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Saturday, January 29, 2011

Marie's Home




by Caroline Austin


This book was one I had no problem reading through quickly. It was set in the time of the French Revolution and when the book was originally published in 1885, only 100 years had passed. While the book does not go into great detail explaining the background of the revolution, it gives you a taste of the times and hardships. We have decided to add this book to our historical fiction category.

There is not necessarily a deep Christian message directly, though trusting in God and thanking the Father for His blessings are mentioned at the right moments. The main moral theme can be summed up well by the publisher...


"In Marie's Home, Marie's father tells her, "If we would find happiness in this world we must go where duty calls, and be loyal and patient even though things seem hard." This concept of doing our duty even when it is difficult is no longer commonly held as a virtue in our society but that does not mean it is any less important for us." --Daniel Mills

When one of my children are ready for this period of history or just need a boost in courage, compassion, self-sacrifice and true nobility, this will be one to pull off the shelf for them to enjoy.


God bless,

April

P.S. For those of you following our customer on their adoption journey..they have posted an exciting announcement today saying that they have accepted a referral for a little boy named Abraham. You can check out their fundraising blog...here.

Friday, January 7, 2011

One of our Customers...On an Adoption Journey

Toby and I love to encourage others when God has called them to adopt. After all, He called us with each of our brown-eyed girls. Below is the story of why they are on this journey and ways to help! Now added to our list of books to acquire is Adopted for Life as they mention below!

God bless,

Toby and April
Books on the Path

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Jam 1:27
Pure and undefiled religion before God the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their misfortune and to keep oneself unstained by the world.


Me adopt??? This was not a decision that came easy to us. God laid this desire on Donna's heart first 2 years ago after she read an article in an Above Rubies magazine. She thought, “Surely I am just being emotional,” as she never thought she could adopt. She didn't have any desire to adopt and felt that was something only special people could do. God gently nudged her and she began to pray about this and kept silent as she was not ready to let anyone know, she desired to wrestle this out with just her and God. Donna's biggest concern was Jeff. He was content with their size family and Donna knew he was looking forward to having all older children and no more little ones. But she knew if this desire was of God, then He would change Jeff's heart. He did!


The journey to adopt is filled with ups and downs, doubts and fears, joys and excitement, disappointments and victories. However, if God is for us, who can be against us! With every step of the way His blessing has been upon us and we can feel His pleasure as we continue to walk this journey step by step, praying for His perfect timing in all things.


To share our passion for the issues concerning adoption we found a nice article written by Christian Advocates for Adoption, please read and consider God's heart in this matter.


(Start quote) "Why Should Christians Adopt? The Old Testament contains more than 40 scriptures that show God's concern and compassion for orphans. God's people then and God's people now must care for this disenfranchised and neglected segment of society. Adoption is the most loving and permanent way to care for these little ones. Psalm 68:5-6a says about God, "A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families..."


God is the Creator of life. Every child, born and unborn, is created in His image and therefore has intrinsic worth! While the church has for many years championed the cause of the unborn through pro-life activity, it has not been nearly as supportive in finding homes for the newborn children of these crisis pregnancies. In fact, this is often one of the charges leveled by so-called pro-choice advocates! Adoption completes the cycle of a true pro-life position. If we are going to be pro-life, we must also be "pro-adoption!"


Adoption is good for a child. Through adoption a child gains the opportunity to live in a two-parent home with a loving mother and father. Through adoption these little ones are introduced to the loving embrace of Jesus Christ, affecting them for eternity. Practically speaking, adoptive homes are more likely to be stable, loving, and economically secure than the average home. Adoption gives a child an outstanding opportunity for success in life! (And the opportunity to grow up knowing Him!-Donna here)


When Christians adopt we demonstrate love to the watching world. We show love not only in word, but also in action. When we adopt, we choose to give our life away. After all, adoption is expensive; it is inconvenient; and finally, it lasts a lifetime! Why would we do this? Very simple: "We love because He first loved us." (1 John 4:19). Isn't it time for Christians to realize that our lives are not our own?


Now is the time for the Church to rise up and take seriously the Biblical mandate of James 1:27 "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress..."


More and more followers of Christ are choosing to adopt. They do so carefully and intentionally after counsel and much prayer. It is not an easy decision for many believers, but it is very often the right decision. Jesus says, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these my brothers you did it for me." (Matthew 25:40)." (End Quote)


So with all the being said, we know that our hearts are to do the will of our Father and we desire to raise up more children to know Him and to make Him known to the nations! This is a missions lifestyle and we are looking at this as a part of fulfilling the Great Commission, not only are we going into all the world (Ethiopia) but we are bringing the world (our Ethiopian children) into our hearts and into our very home!


For a thorough look at the biblical mandate to adopt and the church’s responsibility to help adopting families please consider purchasing Adopted For Life by Russell D. Moore.

We have set up a couple of ways for folks to help us raise the necessary funds needed (Approx $30,000).


We have created a ministry called Threads of Hope.


Threads of Hope was created to help provide the necessary funds for the Hebert Family's adoption process. Threads of Hope provides modest dresses and skirts, our 16 yr old daughters photography, hot packs, soaps, candles and will be adding many more items to sell, all with the theme of modesty, purity, to glorify the Lord Jesus. 100% of proceeds go towards the adoption process!


We also have organic coffee from Ethiopia that helps our fund. For each bag of coffee, Just Love Coffee gives us $5 per bag. This is really good coffee! Great gifts for others! You can sign up to become a monthly coffee partner with us. Just have to make sure the link you use has our HebertFam name at the end of the link.

Just Love Coffee Shop


We will end with these verses that has truly been our driving force:

“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

“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” John 14:18



Soli Deo Gloria!
Jeff and Donna Hebert