Well I know it's been a couple weeks since I posted last, things have been a little busy lately. As tomorrow approaches which is Easter Sunday, I am humbled that the fact 2011 years ago Christ gave his live for us and ROSE from the dead. Honestly, I didn't deserve it. I am a sinner just like everyone else in this world. As I was teaching the kids the story of Easter and asked them why we celebrate, Emma shouts proudly "He died on the cross and rose for my sins" It was such a sweet moment to know that we are training up Children to serve him and honor him and most importantly follow him.
I look back at my short 26 years in this life and think about Christ and all he has done in our life. He has saved me, redeemed me, forgave me of sin, washed me clean, made me whole and I am truely grateful and undeserving of this Love.
Thank you Jesus for loving us so much that you gave it all for us!!
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Saturday, April 2, 2011
We made it to Sierra Leone~
(Sorry if this post has gramatical errors, but it's 2 am :)
We arrived late Friday night, we traveled by land, plane and boat to make it. We have so many funny stories just in the 24 hour period of travel. God blessed us with amazing flights, layovers, and just the trip in general has went great! We had specifically been praying to be bumbed up a seating class on our long 11 hr flight (God cares about our comfort LOL) because Jodi's hubby being so tall needs his leg room and it would be a great plus for us all to just be able to stretch out and get rest on this long journey. Well God not only answered that prayer he provided the front row seats of that section where we were all able to stretch our legs out completely and get great rest on the way here. Praise the Lord, I think I slept almost 6 of those 11 hours :) (That made this anxious momma one happy camper)
We arrived in Ghana (Erica is was great, will tell you all about it when we get home), and were united on our plane with about 15 chinese men dressed in suits with ties, and these pink neon hats. It was quite the comedy hour on our flight LOL
We got to the center today and was welcomed with a welcome ceremony performed by the kids and the staff. We are so blessed to be a part of an amazing organization, it blows me away everytime we come. From the staff at the airport to help us thru to the cleaning staff. They all are so happy and welcoming of us "White People"
Kevin noticed me right away and smiled really big and actually reached out his arms for me to hold him. He is only 2 and skypes with us once a week but it's been a year since I have actually held him and he REMEMBERS me :) He is jibber jabbering away all the time now.
William, oh our precious boy! We have prayed HARD for this day and I couldn't be happier, there is still work but we have definately made progress in the right direction. He was smiling ear to ear and had tears running down his face. He grabbed me and wouldn't let go, well of course that was until he saw uncle Reich LOL then he wouldn't let go of him. They both have been by our side all day and is pure joy to have our boys with us.
Tomorrow is church and I will try to update everyone tomorrow night!!
We arrived late Friday night, we traveled by land, plane and boat to make it. We have so many funny stories just in the 24 hour period of travel. God blessed us with amazing flights, layovers, and just the trip in general has went great! We had specifically been praying to be bumbed up a seating class on our long 11 hr flight (God cares about our comfort LOL) because Jodi's hubby being so tall needs his leg room and it would be a great plus for us all to just be able to stretch out and get rest on this long journey. Well God not only answered that prayer he provided the front row seats of that section where we were all able to stretch our legs out completely and get great rest on the way here. Praise the Lord, I think I slept almost 6 of those 11 hours :) (That made this anxious momma one happy camper)
We arrived in Ghana (Erica is was great, will tell you all about it when we get home), and were united on our plane with about 15 chinese men dressed in suits with ties, and these pink neon hats. It was quite the comedy hour on our flight LOL
We got to the center today and was welcomed with a welcome ceremony performed by the kids and the staff. We are so blessed to be a part of an amazing organization, it blows me away everytime we come. From the staff at the airport to help us thru to the cleaning staff. They all are so happy and welcoming of us "White People"
Kevin noticed me right away and smiled really big and actually reached out his arms for me to hold him. He is only 2 and skypes with us once a week but it's been a year since I have actually held him and he REMEMBERS me :) He is jibber jabbering away all the time now.
William, oh our precious boy! We have prayed HARD for this day and I couldn't be happier, there is still work but we have definately made progress in the right direction. He was smiling ear to ear and had tears running down his face. He grabbed me and wouldn't let go, well of course that was until he saw uncle Reich LOL then he wouldn't let go of him. They both have been by our side all day and is pure joy to have our boys with us.
Tomorrow is church and I will try to update everyone tomorrow night!!
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
~Less than 48 hours and prayers needed~
In less than 48 hours we will be on a plane to see our 2 precious boys, here are some prayer requests we would love for you to join us in prayer for:
1) Travel safety (honestly the devil has really been working overtime in this momma with the fear of flying AND Rich and I flying together so far so,.....)
2) Please pray for peace about the traveling and for our safety, my kids are my world and both of us traveling together is so much harder emotionally than I thought it would be.
3) For our children while they are in different states and with Grandparents. That God would give them strength and a sense of peace about us being gone for 10 days
4) For our flights to not be delayed and arrive on time, we don't have but 2-3 hour layovers so there is no room for delays in our schedules
5) That the Parents and children in the children's hospital would be open to receiving God's word as we come in and provide our care packages, bibles and offer prayer for them
6) For our connection and bond with William and Kevin to grow stronger, William has lost so many people in his life and finds it hard to not put a wall up for people he loves afraid of losing them.
Again, we just want to say Thank you so much for your prayers, love and support as we embark on this adoption/Missions journey together!
God Bless,
Rich and Tiffany Johnson
Below is a song that God laid on my heart today, please enjoy!
1) Travel safety (honestly the devil has really been working overtime in this momma with the fear of flying AND Rich and I flying together so far so,.....)
2) Please pray for peace about the traveling and for our safety, my kids are my world and both of us traveling together is so much harder emotionally than I thought it would be.
3) For our children while they are in different states and with Grandparents. That God would give them strength and a sense of peace about us being gone for 10 days
4) For our flights to not be delayed and arrive on time, we don't have but 2-3 hour layovers so there is no room for delays in our schedules
5) That the Parents and children in the children's hospital would be open to receiving God's word as we come in and provide our care packages, bibles and offer prayer for them
6) For our connection and bond with William and Kevin to grow stronger, William has lost so many people in his life and finds it hard to not put a wall up for people he loves afraid of losing them.
Again, we just want to say Thank you so much for your prayers, love and support as we embark on this adoption/Missions journey together!
God Bless,
Rich and Tiffany Johnson
Below is a song that God laid on my heart today, please enjoy!
Thursday, March 24, 2011
7 days till takeoff!!!
Well we have less than a week left before we leave! :) I am sooooo excited I can't sit still these past couple days. I am all packed LOL but keep repacking, organizing, thinking of things I need to get still, etc.... BUT...... I want to share the incredible work that God has done for this trip! Not only was this trip somewhat spur of the moment but God has provided every step of the way from Airline tickets to gift bags. Here is a recap of all God has done for this trip:
We started out needing $200 in luggage sponsors to bring over the Peanut butter for the hospital ministry we are doing, GOD PROVIDED it in less than 24 hours, we needed atleast 50 jars of peanut butter for the care packages, GOD PROVIDED it and we actually have about 75 jars now :) our flight's got re routed this week and is actually a better flight now AND allows for more luggage without costing us a dime GOD PROVIDED, we were in need of 50 gift bags for the care packages GOD PROVIDED it and last but not least we wanted to put a beenie baby or small toy for each child in the hospital that the care packages will go to and a Dr's office locally had been collecting donations over the past several months and when I got home and started going thru the donations, guess what was in one of the tubs :) of course 65 beenie babies, new with tags GOD PROVIDED what we thought would be impossible for this trip!
I am in awe of all the blessings God has provided us for the trip and for our family over the past several weeks.
Please be in prayer for our safety as we travel, our children to adjust well to both of us being gone, our health while we are in country and specifically for our trip. One of the primary reasons we are taking this trip is to build a relationship with Kevin and William so once we bring them home they will adjust better. With the Sierra Leone law and gov't still not moving quickly on the adoptions we feel the need to provide them with that Mother/Father bond we will need to start our family with them.
Thank you all for your prayers and support!! We love each and every one of you!
We started out needing $200 in luggage sponsors to bring over the Peanut butter for the hospital ministry we are doing, GOD PROVIDED it in less than 24 hours, we needed atleast 50 jars of peanut butter for the care packages, GOD PROVIDED it and we actually have about 75 jars now :) our flight's got re routed this week and is actually a better flight now AND allows for more luggage without costing us a dime GOD PROVIDED, we were in need of 50 gift bags for the care packages GOD PROVIDED it and last but not least we wanted to put a beenie baby or small toy for each child in the hospital that the care packages will go to and a Dr's office locally had been collecting donations over the past several months and when I got home and started going thru the donations, guess what was in one of the tubs :) of course 65 beenie babies, new with tags GOD PROVIDED what we thought would be impossible for this trip!
I am in awe of all the blessings God has provided us for the trip and for our family over the past several weeks.
Please be in prayer for our safety as we travel, our children to adjust well to both of us being gone, our health while we are in country and specifically for our trip. One of the primary reasons we are taking this trip is to build a relationship with Kevin and William so once we bring them home they will adjust better. With the Sierra Leone law and gov't still not moving quickly on the adoptions we feel the need to provide them with that Mother/Father bond we will need to start our family with them.
Thank you all for your prayers and support!! We love each and every one of you!
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Glory to God!
As we prepare for our trip in just 17 short days away God has been so appearant in our journey already and we haven't even boarded the plane yet :) We received all our 4 luggage donations in less than 24 hours and all the peanut butter in a matter of days! We want to say a big thank you to Harter House in Nixa for generously donating 36 jars of peanut butter!!
God is so good! We also received all the gift bags and cash to place in the care packages to hand out at the children's Hospital. Again we just want to say thank you for your help in our mission trip donations. We are still selling t-shirts if you would like to purchase one all the proceeds will go towards purchasing small bibles we would like to hand out to the community while we are there.
Thanks again and God Bless.
God is so good! We also received all the gift bags and cash to place in the care packages to hand out at the children's Hospital. Again we just want to say thank you for your help in our mission trip donations. We are still selling t-shirts if you would like to purchase one all the proceeds will go towards purchasing small bibles we would like to hand out to the community while we are there.
Thanks again and God Bless.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Really 16 months???
It has been 16 months since we first laid eyes on our little precious Kevin. He will be 2 next week and it's a bitter sweet moment. One of our friends in SL right now sent us a picture of Kevin and I cried when I saw it tears of joy and tears of sadness because our little baby is not a baby anymore :( It's really is hard to watch them grow up in pictures wondering what his first word was, when he toke his first steps all those firsts you miss out on. Then I think of our precious William and all his firsts we have missed and how much he needs a family. A mother, family and siblings to love and nuture him.
This process is not easy at all but God has us waiting for a reason and no one knows the reason. I am reminded of the Story of Noah and the patience he had not only with building the ark but waiting for the flood to end and to find dry land. People mocked him and laughed at him as he built the ark. BUT his patience paid off in the end. God will provide his promises on GOD'S time not ours and that is one of those friendly reminders I had today. Patience is a virtue!
I pray everyday that we can bring our boys home soon but I don't want it to happen until it's God's timing. We leave in 27 short days and I can't wait to spend 9 days with our boys just catching up and learning about one another, loving on one another and just being able to be a family.
This process is not easy at all but God has us waiting for a reason and no one knows the reason. I am reminded of the Story of Noah and the patience he had not only with building the ark but waiting for the flood to end and to find dry land. People mocked him and laughed at him as he built the ark. BUT his patience paid off in the end. God will provide his promises on GOD'S time not ours and that is one of those friendly reminders I had today. Patience is a virtue!
I pray everyday that we can bring our boys home soon but I don't want it to happen until it's God's timing. We leave in 27 short days and I can't wait to spend 9 days with our boys just catching up and learning about one another, loving on one another and just being able to be a family.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
PAYPAL ISSUES
For those of you trying to purchase shirts and ran into paypal issues. I am very sorry. Not sure if the link just isn't working but we have fixed the problem. Please visit the products tab to order now. I had to make some slight adjustments, instead of a drop down bar showing the sizes it is just a pay now button. PLEASE NOTE What size, mens/womens and what color shirt you would like in the notes part of your paypal payment! Thanks again for your patience!!!
Monday, February 28, 2011
The Faith of Moses
The past 24 hours God has worked his miracles once again :) We were in need of 4 luggage donations of $50 each or $200 total for our luggage full of supplies to take to The Covering and to carry the peanut butter for the Children's Hospital outreach we plan on doing while we are there. In less than 24 hours we received ALL 4 luggage donations! Thank you so much to those who donated! You are such a blessing to our family and please know that your donation means alot to those that will be receiving the care packages we are making.
I was reminded by a great friend this morning while we were discussing missions trips and how God will continue provide miracles when you step on in Faith. She reminded me of the faith of Moses, where he had to step into the Red Sea before God would part it. It was a physical and spiritual form of stepping out in Faith. We understand this story's results in great magnitude. Even though this trip is primarily to spend time with our boys and love on all 84 kiddos in the center. We had stepped out in faith to take on a project of this sort without the personal funds to make a project like this happen by ourselves. The donors for the supplies and donations of luggage costs had to STEP out in FAITH as well!! We are all the parts of one body working together!
Please be in prayer for the peanut butter, I contacted a local grocery store today and they just have to confirm with the owner of the store and we will know on Wednesday whether or not they can donate the 50 Jars of peanut butter.
Lastly, we will still be selling shirts thru March 30th and all donations will go towards the purchase of bread, water packets, and the cash we will be putting in the care packages to take to the mom's and babies in the Children' Hospital. (We will also be putting in Ty beanie babies and those were also donated as well, around 60-80 , God is so good).
Once again, thank you for your support, donations and most importantly your prayers during these remaining 32 days!!
I was reminded by a great friend this morning while we were discussing missions trips and how God will continue provide miracles when you step on in Faith. She reminded me of the faith of Moses, where he had to step into the Red Sea before God would part it. It was a physical and spiritual form of stepping out in Faith. We understand this story's results in great magnitude. Even though this trip is primarily to spend time with our boys and love on all 84 kiddos in the center. We had stepped out in faith to take on a project of this sort without the personal funds to make a project like this happen by ourselves. The donors for the supplies and donations of luggage costs had to STEP out in FAITH as well!! We are all the parts of one body working together!
Please be in prayer for the peanut butter, I contacted a local grocery store today and they just have to confirm with the owner of the store and we will know on Wednesday whether or not they can donate the 50 Jars of peanut butter.
Lastly, we will still be selling shirts thru March 30th and all donations will go towards the purchase of bread, water packets, and the cash we will be putting in the care packages to take to the mom's and babies in the Children' Hospital. (We will also be putting in Ty beanie babies and those were also donated as well, around 60-80 , God is so good).
Once again, thank you for your support, donations and most importantly your prayers during these remaining 32 days!!
Thursday, February 24, 2011
34 DAYS OF PREPARATION!!
Go check out the products tab on the top of the page and see our Updated shirts. W have reduced the price to $18 each in hoping to sell some more shirts and spread the word around the world about Oprhans!!
AND....... From today until March 30th all shirt purchases and necklace proceeds will go towards our trip in April to help fund a feeding program at the children's hospital! So please know that your shirt is not only an awesome shirt you can wear :) but it's also going to help feed hungry sick mommy's and babies in the ICU and feeding units of the hospital there.
Here is our needs list for the April trip again.....
50-60 Peanut Butter Jars or average of $2 a jar for donations
2 bags of Rice which we will purchase there cost is $50 a bag so $100 for both
$40 for individual water packets
$30 for small loaves of bread
Small gifts bags
Donations in the amount of $50, we will be placing money in each care bag so they can purchase a meal for the following days while there child is being cared for in the hospital
You can also donate thru the paypal link on the left hand side of the blog.
THANKS AGAIN FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT AND HELP!!!!! 34 DAYS UNTIL WE LEAVE!!
Feel free to share this on your blog or facebook page and God Bless!!!
AND....... From today until March 30th all shirt purchases and necklace proceeds will go towards our trip in April to help fund a feeding program at the children's hospital! So please know that your shirt is not only an awesome shirt you can wear :) but it's also going to help feed hungry sick mommy's and babies in the ICU and feeding units of the hospital there.
Here is our needs list for the April trip again.....
50-60 Peanut Butter Jars or average of $2 a jar for donations
2 bags of Rice which we will purchase there cost is $50 a bag so $100 for both
$40 for individual water packets
$30 for small loaves of bread
Small gifts bags
Donations in the amount of $50, we will be placing money in each care bag so they can purchase a meal for the following days while there child is being cared for in the hospital
You can also donate thru the paypal link on the left hand side of the blog.
THANKS AGAIN FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT AND HELP!!!!! 34 DAYS UNTIL WE LEAVE!!
Feel free to share this on your blog or facebook page and God Bless!!!
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Exciting News!
Rich and I will be traveling to Sierra Leone the first week of April to be able to spend time with the boys. As our current adoption process is on hold waiting for the ban to lift we feel that this trip is crucial to our children as they need to have that constant connection with us and be able to adjust in the future to us as their parents. This time will be different both of our previous trips, we are traveling without a big group and traveling only with another couple who is also adopting and wanting to spend time with their kids. This will be an amazing week of time just to love on our boys and be with them everyday to connect with one another and build a good relationship with them.
Here is why I am telling you all this first of all we need your prayers!! Here are specific things to be praying for:
1. Our health and safety on the trip (specifically on our travel dates March 31st thru April 9th)
2. For Emma and Jayden to adjust okay to both of us being gone for 10 days
3. Our connection with William and Kevin would grow increasingly and that they would be comfortable opening up to us
4. Supplies and funds we need for the special projects we would like to do while we are there
5. The ban would lift before we go in April so that we could possibly go to court or committee with our adoption case while we are in country
While we are there we do have a couple projects planned while the kids are in school, we will be going back to the children's hospital that both Rich and I visited last year, to hand our care packages to the moms and children. We will also be possibly going into Kroo Bay (which according to UN is the poorest place on the earth) and doing a small feeding program if we can with just the 4 of us.
Here is where we need you help. We will providing care packages to the mothers and there sick children in the hospital. The hospital doesn't offer food for the child or parent while they are getting proper medical care so many mom's go without food and so do the children. The care packages will consist of a gift bag with a piece of bread, peanut butter, money and water. We are asking for unopened peanut butter jars (the small ones) and small gift bags. (Approximately 50-60 jars and bags) For the feeding program we would like to do in either Kroo Bay or just out in the community we will need financialy help to purchase the rice and water there.
The last project we will be doing is taking donations of supplies for the Orphanage over. We have 6-8 Large suitcases full of donations of diapers, school supplies, etc. that a local doctor's office donated (now we just need to get them there). The only problem is each bag costs $50 to get on the plane. So we are asking for "Luggage sponsors" yes "Luggage Sponsors" your name will be placed on that piece of luggage as we travel with many donations for the orphanage and children :) in honor of your "luggage donation"!
If you would like to donate specifically for the care packages or feeding programs. Please send a paypal payment to my email address at tiff.johnson85@gmail.com (please note that it's for the April Missions projects). If you would like to mail a donation please mail those to 755 S. Nicholas Rd. Nixa, MO 65714
If you would like to donate peanut butter please email me if you are local and I can pick it up.
****ALSO IF YOUR CHILD'S CLASS OR SCHOOL WOULD LIKE TO SEND CARDS OR DO A PEANUT BUTTER DRIVE OR FUNDRAISE FOR THE PROGRAMS, THAT WOULD BE AMAZING TO SHARE THIS MINISTRY WITH CHILDREN AROUND THE GLOBE!!!!*****
We are very grateful for this opportunity to partner with you in our missions efforts while we are there.
Here are some pictures from Kroo Bay and the Children's hospital from our May and Sept 2010 trips where we will be visiting again:
Here is why I am telling you all this first of all we need your prayers!! Here are specific things to be praying for:
1. Our health and safety on the trip (specifically on our travel dates March 31st thru April 9th)
2. For Emma and Jayden to adjust okay to both of us being gone for 10 days
3. Our connection with William and Kevin would grow increasingly and that they would be comfortable opening up to us
4. Supplies and funds we need for the special projects we would like to do while we are there
5. The ban would lift before we go in April so that we could possibly go to court or committee with our adoption case while we are in country
While we are there we do have a couple projects planned while the kids are in school, we will be going back to the children's hospital that both Rich and I visited last year, to hand our care packages to the moms and children. We will also be possibly going into Kroo Bay (which according to UN is the poorest place on the earth) and doing a small feeding program if we can with just the 4 of us.
Here is where we need you help. We will providing care packages to the mothers and there sick children in the hospital. The hospital doesn't offer food for the child or parent while they are getting proper medical care so many mom's go without food and so do the children. The care packages will consist of a gift bag with a piece of bread, peanut butter, money and water. We are asking for unopened peanut butter jars (the small ones) and small gift bags. (Approximately 50-60 jars and bags) For the feeding program we would like to do in either Kroo Bay or just out in the community we will need financialy help to purchase the rice and water there.
The last project we will be doing is taking donations of supplies for the Orphanage over. We have 6-8 Large suitcases full of donations of diapers, school supplies, etc. that a local doctor's office donated (now we just need to get them there). The only problem is each bag costs $50 to get on the plane. So we are asking for "Luggage sponsors" yes "Luggage Sponsors" your name will be placed on that piece of luggage as we travel with many donations for the orphanage and children :) in honor of your "luggage donation"!
If you would like to donate specifically for the care packages or feeding programs. Please send a paypal payment to my email address at tiff.johnson85@gmail.com (please note that it's for the April Missions projects). If you would like to mail a donation please mail those to 755 S. Nicholas Rd. Nixa, MO 65714
If you would like to donate peanut butter please email me if you are local and I can pick it up.
****ALSO IF YOUR CHILD'S CLASS OR SCHOOL WOULD LIKE TO SEND CARDS OR DO A PEANUT BUTTER DRIVE OR FUNDRAISE FOR THE PROGRAMS, THAT WOULD BE AMAZING TO SHARE THIS MINISTRY WITH CHILDREN AROUND THE GLOBE!!!!*****
We are very grateful for this opportunity to partner with you in our missions efforts while we are there.
Here are some pictures from Kroo Bay and the Children's hospital from our May and Sept 2010 trips where we will be visiting again:
The Children's Hospital
Kroo Bay
Saturday, February 12, 2011
A couple changes!
If you are reading this you know we are now a private blog. We have done this protect the privacy of our family and as we get closer in the adoption process to bringing the boys home this will be where we will update family and friends of our progress. If you know anyone who follows along and wants added just email me at tiff.johnson85@gmail.com and I just need there email to add them.
We are selling the remaining adoption t-shirts we have in stock for sale this weekend for $10 each for the following sizes:
Mens
Small 2
Medium 2
Large 2
XL 1
Womens
2XL 1
If you would like one please email me with sizes and I will send you a direct paypal link for the sale.
As far as our adoption things go, we are in a waiting period still. We are waiting for the ban to lift, which the SL gov't seems to think it will be in Feb or March. Rich and I are planning a trip together to go in April to visit the boys and possibly go in front of committee while we are there if the ban lifts. Our ultimate prayer is we could bring them home at that time, that is a HUGE prayer request but we serve a BIG God and anything is possible with him! So if you would join us in prayer that all things would go smoothly in court, the ban would lift, the boys visas approved and while we are there in April we could bring them home. I know this is being very hopeful but like I said earlier we serve a BIG GOD and this is in his hands!
We are selling the remaining adoption t-shirts we have in stock for sale this weekend for $10 each for the following sizes:
Mens
Small 2
Medium 2
Large 2
XL 1
Womens
2XL 1
If you would like one please email me with sizes and I will send you a direct paypal link for the sale.
As far as our adoption things go, we are in a waiting period still. We are waiting for the ban to lift, which the SL gov't seems to think it will be in Feb or March. Rich and I are planning a trip together to go in April to visit the boys and possibly go in front of committee while we are there if the ban lifts. Our ultimate prayer is we could bring them home at that time, that is a HUGE prayer request but we serve a BIG God and anything is possible with him! So if you would join us in prayer that all things would go smoothly in court, the ban would lift, the boys visas approved and while we are there in April we could bring them home. I know this is being very hopeful but like I said earlier we serve a BIG GOD and this is in his hands!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
What happens if you step out in Faith?
It allows God to work in a ways you never even imagined!! As we were reminded of this today I keep being reminded of the verse in Matthew 16:20 "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, "Move from here to there and it will move" Nothing will be impossible for you" God is truely amazing to prove just the faith of a mustand seed, have you ever researched how small a mustard seed is? It is one of the smallest seeds known to man.
Here is what particularly we are refering to for our family. Since my trip in May and Rich's trip in Sept of last year we have had William on our hearts and really felt God "Pushing" us towards adopting him but really battled with it and just kept saying "Maybe, but not now" It's not "Our" perfect timing in all this. Well in December we both felt a peace about what God was stirring in our hearts, "ADOPT WILLIAM TOO and DON'T WAIT!!!" So we made it official in December and decided to adopt him too. Here is what happened after we said YES!!! God provided one donation the day after we said Yes. The very next day we were informed of a small adoption related expense and that donation helped cover that.
Currently we are saving and preparing to bring the boys home soon and adding a second adopted child does add some extra fees. We received word today that we have been approved for another adoption grant that does not have to be matched, we are half way to our estimated remaining expenses goal now!! Isn't God truely amazing. I am speechless at his love for the Orphans, (I mean not that I don't know this first hand :) But he LOVES the orphan and when he calls you to do something he WILL provide for it. No mountain is too tall for him!!
I am writing this post to encourage you to Step out in Faith for whatever you need to step out in! This is a phrase our Church lives by and honestly we have seen it happen in our church and the ministries there but never this boldly in our personal lives! God has called each of us to step out, to go, and to give!!
Psalms 145:13 "The Lord is FAITHFUL to all his promises and loving toward all he has made"
I just want to thank each and everyone one of you, wether it's been prayer, donations, support, etc... As we go thru this adoption process. God is working in a powerful way and I can't wait to see all he has for us this coming year!
Here is what particularly we are refering to for our family. Since my trip in May and Rich's trip in Sept of last year we have had William on our hearts and really felt God "Pushing" us towards adopting him but really battled with it and just kept saying "Maybe, but not now" It's not "Our" perfect timing in all this. Well in December we both felt a peace about what God was stirring in our hearts, "ADOPT WILLIAM TOO and DON'T WAIT!!!" So we made it official in December and decided to adopt him too. Here is what happened after we said YES!!! God provided one donation the day after we said Yes. The very next day we were informed of a small adoption related expense and that donation helped cover that.
Currently we are saving and preparing to bring the boys home soon and adding a second adopted child does add some extra fees. We received word today that we have been approved for another adoption grant that does not have to be matched, we are half way to our estimated remaining expenses goal now!! Isn't God truely amazing. I am speechless at his love for the Orphans, (I mean not that I don't know this first hand :) But he LOVES the orphan and when he calls you to do something he WILL provide for it. No mountain is too tall for him!!
I am writing this post to encourage you to Step out in Faith for whatever you need to step out in! This is a phrase our Church lives by and honestly we have seen it happen in our church and the ministries there but never this boldly in our personal lives! God has called each of us to step out, to go, and to give!!
Psalms 145:13 "The Lord is FAITHFUL to all his promises and loving toward all he has made"
I just want to thank each and everyone one of you, wether it's been prayer, donations, support, etc... As we go thru this adoption process. God is working in a powerful way and I can't wait to see all he has for us this coming year!
Monday, January 24, 2011
My Heart is on a journey!
The TRS team has arrived in SL and is doing some incredible work there, you can follow there amazing journey at http://www.savetheorphan.blogspot.com/
As the team is there this makes our anxiousness to be there with our boys and the incredible people of Sierra Leone grow incredibly stronger. Having a team on the ground is a wonderful thing and I am so glad they get to love on our children and share the amazing love of Jesus, but boy is it hard being here while you heart is there. God has really been teaching me patience on this journey it was November 2009 when we started so a year and 3 months later, that's a long time for someone to wait. But he is always faithful and this journey is DEFINATELY in his timing.
As we "Wait" and prepare for the boys to come home I often find myself daydreaming as I go thru the day what exactly it's going to be like with 4 children in our home, how they are going to adjust, how we are going to adjust to them? Will they love our family as there own, will they miss SL and the amazing people there? As you get further in an adoption process the reality of it all sets in and don't get me wrong with all this I am just clearly stating that we are excited and very anxious to see how God works all the "details" out in the next couple months, and years.
If you would have asked me 2 years ago if we would have ever of imagined being on this journey I would have told you that you were crazy. And now I just smile everytime I think about all the pieces of this amazing puzzle coming together. God is so good! Even though at times I may not understand things, I look back now and it "Clicks" God's picture is forming together for our lives. I find myself singing this song all day "Our God is greater, our god is stronger, God you are higher than any other..." and the song goes on to say and if our God is for us then who could ever stop us...... the words to this song are so powerful. And if our GOD is for us then WHO can ever stand against us!!! Just had to remind myself of this today and I struggle with not being in SL where our heart is. Who is going to stop what God has for us??? NO ONE as long as you allow God to work COMPLETELY in you!!
Okay, that's all of my thoughts for tonight :)
As the team is there this makes our anxiousness to be there with our boys and the incredible people of Sierra Leone grow incredibly stronger. Having a team on the ground is a wonderful thing and I am so glad they get to love on our children and share the amazing love of Jesus, but boy is it hard being here while you heart is there. God has really been teaching me patience on this journey it was November 2009 when we started so a year and 3 months later, that's a long time for someone to wait. But he is always faithful and this journey is DEFINATELY in his timing.
As we "Wait" and prepare for the boys to come home I often find myself daydreaming as I go thru the day what exactly it's going to be like with 4 children in our home, how they are going to adjust, how we are going to adjust to them? Will they love our family as there own, will they miss SL and the amazing people there? As you get further in an adoption process the reality of it all sets in and don't get me wrong with all this I am just clearly stating that we are excited and very anxious to see how God works all the "details" out in the next couple months, and years.
If you would have asked me 2 years ago if we would have ever of imagined being on this journey I would have told you that you were crazy. And now I just smile everytime I think about all the pieces of this amazing puzzle coming together. God is so good! Even though at times I may not understand things, I look back now and it "Clicks" God's picture is forming together for our lives. I find myself singing this song all day "Our God is greater, our god is stronger, God you are higher than any other..." and the song goes on to say and if our God is for us then who could ever stop us...... the words to this song are so powerful. And if our GOD is for us then WHO can ever stand against us!!! Just had to remind myself of this today and I struggle with not being in SL where our heart is. Who is going to stop what God has for us??? NO ONE as long as you allow God to work COMPLETELY in you!!
Okay, that's all of my thoughts for tonight :)
Monday, January 17, 2011
GRAB OUR WIDGET
Would you help us spread the word??? You can add our widget by clicking HERE (on the left hand side of website it says Grab this fundraiser's widget) and adding it to you blog or website. We are trying to raise the $5,000 for our matching grant from LifeSong for Orphans and have only 2 1/2 weeks left to do so. This $5,000 is CRUCIAL because it will then become $10,000 and that will be all the funds needed to complete our adoption.AND it's all TAX DEDUCTIBLE! Thank you so much for helping! As an added plus, leave a comment with your blog or website and I will add you to the drawing pile to win one our our adoption shirts we have in stock (Men's or Women's design, varying sizes available).
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Praise and Prayer!
Praise and Prayer go hand in hand together. Today we are rejoicing, rejoicing for the past, present and future. God is so good!! As I sat down to start our taxes last night I went thru out of curiosity adding up the total for our adoption and travel expenses last year and was blown away!! Blown away at the actual amount we spent on everything AND blown away at how God provided $12,000 that we didn't have!!!! God is soo good!!
Some people ask how are you affording an adoption in this economy, now an adoption of not only one but TWO? I simply state it is God!! Yes you have to follow thru on your part and live essentially, sell anything that is a "Want" and not a need! It's all about just saying "YES" to what God has called us to do and leave the rest up to him! So in these next couple months we are praying for more miracles :) to happen!! Not only financially for this adoption but mentally, physically, spiritually and so on. We are the ending stages of preparing to bring our sons home. Rearranging rooms, painting, and God has once again came thru! We have some very close friends in our lives that have been down this road a time or too, it's so amazing to see how God puts the right people in your lives for a time and season.
During my devotions today I came across this verse and although it may have a couple meanings for different situations this is what stood out to me today and thought I would share:
Some people ask how are you affording an adoption in this economy, now an adoption of not only one but TWO? I simply state it is God!! Yes you have to follow thru on your part and live essentially, sell anything that is a "Want" and not a need! It's all about just saying "YES" to what God has called us to do and leave the rest up to him! So in these next couple months we are praying for more miracles :) to happen!! Not only financially for this adoption but mentally, physically, spiritually and so on. We are the ending stages of preparing to bring our sons home. Rearranging rooms, painting, and God has once again came thru! We have some very close friends in our lives that have been down this road a time or too, it's so amazing to see how God puts the right people in your lives for a time and season.
During my devotions today I came across this verse and although it may have a couple meanings for different situations this is what stood out to me today and thought I would share:
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Matching Grant plus a little surprise!
Dear Family and Friends,
“A father of the fatherless…God setteth the solitary in families…” - Psalms 68:5,6
Some of you know we have felt called and directed by God to adopt a “fatherless” child(ren) into our family. We are adopting from Sierra Leone, West Africa. We just received news in December that the adoption law in the country is set into place and our next step in the adoption and hopefully the final step is traveling for another 2 weeks, going to court while we are there and bringing the boys home.
Did you know it is estimated less than 10% of all orphan children are adopted into evangelical Christian families? According to current estimates, if only 10% more Christians in America would adopt, it would be equivalent to providing homes for all the orphans in Eastern Europe (1.5 million), Latin America (400,000), and the US foster care system (150,000).
Some of you are probably wondering what has prompted us to adopt. Well, primarily, we’ve felt so clearly directed by God to adopt that we want to obey Him, and we also desire to give an orphan child a family that he probably won’t otherwise have. God desires for orphans of all nations to be loved, cared for and adopted into Christian families – ultimately so they can become saved, and be adopted into His eternal family through Jesus Christ! There are so many things God has used to prick our hearts and move us to adopt, here are a few:
Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction… James 1:27
Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will – Ephesians 1:5
The biggest challenge for us is not opening our hearts and home to another child, but it is in finding the finances to make this happen. We estimate our total cost for adoption fees, document preparation, home study, airfare, travel, attorney fees, etc. to be $21,000 - that’s certainly money we don’t have, but we know God is faithful and is leading us to trust Him. By God’s grace we’ve been able to pay the initial $8,200.
Honestly, it’s a little difficult (because of our pride), to make our needs known to the Body of Christ around us, but we also know it’s very Biblical to do so. We appreciate your friendship very much and would like you to pray & consider helping us in our adoption. There are two ways you can help:
1. Prayer – Please pray God would tenderly care for Kevin and William in Sierra Leone until we are able to bring them home, that God would prepare Emma and Jayden for the upcoming changes to our family, and that God will give us wisdom, discernment, and insight as we raise Kevin and William to know Jesus Christ.
2. Financial support - Will you please consider making a tax-deductible donation to help us pay the remaining $12,800 in adoption expenses, to bring our boys home?
Lifesong (www.lifesongfororphans.org) has graciously given a Matching Grant of $5,000 to help pay the remaining adoption expenses. If you would like to be a part of God bringing William and Kevin home, you can send your tax-deductible gift between now and February 9th 2011 to the address below. Lifesong is a trusted organization administering the funds on William and Kevin’s behalf, and will pay adoption expenses out of funds received.
1. Please make checks payable to: Lifesong. You may preference how the donation might be used by writing “preference Johnson #1693 Adoption” in the memo section of your check. (*Note: In following IRS guidelines, your donation is to Lifesong which retains full discretion and control over its use.)
Mail checks to:
Lifesong for Orphans
Attn: Johnson #1693 Adoption
PO Box 40/202 N.Ford St.
Gridley, IL 61744
2. You can also give directly thru Paypal thru this link http://www.lifesongfororphans.org/donation.html MAKE SURE to note in the comments section PREFERENCE JOHNSON #1693 ADOPTION or this will not be applied to our account.
Thank you for investing in the Kingdom through prayer and finances – it will be an investment with an eternal return! (Matt 6:20) We’ll give you an update with a picture of the boys and details as we receive them. Please pray this entire process will glorify God and fulfill His purposes!
In Christ,
Rich, Tiffany, Emma and Jayden Johnson
(Feel free to copy and paste this and share with your facebook friends, emals, blogs, etc)
“A father of the fatherless…God setteth the solitary in families…” - Psalms 68:5,6
Some of you know we have felt called and directed by God to adopt a “fatherless” child(ren) into our family. We are adopting from Sierra Leone, West Africa. We just received news in December that the adoption law in the country is set into place and our next step in the adoption and hopefully the final step is traveling for another 2 weeks, going to court while we are there and bringing the boys home.
Did you know it is estimated less than 10% of all orphan children are adopted into evangelical Christian families? According to current estimates, if only 10% more Christians in America would adopt, it would be equivalent to providing homes for all the orphans in Eastern Europe (1.5 million), Latin America (400,000), and the US foster care system (150,000).
Some of you are probably wondering what has prompted us to adopt. Well, primarily, we’ve felt so clearly directed by God to adopt that we want to obey Him, and we also desire to give an orphan child a family that he probably won’t otherwise have. God desires for orphans of all nations to be loved, cared for and adopted into Christian families – ultimately so they can become saved, and be adopted into His eternal family through Jesus Christ! There are so many things God has used to prick our hearts and move us to adopt, here are a few:
Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction… James 1:27
Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will – Ephesians 1:5
The biggest challenge for us is not opening our hearts and home to another child, but it is in finding the finances to make this happen. We estimate our total cost for adoption fees, document preparation, home study, airfare, travel, attorney fees, etc. to be $21,000 - that’s certainly money we don’t have, but we know God is faithful and is leading us to trust Him. By God’s grace we’ve been able to pay the initial $8,200.
Honestly, it’s a little difficult (because of our pride), to make our needs known to the Body of Christ around us, but we also know it’s very Biblical to do so. We appreciate your friendship very much and would like you to pray & consider helping us in our adoption. There are two ways you can help:
1. Prayer – Please pray God would tenderly care for Kevin and William in Sierra Leone until we are able to bring them home, that God would prepare Emma and Jayden for the upcoming changes to our family, and that God will give us wisdom, discernment, and insight as we raise Kevin and William to know Jesus Christ.
2. Financial support - Will you please consider making a tax-deductible donation to help us pay the remaining $12,800 in adoption expenses, to bring our boys home?
Lifesong (www.lifesongfororphans.org) has graciously given a Matching Grant of $5,000 to help pay the remaining adoption expenses. If you would like to be a part of God bringing William and Kevin home, you can send your tax-deductible gift between now and February 9th 2011 to the address below. Lifesong is a trusted organization administering the funds on William and Kevin’s behalf, and will pay adoption expenses out of funds received.
1. Please make checks payable to: Lifesong. You may preference how the donation might be used by writing “preference Johnson #1693 Adoption” in the memo section of your check. (*Note: In following IRS guidelines, your donation is to Lifesong which retains full discretion and control over its use.)
Mail checks to:
Lifesong for Orphans
Attn: Johnson #1693 Adoption
PO Box 40/202 N.Ford St.
Gridley, IL 61744
2. You can also give directly thru Paypal thru this link http://www.lifesongfororphans.org/donation.html MAKE SURE to note in the comments section PREFERENCE JOHNSON #1693 ADOPTION or this will not be applied to our account.
Thank you for investing in the Kingdom through prayer and finances – it will be an investment with an eternal return! (Matt 6:20) We’ll give you an update with a picture of the boys and details as we receive them. Please pray this entire process will glorify God and fulfill His purposes!
In Christ,
Rich, Tiffany, Emma and Jayden Johnson
(Feel free to copy and paste this and share with your facebook friends, emals, blogs, etc)
Sunday, January 2, 2011
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Well a new year brings new goals, hurdles, budgets, dreams, plans, etc... We are so excited for all God has for the Johnson family in 2011. At the end of 2010 we received amazing news from the government of SL: the adoption law has PASSED and is ready for us to move forward with the adoption once the current ban lifts, which we expect to be this coming week or two. We have so much to be thankful for this past year and the year to come. God has blessed us with 2 amazing children here and amazing children in Africa waiting to come home, wonderful friends, family, church and the list goes on and on.
Here are some recent pictures:
Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and a great New Year!! The best is yet to come!
Here are some recent pictures:
Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and a great New Year!! The best is yet to come!
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