Benefit Concert: Jimmy Needham!!!!!

I am THRILLED to announce that Christian singer/songwriter, JIMMY NEEDHAM, is performing at a benefit concert to support our adoption!  Matt and I consider this such a miracle and an answer to prayer.  I am such a HUGE fan of his!  His style of music is very unique to him.  Many of you are very familiar with Jimmy Needham, as you hear his music on Christian stations all day long.  Those of you who are not yet familiar, I am CERTAIN you will become an instant fan!
 
The concert will be on SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8th at Bob Jones High School Auditorium.  I will share more details as they are solidified.
 
HELP Marketing:
I am preparing a promo video (roughly 2-2.5 minutes).  I should have it completed by Sept 5th.   Also, I am designing some flyers.  I am going to attempt to get some local radio stations involved
 
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
1.)    Please pray for our event.  Pray that we are stuffed to capacity (1400 guests).  Pray that God will use Jimmy Needham’s music to draw people closer to Him. 
2.)    Attend our event  J
3.)    Pass out flyers & show promo:  If you live within 100 miles of Huntsville AL, and are willing, will you please email me your contact info?  I would like to email (or mail) you our concert flyer and our promo video.  You could share this information with your church, workplace, friends, and families. 
 
Email me at PittmanAdoption@gmail.com
Please include:  Name, email, phone number, and mailing address.  Also, let me know if you prefer to receive the information by mail, email, or both.
 
4.)    Email me with any marketing ideas you may have (perhaps you have some contacts that would be interested in helping us market our event)
5.)    SPONSORS:  We would welcome any person or business who is willing to help us sponsor this event.  We would also be proud to express our appreciation for our sponsors at the concert.  Please email me if you are interested.
6.)    IF YOU HAVE ADOPTED, please email me a picture of your family.  I would like to use these “success stories” in our slide show.
 
Final Thoughts:
Right now, we are thinking that the concert will be a non-ticketed event.  It will likely begin at 7:30 or 8pm, with doors opening one hour prior.  Our church will be accepting donations on our behalf at the door, therefore donations will be tax deductible (our church will pay our adoption agency directly).  Lastly, we have contacted another artist to be the “opening act.”  I will let you know more if this person is able to join us (say a prayer, please). 
 
Finally, GOD IS GOOD!  I am overwhelmed by His faithfulness to us.

Defender

I’ve been reading about the plight of Russia’s orphans… the reviews are mixed.  Some of these children’s circumstances are horrific, others seem to be at least adequately cared for.  BUT, regardless of the level of care, these children have nothing that belongs to them.  Even the clothing they wear does not belong to them, much less a mommy or daddy to call their own.

I don’t know who God is giving us… I don’t even know if we are getting a boy or a girl.  Maybe He will give us one of each!  :)  I desperately want to hold them and tell them that Matt and I belong to them, forever.  In the meantime, I pray.  I pray that God protects them.  I pray that He gives them pleasant dreams.  I pray that He makes them unafraid; I hope He whispers the most comforting words to them.  I hope He tells them that we are coming.

There is a BEAUTIFUL song by singer/songwriter, Chris McClarney, called, Defender.   This song echoes everything I know to be true about God.  When I am afraid or worried, I can lay my cares at His feet and fix my eyes on Him.  All the hopes Matt and I have for our little one are hidden in Him; and He is our Little One’s Defender.

I hope you will take time to listen to Chris McClarney (lyrics are pasted below)!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ouFAuaQhnU



Resting in Your promise
I will rest within the knowledge that You care
I put my trust in You
Deep within the darkness
Though my enemies surround I will not fear
I put my trust in You

And when I don't know what to do
I will fix my eyes on You

You’re our defender
I hide my hope in You
You are the loving arms my broken heart can run to
I will remember
That there is nothing You can't do
For You are God, You are good
And I surrender
You're our defender

You are strong when I am weakest
You're the peace that passes everything I see
I put my trust in You
I'm surrendering completely
Laying all my cares here at Your feet
I put my trust in You

A mighty fortress is our God
I will not fear, I will not fear
Safe and secure here in Your love
I will not fear, I will not fear

Direction... and Benefit Concert

Bob Jones High School has agreed to host a benefit concert for us.  They have suggested the dates of October 7th or 8th (Friday or Saturday).  I am very grateful for my former high school.

I'm looking for musical talent for our concert...obviously I'm under a time crunch.  It's especially difficult to find talent when you are planning a benefit concert and therefore unable to pay the artists what they are most definitely worth.  I'm asking God to give us direction... and even a miracle.

I still get very embarrassed every time a write a new post.  Some posts embarrass me more than others, and I find myself wishing no one would read this blog. I'm ashamed to admit this since you all have been so supportive and encouraging.  I know this:  God is more concerned with fulfilling His purpose than He is about catering to our comfort level, isn't He?  LOL :)

I am feeling a lot of mixed emotions.  I feel worried and anxious about making the right decisions for our adoption (i.e. the right agency, funding...).  But, I always feel grateful and joyful.  I am profoundly grateful that God has a baby planned for Matt and I.  I feel overjoyed every time I think of pur little one. 

Sometimes in life, you feel like you are just stumbling along.  Maybe you feel out of place or misunderstood.  Ever since God revealed adoption to us, I feel like I'm exactly where I'm suppose to be, and doing exactly what I'm supposed to be doing.  I know that our baby is worth whatever challenges await us.  Of course, God gives me the confidence to say this.  With Him, EVERYTHING is made possible!

Help! Finding the Right Agency - Russia Licensed

Our home study is nearly complete.  We are just waiting for a couple of forms to arrive and the final report will be signed.  Since our agency is not licensed in Russia, we have to find a different agency to conduct the remainder of our international adoption.  By the way, we have LOVED using Lifeline for our contract home study (www.lifelineadoption.org).  We have nothing but glowing things to say about Lifeline, and we would definitely use them if we were going to adopt from Ukraine.
 
Below is a list of US agencies licensed in Russia (none of which are in Alabama, sadly).  We feel overwhelmed.  We have requested information packets from many of them, and tried to read reviews online.  Some of the reviews are mixed, therefore, we are having a difficult time deciding.  Any assistance or reviews that you can provide will be MUCH appreciated.
List of Adoption Agencies accredited with the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation as of April 20, 2011:
1.    ABC Adoption Services, Inc.
2.    Adopt-A-Child, Inc.
3.    Adoption Associates, Inc.
4.    Adoption Center of Washington
5.    Adoption Options
6.    Adoptions Together, Inc.
7.    Alaska International Adoption Agency
8.    Alliance for Children
9.    American International Adoption Agency, Inc.
10. Americans for International Aid and Adoption
11. Beacon House Adoption Services, Inc.
12. Buckner Adoption and Maternity Services, Inc.
13. Catholic Social Services of the Diocese of Charlotte, North Carolina, Inc.
14. Children's Home Society and Family Services
15. Children's Hope International
16. Christian World Adoption
17. Creative Adoptions, Inc.
18. DOVE Adoptions International, Inc.
19. European Adoption Consultants
20. Families Thru International Adoption
21. Frank Adoption Center
22. Florence Crittenton League of Lowell
23. Gladney Center for Adoption
24. Global Adoption Services, Inc.
25. Good Hope Adoption Services, Inc.
26. Hand in Hand
27. Happy Families International Center
28. Homestudies and Adoption Placement Services, Inc.
29. International Assistance Group
30. International Christian Adoptions
31. Life Adoption Services, Inc.
32. Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan, Inc.
33. New Hope Christian Services
34. Small World Adoption Foundation of Missouri, Inc.
35. Wide Horizons for Children
36. World Association for Children and Parents (WACAP)
37. World Child International
38. World Links
39. Wyoming Children’s Society
 
 
 

Russia...Benefit Concert

Matt and I have been praying about where God wants us to go for our adoption.  We feel very drawn to Easter Europe, and therefore feel like we will ultimately go to Russia. 

http://www.frua.org/countries/russia
About Russia, Source:  Families for Russian and Ukrainian Adoptions (FRUA)

I began researching agencies in the US that are licensed in Russia (there is only abut 30).  I felt overwhelmed until I ran across an agency in Cheyenne, WY.

http://www.wyomingcs.org/

Matt and I were in Cheyenne for 3+ years while he was serving in the Air Force.  I called the agency and was very impressed with their Russian adoption program.  Ironically, I was reading about the Board of Directors and saw the name, Janet Taylor.  I led a Bible Study in Cheyenne that Janet attended; naturally, I called Janet to get some more information, and she had glowing things to say about their program.  I'm very anxious to get started with them. 

Benefit Concert:
It's about $40,000 to adopt from Russia after all relevant fees and traveling expenses; While Matt and I saving very hard, we will still have to do some fund raising.

We are in the midst of planning a benefit concert.  Mr. Craft, the AMAZING Performing Arts teacher, is allowing us to rent the BJHS Auditorium.  He has been very encouraging and supportive, and I am very grateful.

We are looking for a weekend date in September or October.  I will keep you posted as I learn more details.  Keep us in your prayers, please.

Knowing and Missing

I told God that I love Him today.  I think I heard Him tell me that He misses me.  What a strange thing for God to say.  After all, He knows me intimately and perfectly already. I have been pondering what this could mean, and came across this verse:                

     1 Corinthians 13:12             
     For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.               

Ancient mirrors were made from polished metal (such as bronze), and thus one's reflection was more “dim” than in modern mirrors. “Face to face” references Christ’s return.  Additionally, the OT uses the phrase “face to face,” to refer to seeing God personally; cf. Gen. 32:30; Ex. 33:11; Deut. 5:4; 34:10; Judg. 6:22; Ezek. 20:35.

God longs for the day when I will be with Him, face to face; the day He brings me to my forever home.  Then, I will know Him fully, without my humanly, earthly, limitations.  I know that I miss God, but in my earthly knowledge, I cannot imagine what knowing Him fully will be like.  The amazing-ness is incomprehensible to me.  But, God knows what it will be like for He and I, and He longs for it.

The God of all that is, or ever was, longs to be with me!  It makes me cry when I think about how much He loves me.  I miss HIM very much.  The fact that I am not with Him, face to face, means that His plans for me on Planet Earth are not yet complete.  I can’t help but think of the son or daughter He has planned for us.  I miss you  little one; I am so anxious to meet you and get to know you.  I don’t know you yet, but my Lord knows you very well.