Yard Sale Extravaganza!!

Praising the Lord for not only a successful yard sale, but all the other PERKS that came with it!  We saw GOODNESS in the people in our life, support from so many areas, and we were able to be a BLESSING to others in the process!  And isn't THAT what living out our faith is really all about?

Donations ETC...

Warning, this is a LONG post :)

Adoption is expensive.  And the money part of adoption seems to be a HOT topic.  One in which almost all people have an opinion, curiosity, confusion, or concern.  So this post is to address the financial needs of adoption as well as where we stand.  We are an honest, transparent family, and I want YOU to know where your $$$ is going and how we are using it.  

Less than SIX weeks to go!

Ok, ok I will admit, we don't have EXACT travel dates, but our best guess right now is to be leaving around June 26th.  That's only 38 days.  Let that sink in.  I hadn't REALLY been counting down until I mentioned only having 6-7 weeks left and they nudged me and said, "I think that is actually less than 6 weeks."  Seriously, wake up call!  Want to know what the UP TO THE MINUTE NEWS IS????

Countdown for our Forever Family days!

This is REALLY happening.  Somebody pinch me.  Today was a marker moment, when it really sunk in....we ARE adopting two children from China.  Not just any two children.....two beautiful, amazing, unique blessings the Lord has drawn us to.  SO. EXCITED.  Why today?  Why did it JUST HIT ME today?  I'll explain....

When one door closes...

Have you ever heard the expression, "When one door closes, another one opens"?  This is showing up as truth in this entire adoption process and I feel compelled to share some examples with YOU.

The Dreaded Letter

We got the letter today.  When it's good news it comes in two ways, a phone call or an email.  So when the letter came, a little part of me sank.  Disappointed, I opened and read the words no one applying for money wants to hear, we didn't choose you.  But honestly, I partly expected it.  I set myself up in the beginning to hope for a one out of four ratio.  And this is only the second one we have heard back from.  So, one out of two, not bad.  Pretty good.  Excellent in fact.

Ephesians 3:20 grant APPROVED!!!

What a BLESSING that Steve and I were home together when the call came in.  The message requested us to call back in reference for a grant we applied for.  Together, we called expectantly.  Hopeful.  Filled with anticipation.  "We have approved your request and want to partner with you in this adoption."  What sweet words!!!!

We have many more applications in process, and we believe that some of them will not pan out or prove fruitful for us. But to hear the word APPROVED regarding our very first grant, well, the Lord knew we needed that encouragement.

We are still a long way from funded, and this grant does not pay until we have travel authority so there are many funds to raise in the meantime, but this was a GREAT moment for us to treasure.  To know that this organization chose us, and believes in our mission was a tremendous perk to our week and this journey thus far.

To those who have been prayerful with us, praying expectantly knowing the Lord will provide, thank you.  He has heard our prayers.  I was asked recently if I think we should have waited, saved our money and when we had "enough" and were "ready" then we could move forward.  No, I believe God has these two children specifically for our family, and waiting would have meant walking away from them.  Besides, no matter how much money I have on hand, I have come to see the fundraising for adoption as a community builder.  It allows others to be a part of giving back, to contribute to something abundantly worthwhile.  I am amazed at the "community" we have become a part of, and look forward to these next few months of bonding with "the village."

For today, we shall rest in the words, "Your grant has been APPROVED!!!"

Exposure of the Heart....

Hey Friends!  What an amazing and wonderful journey this has been so far!  We have done more paperwork in these last 6 weeks than ever in my life....no joke.  We also completed all the required visits for our home study, whew!  I know so much more about adoption now than I did before - but also, more about me.  More about my family.  More about Faith.  More about Jesus.  Let me explain....

Pre-Approval for Li!!!

One of the Big FIRST steps in the adoption is PRE APPROVAL from China, and that was completed for our sweet "Li" on February 4, 2015.  Basically, China has reviewed our basic info and given us authority to move forward to adopt this child.

What's in a Name?

So many people are curious about our newest additions, asking "What Are Their Names?"  That is  a complicated question so I will try to answer as fully as possible for now.  When we first began exploring adoption, I noticed that many parents rename their adopted kids.  I didn't understand at all.  It seems strange to me that these kids have one thing, ONE thing that is THEIRS....a sense of their identity.  So why on earth would anyone wish to change that?!?!?

One Family's Heartbreak....

As we prepare to bring two children into our home, to love and raise as our own, I am in fervent prayer for their birth families. Many times when children are adopted around the world, it is due to tragedy - parents death, incarceration, drugs/addiction issues, homelessness, etc. But for China, things are often different than that. I have shared with you how we came to love these two kids, and how the Lord just moved us forward to adopt them, without question really. It was only after that I began to understand the need in China.

How it all began....

I've always held a respect for families that chose to adopt.  And I've always viewed families with any child with special needs as blessed.  Chosen, if you will.  I never for a moment thought we would find ourselves in the adoption process, for two children, from a foreign country, both of which have "special needs."  Yet here we are.

As a young woman I wanted a large family, 5 children to be exact.  Three boys, two girls, evenly spaced about 2-3 years apart.  Maybe you can relate to having it all figured out.  And then LIFE took different directions than I envisioned in my naive youth.