Bierock Sack Lunch Fundraiser - THIS SUNDAY!!!

For those of you who are local (especially Grace Community people!!) we are doing a fundraiser to help cover expenses for us and our team going on the missions trip to Russia in a few weeks!! 

We will be selling bierock sack lunches this Sunday, November 16th at Grace Community Church in Newton after both services (around 10:15 and then again at 11:45). Did you catch that - this isn't a ham and cheese sandwich kind of lunch; we are packing you yummy homemade BIEROCKS!!!! Sack lunches include a bierock, chips, pickle, cookie, and drink. There will also be a child option available. Suggested donation is $5. Take your lunches with you and enjoy!

Please come and help us get to Russia to love on some precious little orphans this Christmas season so we can share the hope of Christ with them.

See you Sunday!!

Christmas gifts for Russian orphans

If you haven't noticed yet, the Christmas inventory is flooding the stores. And Christmas melodies are filling the air. If you're like me you are wondering what happened to Thanksgiving? But instead of being annoyed at that, would you please use the Christmasy displays as a reminder to help provide a Christmas gift for a Russian orphan?

One of the fun things Ryan and I and our team get to do on our trip to Russia is to go Christmas shopping and buy specific gifts for the kids in the orphanages that we will visit. The Boaz Project (the organization that we are going with) raises money for us to use to purchase the gifts once we get to Russia as well as for orphans in the country of India that they work with. They have these Orphan Gift Banks where you can collect coins to donate for the gifts. But since Indiana where the Boaz Project is located isn't exactly local it might just be easier to donate here or by sending a check. :) Donations must be received by November 21 to be used for this year's Christmas gifts. 

So as you start to buy Christmas gifts for your families or at least think about who you might be buying for this year, would you please consider helping buy a gift for a Russian orphan? It will most likely be the only gift they receive. Let them know that they are loved and treasured; they are not forgotten. We will pick them out something awesome, hand deliver it, and tell them about their Heavenly Father who loves them and the hope we have because Jesus came to earth to rescue us. If you can't donate would you please pray with us for these precious children? Thank you.

a Father who will never let them go

Today is Orphan Sunday. Orphan Sunday is a worldwide event where Christians stand together to defend the cause of the fatherless and encourage those around us to do the same. The fact of the matter is that every Christian is called to care for orphans and to defend the cause of the fatherless. That means a whole lot more than only fostering or adopting. You're not too old or too young or too busy or really too anything (insert any excuse you can come up with). There are plenty of ways to love orphans and you just need to do SOMETHING. Love. I promise you that loving orphans will open up your heart and teach you much about how God loves you. It is completely and totally worth it.

During worship this morning we sang the song "Rejoice" by Dustin Kensrue which we've sung several times. But this time the following lyrics grabbed me.

We are children of the promise
The beloved of the Lord
Won with everlasting kindness
Bought with sacrificial blood

Bringing reconciliation 
To a world that longs to know
The affections of a Father 
Who will never let them go

Rejoice, come and lift your hands and 
Raise your voice, He is worthy of our praise
Rejoice, sing of mercies of your King
And with trembling, rejoice

All I could picture were the precious children I have seen. The wonderfully made little ones in Russian orphanages that I will get to talk to and love on in just a few short weeks! I am so excited to get to tell them of the Father that will never let them go and how He loves them. There is such hope in Him. He is more than worthy of our praise and we have much to rejoice about. Because of Jesus we are children of the King. We are beloved, won with everlasting kindness, bought with sacrificial blood. We are adopted and He will never let us go. How I long for that hope for each of the precious children all over the world, especially those who don't have the love of a family today. Please consider what you can do to show God's love to orphans today. If you need some ideas on just how to do that, please click here to find 10 ways that every Christian can care for the orphan and waiting child.

Adoption Update

Just a quick adoption update!

We got news that our dossier has been officially registered with the Ministry of Justice in Bulgaria!! We have a confirmation number and everything. That means we are on the list in Bulgaria and are officially waiting to be matched with a child!! The clock has begun and now it starts winding down!!

follow us on Instagram

Obviously the posts on this blog have been fewer and farther between over the recent months even though I have tried to catch up a little over the last few days.

Blogging just isn't at the top of the priority list at the moment.

However, I know many of you just want to see how the kids are growing and what shenanigans they have found themselves in lately. And I hate the fact that I am neglecting grandmas and grandpas and aunts and uncles etc. from seeing these cute little faces we've been blessed with.

I am still planning to blog when I can but if you want to see more of us I wanted to let you know that you can follow me on Instagram. It is a free app for your smartphone (or I think you can look at it online too if you'd rather) and you can follow me under the user name of christynvogt. I don't post on there a ton but I'm thinking it might become more frequent. It is just a whole lot easier to snap a picture with my phone and post it quickly than to find time to sit down and upload pictures and compose a coherent blog post without being interrupted a hundred times.

So if you want to follow us on Instagram please feel free to do so!

An Amazing Opportunity in Russia

In a previous post I mentioned that although our hearts may have let go of the thought of adopting from Russia right now, the people of Russia are definitely still heavy on our hearts. 

When we came home with Karina we prayed so hard for the orphans left behind in the Russian orphanages, especially those stuck in the mess of the adoption ban. We prayed that Russian Christians would care for and adopt these precious children into their families. As the relationship between the Russian and American governments continued to decline we knew that Americans were having minimal chances to work in Russia. And we searched for an organization that we could support and come alongside to help care for Russian orphans but nothing seemed quite right. 

Finally I found out about a ministry called The Boaz Project, a non-profit that serves physical, spiritual, and emotional needs of orphans around the world. They work in Russia loving and caring for orphans with an emphasis on equipping Russian Christians to serve orphans. It was exactly what we had been praying for. Because yes, it is great to provide clothing and food and Christmas gifts to orphans. Giving to a charity that does that might make us feel like we were "doing" something. But sharing the hope of Christ means so much more. Russian families loving these children and fostering and adopting is so much better than us sending a measly check. 

And now God has provided an amazing opportunity for Ryan and I! We will be going on a missions trip to the Vladimir region of Russia for 9 days this December with The Boaz Project.

While in Russia our team will purchase Christmas gifts and then visit orphanages throughout the Vladimir region to deliver those gifts and share the good news of Jesus Christ with the children. We will also have the opportunity to complement the work that many local, Christian volunteers are doing weekly in these orphanages.

So what can you do? You can join us in praying. Pray that God will open the hearts of the orphans to whom we will minister. Pray also for the team of us that goes. Pray for the Russian Christians who are serving on a regular basis. Pray for the foster parents of the pilot foster home that The Boaz Project is helping to start.


We are looking forward to returning to Russia and ministering to these children that have been on our hearts. We are so honored and excited for the opportunity to share the hope of Jesus Christ with them this Christmas. Check out www.boazproject.org to learn more about this wonderful organization we are privileged to serve with. You can also give donations there toward the Christmas gifts we will be purchasing for the children. Or give toward the Christian foster home project and help give a child a loving family and a home.

Thanks for your support!! 

Off To Kindergarten

We send two kids off on the school bus each weekday morning.

Addyson and Braden are Kindergartners!

Here are their first day of school pictures.

We are all adjusting to waking up early - too early. We have a house full of not morning people. Addyson and Karina probably deal the best. Ryan and I are not morning people and we are doing our best to drag ourselves of bed in time and graciously encourage Braden to get going. It is an adjustment. But we are all doing it. And Karina is less than excited about staying home with mom. But we are both adjusting to that too.

Addyson really likes school now that she knows her teacher and what to expect. Braden likes it most of the time; he's just disappointed that it's not preschool where they got to play and make fun projects to bring home everyday. You know they actually want him to learn stuff - and that whole getting up early thing again . . . 

They go half days for a few more weeks. Then they will go the full day and get to ride the bus home too. And eat lunch at school. New adventures! For now I pick them up from school; and every day Karina runs to the door as soon as she sees them. Braden picks her up in his arms and twirls her around. It is the sweetest thing.

I interviewed them both. I just want to remember some things - like how they write their names and what their favorites are. And what song the one that someday plans to be a princess currently blares from the back seat of the car.

We sure love these two. And miss having them around as much. But we are excited to watch them venture out into the world. And do the things they were made to do. We can't keep them to ourselves forever after all. They're too awesome not to share. I know their teacher is enjoying them and the God who created them is taking special care of them for me. :)

In summerrrrrrrrr!

Since we have been living and breathing the movie Frozen around here - we will title this post "In summer!" because Karina loves that closing line of Olaf's song.

And since I haven't posted any update on the kids since before summer here's a few of the things that happened around here in summerrrrrrr!!!!

Karina is potty trained since April. Yippee!! Not a single diaper to be seen around here. Girl rocked it. Totally easiest kid I've potty trained so far. Even at night. 

We planted some flowers with the help of my lovely assistant. And they are still alive and looking pretty on my front porch. That my friend is a big accomplishment for me.

Ate some good food. When Karina's really enjoying her food she likes to kick that right foot up on the table and just relax. Cracks me up.

Addyson and Braden finished up their last year of Cubbies.

Oh - Addyson broke her arm in April. She wins the prize for first broken bone in the family. She handled it like a star. Seriously impressive and very little whining from her the whole time her cast was on.

Got fingerprints done for adoption paperwork until our fingers were stained red.

Addyson and Braden graduated from preschool. They loved Miss Joan and Miss Tonya. They still miss preschool. And Karina thought she graduated too. 

Addyson and Braden played t-ball. #4 is Braden and #0 is Addyson. 

Addyson was always ready to field the ball. And then usually stayed ready as it passed right by her. It was pretty hilarious. She loved playing!

Braden liked it pretty well too. They loved their coaches and their team.

Took a quick weekend trip to KC for a Royals/Yankees game. Karina loves zebras and wanted to ride the carousel over and over.

Just hung out.

Celebrated Karina's half birthday. She's officially 2 1/2!

Harvested some wheat in between all the rain. And had some good snacks with dad in the combine - Braden's favorite part of harvest.

Rode horse - well sort of - with Grandpa's assistance.

Art projects and tried to work some on our letters

Addyson learned how to swing herself.

The girls wore princess clothes a lot.

This picture of Addyson was a couple days before school started. She seems so little and so big all at the same time. Like I will blink and she will be all grown up. 

And this is classic Karina. I love this picture. Dressed like  a princess with her crazy beautiful hair and her toes in the sand with Fritzy the kitty. Love her.

Made new friends.

And managed to squeeze in a family vacation right before school started!

We flew to Boston via Minneapolis. P.S. I missed flying and haven't gone anywhere since Russia. I was getting antsy! It was still even pretty fun hauling 3 kids, carseats, etc.

The kids were awesome. This was on the shuttle to our rental vehicle - at like 1 a.m. 

Went to the New England Aquarium.

Then drove to Freeport, Maine.

This is at the marina near Freeport.

Karina by the lobster traps.

L.L. Bean is in Freeport.

Then we finished driving to Bar Harbor, Maine.

Ryan and I went there a couple years ago and thought the kids would like it.

The tide was out when we got there so we could go hunting for sea shells and creatures in the tide pools.

And the kids loved it even more than we could have guessed! It started raining so we took cover under a stock trailer.

Then got some ice cream and hung out in our hotel room. Which happened to be awesome. And right across the street from the ocean and close walking distance to all the restaurants. And with a balcony where Ryan and I could sit and drink our blueberry coffee while the kids fell asleep. It was perfect.

We checked out the lobsters.

And the next day headed to the sand beach in Acadia National Park.

We had been trying to decide where to go to use our frequent flyer miles we accrued from our trips to Russia. Addyson requested to go to the beach every single time we asked her. Since Ryan and I are not hot weather spend a week on the beach type of people, Maine was the best choice. And it was perfect.

These 3 played and played in the waves and the sand.

Karina was a little unsure at first but by the end she loved it as much as the rest of the family.

It is so beautiful there. Loved it. Hope to take the family back again. Might need to acquire a few more frequent flyer miles before then.

This time we were brave and tried the lobster. Ryan was so excited.

I love Addyson's face on this one :)

And there was a reason we were so skeptical. It was awful. And we went to a good lobster place. So we will just stick to beef; it's what's for dinner at our house!!!

Braden got to ride the boat - his request for the trip. We all went on a short nature cruise; the girls ended up taking turns sleeping in my lap. But the guys enjoyed themselves!

They had fun running in the grass,

exploring around the rock beaches,

and eating cotton candy.

Geddy's is our favorite place to eat there. There are a few more non-seafood choices; the guacamole is super yummy. And you can see the ocean while you eat.

And the kids get little animals on their drinks to play with while you wait for your food. Made this little guy's day!!

We miss the ocean.

Addyson loved just about every second of our vacation.

There was lots of rock throwing - every little boy (and big boy)'s dream.

These two giggled and giggled. Made me so happy to see them having fun together. There has to be nothing in the world like having a twin; they are pretty blessed. I mean siblings are great but one that's exactly your age? Priceless.

We had so much fun as a family. Thankful for the chance to go and spend some time together. Braden was so pumped that we got Daddy all to ourselves for the whole week. So was I!! :)

And I was grateful to spend the last few days before I had to send TWO kiddos off to kindergarten enjoying them in a beautiful place.