We still have pieces without names. Would you like to join us by contributing at least $1 to help bring M&M home?
You can donate your DOLLAR here.
Be blessed!
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Will your name be included in the 300 that helped bring M&M home?
We still have pieces without names. Would you like to join us by contributing at least $1 to help bring M&M home?
You can donate your DOLLAR here.
Be blessed!
From "Just Waiting" to TURBO mode!!
Things have been a bit of a whirlwind around here since Sunday night. I got the call form my case worker on Sunday night that all my documents are in and my Lawyer is requesting an embassy date for me. WHAT?!?!?!? This was suppose to happen next month. WOW! So excited!!
No word was heard on Monday about the embassy date, but the day was spent putting together my binder. (A binder has all the legal details that the US embassy needs in order to issue visas. This is a MUST HAVE once you have all your documents from Africa and the US in order to bring your kiddos home.) Binders are almost done.
Monday also kicked off our first day of being the "featured family" for Give1Save1 - Africa. This allows people to share our story with total strangers who just have a heart for helping families adopt these precious orphans. Give1Save1 is going well and we are delighted with how far along we have come!
I was suppose to fly to Oklahoma City on Tuesday morning for a retreat, but with the move in dates to me traveling I felt like it would be best for my family for me to stay home. On Tuesday, when I woke up to my husband telling me I was going to Africa, I was glad we had made that decision!
My Embassy date is now set. I sent a note to my boss and several others letting them know of these details. My boss called me and wanted to know if I needed anything. I told him how blessed I have already been by him and his family, so I just wanted him in the loop. He asked what my dates for travel were and all the city details. Well, that afternoon, I got the call from him that he had booked my entire international flight! BLESSED my socks off!
So, I will be flying out on the 26th and arriving in Africa on the 27th of September. My Embassy appointment is for the 1st of October. I will fly home on the 2nd and arrive back in Boise on the 3rd of October. We will wait for them to issue our visas. Once we have received word that this has happened, Paul and I will book our return trip. That return trip should be happening around the 11th or 12th if all goes "as planned." We know, of course, that ANYTHING can happen.
We are working to get everything completely in order for my first trip. You will be hearing more from us as much needs to be completed. God is doing some amazing things to bless us on this end. The enemy is also at work, but I know WHO wins!
Please pray for the many details that need to be taken care of, and I will let you know as there may be some things you can do to help out! Thanks for caring and following us in this amazing story that God is writing!
No word was heard on Monday about the embassy date, but the day was spent putting together my binder. (A binder has all the legal details that the US embassy needs in order to issue visas. This is a MUST HAVE once you have all your documents from Africa and the US in order to bring your kiddos home.) Binders are almost done.
Monday also kicked off our first day of being the "featured family" for Give1Save1 - Africa. This allows people to share our story with total strangers who just have a heart for helping families adopt these precious orphans. Give1Save1 is going well and we are delighted with how far along we have come!
I was suppose to fly to Oklahoma City on Tuesday morning for a retreat, but with the move in dates to me traveling I felt like it would be best for my family for me to stay home. On Tuesday, when I woke up to my husband telling me I was going to Africa, I was glad we had made that decision!
My Embassy date is now set. I sent a note to my boss and several others letting them know of these details. My boss called me and wanted to know if I needed anything. I told him how blessed I have already been by him and his family, so I just wanted him in the loop. He asked what my dates for travel were and all the city details. Well, that afternoon, I got the call from him that he had booked my entire international flight! BLESSED my socks off!
So, I will be flying out on the 26th and arriving in Africa on the 27th of September. My Embassy appointment is for the 1st of October. I will fly home on the 2nd and arrive back in Boise on the 3rd of October. We will wait for them to issue our visas. Once we have received word that this has happened, Paul and I will book our return trip. That return trip should be happening around the 11th or 12th if all goes "as planned." We know, of course, that ANYTHING can happen.
We are working to get everything completely in order for my first trip. You will be hearing more from us as much needs to be completed. God is doing some amazing things to bless us on this end. The enemy is also at work, but I know WHO wins!
Please pray for the many details that need to be taken care of, and I will let you know as there may be some things you can do to help out! Thanks for caring and following us in this amazing story that God is writing!
Saturday, September 8, 2012
More docs coming in!
Tonight I got the email with our kids birth certificates! I know everyday there are things going on over in Africa, but sometimes it feels like we go weeks without any updates, so on nights like these, we celebrate! We wanted to include you in on our celebration as each day is truly one day closer to the day when we get to bring them home.
Our friends traveled to Africa this weekend and should be meeting their kids for the first time today. They will also probably be hugging our kiddos. Praying for them as the trip is a quick one and then they will come home to wait a few more weeks to actually bring them home. Praying for peace for them as they have to leave their precious children to come home and await documents. I know I will be in their shoes soon, but praying fo them now as it is their reality.
Last night I dreamed that M&M were home with us and we went shopping. The were amazing kids and I loved spending that little time with them, even thought it was only in my dreams. It will be my reality soon, I know. Praying for patience, but celebrating documents today!
Our friends traveled to Africa this weekend and should be meeting their kids for the first time today. They will also probably be hugging our kiddos. Praying for them as the trip is a quick one and then they will come home to wait a few more weeks to actually bring them home. Praying for peace for them as they have to leave their precious children to come home and await documents. I know I will be in their shoes soon, but praying fo them now as it is their reality.
Last night I dreamed that M&M were home with us and we went shopping. The were amazing kids and I loved spending that little time with them, even thought it was only in my dreams. It will be my reality soon, I know. Praying for patience, but celebrating documents today!
Today has been a VERY emotional one.
We have had the delight of receiving several pictures and some videos of our precious children along with the other children whom they are in the orphanage with. Each time we see all the faces, we pray for them and give each child a piece of our heart.
One precious little girl grabbed our hearts as she was very malnourished. My daughter, Mallory age 10, fell in love with this little girl and eery time we would watch a video of the kids, she would ask us to pause it at the spot when this precious little girl would come on the screen.
We had the great privilege to meet this little girl's parents, as they were visiting family here in Boise. We met for coffee and they shared their story with us. They also showed us pictures of their sweet little children who are in the same orphanage as Malachi and Mercy! To our surprise, their little girl was this precious girl whom we had fallen in love with through video. The little boy they are adopting is her older brother. It was surreal to think that our kids are in Africa together right now. That we are on the same journey to bring our children home.
Last week, our friends told us their little girl was in the hospital with malaria and typhoid. We called on friends and family to pray. Their little girl was fighting to live through the sicknesses.
Last night, their precious girl, Annalise, went home to be with Jesus. Our hearts are broken for them as they suffer the loss of one of their children. They are grieving right now, and we ask that you pray for them as they grieve the loss of their child! They now await the time when they can go and hold their son, Annalise's brother and comfort him. He has suffered another terrible loss in his little life. Please pray for him as he tries to understand all of this. Our hearts rejoice that Annalise is no longer suffering, but they are also broken by the fact that Annalise never got to be held by her loving parents. Thankful that she is now held in the arms of her loving Savior!
Please pray for the health and safety of each of the children in the orphanage. They do live in Africa and sickness abounds. Pray for their amazing caregivers who are loving on them and giving them the absolute best care that they possibly can give to them.
One precious little girl grabbed our hearts as she was very malnourished. My daughter, Mallory age 10, fell in love with this little girl and eery time we would watch a video of the kids, she would ask us to pause it at the spot when this precious little girl would come on the screen.
We had the great privilege to meet this little girl's parents, as they were visiting family here in Boise. We met for coffee and they shared their story with us. They also showed us pictures of their sweet little children who are in the same orphanage as Malachi and Mercy! To our surprise, their little girl was this precious girl whom we had fallen in love with through video. The little boy they are adopting is her older brother. It was surreal to think that our kids are in Africa together right now. That we are on the same journey to bring our children home.
Last week, our friends told us their little girl was in the hospital with malaria and typhoid. We called on friends and family to pray. Their little girl was fighting to live through the sicknesses.
Last night, their precious girl, Annalise, went home to be with Jesus. Our hearts are broken for them as they suffer the loss of one of their children. They are grieving right now, and we ask that you pray for them as they grieve the loss of their child! They now await the time when they can go and hold their son, Annalise's brother and comfort him. He has suffered another terrible loss in his little life. Please pray for him as he tries to understand all of this. Our hearts rejoice that Annalise is no longer suffering, but they are also broken by the fact that Annalise never got to be held by her loving parents. Thankful that she is now held in the arms of her loving Savior!
Please pray for the health and safety of each of the children in the orphanage. They do live in Africa and sickness abounds. Pray for their amazing caregivers who are loving on them and giving them the absolute best care that they possibly can give to them.
Friday, August 17, 2012
Re-purposing a Dresser for Malachi & Mercy
Feels like I am in my 7 month of pregnancy as I prepare for Malachi & Mercy to be home.
We are getting rooms ready and decided to re-purpose this old dresser into a bookshelf and hanging shelves. Made it more useful for a playroom.
Simply removed the drawers, flipped the tabs inside the shelves upside down, and then went to the hardware store and had them cut shelves to fit. We primed the shelves with spray primer and then painted them a metallic champagne color. We removed the tacked-on back of the dresser, chose some fun fabric and wrapped the tacked piece of the dresser with the fabric. Then I put the tacked piece back on the dresser. I bought some coordinating paper from a scrapbook store and then lined the drawers with the fun paper and hung them up. SUPER EASY, but FUN!
Can already envision Malachi and Mercy pulling books off these shelves for me to read to them.
EXCITED and thankful for the many who have joined us to help bring them home.
If you someone who loves orphans and would like to help us bring our precious children home,
check this out! Give at least $1, and then Share with your friends and family!
Hope you like the dresser concept, but even more so, I pray that you will join us in our adoption journey!
BEFORE
We are getting rooms ready and decided to re-purpose this old dresser into a bookshelf and hanging shelves. Made it more useful for a playroom.
Simply removed the drawers, flipped the tabs inside the shelves upside down, and then went to the hardware store and had them cut shelves to fit. We primed the shelves with spray primer and then painted them a metallic champagne color. We removed the tacked-on back of the dresser, chose some fun fabric and wrapped the tacked piece of the dresser with the fabric. Then I put the tacked piece back on the dresser. I bought some coordinating paper from a scrapbook store and then lined the drawers with the fun paper and hung them up. SUPER EASY, but FUN!
Can already envision Malachi and Mercy pulling books off these shelves for me to read to them.
EXCITED and thankful for the many who have joined us to help bring them home.
If you someone who loves orphans and would like to help us bring our precious children home,
check this out! Give at least $1, and then Share with your friends and family!
Hope you like the dresser concept, but even more so, I pray that you will join us in our adoption journey!
BEFORE
AFTER
Sunday, August 12, 2012
YOU can help bring Malachi and Mercy home
Monday, July 30, 2012
We invite you to join us to help bring Malachi and Mercy home
Dear friends, family, and those who don't know us, but also love orphans!
From Paul:
In 2003, our family left everything and moved to Boise, ID to start The Pursuit. We had no idea what God would do in and through us as we stepped forward in obedience. It appears that 2012 is going to be another defining step of faith for us.
Angela and I have always talked about "maybe adopting a child.” When I went to Uganda in March of this year, I went to two different orphanages. While visiting them, God made it clear that it was time for us to adopt and startled me when He said, "Don't stop at one."
Upon my return to Idaho, we met with a blessed family who has adopted from Africa, and we committed to adopting two children from the same place. On April 4, Angela and I walked into an adoption agency to begin the process. Then, on May 12, Angela received a call that a 3-year-old boy who could be our son had just arrived at the orphanage. On May 20, we received a call that a two-year-old girl had just arrived at the same orphanage. Their pictures grabbed our hearts, and we knew they were ours.
From Angela:
The journey since has not been easy. On June 16th, we received a call telling us that M&M were sick with malaria and typhoid and in the hospital. When your children are 8,423ish miles from you and you find out they have life-threatening illnesses, you are reminded of your complete dependence on God. We asked everyone to pray, and on June 21st, we got the call that all of the children in the orphanage had pulled through and were on meds and recovering.
What is it like to live in their city? Here is an excerpt from an article I found: “Violence is everywhere. Extreme deprivations due to the collapse of the formal economy and State institutions have created a underclass of demoralised and impoverished citizens. People there suffer from hunger. Children are starving from malnutrition or disease.”
Our children live in a orphanage with no running water or electricity. However, they are being fed and cared for medically by precious caregivers. We are so thankful to those who are laying down their lives for our children for this time.
We have learned that Mercy has a huge bright smile and is friendly with the other kids. Malachi appears very healthy and is fun too. They both loved the photo books we sent, and they enjoyed showing their friends their new family.
If we moved to Africa today, Malachi and Mercy would legally be Hatfields! We are so anxious to go pick them up and bring them home, but we have to wait for all the legal paperwork to go through before we can do this.
From our family:
We are so excited to bring these two beautiful children home. We have been so blessed by the love and support from our friends and church family. We want to give you the opportunity to join us in making a difference in the lives of these two orphans.
The first thing we would ask you to do is pray faithfully for Malachi and Mercy. Pray for their spiritual, emotional and physical health. Pray that they will already be attachinging to us as mom and dad through pictures and that God would be preparing them for the trip to the U.S. and their arrival in our home. Pray for our patience as we anticipate traveling there in October.
We also would like to ask those of you who are able to consider participating financially in what we are doing. The total cost of adopting them will be in excess of $30,000. We do not have the resources to bring them into our home without your help. We are blessed that Lifesong for Orphans has agreed to help us with the adoption by receiving donations which allows gifts to be tax-deductible* and has generously agreed to match the first $3,000 that is given by our friends and family through September 19th. Please do not use money for this that you had intended to give toward your local church.
By participating in this process, you will know forever that you were a part of changing the lives of these two orphans.
If you would like to participate by check, please write "preference Hatfield #3013 adoption" in the memo and send it no later than September 19th to:
Lifesong for Orphans
P.O. Box 40 / 202 N Ford St
Gridley, IL 61744
USE THE LINK BELOW TO DONATE THROUGH PAYPAL
Include "preference Hatfield #3013 adoption" to make sure your gift helps Malachi & Mercy.
http://lifesongfororphans.org/donation.html
PayPal charges 1.9-2.9% fees and your gift will be reduced by that amount.
*Note: In following IRS guidelines, your donation is to the named non-profit organization. This organization retains full discretion over its use, but intends to honor the donor's suggested use.
From Paul:
In 2003, our family left everything and moved to Boise, ID to start The Pursuit. We had no idea what God would do in and through us as we stepped forward in obedience. It appears that 2012 is going to be another defining step of faith for us.
Angela and I have always talked about "maybe adopting a child.” When I went to Uganda in March of this year, I went to two different orphanages. While visiting them, God made it clear that it was time for us to adopt and startled me when He said, "Don't stop at one."
From Angela:
The journey since has not been easy. On June 16th, we received a call telling us that M&M were sick with malaria and typhoid and in the hospital. When your children are 8,423ish miles from you and you find out they have life-threatening illnesses, you are reminded of your complete dependence on God. We asked everyone to pray, and on June 21st, we got the call that all of the children in the orphanage had pulled through and were on meds and recovering.
What is it like to live in their city? Here is an excerpt from an article I found: “Violence is everywhere. Extreme deprivations due to the collapse of the formal economy and State institutions have created a underclass of demoralised and impoverished citizens. People there suffer from hunger. Children are starving from malnutrition or disease.”
Our children live in a orphanage with no running water or electricity. However, they are being fed and cared for medically by precious caregivers. We are so thankful to those who are laying down their lives for our children for this time.
We have learned that Mercy has a huge bright smile and is friendly with the other kids. Malachi appears very healthy and is fun too. They both loved the photo books we sent, and they enjoyed showing their friends their new family.
From our family:
We are so excited to bring these two beautiful children home. We have been so blessed by the love and support from our friends and church family. We want to give you the opportunity to join us in making a difference in the lives of these two orphans.
The first thing we would ask you to do is pray faithfully for Malachi and Mercy. Pray for their spiritual, emotional and physical health. Pray that they will already be attachinging to us as mom and dad through pictures and that God would be preparing them for the trip to the U.S. and their arrival in our home. Pray for our patience as we anticipate traveling there in October.
We also would like to ask those of you who are able to consider participating financially in what we are doing. The total cost of adopting them will be in excess of $30,000. We do not have the resources to bring them into our home without your help. We are blessed that Lifesong for Orphans has agreed to help us with the adoption by receiving donations which allows gifts to be tax-deductible* and has generously agreed to match the first $3,000 that is given by our friends and family through September 19th. Please do not use money for this that you had intended to give toward your local church.
By participating in this process, you will know forever that you were a part of changing the lives of these two orphans.
If you would like to participate by check, please write "preference Hatfield #3013 adoption" in the memo and send it no later than September 19th to:
Lifesong for Orphans
P.O. Box 40 / 202 N Ford St
Gridley, IL 61744
USE THE LINK BELOW TO DONATE THROUGH PAYPAL
Include "preference Hatfield #3013 adoption" to make sure your gift helps Malachi & Mercy.
http://lifesongfororphans.org/donation.html
PayPal charges 1.9-2.9% fees and your gift will be reduced by that amount.
*Note: In following IRS guidelines, your donation is to the named non-profit organization. This organization retains full discretion over its use, but intends to honor the donor's suggested use.
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