Why would you not do all you can?

One thing that I have been surprised at with all the news of Ethiopia adoption programs, is the lack of interest/urgency with many people that I may have considered "orphan advocates"...what is it?

*possibly too many "rumors" that have circulated, don't want to risk being a part one

*possibly a lack of seeing it as something that can truely be "influenced"

*possibly "orphan fatigue"

*or possibly, we knew changes needed to be made in international adoption, this just may be God's way of doing it

I still believe our immediate and even urgent response is right in this situation.

*Information has been supplied by very trust-worthy sources and verified.

*Things are just now being put into place, so the opportunity to influence is more open than when things are already established, see below, they are encouraging participation by Monday.

*Though it seems blog & e-mails are filled with this, but what if they "truely" were, what if everyone used their sphere of influence to contact all the people they can to really PRAY, this should be really exciting to us

*and the "hot topic" regarding orphans/adoptions...

it is going to take ALL of us in every way we can!

Above is picture of us visiting the Home of Hope in Ethiopia, local family in Ethiopia caring for orphaned kids (see Loving Shepherd side bar link). There is foster care, domestic adoption, child sponsorship programs, orphanages, programs for at-risk youth, clean water initiatives, and international adoption. These are not exclusive of each other, it is going to take all of these and many more to reach the children of the world. We can not afford to have big doors close, because we did not act, especially because we did not "care".

*So have you prayed about this situation, fervently? Do you trust that God is big enough to influence leaders? Can you pray with FAITH?

*Have you taken the minute to fill out the petition?

*Have you taken the time to contact your "sphere of influence" to encourage them to PRAY!?!

This is not a panic, this simple Biblical faith being

lived out in a practical way.

A sad day for Ethiopian adoptions

Dear Family & Friends,

Very sad news was shared that the Ethiopian government is planning to cut adoptions by up to 90%. We had heard rumors, and still there is a chance that this may not take place...please join with us to fervently pray and also to sign the on-line petition.

We know things are not "perfect" in the adoption world and so often on our adoption journeys we have felt Satan's hand trying to thwart God's plan, and yet personally, we have had 2 beautiful experiences with adoption. We have also seen the country of Guatemala virtually close to further adoptions due to government regulations. To think of all of the orphans needing families and yet having to remain in orphanages for many more years, is more than we can even bear to think. Oh, how our hearts ache for these all these kids, as we know God's heart does too!

Please pray & sign the on-line petition at

http://www.gopetition.com/petition/43714.html

Many blessings to you!
The Blume's

We count it our very great priviledge to have our precious children, and that 2 of our kids are "orphaned" no more...

And yet for those that were left behind...WE PRAY!!!!

We go "fwimming", mom?

Yes, the little 2 yr old "fish" in our family, loves to go "fwimming". We were happy to take her & her 2 brother "fish" to a hotel with pools this week for a little "vacation" as we call it (1 night :) Everybody had fun & swam & swam. Now I just have to keep all swimsuits & floaties & googles hidden because "little fishie" thinks we should go again...only 3 more months till the beach opens, Sweetheart!


About the only break we took from the pool, was "pretzel rolling"...very tasty!

"You've got the variety pack..."

It was a few weeks ago the kids & I were coming out of the library, it was SUPER windy. The boys had run a little bit ahead by van, I was running through the parking lot carrying Ellyana and the bags of books. We all were kinda laughing & screaming about how crazy windy it was. A lady got out of her car & saw Ellyana & I running, she smiled, then she rounded the corner & saw the boys, she called back to me "you've got the variety pack". I smiled too & called back, "I sure do!"

What a compliment, it was said with a smile, and well, we LOVE variety! Especially, when God is the One who put it together! So happy for our "pack"!

And for anyone who knows us in person, we pretty much are a "Variety Show" at all times & pretty much keep the saying true "variety is the spice of life" ;)

In other news:

BJ got his cast off on Wed.

Zach thought it would be worth getting up early to watch the cast being sawed off

The boys finished Indoor Soccer, they had a lot of fun their 1st time in the sport & learned a lot

Blessings to you!!!

Happy Valentine's Day from the Sillys

For whatever reason, they have been HARD to take seriously lately...

"We LOVE Him, because He first LOVED us."

Seeing God's work in a friend...

Kristy has been a dear friend for years, enjoy her "featured story" it does a beautiful job of sharing God's work

Read her story:
http://lifewithapersonalgod.blogspot.com/2011/02/everyone-has-story-kristys-story-love.html

See her pictures:
http://kccommunicationwiththeoutsideworld.blogspot.com/

Scroll down and see the Lifesong Cookbook she's been working on...its to benefit orphans so we already loved it! But seriously, I LOVE cookbooks and this one has it all...the old, tried & trues & the new fun stuff...it is a treasure!
http://www.lifesongfororphans.org/store.html

May you be encouraged & may God use you as He so faithfully has used Kristy & Ben!

Happy "Coming Home" Day, Zach...5 years!!!!!!

Soccer cupcakes & a friend over for lunch A few "treasures" throughout the day...all stuff he couldn't live without ;)Glo-golfing with our family(found BJ's old Guatemala shirt that fits Zach now...he was excited to wear it)

Our family, so thankful for our precious son from Guatemala

Its hard to believe ago that 5 years ago yesterday, you came HOME!!!! Yes, Dad & I had already visited you in Guatemala...but we had been waiting so long to get you HOME! You were a precious little 9 1/2 month old baby, who already loved our family! We love you so very much, you are a very good boy who is growing into a little man, a very fun best-friend for your brother & such a wonderful BIG brother for your little sister! We can't imagine life without you (it would be way too boring!), we know God has great things for you!!! We love you our precious, Zachariah, we are sooo happy to have you in our family!!!