Couldn't you just eat him up?

Just a quick update to let you all know where we are in the process... Through many generous donations we have been able to raise just over 19,000!!! This lets us continue on through the homestudy process (which is almost complete) and onto the dossier. We were trying to get everything done before we left to visit my family at the end of July but were told by our homestudy agency that we can not get our fingerprints done for the police clearances for another 4 to 6 weeks. So this puts getting everything done (homestudy and dossier) at the end of August. Everything is moving along at this point very smoothly, but we are finding it very difficult to get 6 physicals done in a timely matter. On another matter, we have been told we will need to move out of our house by next summer so we need to have this process complete in a little less than a year!!! Please continue to pray that God will provide both the money and time to get this completed before then. Also, over the weekend we took our family portraits and got some great shots of Elijah. Enjoy!

We're Not Alone

Well, friends. It's definitely time for an update. If you know our family well, you know how much music plays an important part in our life. If the song has begun on this blog, then I ask that you listen to the words, and then read on. Many of you have probably heard it, and if not then here you go.

If there were a song written to sum up what our life is about right now, and in a few words why we have decided to give Alexander a home, then this is the one. Every time I hear the chorus "Love will hold us together. Make us a shelter to weather the storm. And I will be my brother's keeper. So the whole world will know that we're not alone." I think of Alexander. It is love, a love only possible because God first loved us, that is driving us to adopt Alexander. I think of the fact that he needs a shelter for the storms of his life. I know that he needs a "keeper", and God has called our family to be that "keeper". And the reason for why we are doing this adoption, "So the whole world will know that we're not alone".

In Matthew 25, Jesus called us to care for "the least of these", because he knew that if we did so, then the world would understand why he came, and more importantly why he died. And when we realize that this life is not about "us", then we truly have an opportunity to experience the life that he had planned for us. A life not necessarily filled with the promise of fortune, fame, or the easy life, but rather a life filled with the promise of a deeper meaning that will last a lifetime and beyond. This is what has happened from the moment that we committed to Him that we were going to give this little child that He loves a home...

We are excited to tell you that since our last post we have received a number of donations from some incredible people that God has touched to help Alexander. We have as of today received just over $18,000!!!!!! I will repeat that...$18,000!!!!! Two things I will say about this. 1-God is working in the hearts of his people again. That so many people would love Alexander this much without even knowing him would not be possible through any earthly means. This kind of love is only possible because it is a perfect mirror of God's love for us. How fortunate we are, and how fortunate Alexander is! And 2-if you are still feeling like you've never experienced God in a tangible way, this is what you do. Step out and love the unlovable. That is where you'll find Him.

I couldn't finish a post without an update on Elijah. Of course, things are still a roller coaster with him, but the progress is evident. The baby steps are continuing. He spent the entire weekend at grandma and grandpa's for fourth of July and had a wonderful time without incident. It was wonderful! He is getting closer and closer to his brothers. More affectionate with family. In fact, he is finally (after 2 years) coming to Sara without prompting asking for hugs and kisses. Coming face-first with arms wide open. Wow! I tear up just thinking about it. This is how it's supposed to be. I know it doesn't sound like much, but for a child with a past like Elijah's, this is huge! More updates (and pictures too) coming soon. Thank you for all your prayers and support, and stay tuned...

JP

The Race Before and the Race Behind

A big "Thank You" to all those that showed their support last week. Yes, I survived the Marathon. The course was beautiful...a great way to see the higher points of San Diego. I highly recommend it. Beats those expensive bus tours!

I finished the race in my personal best time of 3:26:12. And in case you haven't seen on the meter on the side of the blog, we have raised over $3000 towards the adoption. What a tremendous blessing!

I know I've compared the adoption process to a marathon in the past, but I have to say that I believe it's harder than a marathon. At least with the marathon, you know where the finish line is. Regardless of how you get there (walk, run, crawl), once you have traveled 26.2 miles you are finished. This is definitely not the case with the adoption process this time around. We have a goal, but we don't know how far we are going to have to run to get there. In fact, we don't even know if there is going to be a finish line for us. At any point, God may just tell us that the race is closed and to get off the course. Not sure I would ever consider entering a running race like that (but could make an interesting reality TV show I guess). But here we are, and we have only run the first couple of miles.

I know the following verses is probably a little cliche at this point in time, but here goes:

¹Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. ²Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Hebrews 12:1-3)

It is verse 2 that strikes me as so important. If Jesus was willingness to endure such hardship and pain for "the joy set before him", I guess I should too. And though I can't see the end, I can see Him and that's where I need to fix my eyes. Lots of distractions coming from the sidelines, though. Please pray that we do not "grow weary and lose heart"...

JP

Running for Alexander

What would an adoption be without fundraising??? Raising $50,000 in just a few months is no easy task. So to prove our dedication (and of course promote orphan awareness) Jeremy is running the Rock n' Roll Marathon this Sunday June 6 in San Diego in honor of Alexander. If you would like to pledge your support you can donate here online using PayPal or send your donation to us by mail. Thank you so much. Every little bit helps!

Elijah has a Brother!...Here we go again...

Where to begin, and still keep it short?

Here's the Reader's Digest version. We decided a couple of months ago to inquire as to the status of a potential sister of Elijah's that we were told might be available for adoption. In the process of that inquiry, we found out that in addition to a sister, Elijah also has a little brother. His name is Alexander, and he was born in July of 2009. We were approached by our adoption agency, America World Adoption Association, and asked if we were interested in pursuing adoption of Alexander as his sister is not available for adoption at this time. I have to say that it hasn't been an easy decision for either of us. It has been extremely difficult at times with Elijah's behavior, and that has certainly threatened to sour our willingness to adopt another child. This, coupled with our present financial and other uncertain life circumstances has made this a very difficult decision. But when we both stripped all of that stuff away, we were left with the feeling that it was only right to try to bring Alexander to the home he deserves, and the brother that he has never met.

So, amidst a sea of fears and doubts we have decided to step forward in faith with the knowledge that, just like in Elijah's adoption, he is going to light the way. And, like before, I'm certain He is only going to light a little bit at a time. How else would our faith grow? I am certain of one thing though, and it's that this time around is going to be more trying than the first (I can hardly imagine how). I know that it is going to test us to our personal limits and force us to rely solely on His strength. I can't honestly say that I am ready for the task at hand, but I am trusting that through prayer and the support that we have around us I will grow stronger and find the courage it's going to take to see this through. Please keep us in your prayers as we step out. Please pray for Alexander that he is kept strong through this time.

Here we go again...

JP

New Year, New Elijah

Hello friends! I'm not exactly sure who is reading this anymore, mostly because I haven't posted in so long. But I have felt for a while that it was time to update, regardless who may or may not be reading. At the very least, it is Elijah's history, and it will be important to him. It has been over a year and a half since we came home from Russia with Elijah. Let's just say that the first year and change were trials of the most Jamesian proportions (I made up a word...cool). But through prayer and tears we are happy to say that things have turned a corner for the positive. The tantrums have almost completely subsided. The breaking of toys has calmed down to a normal 4-year-old level. The physical acting out is gone. The best way to describe it is that he's a different kid. Now don't get me wrong. He still has his moments. But by the grace of God he is showing all signs of becoming a well-adjusted little boy. We have high hopes for the young man he will become.

He just celebrated his 4th birthday on the 7th of January (Russian Christmas). It was so much fun. For his third birthday he had been with us for just a little over 6 months, and he wasn't quite sure what was going on. But this time, he had watched his three brothers' birthdays come and go, so he knew what was in store by the time it was his turn. Even though we knew that an entire day dedicated to him might be a little overwhelming for him, we thought "who cares". It only comes once a year, and he's worth it. So the day was filled with wide eyes as we went from one activity to the next. Nothing extravagant, just a day doing his favorite things and eating his favorite foods. He spent the morning asking "Will it still be my birthday after I eat breakfast?" "Will is still be my birthday after I go to the bathroom?" What a wonderful day!

To see the Lord change the heart of Elijah over the past year and a half has been nothing short of miraculous. I know that we will have more bumps in the road ahead of us. But for now I rejoice in the fact that I know he is happier and more content then he's ever been in his life. And it fills me with hope. If the Lord can do such an amazing work in Elijah, I guess there's still hope for the rest of us too...

JP

Wow....life!

It's been a pathetically long time since we posted last. Blah, blah, blah...there's my excuse. Elijah is doing amazingly well. He still has rough days, but all things considered he is thriving. Short of the chronic diarrhea that we are still dealing with, he is healthy and growing. Language is coming along well. He still has some definite speech delay, but he understands everything and communicates very well once you decifer what he's saying. He loves to ride in the van and go to the store with Daddy on special trips. He just got done singing "I Love You, Lord" to me when he woke up from his nap. Holy cow, the kid can sing on key! He'll be the first in our family where that comes naturally. He loves playing baseball in the backyard, and hits left-handed. Daddy's got big plans for him! His brothers love him like he's always been here...and pick on him like he's always been here too.

FACES, the Adoption and Orphan Care Ministry we have started at our church is growing. We have had a few "Adoptive Mom's" groups and did a group study on the book Fields of the Fatherless as well. We are planning an "Evening of Prayer" for foster and waiting children, hopefully to happen in June. We have many at our church that are excited about what we are doing, and I am confident that we can start affecting the culture of our church and making it a light in the community for orphan care.

With all those things going well, it wouldn't be life without some struggles. Right now we are dealing with the fact that the County of San Diego is taking our home to make room to widen the road in front of our house. We have anywhere between 9 months and a year until they come with their offer. In the meantime, we pray and wait as we decide what next step to take. It is not easy to think about the house we've lived in for the past 8 years being leveled by a bulldozer. It is a very modest home, but we have poured our blood, sweat, and tears into it. It is the only home that any of the boys remember, and it is Elijah's first home. It saddens me that we are going to have to uproot him so early in his time with us. Please pray that the transition for all of us will be smooth. We are confident that what God has in store for us will be better than what we've had before. Happy Easter to all. I will try to post pictures of Elijah's first Easter as soon as I have them.

JP