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



Thursday, September 19, 2013

OC Register Article on Jordan and Aidan

Last month The OC Register featured a story on the boys' stuffed animals drive for El Salvador.  We are SO PROUD of our boys!  The article contains a few minor errors.  Neither of the boys traveled  to El Salvador this summer and Aidan took the Silly Bandz that were collected to El Salvador in 2011.  Jordan served in El Salvador in 2010 and 2012.

Tustin students collect stuffed animals for donation
By LUKE HAROLD
08/21/2013 12:28 PM


Two years ago, two brothers attending Arroyo Elementary led a project to collect multi-colored rubber bracelets from their classmates to donate to orphanages in El Salvador.
This time, Jordan and Aidan Ramsey have collected more than 1,000 stuffed animals from their classmates, their church and other sources.
"It was fun," said Aidan, 10, of the effort to collect the stuffed animals. "A little complicated, but we still got it."
They left for El Salvador on July 20 as a part of a team of 19; the toys are being distributed among kids in hospitals and orphanages there over the course of a week.
"They don't need stuff to be happy, but they're glad that they do," said Jordan, 11, who will be entering sixth grade.
The boys' mother, Jenni Ramsey is the aid and outreach director for the nonprofit group All Blessings International through Kentucky Adoption Services. She coordinated the trip in conjunction with Ripple Kids, a program implemented at Arroyo that recognizes community services efforts of kids. Volunteers have traveled to Guatemala, El Salvador and Haiti to help locals.
"The orphans in El Salvador don't have stuffed animals or toys," Jordan said. "They barely have anything."
He and Aidan spent a week in El Salvador in 2011 after collecting 4,000 Silly Bandz, which are silicone rubber bands molded into various shapes and typically worn by kids as bracelets.
"They really enjoyed them, they played with them all day," Jordan said.
Their mom began volunteering in El Salvador in 2009.
"I'm excited," Jenni said. "I feel like I'm blessed to love what I do."
It costs about $2,100 for each person on the team to make the trip. The team is comprised of mostly high school and college students affiliated with the Village Church of Irvine. Jenni leads 10 to 12 training sessions to help team members better acclimate to the culture. The group will stay in a nearby housing complex generally designated for people coming on goodwill trips.
"They're going to be pretty happy that the Americans care for them," Aidan said.
Contact the writer: lharold@ocregister.com, 714-796-7963, @luke_harold
To view the article online, go to http://www.ocregister.com/waptest/articles/salvador-518037-jordan-stuffed.html

Friday, September 13, 2013

GOTCHA DAY!

Last week we celebrated Hailey's first "Gotcha Day" in America on September 7.  Our annual tradition will be to celebrate Gotcha Day as a family at a Korean restaurant, enjoying our favorite Korean foods.





It's hard to believe that one year has already passed since Hailey became ours.  The docile, pale and quiet baby that snuggled in our arms in Korea has blossomed into a rambunctious, energetic, busy (and tan!) toddler who loves her big brothers, squeals in glee when she sees her cat, Maui, and dog, Rocky, and has grown with amazing progress through her separation anxiety and attachment issues.  Hailey's two favorite things are "Dada" and food.  She is definitely a Daddy's girl!

Here are our family photos taken on September 7, 2012 in Korea and on September 7, 2013 in Tustin, CA:



Happy Gotcha Day Hailey!  We're so glad we gotcha!

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!