"Among the gods there is none like you, O Lord. No deeds can compare with yours. All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, O Lord. They will bring glory to your name. For you are great and do marvelous deeds, you alone are God." - Psalms 86:8-10
TONIGHT WE MET OUR GOAL! WE HAVE RAISED $3,000 THROUGH THE GOOGLE NEXUS 7 FUNDRAISER! We have reached our dream of completing an international adoption without going into debt. We are thrilled beyond belief. Here is a little bit of history...
In September, 2010, we made the painful decision to withdraw from the El Salvador adoption program with America World Adoptions (after waiting to adopt for over three years). After much prayer and counsel, we felt led to apply for the Korea program with AIAA (Americans for International Aid and Adoption). Our biggest concern? The cost! We lost the $15,000 invested in the El Salvador adoption and our savings was depleted. However, as we prayed, God gave Mike the gift of faith. I'll never forget Mike's words when he said, "$35,000 is like 35 cents to God!" And he was right!
Over the past two years, God has provided all of the funds needed to complete our adoption. We have received three grants from Show Hope, The Village Church of Irvine and Finding Forever Families. We have successfully completed two raffle fundraisers. We have received generous donations from family members, friends and even strangers. And we've even been blessed personally to cover much of the costs through our own financial resources.
Tonight we received an unforgettable phone call from a friend who chooses to remain anonymous. This friend told us that she'd recently been given guardianship of some money (from someone who passed away), and she was deciding where to donate the funds. As she was praying yesterday, God placed our family's adoption costs on her heart. She was also considering other ministries, and believed that God would confirm where to give the funds in a direct way. Last night this friend felt God nudge her towards our family, and she decided to visit our adoption blog. He prompted her to give us the funds if the amount that we needed matched the funds that she needed to give away. Just an hour before she visited our blog, we had announced our remaining balance: $820. She had $816 to give away! Needless to say, she knew clearly that this was God's confirmation! We are once again amazed by God's perfect provision!
Since the raffle donations given to Lifesong for Orphans require a few days to process and we want to ensure that all donors are entered in the raffle, we will draw the winner next Sat, Sept 22. The winner will be announced here on the blog and on Facebook. We can't wait to see who the winner will be!
The remaining funds will be used for our post-placement adoption costs. Over the next few months we will be scheduling four meetings with our social worker in our home. Those visits are now paid for. We will also need to pay the adoption finalization hearing in an Orange County court and the final paperwork process (through INS) to apply for Hailey's US citizenship. This entire process should take about six months and Hailey will legally become Hailey Jane Ramsey.
We are so grateful for all of the prayers, emails, gifts, cards, meals and support that we have received during our amazing adoption adventure! Thank you for being part of the journey with us!
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
Thursday, September 13, 2012
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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."
"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."
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