To Remind Myself

"It is really easy to get overwhelmed along the way of adoption."

I was told this before we started.

Overwhelmed? I can handle overwhelmed. I am the queen of conquering overwhelmed. I have learned to deal.

Funny how awesome we think we are in our own strength...and then how surprised we are when we just can't cut it.

I'm realizing (on a daily basis) that all of this work and effort and time means nothing without giving up control.

Because I get overwhelmed. God doesn't.

"Today put everything into prospective. Stop trying to work things out before their time has come. Accept the limitations of living one day at a time. When something comes to your attention, ask Me whether or not it is part of today's agenda. If it isn't, release it into my care and go on about today's duties.

When you follow this practice, there will be a beautiful simplicity about your life: A time for everything,and everything in its time." - Jesus Calling

My dad sent this in an email to me the other day and I have found myself reading it several times...an hour. 

I need to be reminded because I have let myself get consumed. 

I need to be reminded because I can't do it alone.

I need to be reminded because there is indeed a time for everything. 

So the day prior to a huge fundraiser for our adoption, I am asking not for people to sign up, not that we make lots of money, not even that the rain doesn't come...

But that we can all pray and be reminded to let God be God and to dwell in the wonder and simplicity of the knowledge that He is doing amazing things. 

Location Location Location

I was just informed that this is the first rule of business.

Or as I like to say "Biz-nas." Uh.

Location. Location. Location.

We have our location for our Mini Session Fundraiser and HOLY MOLY...it's going to be legit!! So, if you haven't signed up for a photo session...

GET ON IT!

And if you already have signed up then you have probably been waiting very patiently to know where we will be making all of this magic happen.

Well here is a little preview...

The family that owns the Tulip Farm on the corner of Claribel and Oakdale are letting us use their 90 year old barn (including a tractor and their farm) to snap some incredible pictures of children and families for our fundraiser! 

This means the possibilities are endless! With the backgrounds we are making and the natural backgrounds that just happen to already be there...

This is basically going to be the best photo op experience next to an African Safari or an afternoon with Bieber. 

And better yet (than Bieber? I know!) there is still time to sign up! So call me or email me if you haven't already! 

We can't wait till Saturday!

Gearing Up

Oh my. What is the date? With the mixture of church fundraisers, photo sessions, mission trip planning, housesitting, and finishing up all of our last steps for our home study....

I have completely neglected this little blog. Poor guy.

But now that I have a some-what rainy day and nothing to do (for approximately 12 hours), I can confidently say that I am back!

And we are TOTALLY gearing up...for A LOT!
We have exactly 6 days until our last home study meeting and exactly 7 days until our Mini Session Fundraiser! Oh geez.

Last night, a few incredible ladies came over to help put together some of the backgrounds that we are making for the Mini Sessions. We got one background completed and parts of another...but mostly, we spent time laughing, talking life around a great spread of food, and enjoying each other's creativity and wisdom. It was soul filling at its finest!

And although I didn't get any pictures of the hotties working...I captured a few of what we did and a couple shots of my models showing off how awesome the background looks when you snap a photo!

Thanks ladies for your help!! I'm so excited for next weekend!

Threads of Our Journey

This is something that we have been looking forward to doing since we started this adoption...

And yes...this is the announcement that I was referring to in my previous post...so HOLD ON TO YOUR PANTS!!

And change your shirts?

Because we've got new ones for you to put on!!

We proudly introduce our first set of Love All Adoption T-shirts!!!!

This is a design that came from our hearts as not only a couple who is adopting, but a couple who believes deeply in the call to "Love All" through our ministry, words, actions, and lives. 

And so, as we walk this journey, we wanted to make something that would remind us constantly that it is not just about our adoption...

But about loving others through everything that we do!

So support our adoption and the call to "Love All"...

And buy a shirt!!! 

Fres-Yes and Fitzsimmons

All I have ever known of Fresno is that it doesn't have much to offer.

Well that is just not true.

Fresno? FRE-YES!

As a Christmas present to Erik, I bought him tickets to one of his favorite artists, William Fitzsimmons. As an added bonus...we got to take our great friend, Tom, with us!

We had an amazing time wandering the streets of the underwhelming yet still somewhat exhilarating Tower District while waiting for the doors to open for one of the most intimate and moving shows that I have seen in a long time.

And I couldn't have asked for a better crew to go with!

Because We Can Can?

I'm going to wet your palette again.

We have some really awesome stuff happening this week that seriously deserves its own kick line...

But we aren't going to tell you yet.

I realize that we have done this once before and I secretly love how it drives people crazy...

Is that bad?

I will say...it isn't as big as "We Are Adopting!" But I'm still pretty jacked.

And you are going to want to know.

Let's just say that by the end of this week (fingers crossed) we will ALL be thinkin' we are fancy!

Curious? Stay tuned...

Adoption Training - Check.

Yup. That is right. We are officially online trained. We know everything.

Ok, that's not true.

But we finished our online certification. So that has to say something, right?

All that's left is Erik's physical and our home visit and we are DONE with our home study!
What what HOLLA!

And you don't even need to ask...

Yes, Erik did wear his Real D 3D glasses the entire time. Can't see a thing without 'em.

One Year

I had a doctor's appointment today.

I had a doctor's appointment almost exactly today...one year ago.

Here is the difference...

Last year's doctor day ended with paperwork saying that I had Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.

Today's doctor day ended with paperwork saying that I am healthy enough to begin a family through adoption.

That is pretty awesome.

Fundraiser Announcement!

I am so excited to announce our first Mini Session Fundraiser! This is seriously something that I have been looking forward to doing for so long!

As many of you know, we are in the process of adopting a child from Ethiopia. It is a long, exciting, and crazy process but we can't wait to see how our family will be changed and formed through it!

In order for us to be able to adopt, we need help in a lot of ways...one of them being financially. So, we have put our brains together and taken advice from some great fiends and come up with fun and creative ways to fundraise!

And so, without further delay...I would like to introduce our very first...

CHILDREN AND FAMILY MINI SESSIONS!!!

This is how it works...
We have set aside one day, Saturday, March 31st, to set up a studio of amazing backgrounds for great chances to capture beautiful moments of your children and your family all together! The cost is $100 (at total steal if you ask me!) for a 20 minute session with one of two photographers. You will receive a High Resolution Disc of 25-35 of the best pictures of your child or family!

So how can you be a part of it?!
It is so easy!

1. Email me at jessa.n.anderson@gmail.com to sign up for a time slot any time between 9am-4pm on Saturday, March 31st!

2. If you are not in the area or don't have children but would like to purchase a session for someone...that is totally possible! Just let me know who and we can make it happen!

3. We will email you with the specifics about the location and time slot!

These Mini Session are not only a great way to capture wonderful and fun pictures of your children or family, but a beautiful cause in supporting adoption and care for orphans!

So don't delay! And thank you in advance for your support!

Thank you.

We have been so overwhelmed with the amount of love, support, encouragement, wisdom, and guidance that has been given to us as we are walking in the process of adoption.

I think that it is really easy (as you can see from my last post) to get overwhelmed by the discouraging aspects of all of this. But we often forget that we have so many hands and feet behind us and in front of us, carrying us and catching us, as we go. 

And for those of you who have been there to walk through all of this with us...we just wanted to say...

I wish there were bigger words to use and more extravagant ways of showing it...but seriously...we couldn't do this without you...every single last one of you. So, whether you have supported us with prayers, words, finances...whatever! 

Thank you. 

We have a long way to go and way more work to be done, but we feel encouraged, supported, and lifted up by all of you. 

Today, I added up all of the financial support that we have received so far and was completely blown away by the amount of generosity and love that we have been shown! I have added a fundraising thermometer to the side of our blog so that you can follow along with us as we move forward and closer to building our family...

One that each of you will be a part of!

I pray that today you feel as blessed and loved as we do and that the Lord will show you His incredible faithfulness in ways that far outweigh anything you have ever known before. 

just one of them days.

I'm so tired. (this is me whining).

Like straight up, dragged down, emotionally, physically, mentally, spiritual EXHAUSTED!

5 hour energy can't even cure this situation.

And I don't really have a good excuse. Seriously.

All things considered, I'm a bit of a slacker.

I guess everything just piled up on top of each other and the weight got a bit too heavy today. Ministry, marriage, adoption, photography, fundraising...BLAH!

Do you ever have those days where life is just too much? Where you don't know how you got there but you are literally on the verge of a complete breakdown?

That is me. Right now. Right here. Happening today.

I kind of just want to go sit in a room somewhere for like 4 days and not talk to anyone.

How is that even appealing?

You would have thought there would be some kind of warning, right? Like flashing lights and detours signs? I feel like that pour little kitten hanging from the tree branch.

...I just feel it super necessary to give a visual reminder here in case any of us have forgotten the wonder of "Scholastic" and all of the ridiculous posters they allowed you to purchase in the name of education. Amazing...

Ok back on track...
I'm reminded today of the reason we started this blog and the theme that holds it and our lives together. I don't want to be reminded today, but I am.

And for my sake, I'm going to share it on here today...if only for me having to read it as I type it out to remind myself of its truth.

"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on your. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."

Matthew 11:28-30 (The Message)