This was early morning of the sale. The pic doesn't do this huge sale justice, an areal shot would have been better. Bet they could see this garage sale from space. It's like the rednecks opened their own version of Wal-Mart.

 Sooooo many clothes!!!!

From the end of the driveway. Never got a pic of the neighbors side yard or Momma Shep on the Ab Lounge, but there is an awesome dance video of Linz get'n down "garage sale style"! Sadly, this video has been banned from appearing on this blog. Maybe with enough requests she'd grant permission to post???

On a more serious note though, we are both so truly blessed and humbled by the awesome display of God's love at work! Thanks be to HIM who makes all blessings flow. Thanks to our family for all their support in so many different ways. Thanks to our friends who donated, baked, set up, took down, bought t-shirts, sold, laughed, cried, and prayed for us....we couldn't have done this without you all. Thanks to all the strangers, friend of a friends, and dedicated yard salers who gave above and beyond what we had ever hoped for.

Just thinking about today brings tears to my eyes as I write and reflect. I think there are a few times in our lives, that if we're lucky enough to see and take notice of, we get to see what God's perfect kingdom is like.

Today Lindsey and I got a glimpse perfection and for that we are forever grateful.
I found myself wondering today as I watched so many wearing the same t-shirt; why would they choose to give up there saturday, work for hours in the 100 degree heat, trying to sell other people's stuff, for other people? The only answer that made any sense was....Jesus. Whether we all realized it or not the reason everything, or anything for that matter, happened today because of Jesus Christ!

Finally as I close this blogging time I can't help but think about why we're doing any of this stuff, it's because of some kids from Africa and our desire to be their parents. And while I write about the abundace Lindsey and I were blessed with today it's easy to forget that for our future 'forever children', July 23rd, was probably a very different day. Did they have enough to eat and drink today? Do they have a place to lay their heads tonight? Do they have parents, friends, and family they can count on? Will their most basic of needs be met until we become a family? It's scarey to think about the possible answers to these questions, but we will continue to trust that God has a perfect plan all our lives...including some babies from the Congo!

Blessings

Adoption Garage Sale Eve Eve

Just a few more hours now until Garage Sale-la-palooza begins! We haven't been able to park in the garage now for over 3 weeks. That's a two stall garage, plus a workshop, with every inch stacked about 4 1/2 ft. high! What a huge (literally) blessing this adoption journey has been already. Linz and I just came in from piling on the last few boxes and bags...hoping it doesn't rain. So far I've seen and know of at least 3 Tvs, 3 sewing machines, 7 kids bikes, 2 couches, 4 diaper genies, 2 recliners, tons of kids clothes and toys, the list could go on and on.

Tomorrow will be of digging, unpacking, sorting, and sweating. Stop on by and check us out at 1298 Campbell Ave (between Whitesboro and Phillips St off of E. Main St.).

Accepted

I got an email that our application was accepted by our international agency!  To some this is no big deal...but to me this is one step closer to being a forever mom to a child that needs me, as much as I need the child!  I am still in awe at all the blessings Jordan and I have received since this all began. 

Yesterday, I got a call from a friend, that three families that I don't even know wanted to donate things to my sale!  They were having a three family garage sale and they donated TONS of things to me, for my sale!  

This was just one small step in a long journey ahead, but it feels amazing anyway!  Soon my household will be entertain'n angels in disguise.  Hebrews 13:1-2 is what we have really been usign a a key verse in our adoption process.  Our journey with caring for children, who are not biologically ours, didn't just start here.  It's been almost a year that we have been entertaining little angels in our home.  I'm just excited that God has laid out the oppertunity for us to adopt children.

Not as cool as Jordans blog

I do not in any way have the same talents as my husband.  He can write such beautiful things, and always knows what to say.  I on the other hand might have spelling and grammar mistakes, and do not always know what to say! 

I am SO excited about this process!  (that is still an understatement)  I pray everyday for our children.  I can not wait to see the way God wants our family to grow!  We have been blessed so much already through the love of family and friends that have prayed, asked questions, commented, donated, prayed, and wanted to buy t-shirts!  I knew I was blessed, but I did know that I would be over flowing.

A good friend of mine who has already adopted her beautiful son from Ethiopia told me that "God provided the whole time."  She told me this a lot, as I watched her and her husband go through the process.  I always thought...okay I get it...Now I actually do really get it Tara.

If anyone wants a t-shirt we are making our first order after we approve the design.  This is just another way we are fundraising and sharing our journey with you!  T-shirts are $15.  Let me know a size and I'll add you to my order!

The Genesis of Adoption Blog

As I begin to write, I look at my wife who is so excited just to be writing an adoption blog. To be honest, I dig it too. Since we decided that this what God wanted to do, as far as starting a family, I've been really looking forward to love'n on kids that aren't mine biologically...and blow'n peoples minds. I mean let's be honest, me and Linz with a couple Africans will turn a few heads here in good 'ol Galesburg.

More than that I think we view adoption as our God given mission or calling. 1st Corinthians 1:26-28 talks about how God chooses the overlooked, the outcasts, and the have nots to shame the hollow lives of the 'somebodies'. When I think of our future children I see the truth in what Paul wrote.

I looking forward to having a family, not that we aren't already, but adopting children will take some getting used to. Being foster parents I think we've gotten used to the fact that there's a 99% the children we love, care for, and raise as if they were our own, will one day, return home. While this is heartbreaking to have happen I think it's made us stronger and we'll be better able to handle the difficulties of international adoption as a result.

Another verse that's spoke to us is Hebrews 13:2. The writer talks about never turning down shelter and food to a stranger because we may be 'Entertain'n Angels' in disguise. I think Lindsey and I have definitely experienced the truth of this verse in the lives of the 3 little boys we've helped raise over the last year. It's exciting now to see this being played out in the lives of children living a 1/2 a world away.

There's a lot more that could be said concerning this new chapter in our lives...but it's late and I suppose the reason for this blog is that we'll keep writing. So, stay tuned cause there's more to come.

Blessings,

Jordan & Lindsey

P.S. HUGE ADOPTION GARAGE SALE FUNDRAISER JULY 23RD 5AM-2PM

P.P.S. 1298 CAMPBELL AVE. GALESBURG IL (between Whitesboro and Phillips St. off of E. Main St.)