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Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Games, Raffles, Art, Music and More!
Saturday night was so much fun! A HUGE thank you to those who organized the event. A lot of prep work goes into facilitating a fundraiser and clearly those who planned this event are on top of their game! Many people we never met before donated prizes and cakes and goodies. We are so appreciative for support from new and old friends. It was also a special blessing to hear beautiful music at the concert. Thank you, Lord for willing people who have a desire to use their gifts and talents to help others.
Thursday, September 5, 2013
Birthdays, Firsts and So Much More!
This week we will celebrate Joseph's third birthday, as well as our "three months home" anniversary!
This week was full of FIRSTS.
For the first time, Joseph held a Mum-Mum in his hand. He also licked it.
For the first time, Joseph licked a Goldfish at church in his hand until it became mush.
For the first time, Joseph stayed in the nursery at church for the entire service. With mama. :)
For the first time, Joseph slept in a pack-n-play in our room.
For the first time, Joseph clapped consistently because he was happy.
For the first time, Joseph underwent anesthesia and had a complete eye exam by an ophthalmologist, cornea surgeon and retina surgeon.
How is Joseph handling all of his firsts?
Some firsts are awkward and make Joseph feel uncertain. That's when he listens to our comforting voices, which make him feel safe. He hears our tone and finds comfort in our words. Other firsts can be scary which is an opportunity for Joseph to reach out to us and feel us and use touch to learn that we are here and we love him. The best firsts to witness are those which excite Joseph! He throws his arms around and enjoys hearing all of our reactions to his laughter and joy!
Oh, we are so thankful for these opportunities to witness such growth and joy in our three year old boy!
This week was full of FIRSTS.
For the first time, Joseph held a Mum-Mum in his hand. He also licked it.
For the first time, Joseph licked a Goldfish at church in his hand until it became mush.
For the first time, Joseph stayed in the nursery at church for the entire service. With mama. :)
For the first time, Joseph slept in a pack-n-play in our room.
For the first time, Joseph clapped consistently because he was happy.
For the first time, Joseph underwent anesthesia and had a complete eye exam by an ophthalmologist, cornea surgeon and retina surgeon.
How is Joseph handling all of his firsts?
Some firsts are awkward and make Joseph feel uncertain. That's when he listens to our comforting voices, which make him feel safe. He hears our tone and finds comfort in our words. Other firsts can be scary which is an opportunity for Joseph to reach out to us and feel us and use touch to learn that we are here and we love him. The best firsts to witness are those which excite Joseph! He throws his arms around and enjoys hearing all of our reactions to his laughter and joy!
Oh, we are so thankful for these opportunities to witness such growth and joy in our three year old boy!
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Bling, anyone?
Isn't this gorgeous?!?! Are you familiar with Tattered and Jeweled? They are an amazing company which makes beautiful jewelry! They have generously set up a fundraiser for us!
For every FAITH necklace purchased, we will receive 55% of the profit towards our Guatemala deputation.
To purchase, send $18 per necklace plus $2.75 for shipping to PayPal address: brigitte.brazeal@gmail.com
Please include your name and address and write FAITH NECKLACE FOR TOWNSEND FAMILY in the memo/comment section. Be sure to mention what length you want your chain to be - 16"-24". Buyers choice!
If you decide to purchase this for a gift or for yourself, please leave us a comment on our blog or Facebook page!
Thanks for your support!
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Special Event Coming Soon!!!
Benefit Concert and Raffle for Townsend Family
DATE:
September 7, 2013
TIME:
4 pm – 7 pm
LOCATION:
Church of the Good Shepherd (Corners of 6th and Queen
Street downtown Wilmington)
DETAILS:
Come on out for a great afternoon of fun! Between 4 pm – 5:30 pm,
we will have prizes and raffles. Items include a flat screen TV,
jewelry, local artwork, Thirty-One, baskets, Usborne books and much
more! A concert will begin at 5:30 pm which will include local
musicians, singers, and more.
COST:
$5 per person or $20 per family (If you are interested in
pre-selling tickets, please let us know!)
Thursday, August 15, 2013
It's gettin' hot!
Have you seen our thermometers? Don't they look swell?
We are so thankful for the one time contributors! Have you noticed we are 1/2 way funded on one time fees? Very cool!
We also praise God for those that have decided to contribute monthly from now until we return! A variety of people have decided to jump the gun, so to speak, and make a commitments of $10 a month, $20-$25 a month, $50 a month and $200 a month! The monthly support is urgent right now and we would love raise that thermometer higher!
Every little bit helps so if you think you would like to join us on this financial part of the journey, please let us know. We really appreciate your support through encouragement and prayer and financial resources.
Making a tax deductible donation is very simple. If you are interested in making a one time donation or if you would like to sign up for a monthly commitment, please go to:
Thanks again for checking in. Please send us a note, email, text or leave a comment here. We would love to hear from you!
We are so thankful for the one time contributors! Have you noticed we are 1/2 way funded on one time fees? Very cool!
We also praise God for those that have decided to contribute monthly from now until we return! A variety of people have decided to jump the gun, so to speak, and make a commitments of $10 a month, $20-$25 a month, $50 a month and $200 a month! The monthly support is urgent right now and we would love raise that thermometer higher!
Every little bit helps so if you think you would like to join us on this financial part of the journey, please let us know. We really appreciate your support through encouragement and prayer and financial resources.
Making a tax deductible donation is very simple. If you are interested in making a one time donation or if you would like to sign up for a monthly commitment, please go to:
Blessings,
Jack and Susie
From left to right:
Back row: Joseph, Jack, Jude, Pearl, Susie, Sophie
Front row: Annabelle, Ava
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Remember When....
...two months ago we had a full night's sleep? That's what I said to Jack two nights ago. And we busted out laughing. At 3:00 am.
We occasionally laugh (and cry) about the few hours of sleep we now get a night. Please forgive me if I never had sympathy for you when your newborns were not sleeping through the night.
I.Did.Not.Understand.What.You.Were.Going.Through. I do now. Really, I do. I am so, so sorry.
I am sorry if you were cranky and I didn't understand why.
I am sorry if you wore two different flip-flops...to church.
I am sorry if you cried in Costco because you couldn't find the bananas.
I am sorry if you sent me a text that was meant for your mother.
I am sorry if you walked out of the house without underpants on.
I am sorry if you didn't brush your teeth until noon.
I am sorry if you drove past your house because you couldn't remember what road you lived on...four times.
I am sorry if you made your child's bottle with the wrong formula at 2:00 in the morning.
I am sorry if you drove two hours in the middle of the night to get your child to sleep...and ended up in Myrtle Beach.
I am sorry if you missed doctor appointments because you still had the calendar set to June...in July.
I am sorry you were tired. I totally get it.
Friends, you know there's gotta be a BUT to this.
Yes, we are tired BUT having Joseph home has changed us in ways we never imagined. He has changed in ways we never imagined. He is an incredible little boy and we are blessed to be his parents.
How has he changed? He's calmer, he's content, and he can be soothed and loved. He wasn't taking steps, he's now walking. He wasn't eating a variety of foods, he's now open to eating every variety of pureed food offered.
How have we changed? We are a family that has united like never before. When Joseph needs attention, there are 7 people in his family to love him, hold him, or play with him. We've learned what it is like to have a special needs family member. We've learned how to answer questions from family, friends or strangers that at first seem awkward. Together, we are Joseph's advocates.
Almost two years ago, Jack and I felt led to adopt a little boy whose name we believed to be "Jeremaiah." We weren't looking to adopt and we certainly weren't looking to adopt a special needs child. I think back to that time when we first saw his picture and profile. It was like a punch in the stomach. He was meant to be in our family. No questions asked, no answers given. He was a Townsend. Period. We didn't understand at the time WHY we were supposed to adopt him. We still don't understand it 100% but slowly God is revealing His plan for the 8 of us. We are grateful, we are humbled, we are in awe of His great plan.
So today we celebrate Joseph's anniversary of being home two months. We will watch him smile, listen to his low tone, rumbly laugh and thank God for the past two months. Sleep or no sleep. We are family.
We occasionally laugh (and cry) about the few hours of sleep we now get a night. Please forgive me if I never had sympathy for you when your newborns were not sleeping through the night.
I.Did.Not.Understand.What.You.Were.Going.Through. I do now. Really, I do. I am so, so sorry.
I am sorry if you were cranky and I didn't understand why.
I am sorry if you wore two different flip-flops...to church.
I am sorry if you cried in Costco because you couldn't find the bananas.
I am sorry if you sent me a text that was meant for your mother.
I am sorry if you walked out of the house without underpants on.
I am sorry if you didn't brush your teeth until noon.
I am sorry if you drove past your house because you couldn't remember what road you lived on...four times.
I am sorry if you made your child's bottle with the wrong formula at 2:00 in the morning.
I am sorry if you drove two hours in the middle of the night to get your child to sleep...and ended up in Myrtle Beach.
I am sorry if you missed doctor appointments because you still had the calendar set to June...in July.
I am sorry you were tired. I totally get it.
Friends, you know there's gotta be a BUT to this.
Yes, we are tired BUT having Joseph home has changed us in ways we never imagined. He has changed in ways we never imagined. He is an incredible little boy and we are blessed to be his parents.
How has he changed? He's calmer, he's content, and he can be soothed and loved. He wasn't taking steps, he's now walking. He wasn't eating a variety of foods, he's now open to eating every variety of pureed food offered.
How have we changed? We are a family that has united like never before. When Joseph needs attention, there are 7 people in his family to love him, hold him, or play with him. We've learned what it is like to have a special needs family member. We've learned how to answer questions from family, friends or strangers that at first seem awkward. Together, we are Joseph's advocates.
Almost two years ago, Jack and I felt led to adopt a little boy whose name we believed to be "Jeremaiah." We weren't looking to adopt and we certainly weren't looking to adopt a special needs child. I think back to that time when we first saw his picture and profile. It was like a punch in the stomach. He was meant to be in our family. No questions asked, no answers given. He was a Townsend. Period. We didn't understand at the time WHY we were supposed to adopt him. We still don't understand it 100% but slowly God is revealing His plan for the 8 of us. We are grateful, we are humbled, we are in awe of His great plan.
So today we celebrate Joseph's anniversary of being home two months. We will watch him smile, listen to his low tone, rumbly laugh and thank God for the past two months. Sleep or no sleep. We are family.
Monday, July 22, 2013
It is well.
He is home.
Praise God. Honor God. Glory to God. Our Joseph is home. I confess, some days I wondered when and if this would ever really happen. Thank you, Lord, for bringing our son home.
Joseph has been home six weeks. It has been a wonderful, difficult, sweet, amazing, challenging time of adjustment.
We brought home an almost three year old who didn't talk, walk, or sleep. Now we have a toddler who is learning to play with toys, babbles, walks with assistance and um...still doesn't sleep. ;)
I'm amazed daily at how well our four girls and Jude love and nurture their brother. They are so strong and have showed their beautiful spirits as they learn to care for their brother. Thank you, Lord, for allowing us to parent these special children of Yours.
Thank you for joining us on our adoption journeys, as well as our journey to Guatemala. We are so thankful for your continued support and encouragement and Christ-like love.
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