Lots of catching up to do!

So many things have happened since I blogged last. Where to start?  

I guess the first thing to share is the success of yard sale we had with the McCosh family (who are also adopting).  There were so many donations from our church family and community that it was a little overwhelming.  There were several of our friends that came out to help us set up early that Saturday morning.  Our friend Larry had the prime spot for a yard sale. We had tons of shoppers.  We ended up making $1,100.00 on the yard sale.  God is good!

On June 1st we received from Children of All Nations that our paperwork was been sent to Wes Sands Adoption Agency (the one our agency partners with for Ethiopia).  From there our dossier will be sent to the Secretary of State, Department of State & Ethiopian Embassies prior to being sent to Ethiopia! Which means we are way closer to bringing our baby home! Thank you Jesus!


On June 6th Dwane and I traveled to USCIS in Nashville to have our biometrics done, which is adoptionese for fingerprinting.  The lady that did my fingerprints was awesome.  She shared with me that people from her church were adopting children from several different places throughout the world.  Shortly thereafter we received our approval from the USCIS that we were acceptable parents for a child from Ethiopia!  We are so stinking excited.  This has been such a journey so far.  


God has blessed us so much during this process.  He has called us as Christians to take care of the widows and orphans (James 1:27).  That does not mean that adoption is for everyone, but I do urge you to pray about what God would have you to do.  There are wonderful organizations where you can sponsor children for as little as $35.00 a month. Foster parenting is another way to demonstrate the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a child in need.  


I have recently started selling jewelry on the side to help offset the cost of adoption.  If  you would like to do a party to help out that would be wonderful.  My web address is www.initialoutfiters.net/11507. 

So what is next?  Well we are waiting on our referral to be sent with a picture of the child God has chosen for our family.  To be able to accept this referral we have to send our agency $8,000.00.  Right now we have $2,000.00 in the adoption account.  Please pray for God's provision in this.  We know HE is in control and we will give HIM the glory in every step of this journey!  I promise to start blogging more! Time has just got away from me.  


Things to pray for:
The child God has picked out for us (his health and safety)
The parents or relatives that have chosen to give this child a chance.
For the wait time to go by fast
That God will prepare our hearts to care for this child because we are aware there will be many bumps along the road but we know it will all be worth it!