Quick Update

So, it's been a while!  I didn't realize I hadn't posted since October!  2 reasons: first and foremost, life has just been SUPER-busy, even more so than usual with the holiday season; and secondly, there just wasn't anything (good) to report. . .  I say good, because we did have some delays, but we are trying really hard to see those as gifts from God and not lament over them.  Every time we are "delayed,"  (I'm sure there will be MANY), I am trying to claim the truth that God is sovereign, and that all things work together for our good and His glory! (Romans 8:28)  Each time there is a set back, I am choosing to see it as a gift of time with the children that are currently in our home: time to focus on them and let them know how much they are loved, more time to teach them about God's heart for orphans, and time to prepare them for the challenges that may be ahead. . . .

Anyway, after having to re-do a few forms that had to be updated, we are now OFFICIALLY APPROVED to adopt from Ethiopia!!

The next step is scheduling our home study.  There are two families ahead of us, so I would expect another month or so.  From what I understand with our agency, since we are already approved, the main purpose of our home study is to give our case worker a chance to get to know our family and assess the "type" of child or children that are the best fit for our family.  Our goal is to be open to whatever children the Lord has already chosen for us: meaning we could have older children, or babies; healthy children, or children with special needs.  We know that God knows us better than we know ourselves, that He will equip us to "handle" whatever hardships we may encounter, and ultimately, that His plan is better than anything we can ask or imagine!

So, please join us in praying that we would continue to seek His will, have peace with His timeline, and that He would continue to provide us with ALL that we need: spiritually, emotionally, physically, and financially, for this part of our journey!

A word about the donate button . . .  It is linked to a paypal account that is set up specifically for adoption costs.  Our current estimate is around $38,000, it could be more or less depending on how many children we actually have and their condition, as well as how many times we have to travel.  We will begin "official" fund raisers after our home study has been completed, but, in the meantime, if the Lord lays it on your heart to donate, here's an easy way to do so! :)