Nails on a chalkboard/Joyful noise

This is an excerpt from some adoption training materials.

The words, "you are NEVER in control" are like nails on chalkboard to me. Never in control. It almost makes me cringe.

This is a part of my faith that I really struggle with. I believe that is one of the reasons God brought us on this journey.

Last week our social worker told us that she doesn't plan on our wait being long and we should get our finances in order.

This scared me.  I had not doubted God's provision until that moment. For whatever reason, I started thinking that the money would not come in time. I still believed that God could but I wanted to have a back up plan in case He didn't. I had been struggling over the weekend. I don't like asking for money and we still have a long way to go with our fundraising goals.

I began searching out a Plan B. This weekend was crazy busy with the Children's Christmas Production at church so I didn't have much time to think about our situation.

Today we received a very unexpected and generous financial gift.

I came home and started reading over our materials and came to the slide pictured above.  I realized that it is a really good thing I am not in control. God is and I don't need a Plan B. His plan is more rewarding than anything I could come up with.

He reminded me this afternoon that the pace of this adoption has nothing to do with His capacity/desire for provision.

I think for the first time the words "never in control" were turned from nails on a chalkboard to a joyful noise, I was so glad to hear.

Meeting Update

Our meeting went great!

Our adoption counselor is super nice. She moved here from Colorado Springs and her husband works for Apple.  She is perfect match for us! =)

We received about a textbook thick of paperwork to fill out.

Good news: Sully and I will have an opportunity to learn even more about each other
Bad news: We have to get a TB test...which is done by a shot.  yuck. 

While nothing is for sure, the counselor said she does not think our wait will be long due to the kind of children we are open to parenting.

Good news: Our wait could be between 3-10 months upon completing our home study. 
Bad news: We need to come up with $13,000 more dollars.  She said that we should go ahead and get that in order because you have to pay that fee upon placement.  If you have an extra $5 or $13,000 laying around, we would gladly receive it. 

I know that generally finances are tight around the holidays for people so if you can't give right now but have a good idea for a fundraiser after the new year, I would love to hear it. Drop us a line!

I have overwhelmed at the social media support we are getting. Thank you so much for walking this with us.

Who knows, maybe by this time next year we will be putting a, "Baby's 1st Christmas" ornament on the tree!

One other thing... the counselor asked us if we knew anyone who has adopted and if we have anyone we can talk to during the process. We actually laughed out loud and replied with a resounding, "yes".
We are so thankful for all of our  friends who have paved the way for this. Thank you for responding to God's call so we can have footsteps to follow!

Devil Downer

Ever heard of Debbie Downer?

If you haven't heard of Debbie Downer check it out here:
Last night, I had a visit from her distant relative, Devil Downer.

I was thinking of what a blessing this adoption was and this is the conversation that played out in my head.

Me: I am so excited about this adoption!
Devil Downer: Yeah, but it is going to take forever and it will come at a bad time. (wan waaaaa-thats my debbie downer sound)
Me: I am so excited about how God has provided and people have given!
Devil Downer: Yeah, but you need a lot more and it's just not enough  (wan waaaaa)
Me: I can't wait to hold the sweet baby!
Devil Downer: Yeah, but what if you can't attach?  (wan waaaaa)

The Devil was trying to make this amazing adventure we are on seem like Frodo's journey under the crushing power of that ring.

As I lay in bed last night, I repeated over and over to myself, "God has a plan and it's perfect."

My friend wrote a song called, "Song to the Savior" and you can buy it here.
In the song Tyrus writes,

"Heaven's Majesty is seated on the throne"

When I think about Heaven's Majesty at the throne interceding on my behalf, it's harder to hear The Downer.

Praise God.

12-12-12

Wow.

We are formally approved!

On 12-12-12 we go for our first meeting with the adoption counselor. For some reason I am very nervous about this meeting.  It is such uncharted territory for us. After this meeting we also start our adoption training.  Please keep us in your prayers, specifically next Wednesday at 9:30.

We have been overwhelmed by the support of people! People that I know from Elementary school and up through college, have come out of the woodwork to help.  God has used it as a very cool way to reconnect with people.

 I heard it said again today that adoption is a way to have the New Testament unfold under your roof.  It can be a constant reminder of how we are adopted as God's sons and daughters.

That is all for now!!!

and the winner is.....

 Click here to see who won- winner winner chicken dinner

Thank you so much  to everyone who supported us! We are so blessed by you!  Thank you for your help with fundraising for our adoption! This helped us get well on our way to cover the Home Study!!!

Until  God brings us our baby, we have to practice with Lester who is in the picture above.

For those of you that donated and didn't won, keep your eyes out  for something in the mail!

love,
Smelly