Orphan Care and Adoption Retreat

I had the most amazing time at the Embracing Orphans (now Passion for Orphans) retreat in the beautiful Estes Park, Colorado.  Lisa Stucky from Mavuno Market, and all the incredible women who made this event possible did such a tremendous job.  It was like every detail was thought through so that we were able to come in and kick up our feet and enjoy EVERYTHING about our time together.  Most of us are mothers who almost don't know what to do when we don't have a million kiddos nibbling at our heels.  Some of us enjoyed just having a chance to catch up on some reading and hear our thoughts.  I think I can speak for many of the women at this event when I say that I came back refreshed, renewed, restored, and with a new Passion for our ministry in orphan care and our own adoption journey.  

I enjoyed the worship times together so much and had the opportunity to meet my office manager in person who I had never met before this trip!!  Her name is Sarah and she is my right hand agent and I love her to pieces!!  We were able to meet several families that we are helping with their travel who we had never before had the blessing to meet.  It was SO incredible and such a JOY!!!  I would post photos, but instead I have a video with my photos here so that you can take the opportunity to experience this with me...

I encourage mothers to take this opportunity to come out for these Passion for Orphans retreats.  You will be blessed beyond measure and experience the JOY it is to come together with other mothers who have REAL stories to share.  Let me tell you, we don't hold much back when we start sharing.  We may not all see eye to eye on every issue as it relates to orphan care and adoption, and we don't have to.  We all have a different story, a different journey, but the same love and passion for orphan children and adoption that brings us together.  The speakers shed light on the not-so-glamorous side of their journeys and allowed us an inside perspective that has changed many of our hearts and caused us to see beyond what we could see before.  I praise GOD for what I came away with from this retreat and I encourage every mother who has a passion for orphan care and/or adoption to come out to the next one and don't miss it!  Don't get too busy to come.  You will come away renewed, restored and refreshed.

God bless!
Tabitha :)
www.AdoptionAirfare.com

Motherhood is Deeper than Blood

Today beyond all the gifts and blessings, I can truly say I am blessed to be a mother to 6 children, some of which I have the privilege of parenting in our home, some far away.  The four children in our home blessed my heart today with their love and welcome to me as I came out from getting ready.  They welcomed me with hugs and little cards and things they made for me, as well as my dear husband.

Joshua wrote me two poems today!  I am going to type them here for you to be blessed too!!  He is my son (age 17) who I have adopted in my heart, even though he is not my biological son.  Motherhood is deeper than blood, just like the blood of Jesus is deeper than any human blood.  I praise GOD for the children HE has hand-picked for me.

Contentment

by Joshua Lovell

If my money is all spent, 

And if I have no friends or fame,

Still I will be content.

Even if no one knows my name,

or if on my birthday no one came,

Still I will be content.

For the Lord fills my cup,

Him I will lift up.

For while He hung naked and ashamed,

while spit and cursing at Him were aimed

Still He was content.

For all the joy set before Him, 

His cup was filled to the brim.

For He knew all the time with us that would be spent

So why can't we all just be content...?

Inspired by:  I Tim. 6:6-8

Mother's Day

by Joshua Lovell

Mom, on this special day

I am so happy to say

That you're my mother.

I'm very glad it isn't another,

for if it were

I'm absolutely sure

I would not be here

Nor so near;

And surely not able to say...

Happy Mother's Day!

These are especially special to my heart because over a year ago, we were praying for Joshua since he had gotten into trouble which led him into a Teen Challenge program in Reno, NV where he gave his heart to the LORD and has proven since to be totally transformed.  His life is a miracle, and I have reason to celebrate what the LORD has done in bringing him and Isaiah here to live with us and serve the LORD with us.  We now have four children in our home, and another we are in the process of bringing into our family through adoption from the DRC.  Hallelujah!!!!  

Charissa also blessed me with a beautifully hand knitted little head covering.  It was so beautiful and she worked so hard on it!!  Her card was filled with coupons that I will be sure to redeem too!!  ;)

Praise the LORD and I give HIM thanks for my dear children and family.

Motherhood is a blessing and an honor, no matter how it comes to you.  For all the adopting families out there and for all of the mothers who sacrifice and love each and every day...

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!

Love,

Tabitha :)

www.AdoptionAirfare.com