TouchOne

Adoption shirts: Below are the three shirts we are selling to help cover our travel costs to Africa. As most of you know, we have to take two 10 day trips to complete the adoption.  Each shirt is $20.  There are two options when ordering. In-state and hand delivered or the shipping option which includes a $3.00 fee.  You can use your paypal or account or send us a check.  Information is located on the right side. Why these designs: We have been CHOSEN by God, and through the sacrifice of Jesus, we have been ADOPTED into his family. We did not choose Emmanuel to join our family; God has chosen our family for Emmanuel. This process has been hard in so many ways, but NOW we can see the light and know our gift from God is months away. Thank you for joining us in this journey to bring Emmanuel home.   The deepest and strongest foundation of adoption is located not in the act of humans adopting humans, but in God adopting humans. And this act is not part of his ordinary providence

Thank you for your concern and prayers as we walk down this path. The adoption journey is an express lane of emotions. Full of quick turns, long straight aways, but perhaps the hardest part is you can't see what lies ahead of you to properly prepare.   Adoption update We have had numerous updates over the last few weeks. Things appear to be returning to normal. However, we have no idea where we are in the process on the African side. We hope to have Emmanuel home by Christmas, but realistically, it could be another six months to twelve months. We have had his room ready, clothes in closet and books on his shelves (thanks Amy) for months. The truth of the matter is HE IS in complete control and I am not. The more I study scripture and it’s affect on my life, the more I feel prayer is our communication to God and the word is his communication to us. Growing up Jesus was a carpenter by trade which is such a beautiful picture of his character. When a carpenter sees a raw piece of

First, I/we want to say thank you for your thoughts, concerns, questions and prayers. You know going into this process it will be a long and complicated journey, but it’s really hard to properly prepare yourself for the roller-coaster ride. Emmanuel is not just a name or a little orphan boy in Africa. He is our son whom we love and desperately want home. Adoption update: This week we learned that our in-country partner reported a positive meeting with the government. We pray that our paperwork will begin to resume processing at beginning of next week. We also learned the last sets of fees are more than we anticipated and are prepared for which was a big blow. We are looking at different fundraising options. Please let me know if you have any ideas. Contact me @ rcall4him@gmail.com .  Jessica – returned to the University of Mobile yesterday for her junior year. Wow, hard to believe how fast time goes by. Jess is majoring in Intercultural Studies with a minor in Spanish. She will

This blog was started to keep others informed of our pending adoption of our son.  Those who know me know that I like to keep a journal of thoughts and  questions which I am struggling with in regards to learning about who God really is and who is that He wants to be.  I also wanted to document the journey for Emmanuel so he could clearly understand our hearts, mind and purpose.  This is that journal...the journey to find him... I walked into Buy Buy Baby the other night to pick something for Emmanuel and was immediately overwhelmed by the variety and selection.    I mean come on...my daughters are 19 and 15. We were thrilled to have Wal-mart. I was looking for ONE thing…yet in the midst of the clutter…I really had no idea where to go. I knew what I wanted…but didn’t know how to get there.   I guess people wonder why we are adopting at this point in our lives. We are so close to being empty neste

Emmanuel, I am thankful for the opportunity I have through technology to write and tell you a little of your life story. Admittedly, as you can imagine I spend a lot of time thinking about you and wondering what your life will be like. I have spent time reading and studying your social report. The reality is people will try to label you and even now call you orphan. However, labels don’t tell the real story behind who you are and who you will be. No one else has your eyes, nose, smile or even your laughter. No one will be able to hug, hold my hand or call me daddy just like you . No one will be able to play, laugh and cry with your sisters just like you . No one will be able to look at your mommy and tell her you love her just like you . Emmanuel you were never fatherless. The creator of all things formed you and molded you into his image in such a unique way, there is only ONE you. I pray over the years we become very close, and I can be the Father you need me to be. Most important

Silence...no t.v...no radio...no sound except the rain coming down outside.  In these moments I tend to be very reflective.  This  was the toughest week yet in regards to our adoption.  The last three weeks have been amazing with my family and I have enjoyed every minute...but we know...we don't have to say a word...we just look at each other with a certain glance and we know that we thinking about Emmanuel.  Adoption update:  Fortunately, this ‘hold’ only applies to our region, not the other areas of African country we are adopting in.  So, adoptions are still processing elsewhere in country, it’s just that any families with children in our immediate vicinity must wait until the policy regarding residency is hashed out. In case you missed it, they are trying to change the law which would require us to stay in country for three months prior to bring our son home.  Hopefully this will be an issue that resolves quickly.  Thank you: As I said before...this has been a tough week b

Sounds fill my head from all directions The beating of my heart The voices crying out in the darkness If not me who If not you who Faces flash before my eyes Their cries fill my head My heart begins to overflow The sounds begin to grow louder I am overwhelmed If not me who If not you who Who will go to the voices crying in the darkness? Who will go to the faces? Who will walk them through the storm? Who will show them the way home? If not me who You cried out and said I will go! I will go to then! You heard the voice crying in the darkness You heard the voice of the Great I Am. Alone in the quietness of your room God heard your prayer As you fell on your knees God watched as the tears fell down your face Before time began, God selected you God, in His infinite wisdom Knew in His heart you were the one You were the one who will care for this special little boyl. HE created her by hand just for YOU! God heard your prayers God placed him in your hands forever. Well done, my