A New Season
To Our Dear Friends and Family,
In many ways, there is nothing quite as helpless yet as beautiful as a baby bird. This small creature is nestled into a home high above the ground, completely dependent on its caregiver for protection from prey and a source of nourishment to grow. At the beginning, their nest is their entire world. In time, this precious living thing draws from its instinct and develops further muscle structure. With some gentle coaxing from mama bird, the little one will be challenged to take a few hard falls to the ground, before successfully finding just the right amount of wing flapping and air thermals to soar. Flight essentially turns fear into freedom.
Tommy and I have had several challenging years, and 2010 was no exception. Our desire to start a family has allowed us to travel down a road filled with loss and heartache, often leaving us confused, frustrated and very alone. But through pain, God has a way of developing beauty and blessing if we trust Him. He tells us in Isaiah 40:31, “but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” His blessings do not always come in packages wrapped in red ribbons lying under a glittering Christmas tree.
This year one of his main gifts to us is the privilege to begin the pursuit of adoption of two babies from Ethiopia. It’s obvious that God has instilled within us a love for the world and all of His people. Sadly, these two children are among roughly 5 million orphans in this country waiting anxiously for a committed family to take them under their wings and provide and care for them. They are abandoned and alone, feeling vulnerable and lacking the gentle touch to help them take the hop of faith in the open air. Very few will be able to exchange their fear for freedom. Our prayer is that we would be the parents who give these babies a nest of security, a lifetime worth of love and provision, and eventually teach them how to fly upwards into greatness as they serve the King. How amazing that God does this for us as well. Psalm 91:4 states this perfectly, “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”
This adoption announcement is truly a joy but will require work. We certainly cannot accomplish this task alone. We pray that God will give us patience, direction and success! The time-line is never promised, but averages between 10-24 months. We also seek your support through much prayer and financial participation. In addition to mountains of paperwork & long waiting periods, the total cost will most likely be around $35,000-$42,000. We have set up this blog so you can follow our journey and the details at www.TOMMYandKENDRA.com.
At this point, two abandoned baby birds will hopefully become part of our family in the near future. If God chooses to expand our family with additional children in the years to come, we will simply find a bigger nest….
In great anticipation,
Kendra & Tommy
Praying for you throughout this process. Some little ones will be blessed to come into your nest. BTW…love the site. – B
SO, SO proud and excited for you guys. We’re committed to praying for you guys every day during this process. We can’t wait to see you walk through immigration at LAX, each holding a baby:) Love you, cherrish you, and cannot wait to help you along in this journey.
I am already a “Silly Grandma”, but my heart was just LONGING for these two babies to love and nurture!!! Where ever they are today, they are so loved and being prayed for and missed. Can’t wait to see them …and for this exciting journey to begin for you!! Love you guys so much!!! Mom
We are so excited for you and your future family and will committ to prayer for you. We love you both and are excited to be apart of this journey with you.xoxoxo
I am so happy for you! I can’t even begin to express it. You are on a wonderful journey and I know you will make wonderful parents. I can’t wait to meet them! If you need anything, let me know! XOXO
We are so happy for you guys! We know God will bless you and your soon to be babies. We love you guys! We are excited to come along side you and support you through your journey! Pearsons
I am so happy and so proud not only to call you the most fabulous fitness instructor ever, but to call you friend. Bless, bless, bless you and Tommy as you welcome these babies into your lives. My heart soars at this shining example of deep loving for ALL of our heavenly Father’s children. I love you!
We love you so much. We will be praying for your next season of your life. We want so badly for you to have the desires of your hearts. May God provide abuntantly for you.
We love you, Bub & Winnie
Hi guys,
Kyle and I are just so excited for this journey. We are praying for a quick and smooth process and we look forward to the day when you bring them home. I can’t wait to see what God has in store. We would love to be of any support that we can. we love you!
Can’t wait to see what two little blessings you get…and remember, everything good comes from Africa. Ha!! Love you two!!
Bronny and Jamie
We will be praying for you guys while on your journey. His love is amazing and sustaining and we hope and pray now that God gives you the desires of your heart and can use you to help bring these children into the world and into your loving family some day soon. In Christ, Dave and Kaori
Hello Kendra & Tommy, My name is John and I am Michael’s father. I am sure you remember me because you once came to my home and prayed for me when I was very ill. Your prayer has been respond. I am now cure from my illness and in a good health. Me, my wife, Michael, and Yvonne will be praying for you and Tommy in accomplishing the adopting process. What you are doing is giving the greatest gifts to those unfortunate children, a family,a loving home, and a great future. It is a wonderful things that not too many people are willing to do for others because of the complicated process,a huge commitment and mostly the cost is huge. You and Tommy are two wonderful people, and I believe God will always at your side to bless and bring you happiness to your future family.