Compelled Designs Adoption Fundraiser

Hey friends, ... here is another fundraiser we are doing in an effort to raise funds to help us with our adoption fees/expenses. Compelled Designs has great fundraising opportunities with some lovely pottery pieces that can be worn as a necklace or bracelet.  Each handmade pottery piece has a Bible verse engraved on the back and comes in a pouch. $24/each (please add $3 if needs to be shipped - will reimburse difference if actual shipping is less).  If you are interested in purchasing one of these pieces, please contact us via email (prenderbergs@gmail.com).  We appreciate your support!!!

Dove is light blue - Psalm 91:4 (two available) - He will cover you with his feathers,

and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

1 Peter 5:7 - Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Psalm 139 - You have searched me, Lord,

and you know me ...

***SOLD***  1 Peter 5:7 - Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.  ***SOLD***

***SOLD*** Joshua 1:9 - Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.  ***SOLD***

Philippians 4:6-7 - Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

**SOLD**  Joshua 1:9 - Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.  **SOLD**

** SOLD** Joshua 1:9 - Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.  **SOLD**

Ephesians 3:18-19 - together with all the Lord’s holy people, ... grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

**SOLD**  Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  **SOLD**

Ephesians 3:20 - Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.

  ***SOLD*** Joshua 1:9 - Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.  **SOLD**

***SOLD*** Matthew 11:28 - Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ***SOLD***

Philippians 4:6-7 - Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Matthew 11:28 - Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

***SOLD*** Joshua 1:9 - Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.  **SOLD**

***SOLD*** 1 Peter 5:7 - 1 Peter 5:7 - Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.  ***SOLD***

***SOLD***

Rummage Sale Fundraiser Soon - 6/11-13/2015

Hey folks!

The time is fast approaching for our Adoption Fundraising Rummage Sale.  

We will be having a rummage sale during our city-wide/neighborhood-wide rummage sale.  The whole town is going to be "on-sale" ... LOL ... no, seriously, there's going to be a lot going on!  Even our church (the Community Church of Elkhorn) will be having a huge rummage sale so if you don't find what you're looking for with us, ... trust me ... it's probably at our church.  

We've been accumulating many items to sell - "thank-you" to our family and co-workers who have already donated!  It truly is a huge help!

As you can see, we have quite a bit to go through and organize but it's good to keep busy: Rule #1 when you are in an adoption process.

We have lots of clothing, especially for girls between the ages of 5 and 12.

There's also dishes, bakeware, sheets and towels, shoes, books, holiday items and more ...

The other night when I was working on the organization of items, it was raining on and off and at one point, this beautiful rainbow appeared in the sky.  

Always a welcome sight ...

If you happen to be in our area the weekend of 6/11-13, we'd love to see you! C'mon out and show us your support for our adoption.  Who knows?  You just might find a special treasure that you just can't live without!!

   

Finding Brynn ...

So, when we started our second adoption, the initial plan was that we would complete our dossier, send it off to China and then wait to find our daughter on one of the COP (child of promise) lists that are issued to the agency every 2-3 months from CCAA (Center for Chinese Adoption Affairs). We had intended from the start to pursue the adoption of another child with minor correctable special needs, just as we did with Molly. However, we had discussed amongst ourselves our concerns with trying to choose from 8 - 10 little girls that might be on a list. In my heart, I believe, that it is impossible for me to choose my daughter from a list of several wonderful, beautiful little girls who each deserve the love and security of a family. We had discussed that we were a little uncomfortable with this process, but knew that this was the way it had to be with the agency that we are with.

You must know, with our adoption of Molly, it really ended up that we did not choose her from a list; we did not select her from a group of little girls available for adoption. We were shown three photos of little girls and told that we could consider if one of them was our daughter. By the time we arrived home to read through each of their reports, we received an email from our social worker stating that Molly was the only little girl still available on the list - a list that had been issued over a month earlier. We believe that she was the little girl that was saved just for us; we didn't have to choose, God chose her for us ... we just said "YES!" And she is, without a doubt, a perfect match for our family!

So, in the last week, during my prayers and discussions with God, I asked God to choose the little girl that would be our next daughter. I told Him that we didn't want to have to choose, that we trust Him and we know that His choice for us is the best choice. I prayed that God would somehow arrange for our next daughter to be saved just for us again, and that we would know it ... because there would be no choosing.

This last Thursday, a good friend of mine, who happens to be a walking rolodex of adoption information, emailed me the photo of a little girl listed with an agency in Oregon. I knew in the subject of the email that my friend was emailing me a child's photo and I was at first "frustrated" about opening it because I knew this would be a child that wasn't listed with our agency and, therefore, we wouldn't be able to even consider adopting her. I almost didn't open the email. However, I did ... all my friend typed in the email was "This little girl is on a WC list….Looks like Molly’s SN???" Oh, well, that peaked my curiosity!!! So, I opened the photo and saw a beautiful little girl that reminded me of Molly and tugged at my heart. 



I quickly emailed my friend back and asked her if the child's special need was listed. She replied, "meningoencephalocele". My heart started to pitter-patter! I emailed again and asked if she knew how old the child was. She replied that she thought she was about 3-years-old. PERFECT!!! Oh, but then reality sunk in and I was disappointed ... because this little girl is with another agency. I emailed my friend again and stated that I wish we could adopt her. My friend replied that I should ask my social worker about requesting the child's file from the other agency because she knows cases of that being done in the past. Well, I thought, you know what, ... what could it hurt? If I don't ask, how can I receive? I sent my social worker an email explaining the situation. Then I sat on pins and needles waiting for her to respond. During my wait, I spoke with God. I told Him that I trust Him, that He can do anything, and that if He was opening this door, no one would be able to shut it! [ I guess maybe I did learn something from Molly's adoption! :) ]

My social worker finally responded and said that they could not be the placing agency and that typically they do not do this, but that they would make an exception because of the child being special needs, and that they would be willing to do our home study and post placement reports. WHOA!!! Okay, what do I do now??? I called my friend right away, and of course, she knew the answer. I called the agency in Oregon, Heritage Adoption Services, and was miraculously and immediately connected with the Director of International Adoptions and I explained the story to her. She was wonderfully helpful and excited that someone was inquiring about the little girl who, as it turns out, has been listed for just over a month. Hmm, ... just like Molly. After a few necessary steps, (thank-you so much Ben and Diane!), the Director emailed us the little girl's medical report and additional photos. At this point, I was already in love with her and Brian was feeling God's provision over this whole situation. We were stunned to find out that her medical condition is diagnosed the same (meningoencephalocele) as Molly's, that she is from the same province in China as Molly and that the two home-towns are just 30 miles apart!!! Even in our hopes that weren't necessarily voiced in prayer to God, He knew and He fulfilled!!! I mean, what are the odds??? But with God, there are no odds! God's specialty is making what seems totally impossible, POSSIBLE! Words cannot express our humility and gratitude to our LORD!

Deciding to Adopt Again ...

(written 6/29/07)  

Here we are again, ... off on this crazy adventure we call "Adoption"! 

We would like to adopt another child, basically for Molly this time. We feel it will be beneficial for her to have a Chinese sister, a playmate closer to her age, and an adopted sibling whom she can relate to, especially as she gets older and begins to have a greater understanding of who she is and where she came from. We also don't want her to feel like an "only child" when our other children have left the nest, which they assure us they will do in only a few short years! :)

Well, as we began completing the preliminary steps, fear crept around and whispered in my thoughts. I had fears relating to the costs for the adoption, especially being that it's so close to Molly's adoption. I had fears that another adoption couldn't possibly go as smoothly as Molly's did, that another child couldn't possibly attach to us as easily and quickly as Molly did. I had fears that another child could negatively affect the wonderful "two peas in a pod" relationship that Molly and I seem to have. And I feared the contemplation of our child's special need, whatever it might be.

So, yesterday afternoon (6/28/07) as I was driving home from work, I was talking with God and I was telling him my fears and wondering if it was really right for us to start another adoption. I went back and forth with all my fears and finally just blurted out, "God, can't you just give me a sign? Can't you just tell me what YOU want us to do? The answer can't be NO just because of money and fear - LOVE is bigger than that and it has to be about LOVE." I really try NOT to be a person expecting or always looking for "signs"; it sounds so cliche'. I really strive to be a person of faith, following God's directions, but sometimes, I just wish that God would be more obvious. What can I say? It's so much easier for me to do something that others might think is crazy when I can just say, "God says so". I feel like where God is concerned, there can't be anything wrong with adoption, but other times I just don't know. As I continued my drive home, I just let it go, thinking that I don't have to panic, I have a few days to let my fears "ride". And in some small way, I knew the answer would come.

After dinner, as we turned to the next page of our devotional book, everything changed. But I have to give a little background to the evening before so the full impact is made. Usually, for the dinner devotion, Brian reads the Scripture verse(s) and I read the story and the "key verse" included with the story. When we did the devotion the evening before, I didn't feel like reading (at all) so Brian read both the Scripture and the story. However, none of us caught that Brian didn't read the "key verse" that evening, not even Brian realized it. So, the following evening, he asked me if I was up to reading and I said that it would be okay. 

Well, immediately, my eyes glanced at the "key verse" from the previous evening and I said to Brian, "oh, you must not have read this last night" ... [you know how you glance at something and you know the words are new to you, but you don't really take in their meaning, ... that's what it was like] ... so then I felt compelled to read the words out loud. 

I wish that I could adequately describe to you what actually happened, but I don't know if I could find the right words. But I read the verse out loud, and then I smiled (like one of those soft, gentle smiles), paused, and said, "oh" (not yet the eureka moment but like the light bulb was about to come on) ... and then I felt a "kick" in my chest (like there was so much power when the light bulb was turned on that it shattered) ... shocked pause ... and then I began to cry to the awe of my family around the dinner table. 

It was so "step-by-step", almost in slow motion, and there was actually a physical feeling involved. When I could finally speak, I told them what I just told you ... I know that God answered my prayer, He graciously gave me that "sign" via the Holy Spirit and His Holy Word.

So, do you want to know the verse?




There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear ~ 1 John 4:18

Choosing Molly ...

When we had initially taken that first step to adopt our first child together, we had completed a  preliminary application and on it we put that we were looking to adopt a child between the ages of 2 and 5 and that we would be open to a child with minor correctable special needs.  We originally were thinking that maybe we would be able to adopt a child who had a cleft lip/palate that could be easily corrected by surgery. 

At our very first meeting with the adoption agency, we were shown the pictures of three little girls who were on a "waiting list" to be adopted.  Two of the girls were born with cleft lip/palate so we were immediately interested in looking at their information.  we immediately pushed the information sheet with the third girl's photo/information aside because the medical condition listed was very "foreign" to us and the black and white photo showed a child whose eyes were further apart than normal and there was "something" in between them that was undecipherable. The Social Worker suggested emailing us all three of the girls information and we could look at it once we got home.  However, when we arrived home, our Social Worker had already emailed us and she stated that the two girls with the cleft lip/palate were already "on hold" for other families.  The third girl was the last girl available on that "waiting list'.  (a little light bulb went on)

We looked at the copy of her picture for a bit and then we read her information on the email.  We looked at the copy of her picture again and then we looked up her condition in the medical dictionary.  We looked at the copy of her picture again; she was almost smiling.  How 'bout that?

It was only when we scrolled down to the bottom of the email that this little girl came to life.  The picture attached to the email was in color whereas the copy we were given was in black and white.  She was the last child on the December COP (Child of Promise) Waiting Children List.  No one else had requested this child. 

"Please God, please, save just one of those girls for me!"  

She was the last child on the list.  Nearly a month had gone by since it came out.  GOD SAVED THIS CHILD JUST FOR US.  We accept your gift LORD and we will love her and take care of her!

Her name is Xi Zhengchuan (pronounced like "She Jung Chwan") but we will rename her Molly Frances Chuan Prendergast.  We originally were going to name her Frances, ... 

(after Brian; Francis is his middle name.  It is Italian and it means "free".  It is quite an important name in the Prendergast family as Brian's dad, older brother and younger sister all have the middle name Francis/Frances.) 

... however, there was quite a bit of protesting from the masses, especially our three other children and because we wanted to make the transition for "them" as pleasantly as possible we decided to come up with another name.  There were MANY suggestions, however, the night before we had to officially name her [on paper], I prayed to God that He would provide us with a name and instantly "Molly" popped into my head!  Yes, of course, why hadn't we thought of that before?!?!  Earlier on, we had stated that we like the sound of Molly Prendergast ... we liked the name Molly, but hadn't once thought of it until we asked God. 

Next Up: Deciding to Adopt Again

Updates on Jonah and Rees

Well, hello, everyone ... we have received an update on the boys!  Are you excited??

We didn't get any photos but we may in the next couple weeks.  We were hoping for some information that would help us to determine the boys' sizes ... but ... well, I am just not sure what to do with this information.  Perhaps there are some out there who can help me out!!

Jonah's measurements:

Shoulder width - 26cm/10 inches
Upper body (from chair when sitting to top of head) - 37cm/14.5 inches    (HUH???)
Pant length - 55cm/21.6 inches
Foot length - 18cm/7 inches

It says he appeared to be average size for a six year old.  
(If any of you who met him in China with Love Without Boundaries can help me out here, that would be GREAT!)

Rees' measurements:

Shoulder width - 22cm/8.6 inches
Upper body (from chair when sitting to top of head) - 35cm/13.5 inches
Pant length - 50 cm/19.6 inches
Foot Length - 16cm/6.2 inches

It also says he appeared to be average size for a five year old.

So, not exactly sure what to equate this to.  Would it just be best to assume they are in size 5 and size 6 for boys clothing?  Hopefully we will get more substantial measurements when it gets closer to the time of travel.  

Prayer Requests 

• Continued healing for Jonah after his surgery which was just over a month ago.
• That God is preparing the boys to meet us and to become a part of our family.
• That the process of adoption paperwork continues to move forward without complication or delay.
• That we will see God move mightily for us to receive donations, have successful fundraisers and earn extra money needed to fund this adoption, travel to China and provide for the boys' necessary surgeries.  

The Transition to Adoption ...

I was on my way to work that day, listening to the same Christian radio station I had listened to for several years, hearing the same disc jockeys announce the “child of the day” sponsorship opportunity as they did at the same time every day.  Interested persons could call in to “sponsor” the child mentioned, usually in less-fortunate countries, by sending money to the program and letters, photos and small gifts to the child, thus improving the well being and future of that child while creating a friendship.   I had heard this promotion repeatedly and it was always the same.  But that day was different …

… There wasn’t [a] “child of the day”; there were fourteen children, … five of them girls, aged 5, from CHINA … unprecedented and unheard of in all the time they had been promoting the program.  Immediately, I was in a panic!  I became so excited and anxious and distressed all at the same time.   I don’t carry a cell phone and because I was still a good twenty minutes from work, I believed there was no way I would make it in time to sponsor one of the little girls.  History told me that these children would all be sponsored before I could get to work to make that call.  I began praying, “Please, LORD, … Please, LORD …” as I gripped the steering wheel tightly with tears streaming down my face.  “Save one for me, LORD, … just one.”  I was nearly frantic but then I felt a calming peace come over me while I was pleading and praying; I could feel God wanting me to trust Him.  I just knew that He would do as I asked. 

Still, when I got to work I ran all the way inside until I reached the phone in my office and I dialed the number as fast as I could.  I misdialed and had to do it again!  On my second try, the call went through and a woman answered the phone.  Still trying to catch my breath from running, I shouted out, “Are any of the girls from China left?”  There was this incredibly long pause; it must have been at least 10 seconds, and finally, she replied, “I have only one girl left.”  I shouted back at her, “God saved that ONE for me!”

I was so excited and I wanted to tell my husband, Brian, all about it so I emailed him at work.  I typed out how it went and then, strangely, at the bottom of the email, I typed the following:

“I wonder if China has 5-year-olds to adopt?”

During the four and a half years since we married, Brian and I had pondered and discussed adoption as a means of growing our blended family.  As many times as we brought up the subject, we turned it down as well.  We had enough issues just trying to blend our lives together with our children that it just didn't seem right to take that step.  In my heart, I wanted another child, a child with him, and I prayed to God that if we were ever to take the route of adoption that Brian would be as much for it as myself.  I knew that we BOTH had to want to take that step TOGETHER!

                        “I wonder if China has 5-year-olds to adopt?”

I stared blankly at the typed question for what seemed like a very long time and then I deleted it.  I silently ridiculed myself, “why in the world would you type such a thing?  We’ve been through this.  Why do you keep doing this to yourself?”  But I felt a nudging, a gentle push, (literally behind my left shoulder … that’s how specific it was), as if to say, “go ahead, type it, … go ahead.”

So, I re-typed it and sent it off, deciding I wouldn’t make an issue of it.  A little while later, Brian called me.  He said that he had just read my email and that he was very excited that I was finally able to sponsor a girl from China.  We talked about it for a bit, but he kept getting interrupted due to his being at work so I said that I would just talk to him later.  And that was that.  I really didn’t think anymore of it.  Well, a while later, before I was getting ready to leave for the day, I noticed my voicemail light was flashing and because it was a Friday afternoon, I thought I better check my messages.  I had only one.  It was from Brian.  He said he was sorry he hadn’t been able to talk earlier and that he really just wanted to tell me that he had read the last line of my email, about adopting a child from China … he said that he really wanted to do that, to adopt a little girl with me and he wanted her to be from China. 

Next: Choosing Molly

How It All Began ...

So, dear readers ... we've completed our home study and we're waiting to be fingerprinted by the Department of Homeland Security (which is scheduled for May 28) and already one of us adoptive parents is tired ... of paperwork ... of waiting ... of pondering.  Pathetic?? 

I know, ... right??  

You would think by now, ... after two adoptions ... that I would be "GOOD" with the whole process and the waiting thing.  

Hmm ... so, ... since I don't have any current adoption updates to share and I won't, perhaps, feel better unless I make an update to this blog, I have officially decided to give you ... the readers (I know you're out there) some background on us as a family, who we are, and how adoption became a part of our lives.  Those stories lead in to Jonah and Rees' stories too! 

Once upon a time ... a handsome royal knight fell "head over heels" in L-O-V-E with a beautiful princess!!  

(hahaha ... aren't we cute??)

We are Brian and Kimberly and we've been married 15 years.  

It used to be Brian and Olivia ...

...and me and my boys, Ben and Jake ... 

We blended together as one family

And then our family grew ...

and then grew some more!! 

Now we look like this!!

We are a GRANDE FAMILY (Blended and Whipped)!!

... with Our Three BIG kids ...

... and our two Chinese dumplings ...

Good to know there's such a thing as 

a "wide-angle lens" !!!

NEXT UP: The Transition to Adoption

Milestone and Helping Hands ...

We've started a type of timeline in our home ... we are documenting special dates and milestones reached in regards to our adoption process and we are even including documenting those who are helping us to bring home our two Chinese boys.

We are transforming "this door" (it leads to our pantry) our adoption timeline!

We have a full sheet listing of various milestones that must be achieved in the adoption process all the way until we travel to China to officially adopt the boys.  Then each time we have reached a special milestone, we have been highlighting that date via the entry from a daily desk calendar.  Each day has a Bible verse and a note and then the milestone or special comment is added.  So far, we've included the dates we received "Pre-Approval" from China to adopt each boy, the date our homestudy was approved, etc ...

The hands represent each person(s) who have helped us so far with our fundraising and/or monetary fees and expenses involved with the adoption process.  

Every hand is a 'helping hand' and we are SO THANKFUL for each of you!!

We are so EXCITED to be able to show Jonah and Rees this living, documented testimony of how SO MANY are a part of bringing them into our family!!  

We can't wait to see what it looks like in a few months!!

Some people have graciously sent us donations to help us with our adoption fees and expenses.  We have set up a separate account to hold those funds until the various fee due dates.

  Some have donated to our fund by participating in various fundraisers ... we are currently still having the Origami Owl fundraiser and if you're interested, there's still time.  Several lovely ladies have already ordered and we have been getting very positive feedback on their purchases.  

Origami Owl Adoption Fundraiser

OR you can go to the following webpage:

www.locketsbysindy.origamiowl.com

Please be sure, if you decide to make a purchase, to use code (62648) so that we will get credit for your purchase.  These lockets are very pretty and F-U-N and this fundraiser will still be happening until 5/25/15.

Some have also utilized us for some odd jobs, which we are very excited about!!  We are MORE THAN HAPPY to HELP SOMEONE as they HELP US!!  We are open to a variety of odd jobs and tasks so if you have something you've been wanting to get done and just haven't, something you'd like to have done for which you're willing to donate towards our adoption fund, we would L-O-V-E love to help you!!  

“Hire” the Prendergast’s  to do odd jobs – Have things needing to be done around your house?

Painting a room or two in your home

Oil change on your vehicle

Cleaning gutters, weeding or gardening

Lawn mowing/care

Organize and de-clutter garage, shed, closets, rooms, etc …

Miscellaneous "clerical-type" work

Have something else in mind?  Run it by us!

We are also BAKING for those who are interested and enjoy our baked goods!  Several have placed orders and you can too!!  Part of our order form is below OR you can get to it by clicking HERE.

Like our baked goods?  Place an order!!

You can submit it in-person, by mail or you can contact us via phone or email.

(Brian/Kimberly Prendergast)

1614 Meadow Lane, Elkhorn, WI 53121

262-723-5584

prenderbergs@gmail.com

Thank-you for supporting us as we take this journey to our sons, Jonah and Rees!! 

God Bless You!

 

 Welsh Cakes (please indicate whether you want cakes with currants or mini choc chips).

    1 order (12) …………………….    $12.00

    ½ order (6) …………………….    $  6.00

Scones

    1 order (6) ………………….. 

    Cranberry                                      $10.00           

    Cherry, Current or Choc. Chip      $12.00

    Blueberry                                       $15.00

 

Pumpkin Pie  …………………….      $15.00

Cranberry Walnut Pie…………     $15.00

 (Available Nov – Dec)

Caramel Pecan Pie …………….   $23.00

Do you  have a Pie Request??  Just ask!

(please indicate number of pies)  ________

No matter how we receive the support that will help us to complete our adoption of Jonah and Rees, our two precious boys from China, we are so grateful to God for all He has provided for us and ALL that He WILL provide.  We are so thankful to everyone who comes alongside us and gives us a helping hand in this adventure we are on!!  God bless each and every one of you!!!

NEW Old Pictures - How Fun!!

Hey friends!!!  

I have a secret friend who is a super-sleuth, let me tell you!!

And she "found" these amazing photos of our boys ~ they are from when they were much younger and so precious!!

Here's Jonah when he was just a little guy ...

And here's our little Rees - isn't he adorable?!

This photo is from the inside of the orphanage.  Rees is in the overalls and Jonah is ahead of him in the red sweatshirt with the white stripes.  

In this one, again, Rees is in the overalls and Jonah is to the right of him in red.

What a great room!  

It is so amazing to have these sweet photos!