Our song for the Orphans

The song I have chosen for our blog is by Steven Curtis Chapman, and it was written after he adopted his first child from China. The process of adopting has opened our eyes to the plight of the orphan throughout our home town of Orange County and the world. Did you know:

• There are over 143 million kids in this world with no parents to take care of them? No one to tuck them in at night, sooth a wounded heart or hurt or cheer them on in a victory?
• Every 18 seconds, a child in Africia loses a parent to AIDS?
• In Orange County, there are over 3000 kids available for adoption?
• That over 30% of families have considered adoption, yet less than 2% actually follow through?

These are just some of the facts about adoption - to learn more, visit Voice of the Orphans . You can learn how you can help the orphan - and see the heart of God.

What we are doing while we wait

The CCAA (Chinese Council on Adoption Affairs) updated yesterday and we are now hopefully expecting a referral in March, but more likely it will be the beginning of April. We are excited that the end of this wait is getting closer, and we are praying every day for our baby girl somewhere in China.

So, while we are waiting for Baby Rebecca, I thought I would share what we are doing:

Ashlee moved into her new apartment....

Karen went to North Carolina to visit some of her CWA (our adoption agency) moms and their darling daughters. I am so blessed to know these women & have them in my life. They have truly been a lifeline during the long wait - and one of God's gift to me!

Matt continues to "rock out" on his guitar - getting better every day! We are heavily invested in earplugs at the house!

And Doug & Sailor are just hanging out!