Many of you may know that we have been praying about adoption. We feel very strongly that God is leading us down this path and Ethiopia has been where our hearts have been led and where our daughter is. We are now into the process.
In order for us to raise money, we are holding an Open House Chili Supper with an Ethiopian flair! It will be held on Saturday, November 7, 2009, from 4:00pm to 8:00pm. Please feel free to come and go as you please during this time. It will be at the Lake Forest Lodge, which is located at 511 Woodlake Drive, Louisville KY 40245.
To cover the cost of food for the event, a donation of $10 per adult is recommended.
Children are welcome! There will be an adult supervised play area. There will also be hot dogs for them!
A small silent auction will also be held. Checks and cash accepted only.
For those unable to attend, we will also be accepting donations. Checks can be written to Lifesong for Orphans. Please add "Rob & Mandi Allen" to the memo section and mail them to 10714 English Oak Court, Louisville KY 40241. All donations are tax deductible. Please be advised that due to checks being processed by Lifesong for Orphans, it may take a month or two for checks to be deposited by Lifesong for Orphans. If you need a receipt, please let us know.
We thank you in advance for your support financially but we would also covet continued prayers for this journey. We look forward to sharing with you as we follow God's will in adding to our family!
We have enjoyed watching friends go through their adoption journey and look forward to those who may be encouraged by our journey as well.
God bless!
Rob, Mandi & Carissa Allen
"Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west. I will say to the north, 'Give them up!' and to the south, 'Do not hold them back.' Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth." Isaiah 43:5-6
"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." James 1:27
"Faith assures us of things we expect and convinces us of the existence of things we cannot see." Hebrews 11:1
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Letter to Family
Well, today is my last vacation day for the week. I'm going to finally get Carissa's 7-year old pictures sent out to more family. In the letter, I'm going to annouce our adoption to those that might not know.
I referenced two verses that I think put meaning behind how I feel.
James 1:27 "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."
Isaiah 43:5-6 "Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west. I will say to the north, 'Give them up!' and to the south, 'Do not hold them back.' Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth."
I also introduced them to this blog. I'm going to do a better job of updating it when I can.
Have a great day!!!
I referenced two verses that I think put meaning behind how I feel.
James 1:27 "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."
Isaiah 43:5-6 "Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west. I will say to the north, 'Give them up!' and to the south, 'Do not hold them back.' Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth."
I also introduced them to this blog. I'm going to do a better job of updating it when I can.
Have a great day!!!
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Tuesday....Well, now it's Wednesday!
Well, I can't sleep! There's too much on my brain with the complete master bathroom gut, the yard work we're doing, the fundraiser we are planning and lastly, the last bit of paperwork for the home study we need to get in. Why on earth is this home study paperwork being the bear? I would have rather pulled a tooth out! LOL
But, a few more pieces and we are done and will be waiting on the results of the home study. We have our fingerprint appointment on the 19th. We will now begin collecting information for our dossier, which I've been told is a lot of what we already have for the homestudy.
Rob and I talked in depth last night about what we really think is best for our family. We really wanted to adopt two children from Ethiopia but are both feeling like God is saying one at this time. I'm almost at peace with the situation. I will; however, still let God lead this adventure and guide us into what He wants. He's in control anyway, you know!
I'm getting very anxious but find myself "guarding my heart" so-to-speak. If I think about it too much or too deep, I get anxious and sad. I want our daughter's picture and I want her home with us. I have to TRUST and OBEY that God knows all of these feelings and will work it out in His timing. I will just continue to plug away at the paperwork and pray for her.
But, a few more pieces and we are done and will be waiting on the results of the home study. We have our fingerprint appointment on the 19th. We will now begin collecting information for our dossier, which I've been told is a lot of what we already have for the homestudy.
Rob and I talked in depth last night about what we really think is best for our family. We really wanted to adopt two children from Ethiopia but are both feeling like God is saying one at this time. I'm almost at peace with the situation. I will; however, still let God lead this adventure and guide us into what He wants. He's in control anyway, you know!
I'm getting very anxious but find myself "guarding my heart" so-to-speak. If I think about it too much or too deep, I get anxious and sad. I want our daughter's picture and I want her home with us. I have to TRUST and OBEY that God knows all of these feelings and will work it out in His timing. I will just continue to plug away at the paperwork and pray for her.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Adoption Fundraiser
Well, we are in the process! We are planning a big TO-DO to raise some money to bring our child(ren) home! Details to follow. Make sure you reserve November 7th from 4pm-8pm to come see us!
Adoption Fundraiser
Well, we are in the process! We are planning a big TO-DO to raise some money to bring our child(ren) home! Details to follow. Make sure you reserve November 7th from 4pm-8pm to come see us!
Saturday, August 22, 2009
This Week
Well, I haven't be able to post for awhile again. But, now that we have a computer in our kitchen, it's going to make it much easier! Thanks to some awesome friends!
Mandi started working day shift with UPS on August 3rd. The job is definately more physical but rewarding as well. She manifests containers, checks Hazmats to be sure they are air-worthy and puts them in HMMS. She closes containers after they have been loaded. Blah Blah Blah. She's sure not many people know what she does so she won't bore you anymore! Let's just say she doesn't dread work anymore, has more time with the family and she can sleep at night!!!!!
Carissa started 2nd grade on August 13th and loves it. Her teacher, Mrs. Farley, is amazing! She's been teaching elementary school for 22 years. She has a soft voice and personality, which will go far with Carissa.
We also had our first home study on August 17th. Adoption Assistance is great. We love them and Meredith was so very sweet. She was here for a couple of hours to ask us a few general questions and look around the house. Everything went great and she was so easy to talk too! Our next one is scheduled for September 10th and I believe that will be the big question night!
Well, gotta go for now. See ya'll later!
Mandi started working day shift with UPS on August 3rd. The job is definately more physical but rewarding as well. She manifests containers, checks Hazmats to be sure they are air-worthy and puts them in HMMS. She closes containers after they have been loaded. Blah Blah Blah. She's sure not many people know what she does so she won't bore you anymore! Let's just say she doesn't dread work anymore, has more time with the family and she can sleep at night!!!!!
Carissa started 2nd grade on August 13th and loves it. Her teacher, Mrs. Farley, is amazing! She's been teaching elementary school for 22 years. She has a soft voice and personality, which will go far with Carissa.
We also had our first home study on August 17th. Adoption Assistance is great. We love them and Meredith was so very sweet. She was here for a couple of hours to ask us a few general questions and look around the house. Everything went great and she was so easy to talk too! Our next one is scheduled for September 10th and I believe that will be the big question night!
Well, gotta go for now. See ya'll later!
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Special Thoughts
You know. Right now things are hectic. My drive home this morning was one of reflection and deep thought. Maybe listening to Third Day brought it on. Who knows. I thought of my hours and how much I can't stand leaving my house each night. I am a home-body, especially at night. My favorite time of the day is right before bedtime when I can put my pajamas on and veg in front of the tv and snuggle with my family. It's dark and I'm in my warm, safe home. I miss those times. I guess the best part of my day right now is early morning when I'm getting home from work when I can take a few minutes to unwind and then stumble through the house as quiet as a mouse being careful not to wake anyone and crawl into bed. I can then finally relax and think while it's dark and quiet. (Of course, I can either hear Rob snore or put my earplugs in and hear myself breathing. Hum....) Anyway, often times my mind races of all the things I need to do that day when I get up but sometimes if all falls into place, I can pray and fall asleep in my Lord's arms (thanks Lesley!!!). I just have to take those few minutes to really place my family in His care.
I also thought about what my family is going to look like in a year. I love VBS and I absolutely love being around children! I couldn't help stop and think that I might have one or two more children there next Summer. Wow! That blows my mind! As I pray for Carissa and her salvation and how much I want her to absorb His word and teachings, I also pray for that child (or children) that will one day hear His word too. It gives me chill bumps! Oh, to pray for all of them to come to know the Lord as I do.
As I close now, my mind still goes back to how glad I am that the Lord knows me and my heart. He knows I worry about how all of this is going to come together. I have to continue to remind myself to obey and trust Him, the maker of everything and author of my life.
I also thought about what my family is going to look like in a year. I love VBS and I absolutely love being around children! I couldn't help stop and think that I might have one or two more children there next Summer. Wow! That blows my mind! As I pray for Carissa and her salvation and how much I want her to absorb His word and teachings, I also pray for that child (or children) that will one day hear His word too. It gives me chill bumps! Oh, to pray for all of them to come to know the Lord as I do.
As I close now, my mind still goes back to how glad I am that the Lord knows me and my heart. He knows I worry about how all of this is going to come together. I have to continue to remind myself to obey and trust Him, the maker of everything and author of my life.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
The Paper Chase Continues....
My goodness. I have got to find time to sit down with Rob and finish these initial applications. There are just blanks here and there that need to be filled in and we need to work together. These past two weeks have just been so darn hectic that when we finally get to spend time together, it's eating dinner or at church! My 3rd shift schedule isn't helping matters at all. I'm still praying the Lord works out all of those details when our child(ren) come home to us. I don't want to work anymore but take care of my family again like I did when Carissa was smaller. That's my priority and will be much more then.
Last night at VBS, it was so eye opening for me. It was so neat to see the diversity in the children I served snacks too. I saw so many adopted children in that one small room in just a few groups. It is so AWESOME to see what God has done in the Highview family. My heart goes out to all children and last night, it went out to a cute little boy! YEP! I keep saying I want girls but this little guy warmed my heart up!
Well, enough working on paperwork this morning. Other things have to be done now. Please pray for Rob and I to find quality time this week to sit down together and finish up these minor questions. God bless!
Last night at VBS, it was so eye opening for me. It was so neat to see the diversity in the children I served snacks too. I saw so many adopted children in that one small room in just a few groups. It is so AWESOME to see what God has done in the Highview family. My heart goes out to all children and last night, it went out to a cute little boy! YEP! I keep saying I want girls but this little guy warmed my heart up!
Well, enough working on paperwork this morning. Other things have to be done now. Please pray for Rob and I to find quality time this week to sit down together and finish up these minor questions. God bless!
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Yes, it's final!
Yes, I'm still in shock that we have made the decision to adopt! It's been a long process of prayer and patience. The decision was ultimately made on Thursday night, June 4th around 9pm. We had both attended a meeting with Tera at Highview. Tera is wonderful and we are so looking forward to working with her throughout this journey! I will say up front, that I will be careful in what I'm saying. I don't want my blog to be used against our process. If anyone has any questions, please email me at mandibethallen@yahoo.com or call me!
So far, we have met with our placement agency here in Louisville that will be our connection with Ethiopia. I have also talked to our home study agency. We are in the process of filling out 3 applications to begin everything. I knew the process would be tough but these applications aren't short!
I will post more later.........
So far, we have met with our placement agency here in Louisville that will be our connection with Ethiopia. I have also talked to our home study agency. We are in the process of filling out 3 applications to begin everything. I knew the process would be tough but these applications aren't short!
I will post more later.........
Friday, June 5, 2009
Decision
Well, last night we made the decision to finally adopt into our family! I had been feeling the
Sunday, April 19, 2009
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