Good bye 2014 - Hello 2015

Goodness gracious - another year is wrapping up for people all over the world. In just a few short hours from now we will celebrate the beginning of a new year. And so I thought I would end 2014 with a few photos from our world to yours.

Teddy is now playing club soccer - different team from Tariku but same Club

Soccer - it's apparently ALL we do in the Spring and Fall 

Amazing business opportunities

Photos with Santa - photo courtesy of Karen Halbert Photography

Time with Papa is always time well spent

Disney with Papa Blue

Maybe this should of been our Christmas card this year?  Oh wait I never got the card out!!!

Teddy and his papa blue

Tariku being interviewed for NPR

IF conference in Austin with Jillian and Jess - a true blessing of an opportunity

And when not playing soccer we are on the basketball courts

2nd grade means Leprechaun traps

So proud to be in black for Aris FC

Designing their own golf hole

Hard to believe he is about to begin his 3rd season with this club

Mrs. Clark and Mr. Jim - they made the school world a wee bit easier to navigate

Tariku and Ms. Gatlin (2nd grade)

It's a party when Will is in town and mama is in Ethiopia

 an amazing evening to benefit 147 million orphans and a private screening of Legends of the Knight #wearebatman

Easter 2014

yep a totaled car in the Spring of 2014 

Who cares the water is FREEZING!

Always ready for the next adventure

Off to Uncle Jason's we go

Playing tic tac toe with great-grandma Taeko 

Mama why do Americans think this is fun?  This is just life in Africa! - Tariku

Brothers 

Awards won and parties planned

See a theme?  This boy and his tic tac toe

On the soccer field before 7am - calls for one thing

So happy to see their Amber get married

Summer spent with Kylee

The Christmas gift from Uncle Josh that lives on and on and on

Giggles and all girl

Adventure and Road Trips!

Atlanta GA - Six Flags

A look into the future and look who's driving

Kylee behind the wheel

Cousins and the bestest of friends

One would think they were related by blood - but alas they are not

Summer - welcomed a pool into our yard!!

New friends

Working on their radio voices

Hanging with friends at the radio station

Listening as they remix the Tariku message

Preparing his lines

Ready to go wish America a very happy birthday

Disney day @ Camp Summer Sign

Just over 5 months in this thing 

Halloween

The launch of a non - profit

Wedding help in Santa Fe

Cliff Dwelling in Santa Fe

My little orange boy

So there you have it!!  A look back at 2014 - we are blessed beyond measure and look forward to all that comes in 2015.  From the Hammons House to yours we wish you a very HAPPY NEW YEAR

"Orphan Sunday isn't about charity; it's about the mission of Christ. I pray that every Gospel-transformed congregation will observe Orphan Sunday, calling all Christians to our mandate to image Christ by caring for his little brothers and sisters, the fatherless of the world." -- Dr. Russell Moore, author Adopted for Life

On November 2nd, Christians around the globe will stand together with one goal: to rouse believers with God's call to care for the orphan and what our role is in response.

Does your family, small group or church have plans for Orphan Sunday? There are so many ways that we can honor orphans collectively as the Body of Christ on Orphan Sunday. If you don't have plans or haven't heard of an event near you, here are 4 ways you can engage in this year's Orphan Sunday:

1. Advent for Orphans Calendar -- see explanation below.
2. Orphan's Table -- share a meal eaten by orphans around the world. Gather with family, small group or church for the meal, discussion and prayer.
3. Plan an Orphan Sunday event with a Partnership Package -- easy-to-follow Orphan Sunday event plan, enabling you to partner with an organization to create a simple event!
4. Contact your Regional Orphan Sunday Coordinator with questions, to seek ideas as you plan, or to let them know that you will be holding an event.

Be sure to also check out their other resources which include videos, prayer guides, sermon notes, t-shirts & more! Together, let's stand for the orphan!

To learn more about Orphan Sunday or find an event near you visit OrphanSunday.org.

Get your FREE Advent Calendar & celebrate with purpose! 

See how your family, small group or church can celebrate the anticipate the birth of our Savior in a special way that also shows love to orphans.

Limited supply of Advent for Orphans calendars available! Learn more & order your calendar today at www.lifesongfororphans.org/advent.

Advocate Opportunities w/ Lifesong

Are you having trouble communicating why you have chosen to walk the adoption journey? Or maybe you have tried time and time again to get your church to start an adoption or orphan care ministry, and it just hasn't clicked yet. How do you start and kindly facilitate a conversation that shows God's heart for the orphan and our response as the church?

Host a Coffee Conversation.

Coffee shops tend to create an environment where people connect through conversations over a warm cup of joe or a refreshing iced latte. Recreate this atmosphere by hosting an intentional Coffee Conversation with your church, Sunday school class or small group. Maybe it's a one-on-one meeting with your pastor at a local coffee shop or maybe it's an event with small group. 

Use this kit to help you share about the needs and opportunities to care for orphans with provided discussion questions and scripture references.

How it works:

1. Visit www.lifesongfororphans.org/host-a-coffee-conversation and fill out the form to recieve the Coffee Conversation Toolkit with step-by-step instructions on how to host an event, along with video links, discussion questions and promotional materials.
2. Purchase Gobena Coffee for your event. Visit Gobena Store
3. Use provided materials to promote event.
4. Host event using some or all of the resources provided in toolkit.

Looking for more Advocate Opportunities?
Visit www.lifesongfororphans.org/advocate-opportunities to see more unqiue, tangible ways you can care for orphans!