We are an ordinary family traveling on a lifelong journey with an extraordinary God. Our family is passionate about serving others. We believe that God has specifically called us to advocate for orphans, adoption and to bring relief to the poor. Thank you for being part of our journey! "The Lord has done great things for us and we are filled with joy" - Psalm 126:3
BIG NEWS!!! Today we received the boys' new passports in the mail! Yay!!! We renewed their passports last month and have been praying that they would be processed quickly (and checking our mailbox daily).
We are starting to prepare for our trip to Korea (hopefully some time in the next two months). Needless to say, life around our house is very exciting! Yesterday the boys watched the DVD that we purchased for Hailey,"Pororo" (her favorite Korean cartoon). We have purchased gifts for our Korean social worker and Hailey's foster family.
We are beginning to pack Hailey's travel bag and are researching flights/housing. Hailey's emigration approval is currently being processed in Seoul. Once her emigration permit is approved, Hailey will have a visa physical/interview and then we wait for the travel call from our agency. Stay tuned for updates!
Today is my 42nd birthday and I just received an unforgettable birthday gift! Our dear friends emailed tonight to tell us that God has led them to cover our travel costs for Korea. We are speechless, overwhelmed and amazed! When we lost all of the money in our failed adoption in El Salvador, we knew that it would take a miracle to raise the funds needed for a Korean adoption. $35,000 seemed overwhelming but I'll never forget Mike's perspective. He reminded me that "$35,000 is like 35 cents to God!" And we have watched this miracle occur right before our eyes as family, friends and even strangers have contributed towards our adoption costs. One friend has even contributed on a monthly basis over the past year, a gift that we never expected. As I updated our fundraising thermometer on the blog tonight and realized that we just passed $30,000, I was once again reminded of God's faithfulness and power! Thank you Daddy God!
We will be hosting a Noonday Collection trunkshow at our home on Tues, August 14, from 7-8:30 pm. Noonday Collection was started by an adoptive mom who encountered beautiful artisanship while adopting her child in Africa. Noonday sponsors "fair trade" artisans from countries like Uganda, Rwanda, Guatemala, Ecuador, Peru and India and part of their sales are used to support orphan care and adoptions. To read more about Noonday and see products, visit
If you are unable to attend the fundraiser, you can order items online. 20% of all sales will go towards our adoption costs! Just note that your purchase is helping the Ramsey adoption fund. My friend, Bonnie Nourse, who teaches Spanish at Orange Lutheran High School and recently returned from a short-term trip to Argentina, will be representing Noonday. We hope to see you here on the 14th!
It's difficult to explain the emotions I experienced last night as I walked up to the desk at Babies R Us and asked to register for a baby! What a moment! The lady behind the counter was very sweet, and I discovered that her daughter-in-law was Korean! I was also able to mark "adoption" on the registry application. How cool! Purchases can be made from our registry online at:
My close friend, Kristin Sellars, who has a one-year old daughter, helped me to navigate through the aisles and overwhelming choices. Thank you Kristin! I definitely think that many baby items are "over the top" and unnecessary, but I was so grateful to register for some of the items that Baby Hailey needs.
We also welcome any used items! The major needs that we have at this time are for a stroller, car seat, baby carrier (Ergo), diapers and clothes (size 18 months or larger). Hailey already weights 24 pounds, so we estimate that she will wear size 18 months+ and diaper size 4.
Last Sunday our team spoke about our incredible trip to El Salvador during the service at The Village Church of Irvine. Our team members shared about the modern day miracles that we experienced through the quinceanera. We are so grateful to our church family, friends and supporters for all of the donations, financial gifts, prayers and support that we received!
We also showed our trip video, which highlights our unforgettable week serving in El Salvador. Please take a few minutes to watch!
The next All Blessings Intl. orphan outreach trip is scheduled for July, 2013, in El Salvador. Dates are TBD. I will be taking a few months off as we bond with Hailey and have postponed the fall, 2012, trip to Guatemala until fall, 2013. At this time, Mike is planning to lead our July, 2013, trip to El Salvador.
Last Sunday Mike preached during our quarterly Missions Sunday service. He did an amazing job, was very comfortable and I was so proud of him! He shared briefly about our adoption journey and also shared some of his experiences serving overseas.
We have officially completed Hailey's room! Yay!!! The boys have been great helpers and painted the letters for Hailey's wall last weekend. They also loved playing with their old baby toys and reading their old books when we pulled them out of the boxes from the shed! Adorable! Now we just need to fill the baskets with diapers, the closet with clothes, the drawers with socks and the bed with a baby...
We have had so much fun creating her room, and we did it in less than $100! We saved Jordan's baby furniture and Hailey will be using our guest bed. My grandma purchased the bedding for us as a gift and we had many of the other items saved in storage.
Since Hailey is currently sleeping with her foster mom, we have chosen to cohabit with her. We want to keep as much of her daily routine as similar to Korea as possible, and cohabitating is also strongly suggested for bonding and attachment.
We still have a big list of things to do to prepare for our trip to Korea! Tonight I will be registering at Babies R Us with a close friend (who also has a one-year old daughter). Stay tuned for details!
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
