so excited!

God continues to be gracious to us and provide for us...We got a $2500 matching grant!! I know that God will provide the other $2500!

Total so far, we're at $6800!!!! So thankful for God's provision!!!!

january '12

I/We are currently...

• preparing for a Mommy's-only adoption retreat "created for care"- speakers, fellowship, connecting with other congo families, spending time with Auburn friends who have adopted
• in the homestudy- getting fingerprinted, filling out forms, reading books, writing autobiographies
• fundraising- trusting God for about $1000 to have homestudy finalized in the next few months
• excited that we have about 7 months until we learn the child's name, medical records and get a picture
• finished reading "There is no me without you" by Melissa Fay Greene- awesome biography of an Ethiopian woman who became a foster mother to 250+ orphans. Most of them were left parentless due to AIDS.
• learning more and more about trusting God, not man, to provide. Romans 8:32 says "He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?"

brief update

• We got our 2nd payment in, and a few documents. Waiting to hear about starting the homestudy. Hopefully anyday now.
• Up to $4300 in our fundraising
• Waiting to hear back about a $4000 grant that we applied for
•  Planning to go on an adoption retreat (www.CreatedforCare.Com) with some friends from Lakeview that have recently adopted. Im excited about learning more from other Mother's that have walked this journey. Excited about the break-out session entitled "caring for African hair"
• Have tentative yard sale fundraiser on Saturday, March 24

Little brother copies EVERYTHING big brother does

fundraising update

The Lord continues to provide!!!! Just what we need, at the right time.
-Anticipating

merry christmas to our orphan!

I just wrote a check for $2237.50 to begin the homestudy. Yikes! And began on some paperwork. I've learned that the adoption process is a lot of money, paperwork and prayer. We're looking forward to beginning the homestudy after New Year's. The homestudy is about a 6 month process where...
- A social worker comes to house 3-4 times to talk with us
- We work on a TON of paperwork (biographical info, etc.)
- We have to get fingerprinted, background checks, get my passport updated and get Dr.'s physicals
- Pictures, marriage license, birth cert's, etc all have to be submitted
-Another $2200 is due at the end of the homestudy to have it finalized.

All of this information will be sent off the immigration and they will translate it. This is called the "dossier" pronounced doss-ee-ay.

Once this is sent off to the congo, the congolese government will match us with a child. That's probably 12 months away.

I must trust the Lord with ALL of this. If I don't, I become anxious and uptight and cannot enjoy where God has me today. I'm loving the fact that God is completely in control and He is Sovereign. He has every moment of our lives planned out. He is good!

-Antici-PATE-ing

Micah loves the outdoors!

our Coffee fundraiser

Toomer's Coffee has graciously helped us with a fundraiser. They made a special blend just for us. $10/bag. Very delicious coffee. We bought 100 and sold them in a week!!! People we didn't even know were calling and emailing for some. So we got 50 more and have about 20 left.

Thanks to our friends that have bought our coffee, and who have given extra money as well to help!

Micah and Elijah's latest

Micah will be 4 in March-I can't believe it. His latest....

-just wrote his name for the first time while making christmas cards for his Sunday School teachers

-knows 2 bible verses Genesis 1:1 and Romans 3:23

-just started doing his buttons and zippers all by himself

-went on an airplane for the first time. we were blessed to visit my Grandma and Mom in Miami, FL at Thanksgiving

-went fishing for the first time in FL

Elijah will be 2 in April - can't believe that either! His latest...

-he's talking more and more. says "usssuuu" means "whatsssss up?"

-he loves cars, trucks, trains, balls

-eating his favorite thing to do! he squeals and starts dancing when he sees food, or even hears plates and silveware or a food wrapper

-he's constantly wet from drool

-he's doing well with puzzles and blocks

-his balance and walking has gotten so much better.

-he loves to copy and follow big brother

-he grabs my hand when it's time to pray before a meal. so sweet :)

 excited for christmas!

a sweet brotherly moment