holding out her big purple ball, an invitation to play. They glanced at her, and turned back to their make-believe, ignoring her.

I sat still, puzzled. I had never seen anything like this happen to Talitha. Little girls usually would try to get her attention and beg her to play with them. She hovered near these girls, too young to realize she was being snubbed, and enjoyed watching them play. They continued as if she weren’t there.

What does a parent think when her child is rejected? Talitha might be oblivious now, but that wouldn’t last many more months. Why did those girls treat her as if she were invisible? Only a few possibilities came to my mind. “Is it because they’re good friends with each other and don’t know how to let a new person into their circle? Is it because she’s so much younger and doesn’t know how to play their game? Or is it because she’s black?”

After about ten minutes, a gust of wind cleared away my fog of perplexity when it blew off her oversized baseball cap, uncovering her beads and braids. I heard one of the children squeal, “She’s a girl!” Another picked up the big purple ball from the ground and they began to play a rolling game with her.

Later, as I watched them teaching her how to somersault, I realized that the cold spring breeze had uncovered something besides a little girl’s hairdo – it had revealed my inclination to sift the actions and attitudes of other people through the sieve of my own sensitivity and expectations. I was so tuned to find racial prejudice that I thought I’d found it. How else, I had thought, could I explain their treatment of Talitha? The real “prejudice” of those little girls – against little boys – had never occurred to me.

In the first months after we adopted Talitha into our white family, my radar for detecting reactions around us was extremely sensitive. I remember some times when people watched us intently, and I thought I read disapproval of our mixed-race family. But then they might say, “What a beautiful baby!” And I would turn off my radar and realize that sometimes I myself stare at families, enjoying the sight of their beautiful babies.

The 19th-century English preacher, Charles Spurgeon, said, “Avoid with your whole soul that spirit of suspicion which sours some men’s lives, and to all things from which you might harshly draw an unkind inference turn a blind eye and a deaf ear” (Lectures to My Students, Zondervan Publishers, p. 325). If my antenna is always circling to detect prejudice in the way people treat my family, my radar screen will be covered with blips.

James 1:19 reminds me that “everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” If I am quick to listen, perhaps I will hear more clearly what a person really means. If I am slow to speak, I won’t react instantaneously with wrong assumptions about another person’s intentions. If I am slow to become angry, I can hear God more clearly when he shows me what is really happening.

As I turned to watch my son step up to the plate, I thanked God that he spoke in the springtime wind.

Adoption growing among evangelical Christians

2011-01-19T13:39:00.002-05:00

Go check out this article in today's Courier-Journal featuring our own Melber Family and Dr. Russell Moore!!

2011 Louisville Adoption Fair

2011-01-15T20:29:00.004-05:00

January 30, 2011
1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
St. Francis High School
233 W. Broadway (enter on 3rd St.)
Louisville, KY
WLKY-TV - Wednesday’s Child, Inc.
and Local Adoption Agencies

Free Admission
1-800-928-4303
www.wednesdayschild.com

Workshops will be presented from 1:30-3:00
- Adoption 101
- Adoption from Foster Care
- International

Participating Agencies
- Adoption and Homestudy Specialists
- Adoption Assistance, Inc.
- Adoption Bridges of Kentucky
- Jewish Family & Career Service
- Ky. Cabinet For Health & Family Services
- Love Basket Inc.
- St. Elizabeth Regional Maternity Center
- St. Joseph Children’s Home
- Sunrise Children’s Services
- WLKY-TV Wednesday’s Child, Inc.

Before You Were Mine: Discovering Your Adopted Child's Lifestory

2011-01-07T08:48:00.002-05:00

This exciting book study for adoptive moms begins at Highview East Campus on Wednesday, January 12th from 6:30-8:00pm and will continue throughout the Spring Semester.

Led by Kimber Graves

"Before You Were Mine is not only worth reading but worth referring back to again and again. Written from the perspective of an adoptive mother and an adoptee, it beautifully blends personal experience, the advice of experts, and God's promises. Full of touching vignettes, it walks the reader through not only how to create a Lifebook but why it matters in the life of a child."
-Kris Faasse, Director of Adoption Services, Bethany Christian Services.

Adoption Movie: Change of Plans -- Premiers Saturday, January 8th

2011-01-06T23:19:00.004-05:00

Across the country on Saturday night, there will be a family movie featuring an adoption story on Fox Television as they air “Change of Plans” at 8 PM (7 Central). It is part of Walmart and P&G's Family Movie Night series. Following the movie in each time zone, there will be a LIVE 45 minute webcast for viewers to submit their questions on adoption, and a panel including several well-respected national experts who are good friends of Bethany will give their answers. Panelists are Chuck Johnson from NCFA, Dr. Sharen Ford from Colorado DHS, Paul Pennington from Hope for Orphans and the moderator is Kelly Rosati from Focus on the Family.

Movie trailer: http://www.moms4familytv.com/family_tv.php
Link for the webcast: http://www.familiesforall.org/

Change of Plans is the fourth film in an initiative sponsored by Wal-Mart and P&G to bring back “Family Movie Night”. Change of Plans is the story of Sally and Jason Danville, a young couple with plenty of love, talent, and career opportunities - and no responsibilities. When Sally's childhood friend dies and entrusts her with four children, Sally and Jason begin a journey that changes the focus of their lives and expands their definition of family. Three of these four children have become siblings through international adoption, and the movie offers a challenging, heart-warming insight into the joys and struggles of building a family from a group of strangers. More info on the movie: http://familymovienight.com/change-of-plans/

Protect Orphans from Human Trafficking

2010-12-16T14:40:00.003-05:00

Wednesday, January 19th, 2001, you're invited to a Webinar on a most important issue.

"Help Wanted: Protecting Orphans from Human Trafficking"

As part of National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, gain an overview of the global human trafficking problem, its impact on orphans, and what orphan care ministries, churches, and motivated individuals can do to make a difference.

Host Church: Woodmen Valley Chapel
Presenters: Dave Wayman, Woodmen Valley Chapel and Tom Davis, Children's HopeChest
When: 1/19/2011 at 2:00pm

Register Now with Christian Alliance For Orphans. You will not want to miss this!

Tough Starts

2010-12-15T13:51:00.002-05:00

Adoption Learning Partners has several new offerings for adoptive families (both pre- and post-adopt).

Most recently, ALP is offering a series of three courses entitled "Tough Starts" that have been developed in collaboration with Karyn Purvis. Each of the three courses focuses on a different issue relevant to parenting a child who experienced a tough start to life - abuse, neglect, life in an orphanage, malnutrition (either in utero or postnatal), chronic stress (either in utero or postnatal), or prenatal substance exposure.

The first one-hour course, "Tough Starts: Brain Development Matters," teaches parents about the ways that trauma/tough starts impact a child's brain development.

The second one-hour course, "Tough Starts: Treatment Matters," focuses on those challenges that should prompt parents to seek professional help for their child and how to select an adoption-competent and trauma-informed therapist.

The third course, "Tough Starts: Parenting Matters," is two hours and addresses the challenges from their child's background that will impact the way that parents should approach parenting.

Each course costs $25, or $60 if all three are purchased together. These courses provide families with a basic understanding of trauma, its impact on brain development and behavior, and how parenting approaches should be adapted to take trauma-related impacts into account.

Please visit www.adoptionlearningpartners.org for a complete listing of courses.

Naomi's Fund Christmas Bazaar

2010-11-16T07:40:00.002-05:00

We Hope You'll Join Us for the...

Naomi's Fund Christmas Bazaar
& All-you-can-eat Pancake Dinner

Please see a Naomi's Fund family to purchase your tickets for the pancake dinner. $6 per person (two and under are free) Tickets will also be available at the door.

Saturday, November 20th 4:00 - 8:00
(Pancake Dinner from 5:30-7:00)

Christian Academy English Station, Cafeteria

Free Kids Activities: face-painting, crafts, & visit by Santa

Don't forget your Christmas List! We'll have lot of unique crafts and gifts: flower headbands, t-shirts, kids clothes, jewelry, scarves, purses, tutus, and more!

Please tell friends and family who would like to support adoption this holiday season.
Thank You!

Don't Miss These Opportunities THIS WEEK!

2010-11-08T14:35:00.003-05:00

We are so blessed to be able to continually participate in adoption education and orphan care opportunities here in the Louisville area! You don't want to miss these this week!

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9th -- ADOPTION SUPPORT AND FELLOWSHIP
7:00 pm, East Campus, Greenhouse

Couples who have adopted or are in the process of adopting are encouraged to attend this meeting! Consider ways to incorporate your adopted child's heritage into your family's traditions. Contact Kimber at kgraves@bethany.org for more information.

And . . .

GET A FLU SHOT, HELP BRING HOME AN ORPHAN

Angie Melton, a nurse and Highview church member, is going to be giving flu shots as a fundraiser to help fund their family's adoption of their daughter Lydia. Angie's
employer has graciously donated her flu shots to help raise funds for their adoption. She is selling them for $15 a shot which is considerably less than you will pay anywhere else. Angie can accept cash or check. Flu shot clinic dates, times and locations are listed below.

In Taylorsville:
Country Mart (913 Taylorsville Road) on Thursday, November 11th from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm.

County Wide Lawn & Garden (4760 Taylorsville Road, beside Barrel Smoked BBQ) on Saturday, November 13th from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm.

And . . .

RUN FOR HOME ADOPTION FUNDRAISER
Saturday, November 13th, 9:00 am to 11:00 pm at E.P. Tom Sawyer Park

Kevin and Bethany Hall are doing a 5K walk/run fundraiser this weekend to raise money for their upcoming adoption! The cost to walk/run is $25 per adult, $10 per kid (if they are going to participate) and there's a $50 maximum cost per family. Details about the walk/run are included in the flyers below.

Orphan Sunday

2010-11-03T21:41:00.006-04:00

This Sunday, November 7th, Orphan Sunday will be celebrated across the globe.

What is Orphan Sunday?

It is a movement to call God's people to defend the cause of the orphan, to align our hearts with God's heart and care for the orphan, and to encourage others to take a step forward and respond to God's call to love the orphan.

How will you celebrate Orphan Sunday?

Visit www.orphansunday.org for more information!

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Orphan Sunday Prayer, taken from www.orphansunday.org

Dear Father,

On this Orphan Sunday, we join with Your people across our country and beyond to pray for orphans.

We know that love for these precious children begins not with us, but with You. You pursued us when we were wayward and alone. You adopted us as your children. You invite us to address you as Daddy and to live as Your sons and daughters. Truly, we love because You first loved us.

You tell us also that You are near to the downtrodden and destitute. Your heart aches for children that face the world alone. You champion the cause of those who have no one else to take their side. And You call us to do the same.
So we pray that You would rouse us to share your heart. We ask that You would stir Your people to passion and vision and action on behalf of children that have no family.

We lift up to You the millions of children in the world who have lost their parents to disease, to war, to addiction, to poverty, to abandonment. As You promise to do, place the lonely in families. Be their defender, their provider, their hope and peace. Help us to do the same.

We pray also for the five hundred thousand children in our foster system in America. So often, they are bounced from home to home, knowing little love, consistency or true nurture. Please be their love, their consistency, their nurture. Help us to do the same.

We confess that we have often lived with little regard for these precious lives. Please forgive us. Lead us to take up their cause, not in guilt or obligation, but as a joyful response to Your great love for us.

As we do, we pray that You would use our humble response to transform. To transform the lives of countless orphans both physically and spiritually. To transform us as we encounter You in them. To transform Your Church as we lift our eyes beyond our own comfort and self-focused religion to live out the painful beauty of the Gospel. And finally, to transform a watching world as it catches glimpses of Your love made visible through the actions of Your people.

We commit all this to You, the One who is both our Father and a Father to the fatherless, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Post-Adopt Group

2010-09-30T17:16:00.000-04:00

I am extremely excited about our October adoption support group meeting! Highview will be hosting a panel featuring the true adoption experts themselves: four adults who were adopted as children and have now grown into adulthood. Come hear firsthand how they feel about growing up adopted, about tackling issues such as identity, loss, abandonment, transracial concerns, navigating sibling and other family relationships, how their perspective about adoption has grown and changed over the years, and ultimately, how their faith in Christ has shaped who they are. You will also have an opportunity to ask them questions that you may wonder as you parent your own adopted children.

We will meet on Tuesday, October 12th at the East campus greenhouse, from 7-9 p.m. Please spread the word and invite anyone you feel would benefit from this evening - grandparents, extended family, friends, other adoptive families!

Hope to see you on October 12th!

For His Glory,
Kimber Graves

Interested in Adoption? :: FREE Seminar

2010-09-10T15:00:00.002-04:00

Saturday, October 16th
8:30 am - 3:00 pm
Eastside Christian Church
Jeffersonville, IN

This free seminar seeks to inform Christian singles, couples and families who are interested in learning more about growing families through adoption. The seminar begins with a continental breakfast and a keynote presentation. Several one-hour breakout sessions and lunch will follow. Each breakout session will address more specific topics about adopting, including types of adoption, funding, adoption myths and more. See adoptedindiana.org/adoptionseminar for more information and to preregister.

Fundraising for Adoption - An Opportunity

2010-09-10T14:42:00.004-04:00

“This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God’s people but is also overflowing in many expression of thanks to God” 1 Corinthians 9:12

When my husband, Brian, and I realized we only had 8 weeks until our son Easton was born, we couldn’t help but be worried with the financial burden of this fast adoption. While we knew and had faith in our hearts that God would provide, we often let our minds dominate with uncertainty. As always, God proved Himself to us and through the help and support of family and friends, we had very little financial burden for Easton’s adoption! Praise God!

Through prayerful conversations with the Lord, we quickly realized that He has provided a way for us to aid others in their adoption journeys. As an adoptive mother and an Independent Distributor for Premier Designs jewelry, I and my husband felt led to offer fund raising through this Christian based, mission supporting business. For anyone who has a jewelry show fund raiser, 100% of all profit will be donated to the adoptive family. The profit is roughly 50% of all sales.

In August of 2010, we were able to aid some great friends of ours in their adoption. They passed around a catalog for two weeks, then we had a fun jewelry show in her home. This jewelry show was extra special, as we all celebrated our friends bringing home their future son! Through all the sales, she was able to raise $835 toward their adoption fund! It brings joyful tears to my eyes and such gratefulness in my heart that God has provided a way for us to serve Him by serving other adoptive families.

For more information regarding fund raising through Premier Designs Jewelry, please contact Christy Runyan at jewelrylady583@yahoo.com or 502.724.8971.

REMINDER!

2010-09-09T08:00:00.000-04:00

Just a reminder!! Don't let us have fun without you...

1st Annual Highview Adoption Family Picnic

2010-08-28T10:00:00.001-04:00

Come join us for food, fun and fellowship! You will obviously be blessed!!
Don't forget to RSVP!!

Africa/African-American Adoptive Family Picnic

2010-08-25T09:40:00.002-04:00

In case you weren't aware, this picnic is going on this Saturday. Some of you have just begun the adoption process. I want you to know that you are invited! This will be a great opportunity for all our families to get to know one another, for our children to see other families that look like ours, or for you to hang out with trans-racial families to see if you feel like the Lord might be calling you!

It will be so much fun! Please don't think that your child/ren have to be home yet. Come and enjoy the fellowship!

Blessings,
Tera

What: African Social

Why: So multicultural families can build relationships. So our African children can bond with children of the same cultural background.

Where: Highview Baptist Church-Fegenbush Lane, behind the church at the pavilion

Who: Adoptive and foster families of African-American children
(feel free to invite extended family and other adoptive families)

When: Saturday, August 28th from 10-2pm

What to Bring: Picnic and drinks for your family, lawn chairs or blankets, cornhole boards, outdoor toys (bubbles, balls, hula hoops, baseball equipment...etc)

We will have access to the covered pavilion, baseball field, playground, picnic tables, restrooms....we plan to get a good kickball game going and maybe another competitive game of dodge ball!!

Pretty Please RSVP!!!
Bethany 417-7213

Meet the B Family!

2010-08-13T16:10:00.004-04:00

Another adoption story to share. . .

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Like so many adoption stories, ours has been filled with joy and pain. But every truly great story ever written is filled with both. We began the adoption journey like many couples do, confused and wanting info. Scott works in a ministry where orphan care is a big priority and so adoption had been on his heart for a long time. I, on the other hand, was a little more opposed to the idea. Not that I didn't want to adopt, but I was thinking that adoption was "further down the road" for us -- like when we had several kids "of our own" and money in the bank. You see, we had recently gone through two miscarriages -- a devastating experience, and then had been able to carry a child to term. Our daughter Kilee was 2 years old and I was thinking that more biological children was the logical next step. After all, we had figured this pregnancy thing out and we should keep going with it! Scott encouraged me to keep an open mind and heart toward what God might be leading our family to do.

In recent years, our church has really caught on to God's heart for the orphan and had been offering some classes about "Considering Adoption." The class was being led by some dear friends of ours and Scott suggested that we attend. Reluctantly I agreed. After a few classes, God really began to change my heart about adoption. I was holding on SO tightly to my ideas and plans, that I was completely ignoring my husband's leading and the Lord's gentle urging to follow Him. It wasn't so much about whether adoption was a good thing or not, it was about whether or not I trusted God with the future.

It's not that adopting a child is God's plan for every family (though orphan care is, but we'll save that one for another time), but as Scott and I attended the class, we were starting to discern together that adoption was the plan for OUR family. Our hearts began to feel heavy with a desire to adopt based on God's great love for us. After all, it didn't matter to God whether we were white, black, young, old, cute or rough around the edges - He grafted us into His family through Christ. I was time for us to act. Now as I mentioned earlier, Scott is in the ministry and I am a stay at home mom, so I needn't mention the extent of our lack of "financial fitness" to complete an adoption. Once we completed our homestudy, we began navigating the process of choosing an agency. We were initially thinking we would adopt internationally, but doors seemed to keep opening for a domestic adoption. Soon we were contacted by our social worker about an agency that had several minority birthmothers giving birth in the next several months but no adoptive family profiles for them to choose from. We were so excited about this opportunity, but then we were told the agency's adoption fee. It seemed insurmountable -- $20,000. We were heartbroken. How could we raise this amount of money? We applied to Lifesong for a matching grant. We prayed and asked a few friends to pray as well. One evening as we were going to bed, we received a call from our church's adoption minister. Our jaws dropped as we heard her say that over $12,000 had been anonymously donated to our adoption and was being placed in our Lifesong account. The next day we found out that we had received a Lifesong matching grant. We fell on our faces before the Lord, repented of our faithlessness and applied with the agency that very day. God was completely providing for this precious child He was about to give us. But the faith journey was not over yet.

The next several months were an emotional rollercoaster. We were quickly chosen by a birthmother to adopt her precious biracial son who was due to be born 4 months thereafter. We waited and prepared with joyous anticipation. Everything was coming together. One day, close to the baby's due date we received a call. The baby had been born and . . . the birthmother was going to keep him. We were devastated. It felt like a miscarriage all over again. We took some time to grieve the loss of this little boy, but then we decided to jump back in. We were not going to give up. After all, Satan did not want these little babies in believing families and we needed to stand strong in the Lord and complete the process with His help. It was a spiritual battle. We prayed specifically that the Lord would bring us a baby soon. We didn't know how soon.

Two months later on a beautiful September morning, I was at a Mom's Bible study at church and Scott received a call at work. We had been chosen by a birthmother. He called me at church and told me, "Monica, we've been chosen. And he's already born. We need to review the case and get to the hospital now!" My legs went to jelly as I hung up the phone and told my small group the news. Our church was filled with the sounds of squealing moms that had walked the entire adoption journey with us. I made arrangements for Kilee and ran to the car, all to the chants of the moms in the parking lot yelling, "Go, Momma, Go!" I can't help but cry as I type this. The body of Christ is a beautiful thing.

After spending some time with our son's precious birthmom, Scott and I walked into the hospital room with a nurse and our agency representative. And there was the most beautiful baby boy we had ever seen. He had dark skin and jet black hair which we later learned stemmed from his beautifully rich ethnic heritage. Above his crib was printed, "BUFA" (Baby Up For Adoption). The nurse handed him over to us and we bawled and praised Jesus as we kissed his sweet face. Here he was, OUR son. As we held him in that cold hospital room it hit us with the full force of God's revelation. We're him. God adopted us, in a helpless, hopeless state and grafted us into his family tree. Just as this little boy would receive a family, an inheritance and a new name through adoption -- so did we through Christ. The gospel is so beautiful.

Josiah Scott is now a happy, healthy 11-month-old who loves to romp and play with his sister, hug on his mama, and wrestle with his daddy! We are continually reminded of Josiah's beautiful story and how God grew us as we followed Him. We want to adopt again someday! We are so thankful to all of the donors that helped make it financially possible to bring Josiah home. Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!

Local Opportunities to Care for the Orphan

2010-08-10T15:48:00.004-04:00

Foster Family Support Bowling Event

We are looking for donations of food or money to supply the following for an OCA (Orphan Care Alliance, formerly Louisville Orphan Care Initiative) Foster Family Support Bowling Event on August 21st. With the donations we are hoping to supply a light breakfast of donuts, muffins, and fruit with napkins and small plates to serve 60 people.

We have some donated prizes for the event but are also looking to buy a few gift cards as a raffle.

If your church, bible study group, or individuals are interested in donating, please contact Britt Washausen at brwash@insightbb.com

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Arise For Children Krispy Kreme Fundraiser - A family affair!

As many of you have heard, Arise for Children is in the process of opening an orphanage in Ethiopia, Love in Action (LIA). Susan and her staff are very excited to see all the work the Lord has done to get this project started. If you haven’t kept up with the Dallasburg Baptist Church mission team, you can see blog posts from their trip. (www.dburg.org) They worked very hard all week to prepare the orphanage for children. Even though I would LOVE to head to Ethiopia to help as well, that is just not possible right now. HOWEVER, I can help in another way and so can you!

I am putting together a Krispy Kreme fundraiser and all earnings will go toward LIA! I would love for your family to participate. I think this fundraiser has great potential to raise some money for LIA.

Here is how it works:

· I will email out the Pre-Sell form and you will have about 10 days to sell the doughnuts. You will just fill out the customer’s name and address along with the number of boxes AND COLLECT THEIR PAYMENT OF $6.50. (same cost as at the store)

· Once the selling window is over, you will drop off the order form and money to the Arise office NO LATER THAN MONDAY, AUGUST 30.

· Our Doughnut Day will be Saturday, September 4. On that day your customers can come to pick up their doughnuts in the Arise parking lot.

Just to let you know, Arise will make AT LEAST $3.25 a box on these, with the potential to make more! The more you sell….the more ARISE makes! My hope is to have at least 30 families participate. Considering the families already home and families in process, this is doable. The goal for each family is 10 boxes. You could sell to your family, Sunday School class, neighbors, and friends. These people have seen the joy of adoption first hand as they watched you walk this journey and will likely be willing to support orphan care. And everybody loves a good doughnut! If 30 families participate and reach the 10 box goal, we will make over $1,000 for LIA!!

I hope you share my excitement about helping LIA and the orphans still in Ethiopia. If your family wants to participate, please email me. I will be sending out the necessary forms in the coming week.

Contact Brittney at brittneyj.armstrong@gmail.com or 502-290-5643 if your family is interested in participating.

African Social :: August 28th

2010-08-09T16:24:00.003-04:00

What: African Social

Why: So multicultural families can build relationships. So our African children can bond with children of the same cultural background.

Where: Highview Baptist Church-Fegenbush Lane
Behind the church at the pavillion
http://www.highviewbaptist.org/fegenbush/links/worship.asp

Who: Adoptive and foster families of African-American children
(feel free to invite extended family and other adoptive families)

When: Saturday, August 28th from 10-2pm

What to Bring: Picnic and drinks for your family
lawn chairs or blankets
outdoor toys ( bubbles, balls, hula hoops, baseball equipment...etc)

We will have access to the covered pavillion, baseball field, playground, picnic tables, restrooms....we plan to get a good kickball game going and maybe another competitive game of dodge ball!!

RSVP to Bethany 417-7213

Webinar Series: The Post Placement Journey

2010-08-05T10:39:00.002-04:00

Parenting an adopted child is a miraculous blessing straight from the Lord, but it often requires a different body of knowledge than does raising a biological child. See the following article by Christian Alliance for Orphans about "The Post Placement Journey" and decide if the Webinar might be a good educational opportunity for your family.

Dr. Karyn Purvis and Michael Monroe offer insights and resources to equip adoption and foster ministries to help families meet the challenges of loving, nurturing and building strong relationships with children from hard places.

Host Church: Irving Bible Church
Presenters: Dr. Karyn Purvis, TCU Institute of Child Development
Michael Monroe, Tapestry Adoption & Foster Care Ministry,
Irving Bible Church

Register at christianalliancefororphans.org

Date: WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 25, 2010 Time: 2:00 PM Eastern

Post-Adopt Fellowship

2010-08-04T16:12:00.000-04:00

It's hard to believe the summer is quickly drawing to a close (especially with the heat being as extreme as it has been!). School is just around the corner, which leads us into our next post-adoption topic.

Next week, August 10, from 7-9 pm at Highview's East campus in The Greenhouse, we will be exploring the topic "Lessons for School". Learn and prepare for your child's positive experience in school as we discuss various aspects of the school experience for our adopted children and some of the unique ways we can support them.

Hope to see you next week!

An adoption movement? Agencies say interest on rise

2010-07-22T07:00:00.001-04:00

GREAT article from Baptist Press, mentioning several of our own pastors...Praise the Lord for each family involved in adoption!!

How is the Lord leading you??

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Posted on Jul 20, 2010 | by Michael Foust

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--The adoption agency Bethany Christian Services says interest from couples in adopting is significantly ahead of what it was last year, a trend that is being seen elsewhere and, adoption leaders say, is an example of a growing adoption movement among Christians.

International adoption placements through Bethany are up 66 percent this year compared to last year while inquiries about international adoption are up 95 percent, the agency reported July 19. Domestic infant adoption interest also is up: Applications are up 23 percent and home studies up 15 percent.

Representatives from Nighlight Christian Adoptions and Buckner International -- two Christian-based agencies -- say they, too, have seen an uptick in interest from couples wanting to adopt.

The increased interest comes as ministries and churches renew their focus on adoption. The Southern Baptist Pastors' Conference in June had a special emphasis on adoption and donated its offering "overage" to adoption scholarships for pastors and missionaries. Saddleback Church, where Rick Warren pastors, hosted a Forum on Orphans and Adoption in May, and the Christian Alliance for Orphans in April held its sixth annual Summit conference, an event that grows in popularity each year.

Ron Stoddart, executive director of Nightlight Christian Adoptions, said there's "no doubt" that there's a growing adoption movement among Christians. Nightlight -- which has offices in California, Colorado and South Carolina -- is a member of the National Christian Adoption Fellowship, which is comprised of nine adoption agencies and programs. All nine, he said, have seen an increased interest this year from couples wanting to adopt. In addition to an upswing in interest in international and domestic adoption, Nightlight also has seen in increase in interest in its embryo adoption program, in which couples adopt donated frozen embryos.

"I think the reason for the upswing in the number of home studies that are being done and the number of families that are applying is because of this increased awareness within the church of the need to take care of kids," Stoddart told Baptist Press.

Estimates of the number of orphans worldwide varies wildly, although all stats put the number in the millions. Southern Baptist Theological Seminary's Russell D. Moore and his wife Maria adopted two boys from a Russian orphanage. He has since written a book about adoption, "Adopted for Life," and he often speaks to groups on the subject.

"The Spirit of Christ is on the move among evangelicals, and this is just the beginning," Moore, dean of the seminary's school of theology, told BP. "... [M]any Christians are awakening to the radical nature of the Gospel itself. We, the Gospel says, were adopted. This reality tears down any artificial notion that adoption is some kind of 'less than' or 'Plan B' family. Christians are also waking up to what Jesus and His brother James define as pure religion: the care of the least of these, the orphans and widows."

Other factors are at work, Moore said. Christians have seen "the plague of fatherlessness" and been convicted to make a difference. There's also a multiplying effect: As couples adopt, their friends see that adoption isn't so "strange" and they, too, begin to "pray and ask God if this is where He's leading them," Moore said. Pastors also are leading the way, he said.

"Pastors are starting to preach the whole counsel of God about the Father's love for the orphan, and calling churches to support the effort in all sorts of ways. Not every Christian is called to adopt, but every Christian is called to care for widows and orphans," Moore said, pointing to James 1:27. "I literally do not go five minutes these days without hearing from at least one family, via e-mail or social media, who testify that God has called them to adopt."

Kevin Ezell, who served as the president of this year's Pastors' Conference, has seen firsthand that pastors are taking action. He expected around 70 Southern Baptist pastors and missionaries would apply for the adoption scholarships; however, 140 did so.

"I've never been more proud of SBC pastors than the last month," Ezell, pastor of Highview Baptist Church in Louisville, Ky., told Baptist Press.

Ezell learned of one pastor's family who was adopting a child with spina bifida and another pastor's family who was adopting twins with Down syndrome.

"The stories are incredible," Ezell said.

Although the funds were limited for the scholarships, Ezell is trying to find enough money to cover everyone who is eligible. Church members who see their pastor adopting a child will be more likely to do the same, said Ezell, whose family has adopted three children.

"If a pastor does it, it changes the atmosphere of the church," he said.

Buckner International, which places children in families through domestic and international adoption, also has seen an increase in inquiries and applications this year, said Debbie Wynne, director of Buckner Adoption and Maternity Services. She credits much of it to churches adding adoption, foster care and orphan ministries.

"There is a grassroots movement of churches building these advocacy ministries to support and inspire their church members to actively help 'the least of these,'" Wynne said.

The Haiti earthquake also impacted couples. Buckner's international adoption program received more than 3,800 inquiries in January and February about adopting children from the country, Wynne said.

Bethany Christian Services said the Haiti disaster had a big impact in demonstrating to Christians the plight of orphans.

"The figures Bethany released show strong improvement as we confront the global orphan crisis, but the need still remains as there are still an incredible number of orphaned children who wait for their 'forever family,’" Bill Blacquiere, president and CEO of Bethany Christian Services, said in a statement.

Stoddart, of Nightlight Christian Adoptions, said despite the positive increase in interest, some children -- older ones and minorities, for instance -- remain the toughest to place into families. The outlook is not good for an orphan from a foreign country who never finds a home.

"That still is a great need," Stoddart said. "With those kids, if they're not adopted, we know what happens when they age out of the orphanage. They become victims of one sort or another. The girls get into prostitution and the boys into petty street crime and drugs. The number of kids who commit suicide is staggering. Here in the United States we have kids that have problems during their teen years and rebel, but there still is that family that is there as a safety net. When you get out of an orphanage at age 17 or 18, there is no family."

Michael Foust is an assistant editor of Baptist Press. Visit the ministries and programs referenced in this article: Bethany (Bethany.org), Nighlight (Nightlight.org), Buckner (Buckner.org) and the SBC Adoption Fund for Ministers (SBCAdoption.com). Bethany Christian Services is providing a matching grant for the first 25 pastors who are approved for the SBC Adoption Fund and who use Bethany for their adoption service.

Meet The H Family!

2010-07-21T08:00:00.004-04:00

Enjoy another wonderful testimony from one of our own Highview families blessed by adoption!

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We started trying to add to our family in the spring of 2001. We got pregnant after a few months and everything seemed to be ok. In January of 2002, at 13 weeks, we miscarried. After this miscarriage I went through a period of depression. I was angry with God, but learned to cling to His Psalms. I carried scraps of paper in my pockets with a verse from Psalms written out, so that I would be reminded of those thoughts during the day, when I began to feel depressed.

We continued to try to have a baby and had two more miscarriages. At this point we knew that something had to change. We were clearly not going to have babies the traditional way. So we decided to seek the advice of a fertility specialist. In the mean time, I also began to research adoption, but Greg wasn’t ready to consider adoption.

God used some amazing circumstances, friends and Steven Curtis Chapman’s ministry to prepare our hearts for adoption. We even had someone ask us to adopt a baby boy out of the blue. That didn’t happen but it all worked together to prepare the way.

Even though we had now come to the realization that adoption was and always had been God’s plan for us, Greg still needed more time to grieve the loss of our children and come to terms with his fears of adoption. We took a vacation to South Africa and during that time Greg read a book called “Adoption After Infertility”. The book put into words all the things that he had been thinking and feeling, but was unable to express for himself. This book, some much needed time away, and a lot of prayer really helped us with our final decision. When we got back from South Africa we started the long process of paperwork, patience and prayer.

We completed our home study in February of 2004. We received a picture of our beautiful baby boy, Josiah TaeHyung, on Sept 13, 2004 and traveled to Korea the following March to bring him home. On March 21st, 2005 we boarded a plane for home with our son.

Two years after Josiah came home we started thinking about adopting again. We decided to adopt from Korea again since we were familiar with the process and felt it important for our children to share the same heritage. We also thought we would love to have a daughter.

In September 2007 our paperwork was sent to Korea and we were told that it would be 5 months before we heard anything. Many people asked us about the possibility of getting a girl and I kept telling them that short of a miracle I couldn't see that happening because girls just weren’t available at that time. Very unexpectedly we got a call from our social worker just 2 months after sending our paperwork to Korea. She wanted to know if we would consider reviewing the file of a little girl that was considered to have special needs. We went through all her medical information very carefully, had 2 doctors review her charts and had several friends and family members praying for guidance.

Clearly God was at work in this situation and on March 10, 2008 Naomi Yoojin joined her forever family. Wow! God is good and is faithful and has been with us every step of the way.

Book Recommendation

2010-07-20T09:13:00.004-04:00

Would you like a new and current resource to continue to help prepare you for the journey of adoption? One of the books being recommended to adoptive families is Wounded Children, Healing Homes by Jayne Schooler, Betsy Keefer Smalley & Timothy Callahan, PsyD. It is not a difficult read in terms of the depth of the theory presented but it is a highly useful book for adoptive families. A summary of the book follows:

Wounded Children, Healing Homes helps the reader to understand trauma and the impact it has on parenting a previously maltreated child. Many parents and professionals do not have a clear understanding of exactly what complex trauma is and how it can play a significant role in a child’s development and behavior, sometimes even if that child was adopted as an infant. While many resources exist for learning about trauma and its impact on children, Schooler’s book shines in its ability to present the information in an easily accessible way. It is not just theoretical, but presents parents with practical strategies for dealing with the situations and stimuli that can trigger their child’s trauma responses and for helping their children feel safe again and begin to heal.

It is avaliable on Amazon's Website.

"A Night With the Chapmans" Tour Comes to Louisville

2010-07-05T08:10:00.003-04:00

See the following article courtesy of StereoTruth.net about this exciting tour coming to Louisville's Southeast Christian Church, October 5th, 2010!

Show Hope presents Steven Curtis Chapman and his family embarking on a new journey together this fall as they venture out on a “A Night with the Chapmans.” This special family affair tour will kick off September 10th in Lancaster, PA and continue through 34 more amazing American cities before wrapping up on November 21st in Baltimore, MD. Songs you can expect to hear on this tour include “Live Out Loud,” “Cinderella” and many more of Steven’s extensive catalog loved by all music fans. Steven will also bring back by popular demand his request time where attendees can ask that their song be added to the set just log on to his website now to leave your request.Steven explains the heart behind this tour…

We’ve prayed for months that each evening of this tour be an opportunity to ponder important things, and to celebrate the hope we have in Jesus, the great hope I’m so thankful continues to carry us all.

As a part of this very special season, Mary Beth Chapman will join her husband for the first time ever on the tour. Mary explains why now is the time for her entire family to hit the road…

There are three things I told God I would never ever do: homeschool, adopt, and speak in public. Well, we’ve already homeschooled, you know we’ve adopted, and now this fall I’ll be on stage speaking at Steven’s concerts, now I’m telling God I will not go to Hawaii for three months.

Mary Beth will share her journey as reflected in her inaugural book, “Choosing To See”, available this September and co-written with Ellen Vaughn. Discussing her courtship and marriage to Steven, struggles for emotional balance, and living with grief, she will open up about how she has wrestled with God even as she has allowed him to write her story–both during times of happiness and those of tragedy. Mary Beth’s transparent style will surprise audiences with the depth of her faith struggle and her hilarious sense of humor. Mary Beth and Steven will also proudly introduce audiences to the band Caleb, a new band featuring their sons Caleb and Will Franklin.

Show Hope, the title sponsor of the tour, is a ministry founded by Steven and Mary Beth that enables individuals and communities to change the world for orphans by not only addressing a child’s need for food, shelter, care, and spiritual nourishment, but by also addressing the root issue for an orphan: the lack of a family.

In other Chapman news, the title track from his current project “Beauty Will Rise” is now impacting radio. “Beauty Will Rise”, released last winter, is a collection of 12 compelling and profound songs created during the walk through the darkness of the loss of Chapman’s daughter Maria and while God continued to meet him there on the journey. Part lament, part praise, part grief, part hope, part wrestling, part pondering; these tracks resonate as Chapman’s personal Psalms. It is a desperately hopeful, raw, personal, and honest recording that is likely the most important of his already incredible 20 plus year ministry.

For further tour/ticket information see http://www.stevencurtischapman.com/touring.php

Exciting Conference Coming to Nashville

2010-06-23T21:58:00.004-04:00

Save the date for an exciting conference you don't want to miss!

September 10 & 11, 2010 — the Empowered To Connect Conference is coming to Nashville!

Hosted by Covenant Presbryterian Church, the Empowered To Connect Conference will feature two tracks with sessions and workshops led by Dr. Karyn Purvis and Michael & Amy Monroe.

Day One of the conference is specifically designed for those focused on serving and supporting others, including social workers, agency professionals, church staff and ministry leaders, counselors, therapists, adoption and orphan advocates, and others involved in adoption and foster care ministries or services.

Day Two of the conference is tailored to the needs of adoptive and foster parents (pre- and post-adoption and foster care).

Everyone is encouraged to attend both days of the conference!

The conference will run from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm each day. Light refreshments will be provided during breaks, with “on your own” lunch breaks scheduled from 12:00 to 1:30pm.

Visit www.showhope.org/connect for more information.

Events Calendar

2010-06-11T23:44:00.007-04:00

Quick tip: For upcoming events in Highview's Adoption Ministry as well as adoption/orphan care events and opportunities in our community, please feel free to consult the Adoption Ministry Events calendar in the toolbar at the right of the home page. Click on each event in the calendar for additional information about location, start/end times, and a brief event description. We try to keep this calendar as updated as possible so that all event information is readily available!

Don't forget...

2010-06-03T12:19:00.001-04:00

Just a reminder...

We are excited to let everyone know that in June, our adoption support group will be meeting on a special date, Saturday June 5th, from 10:00 a.m. - noon, at Highview's East Campus, in the Greenhouse (for those of you who are unfamiliar with East campus, it is a separate building to the right of the main sanctuary as you face the church). Please note this location change from our previous meetings.

Tara VanderWoude, a Korean adoptee, adoptive mother, and colleaugue of mine from Bethany Christian Services, will be presenting "What Transracially Adopted Children Need from Their Parents." Discover 20 ways to support and celebrate your child’s identity! Tara brings a unique perspective as an adoption professional who grew up in a transracial family. She travels and speaks throughout the region on various adoption-related topics, and has served as a leader for the Korea Ties homeland tours program. This is one meeting you won't want to miss!

Please help spread the word to any local adoption groups, families, and friends. We look forward to seeing you on Saturday, June 5th, at 10 a.m. The East campus is located at 15201 Shelbyville Road in Louisville.

Feel free to email or call (812-786-1236) with any questions!

Update on Haitian Teen

2010-05-22T20:53:00.001-04:00

This post is a follow-up to a previous post. Please see below for new information/needs.

This summer, the Louisville chapter of Healing the Children (HTC) will be bringing a sixteen-year-old Haitian girl to Louisville in order to receive surgery to correct a life-threatening heart condition. This young woman’s home was completely destroyed by the earthquake, and she has been living in the tent encampment of Carrefour in Port-au-Prince ever since. Her condition is deteriorating, and the surgery needed to save her life is not available in Haiti.

HTC has already located a primary host family, but is in need to two or three other families who are able to provide transportation and other support when the host family has other obligations. In particular, a support family is needed during July 4-18, when the host family will be out of town.

If you would like to help, please contact Dexter Mahaffey at dexter.mahaffey@kcd.org.

Gently-Used Crib Needed

2010-05-22T20:51:00.001-04:00

DO YOU HAVE A GENTLY USED CRIB
THAT YOU COULD DONATE?

We have a specific need for a young mother (20) that is a foster mom in Southern Indiana that would be so appreciative of your donation.

If you do, please contact Amy Coleman at the LOCI (Louisville Orphan Care Initiative)office at (502) 238-1093 to make arrangements.

TONIGHT! :: East /Spencer County Adoptive Families Waiting Group

2010-05-18T14:35:00.004-04:00

Just a quick reminder. Tonight is the Waiting Families Group Meeting for adoptive families that attend East Campus and Spencer County Campus. It will be at the home of James and Brittney Armstrong at 7:00 pm. This group regularly meets on the 3rd Tuesday of each month. Contact brittneyj.armstrong@gmail.com if you need directions. Hope to see you there!

Special Session: What Transracially Adopted Children Need From Their Parents

2010-05-14T07:29:00.005-04:00

We are excited to let everyone know that in June, our adoption support group will be meeting on a special date, Saturday June 5th, from 10:00 a.m. - noon, at Highview's East Campus, in the Greenhouse (for those of you who are unfamiliar with East campus, it is a separate building to the right of the main sanctuary as you face the church). Please note this location change from our previous meetings.

Tara VanderWoude, a Korean adoptee, adoptive mother, and colleaugue of mine from Bethany Christian Services, will be presenting "What Transracially Adopted Children Need from Their Parents." Discover 20 ways to support and celebrate your child’s identity! Tara brings a unique perspective as an adoption professional who grew up in a transracial family. She travels and speaks throughout the region on various adoption-related topics, and has served as a leader for the Korea Ties homeland tours program. This is one meeting you won't want to miss!

Please help spread the word to any local adoption groups, families, and friends. We look forward to seeing you on Saturday, June 5th, at 10 a.m. The East campus is located at 15201 Shelbyville Road in Louisville.

Feel free to email or call (812-786-1236) with any questions!

Homestay Needed for Haitian Teen

2010-05-14T07:25:00.000-04:00

The Louisville chapter of Healing the Children (HTC), a group that brings children from around the world to Louisville to receive free emergency medical treatment unavailable in their home country, has been working aggressively this spring to bring injured or sick children from Haiti to Louisville. In the next two or three weeks, Steve Diamond, Executive Director of HTC, and his team of Louisville physicians will be bringing a sixteen-year-old Haitian girl with life-threatening heart problems to Louisville for treatment. They need a homestay for her for at least two months, and perhaps as many as four months, and they need other homestay support volunteers who can back up or help the family when they must be away or need help getting her to appointments. If you are interested or able to help in either of these capacities, please contact Dexter Mahaffey, Director of Global Studies, at dexter.mahaffey@kcd.org or (502) 471-0107.

Don't forget...

2010-05-11T06:30:00.000-04:00

Don't forget about tonights adoption fellowship!! Tonight, 7-9 pm @ Highview's Fegenbush Campus, Room 101...Be there!

Our guest speaker will be Winnie Walker, who attends Southeast Christian Church, and regularly teaches specialized parenting classes.

Host Orphans From Ukraine

2010-05-09T19:46:00.004-04:00

Here is another correspondence we have received from an orphan advocate and adoptive parent about a fabulous orphan care opportunity. All information for interested families can be found in the following post. What a wonderful ministry opportunity!

Great news! We have quite a few newly interested families in hosting making a *possible* 21 kids to be traveling this time!! How exciting!!

Please expect children to arrive between June 25- July 1.
The hosting is planned for 6 weeks.

We are moving forward with accepting applications for families interested in hosting throughout the country, regardless of additional host families in their area. The Ukrainian authorities may be concerned about approving such situations, but we are working to find ways to accommodate each family. If you know anyone who is interested in hosting, anywhere in the U.S., do not hesitate to share the blog login information with them and put them in contact with me or their local coordinator as soon as possible. In case you do not have the website login/password I am posting it again here:

Photos of the available children and more hosting information is available at the web site below.

web site:
www.HostOrphansFromUkraine.blogspot.com

Login:
HostUkrainianOrphans@gmail.com

Password:
nostreetlife

Please keep the host program and children in prayer as we move forward preparing their travel documents and approvals. Next week the Charlotte Observer should be running a follow-up story about the 2009 fall hosting and this summers hosting opportunity; pray that God will give us favor and touch the hearts of those reading to either host a child or support host families through contributions.

Please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any questions or concerns.

Oh, and don't forget to visit the blog yourselves to see the new video posted from our 2009 fall host group (special thanks to my Ukrainian born children, Yana, Ivan and Olya for their contributions). :))

In His grip,

Michelle Hills
704.995.3521

Join us, won't you?

2010-05-07T09:27:00.001-04:00

We would love to have you join us next Tuesday, May 11th, from 7-9 p.m. at Highview's Fegenbush lcoation (room 101) for our monthly adoption support fellowship.

The topic will be adoption parenting. While adoption is an incredible blessing as we grow our families, it can also present with unique aspects that require added measures of consideration and compassion, particularly relating to a child's history and how he/she may respond to discipline or correction as a perceived threat. We will explore ways to connect with our children while simultaneously disciplining them and training them in the way they should go.

Our guest speaker is Winnie Walker, who attends Southeast Christian Church, and regularly teaches specialized parenting classes.

This will be our last month to meet at the Fegenbush campus. Beginning in June, our monthly meetings will be held at Highview's East Campus in the Greenhouse.

As always, feel free to pass this information along to others, and give me an email or call (812-246-2261) if you have questions.

Hope to see you next week!
Kimber Graves

Guatemala Garage Sale :: Items needed!

2010-05-06T08:00:00.000-04:00

Guatemala Fundraiser-June 12th

We are actively collecting Garage Sale items to benefit needy people in Guatemala. We have appreciated your donations in the past so much! If you could spread the word to family and friends, this would be a huge benefit. Last year we raised over $2,000. $200 of that amount was in 50 cent items so it really adds up! We also had several pieces of very good condition furniture and that paid for a desperately needed new roof for a widow.

We are in need of typical garage sale items and would like to have them collected by June 6th. Last year's funds made a huge impact and I know the needs in Guatemala continue to be great.

This Guatemala Garage Sale will...

*Sponsor Christmas Food Baskets

*Pay for Wheelchairs to go to Guatemala

*Pay for rural children to have special story time and portable library

*Pay to support to the Wheelers as they run a girls home at MiMi's house
Most donated items will be sold at the garage sale while good condition shoes and eyeglasses will be shipped to Guatemala. The only item we are not requesting is Adult Clothing as that was not a big seller the last two years and we will have more room for other items. If you have gently used furniture that you think would sell easily, please contact us to talk about it.

Thank you!

Please call or email with donation questions

Brad and Holly Clark
9902 Fringe Tree Ct.
502-339-0606
helloclarks@yahoo.com

Extreme Makeover + Adoption

2010-05-04T23:46:00.004-04:00

I am an Extreme Makeover: Home Edition fan. We all know the deal...a family in desperate need gets to go on a mega vacation while Ty & the gang builds them a brand new, over-the-top house to meet all their needs!!

This past Sunday's episode was about a family in Texas that had adopted four children with special needs from Kazakhstan, so of course I was extra interested in the story. Barely 5 minutes into their story, I wished I could have notified ALL of you to watch! Here was a financially struggling family, one who no one in their right mind would have called well off, who had laid aside their own needs and adopted FOUR children!!

We're off to Mineola, Texas to help another amazing family. Mike and Katrina Carr are loving parents to four adopted children who were abandoned in Kazakhstan. Two of the children, Ryanne and Rina, were born with Amniotic Band Syndrome which caused many physical challenges. And Mike has been plagued with diabetes since he was a child.

Mike and Katrina have battled through their challenges to provide a loving home for their children. However, over $50,000 in repairs is needed and Mike was recently laid off from his job. The Carrs need help and we know a team that will step up to the challenge.

And read more here...about the fundraiser they did that provided needs for their adoptions to the very penny! Praise the Lord!! What I want you to take away from their story is that money is not all that is needed to make adoption happen. Adoption is not cheap, but it breaks my heart to think that there are children all over the world that may never know the security of a forever family because so many of us are worried about our finances!

How is God wanting YOU to provide for the needs of an orphan NOW?? James 4 talks about our life as a vapor...we are not guaranteed tomorrow and neither are the millions of orphans of this world...

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21

Pray.

2010-05-03T07:00:00.000-04:00

Please be praying for our waiting families...

While it would be way more fun to know all these people by name, we have to protect the privacy of our families by limiting what is posted on the internet. Just remember as you pray for these families that God knows each of them by name, knows each specific situation and knows the exact date each child will be joined with their family forever...

USA:
B family
F family (matched!)
S family
Z family
S family (matched!)

South Korea:
M family
M family

Taiwan:
C family

Kazakhstan:
T family (are there NOW meeting their three girls!!!)

Russia:
H family (waiting to travel on their second trip to get their two boys)

Ethiopia:

A family
A family (matched with Mihret; awaiting court news)
M family (matched with Isaac; awaiting court news)
M family (traveling soon to receive Daygen and Mayson)
S family

Ukraine:
L family

Adoption Sunday! Need your help...

2010-05-02T18:44:00.001-04:00

Hey families!

Just a reminder that Combined Service will have an Adoption Ministry Focus! I need you there! May 16th. Mark it on your calendar!

If you are a family who has come home in the last year, I need to know if you will be willing to come up on the stage. We want our congregation to see your precious families and children. Please RSVP as soon as possible.

If you a waiting family (waiting for referral, just started the process, or know your child) and are willing to come up on stage for us to pray for you, I need to know that as well. Please RSVP as soon as possible.

Finally, I would like to have a picture of your children e-mailed to me :) We would like to have a display of as many children as possible to show our congregation. It can be a snapshot or professional picture, either one. (thanks Kimber for the idea :)

Your participation will truly make this a great success! Blessings to you all!

Tera
tmelber@highview.org

Empowered to Connect

2010-04-30T23:25:00.002-04:00

Check out this GREAT resource...Empowered to Connect

The Connected Child, co-authored by Dr. Karyn Purvis, has already helped countless adoptive and foster families effectively deal with the unique challenges they face in parenting their children. Now with Empowered to Connect™, you can find a study guide (coming early 2010) and other helpful resources that highlight many of the underlying biblical principles of The Connected Child.

Empowered To Connect from Tapestry on Vimeo.

Two new additions to the Highview Family...

2010-04-29T00:00:00.000-04:00

Welcome Home from Ethiopia, B Family!!

Welcome Home from China, M Family!!

The worldwide war on baby girls

2010-04-28T08:41:00.003-04:00

No matter how depressing, we must educate ourselves about practices that are affecting adoption on a daily basis. A somewhat disturbing article on the practice of gendercide in many Asian countries...Praying now that the families which are born baby girls will choose life for their children...

Can you help Walter?

2010-04-21T11:33:00.005-04:00

Approximate Age: 5 years
Special Needs: Burn scars

Walter is a very special little boy living in a village in Uganda, suffering from the results of severe burns. These burn scars, which are present on his head and face, chest, right arm, and right leg, will require surgical revision at a qualified burn treatment center. Walter lost at least some of the fingers on his right hand and at least some of the toes on his right foot, and the majority of his right ear. The placing agency is looking for a committed Christian family who will be able to spend four to five weeks in Uganda to complete the adoption. This is a child who needs a great deal of medical intervention, as well as the support and love that can only come through a family. For more information, write to walter-info@theshepherdscrook.org.

Talking With Our Children

2010-04-17T00:42:00.003-04:00

On the heels of an almost unbelievable incident from an adoptive family in Tennessee, Families for Russian and Ukrainian Adoption published an article on how to discuss an event like this with our children.

Be proactive. Be honest. Talk to your kids!!

FRUA Talking Points

Waiting :: Adopting from China

2010-04-13T14:07:00.004-04:00

If you're planning on adopting a child from China, by now it's pretty common knowledge that your wait will be longer than most. But there are waiting children in China, too. Here is some interesting information about Chinese adoption from one of our adoption advocates that is definitely worth reading!

The wait for a healthy child from China is now taking a very long time but the wait for a special needs child is much shorter. Perhaps people on this list can post how long their adoption took for a special needs child. I have one friend who has waited 4 years for a healthy child and just got her beautiful referral! I have another friend who has adopted 3 children with minor/mod. special needs during the last 4 years and her kids are precious too!

I thought the website below might interest you. It features family stories and blogs about special needs. While the website shows Chinese children, I think it can help families considering special needs in general for angels all over the world.

http://nohandsfamilystories.blogspot.com/ (read Family stories and on the left you will see many blogs of families who have adopted children with various SN)

Love Without Boundaries-Adopting the Waiting Child

http://www.youtube.com/lwbvideos#p/u/1/4Ine0xW03s8

Don't forget...

2010-04-12T14:59:00.001-04:00

Don't forget about tomorrow night's fun!!! Hope to see you all there!

Adoption Fellowship

Tuesday, April 13th, 7:00 pm
Highview Baptist Church: Fegenbush Campus, Room 101

Couples who have adopted or are in the process of adopting are encouraged to attend our next meeting entitled "Grief & Loss in Adoption". Guest speakers are Greg & Teresa Hayworth. Contact Tera at tmelber@highview.org for more information.

Waiting Moms Group

Tuesday, April 13th, 7:00 pm
Highview Baptist Church: Fegenbush Campus, Room 105

Join us for a time of encouragements and fellowship as we help each other wait well during our adoption journeys.

Meet The M Family...

2010-04-05T08:00:00.001-04:00

Hi, we are the M family. Paul and I have always planned on adopting, we were just unsure how and when that would take place. We were blessed with 3 biological children and soon were pregnant with number four. That pregnancy ended in a miscarriage and we knew that it was now time to proceed with our plans to adopt.

We were unsure of where we would adopt from and then we met Tera M. and her son J. That day we decided to adopt from Ethiopia! The orignal plan was to adopt a little boy between 5-7 years old. We signed up with Arise for Children in Louisville and began filling out papers!!

Soon after we decided we wanted to take in two children, an older boy and his younger sibling. Our dossier was in country in May of 2008, we received our referral in September of 2008 of two precious brothers. The boys were a bit younger than we had originally planned on, but God knew they were our boys! Yishake was 3 and Yohannis was 1!!

We struggled with waiting patiently from December to March to pass court...our third try was successful! On May 3rd our boys were placed in arms!

I wouldn't say that it has been without any hiccups, but I can hardly imagine a better transition for the entire family. They have meshed with the rest of the family as if they were with us since birth. It is amazing to see the impact they have made not only on our family but on so many other families that have heard their story or met them and have begun to consider adoption for themselves. We are truly blessed each day by these amazing little boys!

Paul and Bethany
Carson (9) Madelyn (6) Annastyn (4) Camden (4) Lincoln (2)

Family Testimonies

2010-04-01T08:00:00.001-04:00

In order to help us all connect better with each other and learn more about each other's stories, we are going to begin to showcase a family's testimony once a month. Maybe twice a month if we get really lucky! I am really excited to see how God has lead each individual family to the point of expanding their family by adoption!

To kick off things, we will get a two for one deal...so, enjoy today's testimony...another one to come in just a few short days!

Enjoy The M Family's story today...

When all seven of us walk in a room, we can't seem to go unnoticed. Aside from the fact that we have five children, our sons range from the most fair-skinned, blonde-haired boys to an Ethiopian and our daughters are polar opposites with one as an All-American brunette and the other an Asian beauty with coal black hair and almond eyes. We are a bit of a smorgasbord, and we wouldn't have it any other way.

A little over five years ago, David came home from a mission trip from the country of Moldova forever changed. He had witnessed the plight of the orphan firsthand. God had moved in his heart in a tremendous way, and he came home from that trip ready to make a difference in the life of a child and in the life of our family through adoption.

God directed our family in both of our adoptions. Our children were not tiny little babies when they entered our families. They were nearly seven and six when they became ours. They brought with them the clothes on their backs and stories from their pasts. God gave us an immense love for children that we had never even met. He united our family of five to a family of six, then seven in ways that we couldn't. Each of our five children have had their own sets of issues to overcome, but God in His overwhelming grace has given us what we needed every step of the way to become the family that He intends for us to be.

Our prayer is that we will be living witnesses of His great love for us through our lives.

Upcoming Events...

2010-03-30T08:00:00.001-04:00

Adoption Fellowship

Tuesday, April 13th, 7:00 pm
Highview Baptist Church: Fegenbush Campus, Room 101

Couples who have adopted or are in the process of adopting are encouraged to attend our next meeting entitled "Grief & Loss in Adoption". Guest speakers are Greg & Teresa Hayworth. Contact Tera at tmelber@highview.org for more information.

Waiting Moms Group

Tuesday, April 13th, 7:00 pm
Highview Baptist Church: Fegenbush Campus, Room 105

Join us for a time of encouragements and fellowship as we help each other wait well during our adoption journeys.

Adoption Tax Credit Extended & Increased

2010-03-25T09:13:00.000-04:00

In the middle of the mess that is Obama's health care plan for our nation is a glimmer of hope for present and future adoptive parents. Buried on page 903 of 906 of the bill is an extension and an increase of the actual Adoption Tax Credit that was first put into place in 2001 by President Bush.

Follow this link to the Christian Alliance for Orphans Blog and read the details. No sense in me trying to restate what they already said...

Adoption Tax Credit Extended & Increased, posted March 24, 2010

Sorry to go political on you, but this is important to many families as they look at the financial side of adoption. No more politics, I promise!

"Adopted for Life...and in Death"

2010-03-22T09:49:00.000-04:00

Just recently came across this article written by Albert Mohler and posted on his blog. I encourage you to go and read the story of Arno Pet, who lived a short life, but died in the arms of his own family. Please continue to pray for Haiti and the many orphans effected each day by the earthquake.

Adoption is perhaps the most powerful depiction of the Gospel found in the Bible. We are all orphans, born under the curse of sin. By the sheer grace and mercy of God, those who come to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ are adopted as sons. Redeemed sinners are adopted as sons "through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise and glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved." [Ephesians 1:5-6]

Welcome!

2010-01-19T15:51:00.001-05:00

It is our hope and prayer that this blog is a source of great encouragement and information to many, but also as a connection point between families. Whether you are wondering if adoption is for you, you are in the middle of the adoption process, or if your child is now home forever, let this blog be a resource for the journey. To the glory of God!