For Those Who Feel "Worn"...

May you see redemption win!

I'm tired 

I'm worn 

My heart is heavy 

From the work it takes to keep on breathing 

I've made mistakes 

I've let my hope fail 

My soul feels crushed 

By the weight of this world 

And I know that you can give me rest 

So I cry out with all that I have left 

Let me see redemption win 

Let me know the struggle ends 

That you can mend a heart that's frail and torn 

I want to know a song can rise 

From the ashes of a broken life 

And all that's dead inside can be reborn 

Cause I'm worn 

I know I need to lift my eyes up 

But I'm too weak 

Life just won't let up

And I know that You can give me rest 

So I cry out with all that I have left 

Let me see redemption win 

Let me know the struggle ends 

That you can mend a heart that's frail and torn 

I want to know a song can rise 

From the ashes of a broken life 

And all that's dead inside can be reborn 

Cause I'm worn 

And my prayers are wearing thin 

I'm worn even before the day begins 

I'm worn 

I've lost my will to fight 

I'm worn 

So heaven come and flood my eyes 

Let me see redemption win 

Let me know the struggle ends 

That you can mend a heart that's frail and torn 

I want to know a song can rise 

From the ashes of a broken life 

And all that's dead inside can be reborn 

Yes all that's dead inside will be reborn 

Though I'm worn 

Yeah I'm worn

Adoption Podcasts

Here's some great podcasts that have been featured on Family Life Today about adoption. Take a listen when you have a chance...

Reaching Out to the Orphan, Part 1 (w/Dennis Rainey, Rick Warren, Russell Moore and Jedd Medefind) - great message for men ;-)

Reaching Out to the Orphan, Part 2 (w/Dennis Rainey, Rick Warren, Russell Moore and Jedd Medefind)

More to Give (w/Mark and Katharyn Richt)

Adoption: The Gift That Keeps On Giving (w/Mark and Katharyn Richt)

Two Lives Changed (w/Chey Gethers and Mary Lee)

God's Call to Adoption (w/Jill Savage)

Adoption Seen Through Jesus' Eyes (w/Russell Moore)

Welcome to the Family (w/Russell Moore)

Embracing Adoption (w/Russell Moore)

Grappling with Infertility (w/Russell Moore)

Adoption Update - Oct. 4, 2012

It is with a heavy heart that we share this news with you. We just found out this afternoon that "Little R" has an uncle in Uganda that wants to keep him. Amazing to me that Little R was in an orphanage for over a year and not one relative came forward to even visit him. And now, this man came out of the blue and said he will keep him. In his words, they will "manage". The uncle already has Little R in his custody and we are no longer able to adopt him. Don't get me wrong, I am totally for reunification with family IF they are able to provide the child with a good home. I've just seen too many cases in Uganda where children are tossed from family to family and they aren't given proper care. They are often times forced to work hard at an early age, are abused, or go hungry. I just pray that Little R doesn't become one of those cases.

I have never personally lost a child in the womb, but I can imagine what I'm feeling is somewhat similar to what a mother experiences when she looses her unborn child. You spend months thinking about your child and what life will be like once they are with your family. You dream about them and their future. You pray for them and that you will be good parents. And then one day, they are gone. Totally unexpected. It is at that moment that you realize that life's not fair. In fact, sometimes it stinks (as a nice way to put it). But then you get up off the floor, brush off your pants, and thank God for another day. You realize that even when times are tough, God has a perfect plan and we must trust in Him and His promises.

Would you please join our family in praying for this uncle? If he truly is supposed to care for Little R, please pray that he will be a good role model, teach him about Jesus, love on him and that he will be a good provider for his needs. And if he's not supposed to care for him, please pray that God impresses on his heart that there is a family that already loves him and wants to adopt him. Pray that he understands what a big responsibility it is to raise a child and if he can't step up then he needs to step down.

We are so very sad but I suppose situations like this are to be expected. I keep hearing stories of how hard adoption is and I believe it. But I also believe very strongly that we are called to adopt and God will get us through the tough times. We just need a little time to grieve but we aren't going to let this stop us. We will continue on with our adoption journey and follow God's leading. We appreciate your prayers - and especially for Little R, wherever he is.

A Story of Love for "Little R"

Before viewing the video, please be sure to pause the music at the top of this page ;-)

Ugandan Bags and Beads for Sale

When I went to Uganda this past June, I had the privilege of visiting Arise and Shine babies home in Jinja, which is in southern Uganda. Arise and Shine is run by an AmAzInG woman named Sharon Nyanjura. Sharon is doing awesome things for her community - including running an orphanage for about 25 children; she began a school and is offering education to over 200 children; she has several income-generating projects going on which is helping employ many, many people who would otherwise be jobless; and she has Adult Outreach classes, as well, teaching adults about how to read and educating them about Sexual and Reproductive Health.

Two of her income-generating projects employs single women and widows and educates them on how to make beautiful Ugandan beaded jewelry and bags. I was able to bring many of the items they make home with me to sell here in the States. As I sell items, I send 100% of their sales back to Sharon which, in turn, goes back to these ladies and to the Arise and Shine babies home.

As you begin your holiday shopping, or if you just need a special and unique gift item, PLEASE consider purchasing some of these beads and bags. When you purchase one of these items, you are shopping with purpose and giving back to a community half a world away. These items are very well made, yet they offer a very affordable price. If you are interested in anything, please send me an e-mail to christyrowden@cox.net and describe what you'd like to purchase. (You can also purchase some of these items at Dolce Vita in Owasso and Creme de la Creme Boutique in Downtown Collinsville.)

Thank you for looking and please help spread the word!

Short chain - $10

Triple chain - $15

Long chain - $25

Chunky necklace - $25

Sling bag #1 - $15

Sling bag #2 - $15

Sling bag #3 - $15

Sling bag #4 - $15

Sling bag #5 - $15

Sling bag #6 - $15

Sling bag #7 - $15

Sling bag #8 - $15 

Ugandan Bag #1 with reinforced rings - $20 

Ugandan Bag #2 with reinforced rings - $20

Shopping bag made from recycled sugar bags - $25

Shopping bag made from recycled sugar bags - $25

Coin purses - $5

Legacy of an Adopted Child

Once there were two women who never knew each other. 

One you do not remember, the other you call "Mother". 

Two different lives, shaped to make you one... 

One became your guiding star, the other became your sun. 

The first one gave you life, and the second taught you to live it. 

The first gave you a need for love, the second was there to give it. 

One gave you a nationality, the other gave you a name. 

One gave you a seed of talent, the other gave you aim. 

One gave you emotions, the other calmed your fears. 

One saw your first sweet smile, the other dried your tears. 

One made an adoption plan, that was all that she could do. 

The other prayed for a child, and God led her straight to you. 

Now which of these two women are you the product of?

Both, my darling! Both! Just two different kinds of love. 

 ~ Author Unknown

"For this child I prayed and the Lord has granted me what I asked of Him." ~ 1 Samuel 1:27

Adoption Update - September 5, 2012

Just wanted to give a little update of sorts - although, because of privacy issues, I can't share a whole lot. We are so excited to announce that we have been "officially" matched up with a little 2 year old boy who we will refer to as "Little R". I actually got to meet him when I went to Uganda this past June but I didn't know at the time that we were going to be matched up. I wish we could post pictures of him, but again, because of privacy issues, we can't. Just know that he's so super sweet, ALL BOY (Lord, help me!), and he loves to give hugs!

Steve and I just got fingerprinted at the Homeland Security Office in OKC this morning so that's another big step checked off on our "To Do" list. Next, we will send our dossier documents to our attorney in Uganda (hopefully within the next few days) who will review our case and submit a request for a court date and hearing. Once we receive our hearing date, we could be given a very short notice (typically 1-3 weeks) and we'll be off on a plane to Uganda as a family to adopt our future son. We would love for this to all take place this year but we know it's all in God's hands and His timing.

My sweet friend, Kati, came up with a fun idea of how to help us raise money for our adoption - by saving coins for a month and keeping them in a baby bottle. (You can read more about all the details here in case you'd like to join in on the fun!) She's going to draw a name of all the families that have contributed on October 7th, and the winner will receive a Ugandan bead necklace from Katie Davis with Amazima Ministries. I can not even begin to tell you how amazed I am at Kati's unselfish, thoughtful, and always giving spirit. She is constantly thinking outside of the box and doing so much for others. Typical families (mine included) get so caught up in day-to-day activities and doing what it takes to barely get by, but she is always thinking about what she can do for others. I especially love her ELEOS and Adopt-a-Gram ministries her family has started. (You can read more about those on her blog, as well.) We need more Kati's in this world - it would be such a better place to live ;-)  I am also blown away at the number of people who said they'd like to save their coins for our adoption - most of whom we've never even met. Just goes to show you how God uses those who are available and He supplies all of our needs. Our family is so very humbled and thankful at the gracious and giving spirits of all who are stepping up to bring "Little R" home.

And on a different, yet similar note - did you hear that Scott Wells (with the St. Louis Rams) recently adopted three children from Uganda? I thought that was so cool. You can read more of his story here and here.

That's all for now but we'll share more details as we can and when we can. Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers - they are much appreciated!