News, Updates, and More News

I’ll start with the Open Our Eyes Conference in Loveland, CO. It was great! Jared purposefully picked two seats with a tissue box in front of them. Their band opened with worship music that melted my heart in preparation for what was to come. We saw a video of an adoption story straight from the adoptee’s mouth that would break the hardest heart. This young girl was working with the children while we were watching her story; amazing. Then we listened to the main speaker. He told us about his journey to his daughter in Russia, how the Lord opened and closed doors, and the picture this adoption showed. You see, all adoptions have one thing in common. Adoptions are a picture of what God did for me, and if you are a child of His, they also show what He did for you. He called me by name, when I had nothing to offer, and adopted me into His family! I pray that I never get over how amazing this truly is. When he was done speaking we sang some more, which meant I required more tissues. There were 35 different organizations present there and as much as I wanted to go talk to them, I’ll be honest, I didn’t know what to say!!! Don’t you hate that! Well, after Jared and I went through the usual, “You talk to them,” “No you talk to them,” we were ready to go talk to them! I knew God had something special there. He had been brewing something in my heart for a few days, but I needed a confirmation.  After the conference I shared my heart with Jared. You see, I wanted Jared to attend this conference and see the need before I brought ANOTHER idea to the table (because I always have some new idea!) and it worked! God worked! All my wonderful husband said was, “Hmm, I’ll pray about it.” That was all I needed. I knew he truly meant it, would pray, and get back to me. As usual, I can’t share exactly what my NEW idea is just yet, but please, please, please be in prayer for us!

Update on Ecuador: This is also an area where much prayer is needed.

I heard back from Ecuador. I spoke with our contact, and honestly did not hear much new information. If we pursue an adoption from there, we would really be taking a leap of faith. She gave me some advice, information, and encouragement.  I know the Lord is going to stretch us and mold us through this journey, and I am super excited about what He will accomplish in and through us…but It. Is. Not. Easy. I believe God speaks to us while we walk. So we will continue walking in Him, listening for His still small voice, casting our burdens on Him, and working to spread His Good News.

More News:

Today I will be working on organizing my cupcake sale. For more info on what this is, visit The Cupcake Kids. It is scheduled for Saturday, April 16^th. All funds raised will go towards helping orphans in Uganda…and you can get involved! If you live in the Denver area, we need helpers! I will have all the details ready by tomorrow morning. Something I haven’t mentioned is this is usually a kid’s activity, but my two year old will probably only help by eating a cupcake. This is a great opportunity to get your kids, nephews, cousins, friend’s kids, involved in a ministry opportunity. If you would like to join me in this effort, shoot me an email at mariakidder17 at gmail dot com or leave a comment. Thanks to those you have already stepped forward.

“So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” –Luke 11:9-10 NKJV