The Journey

Patience is Key!! But I wanna know now!

2011-04-25T18:48:00.004-04:00

It looks like the good Lord has taught us patience.... it's been quite the waiting game over the last 1 1/2 years as we anxiously await word from the Philippines that we've been matched with our kiddos.

The good news is that we've recently been told that we've been moved to the front of the list and should be hearing something sometime this year! The family that was in front of us just got their referral and they waited exactly two years from the date that they were initially approved. Our two year mark is in October of 2011. I hope it happens sooner but if it doesn't, we'll be happy to get a call in October!!

Thank you to all those of you who have been praying for us and our children. We feel like we're on the back side of this journey and moving very close to the time when our family will expand ;) God knows what he is doing even though we haven't a clue what exactly that is...

Stars in the Sky

2010-03-26T08:50:00.006-04:00

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,7........ these stars in the sky are beautiful. And to think, my kids could be sitting in some little, old orphanage looking at and counting the same stars that I'm looking at right now. Maybe they're wondering where their parents are, who they will be, when they will get to see them..(us.... ). Wish I could give them a hug right now. Jeez, I think I need a hug...

Have you ever been wanting something so bad, waiting impatiently, wondering if God's timeline is ever going to match up with your timeline, your plans? I know, I know, God does know everything and knows what is best for our family. But....... can't we at least get a picture of their cute, little faces, hands, feet... something?!

This journey has been almost five years in the making for Heather and I, from the day we decided that we wanted to start having kids, to the day that we decided that adoption was what God had in mind for us. It really hasn't been that long since we started the adoption paperwork in February of last year, but sometimes it feels like that was a lifetime ago. We are waiting for that call from the Philippines.. the call that says we found the 2 kids that God has chosen for you.... That will be an awesome thing when that happens and I'm sure that every one of you will find out about it real quick!

Thank you to everyone who has blessed us in this last year. When we started this process, financially we weren't quite sure how we were going to make it happen but God has opened the doors and blessed us. We only have approximately $2,000 left to raise and we know that God will provide that when it is needed.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.... I can't wait 'til the night that I can sit in the backyard, camp out in a tent with my kids and count stars with them ;)

Both Hands Project a Success!!

2009-12-02T12:26:00.004-05:00

Folks,
We had a wonderful time this past weekend (Saturday, November 21st) blessing Maggie Lewis and Ethel Thomas, working on their home. We had over 20 volunteers and completed 17 projects at the home, ranging from painting the kitchen to replacing gutters.

One of our wonderful volunteers, Jaime Barks, made a video of the project so please take a look if you have a second. The video is only 2 minutes long and shows how much fun we really had!

http://www.vimeo.com/7909645

This was a wonderful project for Heather and I and Maggie and Ethel. Thank you to those who have already contributed to help us with our adoption of our two children in the Philippines waiting for us to bring them home.

Keep praying for our children, for us and if you want to partner with us in this adoption, you can go to www.lifesongfororphans.org to give a donation.... Any dollar amount helps!

Thank you again for your interest in our journey as we follow what the Lord has laid on our hearts to do. You all have blessed us!

Matt & Heather

2009-11-03T21:06:00.003-05:00

We've been approved!!

As I was opening my email this morning, I noticed something from our adoption agency....... It was a forward of our approval of adoption from the Philippines!!!! The Inter-Country Adoption Board has approved our adoption request....... and now, social workers in the Philippines are looking at our Dossier so they can match us with the two sweet, cute, cuddly little kids that God has already chosen for us!!

This is an incredible day for us! Basically, we now know that we will be parents.... say it again! WE WILL BE PARENTS!!! I'm 35 years old and about to know what it's like to hug and love young children....... and it's just a matter of time before we get matched with two little Carlsons that are already in the Philippines. Two cute, little kids are waiting in their orphanage, waiting to be matched with their parents (Matt and Heather) and they don't even know their last name!!! Soon, they will bless me and Heather with their presence and we will get to know who they are. God is soooo good, and he's watching over them right now, protecting them, holding them, giving them a temporary home until they can find a permanent home in Heather's and my arms....

We need your help. Today's letter sort of "smacked us" in the face, a quick thrill, but a immediate realization that we need to raise $15,ooo!!! Your $25, $100, 0r $1000 will help us realize our dream. Please think about being a part of our life.

Thank you and God Bless!

Matt & Heather

Both Hands Project - We need a few good People!

2009-09-28T19:34:00.007-04:00

Ok Folks,

Many of you have asked about helping us as we continue on the biggest journey of our lives...... well, we have a project that we're very excited about and could use your help!!!!

It's called Project Both Hands - One for the Widow, One for the Orphan. We've agreed to complete this project and believe that it will bless a local widow, two orphans (our future kids!!) and us! In order for us to officially complete our adoption, fly over and pick up our kids, bring them home and turn them into little Carlson rugrats (Iowa Hawkeye and Tennessee Volunteer fans)...... we still have to raise approximately $14,000. We believe that this project will get us close to completing our goal!!

Concept (and it's been very successful in other areas):

1. We enlist a team of 15 people to help us with this project who believe in us and our adoption to the Philippines.

2. We find a widow who has a need that we can bless in a one day project. For example, painting, landscaping, building a ramp, etc.

3. The team members sign on to do two things. Mail 50 of their closest friends for support... like in a walk-a-thon, golf tournament, etc.. except this isn't playing golf to raise a little money, this project Blesses a Widow with a need!

4. The profits from the fundraising do not go to the widow' project, but instead go to the non-profit foundation (LifeSong or Both Hands) to help pay for the adoption.

5. If the 15 volunteers each average $500 in fundraising, we've raised approximately $7500 for the adoption.

You get the picture. It's a simple project, but something that's biblical and beneficial to multiple people... the widow, the orphans... and to Heather and I. Think about it, pray about it and give us a call if you're interested. Take a look at this website for more information, www.bothhandsfoundation.org

The project is coming quickly, so we're looking for willing volunteers ASAP. The first meeting for the envelope stuffing party is around October 22nd.... more details soon. A tentative date for the widow's project date is Saturday, November 14th.

Thank you for caring about us and our growing family. We're excited about the opportunity to be parents and appreciate any involvement you may be able to have in this journey with us.

Matt & Heather

Please watch - Orphans of God

2009-09-06T16:36:00.000-04:00

We're on the Move!

2009-09-01T17:33:00.001-04:00

Great News!

We just got approved through the USCIS (I-800 Approval) and our dossier is on it's way to the Philippines....

Now it's down to the business of fundraising and working hard to make sure that when we get the call for a match, we're ready to go! We're not sure when we would get the call, but it could be in 6 months or over a year.

We Want Kids!

2009-08-23T16:34:00.000-04:00

Hey folks!

This is our first blog to talk about our journey of finding our filipino children. We've been doing paperwork for approximately 6 months and have been approved to get our dossier sent over the the Philippines.

We're excited, anxious, challenged and basically just ready to meet whomever God has chosen for us. This journey started approximately 3 years ago and God has walked us down a path that we wouldn't have chosen for ourselves..... but one that is going to be incredibly sweet and satisfying when we actually get to kiss and hug our children, welcoming them into our home and lives.

Thank you to all those who have sold and purchased cakes from us this year. We've been able to raise over $3000 which paid for all of the initial fees, home study, dossier and I-800 form to USCIS. We have a longs ways to go so if you've got a hankerin' for cake or a insatiable sweet tooth for carrot cake, just give us a call and we'll get baking! To those who have blessed us by ordering cakes or just giving donations - Thank you! Your support means the world to us and this dream of having our own children wouldn't be possible without your involvement!

Many folks have asked how the adoption is going and it's been an incredibly challenging ride up until this point. We feel like we see some light at the end of the tunnel and are preparing to do more fundraising b/c we've got to raise approximately $15,000 before all is said and done.

We'll be back soon with updates and more information on how you can get involved! Thank you for caring.

Matt and Heather Carlson