Here it comes! Since I was up in the middle of the night unable to sleep, I did something I've been meaning to do for a long time.
OUR NEW BLOG IS HERE!
If you have a link to my blog on your site, would you please change my blog address.
It is now tracieloux.wordpress.com
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Change Is Good
I'm working on a new blog that will better serve the needs of communicating with our family and friends. Be on the look out for the big unveiling.
For those of you who don't like change, I'm giving you a bit of fair warning!
For those of you who don't like change, I'm giving you a bit of fair warning!
God, Friendship, and Adoption
I met someone today that I have no doubt was brought into my life for an incredible purpose. You know how you meet someone and you feel that something big is about to happen. This was one of those moments! I can't even put it into words but I'm grateful that God brought Jen Keller into my life today.
I stumbled upon her blog through another blog I read, one thing let to another, and we began to correspond via email. When I found out she lived only a few hours a way and would be in KC for a medical appointment for her daughter, I quickly arranged for a coffee meeting!
Jenn and her husband Nick have 7 beautiful children, 6 of whom were adopted as drug exposed infants. Jenn is an advocate and public speaker on behalf of drug endangered children. She is currently working on getting a bill passes to protect the unborn from drug exposure in the womb.
This is one phenomenal woman of God! If you have a heart for adoption, and would like to learn more about drug exposure in newbornq. Or even if the thought scares you, and you'd like more information and education on the issue, please check out Jenn's blog and leave a comment with your email address!
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Adoption News
HOME STUDY IS COMPLETE! I get to pick it up tomorrow.
Appointment Friday with Homeland Security to get our I600A turned in.
Pray for quick approval so we can submit our dossier!
Nick's fundraiser is going well. Schedule now if you want a photo session in time for Christmas gifts!!
Appointment Friday with Homeland Security to get our I600A turned in.
Pray for quick approval so we can submit our dossier!
Nick's fundraiser is going well. Schedule now if you want a photo session in time for Christmas gifts!!
Monday, October 20, 2008
Adoption Fundraiser: Photo Shoots
Our son Nick, in his desire to take part in fund raising for our adoption, is offering photography sessions for individuals and families. If you would like to schedule a session with Nick, he is asking for a minimum donation of $75 to our adoption fund (checks made payable to John and Tracie Loux). You will receive full access to all photos, which will be given to you on CD.
For donations of $100 or more, you will also receive the "Photographer's Favorite"- an 8x10 print of Nick's favorite photo from your session.
For donations exceeding $250 to our adoption fund, you will receive the "Photographer's Favorite", as well as 4x6 prints of all of the photos from your session.
Below are a few examples of some of Nick's recent portrait photography:
Email me at tracieloux@gmail.com to schedule a session with Nick.
For donations of $100 or more, you will also receive the "Photographer's Favorite"- an 8x10 print of Nick's favorite photo from your session.
For donations exceeding $250 to our adoption fund, you will receive the "Photographer's Favorite", as well as 4x6 prints of all of the photos from your session.
Below are a few examples of some of Nick's recent portrait photography:
Email me at tracieloux@gmail.com to schedule a session with Nick.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Adoption Update
All of our paperwork has been turned in to our social worker who will hopefully write up our Home Study quickly! YIPPEE!!!!
I now have to correct a bunch of our forms for our Dossier that I found out would be rejected if I don't make a few edits. At least I found out before submitting them (thanks Derek and Renee!).
As soon as I have our home study in hand, we get can apply for our I600A.
At that point our Dossier will be ready to submit to our facilitator for translation, I think!
There are always unexpected hang ups with adoption. The one I have to hurdle this week, is getting our Pennsylvania marriage licenses apostilled IN PENNSYLVANIA and quickly! Apparently it's not enough to have them certified in your state of marriage, the apostille has to be done there too. Pray I can figure this one out and get it done speedily- horray for FedEx!
In the mean time we pray for our son and believe for God's protection and mercy to surround him. Please continue to pray for an additional $20,000 to come in for our remaining adoption expenses! I woke up today in a panic over that today, and had to talk to the Father who knows and cares and has no limitation on the resources available to Him to provide for those He loves.
I now have to correct a bunch of our forms for our Dossier that I found out would be rejected if I don't make a few edits. At least I found out before submitting them (thanks Derek and Renee!).
As soon as I have our home study in hand, we get can apply for our I600A.
At that point our Dossier will be ready to submit to our facilitator for translation, I think!
There are always unexpected hang ups with adoption. The one I have to hurdle this week, is getting our Pennsylvania marriage licenses apostilled IN PENNSYLVANIA and quickly! Apparently it's not enough to have them certified in your state of marriage, the apostille has to be done there too. Pray I can figure this one out and get it done speedily- horray for FedEx!
In the mean time we pray for our son and believe for God's protection and mercy to surround him. Please continue to pray for an additional $20,000 to come in for our remaining adoption expenses! I woke up today in a panic over that today, and had to talk to the Father who knows and cares and has no limitation on the resources available to Him to provide for those He loves.
Friday, October 17, 2008
My Beautiful Nieces
Teyolla, Telma, and Keyolla
My gorgeous nieces!
I love you girls! I'm so proud of you. You have become beautiful young women who love Jesus, and you make my heart glad!
Friday Night Fun with the Loux's
Elia, Isabelle, Michaela, and Sophie- Drama Queens for Sure!
Elia, Taylor, Isabelle, and Cousin Sophia- Dress Up Night!!!
Elia Jane- The Beauty Queen
Prom Queen!
LiLi Lou and Uncle Derek (play station night!)
Daddy, you can do it! Beat, Uncle Derek!!!! Come On!!!!
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Two Years Ago
It was just about two years ago, that we decided to start the adoption process and get our home study done. It has been a whirl wind ever since, as God took the small YES in our hearts and began to birth a passion for adoption deep within. Today we have a beautiful little one in our home, one on the way, and I have been blessed to take part in helping 8 precious lives find their forever families since January of this year.
Today I am marveling at the faithfulness of God to stir our hearts to beat a little more like His as we turn our hearts to the ones He loves.
Today I am marveling at the faithfulness of God to stir our hearts to beat a little more like His as we turn our hearts to the ones He loves.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Monday, October 13, 2008
A Solid Investment Opportunity
With the finances of our nation a disaster that I don't even fully understand, I have a solid investment opportunity for you. Invest in the life of an orphan.
Never have I ever been more convinced that where we have chosen to invest our time and our money is right. I look at Elia's life and the return on our "investment" blows me away. I think about Aiden and all that God is burning in my heart about his little life, and I know that as we pour finances into seeing him rescued there is not a wiser investment for us to be making right now.
People have asked me whether I think there will be a decline in couples willing to adopt given our nation's economy. Sadly for some couples, I'm sure the economy will halt their plans. But what I'm praying is that the body of Christ will rise up and see that the reward of investing in orphans is a solid investment opportunity- one with an incredibly high return- immeasurable in fact.
Not only is the reward one I get to live out and experience daily, as I watch a life that was spared blossom before my very eyes, it is eternal. We are storing up treasure in heaven that cannot be destroyed by the winds and waves, and by the shifting sand of this life.
I pray that you would not be overcome with fear as you look at a failing economy, but that you would be provoked to give, even foolishly in the eyes of the world, and see the incredible hand of the Lord bless you in return.
Never have I ever been more convinced that where we have chosen to invest our time and our money is right. I look at Elia's life and the return on our "investment" blows me away. I think about Aiden and all that God is burning in my heart about his little life, and I know that as we pour finances into seeing him rescued there is not a wiser investment for us to be making right now.
People have asked me whether I think there will be a decline in couples willing to adopt given our nation's economy. Sadly for some couples, I'm sure the economy will halt their plans. But what I'm praying is that the body of Christ will rise up and see that the reward of investing in orphans is a solid investment opportunity- one with an incredibly high return- immeasurable in fact.
Not only is the reward one I get to live out and experience daily, as I watch a life that was spared blossom before my very eyes, it is eternal. We are storing up treasure in heaven that cannot be destroyed by the winds and waves, and by the shifting sand of this life.
I pray that you would not be overcome with fear as you look at a failing economy, but that you would be provoked to give, even foolishly in the eyes of the world, and see the incredible hand of the Lord bless you in return.
Mercy for Aiden
We were singing yesterday about the mercy of the Lord, and instantly I began to pray/sing the words over Aiden's life. I felt the incredible peace wash over me, as I realized that my human, maternal longings are nothing compared to the unsurpassing love and mercy that the Father has for Aiden.
This morning I look to the Word of God for strength to believe that the Father is watching over my son and will protect him and keep him safe.
Psalm 31:16 "Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: save [Aiden] for thy mercies' sake."
Psalm 40: 11 "Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from [Aiden], O LORD: let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve [him]."
Psalm 40:17 "But [Aiden] is poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon [him]: thou art [Aiden's] help and [his] deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.
Psalm 69:16,17 " Hear me, O LORD; for thy lovingkindness is good: turn unto [Aiden] according to the multitude of thy tender mercies. And hide not thy face from [Aiden]; for [he is] in trouble: hear [him] speedily."
Would you join me in praying for the mercy of the Lord to overshadow our son today?
This morning I look to the Word of God for strength to believe that the Father is watching over my son and will protect him and keep him safe.
Psalm 31:16 "Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: save [Aiden] for thy mercies' sake."
Psalm 40: 11 "Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from [Aiden], O LORD: let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve [him]."
Psalm 40:17 "But [Aiden] is poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon [him]: thou art [Aiden's] help and [his] deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.
Psalm 69:16,17 " Hear me, O LORD; for thy lovingkindness is good: turn unto [Aiden] according to the multitude of thy tender mercies. And hide not thy face from [Aiden]; for [he is] in trouble: hear [him] speedily."
Would you join me in praying for the mercy of the Lord to overshadow our son today?
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
Blog Change
I've decided to discontinue keeping a separate blog for our adoption of Aiden and will instead keep adoption updates along with family updates on this blog.
Thanks for following our journey and for all of your prayers!
If you haven't caught up on our adoption news, you can still visit thelouxfamilyadoption.blogspot.com to catch up!
Thanks for following our journey and for all of your prayers!
If you haven't caught up on our adoption news, you can still visit thelouxfamilyadoption.blogspot.com to catch up!
Sunday, October 05, 2008
Happy Birthday John R. Loux: Part 3
If you haven't tracked with my multiple posts, this is part three, so you'll want to scroll down and read Part 1 and Part 2 as well, so you don't miss any of "The History of John R. Loux"
1998 with Baby Isabelle
John and Derek with Isabelle and Sophia- December 1998
John with the kids- Taylor's 4th birthday (1999)
Summer 2001 (I think)
Summer 2002
March 7, 2007 Our Darling Elia
Daddy and Elia- love at first sight
I love this guy!
Happy Birthday John!!!
From 1989- today, you have been my favorite!
My best friend.
The man who knows me best and loves me well.
Incredible father to our children.
A man after God's own heart.
And my favorite rock star!
1998 with Baby Isabelle
John and Derek with Isabelle and Sophia- December 1998
John with the kids- Taylor's 4th birthday (1999)
Summer 2001 (I think)
Summer 2002
March 7, 2007 Our Darling Elia
Daddy and Elia- love at first sight
I love this guy!
Happy Birthday John!!!
From 1989- today, you have been my favorite!
My best friend.
The man who knows me best and loves me well.
Incredible father to our children.
A man after God's own heart.
And my favorite rock star!
Happy Birthday John R. Loux: Part 2
Our first anniversary- 1991
Nicholas is born- July 8, 1992
At Derek and Renee's wedding- August 1, 1992
John Taylor is born- December 1, 1995
Daddy, Nick and Uncle Derek
Happy Birthday John R. Loux: Part 1
When we were very young! The dating years (which were very short and sweet by the way, we dated for only 2 1/2 months, got engaged and got married less than 5 months after that).
July 7, 1990 (that was our serious pose)
John's 21st birthday in 1990
Christmas 1990
Hearts are Turning
Last night John and I were praying for Aiden before bed. I prayed and then John prayed starting his prayer like this, "Father, I ask you to protect my son, keep him safe from harm, surround him with angels...."
The thing that stunned my heart and made me so grateful for the man I married was the "MY SON" part of his prayer. We said "yes" to Aiden as a family, and in our hearts he is ours. My husband echoes Malachi 4:6 in his life as his heart has truly turned toward this child of ours, this precious one that he calls "son."
So we wait on the Lord and trust that He will bring Aiden safely home, our hearts have turned, and we call him "son."
If you haven't been following our adoption blog, check HERE.
The thing that stunned my heart and made me so grateful for the man I married was the "MY SON" part of his prayer. We said "yes" to Aiden as a family, and in our hearts he is ours. My husband echoes Malachi 4:6 in his life as his heart has truly turned toward this child of ours, this precious one that he calls "son."
So we wait on the Lord and trust that He will bring Aiden safely home, our hearts have turned, and we call him "son."
If you haven't been following our adoption blog, check HERE.
Saturday, October 04, 2008
Check out Nick's Latest Photo Shoot
What a fun client he had this time!
CLICK HERE
Keep watching for Nick's adoption fund raiser that will be posted on his blog soon!
CLICK HERE
Keep watching for Nick's adoption fund raiser that will be posted on his blog soon!
Thursday, October 02, 2008
Happy Birthday, Zoe!
Happy Birthday to Best Friend Zoe!
It was Zoe's adoption that spurred us on to get prepared to welcome Elia into our home just 5 months later. I still get very emotional when I see these two girls play together and I think about the miracle of LIFE!
We Love You, ZoZo!
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