Puzzle Fundraiser!

Our adoption process has really been moving along!  We have been waiting for the mail to arrive that says our home study is finalized, and then our focus will be getting the last few things for our dossier ready, so that it can be sent to China.  We could be just a few months away from knowing our child's name, learning our child's story, and seeing our child's face.  The way things are tracking in our adoption process, we can be matched with a child as early as this fall!!

PUZZLE FUNDRAISER 

We are starting a puzzle fundraiser that probably many of you have seen done before- but if you haven't I will explain.  We have a puzzle in which the pieces represent our child's story-  piece by piece, step by step, God is bringing our child home.  We are asking for loving contributors to "buy" a piece of the puzzle, and have their hand in bringing our child home. 

We are asking for a donation of $20 for every puzzle piece.  Your name will then go on the back of the puzzle piece, and when our puzzle is complete we will be able to frame it to see two sides-  the finished puzzle (which we will reveal slowly, ahhh the suspense)  and the side that shows all of the names of the people who lovingly gave to help bring our little one home.  

So, there it is!  $20 for one puzzle piece.   You can buy a piece by clicking the donate button on our blog.  You can also buy a piece in person, or contact us for our mailing information if you prefer to send a check through the mail.   Thank you so much!

Can you buy more than one piece?  YES!!    You can buy one for every member of your family, or in honor of someone, or you can buy one to put your favorite verse on it.


When we started this journey, we were following the leading that God put on our hearts.  He opened our eyes and ears to the cries of the orphan.  It is a heartbreaking reality for so many children-  God never designed children to grow up in orphanages.  The hurt that these children bear is unimaginable.  A friend of mine has said, "If more people step foot in orphanages, more children would be adopted."  Looking in the eyes of the children who endure this pain changes everything.  We knew that in our family, our children would love the joy of another sibling and we would love the blessing of another child.  And for our child- who waits for us-  we so look forward to the day that we can tell them how loved, wanted, and cherished they are.  To show them the other side of the puzzle.  To let them see with their own eyes how God unfolded their story in bringing them home.  For so many families who feel open to adoption, the cost sometimes feels too daunting to take that first step.  For us, we felt that same fear and uncertainty, but from the beginning we have been praying that God would increase our faith in Him and truly TRUST that He will provide as we walk through this process.   What the Lord calls, He establishes.  We can truly say that God has put this on our hearts and walking in obedience even just to the point we are today has strengthened our faith in the God we serve.  It is not about us, it is about Him and His purpose.  He will do it.  Praise Him.  

 It is so amazing for us to think about how God has known the exact child for our family, the child that He stirred this desire in our hearts to go overseas and bring home.  It is so incredible, we stand in awe of His provision and guidance throughout this journey.   And we continue in prayer, asking that we would rest in Him and seek His direction and guidance with the many steps and decisions ahead.  Please pray for us, that we would have wisdom and discernment that can only come from God, and that we would clearly hear His voice in leading us which way to go.  And that we would follow.

Oh, Paperwork!

Well, we are in what is often referred to as the "paper chase" stage of our adoption process.... and that is exactly what it is.  Order this, wait for that, copy this, sign that, notarize this, schedule that....and continue that cycle 10 times, then again backwards, spin around three times and your paperwork will be ready to send to China.  Easy enough, right?!

After preparing for the past few months, it has been so nice to take these steps forward.  For some reason, the weeks coming to this point were very crazy and hectic.  All of our kids were getting sick off and on, a certain two year old was boycotting his nap, and things were just kind of going a little nuts. We felt like things stirred up right before taking that initial step toward the adoption, and then once we did, we just sensed things really slow down and settle.  It really was a reminder to us that in this adoption process we need to hear God's voice and truth above all of the other voices and that there is an enemy that sees this as a battleground.  We do not want to fall into fear or self doubt, but trust that wherever God leads us, He will provide for our every need and give us the strength.  He is faithful, He will do it!  We can trust in Him as we follow His leading.

Been reading Psalm 100-105 often this week, which talks about all of the great things God has done in the past.  From leading His people out of Egypt to parting the Red Sea, breaking the chains of bondage, and even sending manna down from heaven - His works were so great, yet the people would forget so quickly.   Let our prayer be that we not forget the great works that He has done!

                                                     "Seek the Lord and His strength;
                                                        seek His presence continually! 
                                        Remember the wondrous works that He has done,
                                             His miracles and the judgements he uttered,
                                                   O offspring of Abraham, his servant,
                                                   children of Jacob, His chosen ones!
                                                              He is the Lord our God;"
                                                                    Psalm 105:4-7

God provided all that we need to take our first steps in our home study and dossier!!!  We are amazed and in awe at His provision!  One of the ways we are trying to bring in the funds we need is through selling- and right around the time when we had only a few items left, with most of the big stuff gone, we were blessed with two vans filled with great things to sell!  Most of those items are already sold, and it didn't take long!  Another friend of ours has asked us to bring over our van because they have some furniture that they would like to clear out of storage.  It has been so neat because every time it seems we are out of things to sell, God provides a new supply.  He moves in awesome ways.

We are so filled with thankfulness to all who have helped us and prayed for us this far in our adoption journey!!  It has meant so much to our family.  There is nothing like seeing hearts moved and hands extended to help bring our child home.  We cannot wait to one day share with our child all that God has done to prepare the way for bringing them home, and all of the many hearts that showed love to them in being part of it. 

In a few weeks, we will have the opportunity to attend an adoption conference.  We are so looking forward to this as an opportunity to grow and learn about many adoption issues!  Please keep us in prayer with this trip, and that God would use it to provide us more wisdom, knowledge and discernment as we prepare to parent our little one. 

A Step Closer

Little one, we are one step closer to you tonight.  Our application has officially been submitted to our adoption agency.  Yay!!   :)  What a happy day!   We are so overjoyed and thankful for what God is doing to bring us together, and you are loved and treasured more than words could even say.  We cannot wait to hold you and watch you grow.  God has moved in our hearts with every single step as we move closer to you.  The Bible tell us that God walks before us, behind us, and beside us.  He is with us, and He is with you!  We are praying for you every day!  We love you.

Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon His name;

make known His deeds among the peoples!

 Sing to Him, sing praises to Him;

tell of all His wondrous works!

Glory in His holy name;

let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!

Seek the Lord and His strength;

seek His presence continually!

Remember the wondrous works that He has done,

His miracles, and the judgments He uttered,

Psalm 105:1-5