holiday reflection

As we come closer and closer to Christmas day, I seem to be increasingly pensive and reflective.  Nine years ago tomorrow, my cousin Dan moved from his earthly home to his heavenly home.  He now lives with his eternal Father in heaven, but his earthly Mom and Dad miss his more than any of us can ever know.  I am sure there is a void with him not being here. 

On a much lesser scale, I feel a void too.  Our soon to be son is alone this Christmas, without a family to celebrate with.  He doesn’t have a Mom and Dad to give him hugs and kisses, show him love and wish him Merry Christmas.  He doesn’t get to celebrate Christmas with us this year.  We are separated. 

Earlier this week, I dropped some items off to be delivered to our dear friends living in Lesotho working at Beautiful Gate (an orphanage).  I included a small gift for our son to be given to him the day we are “matched” with him.  Josh and I picked out a sweatshirt for him.  We washed it and then slept with it so that it would smell like us and like our home.  Then, I sealed it up in 2 ziplock bags to be sent to Lesotho.  As odd as this sounds, it was extremely difficult for me to seal those bags and leave the sweatshirt with the other items to be brought to our friends.  I felt like I was giving away the only piece of our son that we had and entrusting it to other people. 

As I was thinking about this last night in bed, I realized that this might have also been somewhat of what God had going through his mind when he gave his only son as a baby to us.  As a mother, I cannot imagine how difficult that decision must have been for God…to willingly give up your son to be raised by Mary and Joseph, knowing full well what was to happen to him in the future.   What an amazing gift God has given us!

I pray for all of our friends and family at this time and pray that we remember those less fortunate than ourselves.  Please pray with me for all the children who are mother and fatherless this Christmas that they might feel God’s presence in their lives.  Also, please pray with me for all parents without their children, that they may be comforted.

Merry Christmas friends! 

Jaclyn

homestudy complete *check*

Another milestone in our adoption journey has been reached - our state mandated home study is complete.  *Yea!*

SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATION
Joshua and Jaclyn Cooper are a loving couple who have been married for nine years.  They are excellent candidates for adoption, as they have a vibrant marriage, stable employment, and a healthy child rearing philosophy.  They also have plenty of room in their hearts and in their home for an additional child.  Based on the facts presented...it has been assessed that Joshua Paul Cooper and Jaclyn Sue Cooper are suitable and eligible to adopt from the country of Lesotho.


We just wanted to share this good news with all of you, and to thank all of you who have and continue to pray for us as we journey together to bring our son home.  Y'all rock!

On a more personal [and related] note, our friends, Bryan and Anita, wrote on their blog [http:ourbeautifulmission.blogspot.com] that an infant unexpectedly died two days ago at their orphanage.  Even as I type, I get all choked up because this shouldn't be happening.  Yet, it's the reality that the Lesotho babies and children face each and every day.  Every day there is a battle between life and death.

Please continue to pray - not only for us - but for our friends and the children of Beautiful Gate.  And now...we wait.

As our paperwork makes its way to Africa.

As patiently as we can.

garage sale success

We are tremendously grateful to all of the 20-some families who helped make last week's garage sale such a huge success.  At the end of the day, we managed to bring in just over $900!  This is such a blessing and the timing couldn't have been better because we learned that our home-study is complete and has been forwarded to our placing agency in Indianapolis.

The kids made a few extra bucks selling granola bars and apple cider.

One of the coolest moments of the day was when a woman from our neighborhood stopped by because she had heard we were adopting (and it turns out she has 5 adopted children as well) and she gave us the name of an adoption grant organization of which her friend is the founder.  She insisted we contact her friend's organization and when we did we were to call her so she could recommend us.  Now - this stranger did not know who we were or anything about us.  Before this encounter, we were complete strangers.  I guess it was one of those moments where you "just had to be there" to get the full weight of the conversation.  Needless to say, we were deeply touched and tremendously grateful for the referral.  All in all, it was a really good day!

garage sale this saturday

Make your way to 43 S. Jefferson St., Zeeland this Saturday from 8 - 3 for our first adoption fundraiser garage sale!

We have hundreds of items for sale including:

• Men's, women's, & children's clothing
• Books, games, and children's toys
• Electronics
• Dishwasher
• Furniture
• Bed
• Printers & faxes
• 10-speed Schwinn bicycle
• LED Christmas decor
• Power tools
• Mirrors & coat racks
• Gaming chairs
• Much much more!

Hope to see you then!

garage sale fundraiser

We will be having an Adoption Fundraiser Garage Sale on Saturday, October 8.  If you have any items to donate to the sale, please contact us via email, facebook, or leave us a comment.  Also, if you have any sources to advertise the garage sale (school, work or church newsletters) please help spread the word for us. 

Here are the details:

Adoption Fundraiser Garage Sale

Saturday, October 8

8 a.m. – 3 p.m.

43 S. Jefferson Street

Zeeland, MI  49464