Update

It has been several weeks since the last time we have posted anything on our blog.  We often struggle with the fact that writting our thoughts and feelings is not one of our gifts.  We had a friend ask us how things were going on the adoption and mentioned that she has check out blog several times and was disapointed that of the lack of updates.  It was a nice feeling that love ones are checking for updates and walking this journey along with us.

God has reminded us during this journey that we are not alone.  There has been many moments when we have looked at each other and asked "what in the world are we doing?"  It seemed that those are the moments God takes our hand and shows us its going to ok.  He also has many "angels" that He uses. Its the people that we do not know very well at church that make their way to us and out of the blue let us know that they are praying for us. Meeting people at a birthday party that is in their own journey of internationally adopting or even the simple card of encourgement that was out of the blue  We have learned to rely on Him. There have been times when we have started to run our own pace and He seems to have a His way of letting us know He is still in charge.

We are very excited about where we are in the process.  Our homestudy is completed and we thought we were done with our dossier.  We have faxed it to Celebrate Children International. They informed us there were one or two minor pages that needed corrected.  If you could see how large the dossier is, that is not bad at all.  Once we get that corrected it will be ready to be taken to Indy for the beloved golden seal.  Then it gets sent to the Ethiopia Embassy.  (This is Adam typing and I'm sure I'm getting something mixed up).  Once we get our finger prints done and approved we get the referal to see who God has for us.  We are in awe the way that God has helped us through all of this.

We are still working on the finacial aspect of the process.  We continue to sell t-shirts.  We are hoping that sales will pick up once we know who the next member of our family is going to be.  Right now Gabe and Shelley(my brother and sister-in-law) have spotlighted three families, us included. Their site is http://brownstreeintheforest.blogspot.com/2011/01/chip-in-for-love-and-win.html  They are having a drawing for people who "chip-in" to support the families that are being spotlighted.  If you can contribute, that is great.  If you can't, then pray. 

Last but definitely not least, I would like to give credit and thanks to Gabe and Shelley Brown.  They have opened so many eyes in reference to adoption.  I know I may be prejudice because they are family, but it goes so much further then that.  They have helped so many with inpiring words, resources, and encouragement.  God has used them in more ways then they could ever comprehend.  Gabe and Shelley (and the gang)  we love you.

Homestudy

Our nerves are alittle more at ease.  Yesterday a representative from Gateway Woods came to our home and spoke with us as a part of the Home Study.  We did not really know what to expect but it went well.  We have a few more items to give her before she can complete the Home Study.

As this process goes on I find myself trying to stay focus on why were are doing this.  I get frustrated with the process and want it to go well.  I am not one that enjoys fund raising, it is some peoples calling, its definitely  not mine.  But I have found that these moments of being uncomfortable I am learning to rely on God more and more to get us through. We have been blessed with friends and family members constant support and prayers.  The more we pray and reflect on why we believe God has called us to adopt the more excited we are to see our new son or daughter.  We truly believe that this is not an Adam and Amanda thing, this is a God thing.

We ask you to pray for us.  Pray for the next step. Pray for our relationship, that we are able to support each other through the process. Pray that we will receive the financial support that we need to complete this adoption.  And most of all, pray for our son or daughter, give him or her hope that there is a family that will love them and take care of them.

-Adam

The Next Step

We are looking forward to moving forward to the next step. Tuesday we begin our Home Study. A person from Gateway Woods will be coming to our home to meet and learn more about our family. During the home study they will talk to each of us individually. We are a little nervous because we do not really know what to expect and we want everything to run smoothly.

Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers. We are very excited to move forward one more step closer to meeting our new son or daughter.

Kids shirts will be posted soon. They make great Christmas gifts.

Simply Love

Check out these cool shirts that we are offering to fund our adoption. Get one for everybody in the family! Orders will be shipped out by December 13th to ensure you receive them in time for Christmas Gatherings the week before Christmas.  We will continue orders after December 13th and they will be shipped as quickly as possible, but we can not guarantee delivery times.

Live in our area and want to save a little money on shipping?  E-mail us to place your order or post a comment with your contact information.

Have ?s or want a custom order?  Just E-mail us here!

Thanks for supporting adoption!

Mens Simply Love Shirt Black

Pick your size

Small $25.00 Medium $25.00 Large $25.00 X-Large $25.00 XX-Large $27.00 XXX-Large $28.00

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Mens Simply Love Shirt Charcoal Gray

Pick your size

Small $25.00 Medium $25.00 Large $25.00 X-Large $25.00 XX-Large $27.00 XXX-Large $28.00

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Mens Simply Love Tee Olive Green

Pick your size

Small $25.00 Medium $25.00 Large $25.00 X-Large $25.00 XX-Large $27.00 XXX-Large $28.00

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Womens Simply Love Tee offered in Chocolate Brown.

This is offered in a regular or slim cut tee.  We recommend ordering 1-2 sizes up in the slim cut tee.

Choose color and size

Brown Slim Cut S $25.00 Brown Slim Cut M $25.00 Brown Slim Cut L $25.00 Brown Slim Cut XL $25.00 Brown Regular Cut S $25.00 Brown Regular Cut M $25.00 Brown Regular Cut L $25.00 Brown Regular Cut XL $25.00 Brown Regular Cut XXL $27.00

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Womens Simply Love Tee offered in Charcoal Gray.

This is offered in a regular or slim cut tee.  We recommend ordering 1-2 sizes up in the slim cut tee.

Choose fit and size

Gray Slim Cut Small $25.00 Gray Slim Cut Medium $25.00 Gray Slim Cut Large $25.00 Gray Slim Cut X-Large $25.00 Gray Regular Cut Small $25.00 Gray Regular Cut Medium $25.00 Gray Regular Cut Large $25.00 Gray Regular Cut X-Large $25.00 Gray Regular Cut XX-Large $27.00

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Womens Simply Love Tee offered in Black.

This is offered in a regular or slim cut tee.  We recommend ordering 1-2 sizes up in the slim cut tee.

Choose fit and size

Black Slim Cut Small $25.00 Black Slim Cut Medium $25.00 Black Slim Cut Large $25.00 Black Slim Cut X-Large $25.00 Black Regular Cut Small $25.00 Black Regular Cut Medium $25.00 Black Regular Cut Large $25.00 Black Regular Cut X-Large $25.00 Black Regular Cut XX-Large $27.00

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Simply Love Infant Shirt

Choose color and size

Bright Pink 6 months $25.00 Bright Pink 12 months $25.00 Bright Pink 18 months $25.00 Chocolate Brown 6 months $25.00 Chocolate Brown 12 months $25.00 Chocolate Brown 18 months $25.00

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Simply Love Toddler Shirt

Choose color and size

Bright Pink 2T $25.00 Bright Pink 3T $25.00 Bright Pink 4T $25.00 Bright Pink 5/6 $25.00 Bright Pink 7 $25.00 Chocolate Brown 2T $25.00 Chocolate Brown 3T $25.00 Chocolate Brown 4T $25.00 Chocolate Brown 5/6 $25.00 Chocolate Brown 7 $25.00

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Simply Love Girls Shirt
(photos coming soon)

Choose color and size

Deep Red Youth Small $25.00 Deep Red Youth Medium $25.00 Deep Red Youth Large $25.00 Bright Pink Youth Small $25.00 Bright Pink Youth Medium $25.00 Bright Pink Youth Large $25.00

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Simply Love Boys Shirt
(photos coming soon)

Choose color and size

Olive Youth Small $25.00 Olive Youth Medium $25.00 Olive Youth Large $25.00 Black Youth Small $25.00 Black Youth Medium $25.00 Black Youth Large $25.00

Journey

A few years ago we met we a family that adopted two children from Ethiopia.  We began to talk about how that event would effect the life of those children. We would talk about "some day" doing something like that.  It was only in passing and we did not think much of it.  Then we began to feel that God may be calling us to look into adopting.  We were too busy and the money was not there.  We again felt God talking to us.  It was still not the right time.  God began to really talk to Adam.  He would mention it in passing, but never push the issue.  Adam began to find himself in prayer and feeling that God was serious.  This was not a fad, this was not a passing feeling, God was talking.  Adam was sitting reading the paper and he read an article about Ethiopian adoption.  He simply cut it out and gave it to Amanda to read.  Amanda placed the article on the fridge next to the coffee pot.  Everyday Amanda would look at the article and pray. She would simply say, "if this is your will put it in my heart."  Be careful what you ask for be He did just that.  God began to put people in her life that had experienced adoption, were talking about adoption or simply brought up the conversation about adoption.  God began to move in Adam and Amanda's heart. 

They found themselves in the right place, on their knees and in the scripture.  Adam and Amanda began to pray constantly about adoption and God continued to speak to them and bring things into their life that affirmed that this was His will.  God was calling them to bring a child into their home to love and make their own.

We have created this site to ask for your help.  We desperately need your prayers, thoughts and your support. International adoption carries a heavy price tag but we believe that God will provide.  If you feel that you can support us, God bless you.  If you feel that this is not a good time for you, we understand and your prayers are a blessing. 

Thank you and God Bless,
Adam and Amanda Brown