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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

Baby Pictures

Nick had the opportunity to visit Steve and Kristi Cooper and their newly adopted daughter, Shiloh with me last week. Steven and Kristi were one of the first couples to start working with me when I started working for Christian Adoption Consultants. Kristi was Nick's biology teacher last year and she requested that he bring his camera along for some photos. Here are a few shots that I really liked. I'm sure he'll post more on his blog soon.

PRAY

Pray for our friends the Bohlender's.

They are en route to Florida to adopt twin baby girls who are two days old. Some days you wake up and the Lord has other plans! I'm so honored to call Randy and Kelsey our friends. Please pray that God will surround them, protect them and arm them with strength. And pray for these little girls who were chosen before time began to be part of their family.

Today as we were praying, John had a vision of Kelsey as a WWII fighter pilot with Randy as the "gunner" flying into conflict with determination, lacking any form of self-preservation, willing to pay the price to make the rescue and fight off the enemy. If you know Randy and Kelsey, you know they are forerunners and they are charting the course for many of us as we run with the spirit of adoption burning in our hearts.

PRAY
PRAY
and GIVE!!!!

Let's gather together and really be the CHURCH. Let's put true religion to practice (James 1:27), and help pay the ransom for these two precious girls just as Jesus paid the ultimate price with His very life adopt us into His family and call us His sons and His daughters. (Eph. 1)

There is a paypal link on their blog or you can email me personally at tracieloux@gmail.com if you'd like to mail a check.

What Happened to My Baby?

Time flies when you're in love. Just look at her! Every day I marvel at the goodness of the Lord. Every day I thank Him for His grace and His mercy in blessing us with this little girl. Every day I stand in awe that He trusted us with this precious life, and I ask Him for strength to love her and raise her well. I feel I am standing before one who will be truly great in the Kingdom of God.

Reeces Rainbow Made the Top 25

Now they still need your comments to encourage the votes in the next round of voting.

Click here to make a comment about this incredible organization.

Big News and a New Blog

It's been quite a week here in the Loux home, and I can finally blog about it!
We're adopting again! We are so excited and want to share in our journey with you, but have decided to document our next adoption on a NEW BLOG!!!

We'll continue to keep this blog rolling for family and ministry updates.

Please pray for us, and PLEASE leave comments on the new blog so we know you're reading! I'd love it if everyone would leave a comment on our first post just so we can get an idea of who all if following our story and praying for us!

Happy Birthday Elia Jane!

We celebrated Elia's birthday last night with some of our wonderful family and friends. She was delighted by the whole celebration! Photos to come (hint, hint... my sweet photographer friend).


March 7, 2007 We laid our eyes on this little beauty and fell instantly in love.


What a gift we were given! She has changed our lives and has filled our home with joy unspeakable.

When setback came and our little dear had to spend 10 days in intensive care, our love only grew stronger.


We love you Elia Jane!

My sweet girl, you have filled your Momma's heart with so much love and joy. Your life has been to me a pure reflection of the Love that Jesus has for each of us. He has rescued us all and brought us into His family. He adopted us and calls us His sons and daughters.

And oh how He loves you! He has rescued you and called you His own, He has placed His seal upon your life, and His hand rests upon you. You are forever His. I long for the day when the reality of what He has done for you sinks into your little heart and you call Him yours.

Happy Birthday Little One. You are LOVED!

Adoption Fundraiser

My friends through adoption, The Phillips family are adopting from China.
Look at this wonderful fundraiser a friend is helping them with!
Click on the link and order through PayPal! If you're looking for a wonderful baby gift here's a great place to start! (100% of your giving will go toward their adoption)

Our Family Is Growing!!!!!!

Derek and Renee (John's brother and his wife) have begun the process of adopting two boys from Eastern Europe! Derek and Renee have 6 children, their first born Josiah was born with Spina Bifida and died at age 2 1/2 in 1996, they have two biological daughters Sophia and Michaela (ages 10 and 7), and they have adopted three beautiful girls from the Marshall Islands, the twins Teyolla, Keyolla (both 16), and Telma (almost 17).

Misha and Sam will be welcomed into this family with more love than words can say! Misha is 4 years old and has Downs Syndrome. He is such a cutie. We got to see a video of him the other day laughing as some one was blowing bubbles for him! Sam is 5 years old and has hydrocephalus and needs orthopedic surgery. Both of these boys have stolen our hearts as we look forward to welcoming them into our family!



Misha


Sam

Here is how you can get involved:
1. Pray! These boys need to be adopted soon so that they can be kept out of the state run institutions. Their lives are at stake here. If they end up in a state run institution, they are basically fed and left to die.

2. Give! Derek and Renee need to raise a great deal of money to bring these boys home. And we as believers are commanded to care for the widow and orphan as the only act of true religion (James 1:27). I don't even ask that you give if you can, it's not an option. We give because it is a direct command from the word of God.

(If you do not need record of your giving for tax deductions, you can give on my paypal account and I will forward the money to them immediately. If you would appreciate giving a tax deductible gift, please contact me at tracieloux@gmail.com and I will give you more information!)

I will give you updates along the way! I promise.

Free Adoption Seminar in Kansas City

Please check out my adoption consulting blog for more information!

A Great Adoption Story!!!

When you have a minute read THIS STORY about an US soldier who adopted a disabled Iraqi boy.

It's Friday Already????

It's been a speedy quick week! Back to school after a Thanksgiving break, working on a curriculum writing project for the Children's Equipping Center, and talking to and meeting with potential clients with my new role with Christian Adoption Consultants.

In addition to laundry (still not folded), Birthday Party Planning (Tay's 12th birthday is on Saturday- more to come on that), and running after a tiny girl who is now fully mobile on all fours!

And now for Elia's latest accomplishments!!!!


Not everyone can do this!!!!


Starting to pull up!



Squirrel Gazing!


Hunting for food! She found this all by herself and was quite pleased!

Finalization Date!!!!

It's finally here!
We go to court to finalize our adoption on December 13th!
YIPEEEEEEE

Thank you for the prayers, and as is typical with our very good God, the finances came in just in time.

REJOICING IN THE GOODNESS OF GOD

I just wanted to thank you all for praying and let you know that the last needed money to finalize our adoption has come in!
We are so blessed!

I will be telling the story of our whole adoption journey on the other blog shortly, and recounting the provision of God through it all.

New Blog

To follow my journey as an Adoption Consultant please check out my blog
The Spirit of Adoption.

It's not much at this point, but we'll get it up and looking good before too long!

I HAVE A NEW JOB

I haven't quit anything I'm already doing!
I'm still a wife and momma!
I'm still an Intercessory Missionary.
I'm still serving the children in the Children's Equipping Center.
I'm still teaching art at the Daniel Academy.

But I'm now working as an Adoption Consultant for Christian Adoption Consultants!

Christian Adoption Consultants helped us in our adoption journey. Amy Young, the founder and our consultant, walked us through the adoption process, assuring us every step of the way, encouraging us that GOD WILL PROVIDE when we had nothing, and rejoicing with us when Elia was placed in our home! When she emailed me and asked if I knew of anyone in the Kansas City area who would like to serve as a consultant, I emailed back saying, "I'd like the answer to be ME, but we'll pray and get back to you."

God's way of answering was to stir deep excitement and peace in my heart, and to proceed to have at least 4 couples contact me over the next few days/weeks asking questions and seeking my help as they begin their adoption journeys.

Pray for me as I step into this exciting new adventure!
I will most likely establish a separate blog for this, so stay tuned for that!

In addition if you are interested in adoption, or know families that are and might be interested in talking to me, please email me at tracieloux@gmail.com