We love the chance to promote the adoption agency we were blessed to work with for our adoption. Take a look at their amazing benefit concert coming up.
Amazing Grace Adoptions Benefit Concert
Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ category
Concert Benefit
January 30th, 2012Adoption Book Recommendation
May 7th, 2011Recently, some friends of ours at Summit Orphan Care (www.facebook.com/SummitOrphanCare) recommended a book about financing adoption. Check it out from Amazon. (at the time of this post, the book was out of stock!)
Go to Amazon to view this book
Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption
May 2nd, 2011
Take some time to get to know the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. Wendy’s recently emailed that they were donating portions of Kids Meals to support the foundation. I think we’ll be heading to Wendy’s soon! Click here to learn more about this promotion.
LOVOSO
February 8th, 2011
What is LOVOSO? Is is an organization started by a mutual friend of ours from “Seminary Days”. Here is what they are all about, check them out!
“Lovoso stands for Love Orphans, Visit Orphans, Serve Orphans. It is our humble desire to love orphans with our actions and deeds, visit each orphanage annually, and serve the orphans through our time and resources. We are a for-profit business that gives 50% of our net profits to social needs around the world. This includes orphanages, micro-finance projects, widow and single mother ministries and anywhere else there is a need. We do not throw money at the problem, but rather partner with frontline organizations that are fixing the problem. We also donate our time by visiting each orphanage and loving the children in a real and personal way.
“Chunky Junk is a s
ubsidiary of Lovoso, which specializes in hand-made jewelry from Dehli, India. We partner with a group of ladies there, buying their beautiful jewelry and selling them here in the United States. All of our jewelry is bought using fair trade business practices. ”
Rainbow Families
January 22nd, 2011Over the last number of months, we’ve gotten to know some really great people in a dinner group we call “Rainbow Families” – families that have adopted and have been blessed with children of different races. Combine that with a statement a friend of mine made that not every family was cut out to adopt, let alone adopt children of another race or ethnic group.
Is that truly the case? Are some people cut out to adopt, or even adopt a little boy or girl who doesn’t quite look like themselves? Scripture has a bit to say about this kind of idea, based on how God has blessed people with different skills (see Romans 12:3-8) to do different things. So, I would say that indeed some people are more equipped or more led by God’s spirit to adopt.
But, here’s something I want everyone to be reminded of. When doing God’s work, everyone is supposed to be at work. In the Romans passage referenced above, everyone was gifted with different skills, but it doesn’t say “be gifted and then do whatever you want.” It says that each gift is given for a purpose – that you would use it. So, when you consider the importance of adoption, which we know because scripture says that true religion is taking care of widows and orphans (see James 1:27), also consider how you can play a part.
Being Thankful
November 25th, 2010Today is the day we Americans have set aside to be thankful. But, to be thankful, you must have something to be thankful to. We all have tons to be thankful for, but we don’t always direct it toward something or someone. It’s fashionable to say “I’m thankful,” but not always fashionable to point out to whom you are thankful.
So let me declare right now, that I am thankful to God – the God of the Bible, the God of Israel, Yahweh, Jehovah, the Christ Jesus who is the Son of God and is God himself.
Why make such a public and loud statement? Paul says it well in Romans 1:16:
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.
I am very thankful for this good news – this gospel! And because of this hope, there are other things that I give thanks for today as well:
- My wonderful wife, Emily, who supports me with such unconditional love, it amazes me daily.
- My darling little girls, who clearly are little Rotens through and through!
- Family and friends that stand by you, encourage you and challenge you in so many ways.
- God’s provision through a job and manageable expenses.
- A city to live in that offers such variety, excursions and a healthy environment to raise our little girls.
- Technology – not only because it is fun (ipods, netflix on wii, imacs, android phones, and so much more), but because it allows us to communicate with people all around the world, sharing our lives with others.
- A passion for adoption – and a desire to share that passion with as many as will listen so that no little boy or girl will have to live life without the blessing of a caring and nurturing set of parents.
- And much more (things that you’re probably horrified that I forgot to list!)
Ephesians 5:20 – “always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Nia Vardolas on Adoption
November 16th, 2010
Lead Me by Sanctus Real
October 15th, 2010Once in a while, there’s a song that just stirs our hearts. Sometimes it’s for love, God, or just simply living life. Here’s a song that we’re hoping helps you hear our heart for our families. We hope you enjoy! Leave a comment about how much you want God to lead you in your family and life.
Overwhelmed?
October 12th, 2010This morning, I received an email early about a work issue. As most of you know, I’m currently not serving as a pastor, but am working in the computer industry. Sadly, the email sent me into a mental tailspin – I couldn’t shake the email.
Why? Well, it was partly because of the content. A problem had arisen at work, and everyone thought I was dealing with it when I was actually not even aware of it. But also partly because I worry too much about what other people think of me, so it bothered me that this reflected badly on me.
The mental tailspin, however, is really a different issue. » Read more: Overwhelmed?
Where am I?
October 4th, 2010
OK well first of all for my family who knows I am directionally challenged the title is for you! This past month I have come to the realization that I am a wife and mother of two beautiful girls… alright you say, I thought that was a given. It SHOULD have been but apparently I was slow to pick up on the fact that there are things that EMILY is having to put on hold for a while as I focus on the ministry of FAMILY. Not suggesting we are going to become hermits and drop off the face of the earth but I am constantly asking the question, “is this best for my marriage and family?” This is where I am at. I cannot build my home business right now, I cannot train for a 1/2 marathon as I was hoping, but what I can do is draw closer to my Lord, serve my children and husband, and Love on those God brings across my path.
Here is my encouragement for anyone who is reading this, ask yourself, “Where am I?” What season has God brought to you in your life right now, and RELISH in it, some may be easier or harder to relish in but seek HIM where you are and drink up every moment of where you are even if it’s between a rock and a hard place! I’m not saying you will go around with a goofy grin on your face if you have faced job loss, a difficult health diagnosis or the passing of a loved one but soak up Christ in the midst of it.
Now I am preaching this to myself, just so you know. Staying home with a 2 children under the age of 3 is sometimes like herding cats (just tried to take a “stroll” with them around our neighborhood – yeah that was fun!). So I often find myself forgetting to BREATHE and adjust to focus and remember where I am. I am in the middle of God’s plan for my life! Wherever you are search for Christ and cling to Him!
