Hardee Family Odyssey: 2011

Friday, December 30, 2011

We Caught One

Praise to God, He has answered with a good and excellent bright gift. Around a year ago God began to press the call to adopt heavy on our hearts while at the very same time across the ocean a sweet little one needed a new family (pretty cool timing). For the past year we've been on a maze searching for what might be at the end of our adoption-thread and faced many dead-ends. This morning we were overjoyed get a YES . . . there is a beautiful little girl waiting for us in Hanhzhhou, China. You can see her picture here, look for "Jady" (this is a fictitious name for the web). Thank you for your prayers and keep them coming as we still have a mountain or two to cross.

Monday, October 10, 2011

Red Thread Adoption

Perhaps you’ve heard of a reference to the “red thread” that ties adopted children to their adoptive parents. We wish we knew the end of our “red thread” story and just who is on the other end of that string—and Lord willing will someday share the joyous news with you that we got her. But for now wanted to share what God is doing as the pages of our red thread story unfold.
While adoption has always been on our hearts, a “red thread” began to tug at out hearts in a stronger way last January. And so in faith we stepped out and began the process to adopt a child from Ethiopia. We had a completed homestudy and were well into the completion of our dossier (pack of papers sent to Ethiopia) when Ethiopia announced a major slow down in their adoption system. This slow down is and was very real—but looking back we feel it was the hand of God directing our family down a different path.
A few weeks after Ethiopia’s announcement we still felt unsettled and not ready to commit to the program in it’s current state when we heard from an agency that we had been in contact with as we explored our options for adoption. The exact wording was, “we received this little girl’s files last night and as I prayed your family came to my mind.” And so, again in faith we stepped out as an unexplainable love filled our hearts for this sweet little girl from Taiwan. We sent off our pre-approval file to Taiwan in March.
May 16th we received devastating news—our family was not chosen to adopt this little girl. As we grieved, we prayed for this sweet little one, believing that she had a family and rejoicing that she would soon be with that family. We turned our attention towards adopting from the special needs program in China, however faced a wait as our homestudy agency needed a Hague accreditation in order for us to adopt from China. July, August, and then September and the accreditation finally passes! We can proceed towards a China adoption. Somehow, our hearts are still in Taiwan—little things make us think of Taiwan all summer, but we brush them off. One day as Eliza checked the waiting children list for Taiwan—just in case there might be a new child that would be a good match for our family—a familiar face appeared on the list. Yes, it is “her”, the sweet one we lost.
Without hesitation, we all agree we have to pursue her again. Our agency contacts her orphanage and we wait to hear if we can pursue her for a second time. September 28th we hear back from the orphanage—yes, they would like us to re-apply to adopt her. October 7th, our homestudy is finalized and sent to Taiwan for pre-approval. And now we, once again, wait in faith that He who called us will be faithful. Trusting in His sovereign plan.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS—for us, for her, for the orphanage workers and birth-family members that must make decisions.

QUILT OF LOVE
And while we wait, we have a beautiful quilt made by Grammi (Lea Hardee) to raffle. What a beautiful picture it is of the loving family waiting in hope for this little one God has planned for our family as well as the thread that connects us all together (you too are a part of her picture!). Tickets are:
$1 each 10 for $5 50 for $20 200 for $50


Thanks. If you have an opportunity to share this quilt with others and sell tickets, we’d love to pass it around! 

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Hope

"Show me Your ways, O LORD, teach me Your paths; guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long." Psalm 25:4-5

Our last post was nearly a month ago--and what a month it has been. Life has truly been a test for us as to the depth of those words--"Look to Jesus." How thankful we are to be under the care of a loving, sovereign God who holds all things.

As for our adoption journey we are currently pursuing a little one through the China Special Needs Program. Will this be the road that ends in a little girl for us? I wish we knew, and pray so (and am so thankful I can trust God in this journey--no matter what--adoption is not a simple process!). At the time we are adapting our home study to be compliant with China regulations. Our home study agency is not Hague accredited (which will be required for all China adoptions as of October)--they are expecting to get their accreditation in July or August--please pray that this will all go through and we can keep moving forward and use our current home study. Thanks.

Ultimately, we are at a place of rest in the timing of the Lord--there is our hope. It is God who called us and He will be faithful to do it. :) Thanks for being a part of our journey!

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

The journey continues

"During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw Him walking on the lake, they were terrified. 'It's a ghost' they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: 'Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid.' 'Lord if it is you,' Peter replied, 'tell me to come to you on the water.' 'Come,'He said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walking on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, 'Lord, save me!' Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and caught Him. 'You of little faith,' he said, 'why did you doubt?' And when they climbed back into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." -Matthew 14:25-3

In January God called our family to get out of our (comfortable) boat and begin the journey of adoption. I will admit that we "cried out in fear"--what a journey this could be. God, in response, called, "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." And so trusting we obeyed, beginning on a road ending in Ethiopia and then taking a sharp right on a road leading to a precious little girl from Taiwan. Well, like Peter, the wind stirred up a wave: yesterday, we received word that this road is closed for out family (the birth mother did not choose our family). We were crushed and began to sink . . . just like Peter . . . when we took our eyes off Jesus as we mourned our loss (I wanted this little girl!). Oh how thankful we are that Jesus in His great love and mercy reached His hand to us to catch us. Look to me, I have called you and I will be faithful, I know the end and you can trust Me. "For my thoughts are not your thoughts. neither are your ways my ways, As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher that your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8-9) As hard as this is for us, we do rejoice that this little one has found her forever family but more rejoice that we can trust God. Yes, we are sad (please pray for the healing for all of our hearts), yes, we wonder what is next for us (please pray that God will guide us and we will trust in His promise), yes, the waves are rocking our family's well-being (please pray for the core of our little family that we would stay strong on Jesus and stick together)--yet there is HOPE. I can not imagine this journey without trusting in a faithful God who knows the end . . . at this point I do believe on our own we would sink (and give up). I think by no mistake Friday's Dance Recital theme (if your local--do join us--7:00, Springs of Hope Church!) is "Get Up!"--lift your eyes up to Jesus and He will give you the strength to stand on water! I am "confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:6) That said . . . we are not giving up, just once again trusting!
We're still selling hair bows (can we earn enough here to buy the girls airplane tickets?), the boys are collecting cans and doing odd jobs (have a job for them?), Kyle is working on a web-site to promote t-shirt sales through Show Hope (A Steven Curtis Chapman adoption support organization) and the yard sale is scheduled for the second weekend in June (bring on your stuff!).
Thanks for following, your prayers, understanding and support as we travel on this journey. :)
~The Hardee Crew

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Crossroad Update

The journey continues~when doors open and God tugs on your heart sometimes best laid plans are put to rest. We've changed directions and are actively pursuing a waiting child from a different country and a different agency (and a different age!). She is beautiful--please join us in prayer for this precious little one, that the right 'Forever Home' would be found for her (and that we may be the blessed family to call her ours!). We, and she, desperately need those prayers--it is clearly God who is working here--thank you!

Monday, March 21, 2011

Dimes-What are they good for?

When Eliza and I got married, we couldn't afford the big fancy Hawaiian Honeymoon. So we decided that we would save up for it and go when we had the money. Problem is, as college students, there wasn't that much extra to save. So we decided to save coins. Pennies were plentiful, but not worth much. Quarters were necessary for the weekly trips to the laundromat. That left nickels and dimes. The choice was made to save dimes for Hawaii.
Needless to say, we have not made it to Hawaii yet. But I think God planned it that way. Instead, we are taking our Dime Fund, and adding it to our adoption fund. Some things are more important than a fancy trip to paradise.
We invite you to join us and save your dimes to bring our daughter home.

Friday, March 18, 2011

Crossroads

Hey there! As you may or may not know, in the last 2 weeks the Ethiopian adoption situation has changed drastically. We are praying that this change will help the children of Ethiopia (there is good in their decision to slow things down to be sure there is no corruption) and not cause a generation of children outgrow adoption opportunities. As you can imagine this news resulted in a roller coaster of emotion in our household. What exactly does God have in store for our family now?
Well, in the last 4 days, God has began to work and we now find ourselves at a crossroad waiting for the light to turn. Should it turn green, we will be exiting the "Ethiopian Adoption Freeway" and pursue the path (little girl) God has planned for our family. It is exciting to see how God has opened doors and answered prayers these last few days. AND WE ARE ASKING FOR YOU TO PRAY WITH US--THE NEXT WEEK OR SO IS CRITICAL IN THIS JOURNEY. Thank you for your prayers. We have, humbly, learned (yeah, that roller coaster ride!) that we must trust God in all this--please join us in praying for a green light. :)
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Friday, March 4, 2011

Update

We are planning on having an adoption fundraiser Yard Sale over the summer. We'd love to encourage you to clean out over the  next few months. :) We can take some donations now and will need to wait on larger things until closer to the date. Stay posted for more information and thanks!
Not too much new here to report, the following is the time line as of late:

Sunday, February 20
Last meeting with social worker for Home Study
Tuesday, February 22
All paperwork sent in to Angel’s Haven for HS
Friday, February 25
Found out that a mistake was made and Kyle and I did not get both finger print checks needed. Frustration—we had 2 papers and the office ripped one up! Alas—all in Your timing Lord.
Tuesday, March 1
HS e-mailed for review
Thursday, March 3
Fingerprints re-taken. Praying they come through FAST!!!

Monday, February 14, 2011

Happy Valentines Day!

And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 17-19)
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us,. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38)

In reflection of yesterday's sermon my heart is full as I see God's adoption story in my life. One year ago, some close family friends received the first photos of their little girl. The beautiful little girl's face held no smiles, her eyes reflect an emptiness that I will never forget, she stood alone in her world. You see she had lived for 2 years in an orphanage without a Mom and Dad to love her--this was the world she knew. But, God had greater plans and her parents, without knowing her, had action love that reached out--stepping out in faith to bring this precious little one into their family. Not unlike God did, "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in His should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16) He had action love for me--reaching into my world (when I knew no different) to take me into his family and therefore experience great blessing. That is the changing love, "As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sin . . . but because of His great love for us, God who is rich in mercy made us alive in Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved." (See Ephesians 2:1-6) My life is changed because of God's love working in me. There is one little girl who today has a loving mother and father, a family, love--her life has been forever changed. Third, God's love becomes complete in me as I show God's love. Just last week, that little girl held her arms out in front of me before she climbed into my lap. She then grabbed my face and began to nuzzle her nose against mine--her smile wide and bright, her eyes full of sparkle. You see, she has love to give today because she has been given love. And there you have it; you ask why we are going to adopt. Why, when (especially financially) this makes no sense. Yes, we long for a 4th child (but a biological child would have been a much simpler option!). Yes, we are looking forward to loving on and being a part of a Ethiopian-daughter's life. But more, in light of what God has done fore me--His adoption story for me--how could I say no? In a far greater way He reached into my life with love, changed my life through love, and gives me love in abundance.

Friday, February 11, 2011

Matthew 5:14-16

Ok, so I am the type of person that reads the facebook posts but rarely comments or posts myself (my private world lives under a bowl). As I've enjoyed and learned so much from the adoption-blog world I'm convicted--if our story can in someway be a light that encourages you, guides you, or leads you to the Light of the World (John 8:12) then I choose to "let my light shine." Not to mention that the "mountain" of adoption is far to great a task on our own. First, we trust in a sovereign God to provide every resource we will need as well as trusting and knowing that He has chosen a little girl for our family. Second, we know that we need and will need your prayers and support as we journey through this process (and can't wait for you to be a part of her life!). So with that,I will catch you up and post the adoption journal/time line that has been hidden under a bowl. :) We've been on the fence about adoption and considered both domestic and foreign adoption for several months. In the days proceeding (this first entry) the doors opened in the direction we are now headed.


Sunday, January 9, 2010  Adoption Application in to American World Adoption
2 Timothy 1:6-7 “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God which is in you through the laying in of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
This was the Scripture we studied in church this morning--a confirmation that we are to adopt. All that stands in the way are fears. Kyle filled out the application and sent it in along with the first money spent--$250. The funny thing is that I am left with a giant spirit of fear; which is so not from God. We can not do this on our own—there is no way I can “fix” the issue that loom giant--$30,000+, the travel, the unknown.—humbly I realize that this is a leap of faith (things unseen!) and that this will be a work of God.

Tuesday, January 11, 2010         Angel’s Haven Outreach contacted for home study

Thursday, January 13, 2010       Application accepted at American World Adoption
 Romans 12:1- “Therefore, I urge you brother, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.”

I copied this from a blog: (because I liked it!)

You already have four kids. Why adopt?

The short answer is that we have room in our home and in our hearts. The long answer involves our belief that:
  1. children are a blessing from God (He said it Himself),
  2. taking care of widows and orphans should be a high priority for God's followers (see banner graphic above),
  3. if just a small percentage of Christian familes would adopt a child, all the orphans in the world would soon have homes, and
  4. God told us to.
Monday, January 17, 2001
Martin Luther King Day has a whole new meaning to us today. J
“From one man He made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He determined the time set for them and the exact places where they should live, Acts 17:26

Tuesday, January 18, 2011-First payment to AWAA and home study agency sent       
He sends His command to the earth; His word runs swiftly.
He spreads the snow like wool and scatters the frost like ashes.
He hurls down His hail like pebbles. Who can withstand his icy blast?
He sends His word and melts them; He stirs up His breezes, and the waters flow.
Psalm 147:15-18
What a mighty God we serve! Oh if only I could have faith the size of a mustard seed. In you, O Mighty creator of all, do I put my trust.

Thursday, February 3, 2011
A week ago (tomorrow) I received the first official call from AWAA from Christina Buckel who will be working with us. Such excitement. By the end of the day, when the e-mail comes in I am so excited to open the e-mail and look through the dossier building process. In my tired Friday state I print the wrong forms and am completely overwhelmed by this process. Thus begins the threads of doubt—plaguing my system. I cling to the hope, the call, and the victory found in Jesus. You are there my daughter; for you I pray. Saturday, Kyle and I look through the forms together—he in his patient steady way shows me that we can do this. It will be a task—but not an impossible one. We finish the Hague classes as well. While the information was good, I am so glad to have them behind me—they tended to fill my soul with fear. And it is one more milestone to cross off the list.
Tomorrow at 6:00 is our first home study meeting with Emma. I struggle against the compulsive need to clean the house. I am praying to relax and enjoy tomorrow (after a quick spiff up! J). I need to be a Mama to the three beautiful children I have.
My soul is filled with wonder and praise to the LORD. He is doing a work in our family that is so beyond our reach.

Friday, February 4, 2011 – First Home study Visit
Be down n to earth with each other, for—God has had it with the proud, But takes delight in just plain people. So be content with who you are, and don’t put on airs. God’s strong hand is on you; He’ll promote you at the right time. Live carefree before God; He is most careful with you. (1 Peter 5:5b-6)
Saturday, February 5, 2011 – Second Home study visit
That was a piece of cake. Not worth the stress I gave it. J
Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs. But I, with a song of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to You. (Jonah 2:8-9)
Monday, February 7, 2011
Today in Good News club we studied the lesson of the little boy’s lunch. I’ve never thought too much about that little boy—willing to give all he had to Jesus. He had to know as he gave his lunch away that there would be little or no lunch for himself. Jesus, Himself, said that the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these (children). My own 9 year old son said (in response to a family meeting about the cost of adoption for our family—no patio, fence, truck, less gifts, less travel, less eating out), “Those things are not what is important. Our sister is a life. She needs to know Jesus; that is what is important.”
Lord, here is my humble “lunch” of five loafs of bread and two fish. I choose to give it to you. I pray you would bless and multiply it.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
The closest moment to a set back this morning. Kyle and my doctor’s appointments were canceled. My first reaction was great frustration. These are the last documents we need to gather for the home study! I remember that God is in control and must have a plan here. At breakfast the kids and I pray for new appointments. Not a minute later, the phone rings for rescheduled appointments for this afternoon! Thank you LORD!

Saturday, February 5, 2011

The Journey has Begun!

After much discussion and prayer, the Hardee family has decided to add a 6th member to our family!
No, we are not pregnant, but are going to adopt internationally. We have officially begun the "paper pregnancy" to adopt a little girl from Ethiopia. We appreciate your prayers as we begin this journey.
Stay tuned for more updates as our adventure unfolds!

The Hardee Herd