Not the November I expected.

November is National Adoption Month. 

This November has looked a lot different than I thought it would. 

Instead of setting up cribs and and play-yards, we have put our car in the shop after our neighbor backed into it. We had to replace our entire HVAC unit the week before Thanksgiving. 

But we still have joy.  

We stayed at a friends house this week, while our house was without heat.   

I started thinking about the first time I was in their house about 6 years ago. God has walked with us through a lot over the years and He is not about to stop. 

Our home study for the new agency, Lifeline, should be done in a week or so and then we will be listed with them as well!

A sweet friend of mine suggested that we do a fundraiser this month to keep pushing ahead towards our goal. 

So we are going to do an Envelope Fundraiser!   

How it works:

You pick a numbered envelope, any number works. Then you donate the amount that is written on the envelope.  You can pick them for special reasons like your anniversary year or your favorite child's birth year. :)

You can message, text or email us which number you want and we will remove it from the board.  We have these enveloped numbered 1-100. 

You can donate via the Paypal link or let us know which one you would like and we will hand deliver it or mail the envelope to you with return stamp. 

Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/adoptajourney/ to stay updated on which numbers are taken and what we have left!  We are also going to post updates from our agency and things like that in the group. We wanted a way to connect better with all our readers! 

Why it works:

You may be someone who doesn't have a lot of extra cash laying around. You may think that the little bit you give, doesn't really make a difference.

Turns out is does. 

Maybe you can't take the #97 envelope but you can take the #4?

These envelopes have been prayed over and we are excited to see how God works through this! 

Would you pray, give, like and share with us?

The snake speaks.

Friday and Saturday I felt defeated.

We had to fill out background checks (again).
We had to fax our W-2's, pay stubs and bank statements (again).

I started thinking about at what point would I have to call this thing?
After how many home study updates do I start being okay with this maybe not being the plan?

Our verse for this month in Children's Ministry is "Give thanks no matter what happens. God wants you to thank Him because of Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:18

I was coaching myself on being thankful even if I never hear the pitter patter of little feet on our floors or never have the privilege of someone calling me "momma".  Jesus is enough even if I am sad.

The sermon was great this morning- all about keeping things in perspective, an eternal perspective. While I wanted to shout AMEN the entire time, it was the end where the Lord spoke to me.

Our youth minister, Keith was on schedule to make announcements today and he came to the center of the stage to prepare for offering.  He wasn't talking about my situation but the words God gave him  hit me. If I hadn't had to teach right after that, I probably would have gone into the bathroom and ugly-cried.

He said, "God has always told me He would never fail me but Satan always tells me He's about to."

Even typing that, the lump grows in my throat.

"Give up", the liar whispers.

The snake continues to speak,"God is ignoring you, you must have done something wrong.  You don't deserve this or you would have it. It is not going to happen". 

The snake speaks but so do God's people.

I don't know if anyone else benefited from the words God gave Keith, but I did.

It reminded me that what God has assured, Satan wants me to assume is gone.

Deuteronomy 31:8 The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never abandon you or fail you. Do not be afraid and do not be discouraged.