challenges

I have 2 challenges for everyone today.  One is fun, and one will be hard.  We’ll start with the fun. 

Go here and take the 2013 “Be My Valentine” Marriage Challenge.  There are activities for every week between now and Valentine’s Day to make this season extra special for someone you love.  The weekly challenges are fun and will bring some extra spice to your marriage.

And then, when you’re done looking that over, c’mon back.  The second challenge is a bit tougher.  Okay…a LOT tougher.

I want you to go read an incredibly fascinating series of articles about adoption.  Yes, it’s primarily about adoption in and from China, but much of the information is true regardless of where in the world you are talking about orphans.  I know my heart is in turmoil, knowing that we have the resources and the ability to change the world for another child or two, but not necessarily feeling the pull at the moment.  It’s that impossible question:  when you know the RIGHT thing to do but you don’t feel like doing it, is it okay to say ‘no’?  I’m thinking God would have some thoughts on that!  I’m definitely praying here about what we do next.  (No, it’s not likely that we’ll ever be adopting again.  Stranger things have happened, I know, but I would fall over in a dead faint if we moved forward.  We’ll see.  This is when I’m grateful God is in charge, not me.     )

The articles:

• The Changing Face of China’s Orphans
• Changing Attitudes
• The Adoption of Boys (this one breaks my heart!!)
• Domestic Adoption on the Rise
• Birth Defects
• New Challenges
• Why International Adoption Still Matters

All these articles were written by Amy Eldridge, whose organization (Love without Boundaries) has been involved in orphan care in China for over 10 years.  LWB does incredible work there!! 

Happy reading!  Can’t wait to hear what you think of the challenges.