#94...again.

(Sigh) As we end September...there have been no referrals this month and so we remain at #94...and yet again we give praise and thanks to God. Yes, we wish there was movement, and it is disappointing to not be able to report progress, but one of the greatest disciplines we have learned over the past few years is to give the Lord thanks in all circumstances - and so we praise Him.

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

 

Yard Sale Extravaganza!

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Ephesians 3:20-21 

Our yard sale to help raise funds for the adoption was a great success!! We want to give all the glory and thanks to God! He blessed us with so much! He blessed us with.... 

• The energy and stamina for the two days, plus through all the months of preparation
• A gorgeous weekend 
• Family and friends who gave their time and energy to help prepare for and then work even harder during the two sale days
• Our church family who let us borrow tables
• People who prayed for us
• The gracious people who donated T.O.N.S. of stuff
• And the great turnout of customers to purchase stuff

Yard sales are hard work - especially one of this size. But I love yard sales - I love getting rid of stuff, but most of all I love meeting people and learning their stories! We definitely had some characters! We met many kind people - some who came back with donations to put in the sale and others who simply gave more than their total!

 
The other awesome aspect of the yard sale is we got to share about our adoption journey, how God has been faithful, and even invite some to our church! I was also reminded about how so many people are touched by adoption - people shared their stories of adoption whether they were adoptive parents or knew someone close to them who has adopted.

 

 And finally....drum roll please.......

God blessed us with $1506.72 through the yard sale fundraiser!!!

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

Special Thanks: Vanessa & Family, Ruth & Daniel, Becky & Larry, Carolyn, Aunt Barb, Mom & Ron, Dad & Crandell, Les, Mem, Grammy, Monica, Liz, Gretchen, Chris & Kwan, Chris C., Carol, Jessica E., Chelsea, Mrs. Joan, Shelly, Christine, Beth, Mrs. Kay, Jessica B and Silvia.

Labor Day Weekend Recap!

We had a fun-filled, busy Labor Day weekend. It started as early as Wednesday when we picked Laura and Sean up from the airport. On Thursday, we enjoyed the beach and the first Carolina game of the season while grilling out, compliments of Jeremy! :)

Come Friday we headed up to Roan Mountain State Park, TN. This was our 26th reunion!! (I attended the very first one, when I was about 18 months old!!) Nothing better than front porch sitting, the beautiful mountains, food and fellowship with people you love!

Rush's - "Must Stop" for lunch on the way to the Mountains!

First-Timers!

Cloudland Trail

Front porch sitting!

Who would you say is having more fun?

They take the game s.e.r.i.o.u.s! :)

We came back to South Cakalaki on Monday. That night we went downtown with Laura and Sean to enjoy an awesome dinner at Hanks!

Me and my Man!

Me and Laura!

Tuesday, we hit the beach for some more sun!! And, come early Wednesday morning we all went back to the real world!! Thankful for family and friends! We had a great time and memories were made! ;)

Still #94...and we STILL praise Him!

So, as of yesterday, we remain at #94 on the wait list for our little one! There was no movement this month. :( I was hoping we would get to celebrate some big movement with some of our dearest friends, Laura and Sean, who we just got to spend the past 6 days with!! (I just took them to the airport this morning - so totally wish we still lived only 5 minutes apart). But instead, I think the Lord had them here to help us celebrate and praise Him, despite no movement. 

This is the rainy season in Ethiopia and courts are closed until mid-October. Theoretically, if I understand correctly, court closure should not effect referrals, but realistically it is not abnormal that referrals slow down. 

Even though we definitely want movement, we ultimately TRUST God's timing. Seasons of waiting can be tough - but we are so thankful for the grace and patience that God continues to supply! In my own life, I know it's in the seasons of waiting that I draw closest to God and that He teaches me great truths and lessons. 

We are very thankful for the busy weekend with friends and family that consisted of the beach, mountains, food, and tons of fellowship that filled our souls during the waiting! 

Cloudland Trail, Roan Mountain State Park, Tennessee

Praying that God uses our life and story in ways that He receives the MOST glory!

I love this song - in this particular season - the chorus that my heart sings is:

Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings You glory
And I know there'll be days
When this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to praise You
Jesus, bring the"wait"*

*Changed original lyrics from "rain" to "wait"
Read more: Mercy Me - Bring The Rain Lyrics | MetroLyrics 

Thanks to my "Mid-Wives to Hope"

Source: http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/74/33/da/7433daea0d9134532d075c4f61177f4c.jpg

I love this definition of patience! It was sent to me by a friend (another waiting adoptive mama) today. 

I was also blessed to hear from another dear friend/mentor on Thursday (all the way from M-iss-iss-ipp-i), who affirmed that the wait can sometimes seem as slow as "watching grass grow".

To all our friends and family who seek to encourage us, ask about, and partner with us along this journey - THANK YOU - we are enduring the wait well, because 1.) God is sustaining us and 2.) there are many of you who help spur us along!

And especially for the women in my life who are "bearing down" with me in this season of life - please go and read this blog post by a friend/bible study teacher who I had the privilege of learning from and being encouraged by when I lived out in Arkansas (and still am - learning and being encouraged by her - even 800 miles away).

BLOG POST HERE 

Many thanks to my "Mid-Wives to Hope"! I am eternally grateful for your encouragement and love along this journey of adoption, but even more so, through the daily walk of life, while in pursuit of knowing our Hope, Jesus Christ, more each day.

Piecemaker

Well, today I must highlight the business endeavors of one my best friends! I mostly use this blog to chronicle our journey of adopting the child God has for us, but I simply have to give a shout out to my friend Jessica and her husband Ryan. Together they have quite a side business going! I absolutely love everything he builds or she finishes! So go and check them out! They actually have a super cool giveaway going on right now!

Check out the Piecemaker Blog

Go here to enter the giveway (Drawing will be August 14th)


And, in case you want to keep up with them in the days to come, I have a permanent link to their blog under my "blog roll"!


Thanks Y'all!

So Long Triple Digits!!

Well, we feel as though we have come to a mile marker....we are under 100!! Hallelujah!

So without further ado.... We are number:

We couldn't be more excited and thankful for such great movement! At the beginning of the month, I tried to prepare myself that July might not have as much movement as June. I even have an adoptive momma that I email with throughout each month {total God connection - we were connected by a mutual friend, we both are Harding alumni, we now live about 2 hours from each other, are both adopting through Lifeline and are only a few spots away from each other on the "waitlist" - God is definitely in the details}... so anyways, after June, she encouraged that we pray to move into the 90s! I remember thinking to myself... "the 90s!!?? I will pray for them to make it into the 90s, but I doubt we will". Oh what little faith I had! 

This month 19 children were matched with their forever families! One thing that I love about our agency is their advocacy to find the forever families of older children, sibling groups, and special needs children who are waiting! We are blessed and thankful beyond measure for the professionals and families of Lifeline! 

Below is one of my favorite YouTube videos - 

 

  YES HE IS... and we want to give Him ALL the glory and praise!!

Happy Friday Y'all!