A different kind of 5 am.....

I have a confession to make.  When I wake up in the morning at 5 am....as I am heading to the coffee....I always take a sneak peek at my phone.  You never know what kind of amazing things happen when you are sleeping, right?  Reality check....I'm addicted to technology.  But that is not what this post is about.  This morning, still in the middle of my
"5 am getting my coffee fog" I got an email saying something to the likes of:

YOUR ADOPTION HAS BEEN PAID FOR!!!

Yes....you read that right.  How amazing is our God?????  We are COMPLETELY BLOWN AWAY.  I'm at a loss for words.  Well....not really....I've always got words but most of the time they just don't make sense :o)

Throughout this adoption, I have constantly been reminded of Malachi 3:10

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.

Test me in this.  And I can honestly say that both John and I had that mentality towards fundraising for our adoption....but not necessarily in a positive way.  When we began pursuing adoption, everyone in the adoption community kept telling us "don't worry about the money.....God will bring it".  We doubted....but we still trusted.  But God showed up and showed off right out the gate.

God has continually brought His Word to life in this adoption.

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? - Matthew 6:26

God loves our boy more than we ever could.  He values him more than we ever could.  And God IS BRINGING OUR BOY HOME....in a way that we never could.

I wish I could find the words to express exactly how grateful we are for the generous hearts that have given toward our adoption.  I just want to hug every single one of you so tight....like to the point where you could feel my gratitude through osmosis....ya know?  :o)  We just feel so unbelievably blessed!!!!!

Thank you, thank you, thank you to the  community of believers....to the Body of Christ...to the people who are bringing our boy home.  Thank you.

And to the DYNAMIC DUO who sealed the deal and closed the gap....you know who you are....you. completely. rock.  THANK YOU for listening to the Lord's leading and for using what He has blessed you with to bless our family.  Praying that God fills your heart with an immeasurable amount of joy..........

To God be the Glory.......ALWAYS!!!!!
Dawn

The day our hearts broke.....

One of the purposes of my trip was to understand the needs for a medical clinic in Mukono, Uganda.  Access to medical care is limited, at best.  And sadly, it's something that many families can't afford.  As much as I "thought" my heart was prepared to visit the pediatric unit of a government run healthy facility.....it wasn't. 

As we approached the facility, it didn't feel like I was approaching a "hospital" at all.  In fact, it reminded me of several schools I had visited in Ethiopia.

 

 

It wasn't until we approached the "pediatric" building that I got a healthy dose of reality.   This little guy was outside the building with his mama and he wasn't happy or healthy.  The family that I went to the facility with knew this young mama and there was a lot of discussion happening in Luganda.  We didn't know what was happening but I saw the Pastor just shaking his head.  This little guy had malaria.  I have limited knowledge of malaria but have been told that when it gets to the level of needing IV medication....it's pretty bad.  Some say that malaria is the number one killer of children in Africa.

This little guy was in the middle of being treated and the facility "just decided" they wanted more money from the mother.  Yes.  They can do that.  If you don't have cash in hand....you don't get treatment.  If you run out of cash....you could be taken off treatment.  This little guy was taken off treatment because Mama didn't have 2000 shillings.  About 75 cents.  Needless to say, Mama was given the money she needed to complete the treatment her boy so desperately needed.

Then we went inside.  Even now, as I type, I feel my heart aching.  I saw 2 mamas, with 2 children fighting for their lives.  One was receiving IV treatment for malaria and the other was receiving treatment and a blood transfusion.  These children were completely lifeless and their mamas faces showed complete despair.  I broke.  I cried.  I prayed.  And I just loved on the mamas.  That was all I could do.  

Then I saw something I REALLY wasn't prepared for.  One of the strongest women I've ever met, a Ugandan mama & grandma broke down in tears.  It was too much.....even for her.   As broken as my heart was, everything I saw that day was exactly what I needed to fuel me for the next season God has called me to....to help raise funds to build a HIV/childrens clinic in Mukono, Uganda. 

I will be sharing more information soon about how you can be a part of changing the lives of children in Uganda.

To God be the glory....always!

Dawn

Favorable determination.....

Yesterday was my birthday.  Since we have so much going on and John was performing a wedding, we didn't make any plans.  And I was really ok with that.  I mean....I'm leaving for Africa on Monday....that is the most amazing gift ever.  I was good.

So, I spent the day hoping to raise funds for my friend Meghan's adoption and shopping with my pre-teen for shorts.  Have you shopped for shorts lately?  Oh my word.  Can you say "Daisy Dukes?"  And my daughter is in this interesting stage of "too big for the kids section" and "too small for the adults section".  So juniors it is and conservative does not appear to be a choice these days.

Ok...moving on :o)  Mandy & I were in Burlington coat factory where you can actually find suitable shorts for preteen girls.  Yay!  My hubby calls me and says "did you get my text?"  I check my phone....no text.  He says "ok, let me send it again".  Nothing.  So he says he'll send it through email.  I wait.  And wait.

And there it is.  NOTICE OF FAVORABLE DETERMINATION CONCERNING APPLICATION FOR ADVANCE PROCESSING OF ORPHAN PETITION.

Thank you Father in Heaven!

So, right there in Burlington coat factory....I screamed.  I cried.  I panicked.  I cried some more.  And I succeeded in embarassing the heck out of my girl :o)

Here's the funny thing.  John and I are not "wait-ers".  If we even get a hint of God's whisper, we act.  Not always a good thing.  Probably why we had to wait 2.5 years for our home to sell.  Well, in our attempt to learn discipline, when we got our fingerprint appointment...we chose to wait.  See, when you get your letter, you can pretty much go that day....even if your appointment is weeks out.  We didn't.  We trusted that God had given us that date so we chose to just wait it out.

That date was Monday, March 19th.  It took just 5 days to get our I-171H.  5 DAYS!  I've read blog after blog after blog and I have never heard of "first timers" getting theirs in 5 days.  I've seen 3 weeks up to 20 weeks.

Our dossier is in Uganda.  A copy of our I-171H is the last thing our attorney needs to file for court.

We are close.  SO. VERY. CLOSE.

I am also VERY EXCITED to share that our boy has a Project HOPEFUL Fig (Families in the Gap) Fund!  This means that you can make a donation to his adoption AND it's completely tax deductible!  Clicking on the link below will allow you to donate directly to his fund.

We can't thank you enough for your ongoing support and generosity.  We covet your prayers as we continue on this journey.

To God be the Glory.....ALWAYS!
Dawn

The latest.....

There are lots of exciting things going on in the Patterson household and I wanted to take time to share with you some updates!

1 week from today, I will be headed back to Uganda.  Oh, how I wish it was to get our sweet boy but not quite yet.  This trip is very much a "business" trip with 2 distinct purposes.  You've probably seen me post on facebook the jewelry from the Women of Destiny.  The Women of Destiny are part of a ministry in Mukono, Uganda under True Vine Christian Ministries.  True Vine was started in 1999 by Stephen Kibriango and his wife Jesca.  When it began, it was just 9 people....one of them being an HIV+ widow.  When she passed, she left her children to Pastor Kibriango and his wife.  A ministry was born.  Fast forward 13 years and True Vine has grown tremendously.  They now operate Victor Christian school in Mukono which is home to 1100 students. Through this program,  the ministry has relocated children from Northen Uganda and brought them to the  School and home. The ministry meets their educational needs as well as clothing and feeding. During holidays, the children do not go back to Gulu but they stay with foster parents who support them and love them. Since these children have been emotionally hurt due the LRA atrocities, the ministry has social workers who counsel them and pray with them. These children also have a myriad of medical needs and the ministry has a small clinic with one nurse to treat the children. The ministry intends to support some more 100 children from northern Uganda. There is an immediate need of a medical centre that will serve and meet the many medical needs of the Northern Uganda Children that will be supported through this program in future.

This is where part 1 of my trip comes in.  Mukono district is home to approximately 500,000 people with only 1 government funded health center which is not adequately staffed.  True Vine is currently working to build a children's clinic in Mukono that will provide an emphasis on HIV, malaria and other common childhood illnesses.  I will be meeting with church leadership and visiting the land where the clinic is to be built to see how best we could partner with their ministry.

True Vine is partnered with an organization right here in the states called Childrens Heritage Foundation.  They are a licensed 501c3 so all donations are tax deductible.  100% of the donations go to the intended purpose.  I KNOW THIS FIRST HAND.  I have sent thousands of dollars to the Women of Destiny through jewelry sales and when I visit, the women have a detailed account of the funds they've received and it's to the penny!  I encourage you to visit the website and prayerfully consider making a contribution to this amazing ministry.  When I return, I will have much more information to share!  In the mean time, if you would like to read more about the work True Vine has done, please visit this page.

Part 2.  This is where I get downright giddy.  Collaborating with Noonday Collection!  I LOVE to design, I DO NOT love to reproduce....LOL.  This is why Noonday has been such a tremendous blessing to me.  I can not wait to be with this amazing group of artisans again and be able to pour into them.  I'm infinitely grateful to Jessica (the founder) for giving me this opportunity.  It has been such a gift to grow in our friendship as we work together, pray together and dream together.  Lord willing, I will be guest blogging for Noonday about my time with the artisans....provided the Internet cooperates :o)

As I type out the above, I sit here in disbelief.   I will never comprehend the adventure God has allowed me to experience.  I feel unworthy, incompetent, completely unqualified and ridiculously blessed...all at the same time.   But I believe this is what He has called me to.  For this time.  And when this time ends, I'm sure I will cry and struggle and grieve and wrestle with God and beg Him to let me continue.  But we will cross that bridge when it comes.   Ephesians 2:10 says "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do".   I'm believing God.  And when satan creeps in....and he does....a lot, I have to continually remind myself of Romans 8:1 "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus".   And Jesus gives me the strength to just keep pressing on.

To God be the Glory.......always,
Dawn

...for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these.

Matthew 19:14.  Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."  I have been so humbled by the children God has placed in my path.  Oh, to have the faith of these little creatures.  They give so generously, follow Jesus with no inhibition and love with every thing they have.

Oh, to be like the children.

I want to share with you about another very special young friend God has placed in my life.  Her name is Ella and she is 7.  Her sweet mama is an awesome customer & friend of Funky Fish.  When she placed an order a few months back for a Project HOPEFUL necklace, Ella got so excited because she thought it was hers.  She had told her Mom that she wanted some Funky Fish jewelry for her birthday.  Reason #1 I fell in love with this kid ;o)   Seriously....could she be any cute?

A few months later, I get a message from her Mom asking if I could send some Funky Fish business cards.  Ella's heart had been broken for the orphans of the world and she thought if she told people about Funky Fish (specifically the Tesfa jewelry collection) then she could help.  I assured Mama that I would.

Time escaped me and when I remembered that I hadn't sent the cards, my heart sank.  So I prepared a package for Ella with business cards and several Tesfa bracelets.  I had no idea what would happen and it wasn't about the money.  It was about encouraging a little girl to follow her passion to care for the orphans.

Her Mama messaged me and said that their church was giving Ella the opportunity to share about Funky Fish & the Tesfa jewelry.  Here are the messages I received after Ella had her opportunity to share with her church:

I just wanted to let you know that Ella told our church about Funky Fish and the Tesfa Collection today...she sold all of the bracelets after the first of two services! Many more people stopped and took a card from her and were interested in buying from you online...I hope that they really do!  Thanks again for letting her help!

Our pastors LOVED the idea of Ella promoting the Tesfa collection (and Funky Fish in general) and were wondering if you'd be willing to send Ella jewelry again next month.  I asked Ella if that's something that she would like to do since they brought it up to me and my husband and she said that she would love to and that she had so much fun today.

I really can't put into words what my heart felt when I read that.

The Tesfa jewelry collection supports Hope in Ethiopia....a partnership between our church, Grace Covenant in Austin, Food for the Hungry and 12 Evangelical churches in Zeway, Ethiopia. 

Community Transformation through Orphan Care.  That is what Hope in Ethiopia is about.  One little village in Zeway, Ethiopia is transforming communities in Ethiopia...in Austin...in Arizona...and wherever the Lord leads.

Thank you sweet Ella for your gift of compassion.  God is going to use you in big, big ways.  In fact, He already has.  Thank you for being such a beautiful example to all the "grown-ups" out there.

To learn more about any of the ministries mentioned, please click on the links below.

Tesfa jewelry
Hope in Ethiopia
Food for the Hungry
Grace Covenant Church
Project HOPEFUL

To God be the Glory.....always,
Dawn

Humbled.......again ♥

Today I was brought to a messy puddle of tears by this:

Yes....it's a ziploc bag with money....but it's the story that impacted me so.  It's a beautiful example of the Body of Christ coming together to bring one boy home to his forever home.

To say my church family has been supportive of our adoption is an understatement.  But today, a member of my church family knocked my socks off....and she's only 11.  She's the daughter of dear friends of ours and she decided that for her birthday party...instead of presents...she wanted her friends to bring donations "To bring him home".  Today she gave me this.  I just cried.  I hugged her.  I thanked her.  And I am pretty sure she's convinced I'm just plain nuts.  Ok, she's probably on to something there.  But wow.  Just wow.

God ALWAYS shows up just when you need Him the most.  Satan hates adoption.  I think I always knew that, but I'm sure I never felt it until we began our journey.  His attacks are relentless.  Just this morning, I was snuggling with my husband and I was having a very, hard morning.  He encouraged me.  He prayed over me and in the kindest way possible, he basically said "c'mon baby, put on your big girl panties and let's go worship our MIGHTY KING, our SAVIOR, OUR LORD and give Him our BEST because HE GAVE HIS LIFE FOR US. 

Ok...pity party was over and I got ready for church.  Amazing....AMAZING...worship where I was brought to tears.  (Do you sense a running theme here?).  Our worship pastor has such a gift of leading us.  Then came an awesome message by our Pastor about the Holy Spirit.  Then I was presented with the sweet, sweet gift from Madison.  Even now as I type...the tears fall.

I long for the day to tell our son how many people loved him home.  My cup runneth over....

To God be the Glory......ALWAYS.

Dawn

The story He has written...

It was February 4th, 1995.  I was at Gatlins, a country bar (yes, you read that right) with my girlfriends and I saw this bouncer.  This really, really cute bouncer who also happened to be a really good dancer.  Can you say "swoon"?  I said to my friend Joe "Hey, do you know that bouncer John?"  When Joe (pictured on the right with John) said that John was a buddy of his, I asked him to give John my phone number.   After a night of dancing, a large group of us went out to breakfast....you know, those 2 am trips to Denny's after the bar closes kind of breakfasts.  John was on one end of the table, me at the other.  We never got the chance to talk that night.  John left early because he had been working 2 jobs and was beat.  As he left, he walked by, winked, tipped his hat and said "nice to meet you".  I melted.

A week later, I was on a blind date.  What a nightmare...and I'll leave it at that.  I got a page from my roommate.  Ya, I was cool and had a pager....LOL.  I called up my roommate and she said "some guy named John from Gatlins called".  Insert headache.  Dear blind date, I have a really bad headache and need to go home.  Now.  I went home and called John.  He wasn't home.  The next day, he called and we officially had our first date.  February 12, 1995.

Valentines Day.  All the ladies are getting roses.  I was NOT expecting anything....John didn't even know where I worked.  Suddenly, a delivery guy is walking up with a dozen roses.  A dozen roses...are you kidding me??  I looked at the card.  It was from blind date guy.  My heart sank.  I did the polite thing and called him to say "thank you".  His response "my buddy owns a flower shop...I got them for free".  I just laughed.  A couple hours later, one of my co-workers said "oooooooooooh girls, there is a good looking cowboy walking into triple-A (where I worked at the time).  My heart hit the floor.  I looked up.  It was John.  In his cowboy hat and wranglers.  With 2 roses.  He had heard me mention that I worked for AAA and went to several offices before he found me to deliver his 2 roses.  2 roses because it was all the money he had before payday.  I was hooked.

4 months later, we were engaged.  1 year after that, we were married.  And we lived Happily. Ever. After.

NOT!  This is where you can insert that annoying record player needle scratching over the record sound.

14 months after we were married....we were on our way to divorce.  Papers had been filed.  I had moved out and our lives were a mess.  Our marriage was not built on the foundation of Christ.  John was not walking with the Lord, and I had no clue who Jesus was.

By God's grace, we didn't divorce.  Somewhere during the 6 months we were apart, I realized that love was not a feeling, but a choice.  We got back together and God gave us the most precious gift on our 3rd wedding anniversary, Mandy 'Jo' Patterson.  Remember the guy Joe who gave John my number?  After our first date Joe said we'd get married.  We promised him if we did, we would name our first born after him.

2 1/2 years later, Trent was born.  Life was good.  Really, really good.  Or so we thought.

We began to realize how incredibly broken we still were and knew there was something missing in our lives.  At the urging of my father in law, we began to attend church.

Our lives would never be the same.

Within months John recommitted his life to Christ.  I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior.  Just a few months after that....Funky Fish was born.

And then came the announcement that changed everything.  John said "I want to go into full time ministry!"  YOU WANT TO DO WHAT?  Hello.....WE MET IN A BAR!  God does not use people like us.  Not to mention, you work at INTEL.  People don't leave jobs like that!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How foolish I was.  So very, very foolish.  Obviously I hadn't read my bible enough...ahem...at all at that point.  He used adulterers, prostitutes and murderers.  He called accountants & doctors to do His work.

We were in for the ride of our lives.  And what an amazing ride it has been.   It's been 9 years since we committed our lives to Christ.  God has allowed us to experience the most amazing adventures.  Carried us through the most difficult trials.  Answered the most amazing prayers.  Remained silent when He needed us to grow in our trust & faith.  Provided financially in ways that humbled us beyond words.  And in His perfect plan AND timing....did just as He promised...called John into full time ministry.  To the job he had prayed for for 7 years.  But since God is our PERFECT REDEEMER,  when He called John to be a Pastor, He called him to be a Pastor over the marriage ministry.  Not only is He our Redeemer, He has a great sense of humor.

And He continues to grow our love for each other daily.  If you would have told me 17 years ago that I would be crazy in love with John, I wouldn't have believed you.  Because the truth is, as I was walking down the aisle, I thought "what am I doing?"   I seriously get giddy about my husband.  And I probably make people sick.  But, I am ok with that.  I love him like I didn't know I could love.  And I believe the only reason I can love him like that is because of Christ.  God loves me in ways that I will never, ever understand.  But in His faithfulness, He has given me something tangible to help me understand His perfect love....John. 

I fall more in love with my husband the more I learn to love Jesus.

I can't wait to see what God has in store for the next 17 years.  I know one things He has planned...and it involves a beautiful little boy in Africa.

And our story continues.....

To God be the Glory.....always.
Dawn