Christian Adoption Blog

Merry Christmas

2007-12-23T17:41:00.000-08:00

AllPosters.com

For unto us this day is born ...

a Savior

which is Christ the LORD!

Wishing You and Yours
A Very Merry Christmas!

My Apologies

2007-12-23T17:28:00.000-08:00

It may be after Christmas before I can get around to posting again. I am so busy getting all the last minute things pulled together, and Aricka has been very sick. Seth has too, but not nearly as sick as Aricka has been. She's getting better now, though :-)

Merry Christmas!

Aricka's Story, Part 4

2007-12-20T16:33:00.000-08:00

PART 4

We began our homestudy process toward the first of September 2004, I can’t really remember an exact date. I do remember that the social worker came out for our first face-to-face visit somewhere around the 14th of September.
We had a private agency conduct the homestudy. The paperwork was exhausting! But I was determined, and I was prepared. When we filled out all the paperwork for our foster care license, I kept copies of everything. I also knew exactly where all the documents I needed was located. What took the longest was getting all our reference letters back and getting the background checks back. Anything that I could do, I did right away.

At the same time, I also began looking into adoption situations. The agency that we were going through was pretty clear that most birth mothers probably wouldn’t choose us. I also learned that most American couples looking to adopt are looking for a blonde-haired, blue-eyed, white baby girl. Just being willing to adopt a boy, widened our horizons.

I also learned that there is a need for parents who will adopt “special needs” babies. And, I learned that the term “special needs” can mean a whole bunch of different things.

I researched a lot online. I visited adoption message boards. Then, I found a message that would forever change our lives!

There was a message on an adoption message board that an adoption facilitator placed. Apparently the previous match had fallen through because it was revealed by birth mom that the baby had 2 birth father possibilities – one white, one black. Birth mom was white. This meant that the baby, a girl, could either be white or bi-racial. Also, birth mom was currently in a mental hospital having been diagnosed as a schizophrenic. This made the baby girl “special needs.”

I research schizophrenia and found that it is not necessarily genetic. It was also largely unknown what may trigger schizophrenia (at least as far as my research revealed). My husband and I wasn’t concerned about her race. So I checked into the facilitator and found her to be legit.

An already long story, shorter … we applied to adopt the baby girl. She was due October 1, 2004, and it was already late September. The race was on to place her. Further, she would be placed into foster care if an adoptive placement wasn’t in place by the time of her birth.

We talked to one possible birth father, who was also living with birth mom (when she wasn’t hospitalized), Sept. 29th. It went well. Mom was not coherent enough to talk to us. Still we were not sure if we were chosen to adopt her.

I looked into what the statistics were on babies born on their due date and found that, statistically, they were more often than not late. The evening of Sept. 30th, my husband and I decided on a name for her, should we get her, and I prayed before I turned off the light that night that the phone would ring. At 10:30, just as I finished praying, the phone rang!!! It was “Facilitator”, birth mom was in labor, how soon could we get to Pittsburgh?

To Be Continued …….

I Haven't Forgotten

2007-12-19T05:20:00.000-08:00

I haven't forgotten about my promises to show you how to adopt domestically. It has been icredibly busy around here leading up to Christmas.

I will try to post more either tonight or tomorrow (when I should have a little more time).

Thanks for your patience :-)

Crystal

Aricka's Story, Part 3

2007-12-17T20:08:00.000-08:00

PART 3

NOTE: please bear with me during this section of the story. It lays some ground-work to put things into perspective. Thanks :-)

We finished up MAPP classes the middle of August. August 1, 2004, my father-in-law passed away of leukemia. It had been a surprise in many ways. He had been misdiagnosed several times, before they finally ran the right test at the hospital and diagnosed the leukemia. By then it was so far advanced that he was gone within the week.

It was after my FIL’s passing that things began to come to light with Chuck’s mom, Margaret. We were getting odd calls all hours of the day and night from her. She was obviously disoriented, and was wondering where her husband was. This was a complete shock to us, her acting so strangely. Perry (Chuck’s step-father), had apparently hid Margaret’s impaired mental abilities, and physical illnesses from us.

Looking back we see how it was covered up. Margaret would get confused and Perry would quickly cover it up in some joking manner or by quietly correcting her mistakes. Now with Perry gone, and Chuck being her only child, everything came to the surface.

One morning, Chuck was out of town on a business trip. The phone rang. Margaret had been running up and down the street crying that she was in pain, and now she was being rushed to the hospital. I drove to the hospital.

Long story short, it ended up being a long 8 hours before they finally admitted her to the dementia ward. Over the next 2 weeks, we would find out just how impaired she was, and why. Margaret, aided by neighbors who drove her (she couldn’t drive), went from doctor to doctor getting various prescriptions for pain pills, anti-anxiety pills, muscle relaxers, you name it. She was then taking all of them and had nearly killed herself!

It took 2 weeks for her to detox, however by now her body was worn down and she was frail. Mentally she was better, but coming off the drugs, that she was using to help her cope with Perry’s death, heightened her grief. She was also acting out somewhat aggressively toward the staff. We decided with the doctors and staff, that Margaret should be placed in a secure nursing home.

Margaret and I bonded during all those hours at the hospital. After all that, I was now her daughter, not just a DIL. She was amazed that someone would do that for her. I was just doing the right thing.

As all her finances we ironed out, which we found that Perry had managed to provide quite well for her after his death, there was a life insurance policy (he had several) that Margaret wanted us to have specifically for adoption. To the tune of $20,000!!! The Lord had provided!

To Be Continued Tomorrow ...........

Aricka's Story, Part 2

2007-12-16T10:00:00.000-08:00

PART 2

My husband and I were very disappointed when we found out that Seth & Skyler were going to be placed with great-grandparents, whom they didn’t know, clear across the state. We were so close to being done with our classes, then we were going to license for foster care. With our license, they could go ahead and move the boys in with us and we would foster-to-adopt them. That was the plan anyway. Now everything had changed L

Well, I was determined. My husband, who had been so opposed to adoption because he didn’t feel he could love a child that wasn’t biologically his, now wanted to adopt, all because he loved these two little boys. I knew that the Lord surely must have changed Chuck’s heart for a reason. So, I began researching my options.

I really desired a baby. But I had heard it time and again that it was next to impossible to adopt a baby domestically. We looked into adopting outside the country, but many nations were closed to us because my husband was older than the average adoptive father.

Money-wise, all private adoptions seemed completely out of our league. I was getting discouraged. We committed it to prayer.

One day I gave up. Completely. It wasn’t an “it will never happen so I quit” giving up. Instead, it was a place that I finally came to, a place where I whole-heartedly said, “Not my will, but Thine, O Lord.” That complete submission to whatever the Lord had in store for us, be it with a baby or not, and was a major turning point in our adoption journey.

To Be Continued Tomorrow ...........

Aricka's Story, Part 1

2007-12-15T17:42:00.000-08:00

PART 1

It was the year 2004~

I was facing mid-life and something with in me had always wanted another baby, even now 11 years after my daughter, Savannah, had been born. I knew that if I ever was going to have another baby it would have to be soon!

Back in 1993, when Savannah was born, I had a c-section and subsequently, had my tubes tied. While lying on the table I wanted to scream, "Please Stop!!" But my husband and both sides of our families thought I was crazy for wanting more children. I had had 2 beautiful daughters, wasn't that enough?

All those years I yearned for yet another child. By the way, my husband who wanted me to have my tubes tied, left and went on to have another child with another woman.

Anyway, I met and married Chuck in 2000. We thought about many options: artificial insemination, IVF, having a sterilization reversal. I wanted to adopt, but my husband was worried about being able to love a child that wasn't his own. So, in 2002, we chose sterilization reversal.

Month after month, no pregnancy. Oh how my heart cried and cried! I felt so guilty for wanting another child. Here the Lord had blessed my with 2 beautiful daughters and selfish me wanted another. Everybody told me that if I just relaxed it would happen, well it didn't.

Something about 2004 was different. I can't quite place my finger on it, but somehow, now as I look back, God was preparing me ... Meanwhile, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, a little baby girl was growing in her birth mother's womb ...

In May, my neighbor, Missy, was close to her due date with her 3rd child. She was a home daycare provider and all of her families had found replacement care for their children so that she could take maternity leave ... all but one foster family with 2 little foster boys.

Missy asked if I would substitute for these 2 boys in my home for a couple of months. Once we received state approval to do this, I began watching them. Seth & Skyler were adorable. Skyler, though, soon had a special place in my heart.

Skyler was 4 years old and quite a little ball of fire. He also had a deformed arm that looked like it had been placed on backwards, and was half the size of his other arm. Yet, he adapted. Amazingly well for a 4 yr old! Nothing was going to stop him. Skyler had such determination. My husband and I fell in love with these boys.

His foster mother told us that they were going up for adoption soon. We knew we wanted them. So she told her worker, who contacted us, and enrolled us in MAPP (Model Approach to Practical Parenting) classes that began mid-June. These were 10 classes, held once a week, 3 hours each night.

Around the first of August, we were nearing completion of the classes, when their foster mother gave us heartbreaking news ... Seth and Skyler were going to be placed with some obscure great-grandparents whom they didn't know.

To Be Continued Tomorrow ...........

You Can Adopt Infants Domestically

2007-12-13T14:35:00.001-08:00

I've heard it often said that you can't adopt babies domestically, yet I have adopted not one, but two!

Aricka, now 3, was a private adoption. We were called when her birth mother was in labor and immediately headed for Pennsylvania. Three days later she was released into our arms. She was legally adopted Nov. 19, 2004.

Seth, also 3 and biologically unrelated to Aricka, came to us through the foster care system at the age of 7 months. We fostered him from June 2005 until he was legally adopted Feb. 21, 2006.

Granted, we have some pretty amazing stories. I have heard of many who wait years to adopt a baby. Some never do. Yet there are some things you can do to better your odds.

During the course of the next week, I will:

Briefly tell you each of my infant adoption stories.
Give you tips on adopting a baby domestically.
Share websites, books, helpful articles that will help you in your infant adoption journey.

So, if you are wanting to adopt an infant domestically, or know of someone who does, be sure to check back daily :-)

Today, I will give you my #1 Tip for adopting - and it works for all aspects of adoption - Prayer! I know first hand that God can work miracles!

" ... With men this is impossible;

but with God all things are possible."

Matthew 19:26

Update & Links to Gift Buying Online

2007-12-12T21:55:00.000-08:00

Sorry it has taken me so long to update the blog. It has been incredibly busy around here!

I am thankful that the ice storm stayed to the north and south of us. We're praying for all of you who are in the affected areas.

For those of you who are interested in Kansas homeschool laws, I have an article that was published today at Suite 101. Your may link to it from the Suite 101 box to the left or link to it here:
http://homeschool-regulations.suite101.com/article.cfm/kansas_homeschool_requirements.

We are busy getting ready for Christmas. Savannah, my 2nd oldest daughter, is going to cook the main course for our get-together with my side of the family. What the main course will be is yet to be determined :-)

Overall, most of my Christmas gifts have been purchased online. I prefer it this way. I'm short on time and prefer not to waste it in stores or waiting in lines. I think I make wiser purchases, too. It is too easy to make impulse purchases after a weary day at the mall.

I bought from Christian Book Distributors and Amazon (see widgets to the left for some ideas). I also shopped at Wal-Mart, and Target. Savannah loves a place called Wet Seal. Prices are terrific, too!

If you are interested in adoption books as gifts, or for yourself, I have some ideas listed under my Amazon favorites list to the left in my side bar.

And shhhhh ...... don't tell, both of my older daughters, who love the Jonas Brothers, are getting some gifts from their website :-)

Sadly, this time of year is way over-commercialized. Remember what really counts: your relationship with Jesus Christ, and your family and friends.

Two New Articles

2007-12-10T19:56:00.000-08:00

Here's links to my new articles on Suite 101:

Activity Ideas for Foster Children: Easy Tips for Keeping Them Busy During the Holidays

and

Common Foster Child Behaviors: What the New Foster Parent Can Expect and How to Help

If those links don't work, you may link to them from the Suite 101 box in my side bar to the left.

Cabin Fever

2007-12-10T08:10:00.000-08:00

This afternoon and this evening it is supposed to get icy -- 1-2 inches! This weekend was icy and yucky, too. I love the snow but not the ice :-(

All the bad weather sure makes for some hyper kids! I'm getting cabin fever myself.

Here are some things that I do to try to work out some energy:

Jump on a rebounder (also known as a mini trampoline). Not near as dangerous a an actual, BIG, trampoline and the kids love it. Use caution. One child at a time. No tiny ones. Children who are walking well (2 1/2 yrs and over) would do OK. Don't leave them unattended. I'm sure you know these things already :-)

Exercise. You can find exercise videos for younger children. Or make up your own routine.

Dance. Turn on some music and dance! This is great fun, too!

Video Games. Yes, video games, not just any video games though. The ones that get them active. My daughters love one called Dance Praise. It has a mat that you hook up to a computer on which you dance. The CD-ROM has various Christian songs and shows (via arrows) on the screen what movements to make. I tried it myself but I guess I'm not very coordinated in my old age ;-)

Obstacle Courses. Make a course out of chairs, jump ropes, tables. Anything and everything. Be creative.

Hopefully these ideas will get your creative juices flowing. Your kids can still be active even when cooped up indoors.

I Am About To Cry

2007-12-08T18:48:00.000-08:00

I am About to Cry
By Christina S.

I am an adoptive mother of a beautiful 8-year old girl. My daughter had bounced around in 5 different foster homes before she was 5 years old. Some of the professionals expressed concerns that she may not be able to fully attach to us given all the moves and trauma she experienced. However, we found that over time, with patience, love, and consistency, she learned to trust us more and definitely learn to attach to us. We saw this especially after she experienced adoption milestones (e.g. at 18 months when she had lived with us longer than she had lived with any other family).

Well, one morning, I surprised her with a little gift. I framed a large postcard she liked that had a picture of a cute dog (the one that the Post Office has on their "pets" stamps) and set it out for her to see when she came down for breakfast. She was so overwhelmed by this small gesture of love - I think she was moved that I really paid attention to what is important to her - that she covered her face with her hands and kept repeating quietly, "I don't believe it… I don't believe it." She then sat down and wrote me this poem:
The time has come
It has opened my heart
Sweet of all I love
Rose mine
I am about to cry
I love you."
Written by Sharonda S., age 7 to her mom.

She writes "I am about to cry." I have the same reaction every time I read this poem. I hope that other adoptive parents of older children will feel encouraged by this poem, to know that children can heal, and that they are definitely key in helping their children to heal.

A shortened version of this article was published in Adoptive Families in the March/April 1998 issue.

http://www.comeunity.com/adoption/adopt/aboutocry.htm

Scheduling & Younger Children

2007-12-05T13:22:00.000-08:00

Scheduling preschoolers is almost a must for sanity's sake :-) A few years ago when I went from having one baby to two babies a month apart in age, my schedule (bare bones though it was) was a life saver!

For me, the key is to basically rotate activities. I have a difficult time with staying on a specific time clock (i.e. 9:00 we do this & 9:30 we do that), but using my schedule as more of a rotation list of sorts is the key to my success.

I have found that with babies, rotating their activities every 15-20 minutes is necessary. Baby swing, in car seat with Mom in kitchen while baking, one-on-one with a sibling, ect.

Once they are older, and used to being scheduled, switching activities every 30 minutes seems to work best in my opinion. Going for longer than 30 minutes seems to be too long for most children under about 5. Though I am no expert.

Even Matt, at 11, does best switching every 30 minutes, although he could sometimes go much longer. I find that he'll get preoccupied with completing a task and then become angry if interrupted the longer he spends working on something.

Activity Ideas:

Preschool Time

Story Time

Outside Play Time

Toy Rotation Play Time

Blankie Time

Play Time with Mom

Play Time with Sibling

Music Time (sing songs, dance to music, ect)

For more information about scheduling: Titus2.com

Our New Schedule is Working!

2007-12-05T12:55:00.000-08:00

I am very satisfied with our schedule. Matt has benefited greatly and much of his behaviors have significantly diminished -- as long as I keep him on track.

On the plus side, the rest of my kiddos seem to be benefiting as well.

Here is a list of some of the activities that I have Matt do:

Homeschool
Chores
Educational Activity for 30 min: Think-It-Through Tiles, Math Shark, Edu. Computer games, Lifebook, Journal --one activity for each day of the week
Computer Time - he may play a game of his choice
Game Cube Time
Physical Activity (ride bike, shoot hoops, walk the dog, play with friends)
Arts & Crafts: drawing (currently working in a how-to draw horses book), paint (likes paint-by-numbers or painting ceramic figures), crafty things I or he comes up with, clay, Lifebook (I have him work on this twice a week)
TV Time

By breaking things down this way, he doesn't become bord so easily.

I tried using the above items in list form, but I think seeing them with certain times attached to them makes a lot of difference. It has also reduced the need for me to keep telling him what to do next. I am hoping he will eventually learn to be more self-motivated and able to occupy himself more easily.

New Article on Suite 101

2007-12-04T20:34:00.000-08:00

My new article for Suite 101 has been published!

Click here to read it:
Holiday Stress in Foster Children

It's also relevant for older adopted children.

I think that this time of year we get caught up in the joy and anticipation of the season, working to make it picture perfect for our children. It's easy to forget that the holidays can bring up painful memories for foster and adopted children. It is extremely important to take the time to help them through it.

Stay Tuned

2007-12-01T19:59:00.001-08:00

I'm working on an article with tips for helping a foster or adopted child cope with the stress of the Christmas season. Looking to publish Monday-ish. I'll post when it is.

A Solution for Matthew

2007-11-30T18:43:00.000-08:00

Here's a picture of the first time Matthew really smiled.

He had been with us for 7 months

We've had some pretty good days with Matthew lately. My husband and I had some long talks and came to the conclusion that Matt needs a very structured life. He just does not function, at all, without some sort of structure.

We were in a good routine, but we realized that he needed more. If he is not instructed to do something specifically, he will do one of two things -- 1) sit (or lay) on the couch and pop his knuckles or 2) sit and stare blankly. He doesn't even ask to watch TV.

I had a talk with Matt to try to gain some insight. He said that he couldn't think of things to do. So I put together a list of activities. I explained to him that when he had free time, instead of trying to think of something to do, he could simply choose something from the list. That did not work at all! Bummer.

So, hubby and I talked over the next couple of days. We observed the following things:

1) When Matt had free time, 9 times out of 10 he sat & did nothing-- at all.

2) Whenever one of us would then try to get him busy, he would become angry.

3) Or just letting him sit (and do nothing) also eventually caused him to become angry and sullen.

4) He never made an effort to interact positively with the family, unless he was manipulating us in some way.

Obviously this behavior was not going to be allowed to continue, but how could we accomplish our goals (keep him from sitting passively for hours at a time & keep from provoking anger that would then spill out)?

Finally we came up with a plan! A structured schedule for him. As long as we keep him on it he's fine. As soon as he gets off of it then he sits and stares and becomes angry when we try to get him back on it. It is taking some work with being consistant, but it is working :-)

I will try to post his schedule in the next day or two.

By the way, can you believe it is December 1st tomorrow???? 25 days until Christmas -- my favorite time of the year!

And 1 week until my birthday :-)

My Day (so far) & Large Families

2007-11-27T10:20:00.000-08:00

What a day it has been so far! My two oldest daughters have chips on their shoulders today, Matthew has probably lied again but I can't catch him in it, Seth is cranky and Aricka is refusing to use the potty.

Homeschooling has gone fairly well despite the chaos, so that's good.

I am thankful for the beautiful sunshine and warmer weather. It was good to let them play outside for a while. I tend to get seasonal depression and so I know that natural sunlight is a mood enhancer. In fact, my kitchen and dining room has grow lights in place of flouresent lightbulbs. Helps me tremendously!

Afterward the kids were a little more cooperative. Now it's time for naps -- my favorite time of day :-)

Though a big family gets somewhat crazy at times, I love it. I prayed for years to have all this -- a big family. My personal observations suggest that children thrive in big families. I have also observed that behaviors that adopted children (especially foster children) exhibit tend to be deflected in a larger family, rather than magnified. This is interesting to me. Maybe I should research this for an article :-)

No Child Left Behind

2007-11-25T21:31:00.000-08:00

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. We enjoyed an intimate Thanksgiving day with just our immediate family, and then went to visit my side of the family on Saturday. Matthew, our 11 year old newly adopted son just sat and interacted very little. He doesn't interact much anyway, but Saturday he just sat, content to watch TV.

It must be hard for him. This is his second Thanksgiving with us, but I think he was even quieter than normal Saturday. He's talked often about his birth mom lately, though the social workers who worked his case say that they believe he would have little recollection of her. I think it's more wishful thinking than anything else. Wishing he could remember her, wishing he didn't feel so out of place.

My husband and I have worked to include him in our family, and sometimes he will really let loose and take part, but most of the time he keeps us at arms length, not letting us venture in too far into his world.

So, we are letting Matthew have his space. Gently making efforts to bond but not expecting too much. I have heard it said that it takes one year for every year old the child is when they enter a family to form a bond with them -- maybe never for the older ones. Matthew was 10. That is 10 years before he will most likely form a real bond with us. He'll be 20 then.

He may never bond. Such is the life of too many foster children. But we'll keep pressing on, my husband and I. Our own version of No Child Left Behind.

How God Led Us to Adopt

2007-11-25T07:24:00.000-08:00

How God Led Us to Adopt-- a wonderful article about how and why one family was led by the Lord to adopt.

An Adoption Poem

2007-11-24T21:32:00.000-08:00

Two Families

I have two families on this earth,

One by adoption, and one by birth.

My first family was very kind

But then one day they couldn't find

The things they needed to help me grow.

They made a decision out of love, I know.

They said "Good-bye", and then they cried.

But my second family did not hide.

They knew that I should come inside

Their loving home and family.

Now I'm here, and it's best for me.

And I still have two families on this earth,

One by adoption, and one by birth.

~ Amanda Dees age 9

Written after meeting her birth mother.

http://adoption.about.com/od/celebrationinspiration/a/twofamilies.htm

James 1:27 Bible Study, Part Two

2007-11-23T21:37:00.000-08:00

Here is Part Two in the study we began yesterday. If you have not read Part One, please begin here.

Part Two

7. Look up Matthew 25:34-36. These verses are Christ’s own words! Why are the “blessed of my Father” inheriting the kingdom? Answer by writing out Matt. 25:35-36.

8. Now read on further (Matt. 25:37-46). What does Jesus Christ himself say will happen if we do not feed those who are hungry, give water to those who are thirsty, clothe those who are naked and so on? Hint: the answer is found in verses 41 & 46.

9. Write out Matt. 25:40.

10. Jesus says, “Inasmuch as you have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me” verse 40b.
A) Jesus calls the least of these my _____________.

B) When you have treated the “least of these” badly, or just ignored them altogether, you have also done this to whom? ______________.

11. Write out Isaiah 1:17.

12. Verse 17 says, “ . . . seek judgment . . .”, here, the word judgment means justice in the original Hebrew. Define the word justice from the dictionary.

13. In verse 17, it says to ____________________ the oppressed.

14. Define the word relieve from the dictionary.

15. Define the word oppress from the dictionary – write definition #2 out below from the Webster’s New World Dictionary.

16. Now define the word oppression from the dictionary.

17. In light of defining these 2 words, oppress and oppression, name some types of people who would be oppressed that we are to relieve according to Is. 1:17.

18. In the original Hebrew text, the word judge as used in Is. 1:17 where it says, “ . . . judge the fatherless . . .” means to vindicate or defend. What are some ways you could vindicate or defend the fatherless?

19. The last part of Is. 1:17 says, “. . . plead for the widow.”
A) What is a widow?

B) Define the word plead from the dictionary.

C) What are some ways you could “plead” for the widow?

20. Write out Romans 12:2.

21. What do you think this verse means?

22. Finally, sum up what you have learned in this study and what changes (if any) you believe you need to make to be able to live the way that Christ has called us to live as His followers.

James 1:27 Bible Study, Part One

2007-11-22T17:24:00.000-08:00

James 1:27 says, "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world."

As a family that has been called to adopt, James 1:27 takes on a special reality in our family. Although your family may not be specifically called to adopt, all those who follow Christ are called to live out James 1:27 in one way or another. Adoption is one way that the Lord has asked us to live out this verse.

Below is a Bible study that I designed for my biological daughters over James 1:27 and related verses. As my birth children, who spent over 11 years with me before we adopted, I have found that they sometimes struggle with our adoption journey. Adoption can be hard and it is often a daily lesson in self-sacrifice. They have been troopers, though, through the ups-and-downs of the adoption roller coaster. I have seen them grow in their relationships with Christ, especially as they are beginning to see the fruit of a life lived according to James 1:27.

Part One:

Using the KJV Bible:

1. Write out James 1:27—using your best handwriting.

2. According to James 1:27, what 2 things show that your religion is pure and undefiled before God?

3. Define the word pure (as found in Vine’s for this verse).

4. Define the word defile (look up in dictionary).

5. Now, after defining the word defile, what do you think undefiled means? Hint: it is the opposite of defile. Give an example.

6. Look up the word visit in the Vine’s. The word visit, according to Vine’s, in the verse of James 1:27 means what? “Signifies to visit with ____________.”

Watch for Part Two Coming Soon!

Thanksgiving

2007-11-21T23:19:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving

About This Blog

2007-11-21T22:51:00.000-08:00

I recently became a Contributing Writer for Suite101.com. I mainly write articles on adoption and foster care. To see a full listing of the articles that I have published on Suite101 follow this link: Suite 101.

If you are interested in learning about Adopting a Foster Child, please click here to link to the article.

This blog is dedicated to spreading the word about adoption with an emphasis on adoption out of the foster care system.

Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. James 1:27 NKJV.