Puzzling Update

Well, I hope you all have had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend.  We sure did... twice!  My sister-in-love cooked up a feast on Thursday for the Rogers side of the family.  There were 3 turkeys - 1 deep fried, 1 smoked and 1 brined and roasted.  All were delish!

Then, we hosted the Burgess side of the family on Saturday with my favorite Martha Stewart Turkey101 recipe.  Slow-roasted and basted with butter and white wine - oh. my. yum.  So rich, juicy and flavorful.  My mom and sister rounded out the side dishes with some traditional favorites.  We had the Ohio State v Michigan football game on while the turkey was roasting.  Good times!

I am so thankful for our family!

On the adoption front, we are approaching the 9 month mark being DTE (that's dossier to Ethiopia).  On the UNofficial list we are holding steady:

Boy 0-18 months: #62

Boy 19-47 months: #27

Child 4+ years: #13 (but #4 for a boy!)

We heard from families who recently traveled and confirmed from parents who have asked their family coordinators directly, that the agency's transition home is FULL of children awaiting completed paperwork so they can be cleared for adoption.  Yippee!!!  There weren't any referrals (that I know of) since the beginning of October up until yesterday - there were 2 children referred to their forever families.  Will you join us in praying for the Ethiopian government to complete more of these clearances so some LONG-waiting families can get their referrals?

As you know, while we wait, we are fundraising so we can accept our referral when it comes and travel soon after.  We've been so blessed by so many of you who have sponsored a piece of our adoption puzzle.

So far, we have gotten 109 pieces sponsored!  WOW! and raised over $1000 toward our referral and travel costs.  Thank you so much!!!

Here's our puzzle progression in pictures... Enjoy!

Follow the puzzle progress on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/events/421473057914371/

If you'd like to sponsor a piece of our puzzle, go to AdoptTogether.org/talesoftherogi

Beyond Orphan Sunday

Yesterday was Orphan Sunday - celebrated in churches all across America - bringing awareness to the Body of Christ - letting them know that we were all once orphans AND adopted as sons by a loving Father. Not to guilt anyone into becoming involved, but to urge them to listen for the Heart of the Father and what His Word says about caring for the orphan among us.

Khris was given the opportunity to share a little bit about Orphan Sunday during announcements, and gave an invitation to the congregation to meet with us after service to hear our testimony and learn more about how we, as the Body of Christ, can become more involved in caring for the orphan in our midst and around the world.

Below are some of the resources we mentioned.  If you have any questions, please ask us, we are an open book.

• God's Word commands that we care for the orphan, the widow, and the poor among us.  There is a compiled list of the scriptures here:  God's Heart For Adoption
• Beyond Orphan Sunday resources: Adoption, Foster Care, Global Initiatives, and more!
• International Voice of the Orphan (IVO): Pray, +Feed, Go!
• Orphan Wares (part of IVO): Shop with purpose
• Christian Alliance for Orphans: Orphan care ministry help and other resources
• Orphan Summit 9:  May 2-3, 2013, Nashville, TN
• Big Brothers Big Sisters:  Start Something for a Child Today - local mentoring program
• Give1Save1: "...do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share," 1 Timothy 6:18
• Compassion International: Child Sponsorship
• Potter's Field Ministries: Child sponsorship, missionary training
• Lifesong for Orphans: Orphan care ministries, Both Hands (orphan and widow care)
• Then of course, if you would like to be a part of our adoption journey, we are currently working on our funding so that we can accept our referral when it comes.  Click Here for details: AdoptTogether.org/talesoftherogi

Big thanks to all who joined us and are interested in learning more.

"learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression;

bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause."

Isaiah 1:17