I know that I cannot change the world by adopting just one child but think about it. That could be my son in a couple of years if I don't go.


Have you ever sang "Open the eyes of my heart"? I have and I've prayed that too! I think that God is opening the eyes of my heart. I know that the eyes of my heart have been opened to the orphan crisis but I want more than that. I want Jesus' vision and heart in everything. I want what breaks his heart to break mine! I want to handle and react to situations as he would.


Sometimes I feel him moving in me but I don't know what he is up. Which reminds me of a quote I have read lately. "Figuring out God's ways isn't any of my business. Following Him is." Kay Warren in Dangerous Surrender.


Dangerous Surrender is an incredible-life changing book that I am reading! I am only on Ch 3 but am loving it so far. From what I have heard about the book I am very excited! This is one of the books that was recommended to me and I ordered it having no clue what it was about. Books are recommended to me all of the time but I am not a big reader so I chose carefully. When I got the book in the mail, I literally had no clue what is was about or who it was by. I was pleasantly surprised its by Rick Warren's wife Kay Warren. Like I said I am only on chapter 3 but I know that God opened her eyes to the AIDS pandemic in Africa. After seeing it first hand she now considers herself "gloriously ruined". If you have ever been on a mission trip to a 3rd world country you know what she is talking about. You come home and all of the sudden your problems or stuff have little to no meaning. It's a great experience that I would encourage anyone who can to go!

Having two little ones I often envy those who can just go-pick up and go to Africa on a mission trip. As I read this book I am thinking I want to go now. Although I am so thankful that God got my attention at a time where I am able to adopt a child from Africa. I am so excited to go over and pick up him up. In her book Kay talks about ministering to the moms who have AIDS and their concern is not for themselves but for the children they will leave behind. I wonder if there is a mom right now upset not knowing if her child will have a future. I pray that Jesus comforts the birthmother of our son and that she has a peace knowing that he will be loved. Can you imagine the hurt that mother must feel?

Praise Report

Our adoption garage sale brought in $1000!!! We are so thankful and blessed!

Well, I would say that I am offically stalking my mail lady. We are still waiting on our I-171. Clay the other day asked why our mailbox door was always open and I told him so I would know when the mail was here-if I look out and the door is closed then we have mail! Otherwise, I would be out checking the mail every 10 minutes!!


Recently I have had the opportunity to share our story with alot of people. I hope that it will encourage people to step out of their comfort zone! I know so many comment on the high cost of adoption but I promise if it's God's will for you to adopt he will provide. I know things that discouraged me at first-our house was too small, we would have to buy another car, ect.... but when you see multiple kids sleeping on plywood beds with no covers, no shoes on their feet and little food to eat-You have to stop and think what a great life you could make for that child. Plus, the cost is overwhelming at first but after you look at the tax credit and grants available it really isn't that huge!

WAYS GOD HAS PROVIDED FOR US THROUGHOUT THIS PROCESS

Donations: $2050

T-Shirt profit: $300

Fundraisers: $800


Clay's Bonus- Was twice what we expected


Income Tax Return: Was about 3 times what we normally get and/or expected.

"I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, 'You are my servant'; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:9 & 10

"Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west." Isaiah 43:6

Another Adoption Fundraiser Garage Sale!!

My Mother-In-Law is having a big garage sale this Friday and Saturday!! She just told me tonight that all the money is going towards our adoption!!! Very sweet! I had to let everyone know so you can drop by!

There is lots of stuff from several families.

2518 Grassland Shores Dr.
Gallatin

7am-2pm

Tax Deductible Donations

If you are interested....

Send it to:

America World Adoption Agency
6723 Whittier Ave., Ste. 406
McLean, VA 22101


Include your name and address so they can mail you a receipt. You will receive a receipt from America World for tax purposes at the end of this fiscal year.
Thank You!

Please email me if you have any questions.

Home Study is off........

We are so excited our home study is off to the USCIS! Now we will wait for the prized I-171 form. This form is the last thing that stands between us and Ethiopia. I cannot believe it! It could take up to 8 weeks but I have seen some people get theirs back really quickly(a couple of days) and I am hoping we are that luck!! Pray with us that we get it quickly. I am praying 4 weeks or less. I just really don't want to get caught in the Ethiopian 2009 court closure.

Thanks for keeping up with our progress and praying for us!

I can now start appling for grants so I will be busy with that for awhile.
We should have approval through our agency for tax-deductable donations really soon! I will post when that is available. I have some of you ask me about that.

T shirt give away!!!

Many of you have asked if we have a name picked out for our son.

He will have a name when we get his referral but we have the choice to change it. I think we will keep part of his name and change his first name to something easy to pronounce. So, no we don't have a name for him and probably won't name him until we get the referral and see what his name is. There is a slight chance that he could have a super cool name that we wouldn't change.

I love to talk baby names. I take the job of naming a child very seriously. I love to help people name there children too! I am always ready with a list for anyone who ask. Well, I have my list but my husband isn't into the baby name game like I am. So just for some fun blogging interaction here is what I am going to do.

In the comment section leave a baby name suggestion and I will put your name in a drawing for one of our adoption T's--if you already have one you can give it to someone else!! I will announce the winner on Friday! Make sure you put a way for me to contact you with your comment.

Side note: We hope to have our home study to USCIS by next week!


UPDATE: KP was our winner! Congrats!