In need of help!

So I have been meaning to write since our last post but I have also been doing some serious prep to teach at a local campus ministry at Syracuse University called Campus Crusade for Christ.  That being said, I promise there is a post in the works to tell all about the day and experience in court.

The news for now is that Dan and Bella have been surrendered for adoption to us and we will begin that process starting in March.

In the meantime we are in need of desperate prayer!  Dan and Bella's biological parents requested a final visit with them before they are adopted.  It is coming up this Sunday.

We would ask that you pray for us through this time of transition.  The kids have not seen their biological parents since May of last year and we are preparing for a rough week here in the Owen house.  Pray for the parents and the hurt and pain that comes with this process.  Pray for healing through Christ.  Pray for Dan and Bella as they see their biological parents for the first time in over 9 months.  Pray for comfort and strength for each of them.  Pray for Alaina and I as we navigate this time with the kids.  Pray for wisdom, peace and strength that only God can give to us.

We thank each of you for taking the time to read this and joining us in this journey.  We appreciate your prayers.

Today could be life changing

Today could be the beginning of a new era in our lives.  Today could be the day that changes the rest of our decisions.  The day that is talked about in Ephesians 1:4-6.  The purpose that God had predestined us for adoption as sons through Christ.

Today is the day that two little children could begin their journey into our family, permanently. 

I know that over the course of the past few years we have not talked too much about our role or children as foster parents.  The truth is that when you have kids, and we have had 6 over the past 3 years, there is not a lot of time to blog about them.  There is nearly enough time to shower without an interruption!  Today is different.  The course of the last 18 months has been a loving and amazing experience.  There is so much I could write on this but I am simply on a 30 minute lunch break at work. 

Today is the day that we go to our first "surrender" hearing.  Alaina and I have talked so many times of the option of adopting and find it to be one of the greatest joys and gracious ways to show God's unhindered love for his children.  Today may be the day.

We would just ask one thing for those that actually take the time to read this.  Pray.  Not that we "get" these kids but that God may be glorified in whatever the circumstance is.  Whether their parents decide to surrender or they decide to fight for them.  Pray for the parents.  Pray that their hearts would be opened to the true love that is found in Christ.  Pray for Dan and Bella, that God's will for their life would be accomplished.  Pray for Alaina and I, that our hearts would not be set on keeping them but demonstrating true never stopping, never giving up, always and forever love for Dan and Bella no matter what happens.

To God alone be the glory!

Can I Brag for a Moment....

It's Brandon's 30th birthday today and I just wanted to take a moment to brag about him. The other day I had to write a letter of recommendation on how he leads our family so I thought I would share it with all of you because I am so proud to be married to him. So here it is...

I am very blessed to be married to Brandon! He shows Godly leadership in the way that he loves us, desires all of us to grow closer to God, and through helping us understand decisions that are made as a family. Brandon loves toward me and his family is the best example of true love, Jesus’ love, that I have ever experienced. He is caring, respectful, kind, trustworthy, and selfless. He is not too proud to say I'm sorry and ask for forgiveness when he has done something wrong....even if it is something minute that I or the kids would probably forget about, he still apologizes. The way that Brandon is learning to discipline the children is in love and not out of anger. He also shows his love by diligently pursuing me and serving us. He serves us by working hard to provide for our family. At home he serves me with a joyful heart every day by helping around the house, with the children, and with other responsibilities such as finances. I believe people who come into our home see a different kind of love between the two of us because Brandon has a servant’s heart for God and his family.

He not only desires all of us to grow closer to God but also challenges us and will keep us accountable. We read scripture together as a couple and separately, do a devotion together and read the Bible with the kids on a daily basis. He is able to help me understand Biblical concepts and is always eager to help me learn more about God. He continues to help the children understand who God is and how he sent Jesus to be our hero. I also appreciate the way he is willing to confront me in a gentle way when the fruits of the spirit are not as evident at a particular moment as they should be. Brandon is an amazing example of Godly living for me and the kids to see and want to follow. Dan often says to me, " Daddy is a good daddy." When I ask him why he always replies, "Because daddy loves Jesus." I would agree with Dan, he is wonderful because he loves Jesus more than anything and wants us to as well!

We have had to make numerous life changing decisions in the past six years. Through each decision Brandon has helped lead us in praying and seeking God's will. In some decisions it may have taken me longer to "jump on board" but he was always there for me. We both want to be used by God to bring glory to His name. I believe Brandon does a wonderful job of reminding our family that this is our goal. I proud to say that my husband is the real deal....he not only speaks truth but he lives it out daily. This doesn't mean he is perfect but he is constantly pursuing righteousness and it is evident in many ways including the Godly way he leads our family.

So very thankful to celebrate his 30th birthday with him.... I can't wait to spend the next thirty birthdays (or a lot more) with him!

Epic Sled Run UPDATE

Alright everyone,
I know that this is about a week late and now all the snow has once again melted and left us with single digit temperatures and no snow, but I wanted to make sure I kept you updated.

As you can see, it starts at the top of our driveway and runs down  the side of our driveway.  Dan took it a few times before we really got into it.  Once it curves down at the end of the fence, it curves back to the right and continues on down the neighbors side yard.

After about 2 hours of repeated runs down it, I had to bribe Dan in with the hope of dinner.  He was shivering so bad and telling me, "Just one more time.....please!!!!!"

This only lasted for one day and the next day the temperature was below zero!  Followed by a 40 degree day and rain that wiped it all away....sad day.

When the next substantial snow fall comes you can guarantee that we will be rebuilding this thing for sure.

The most epic sled run ever!

Its official! Now that we have snow I have devised a plan to make the most epic sled run ever! I have had it planned since we moved to our new house in July. I knew from the start that it was going to be a small but worthy undertaking. For those of you who have never had the joy of experiencing a Syracuse winter, we get enough snow to be able to plan things like this. (See previous post on "How to survive a Syracuse winter")

Since we have had an record breaking slow start to the winter, we have not had an accumulation that has stuck around.  However, today we hopefully can officially start the sled run foundation.

I have debated on whether to charge a small fee for my neighbors or friends since it will be such an epic undertaking and experience once finished.  Nothing astronomical,  5 and under free and over five is $2 all day long. What do you think?

Yeah I don't think anyone will buy it either.  So in light of that, we are going to continue to build it and see if they come....I know, bad Field of Dreams reference.

Keep checking in to see how the progress is going.  I will keep you all up to date!

Dare I say.....different, changed, transformed

Found this video through our friends at the Dave Thomas Foundation.  As I watched it I couldn't help but see the faces of the 6 kids that have been through our home and hear them repeating these words.  Though at times their actual words may not express there needs or their inner feelings, they are longing to belong.  To be a part of a family that will love them unconditionally.  Not for who they are, what they offer, how cute they can be, how much money they bring in, whether or not they behave all the time or any other reason short of them being children of the Most High God.  Made in His image.  Designed to be loved the way God loves us.  Unconditional.

We have a bible for the kids that is called the Jesus Story Book Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones and the entire book helps children to understand that Jesus is in every story.  That is wasn't about the law of the Old Testament versus the Jesus of the New Testament but that the entire book is written by Jesus, for Jesus, through Jesus and that "every story whispers His name."  She has a fun phrase that the kids get a kick out of but I would challenge  each of us to use it in our description of how God loves us. God loves us with a never stopping, never giving up, unbreaking, always and forever love!

Now imagine if every child in this video had the opportunity to experience that?  What would it look like if every person who saw this video was moved to be a foster parent and show a child love?  What would our foster care system look like if every church had 3-5 sets of foster parents?  What would the life of these children look like then?

Dare I say.....different, changed, transformed

The tug of a bow, the tug of a heart

Bella had her first Christmas Concert last night and we were excited to go!  I had the great opportunity to get her dressed in her little sparkling Christmas dress! I couldn't help but think in the instant that it could only be a second and she could be 18 and heading to prom.  I would be grilling her date and checking to make sure that he received the email I had sent to him about the schedule for the night and my expectations.

For a brief moment, I thought about how fast the time we have had with them has gone by.  I remember just yesterday them coming to our home and how tiny and cute they were.  Thankfully they are still cute but they are growing out of clothes by the minute it feels like.

Later that night we came home and we did our normal routine but I couldn't help but feel a tug in my heart.  A tug initiated by God to savor every minute we have with them.  Realizing that we are only stewards of these kids.  That tug was then strengthened by the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption special on TV called "A Home for the Holidays."  This show highlights the need for parents, both foster and adoptive, in the lives of thousands of kids who are waiting for homes!  I would plead with you to check out this website and maybe your local organizations to see if there is someway to get involved.  Maybe its not being a foster parent but praying for those who are?  Maybe its being a Big brother or Big sister?  Whatever the case let us not just feel the tug and not act.

Our prayer and our mindset from the beginning was to be agents of change in our community through presenting the love that is found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ to every child that comes through our home.  That we would live our lives as such a reflection of the Gospel that the kids in our home could not help but notice.  Not just with our current kids but with every child that we have the privilege to love.

...In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.   

Ephesians 1:4-6 ESV

Back in the Game!

It is official! Now that I just spent 39 minutes restating the passwords and finding out that Google has bought out Blogspot, (Like everything else but Apple) we are back into blogging.  We have been away too long and need to revamp this old dog into a new space where family can interact and keep up with us and not just read about what happened last...year.  So here is to a new adventure into (old) blogging.  Look forward to a redesign soon along with updates!

Facebook?

Facebook has officially taken me away from the blog.....I feel like I have been kidnapped by an evil operating system that consumes my actual writing time.

He's better than UPS

So as you can imagine it has been a frustrating week yet today I write to tell you that the great provider (surprise surprise) found a house for us! It was not where WE were looking but it is an incredible place to live. We went and looked at it on Sunday and found it to be HUGE!!!! It is a four bedroom monster of a place that has a large back bonus room. About 2100 sq ft! I am using lots of exclamation marks because I am so excited about it. We could have a ton of kids in our place within a matter of months. One of the cool things about the place is it owned by one of our fellow Missio Church members and friends of ours.

They have spent the last three months completely renovating the entire place. Hardwood floor through out with new kitchen counter tops and brand new furnace. place is going to fit us perfect.

Well, I have to go to work now but thought I would keep you up to date. Check back soon to see about how our trip to Georgia went and the move. We will be moving in the next two weeks so please pray for us!