Hello friends & family! 
Merry Christmas!

 
If you are not able to read my entire post today, make sure you view the video at the end, you will be blessed! Also, If this is your first time to visit our blog, please read our adoption story here: http://byfaithhebrews11.blogspot.com/2011/07/dear-friends-family-july-2011-in-early.html

I apologize so much time has passed since my last post. One of the things I wanted to share on our blog was what we did to celebrate Caden living with us for ONE YEAR on October 24th! We will still have an upcoming Adoption Day to celebrate, but for now we wanted to do something very unique to rejoice in this special ONE YEAR anniversary! Of course I researched all of this (because I research everything, ha!). Well, in the adoption world, most call it “Gotcha Day”, but I wanted to make it more our own! So with the day falling on October 24th, the fall weather called for a “S’more Day”! So on October 24, 2011 we celebrated adding “Some More” (S’more) love, fun & happiness to our family! 

Here are some pictures from 
The Greene’s First Annual S’more Day 
with a family picnic, S’mores, and pumpkin carving!

And now for some frequently asked questions:

Q: Is the Adoption complete? 

A: No, not yet, but we’ve had several more court dates recently and are now closer than we were last month. A lot of hurdles have recently been crossed & we are just enjoying life, but we do LONG for the adoption to become official!

Q: Is the Canvas of Faith complete and how much more money do you need for the adoption?  

A: No, the Canvas of Faith is not full, but it is only about 350 squares shy of being completely full! It has been exactly what we have needed at every stage! Isn't that just how God is; He is always enough, whatever need you have! Thank you for being willing vessels as you have supported us! Because of the complexity of this (birth family case- us not in foster care, nor a relative) we have had many court dates attached to this case, but that is coming to a close as we draw nearer to the adoption. Just recently, more hurdles have been crossed & we are getting closer! I could never EVER thank you enough for all of the love you have given us. The names written on the back of that beautiful blue canvas mean SO much to us! You have been OUR SUPPORT financially and prayerfully as we have simply said "Yes" and been obedient to God's call... and so have YOU also, by being obedient in your "Yes"! Thank you for being our support in so many different areas! Not everyone is able to adopt, but everyone can be a support for the adoptive family…from a listening ear, to babysitting, to prayer...We are thankful for you, our support team! As far as money needed to complete the canvas, we will offer some upcoming raffles and of course donations are still welcome! Once the canvas is complete, I have an amazing idea in my mind to paint on top of the squares; I can’t wait to see how it turns out! Once our adoption is final, we will invite you, our support, to an adoption party with the completed Canvas of Faith.

Q: What is your relationship with Caden’s birth family? 
A: As most of you know, we first met Caden’s birth family through church in early 2010 and tried to help them with some basic needs (see our first blog post for the full story). However, when Caden was about to be placed in foster care, his birth mother asked us to take him for an undetermined amount of time. After many court dates and hurdles we were told in May of 2011 that we could adopt, but it would take some time. We have never fought against his birth family, only doing as we were asked (by birth family, as well as God) and walked obediently in the next step. However, that doesn't mean I haven't had deep emotional struggles with their place in his future life as we have moved forward with adoption simply because I didn't want to "share" him with anyone. (Did you catch that...it was about "me"!) I have often said this is not about us, and that is truly my heart, even though my flesh has moments of selfishness before I allow the spirit to step in. 

Recently I saw an adoption t-shirt that said: 

"This is not about me!" 

On the back of the shirt it said, 

"It's not about you either!" 

AMEN & AMEN! 

What a great reminder as it has always been & should always be about 2 things that work together: 1) Walking in obedience to what God called us to do 2) A little boy named Caden. 

"God never promises to remove us from our struggles. 

He does promise to change the way we look at them." -Max Lucado

He certainly did just that at our Christmas Party with Caden’s birth family. His birth mother and grandmother gave us a very special & selfless gift....they gave us all of Caden’s Christmas ornaments from birth! I was so touched, I couldn't stop crying! It was such a symbolic gift to me, as if they were giving me Caden’s future along with his past. It was a heart changing day for me, as two worlds and families came together for one special little boy. Again I was reminded, "This is not about me!" and "It's not about you either" as both of our families have made different types of emotional scarifies to do what is best for Caden and his future. His birth family is very thankful, supportive, and respectful to us and we are working together to come up with appropriate boundaries and contact in the best interest of Caden and his emotional well being. I realize this is not for everyone in adoption, but we believe this is best for Caden and our unique situation.

One of Caden's ornaments that his birth family gave to us.

In closing, I want to encourage you to “Let Your Light Shine” just as performed here by one amazing little boy named Caden, who now calls me “Mom”. 

Please view & be blessed: 

I realize this is our adoption blog, but I feel negligent not to mention Kelsey & Colton here as well, since this is our Christmas post. At present, Kelsey is serving at Mission Arlington's Christmas Store, with her college BSM group. She is doing well in college, and pursuing a degree in Dental Hygiene. Colton is a sophomore in high school and is active in his youth group and band. He has such a gentle and serving heart like his father.

 

 

Merry Christmas from our home to yours!

Friends, I wanted to ask you to join in prayer about something near & dear to our hearts. November is National Adoption Month, and today (Nov 6) is Orphan Sunday.

JOIN IN PRAYING FOR:
-Children across the U.S. growing up in foster care, and others that face life without their fathers and/or mothers.
- Families that have adopted, mentored and/or fostered
- Social workers and other officials serving foster children
-Churches and nonprofits with adoption/foster/global orphan ministries
-The Church in the U.S. and worldwide to grasp and reflect God’s heart for adoption and orphan care
-Orphans worldwide:  physical provision, protection, love and belonging, and to know the love of God
- Personal guidance in how to reflect God’s heart through thoughtful action, advocacy and continued prayer

Scripture:

He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow... -Deuteronomy 10:18

…For in you [God] the fatherless find compassion. -Hosea 14:3

A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families…Psalms 68:5-6

The Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.  And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”  The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. -Romans 8:15-16 (God’s Heart for Us...He adopted us, He brought us into His family and loved us.)

Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.”…and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir. -Galatians 4:6-7

Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. -Psalm 82:3 (God’s Call to Us)

Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow. -Isaiah 1:17

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress. -James 1:27

Waiting
"When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don't throw away the ticket and jump off. You sit still and trust the engineer." -Corrie Ten Boom

Many have asked us lately "Is the adoption final yet?" We answer "No, not yet, moving forward though". However, to be honest it feels more like we are stuck in neutral, in the waiting phase. 

We were told several months back to be ready because September would push everything forward in a fast way. Well, September came and went, and we are still waiting to move forward. 

Waiting is hard, it is a BATTLE. 

Waiting has made me anxious.

But we wait, because HE is sovereign and in control. We remind ourselves that, "Having FAITH means having FAITH in His timing." So we fight, armed with the Lord's strength, to be patient in the waiting. 


We have experienced some sweet blessings in the waiting and we have learned some things in the waiting as well...

In waiting:

• In waiting, this month marks ONE YEAR, 365 beautiful days of Caden living with us. 
• In waiting, Caden told one of my friends, "Hey, you know I didn't grow in her (pointed to me) belly, right?...I grew in her heart."
• In waiting, I hear "Mom" more than "Tam Tam" these days.
• In waiting, I found these books in Caden's bed when I woke him up a couple of weeks ago...THIS made my heart leap for JOY! He DESIRES to seek the Lord!

• In waiting, you have continued to bless us with your donations to Canvas of Faith so that when the time is here, we are READY and not waiting for financial reasons. 
• In waiting, some have committed to monthly pledges until the canvas is full. Thank you!

10/10/11

• In waiting, you have continued to love on us and some have told us they have committed to praying for our adoption daily in this long process. Thank you for lifting us up!
• In waiting, we have have grown in our Faith and utter dependence on Him.
• In waiting, we are learning what it truly means to "Trust & Obey" If God had showed us exactly what was ahead of us a year ago, we would've never had to really trust Him.
• In waiting, we are learning to be content. Philippians 4:11 
• In waiting, we are learning to not be anxious, but to just live the abundant life in the waiting. John 10:10 (If you know us well, you know this has been a big victory, Go God!)

I usually don't issue a challenge on my blog, but feel compelled to do so today. Do you find yourself waiting for something today? The devil uses FEAR but "God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of love, sound mind, and of self control." 2 Timothy 1:7 In this time of waiting in your life, starve your FEAR with FAITH. In your season of waiting, may you GROW in faith as you depend on Him. 

"Continue to wait in hope...although the promise may linger, it will never come too late." -Spurgeon

"Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him." -Psalm 37:7

Faith & the Color Blue

Many have asked why the canvas is painted the color "BLUE"....

~Faith & the Color Blue~

It has been almost a year now since Caden came to live with us. 

So much of our lives have changed in a year! 

We call out spelling words again! 

Read AR books again!

And the tooth fairy visits our home again!  

What sweet blessings to do this again since Kelsey is now in college & Colton is a sophomore in high school.

When Caden first moved in, Kelsey offered to share her room with him, since another bed would fit in Kelsey’s room better than in Colton’s. Quickly we saw that we had to come up with another “bedroom” in our home as a 7-year-olds toys were rapidly filling up our high school seniors bedroom! So last year, during Christmas break we moved Kelsey out of her childhood room and into the enclosed garage. We were able to make it some-what like a studio apartment for her with her own entrance and sitting area. So now Caden had a room of his own, something he had never had….but it was PURPLE!!! Getting both rooms moved and set up (big fruit basket turn over!) took some time, so we decided to put the painting on hold another month or so until we had more time.

At this point, Caden had been living with us for almost 4 months, and we were very attached already…us to him, and him to us. One Saturday, Caden mentioned he wanted his room to be blue. I privately called Chad into Caden’s room and told him that I knew we needed to paint, but I just could not paint that room blue, absolutely NOT BLUE! I explained that BLUE is the color for little boys, and if he didn’t stay with us forever, I just couldn’t bare walking by that blue room. 

Chad looked at me and grabbed my hands and said, “I have FAITH, we are painting this room BLUE!” I love that man for his faith & obedience, and cry every time I remember that day. So that very day Chad purchased a “can of commitment”. …FAITH  BLUE paint for the walls of Caden’s room.

After 7 months, I received the phone call we had anxiously been waiting for, the official word that the state’s goal for Caden was adoption by us. Chad was at work when I got the call and I was tempted to call him, but I knew the perfect place to tell him. When Chad walked through the door, I told him to come to Caden’s room, and we sat down and I asked him, “What color are these walls? He said “Blue”, I said “What color of Blue?” We both started crying as he answered “FAITH  BLUE”.

So as you can see there was really no other color fitting for this vision God gave us for our adoption canvas.... FAITH BLUE!

We continue to walk by FAITH this path to follow God's will in making Caden our son. Thank you all for your prayers and your continued emotional and financial support as the journey is still long, but God is FAITHFUL!!! 

"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."  

 Hebrews 11:1
Canvas of Faith on 9/3/11

Faith Blue in action is quite beautiful, isn't it?

Oh so beautiful is this story that God is writing and we are humbled and honored to join Him. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for joining us on this journey of FAITH! 

Great News!

The Canvas of Faith is almost half way filled!!!! There are 595 blue squares on the canvas with 72 names written on the back! AND....We have more great news to share....we were able to meet with an attorney yesterday to begin this process!!!! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!

Wow, we are so amazed at how God has demonstrated Philippians 4:19 to us in the last month. "And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus." And HE really has...through all of you! I know that I have said this before, but we have literally sobbed daily at the generosity of our family & friends...and people we do not even know! There have been some of the sweetest stories of sacrifices made to help us with our adoption of Caden. I hope to share some of the stories with you soon, as well as tell you why we are painting the canvas blue. If this is your first time to our blog, please go to archives and read our first post "Faith".

There are a several raffle ideas that some sweet friends/businesses are planning to help us to complete the Canvas of Faith. Also, a current raffle by Becky Layton at Pepper Tree Park Salon is currently going on that is doing awesome!!!! However, due to guidelines, businesses conducting raffles cannot be attached to Caden's name or the blog. So please check into this raffle & upcoming raffles on my facebook page in "notes" www.facebook.com/tamgreene Any donations to the raffles will be listed on the back of the canvas as the raffle name.

We thank you so very much for your prayers! Thank you for partnering with us in this journey that God has called us to follow. We are reminded that if God calls you to it, He will bring you through it!  We love you!

Painting!

If this is your first time to visit our blog, please see our first post to read our story about our adoption & Canvas of Faith! 

388 squares in 10 days!! 

To God be the glory!!!! 

10 days ago we shared our blog on FB & have been literally overwhelmed with love, support, & prayers you have expressed. I have sobbed daily, stood in awe of your sacrifices, and thanked Jehovah-Jireh, our Lord & provider. Thank you FB family & friends for helping us with our adoption fund & to fill our Canvas of Faith! 

We love because He first loved us! 1 John 4:19

 Overwhelmed

 By Your

 Love!

Hebrews 11:1

FAITH BLUE

Canvas of Faith Update

If this is your first time to our blog, please see previous post to read our story! These are pictures of the canvas to date, 7/23/11, isn't it BEAUTIFUL!!!??? There are so many stories to go with each of these squares, too. Tears..... We are truly humbled by your generosity and thank you for partnering with us in Canvas of Faith! If you choose to donate, there is a link on this blog to donate through PayPal, which is secure and you can use your MC, Visa, Checking Account, or PayPal account. Your donation goes into our separate adoption account at TX National Bank. Thank you all for your prayers as we seek to be obedient to the call God has given us. Praise be to Jehovah Jireh, our Lord & Provider! Again, if you have not read our story, please see previous post. We covet your prayers as we walk this journey of faith and obedience. Chad & Tammy Greene

 Zoomed in photo of Canvas of Faith 7/23/11

Faith

Dear Friends & Family,                                                                        July 2011

In early 2010, we found ourselves with two teenage children and Chad and I often daydreamed of downsizing to a small lakeside bungalow, as the empty nest would soon find us. Proverbs 16:9 says, “In a heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines His steps.”  Oh did God have different plans in store for our family as He orchestrated our paths to cross with a six-year-old boy, named Caden that caused us to open our hearts, our arms, and our home. We would like to share our story with you; would you join us in this journey?

Caden’s kindergarten teacher, Jenni Cudd, brought the needs of his family to the attention of our Adult Sunday School class. We, along with many others, helped to provide his family with an oven, mattresses, a/c, refrigerator, toys, and other household goods as well as provided transportation to and from church, job searching, and grocery shopping.

Due to some issues, Caden first came to live with us for two weeks in May/June of 2010, and then he was able to return home. However, in October of 2010, Caden’s mother asked if he could live with us for an undetermined amount of time so that he would not enter the foster care system and live with someone he did not know. After praying, we felt that God was also asking us to take this little boy into our home for however long He saw fit. We have often said that we stepped IN when God told us to, and we wouldn’t step OUT until He told us to. Well, God has not told us to step out, instead He has told us to step UP!

We are not able to disclose all the details because of the ongoing case, but there have been many ups, downs, bumps, and turns in this case since Caden came to live with us 9 months ago. We cannot begin to explain the frustrations and joys, the breakthroughs and setbacks, not to mention the emotional toll we have all been through. The case has been the exhausting part, but time with Caden, oh it has been beautiful from day 1. Within a week Caden said, “I want to live here forever!” and after he slept til 10am the first Saturday he was here, we knew he would fit right in, ha!


 Some of the most heart-warming times have been:

• In October, Colton coming out of his room with Bible in hand (after praying about the decision) and reading James 1:27 to us
• Seeing our High School Senior voluntarily share her room with a seven year old boy
• Watching Kelsey paint Caden’s face green to become the Toy Soldier from Toy Story for trick-o-treating
• Thanking God for our extra “little turkey” blessing in November
• In December, lighting weekly advent candles & devotions and riding the Polar Express in our matching family pajamas
• A “few” toys at Christmas where Caden said, “This is the BEST day of my life!”
• Kelsey freely giving up her room to Caden in January
• Painting Caden’s new room “Faith Blue” (there is another beautiful story here)
• Witnessing the joy on Caden’s face the first time he ever touched snow
• Watching Caden scream in excitement and simultaneously raise his hands in enthusiasm at his first basketball game
• Watching through the front window as Colton taught Caden how to shoot a basket
• Teaching Caden to read, the most memorable book has been “Flap Your Wings” by P.D. Eastman, (yes, I cried)  "That's not OUR egg," said Mrs. Bird. "But it is an egg & it's in our nest," said Mr. Bird. "If an egg is in your nest, you sit on it & keep it warm, it doesn't matter whose egg it is"
• Tucking him in bed over 270 times now and praying each night
• Listening beside his bed in February as he prayed to ask Jesus into his heart and saying afterwards,“My heart feels different, like God is touching it”
• Caden requesting Mr. Jason (Hoffman), youth pastor, to baptize him, because "he rides bikes with me"
• Him diligently praying for his AIM leader, Mr. Bixler, and the Jinkins’ in Africa each night for 2 weeks
• Seeing him in the kitchen baking cupcakes with Kelsey
• His first grade teacher, Mrs. McNew, telling us he writes Caden Greene on his papers
• Seeing Chad put the ball in the pitching machine to Caden & him hitting it…at his very first baseball game in April
• In May, his teacher telling us he asked to tell his class we were adopting him & smiling the entire time
• Watching he & his friend Jackson Howell take swimming lessons together
• Overhearing someone ask him, “Who do you belong to?” and his reply, “I belong to Tam Tam & Chad Greene”
• Colton teaching him to Slip & Slide
• Chad crafting a special cake shaped like Lightening McQueen to celebrate his 8^th birthday in June
• Him winning a Green ring in the toy machine and saying, “This is a great ring, because I AM a Greene”
• Caden conducting family Popsicle eating contests (Chad won)
• “Tam Tam, I know you’re my mama” –Caden 7/12/11

As you can see, we are a family, the 5 of us.

“And whoever welcomes one child like this, in My name, welcomes Me.” –Matthew 18:5

Caden’s biological mother and maternal grandparents continue to believe that Caden is in the best possible place, and support our adoption efforts. The future is unknown at this point in the journey, as I have said; there continue to be many twists and turns traveling this uncharted rugged terrain. However, God has been faithful to protect Caden and move us forward to adoption. We obviously seek God's will and strongly feel it is for Caden to be our son through adoption.

One of the largest hurdles that almost all adoptive families face is the financial costs involved in legal and adoption fees. We find ourselves in that stage now as we were told about a month ago that it was time for us to seek legal representation at this point of the process. Within the last month, we have earnestly prayed that God would help us shave our finances. We are thankful that in one month’s time we were able decrease our monthly expenses by trading a vehicle and selling our family travel trailer. Unfortunately, with the huge cost of adoption and legal fees, much more is needed. There are a wide range of adoption types and circumstances that make each adoption unique. Since we are not in foster care, and since there is an ongoing case with frequent court dates which require us to have representation, the actual amount needed is unknown, but estimated. We have not once doubted that God will provide as Jehovah Jireh, but honestly when looking at the amount of money needed, it is overwhelming. Many people have asked how they could help us, and we began asking the Lord to give us some creative ideas to break down the funds needed into an attainable format. Recently we were listening to Ayeisha Wood’s song, “The Greatest Artist” and these lyrics inspired us:

Take my life 
Paint it right 
On your canvas display the beauty of your light 
’Cause I’m your tapestry
And your love covers me 
You’re the greatest artist there will ever be

’Twas your blood that was shed 
Crimson red 
In an effort to save us all 
So until this painting is done 
Draw me under the Son 
Cause it’s your sweet name that I’ll call

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From this song, God impressed us to buy a 30” x 40” blank canvas that we divided into 1,200 one-inch squares. Each of the one-inch squares is waiting to be filled with a different shade of blue to make a beautiful “Faith Blue” mosaic painting. You can donate towards our legal and adoption fees for Caden, and for every $10 given, 1 square inch of this canvas will be painted. We want to hang this Canvas of Faith in our home to remind us of the faithfulness of God and the love and support of our family and friends. Your name, family name, or business will be written on the back of the completed canvas. We are in need of attaining an adoption attorney within the next few weeks, so will you please pray about helping us complete this Canvas of Faith? If you are not able to help financially, know that we love you still and ask that you join us in praying God’s will for Caden’s future.

By Faith,

Chad & Tammy Greene

“Now Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” -Hebrews 11:1

"Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” -Corrie Ten Boom

3 ways to help us with the legal and adoption fees for Caden:

1) Mail to: Chad & Tammy Greene 127 Gifford Rusk, Texas 75785

2) TX National Bank, Rusk, TX “Canvas of Faith” account

3) Visit our blog at http://byfaithhebrews11.blogspot.com/ and donate using your: PayPal, MC, Visa or Checking Account

**We are not a 501(c)(3) organization, so we are not able to provide tax-deductible donations**