IBM Supports Act of Life

There is much to be said for dedicated service and sheer determination. That would be a simplified way of describing the way in which Bill Dunlap, Act of Life board member, achieves results such as this. Shown in the picture is Karen Nunn, APC System Integration Project Manager with IBM Global Business Services, Bill Dunlap and Lynda LeCompte, Act of Life's Executive Director.

Karen presents a check for $1,000 to Bill, who received the check on behalf of Act of Life. IBM have consistently shown support for Act of Life through regular giving, which Bill has brought about through his advocacy for our mission of advancing adoption awareness. IBM is able to donate through their community outreach program for retirees called, On Demand Community, which provides a grant in the form of cash or equipment for qualified charities.

Bill retired from IBM after 30 years of service and has been involved with Act of Life for the past three years. During this time, Bill has dedicated over 700 hours of voluntary service to Act of Life. This admirable effort has produced amazing results in the form of a steady stream of financial or in kind donations coming from corporations, retail stores and individuals.

Thank you IBM, for your faithful support and to Bill Dunlap for your unparalleled service and advocacy for adoption awareness.

Much better

Remember this? This was how Merinell's office looked just a few days ago.

Now, with much appreciation to Ken and Sharon Gray, members of Sagemont Church, Merinell's office is now furnished with a wonderful desk and credenza and is fully functional.

Ken and Sharon had recently expressed that they wished to donate the furniture to Act of Life but warned that it was heavy and was located on the 2nd floor of their home. All it took was a request to Sagemont Church's Helping Hands ministry to assist with moving the furniture and the very next day, Dr. Jim Hastings, Minister of Helping Hands, and another fine gentleman appeared with the furniture aboard their huge truck and brought it right into the office. Within an hour, it looked like this.

As I give thanks to Ken and Sharon for their kind donation and to Dr. Jim and the Helping Hands ministry for such prompt and efficient assistance, I am humbled to the core as I, yet again, witness the body of Christ working together in HIS service.

Showing off God's provision

Our HQ in Houston has now been in its new office space for almost a month. It has taken a while to become fully functional by having phone lines, Internet access and desks, but we all know that moving rates highly on the list of things most difficult and stressful. Having said that, this really has not been overly stressful. The move has been more of a blessing and a show of God's faithfulness in wanting to provide.

Here is an example of that. I had found a wonderful leather office chair on Craig's List for a great price. The lady, Amanda, who was selling the chair was moving house and had the moving truck there when I arrived. We chatted and it transpired that Amanda has friends who have adopted and was very supportive of Act of Life's mission. Among other items that Amanda was also trying to sell to avoid loading on the truck was this lovely bistro set as seen in the picture. After I had expressed interest as it appeared perfect for the new kitchen, Amanda decided to donate it to the ministry! Thank you, Amanda! We love it and have eaten a few muffaletta sandwiches at that table already. (We have a great Italian deli just across the road and we're working our way through the menu - we have to try it all out!)


This is what will be the conference area. The credenza is part of a set that my father-in-law donated to the ministry. It really is beautiful. I have an odd shaped office that would not accommodate the credenza, so we will find another spot for it.






On the right is Merinell, our bookkeeper's office. As you can see, the desk is purely functional, but again, we are blessed to have another desk and credenza coming from a couple who have helped Act of Life in the past with volunteer work.

Below is Laurie's office. Laurie is our admin assistant. Again, the desk leaves a little to be desired, and we have not yet located a desk for this office, but we just know that the Lord already has a plan for this!

Laurie has been working hard at sorting out the many boxes that have been in storage and making this reception area her own. We can't wait to see it all finished!

Finally, below is my office. As you can see, there is not a shortage of shelving! The desk has some paint residue on the edge and I hear that a goofy named product called 'Goof Off' will do the trick without damaging the finish.



You've heard the saying 'little things please little minds'? Well, the fact that we are at ground level, I can park right outside my office and can see my car (or motorbike) through the window just pleases me no end! That's our God. With such little details as that, I find myself praising Him and thanking Him for those things.

There are still some needs e.g. a microwave, decor and some bigger ticket items such as an all-in-one printer and a new computer for Laurie, amongst other things, but we are humbly awaiting the Lord's timing for these things and are not fretting, for we already have more than we could have hoped for.

Oops, I almost forgot. We have a room that will be used for watching training videos and child-care. See that sad little cable coming out of the wall? That is the free basic cable TV feed that came with our phone and Internet package. The cable just needs a TV to plug itself into, to go along with the DVD player that we already have, and we'll be in business!

What you don't see in this picture is the other half of the room that is being used for storage. A curtain can hide a multitude of sins - or brown boxes.

We are excited about the days ahead and pray that the Lord will continue to bless Act of Life, it's new offices in Houston and Midland, and our staff, volunteers and board members as we work towards achieving our mission of advancing adoption awareness.

A Day Well Spent

Recently I had the great privilege of spending the better part of a day at the headquarters for the Gladney Center for Adoption in Fort Worth, Texas. With 8 regional offices across America, Gladney is one of the oldest and largest maternity homes and adoption agencies in the United States. Through the years they have created homes for more than 27,000 children and assisted more than 36,000 birth mothers.

I am not sure where or how to begin describing this beautiful campus, but let me try. I toured the maternity center which can house up to 30 birth mothers at a time in dorm style living (2 per room). During my visit 21 women were receiving assistance. Gladney is able to house women as young as 12 years old.

Their maternity home truly sets the standard for the nation in terms of housing for birth mothers. The facilities are much like a park; fresh, well manicured, beautifully decorated - just like anyone would want their home to be.

The outer appearance is not all that takes Gladney’s attention however. The women they serve are priority number one. In these safe surroundings women are able to focus on their physical, mental and spiritual state of being. They have access to a fully equipped gym and outdoor swimming pool, they have personal responsibilities in cleaning their rooms and preparing evening meals, and they are able to attend weekly Bible Study as well. The staff makes sure residents are transported to and from school each day. Everything Gladney does is meant to fully serve the birth mother’s needs in a supportive atmosphere while she creates a plan for her baby’s future.

Another component that makes Gladney unique is its visitor center. In a museum like setting, one can take time to explore the history of adoption as a whole and the history of the Gladney Center for Adoption which was started by a Methodist missionary minister named I.Z.T. Morris. This museum is state of the art and offers a one of a kind experience.

I was deeply moved to walk into their blessing chapel where babies are kissed, blessed and then placed in the loving arms of their new forever families. How this must please God’s heart; to see lives saved and families created. It took my breath away. Once again I was reminded that adoption affects generations….

The thing that strikes me most about Gladney is their commitment not only to the birth mothers and the adoptive families that they serve but their commitment to seeing adoption understood within our society. They actively promote education and provide services that illustrate the benefits of adoption.

I want to express special thanks to Scott Brown, Heidi Cox, Judy Canon, Jennifer Lanter and the great staff in Fort Worth for making my visit so memorable. For more information on the varied services Gladney provides please visit their website.

Shown in photograph are Heidi Bruegel Cox, Julie Stobbe & Judy Canon