Presidents' Day

In honor of Presidents' Day, (a day late), I wanted to post this quote from Abraham Lincoln that describes perfectly my prayer for this adoption and all we do as a family in this life. So, as you pray for us, pray not that God would be on our side, but that we be on His, for He is always right.

Garage Sale in TWO weeks!

Check out our Garage Sale flyers - HOT off the press, courtesy of Will Anderson!!

The Sacred Echoes- A playlist of our adoption Journey

"As I've been growing in my relationship with God, I'm finding I'm not listening for the whisper as much as I am the echo. Often when God speaks, he will say the same thing through a sermon, a passage of Scripture, a chance conversation, or an unexpected encounter. When we begin looking for these sacred echoes, we are better able to recognize God's voice in our life and walk more confidently in the fullness of what God has for us."- Margaret Feinberg, The Sacred Echo

God often echoes His messages for me in song. I find I am drawn to the throne of My Savior most readily and intimately through the power of music He has inspired. As our adoption journey began and Satan plagued my mind with doubts and fears, God began to infuse my spirit with His strength, His resolve and an assurance of this calling on our lives through Josh Wilson's "I Refuse". He has echoed this song in my presence as the fears and doubts resurface through dreams, on the car radio, even at The Grand Ole Opry. You heard me right. Josh Wilson sang at The Grand Ole Opry this Friday night. The ONE night we've ever been to The Opry and ever may go. The show Bobby bought tickets for back at Christmas, before Josh was booked on the show. God sent Josh Wilson to make his Opry debut and by His divine wisdom had him perform none other than "I Refuse". The only song he sang all night. So here it is, the first song on my Adoption Journey Playlist:

"I Refuse"
Josh Wilson http://www.joshwilsonmusic.com/audio_player?notheme=1

Sometimes I, I just wanna close my eyes
And act like everyone's alright
well no they're not
This world needs God, but it's easier to stand and watch
I could say a prayer and just move on
like nothin's wrong
But I refuse
cause I don't wanna live like I don't care
I don't wanna say another empty prayer
Oh I refuse, to sit around and wait for someone else
To do what God has called me to do myself
Oh I could choose not to move
but I refuse
I can hear the least of these
cryin' out so desperately
and I know we are the hands and feet of You oh God
So if You say move
it's time for me to follow through
and do what I was made to do
and show them who You are
Cause I don't wanna live like I don't care
I don't wanna say another empty prayer
Oh I refuse to sit around
and wait for someone else
to do what God has called me to do myself
Oh I could choose
not to move
but I refuse
to stand and watch the weary and lost
cry out for help
I refuse
to turn my back
and try and act like all is well
I refuse
to stay and change
to wait another day
to die to myself
I refuse
to make one more excuse
cause I don't wanna live like I don't care
I don't wanna say another empty prayer
Oh I refuse
to sit around and wait for someone else
to do what God has called me to do myself
oh I could choose
not to move
but I refuse
I refuse
I refuse
yeah

Yesterday as I traveled home from a Ladies' Night Out at the church, this song played on the radio. It is not an unfamiliar song and they play it regularly, but last night, God spoke straight to my heart; He used the words of the song to reassure me He knows the cries of my heart. He knows my tendency to want control and all the answers. He knows that I see the end goal and have this inner drive that propels me forward, often without the necessary patience or wisdom, seeking the prize and denying any merit in the obstacles and hindrances in my path. I barrel ahead, forgetting that "I can't do this on my own" and I need to "finally let go", surrendering it all completely. He has always used the obstacles, the hindrances, confusion and seeming chaos to put us (Bobby and I) in EXACTLY the right place at EXACTLY the right time for EXACTLY the right reason-- His ultimate Glory and magnification. He's never failed before. I need to stop wishing away the obstacles. Here is the second song on my playlist (that we sang with the precious children in Sunday School this morning-- a sacred echo):

"Help Me Find It"
Sidewalk Prophets http://www.klove.com/music/artists/sidewalk-prophets/songs/help-me-find-it-lyrics.aspx

I don’t know where to go from here
It all used to seem so clear
I’m finding I can’t do this on my own

I don’t know where to go from here
As long as I know that You are near
I’m done fighting
I’m finally letting go

I will trust in You
You’ve never failed before
I will trust in You

[Chorus:]
If there’s a road I should walk
Help me find it
If I need to be still
Give me peace for the moment
Whatever Your will
Whatever Your will
Can you help me find it
Can you help me find it

I’m giving You fear and You give faith
I giving you doubt
You give me grace
For every step I’ve never been alone

Even when it hurts, You’ll have Your way
Even in the valley I will say
With every breath
You’ve never let me go

I will wait for You
You’ve never failed before
I will wait for You

[Chorus]

I lift my empty hands (come fill me up again)
Have Your way my King (I give my all to You)
I lift my eyes again (Was blind but now I see)
‘Cause You are all I need

[Chorus]
  
Then, this morning on the way to church, I heard these very familiar words and started to tune them out. But something stirred in me just as my mind started to grumble against the familiarity and "lackluster" of such a well-known song, "Strength will rise as we WAIT UPON THE LORD...". As we "what, Jaime"? "Wait upon the Lord." He dismissed my apathy towards the lyrics and brought the truth to life in my heart. It was the first song we sang in church this morning. He will give us strength for this journey as we wait at each juncture, at every obstacle and in each step we journey forward. He reigns over this journey and all of time. He defends and comforts our weak, helpless daughter in Poland even as He does for us while we watch, pray and wait to bring her home. And then, as you may have guessed, he echoed it just to be sure I got the message loud and clear. The third song on my playlist:

"Everlasting God"
Chris Tomlin
http://www.christomlin.com/music/see-the-morning
 

[Chorus:]
Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord

Our God, You reign forever
Our hope, our Strong Deliverer
You are the everlasting God
The everlasting God
You do not faint
You won't grow weary

Our God, You reign forever
Our hope, our Strong Deliverer
You are the everlasting God
The everlasting God
You do not faint
You won't grow weary

You're the defender of the weak
You comfort those in need
You lift us up on wings like eagle

[Chorus]

What songs would be on your journey's playlist? Maybe you're not adopting, but God is leading you on a journey no matter what it may be. What is He echoing to your heart? Listen closely. I promise, He'll whisper it again. :)

Wow. Wait till you read what God had waiting for me for today (Feb 9) in my devotional book (Jesus Calling) that I read just after I typed up this post:

"Seek My Face more and more. You are really just beginning your journey of intimacy with Me. It is not an easy road, but it is a delightful and privileged way: a treasure hunt. I am the Treasure, and the Glory of My Presence glistens and shimmers along the way. Hardships are part of the journey too. I mete them out ever so carefully, in just the right dosage with a tenderness you can hardly imagine. Do not recoil from afflictions, since they are among My most favored gifts. Trust Me and don't be afraid, for I am your Strength and Song. Psalm 27:8; 2 Corinthians 4:7; Isaiah 12:2"

If you're still reading and want to know specifically what's been happening most recently and what you can specifically pray for, we have selected a home study agency after determining that it was not legal, in MS, for us to have an individual LSW do it for us. I completed the application minus maybe 2 blanks I had questions for the SW on and the questionnaire Bobby had to complete for himself. My hope was to have it in the mail first thing that next morning (Wednesday). But, Bobby hadn't completed his portion. Wednesday afternoon he completed it only for me to realize I hadn't asked him to sign the other three documents that required his signature. Then, once that was complete and I had it in the car to take by the Post Office, I glanced over everything one final time to discover that I needed individual photos of each family member, as well as a copy of each birth certificate and our marriage license to accompany the forms I had completed. (I'm certain I knew this before re-reading the application but had forgotten.) I took the entire envelope and certified copies of all the necessary certificates with us to Nashville and paid an outrageous amount to have color copies made at the FedEx store IN the Gaylord Opryland Hotel so I could mail it before end of day Friday. The FedEx employee returned my birth certificate, pointing to the bottom of the page where it reads, "Do Not Duplicate By Any Means", and explained that he could not legally copy it for me. AHHHHHHH!!! Why can't I just get this silly application in the mail so we can move forward with this home study-- the biggest obstacle currently between us and a completed Dossier?! It's Sunday now and I've made a black and white copy of my ORIGINAL birth certificate and have the envelope ready to mail. God knows what tomorrow holds for this application and its journey to the final destination.

How do you know you'll love her?

"When my best friend heard that my wife and I were planning to adopt, he asked, 'Do you think you will be able to love your child as much as you would if she were your own?'
Those of us who have adopted know that our adopted children are 'our own.' Yet this question posed by my friend revealed a fear that lay within himself, and in the minds of many prospective adoptive parents." -Adoption Advocate No. 68: "Will I Love Her?": Love and Attachment in Adoption

Any of you who are parents biological or adoptive know the fears behind such questions well. You've asked them yourself. You've asked them of yourself. You may have even asked them of your spouse. "Will we love her enough? Will we love her as much as ______? What if I don't feel 'it' right away?" When it came time to decide whether to stick with one child or have more, you asked (or will), "Can we love them equally? Will we have to neglect or slight one to fully love the other? If I love this one child with my whole heart, how can I possibly love the next one the same?" (Because for the mathematical and logical thinkers among us, you only have "one whole" (heart). How do you fully give it to more than one person?)  But, as a parent, you can, I trust, testify now, that yes, you DO love her enough. You do love her as much as _____ (even if you don't feel it right away). And yes, you can love each of them equally, with your whole heart. It's the miracle of love. I believe love is a capacity, not just an emotion. God has given us each such a great capacity for love. Our capacities vary and we are each called to use our capacity in unique ways.

So, when people ask me "How do you know you'll love her?", "What if it's hard?" and "What if she has attachment disorder and can't love you back?" God has given us the capacity to love a child we have never met. We don't know her name, what she looks like, if she's been born yet or who her biological parents are. We don't know if she'll have emotional scarring or special physical needs. We just know that God has known her since BEFORE she was in her mother's womb and has a special purpose for her life (according to Jeremiah 1:5) and that part of his plan for her is to be a Briggs. And, to answer the questions: We know we'll love her because we already do. It WILL be hard, raising any kid is hard. If she can't show her love right away, or even if she doesn't feel it, we'll demonstrate our love for her consistently and constantly until she can and she does. "People with a large capacity to love do not ask what is easier for them, but what is better for those they love."-Adoption Advocate No. 68: "Will I Love Her?": Love and Attachment in Adoption I can almost feel God stretching my "love capacity" with every passing day as I seek His will for the growth of our family.

The article, Adoption Advocate No. 68: "Will I Love Her?": Love and Attachment in Adoption sums it up well. "...Love is always worthwhile, even when we are sacrificing things like time, money, freedom, the ability to live just for ourselves. Love is the most significant legacy we can leave. If this is how you feel, too, then you will love your child."-Adoption Advocate No. 68: "Will I Love Her?": Love and Attachment in Adoption

We're Having a Church-Sponsored Garage Sale!!

Our Church Family,  Grace Bible Church of Oxford is hosting a Garage Sale to benefit our adoption fund!

 Mark Your Calendars and Start Your Cleaning! Tell All Your Friends and Neighbors Too!

On February 28 - March 1, Grace Bible Church is hosting a Community Garage Sale in support of our adoption fundraising campaign. All proceeds from this garage sale will go towards our adoption expenses. Help us bring our little girl home!

Donate your items to the Community Garage Sale! We'll take just anything, such as: Clothing, Furniture, Kitchen Items, Toys, Athletic Items, CDs, DVDs, Electronics, Baby Items, Home Decor Items, Etc.

Drop-off at Grace Bible Church by appointment February 24-27th and any time before 3 on Friday, the 28th.

Contact: Mimi Shaw at mimishaw@gmail.com or email through the link in the sidebar of this blog.

Check out: adoptiveimperative.blogspot.com for more information and to follow their journey!

College Students, don't forget to tell your mom she doesn't have to make that trip to Goodwill she was planning or even mess with hosting her own garage sale only to end up tired and $40 richer. Tell her you'll bring it back to Oxford to benefit a good cause! Now, head home and LOAD UP YOUR CAR!!

I want to Volunteer!
Please contact Mimi Shaw or Jaime Briggs or FILL OUT THE FORM to sign up for a volunteer slot.
To see the list of volunteer opportunities still available, click HERE!
I can't Volunteer, but still want to help...
You can volunteer to donate a WalMart Gift Card, Grocery Bags, Garbage Bags, a roll of raffle tickets, paperware for snacks during set-up and sale, etc. Just email us! Or, if you have a business and want to post a flyer or even keep a stack near the register, we'd be happy to oblige. :)

How To Donate Items to Sell:
In order to make this event a HUGE success, we need LOTS of donations. Spring is in the air so do your spring cleaning! We so appreciate your donations of items. We can accommodate a few donations starting immediately (contact Mimi Shaw or Jaime Briggs) but have limited storage space. We will officially begin taking donations February 24-28th by appointment. When deciding what to donate, please consider donating DESIRABLE, not junky items. Please make sure clothing is not soiled, ripped, holey, etc… and that items are in working order. ;)

You may ask, “can I price my own items?” YOU BET!! That would actually be VERY helpful. Feel free to price all of your items or just a few. It is not mandatory to price anything however. When pricing, just remember garage sale prices. No need to price clothing unless you are packaging a complete outfit or donating coats.

Suggested Items to donate
Baby Items (clothing, toys, books, baby gear, etc.)
Children’s toys, games, and clothing.
Furniture
Sporting Goods
Books
Movies
Desirable household items
Adult clothing (not too outdated and no holes please ;)
Artwork
Anything else you feel someone would want to buy!

Cash Donations:

We are accepting cash donations to help cover costs of advertising, printing posters and other supplies needed for the event. If there are additional funds, they may be used to purchase items for the raffle or added to funds raised!! Cash donations are very appreciated. No amount is too little! Email thebriggsfam@gmail.com if you would like to help in this way.

I Live Out of Town and Want To Help!
Out of town friends and family can help by sending cash donations to help pay for advertising, printing color posters (that gets expensive) and all materials we need to purchase for this event. Any left over funds will be added directly to the adoption fund. To donate, use the "DONATE" button on the sidebar or sponsor a puzzle piece for $5 ea.

Please stay tuned for more details and information!

Lesson from a speedbump...

So, it's not a road block and it's far from a dead end, but we hit a speed-bump today and I know there are lessons God is teaching me/us in this small set back. I also know there will be more ahead. Plenty More.
We were, since starting this adoption journey with our agency, told that since the agency is in NC and we are in MS, that they would allow an independent licensed Social Worker (LSW) to perform our homestudy as long as they were licensed in MS. Our agency then, as a Hague Accredited agency, would basically sign off on the homestudy after a full review and we'd be good to go. We were put in touch with an amazing Christian woman in town, an LSW and mother of 3, all adopted internationally, that was excited and eager to help us complete this major piece of our adoption for drastically less than we would have to pay an agency for the same. HOWEVER, to cover all the bases, our agency requested that she find and remit the code in MS state law that expressly states it is allowable for an individual LSW to complete home studies (as opposed to having an agency do it). Well, after much research on the part of the LSW and several internet searches and phone inquiries on my part, it appears the law is very vague and the best thing to do to be certain all of our documents are legal and acceptable to move forward with the process is to pay an agency to send a Social Worker to complete the study. BUT, God is good. He is WAY bigger than a more expensive, less convenient home study; our speed-bump. He is WAY bigger than my idea of a timeline for all of this. He is constantly faithful. He hears our requests and answers... according to HIS perfect will.

The verse that filled my spirit as I began focusing on the speed-bump instead of the road ahead was:

Philippians 4:6 (NASB)

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

 So, I will make my requests known to God and I will pray "not my will but Yours, Lord". And I will be faithful in pursuing his blessing, just as Jacob was when he wrestled with God and would not let go until he had received His blessing. (Genesis 32:24-30)

The 50/50 Fundraiser!!! Survey, Please?!

Dear Friends,
I recently came across this new fundraiser idea and am hoping for lots of honest and detailed feedback from all of you! It is called the 50/50 Raffle because the winner splits the proceeds 50/50 with your organization (or in this case, our adoption fund). This fundraiser is easy to run and really requires only a roll of raffle tickets from the local office supply store. These raffles tend to go over big because the prize is generally what everyone wants – money!
The plan is to sell tickets for $10 each. There is no limit on how many any individual can purchase. PLEASE complete the 10 question survey below so that I can start planning and organizing it all as soon as possible with your the benefit of your collective input and (hopefully) support.

Create your free online surveys with SurveyMonkey , the world's leading questionnaire tool.