Fellowship 686

Christmas Family Fellowship!

2011-11-23T11:45:00.001-08:00

Please join us for our

Christmas Family Fellowship

Sunday, December 11, 2011

4:00

ABAY

Ethiopian Restaurant

Buffet

$12.00 adults

kids 8 and under eat free

Please RSVP

so we can plan accordingly

Looking forward to celebrating our LORD and our families together!

Until they all have a family--

Tracy

Help a Family Win a $2000 Adoption Grant!

2011-11-08T06:58:00.000-08:00

Help a Family Win $2,000 to Adopt a Child

The Angel Foundation exists to give comfort to children in need. For every comforter you purchase, we give a comforter to a child who can’t afford one.

To build awareness of The Angel Foundation, we are giving away $2,000 to help a family adopt a child.

Here’s how it works:

You tell us of a family you know who is trying to adopt. Just click the “Submit A Need” tab above before midnight November 18, 2011.
We will select the ten most deserving children by midnight November 25, 2011 and post them on this site.
November 26 – midnight December 16, 2011 we will allow Internet users to vote on the family most deserving help.

You tell all your friends to come to this site and vote for your favorite. ONE VOTE PER IP ADDRESS.

The third week of December, we’ll announce the winner here on this site.

Must Read-- Kisses from Katie

2011-10-13T17:24:00.000-07:00

Our sweet friend Katie is inspiring the world with her new book!

If you haven't picked it up yet, please head over to 147 million orphans and half of the profits will go to Amazima Ministries.

Until they all have a family--
Tracy

Summer Fun and Back to School Bash!

2011-09-04T11:42:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone--

Please forgive me for being so long in sharing pictures of our last Fellowship in June at the

Galbreath family's home

one of my children deleted all the photos off my camera and a dear friend was able to recover them for me, whew!

Thank you so very much, Jay and Candy for a wonderful event!

Please plan to join us for our

September Family

Back to School Bash

Saturday, September 10

4:00-6:00

Owl Creek Park

in Brentwood

Please bring a potluck dish to share.

if you would like to provide paper goods or drinks please let me know.

It is the perfect place for bikes and scooters, basketball, football, jump ropes, etc.

Looking forward to seeing everyone!!!

Please RSVP

mihnovich@aol.com

Until they all have a family--
Tracy

June FAMILY Fellowship!

2011-06-05T07:43:00.000-07:00

June Family Fellowship

Movie Night Under the Stars!

at the home of

Candi and Jay Galbreath

Friday, June 24th

6:30

Please bring an appetizer or dessert to share

blankets and lawn chairs

please rsvp

Many thanks to the Galbreath family for hosting!

Hope to see everyone there!

Empowered to Connect Conference!

2011-05-18T05:19:00.000-07:00

This is a must for all adoptive parents and I'm so thankful that Show Hope is bringing it to Nashville again!

I went to this conference last year and HIGHLY recommend it!

The teaching by Dr. Karyn Purvis is absolutely priceless!

Don't miss the opportunity to get half price tickets through June 1st.

The Empowered to Connect Conference Returns to Nashville!
Early Bird Registration Ends June 1st

September 23-24

“Dr. Purvis is beyond amazing! I wish every adoptive parent could hear her.” -Sarah

“So good. So practical. I will be able to go home and start using these principles tonight.” -Jen

Show Hope is once again partnering with Empowered to Connect to bring the Empowered to Connect Conference back to Nashville, TN. This fall's improved conference format will offer even more invaluable strategies for connecting with children from hard places. We invite you to return and bring your friends!

The Empowered to Connect conference features Dr. Karyn Purvis, a leading expert in the field of research-based interventions for at-risk children. It will be an invaluable experience for parents who seek to find hope and healing for adopted or fostered children. This is also an essential opportunity for families considering an adoption or foster care placement.

Conference Dates and Location:

Nashville, Tennessee - September 23-24, 2011
(at Brentwood Baptist Church)

All registrations will be 50% off thanks to a generous donation from Focus on the Family.* Use discount code: FOCUS when registering online. Please pass these special savings on to your contacts and friends! *Limited availability

Until they all have a family-

Tracy

April Parent's Fellowship!

2011-04-02T05:13:00.000-07:00

Our April Parent's Night Fellowship

will be

Thursday, April 28th

at 6:30

at the home of

Ally and Chris Pedicini

I'm excited to have a special guest

Amanda Heiderich, Executive Director

Amanda will be there to help answer questions

regarding internationally adopted children.

Please rsvp

and bring an appetizer to share

Hope to see you all there!

Until they all have a family-

Tracy

March Fellowship Event!

2011-02-18T05:53:00.001-08:00

Our March Fellowship is a special event designed to engage the whole community in a night of WORSHIP and bring light to the needs of orphans around the world!

We are so thankful that Sodium is hosting us again and the suggested donation of

$2 will go to fight poverty and bring justice to orphans and widows in Ethiopia through the One Child Campaign's many projects in progress.

Hope to see everyone there representing the beautiful truth that God does indeed

"set the lonely in families!"

Psalm 68:6

Sunday, March 13, 2011

5:00--8:00pm

Sodium

1725 Columbia Avenue

Franklin, Tennessee 37068

615-591-1818

SALT of the Earth

2011-02-13T18:21:00.000-08:00

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:13-16

When Jesus spoke about being the SALT of the earth He was speaking of preservation, healing and the magnetic presence of Himself that would make others thirsty for what He had to give.

Salt makes a difference in the world----

There are 163 million more--- who need their world to be different.

Thank you Sodium Inc. for hosting us!!!

Until they all have a family-

Tracy

February Family Fellowship!!!

2011-01-17T06:28:00.000-08:00

I am very excited to have our February Valentine's Family Fellowship at

Sodium

in Franklin.

Please save the date

Sunday, February 13

3:30--6:30

cost is

$15 per family

Bring a dish to share if you'd like.

***And be sure to RSVP with the number of kids and adults

so they can know how to staff for us.

They are closed to the public on Sunday.

Hope to see you all there!!!

Until they all have a family--

Tracy

Both Hands for Adopting Miracles

2011-01-08T14:53:00.000-08:00

Both Hands is the most incredible fundraiser for adoptions that I've seen! Our family did a Both Hands Project 2 years ago and the blessings from that event have everlasting benefits to our widow, our children and to every single person who invested in the pure and undefiled religion that this ministry represents.

One of our own families, the Krehbiels, are working on a Both Hands project in Houston on January 15th to help bring home their twin girls, Amy and Emily from Ethiopia. Please read their letter below and support them if you are led--- and please pass it on. A Both Hands project can be done in any city!

How It All Began…Jon and Beth Krehbiel are like any other expectant parents. They wondered what their child would look like. They dreamt about decorating a bedroom in pinks and greens. They barely resisted buying tiny hats or miniature sweaters. But unlike other expectant mothers, Beth prays for twin little girls who are already born, living halfway around the world. And unlike other expectant fathers, Jon worries if his daughters are eating enough and whether or not they are sleeping in warm beds.

Some of you are probably wondering what has prompted Jon and Beth to adopt. Here is what they say:

“Well, primarily, we’ve felt so clearly directed by God to adopt that we want to obey Him, and we also desire to give orphan children a family that they probably won’t otherwise have. God desires for orphans of all nations to be loved, cared for and adopted into Christian families – ultimately so they can become saved, and be adopted into His eternal family through Jesus Christ! The adoption journey started for us, 10 years ago, when we adopted our first 2 children, from the US. Then 2 years ago, we adopted a sibling set of 4, from Ethiopia. There are so many things God has used to prick our hearts and move us to adopt. Our Ethiopian children’s tears begging us not to leave them all to suffer alone… is the biggest: how could we say “no” to them? They have experienced the crisis first hand!”

“Pure religion undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction… James 1:27”

Meet the Krehbiel twins…

We are adopting precious 3-year old twin girls from Ethiopia. We were matched with them after discovering them on a “waiting child list”. We will travel to Ethiopia January 25, 2011, for our court appearance, then soon after, we will travel again, to bring them home to join our family forever! As a family, we’ve been excitedly praying for them, and we’ve already named our daughters – Amy and Emily! To read more, go to our website www.adoptingmiracles.net

Meet Peggy…

Peggy has been alone for 27 years. She recently lost her only daughter Nicole to a drunk driver in a car accident. Nicole’s 8 year old son Josh, was left orphaned. Josh is fighting brain cancer. Peggy is now the legal guardian of her grandson. Because of frequent hospital visits for treatments, Peggy has had to give up her job. The two of them barely get by on social security. These circumstances have left their home in bad shape and there is still a ton of work to do! She is overwhelmed at the support and help our team is offering!

Here is a link to Peggy’s very touching story by a Houston television station: http://www.click2houston.com/video/20197618/index.html?taf=hou

Our Both Hands Fundraiser Project…

Two little girls living in an orphanage halfway around the world. A widow living in Spring, Texas, who just needs a little help. A group of old and new friends coming together with a desire to share pure religion.

What could these three things possibly have in common? All three are coming together to play key roles in an exciting fundraising opportunity taking place on January 15, 2011. This fundraiser will help Jon and Beth adopt Amy and Emily while we all spend a day fixing up Peggy’s house. As their friends, we’re invested in helping them in all sorts of ways, and we hope you will consider helping them, too. If you are reading this letter, PLEASE ACT NOW! Even $10 will make a huge difference in the lives of these little girls. We are asking our family and friends to sponsor us while we work on Peggy’s home, and the money that is donated will be used to bring Amy and Emily home to their forever family. Think of it like a charity golf outing; but instead of us golfing to raise money, we are going to support a widow in need. I want to give you an opportunity to participate in this awesome project, if it feels right. If not, no big deal. But, truth be told, I hope you find this as irresistible as we do. Both Hands through its partnership with Lifesong for Orphans is an organization that is dedicated to comforting widows and helping orphans. Lifesong makes it possible for your contribution to be tax deductible.

Thank you for investing in the Kingdom through prayer and finances – it will be an investment with an eternal return! (Matt 6:20)

In Christ,

Jon and Beth “If I could chose again, I’d still choose YOU!”

http://AdoptingMiracles.net (read more of our story and process)

http://LifesongForOrphans.org/donation.html (specify Krehbiel Family #1677)

How Can You Help?

My request is simple and straightforward. We are not all called to adopt, but we can all play a part in this wonderful process. Would you consider taking part in the joy of adoption by helping is raise the money to bring Amy and Emily home?

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter and consider my invitation! There are a few ways that you can help…

Prayer – Please pray for blessings over this adoption: pray for Amy and Emily, that God would prepare their hearts to be adopted; and for wisdom, clarity, and understanding for Jon and Beth as they raise these children to know God and his son, Jesus Christ. Please also pray for continued blessings for Peggy and Josh, and for the ministries of the Both Hands Foundation and Lifesong for Orphans.

Financial – Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to reduce the remaining adoption expenses as I work with our team to better the lives of Peggy and Josh.

Tell others - Send this letter to as many people as you would like, the more people who come together to support this project, the better. The cost for an adoption of 2, is $40,000+. If each person gave $10 and 1000 people gave, $10,000 could be raised.

“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction.” James 1:27

For more information on Both Hands and Lifesong for Orphans please visit www.lifesongfororphans.org.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Every Dollar Helps!

Please make your tax-deductible checks to Lifesong for Orphans. Their website is www.LifesongforOrphans.org. You may preference how the donation might be used by writing “Krehbiel Adoption #1677” in the memo section of your check:

Complete this form as soon as possible and return it to:

Lifesong for Orphans

PO Box 40 / 202 N Ford St

Gridley, IL 61744

Until they ALL have a family--

Tracy

Christmas Family Fellowship!

2010-11-19T04:22:00.000-08:00

Please join us for our

Christmas Family Fellowship

Sunday, December 12

4:00

ABAY

Ethiopian Restaurant

Thank you to Margie and Mark Johnson for planning!

please respond with the # of adults and children attending so Abay can plan accordingly. :)

Can't wait to see everyone there!

Adopting Miracles Fundraiser AND November Fellowship!

2010-11-09T11:18:00.000-08:00

3 amazing families are adopting a total of 6 children

come

celebrate and support

the Krehbiels, Couches, and Greens

Saturday, November 13 @ 6:00

Grace Center Church

Hope to see you all there!

AND

Our November Parent's Fellowship

will be at

Abay

at 6:00

preceding the

Visiting Orphans Give2Go Benefit Concert

Until they ALL have a family--

Tracy

October Family Picnic!

2010-10-15T17:21:00.000-07:00

It was a perfectly, beautiful Sunday afternoon in the park---

Thank you to Sara and Chad Ice for planning our October family picnic!

October Fellowship Family Picnic!

2010-09-27T04:20:00.000-07:00

October Family Picnic

Sunday, October 10

4:00

Sevier Park

3000 Granny White Pike

Nashville, Tennessee 37204

Please bring a dish to share

and drinks for your family

Please rsvp to

Sarah Ice

sice@email.usn.org

Thank you so much, Sarah and Chad for organizing our picnic!

Hope to see you all there!

-----and don't forget Fallapalooza on October 9!

September Parents Fellowship

2010-09-09T08:47:00.000-07:00

Please join us

Thursday, September 23

6:30

for

African Adoption Parent's Fellowship

at the home of

Chris and Ally Pedicini

Chris and Ally are adoptive parents of 9.

They possess a great wealth of wisdom on adoption and parenting.

Please rsvp to Ally at ally@tricordsolutions.com

--and please bring an appetizer to share. :)

Thank you for hosting Ally and Chris!

Until they all have a family-

Tracy

Fellowship Pool PARTAY!!!

2010-08-22T17:21:00.000-07:00

What a perfect day for a pool party!

Food, fun and families!...

Thank you to everyone who came out to send summer off in style!

We are so beyond blessed to share our lives with such incredible families!

Until they all have a family-

Tracy

2010-08-20T20:20:00.000-07:00

Fellowship 686

Family Pool Party

Sunday, August 22nd

4:00--6:00

Chenoweth Neighborhood Clubhouse

Lifeguards, baby pool and playground!

Please bring a dish to share

Please rsvp to kristinedjohnson@comcast.net

Hope to see you all there!!!

World Vision Aids Experience

2010-08-10T06:22:00.000-07:00

We are blessed to have the World Vision Experience: AIDS

in Brentwood

at Otter Creek Church of Christ until August 15th.

If you haven't experienced this before you will not want to miss it!

Reserve your free tickets here.

World Vision Experience AIDS

For some families, like ours, that have adopted older children this exhibit may hit a little too close to home.

You can check out the online experience

to see if it is appropriate for your adopted children to attend with you.

Until they all have a family-

Tracy

Love Never Fails

2010-06-29T19:22:00.000-07:00

We had another incredible family fellowship picnic at the Johnson's home on Sunday afternoon!

So many families--- old and new, at home with children and in process, and some who were just checking things out--- came to share the love and see what God is up to in our community.

God is always doing many things at once in any adoption--- and to have a community of passionate families who are pursuing His heart for the orphans in the world is pretty close to heaven on earth!

Now we know in part; then we shall know fully.....and now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is LOVE.

1 Corinthians 13:12-13

Thank you Will and Kristi for graciously opening your home to our giant group!!!

Your hospitality is unmatched anywhere, I promise!

Check out more photos on Kristi's blog and on Sallee's blog.

Until they all have a family--

Tracy

June FAMILY Fellowship!

2010-06-01T16:11:00.000-07:00

Our June Family Fellowship will be on Sunday, June 27 @ 4:00 at the home of

Kristi and Will Johnson.

Please bring all your kiddos and a side dish, appetizer or dessert to share and come ready for tons of fun!

Please respond to Kristi at kristinedjohnson@comcast.net

We welcome all families--

and if you are considering adoption from Africa please join us!

Thank you Will and Kristi for hosting!

Parent's Fellowship

2010-05-10T09:58:00.000-07:00

Our African Adoption Parent's Fellowship

will be

Thursday, May 13th at 6:30

at the home of

Ally and Chris Pedicini

Please bring any books that have inspired or encouraged you in your passion for adoption and an appetizer to share. Thank you!!

RSVP to ally@tricordsolutions.com

some of my favorites--

You can order any of these on Amazon and bless our amazing friends the Rogers' Ministry in Haiti and the Dominican Republic

Click on the link and search through their site and they receive 4%.

Thank you!!!

Thank you Ally and Chris for hosting!!!

Until they all have a family--
Tracy

This IS the Kingdom

2010-04-27T14:44:00.001-07:00

Our African Family Fellowship Group met on Sunday afternoon. If you want to see what God's Kingdom looks like in action this is the place to be. These are families who are living the Gospel, taking up their crosses, walking a winding, narrow road and laying down their lives for the sake of doing for God's orphans what He has done for them.

It's not about infertility.

It's not about having an extra bedroom.

It's not about having extra money.

It's not about doing a good deed.

It's about a child LIVING out his God ordained destiny to the fullest being part of a family who has opened their arms to him.

These faces say it all!!!

There are 147 million more waiting....

I in them and You in Me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that You sent me and have loved them even as You have loved Me.

John 17:23

Until they all have a family--

Tracy

April Family Fellowship!--and events!

2010-04-08T06:36:00.000-07:00

Our April Family Fellowship will be at Owl Creek Park on Sunday, April 25th at 4:00.

Please bring a dish to share and drinks for your family. This is the same location as our October family fellowship--9751 Concord Rd, Brentwood, TN 37027 - Google Maps

This park is perfect for bikes and riding toys, basketball and football, so come prepared for fun!!!

Thank you Kristi J. for reserving this park for us!!!

Check out Room for One More Child - RunningTeam

to see how you can help a child find a family by supporting a runner in the Music City Marathon!

Our family is blessed to be home with our new children for one month now! Praising God for the His incredible gifts to our family!!!

Until they all have a family--

Tracy

Valentine Family Fellowship

2010-02-14T21:45:00.000-08:00

So many precious little African Valentine's running around on Saturday at our fellowship group......thank you Kristi for planning and organizing this month as we are preparing to leave in 5 days to add 4 more growing children to our group!!

Pop over to Kristi's

blog for more pics and all the details!

Until they all have a family--

Tracy

February Family Fellowship!

2010-02-03T11:42:00.000-08:00

Hi All!!! I'm helping Tracy M. plan this months Family Social since they (the Mihnovich family) are leaving for Ethiopia to pick up their 4 new children at the end of the month!! Yayy :) So, here are the plans for February's Family Fellowship Social:

You are all invited to join us Saturday, February 13th from 11:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M. for our Valentine's Day Family Social

at The Christ Church Indoor Playground, known as the Kid Park Playground!! This is an amazing facility open to the public..

The address is :

15354 Old Hickory Blvd.

Nashville, Tn 37211

www.christchurchnashville.org

This is what their site says about it:

"The Kidpark Playground is truly an adventure through the Bible! Since it's opening in 2004, it has quickly become a hotspot in Nashville, even being featured in the secular circular The Nashville Scene as The Best Unknown Free Place To Take Your Kids. The two-story indoor playland is complete with 2 giant slides, mazes, and imagination toys. Grow with your children in their knowledge of Christ through the vividly depicted Bible scenes and themes. Admission is free of charge and open regularly for your family's enjoyment! "

I've talked with Christ Church and they will allow us to use it from 11am to 2pm on that day!! No food or drinks are allowed in the actual "play ground" area, so we'll have a table set up outside the play area for drinks and snacks!! We won't be providing lunch on this day since they really don't have the tables to accommodate that, but we'll ask that everyone bring either a dessert or snack to share and we'll keep all the bellies full while they play!! You are welcome to bring a lunch for yourselves, eat before, or eat afterwards...what ever works for your family!!!

***Please feel free to pass this along to anyone you feel might enjoy fellowshipping with all us Adoptive Parents and our African children (and all our bio children, other adopted children, etc. of course :) This is for anyone inquiring about African adoption, in the process, or home with their children already!! Many agencies and countries are represented!!

You may rsvp to me if you'd like!! Hope to see you all there on the 13th at 11 A.M. AND look for the Valentine Balloons hanging from the door that you should enter to be closest to the play area!! This is a huge church, and there are many entrances, so I'll hang balloons on the gate, or the door that is closest to the indoor play area to help out!!!

Kristi Johnson

Wife to Will

Momma to 5: Helen 8, Julia 6, Hal 4, George 2, and Lucy lane from Ethiopia 14 months

www.weloveourlucy.blogspot.com

2010-01-28T10:22:00.000-08:00

Fellowship Bible Church- Moses Basket

The Moses Basket is the adoption, foster care, and orphan care ministry of Fellowship Bible Church of Brentwood, Tennessee.

Breakfast for Moms

On Saturday, January 30th, from 8 - 9:30 a.m., in the Concord Road House, we are hosting a breakfast for moms who have been involved in adoption or foster care. This will be a great opportunity to connect and build relationships. Heather Redington is organizing this event. If you choose to attend and/or help, please RSVP at shredington@comcast.net.

Haitian Orphan Care

You may have heard in the news, our state department is uniting paper-ready Haitian orphans with their adoptive parents. But, there is also a possibility that non-paper-ready children who have been orphaned because of the earthquake (or before the earthquake) may be coming for long term, international foster care. There are no firm details, and we do not know if these children will ultimately be adoptable. But, if you are a family who is willing to be considered as a foster family for Haitian orphans and you have an up-to-date homestudy, background check, and fingerprints, then fill out this survey and be placed on our list for Middle Tennessee.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Y6Q6G9P

Parent's Fellowship Night

2010-01-22T14:46:00.000-08:00

So thankful that so many of our adopting moms and dads braved the storm warnings to get together last night to catch up on where each family is in the process and just enjoy being together with ONE heart and mind!

Chris- waiting to travel to bring home 2 precious boys, Kristi- and sweet Lucy Lane, Sarah- waiting for court date for her sweet baby boy!

Baby Maggie's grandma-- we love when grandmas come!-- and Sarah-- just sent off dossier and waiting to find out whom God has chosen to be their baby boy!

Princesses Maggie and Lucy Lane

Courtney and Kenneth with their brag book-- inside their super cute 4 year old son, Tariku--waiting for a court date

Tim and Jo- waiting for their sweet baby girl to be revealed!

Beautiful Maggie came home in May

Mark, Caleb and Margie-- court date for precious boy #1 on February 1--and waiting for a court date for baby boy #2--- they think they'll be making 2 trips

I will say to the north, 'Give them up!' and to the south, 'Do not hold them back.' Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth-----Isaiah 43:6

Until they all have a family--

Tracy

January Fellowship

2010-01-05T19:00:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

I can hardly wait to see how many children God will set in families from Africa in 2010! This will be a busy year for all of us.

Our next Parent's Fellowship group will be on Thursday, January 21 @ 6:30

at the Mihnovich home.

This is a wonderful time to meet other parents who have adopted or are in the process of adoption and share struggles, triumphs and prayers!

Please bring an appetizer to share if you'd like to.

If you are willing to host a fellowship group at your home or have a church meeting room that can host our group, please let me know. God is doing a mighty work in our midst with adoption from Africa and our group has grown immensely! I would love to hear your ideas about family group gatherings.

Please respond by email or comment and let me know if you need directions.

Until they all have a family--

Tracy

Christmas Fellowship!

2009-12-13T19:30:00.000-08:00

---Another great fellowship group with families who came from near and far to celebrate adoption and our children's culture at Abay's Ethiopian Restaurant. Abay's had a wonderful buffet for us and they could not have been more gracious!

double click to enlarge pictures :)

Thank you Kristi, for the special Christmas desserts!

Stay tuned for details of event to celebrate a traditional Ethiopian Christmas on January 7th!

Ethiopian Heritage and Culture Camp

2009-12-11T09:06:00.000-08:00

A gathering of families, touched by Ethiopian Heritage

Ethio-Blended Families & Ethiopian Families coming together for the love our children

to connect, to be educated...

It will again be held at Massanetta Springs Conference Center in Harrisonburg, VA, July 23-25,

2010

The new dates have not been uploaded yet on their website.

For more information and to see all the fun from last year's camp click HERE

Christmas Fellowship Group!

2009-12-01T12:52:00.000-08:00

Our Christmas Family Fellowship group will be Sunday, December 13 at 4:00 at Abay Ethiopian Restaurant.

Abay will offer an authentic Ethiopian dining experience and a coffee service afterwards.

Please respond by December 10 with the number of people in your party-- adults and children.

Melkam Gena

and

Mbagaliza Christmass Enungi Nomwaka Omugya Gubaberere Gwamirembe

Sponsor a Foster Child for Christmas

2009-11-18T16:15:00.000-08:00

The Davidson County Department of Children’s Services in partnership with Matthew Walker Health Center is pleased to announce the annual Foster Child Christmas Program for 2009. With the donations of toys and clothes from generous sponsors like you, the foster children in Davidson County will be able to have gifts under the tree at Christmas just like other boys and girls. A gift card is a wonderful alternative, and they are very popular with children, especially teens.

It’s difficult to imagine, we know, but having new toys and clothes that belong to them is a new experience for many children in foster care.

The children in foster care include children from newborn to 18 years. The children live in a variety of placements and will be unable to spend the Christmas holiday with their families. Your gifts mean so much to the children who receive them. For some, this year may be the first time in their lives to have a real Christmas.

The process of becoming a sponsor is simple. We will provide wish lists from a foster child. You have the option to sponsor as many children as you would like. Please donate items that are new, either unwrapped or in gift bags and please attach a copy of the child’s wish list to the gifts. Matthew Walker Center is a 501(c)3 non-profit agency so your donations are 100% tax deductible. We will begin accepting donations in November through December 15. We will deliver the gifts to the children as they are received; the last gifts will be delivered on Saturday, December 19th.

If possible, we ask that you drop donations off at our designated donation center located at 1242 Foster Avenue, Nashville, TN 37210. This building is located across the street from the Nashville School of the Arts. Please call us before dropping off gifts so that we can plan to be at the drop off site. Directions are available.

Last year, thanks to your generosity and open hearts of our sponsors, we provided gifts and toys to over 800 children. If you are interested in sponsoring a child (ren) or if you would like additional information, please contact us. There is no way to predict what a lasting influence your gift may have on a foster child. We are very grateful for your support, and we thank you.

If you are interested in making a difference in the life of a child this Christmas, please contact the Davidson County Christmas Committee

Ann Brooks -- 615-253-3290 or 253-3311

Dana Eskridge--615-253-3308 or 289-6243

Rees Greenman--615-253-3311 or 332-4774

Transracial Adoption Webinar!

2009-11-16T09:02:00.000-08:00

Register here to join and receive great insight and information from author and speaker, Rhonda M. Roorda, M.A. She is a transracial adoptee herself and has a wealth of infomation to share!

You do not have to be available to listen on the day of the webinar, December 8. If you register now, they will send you a reminder of the event, THEN after the event, they will send you a thank you for participating and a link to listen to it again. That way, you can just listen when it is convenient for you.

HOW DOES YOUR LIFE SING?!

2009-11-13T08:36:00.000-08:00

FORMER CHILD SOLDIERS. GIRLS WHO HAVE BEEN RAPED AT THE AGE OF TEN YEARS OLD. CHILDREN ABDUCTED BY REBELS AND FORCED TO KILL THEIR PARENTS.

For these children in Africa, violence has stolen their Song. but you can SING! for them. Through a trauma and peace-building program of art, dance, drama, and music therapy, eXile international exists to bring hope and healing to the war affected children of Congo and Eastern Africa. We invite you to join our team at eXile international.

Beginning at only $7 a month, you can help us bring them a sense of Peace that the years of Violence have stolen from their childhood.

SING from eXile international on Vimeo.

2009-10-29T07:54:00.000-07:00

Adoption fundraiser purchases make such meaningful Christmas gifts!!!

Check out this one---

Enjoy top-quality products from currentfun.com.
Choose from a variety of cards, gift wrap, home decor,kitchen gadgets, candy and treats, even popular magazine subscriptions.Buy 1 get 1 free deals.

http://currentfun.com then click on "shop now" (Link is also located on our blog)

When checking out, select:
State: TN
Organization: April Short
This fundraiser will continue until we bring our child home. Feel free to shop anytime and to spread the word.

Mark& April Short

shortstoriestn.blogspot.com

Fun Adoption Fundraisers!

2009-10-27T04:10:00.000-07:00

Jo Franklin writes:

"Drew and Sharon Raines, a family in my church, are in the process of adopting twin boys who were on the waiting child list from Ethiopia.

Their fundraiser is like a mom-swap event. Moms pay a $20 cover charge, bring items they want to swap (any kids items, toy, shoes, clothes, or maternity clothes) and get to pick items that other moms brought to go home with. It's going to be on Friday, Nov. 13 from 6-9pm. It will be at 205 Stecoah Ct. Antioch, TN 37013. Anyone who is interested or has questions can email me. jomichellefranklin@yahoo.com

Also, I have a fundraiser going on for the next two weeks. My friend who has a on-line stationery business is taking orders for the next two weeks, Oct. 25-Nov.7, and the proceeds from those orders will go towards our adoption. She creates and sells personalized notecards, notepads, photo Christmas cards, baby announcements, bag tags, and gift cards online. Anyone interested can email her at keepintouchstationery@gmail.com and she will email them an on-line catalog. You can also look at her website at keepintouchstationery.com."

What a joy to have the privilege of supporting each other as we bring our children home!

Ethiopian Explosion

2009-10-25T20:14:00.001-07:00

What a perfect afternoon for our African Fellowship picnic!.... So many wonderful families came together to celebrate our precious treasures and share in each other's journeys to adoption. In the same way our spiritual adoptions by God are meant to be lived out in a community of faith, our physical adoption of orphans thrives when we can support each other and watch our children grow up together with greater vision of what God's Kingdom is all about!

Family Fellowship Group--October 25!...and adoption fundraisers!

2009-10-23T08:58:00.000-07:00

We are looking forward to an awesome fellowship group this Sunday! Many families have responded and we will welcome at least 2 new little ones home to their AF community of LOVE!

Please pray for a beautiful fall day and bring picnicky pot luck to share-- Sunday, 10/25, 3:00-6:00

Owl Creek Park directions

9751 Concord Rd, Brentwood, TN 37027 - Google Maps

The Short family is offering photography services to raise money for their adoption from Ethiopia.

Mark writes:

"Do you want professional pictures for holiday cards or eCards?

What: Professionally capture your memories.
Why: I’m passionate about family and photography. To that end, my wife (April) and I are in the process of adopting a boy from Ethiopia and I want to use photography to bless others and possibly raise some money to help with that adoption.
Cost: Donations are greatly appreciated, but are not required.
Where: Any location convenient to you.
When: Any evening or weekend. Appointments are appreciated.
How: I’ll bring my photography equipment. Work with you on the setting and focus. Capture, post process, and provide a CD/DVD of your pics and/or upload them to a secure web gallery for your viewing and sharing.

You can glimpse my work at: www.sevenlightsphotography.com"---

---And please check out 147 Million Orphans. The Oatsvall and Mayernick families will be bringing home children soon from Uganda! Their website has wonderful orphan awareness apparel and it all benefits orphans and adoption!

What a privilege to take part in the saving of lives and the building of families in His Name!

All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. AND THE LORD ADDED TO THEIR NUMBER DAILY THOSE WHO WERE BEING SAVED. Acts 2:44-47

November fellowship will be a prayer and sharing time for parents. If you are interested in hosting, please let me know. Thank you!

Until they all have a family--

Tracy

October Family Fellowship!

2009-10-12T20:35:00.000-07:00

Our October family fellowship group will be on Sunday, October 25, from 3:00-6:00 at the

New Owl Creek Park in Brentwood.

Bring the whole family and pot luck to share for an afternoon picnic and fun with all our adoptive families! Thank you Kristi Johnson for securing a location for us to meet!! Can't wait to see you all there!

Please RSVP to tracymihnovich@yahoo.com

*** The Peters family has a calling card fundraiser. Check out Call-me-Cards for more information. This is a really inventive fundraiser!

In case you missed it, there was an article in The Tennessean on Sunday about international adoption in our area.

Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another---and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:23

Until they all have a family--

Tracy

Fellowship Group Clothing Swap!

2009-09-21T07:35:00.001-07:00

This month at our fellowship group we will be having a children's clothing swap for anyone who would like to participate. You don't need to bring clothes to take clothes.....it is totally casual and all ages are welcome! Please bring your clothes you'd like to swap or donate to families who could use them------and hopefully you can leave with with an updated wardrobe for you children, too!

Don't forget to RSVP to tracymihnovich@yahoo.com for our Thursday, September 24 fellowship group.

Please bring an appetizer to share. :)

***The Stavnes family has a wonderful Christmas Ornaments fundraiser. Please check out these creative Africa ornaments!

Until they all have a family--

Tracy

Tuberculosis Testing for Adopted Children

2009-09-10T14:28:00.000-07:00

The CDC has an outdated protocol for the admission of children who have been adopted abroad and are coming home to the United States. Adoptive families are petitioning to remove the TB testing requirement. Please follow this link to learn why the sputum from of testing is a ridiculous requirement for children. Interview with pediatric tuberculosis expert Dr. Jeffrey Starke

TB testing directly affects waiting children- like our many of our children- and their ability to come home in a timely manner. You may have heard reports about adoptive families being delayed in-country when a child's test result comes back positive, and denied entry to the United States until treatment has been given. The risk of transmission by children is LESS THAN one percent. With children who already have compromised immune systems, the minimum 7 week delay exposes them needlessly to the health risks associated with orphanage life and could be potentially deadly. That's why it's important to adoptive families that the TB testing requirement be removed.

If you agree that the testing creates needless delays in bringing children home,PLEASE read and sign this petition and help bring justice to these children who need someone to speak up for them.

Thank you!

Upcoming Events

2009-09-08T12:38:00.000-07:00

The Hammons family is having a Golf Tournament fundraiser on September 18 at Gaylord Springs Golf Club. Check out Tennessee Fore Adoption :: Helping Middle Tennessee Families Fund International Adoptions to sign up!

The Franklin family is having a yard sale on September 19 and they welcome any donations to benefit their adoption! Their address is 9489 Ashford Place in the Chenoweth subdivision off of Concord.
Email Jo at jomichellefranklin@yahoo.com with any questions.

The Watson family is having a yard sale on September 25-26 to benefit their adoption. Check out Ethiopia's Calling: PEOPLE IN NASHVILLE: WE NEED YOUR HELP! for details.

If you haven't signed up already, you will not want to miss the Together for Adoption Conference 2009 in Franklin at Christ Community Church on October 2-3. This will be an incredible conference that will educate and empower us all to fulfill God's plan for His church to provide families, love and care for the millions of orphans in the world.

Childcare is available.

The annual Tennessee Adoption Bike Tour celebration will be in downtown Nashville at Bicentennial Mall on Friday, October 9 starting at 4:30 pm. The Adoption Celebration will begin with welcoming the cyclists who are concluding their bike ride across the state to raise awareness for adoption. We'll cheer them on, enjoy bounce houses, face painting, and games for the kids, hear from adoption advocates, and listen to music from Nashville singer/songwriter, Randall Goodgame!

Not only is this a great time to celebrate your own family, but it is an opportunity to bring out those families considering adoption and allow them to see what a strong and supportive adoptive community we have in the Middle Tennessee area! It is going to be a great event, celebrating a great cause, with such a wonderful community of children & families! We hope that you will be able to join us for the evening!

This is the 5th year for the Adoption Bike Tour sponsored by the Department of Children's Services. Bikers ride across the State of Tennessee to raise awareness for adoption.

Until they all have a family--

Tracy

Our Growing Families!

2009-09-02T20:44:00.000-07:00

Wow! What began with a handful of us meeting at the America World office to pray and fellowship while waiting for our children to come home, has grown into a thriving community of families who are absolutely sold-out to fulfilling God's plan for the orphan in our families.

II Chronicles 16:9 comes to mind--"For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him." The Lord has strengthened our families and our community because of our commitment to the least of these. It is such an honor to be a part of this body of believers and to watch our families grow together!

Thank you to Kristi and Will Johnson for hosting the family fellowship get- together in August! I don't think we were even able to get a head count, but there were many first timers who we hope to see return. Even if you are just checking out the adoption scene, we love having you come to our group!

Thanks Kristi for taking some wonderful pictures!

We are so very grateful to Amanda Lawrence for beginning this group in 2007 and for faithfully keeping us on track each month. It has been such a blessing to our family! We pray all God's best for her as she begins her new job at Visiting Orphans and look forward to her joining us whenever she can. We will continue to have alternating months of prayer and sharing time for parents--- and family get-togethers.

Our September parent's fellowship group will be:
Thursday, September 24

please RSVP to tracymihnovich@yahoo.com

If you would like to host the October family group, please let me know. Also, if you have an adoption fundraiser, prayer request, or any exciting news that you'd like to share with everyone, please let me know and I will post it on the blog. If you have a family blog and it is not listed, leave a comment and I will add it.

Until they all have a family--
Tracy

Come Hear Author of Fields of the Fatherless, Tom Davis and Sparrow Recording Artist, Britt Nicole!

2009-07-27T08:05:00.001-07:00

Tom Davis, Author of Fields of the Fatherless, a wonderful book about God's heart for the orphan will be speaking at our Nashville Orphan's Ticket Home Gala on August 8th at the Gaylord Springs Golf Club. You can read more about this speaking engagment and see what Tom said about America World and our Gala's here.

Our Guest Artist will be Sparrow Recording Artist, Britt Nicole!
You can register for this event here.

August Fellowship Group!

2009-07-27T08:02:00.001-07:00

The August Fellowship Group will be held on Sunday, August 16th at Kristi Johnson's house at 4:00 PM. PLEASE bring a side item or dessert and the Johnson family will provide burgers and hotdogs. Feel free to bring your kids as this is family affair! You can RSVP to Kristi at kristinedjohnson@comcast.net.

The address is: 9420 Ashford Place, Brentwood. Chenoweth Neighborhood off Concord Rd.

Looking forward to seeing everyone there!

One Love Coffee - Fundraise for your Adoption!

2009-06-11T09:01:00.000-07:00

One Love Coffee Roasters’ two primary focuses are coffee and orphans. Rob Webb, founder of One Love Coffee Roasters and an adoptive dad here in Nashville, knows personally how expensive the adoption process is. The thought of having to raise tens of thousands of dollars to adopt a child is staggering to many. It can be the obstacle that stands in the way of a family’s commitment to adopt, and many times slows down the process of bringing an adoptive family’s child(ren) home. Many people don’t know where to start. One Love Coffee Roasters wants to be that starting point for raising money to help unite families with their children.

We try to make it as simple as possible. One Love does not ask or require you to purchase anything. We handle all of the order processing: we set up a web page specifically for your family with the coffees you have chosen to sell, fulfill the orders, collect payment securely online, and then send you checks for your portion of the sales for each month. All that the adoptive family needs to do is to fill out the application to validate your adoption process, send the link to their One Love web page to as many people as possible to generate sales for the fundraiser, and notify us when your adoption is complete!

When the adoption is complete, your friends and family who purchased One Love Coffee can continue to do so on our main storefront and continue to support orphans with a portion of the proceeds of all One Love Coffees going to the AWAA Transition Home in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

It’s that simple!

Our current goal is to sign up 100 families before September 2009, when we will officially open our doors for business. Just visit http://www.onelovecoffees.com, click on the “Sign Up” link at the top menu, complete the form, and your store will be ready to go when we launch in September.

June Africa Fellowship Group!

2009-06-01T08:47:00.000-07:00

The June Fellowship Group will be held on Sunday, June 28th at Josh & Jodi Lewis' parents home: 380 Powell Grove Road, Lebanon TN 37087.

The day will start at 3 PM and adjourn around 6 PM. The Lewis' will be providing hamburgers, hotdogs and drinks and they just ask that you bring a dessert or side item. They are also planning activities for the kids, so PLEASE RSVP if you plan to attend.

You can RSVP to them at joshandjodi@charter.net.

Your whole family is invited, so come one, come all!

Dubois Adoption Garage Sale - Pegram, TN this Sat!

2009-05-27T17:43:00.000-07:00

This Saturday, May 30th, Daniel and Sarah Dubois are hosting a HUGE yard sale and bake sale to raise money for their adoption. The sale will be at the Pegram Church of Christ parking lot in Pegram, TN, and it starts at 7 am. They have received tons of great donations to sell, including a Honda pressure washer, a gas grill, lots of furniture, two bikes, lawn equipment, electronics, and lots more. They will be serving Gobena coffee in the morning too! Go to their website for more information, including directions: www.duboisadoption.com

Prayer Meeting

2009-05-03T09:11:00.000-07:00

We are holding an emergency prayer meeting to lift up some of our TN families who are really going through some hard times right now. Remember Fellowship Group, this is what we are all about - supporting each other through these difficult times. I hope you can be there.

The date is Tuesday, May 12th at 6 PM at the Mihnovich's house: 440 Coburn Lane, Franklin, TN.

Lifting you all up...

May Fellowship Group!

2009-04-29T22:34:00.000-07:00

The May Fellowship Group will be held on Thursday, May 28th at 6 PM. The Johnson family is hosting it this month. They live at 9420 Ashford Place, Brentwood... in the Chenoweth Neighborhood off Concord Rd.

This month's group is just for couples only. If you cannot find a babysitter at all, then the Johnson's said you could bring your little one. But please remember this month it's about prayer and support for each other, so the goal is adult's only. UNLESS you have a new one home we haven't prayed over yet. I had forgotten to do this at the last group...Sorry!

The Fellowship Group for June will be another family get together group at the Krehbiel's house. Details and date to come!

Let's keep praying for each other. There are many people traveling to pick up their children now as I write, or in a few weeks. Others are praying for the safety and release of their children. This is what we are here for, to lift each other up and carry each other's burdens. God moves when we pray for each other!

Look forward to seeing you on May 28th! Please RSVP to Kristi Johnson at kristinedjohnson@comcast.net. Thank you!

Adoption Yard Sale Video

2009-04-22T18:31:00.000-07:00

Watch along as Randall Goodgame, an adoptive dad to be, so eloquently shares with us how to have a successful fundraising yard sale..Thank you Randall! :)

Help Orphans & Widows at the Same Time Through Both Hands

2009-04-22T14:05:00.001-07:00

The Mihnovich family has been involved in a great fundraiser for their adoption of a sibling group of 4!.....it is an amazing fundraiser that is a win/win for widows and orphans.

"We are so blessed to have been able to do participate in it and so thankful that JT Olson started in in our area!"

Check This Out!

2009-04-22T14:03:00.000-07:00

Their is a documentary being made about one our Nashville families!!! The Weimer's...You can check it out here.

Pictures from April Fellowship Group

2009-04-20T07:31:00.001-07:00

We had a great April Fellowship Group...Our family is growing so much and it's exciting to meet the new children and watch others grow and become friends. You can see some pictures from the Johnson family blogsite here and the Putty website where the Fellowship Group was held.

April Family Fellowship Group

2009-04-02T13:36:00.000-07:00

Come one, come all! This month's Fellowship 686 will be held at Kelly Putty's House in Brentwood on Sunday, April 19th from 3 PM to 5 PM.

Please be sure to bring a munchie for all!

Benefit Concert for Adoption!

2009-04-02T12:04:00.000-07:00

The Burke Family is holding a Benefit Concert & Silent Auction for their adoption at the Mercy Lounge on Sunday, April 19th at 7 PM. The Concert is called, "Show Some Love to the Children of Africa". You can purchase tickets online at http://www.mercylounge.com/. Shown here is their flier.

Adoption Fundraiser Garage Sales

2009-04-02T09:45:00.001-07:00

Spring is here and our families are busy holding great Garage Sales to fund their adoptions. Here is a list of few coming up:

1. The Cornett family is holding a huge Yard Sale in Hendersonville right off of Main St on April 18th, 8 AM to 4 PM. $10 haircuts will be given from a hairstylist from Tangles Salon and there will be all kinds of things for your kids to do!

2. The Faires family is holding a Garage Sale on April 18th in Franklin at 3131 Tristan Drive.

3. The Weimer Family is holding a Yard Sale from April 9th to the 11th in Spring Hill at 2108 Burgess Lane, Spring Hill TN 37174

4. Abby Wells is having a Garage sale on Saturday April 4 in Bellevue from 9 AM - 3 PM (or later if business is good!). Multiple families participating!! 8205 Poplar Creek Road Nashville, TN 37221. Here is a blurb from her: I am trying to raise money to help pay for my trip to Ethiopia (I leave on May 2 to pick up my newly adopted daughter) and I am clearing the house to make way for all of the items a child needs!! Treadmill, lawn mower, weed wackers (2), mattresses, furniture, lamps, clothes, books, and tons of misc items...too many to list. I have an entire "pod" FULL of stuff. Multiple families donated items for me to sell.

Creative Adoption Fundraisers

2009-04-02T09:31:00.000-07:00

Many of our families started their adoptions on faith that God will be their Provider and supply the finances they will need to bring their children home. We have found that He is always more than enough and continues to perform miracles on behalf of His children, the orphans, so they can have a forever family. Here is a way you can help make the miracle of adoption happen for these families and the children they are in the midst of adopting:

1. The Sanderson family is selling t-shirts (Unconditionally Loved) and bracelets. You can find out more about them at their website here.

2. The Weimer family is selling "My Life Is Not My Own" bracelets on their blog here. You can see the picture of the bracelet above.

3. The Burke family is selling t-shirts (Show Some Love) on their blog. There is a picture of the t-shirt they are selling above.

4. The Dubois family are selling t-shirts and note cards (Go. Seek. Love) that they designed and printed by hand on their website. They also have a store on Etsy.com where they sell the shirts.

5. The Mihnovich family is selling t-shirts for their daughter Elle's mission trip to Ethiopia & Uganda (Proverbs 31:8). You can purchase them on their website.

Fellowship 686

Christmas Family Fellowship!

Help a Family Win a $2000 Adoption Grant!

Help a Family Win $2,000 to Adopt a Child

Must Read-- Kisses from Katie

Summer Fun and Back to School Bash!

June FAMILY Fellowship!

Empowered to Connect Conference!

The Empowered to Connect Conference Returns to Nashville!Early Bird Registration Ends June 1st

September 23-24

Conference Dates and Location:

April Parent's Fellowship!

March Fellowship Event!

SALT of the Earth

February Family Fellowship!!!

Both Hands for Adopting Miracles

Christmas Family Fellowship!

Adopting Miracles Fundraiser AND November Fellowship!

October Family Picnic!

October Fellowship Family Picnic!

September Parents Fellowship

Fellowship Pool PARTAY!!!

World Vision Aids Experience

Love Never Fails

June FAMILY Fellowship!

Parent's Fellowship

This IS the Kingdom

April Family Fellowship!--and events!

Valentine Family Fellowship

February Family Fellowship!

Parent's Fellowship Night

January Fellowship

Christmas Fellowship!

Ethiopian Heritage and Culture Camp

Christmas Fellowship Group!

Sponsor a Foster Child for Christmas

Transracial Adoption Webinar!

HOW DOES YOUR LIFE SING?!

Fun Adoption Fundraisers!

Ethiopian Explosion

Family Fellowship Group--October 25!...and adoption fundraisers!

October Family Fellowship!

Fellowship Group Clothing Swap!

Tuberculosis Testing for Adopted Children

Upcoming Events

Our Growing Families!

Come Hear Author of Fields of the Fatherless, Tom Davis and Sparrow Recording Artist, Britt Nicole!

August Fellowship Group!

One Love Coffee - Fundraise for your Adoption!

June Africa Fellowship Group!

Dubois Adoption Garage Sale - Pegram, TN this Sat!

Prayer Meeting

May Fellowship Group!

Adoption Yard Sale Video

Help Orphans & Widows at the Same Time Through Both Hands

Check This Out!

Pictures from April Fellowship Group

April Family Fellowship Group

Benefit Concert for Adoption!

Adoption Fundraiser Garage Sales

Creative Adoption Fundraisers

The Empowered to Connect Conference Returns to Nashville!
Early Bird Registration Ends June 1st