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!

July 12th - The Wedding Favor that Impacts a Life

As I sit to write this, I am still flabbergasted and humbled. I struggle to find the words to articulate how grateful I am by the gesture of one my dearest friends.

One of my best friends got married this weekend. Becky and I have been friends since high school. We have so many memories - memories that involve it ALL - the good, bad, ugly, and funny. However, the core thread that strings all the memories together is our love for God and one another as sisters in Christ. We have remained friends for thirteen years despite going to different colleges and 800 miles separating us for seven years. The fact that we again live only minutes apart, and can pretty much see each other whenever we want is such a blessing! It was such an honor, and privilege to stand by her side as she married the man she loves and adores!

Me and Becky at the Rehearsal Dinner

So...onto "The Wedding Favor that Impacts a Life"...


Well, unbeknownst to me, (and I am hardly e.v.e.r surprised), Becky and Larry lovingly and selflessly blessed Jeremy and I tremendously during the reception of their wedding! After the speeches of the best man, matron of honor, and groom's sister, Larry and Becky take the mic and announce their gratefulness to all who joined in witnessing their marriage and celebrating with them. Becky then continues to explain to the guests about the favor that she and Larry had decided on. (I'm standing on the outskirts of the crowd with my mom - and honestly have NO idea where she is heading with this, but listening intently to what she is saying).

She continues by saying "we could have given you a piece of chocolate or koozie, but that simply isn't us, we wanted to do something bigger, something more global". (I still have NO idea).

She continued, "We wanted to do something that would have a greater impact, something that would impact a life." (I then knew, I looked at my mom and said "oh. my. goodness - where's Jeremy"). I honestly was SO surprised. Becky continued, "There is someone in this room, who is adopting a baby" and as she said our names, I worked my way up to the front, while my mom went to go get Jeremy.

Becky took a few minutes to talk about our friendship and then exclaimed "You've been such a part of helping us start our family and we want to help grow yours. So, we would like to give you the money we would have spent on favors and dedicate it to the adoption of our Ethiopian baby - and in light of today (July 12th), we will be donating $712!!!!!" I simply could not stop hugging both of them. I was so humbled and in awe of both of their love and generosity towards us, on their special day.

Totally Surprised!

This truly was a wedding favor that impacts a life...more so, lives. Every cent will be put to the costs of bringing our son or daughter home. But even more so, the actual willingness of my sister and brother in Christ to partner alongside of us and give, humbles Jeremy and I to the core. This gift represents another tangible affirmation within our journey to adopt our first child and confirmation within our lives that God truly DOES provide in ways "immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine" (Ephesians 3:20).
 

Thank you Becky and Larry!! We are forever grateful!!

(Pictures courtesy of Alison Bell)

 

Encouragement for the Wait!

July Update

Wow! There was a ton of movement during our first month on "the list". We moved nine spots and are now sitting at number....

 

There were ten children who were matched with their forever families - six babies, a sibling set of two, one older child, and a child with special needs! How exciting! From what I have heard, this much movement in one month is not customary. The past two months have only had two referrals each month. It has also been exciting to see the milestones of other families as they receive referrals, court hearings, and clear the embassy to bring their children home. If you happen to be another Lifeline family adopting from Ethiopia - feel free to message me about joining the "unofficial closed facebook group".

And now, the wait for July begins!

"And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."

~ Colossians 1: 9-14~