Overwhelmed.

I'm still too overwhelmed to be very eloquent in this post. However, I want to at least try and update.

Tonight we showed up at a birthday party for our associate pastor. He and his wife have an incredible heart for community, so we headed over to their house expecting a fun, eclectic mix of neighbors from all walks of life.

When we walked in the front door, only folks from our church were there. I was a little surprised by that, but also thankful for the chance to just hang out and love on people we never have enough time to talk with on Sunday mornings.

A few minutes into the gathering, Tommy and Celeste made an announcement. The main purpose of the party wasn't a birthday celebration, but to help raise funds for the adoption. I felt my knees get weak. It was totally unexpected.

I have trouble explaining how it felt to be standing in a room so full of love and support for a child who has never had a family. When you are adopting internally, you never know if a child who looks a little different will really be accepted. But moms and dads (and their toddlers) were literally filling up those rooms, talking about how excited they were for their children to befriend our new son. And they were supporting us as we pursue him.

I can't find the right words for how I feel yet. To be this overwhelmed by grace is indescribable. Thank you to those who made it happen. We are moved beyond our ability to express it adequately.

P.S. Also, we received $2500 in one night. Unbelievable! Thank you so much!!!!

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God's Provision

With Dad's surgery, we haven't had a lot of time to work on adoption paperwork lately. Also, the company I use to order the willow tree charms has been a MONTH delayed on their shipment. So, in several ways, my hands have been tied to make any progress.

In waiting rooms, in hotel rooms, for hours in the van, I have been waiting and praying for God to do what I couldn't reach. I prayed that, so why was I surprised when He did it?

When we got home, I was shocked to find a $1000 contribution to our adoption account! This almost doubles what was in there before we left! We now have enough to take a few more steps through this process. And now that we are home again, we're both super eager to pick up where we left off.

What else...

Yesterday the charm company sent an email saying everything was "shipped." I hope so! I'm behind on making bracelets, and can't progress until they get here. I'm so sorry if yours is one of the late ones. We'll get those cranked out ASAP.

Also, a friend sent us a helpful book called, _Adopted for Life._ It talks about the calling of Christians and churches to participate in adoption. We're excited about getting into it.

'Think that's it for now. Thanks for praying through this process with us!

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Setting the Lonely in Families

Today we received a pretty big shock. Bobby handed me an envelope with $200. It was from someone we don’t even know. Or at least we didn’t know them before today. :) This couple had read about our journey from a mutual friend, and they wanted to help bring our child home. How do you thank someone for helping you reach your child? I'm not sure.

All three verses written on the card were beautiful. But the one that that touched me the most was Psalm 68:6 “God sets the lonely in families.” This caught me because this is my dream... to help a lonely child find a place to belong. And for our child to see how much we enjoy him/her! To watch this child blossom and grow in a safe place like our birth kids have. To see him/her run across the yard with two little arms spread wide, laughing until he/she can barely stand.

Thank You, God, for bringing together people who love her with us! And thank You, for friends who will tell friends... and who are praying us through this adventure!

Sweet Baby! Hang on! We’re working as fast as we can!

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