Frequently Asked Question (from FHTH September newsletter)

Q. If someone I know adopts a child with HIV, aren't they putting themselves and all the rest of us at risk of catching it?

A. So many of us are afraid when we hear the terms HIV and AIDS: and this is understandable! We have seen what the disease can do! But many people don't know that HIV is a very fragile virus - it begins to die immediately when it leaves the body - and there are very specific
ways that it is transmitted. HIV is only transmitted when the virus enters the bloodstream. This only occurs through sexual contact; through the use of contaminated needles or other sharp instruments, or receiving a transfusion of HIV-infected blood products; and from a mother who is HIV infected to her child during pregnancy, childbirth, labor and delivery, and breast-feeding. HIV exposure does not occur with normal household contact. It is not transmitted through tears, saliva, mucus or other bodily fluids. HIV+ individuals can, (and do!) share cups, baths, pools, dishes, bathrooms, and normal life! In addition, advances in treatment in past years have transitioned HIV from what used to be a terminal disease to a chronic illness. When children
receive treatment for their HIV, the amount of virus in their bloodstream can be brought so low that it is considered "undetectable" - making the possibility of transmission that much more remote!

(From HIV to Home Sept 08 newsletter)

"History will judge us on how we respond to the AIDS emergency in Africa...whether we stood around with watering cans and watched while a
whole continent burst into flames.....or not."
Bono

On a lighter note.....

Pumpkin Spice Lattes are back at Starbucks! Had one on Sunday morning - delicious!

Quote for the week

"I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must always take sides."

- Elie Wiesel

Unexpected Blessing

Happy Monday every0ne! So this weekend I was on a church retreat Friday and Saturday. It was an awesome time of fellowship and communion with God. One of Scriptures that we focused on was the story of when Jesus came to dine with Mary and Martha. I was convicted (yet again) of my Martha attitude and habits and my longing to just sit at the feet of Jesus, as Mary did. I was also so encouraged as I thought about how Jesus was SO patient and gentle with Martha as she ran around frantically making sure everything "was perfect". How awesome to know that I have been adopted into the family of this Saviour who patiently waits and beckons me to come and just find rest and joy at His feet!

So anyway, while I was at this retreat, I stole a moment to check my email (so Martha-ish!). I had received an email from the Director from "From HIV to Home" - even though she lives in Colorado - we have become fast friends over email as we talk about the many blessings (and few challenges) that come with adopting an HIV+ child. She wrote me to inform me that a family (whom I have never met) will be doing a fund raising walk for me in early September. This family (who also has 2 adopted children from Liberia) will be walking to raise money to help bring little Jeremiah home. Can you believe it? The joy and amazement I feel in knowing that this family would sacrifice their time, money, and energy in order to bless Jeremiah and myself is absolutely amazing. I serve a very big God -a holy God - a God that continues to bless and amaze me in the most unexpected ways. Would you please join me in praying that the fund raising they do is a big success, but more importantly, that God would bless this family in amazing ways for the sacrificial work they are doing!

FAQ's and more great information!

Check out some FAQ's on the From HIV to Home blog :) Here's the link!

Informational Picnic!

Hey everyone! The informational picnic last weekend went amazingly well - thank you for your prayers! Many of my dear friends and family took time out of their busy schedules to come and learn more about adoption as well as become a little more educated about HIV. Dr. Christa and her husband, Rob, shared their story about how God moved their hearts to embrace a little one from Zambia, after serving as missionaries there and personally witnessing the tragedy of watching the great suffering of AIDS that has already taken millions of lives, including millions of innocent children. I'm so tremendously thankful for everyone's attentiveness, honest questions, and excitement about this little one joining my family! Here's some pic's from the day!

P.S. I've decided on one of little busters names - Jeremiah (after Jeremiah 29:11).
P.P.S. I got fingerprinted this past Saturday - now I'm waiting for USCIS approval - which will probably take about 2 months.

Isaiah - isn't he absolutely adorable!

Bulch and Isaiah playing a little game of catch!


Introducing Scott! If you haven't met him yet, he's amazing - hope you all get to meet him soon! I am a very lucky girl!

Rob and Christa's brood enjoying pizza!


In this shot, you can see Dr. Christa standing at the front and her husband Rob standing in the kitchen area. Also in the shot are my little bro and sis Tim and Brooke, step-mom Dottie, and work colleague Peg!

Me and little bro :)

My sweet sisters in the Lord, Allison, Anna, and Sam

Thanks for checking in everyone! I'd love to hear from you so leave a comment or shoot me an email and let me know what's up with you all!

Adoption Update

It's been a while since I've updated you all on how the adoption is going....this is because well....there's a lot of "hurry up and wait" in an adoption process. For the past (what seems like forever) we've been tweaking my homestudy to reflect my desire to adopt an HIV+ child (hopefully boy) from Ethiopia. That is finally done! YEAH! We've also had to do some research into some extra immigration forms that need to be done to bring an HIV+ child into the U.S. - my worker had never seen these forms before and we had to do some digging to figure out who/when/where these needed to be done. But - we eventually did figure it out. And finally, my Immigration packet to Homeland Security has been sent out as of yesterday! This is a big step in the process - and typically takes between 1-3 months. Once I get "approval" from the big D.C. dudes that I can bring an orphan into the U.S., we will send the full completed packet to Ethiopia and then wait for a referral (a "referral" is when the staff in Ethiopia look at my packet of information and "match" me with a child). I'm not expecting a long wait for my referral simply due tothe incredible number of HIV+ kids that need homes. I'm praying right now that I'll be traveling sometime early 2009 - but I'll certainly keep you all posted as I know more. In the meantime, a big thank-you to all of you for your continued prayers and encouragement! I certainly covet them and am grateful that God has blessed me with so many incredible friends and a great family! My cup overfloweth!