MelissaStuff

Yesterday, I stopped into Wendy's and was excited to see that they are offering coupon books that are good for 5 Jr. Frosties for just $1 . . . and $3 million from the sale of these coupons goes to support the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption through Wendy's. It's been a while since I have said much about adoption, but if you're a long-time reader of the MelissaStuff blog you know that adoption is dear to my heart. One of the biggest hang-ups for people who would potentially adopt is simply the overwhelming cost involved. Wendy's has worked for years to help offset that concern so that more families could bring a waiting child into their home. Currently, there are more than 20,000 children in foster care in the United States. We have friends who have adopted from the foster care system, and other friends who had long-term placements through foster care. We know firsthand how precious these children are. They all need homes and we want to do everything we c...

If you know me in RL or if you have been around MelissaStuff any length of time, you know I have three boys and a husband. No girls. I might have actually cried at that third sonogram, but there is no record of that so that cant’ be verified. However, knowing that everyone around my house is a boy, but me – I would think you are wondering why this post is titled “MY Girl.” Here’s why . . . Have you ever listened to people returning from a mission trip who referred to a child or even children from the trip as “my little guy,” “my kids” or “my girl”? Did you think it presumptuous? I mean after all, mission trips only last a few days usually. At the most a couple of months. How could any child a world away that you spent such a short amount of time with be “yours” in any way? I was moved today as I read this blog from an 18 year old young lady who just returned from her second mission trip to Uganda. She tells of how she has come to understand that it is important that we refer to...

  For those of you in the process of adopting and for those of you that think you could never afford it, check out this article - Everything You Want to Know and More about the Adoption Tax Credit by Jason Kovacs

I have shared this sweet boys face before, but I want to do it again. This 18 month old little boy – Jayson - has Down’s Syndrome and is waiting in Latin America for his parents to come get him.   Compared to many adoptions, this one has easy requirements and could move very quickly. If you have been praying and waiting for a child, would you pray about whether Jayson may be the one for you? U.S. families only at this time Single moms and married couples, ages 25-55 No family size restrictions NO CRIMINAL HISTORY NO MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS Both parents travel for one trip only for approx 14 days Fast program, approx 9 months start to finish Beautiful and comfortable place to visit Child comes home on an IR-3 visa (meaning adoption must be finalized here in the US as well) Total Cost: Approximate $25,000 – Grant of almost $1500 already available at Reece’s Rain...

I’m sure many of you know the words to Casting Crowns’ song Lifesong. Part of it goes like this: Empty hands held high Such small sacrifice If not joined with my life I sing in vain tonight May the words I say And the things I do Make my lifesong sing Bring a smile to You Let my lifesong sing to You That premise echoes the theme of the post I wrote over at Skinned Knees today. And there is an organization that has made this their mission – Lifesong for Orphans . They want their lifesong to reflect the biblical mandate to protect and stand up for orphans and widows. They are actively supporting orphanages all over the world. $5 will feed a child for a month. $6.20 provides a little boy with a school uniform (pants, shirt and vest), book bag and school supplies. I bet your child’s school supplies and wardrobe cost a whole lot more than that! $5.83 provides the same items for a girl. $1.84 pays for a child to attend school for an ...