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"God sets the lonely in families" - Psalm 68:6



Friday, December 24, 2010

Serving with Saint Nicholas



















This morning we visited a convalescent home along with family members and friends. It was a precious time to serve together and remember those who are often forgotten during the holidays. Our dear friends, Irish and Judy Kane, serve the Orange County elderly community throughout the year through their organization, Amazing Grace Ministries. "Uncle Irish" always dresses as Saint Nicholas and shares the true Christmas story with all who will listen. I was so blessed as our boys mingled and gave gifts, hugs and smiles to the men and women in the home. Jordan even played a Christmas carol on the piano... his first time playing the piano in public!

I always love to remind our boys of the true histories of the saints. Saint Nicholas was a tremendous hero of the faith and his life should be an example to us all. I hope you are encouraged by this article during this Christmas season...

“Tell Them the Truth About St. Nick”
Article written by Paul Thigpen

Come December, there’s simply no way to avoid him. With “cheeks like roses” and a “nose like a cherry,” his smiling face meets us everywhere we turn. Jolly old St. Nicholas. What should we tell our kids about St. Nick? Why not tell them the truth? I don’t mean a somber lecture about how reindeer can’t really fly. I mean the inspiring story of the historical St. Nicholas – a real person whose life pointed beautifully to the Lord he served.

We don’t know a great deal about Nicholas for certain, but what we do know should make us glad his memory has been preserved. Born in Asia Minor more than 16 centuries ago, he gave his life to full-time ministry, serving as the overseer of a church in the town of Myra. There this saint engaged in signs-and-wonders evangelism, bringing many to faith in Jesus.

The people revered Nicholas for his personal holiness, kindness and generosity. But his zeal for Christ got him in trouble with pagan authorities and he was tortured and imprisoned by the cruel Roman emperor Diocletian.

Nicholas survived the ordeal and lived to take part in an important council of church leaders, where he spoke out bravely against the false teachings infiltrating the church of his day. Afterward, he remained busy with the Lord’s work until his death many years later.

Some ancient biographies of Nicholas say much more, telling vivid tales of how he shared his wealth with the poor and took special care of children. We don’t know how reliable these stories are, but this much is certain: St. Nicholas shone so brightly with the love of Jesus that the church has never been able to forget him.

Over the years, Christians found various ways to honor him, including dressing up like him and giving gifts to children. As his inspiring example spread across many cultures, his costume and his name took many forms. The Dutch called him “Santa Claus” and introduced him to America. Then, in the 19th century, Clement Moore wrote “The Night Before Christmas,” a popular poem that gave American children the picture that’s common today: a red-suited Santa with flying reindeer.

Whatever those recent frivolous additions to the Nicholas story – and however they may be manipulated by Madison Avenue – they shouldn’t prevent us from telling our children the truth about a great servant of God. If we share with them the story of the real St. Nicholas, we won’t be turning their attention away from Jesus. Instead, we’ll be showing them how the Child of the manger can shine even now through a heart that’s devoted to Him.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

And the iPod Winner is...


The Thomas & Ramsey cousins in Laguna Beach two years ago...

The Thomas family! Mike's sister and her family are the BIG WINNERS of the iPod contest! We were thrilled that they won since their adoption journey in China inspired us to begin our adoption four years ago.

We raised $2,740 in 3 weeks through the iPod contest as well as donations that were sent directly to All Blessings Intl. We are humbled, thrilled and grateful to be able to pay the agency costs required to send our home study to Korea. Thank you so much for your support and encouragement!

Our family had SO MUCH FUN preparing for the drawing today. The boys learned a lot about probability as they hand wrote the "tickets" for each donor. At 7 pm, Jordan and Aidan prayed over the tickets. Then they each drew a name. I drew the winning name and was thrilled to see the Thomases written on the ticket. We truly wish that we could give an iPod to everyone who donated. Thank you again for being part of our amazing journey and for helping us to get one step closer to our little girl!







Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Our Adoption Fundraising Chart...














It has been such a blessing to include our boys in the fundraising process for our adoption. They have waited for their sister for so long and pray for her to come home every night before going to bed. They love learning about Korea and are excited to travel with us next year to bring their sister home.

We decided to make a chart so the boys could record the financial gifts and provisions from God as we trust Him daily for the finances. The boys trade off recording our donations each morning. Thank you, thank you, thank you for being part of our journey!!!

Monday, December 13, 2010

2 Days Left Until the iPod Giveaway!!!



We have received a wonderful response to our iPod giveaway with donors from 7 states as well as Guatemala! We feel so supported, humbled and encouraged!

There are just two days left until the winner is drawn and we have almost reached our goal of $2,000. Please let your friends and family know about this wonderful opportunity to support an adoption and enter the chance to win a brand new iPod! We will draw the winner at 7 pm (CA time) on Wednesday, December 15th and will post the winning name on our blog.

Here are the donors who are in the running:

Mike Ramsey Senior..... Nevada
Barbara Lange.....Orange County
Bryan & Amber Booy.....Orange County
Jacob & Dawn Coleman.....Orange County
Irish & Judy Kane.....Orange County
Art & Lisa Camarena.....Guatemala
Mark & Susan Smith.....LA
Tim & Cat Ailanjian.....Orange County
Luke & Melanie Sunukjian.....Washington DC
Emily Matthews....Missouri
Christophe & Brooke Charpentier.....Arizona
Brian & Katie Thomas.....Oregon
Ellen Burany.....Virginia

Thank you for your support and for being part of our daughter's incredible journey home!!!

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

HOW IS GOD MOVING IN HAITI?

I have just posted a video which was filmed in Port Au Prince in February, 2010, at the bottom of the blog. Please take some time to watch it. You will be amazed...

Heading to Haiti!

















I know we've all heard horrible reports about the ongoing devastation in Haiti. But God is moving in powerful ways in this beautiful land and I can't wait to be a part of it. I have boxes of shoes and candy in our garage that I'm planning to take with me. I can't wait to see the kids' faces when they receive these gifts! Free WheelChair Mission has also offered to send wheelchairs with our team. So awesome! Consider joining us!

Monday, December 6, 2010

Home Study Update













Big news!!! Our home study was finalized and emailed to our adoption agency (AIAA) on Friday, December 3rd! It is now under review by the AIAA social worker. Once we receive the final approval from AIAA our home study will be mailed to Korea. It is an estimated 4-6 month wait for a referral of a child once the home study is received in Korea.

It is so exciting to be getting closer to the "finish line" on this long and amazing journey! Thank you so much for standing with us and for supporting us as we prepare to bring our little girl home! We will be moving all of Jordan's clothing and toys into Aidan's room over the holidays. We hope to start preparing the baby room in the New Year! I can't wait to "think pink" and start decorating!

Giving Up Their Christmas Gifts...














Last week I had one of those proud mommy moments when I thought, "It doesn't get better than this!"

Our boys had never seen our blog and asked to see it before bedtime. It was so fun to show them the photos and teach them about blogging. They wanted to watch the videos (at the bottom of the blog) and I regretted forgetting to pull out the tissue. We were all humbled by "True Religion," a sobering video which lists haunting statistics on hunger and poverty. As I read the statistics out loud to the boys, I was brought to tears. How do you explain world hunger, abandonment and suffering to children who've always had a warm home, cozy beds and an overabundance of food, toys and unending comforts and love? I tried my best and somehow they got it.

As we snuggled into bed, I asked the boys how they felt about the video. They had just made their "Christmas wish lists" that day and I had also told them that we could not afford to buy Operation Christmas Child gifts this year. Our funds are very tight in light of the $3500 in adoption fees which are due later this month. The boys began to share their hearts and I was deeply touched by what happened next.

Aidan told me that he really didn't need the Lego set he was asking for. Jordan agreed and said that he didn't need the Wii game on his list either. They started to get excited as they realized that they could give up their "wish lists" to help others. I told them that we could go to the store this week to buy Operation Christmas Child gifts and they were thrilled! Aidan was offering to take more gifts off his list in order to help other needy kids. It was incredible! Aidan also talked about buying gifts for his baby sister and how he would share with her. Needless to say, I was blessed beyond belief!

On Friday afternoon we shopped for the shoe boxes. The boys had so much fun picking out gifts. We delivered the shoe boxes to the Operation Christmas Child West Coast Processing Center (which happens to be right next to our church). The boys told the staff how they gave up their wish lists to fill the shoe boxes. The staff members were touched by their stories and gave them free t-shirts and a tour of the facility. It was incredible to see thousands of boxes being prepared to be shipped to children around the world. Most of those children would not be receiving Christmas gifts this year if people like Jordan and Aidan had not made sacrifices to purchase them. I'm so proud to call our boys my sons!

The Grove Church Adoption Fair






Two weeks ago I was invited to represent All Blessings Intl. Adoptions at an Adoption Fair at The Grove Church in Riverside. It was an incredible service and I absolutely loved the heart of the church for orphans. The pastor gave a moving presentation on the international orphan crisis. All of the families in the church who have adopted were invited up to the stage and introduced. He also invited those of us who were representing agencies to the stage and introduced our ministries. I felt honored to represent All Blessings and was able to talk with many people about our 2011 opportunities to visit and minister to orphans in Haiti, Guatemala and El Salvador.

My close friend Susan Clark came as well. Susan and her daughter Julia were part of our El Salvador team this past July and have become very special in our lives. Susan and her husband Randy have five beautiful adopted children and their three girls joined us (Julia - age 10, Marissa - age 8 and Sophia - age 4). They are all great reminders of the miracle of adoption!

Friday, December 3, 2010

The All Blessings International Adoption Blog...



















If you would like to read more about Jenni's trips to El Salvador and Guatemala, please visit our adoption agency blog at www.allblessingswest.org. The blog is filled with amazing stories, photos, videos and information on the international orphan crisis.

The Vision

God spoke this vision regarding our adoption journey to Barbara Lange on March 26, 2010...

"Jenni,


I have made the decision to speak our boldly when God speaks to me. Last night as I was washing the dishes I received this "vision" of you. I hesitate to use the word "vision," but what I saw was a slide of your life. As I watched the show in my mind I began to cry because I was so touched by what I saw. You and I have shared many tears these last couple of years, both sorrow and joy. The attachment is what I saw.

FRAME 1

Jenni sitting at the South Coast Community Church reception desk with the photo album of her courtship and engagement to Mike.

FRAME 2

Jenni performing the gospel message in mime at New Harvest Community Church, showing her heart for the lost and oppressed. Jenni performing the gospel in mime on missions trips everywhere she is able to go. Her Father rejoicing at her obedience and passion.

FRAME 3

The anguished look of a woman desperately wanting to have children. Unsuccessful fertility treatements.

FRAME 4

God watching over His daughter, His heart breaking as tears flow down her cheeks. He whispers in her ear, "My child, I know how broken you feel, but I have a great plan and purpose for your life. This anguish, this heartbreak, this pain will subside. Joy is on its' way. I needed you to suffer in this way because of My plan is for you. You are going to be an advocate for international adoptions. You are going to spread my gospel this way.

FRAME 5

The births of Jordan and Aidan! At last a MOM!

FRAME 6

Having experienced the heartbreak of infertility, Jenni's passion for adoption grows.


FRAME 7

Jenni's passion for missions and adoption begin to fuse.


FRAME 8

The Ramseys start the adoption process for a daughter.

FRAME 9

Jenni goes to Washington DC and connects with adoption leaders. Relationships follow, teamwork begins. Jenni begins a new chapter in her life in the intl. adoption network.

FRAME 10

The slow adoption process is agonizing to the Ramseys.

FRAME 11

Jenni leads a missions team to El Salvador and learns sad news about El Salvador adoptions and specifically their own plans. Heartbroken again, but resolved to press on.

FRAME 12

More networking with intl. adoptions, hope for their daughter and another trip to El Salvador. Jordan goes to El Salvador. The orphans are overwhelmed and ecstatic that Jenni returns. Jenni and Jordan build "forever friendships and family" in El Salvador. Jenni's passion increases.

FRAME 13

Jenni prepares for third trip to El Salvador in one year. Amazing things happen.

FRAME 14 - THE FINAL FRAME...

Mike and Jenni, standing now, older, graying hair, surrounded by their sons and their wives, their daughters and their husbands and their grandchildren. Below them are thousands of children joyously celebrating Jenni's life. Her passion to follow her Father's call and purpose on her life is fulfilled. These thousands of children represent all of the orphans, adoptions and ripple affect of her life's work.

A work that could not be accomplished without the pain, suffering and brokeness she endured trying to become a mom.


Well done, my good and faithful servant."

A Heartwarming Adoption Story.... the Howerton's Miraculous Haitian Adoption Journey

God's Heart for Orphans...

An Incredible Video...

"Cry of The Orphan" - Thoughts on orphan care from some of my greatest heroes!