Reminder: February Order Closes on the 20th!

Just a reminder...if you want to order t-shirts and/or bracelets and want them to be included in this current batch, please place you order by midnight on February 20th.

Email heidiandkirk@blessingsfromethiopia.com with any questions.

See left sidebar to order or see this link for more info: http://blessingsfromethiopia.blogspot.com/2010/01/next-t-shirt-orders.html

If you have adopted or are preparing to, you'll connect with this...

"When we think about laying down a life for another we usually think in terms of a singular event. But it is possible for us to lay down our lives over the course of a lifetime, minute by minute and day by day. And it is the work of the Spirit to empower us as we seek to lose ourselves in acts of lovingkindness and sacrificial living."

- Elaine Puckett, professor at Candler School of Theology in Atlanta, Georgia

My life is not my own. Want a reminder? Get your orange bracelets on the left sidebar.

A question I get asked a whole heck of a lot...

QUESTION: Do you think it's a mandate for all Christians to adopt?

[I just got asked this question again on Facebook today. Here's my response:]

OOOOH, a question I get asked quite a bit. :) And one that people try to stump me on.

Here's what I say:

Preface: I can't say what every person should or should not do, nor will I judge a person who doesn't supposedly "get it." That's wrong...

1) Scripture says that if we see someone in need and we have something that would fill their need yet DO NOT fill it, we do not have the love of God in us. [We have a family; orphans don't; we therefore should share with the orphan what we have that they do not.]

2) Scripture says that we must do to others what we would want done to us (or our own biological kids, for that matter). If we were orphaned, we would want to be adopted. Period. Not just visited or taken care of in a group home. Adopted into a family. And we would want the same for our biological kids.

3) Jesus didn't just come to visit us or care for us in our orphaned state; He came to lay down His life to adopt us. James 1:27 uses the phrase "visit orphans." The word "visit" there is the same word used for when Jesus came to "visit" us. He didn't leave us as orphans; He adopted us. He didn't see us in our orphaned state of despair and say, "Oh, poor things...I wish someone would do something about that." No, He adopted us. Changed our futures; our destinies; our families. We are to follow Him and do as He did.

4) How can we not? How can we look at the children in the world without families and say, 'No, not worth it.'? Our lives are not our own. We are called to pick up our crosses and follow Him. Not our own plans or desires or conveniences. Ain't nothin' about this whole "following Jesus" thing that is supposed to be convenient. Ask Jesus if the Cross was "convenient" or glamorous.

So, should every Christian adopt? Well, I like to turn that question on its head...What is a good reason a Christian SHOULDN'T adopt? Most reasons are self-focused if we are really honest with ourselves.

[Obviously, many people are not "fit" to adopt right now, but that is usually due to our own messes we've made with relationships, finances, life choices, etc, and not something put in our way stopping us from adopting.]

Just a friendly little reminder before Tax Day...

Before you try to file your tax return this year:

If you have an adopted child and do not yet have a SS# for that child, you MUST have an Adoption Taxpayer Identification Number in order to include that child as a dependent. File form W-7A [Appication for Taxpayer Identification Number for Pending U.S. Adoptions] which can be found on http://www.irs.gov, and wait 4-8 weeks to receive your child's #.

So, file now to get your ATIN in time for filing!