Waiting for One More

Thanksgiving is always one of my favorite holidays. Has been since I was a kid. Mostly because of the sweet potato casserole. And mashed potatoes. And green been casserole. And Grandma Posey's peppermint ice cream stuff. But not really. Right? It is really all about being together. About my parent's dining room table that was never really big enough. So card tables, or end tables, or tables we smuggled home from church would be added. Mis-matched china and folding chairs. Sitting so close your elbows touched. (till I married a left-hander and he threw off the whole groove). It is really about being together. About children playing on the floor at the feet of grandparents. About playing tee-ball in the front yard until we hit the ball into mean Mary's yard. Trips up to Patrick Henry to play at the park. It is really about being together. About the time dad deep fried a turkey and we we worried the whole house was going to go up in flames. About ...

So, Chris and I try to be pretty transparent people.  I mean, there are definitely things we hold private - but for the most part -  we try really hard to be honest about who we are  and how we are still works in progress.  (Some days more work than progress...) This came in the mail today. 150 pages of "light" reading.  With my highlighter and post-it notes.  So this blog is going to be honest.  (I think you already knew that... but just to be clear.) Today we got the next round of paperwork we have to turn in.  And it includes a sheet where we have to get really specific  about the kind of child we are willing to welcoming into our home.  Will we welcome a son who has vision problems? Or a child who has a heart defect? Or one who is missing a limb? Who has cognitive delays?  And the list goes on... from least "severe" to most "severe." Whatever that really means...  ...

We believe there is good in the world.  We see it abundantly and tangibly everyday.  In your generosity.  In your kindness.  In your support.  In your prayers.  Thank you. You truly are being the good in our lives! Peace, Chris and Katie

Another round of paperwork off in the mail today  with two more checks.  We signed. We sealed and then we PRAYED.  Praising God for every step of the way.  For the adoption lawyer who is a member of Chris' church.  For friends and family who have been beyond generous and  ordered their t-shirts.  For news from the nurse today that we won't need to get shots again-  they will last till long after our son is home.  For people who have already walked this road and  are willing to help us see the pitfalls and shortcuts.  Praising God for people who encourage us and pray for us,  who remind us that God's got this.  We are blessed! Thank you! T-shirts/sweatshirts here : https://www.bonfirefunds.com/bishop-family-adopts Pure Charity Donation link - here: https://www.purecharity.com/bishopfamilyadopts

8% of Haitian children don't make it to their first birthday.  Half of the children under the age of 5 are malnourished. 64% of the population lives in extreme poverty, living on less than $1 a day. Unemployment is at 60% and 55% of the population is illiterate. It is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere.  While hard to actually calculate, because of the rough terrain,  loose family structure, and children given away because of lack of resources,  it is estimated that Haiti has half a million orphans.  500,000 orphans. 500,000.  Each one a child. Each one.  Each one worthy. Each one.  Each one who longs for a family. Who longs for a home. Who longs for love. I know that adopting one child might not seem like a lot,  when you see the number 500,000 - but we know that 1 child matters. Here is a good link for more information on Haiti: Haiti Statistics...

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying,  "This is the way; walk in it." -Isaiah 30:21    Last April, I kissed my babies and my love goodbye and boarded a plane for Haiti. I had no idea what to expect, no idea what I would encounter, I just knew I had to go. Originally, I thought I had to go because I am the pastor of a church who goes every year. After hearing the powerful witness of lives transformed by their time in Haiti - after so many of my leaders talking about how their lives were forever shaped by their experience - I knew I had to go. For work. So I could be a better pastor. So I could better understand my congregation. So I could better serve my church. For work.    But something happened as I got on the plane. Before I even touched down and stepped on to Haitian soil. I began to realize that going on the trip was some for work... but more of ...