As we are waiting for our referral, we are reviewing finances and what we have left to pay for this adoption. The bulk of the cost is in the two trip travel. We are hoping we will be able to use some airline miles that Will has accumulated with all the travel that he does. But because of the short notice we may be given to travel, we may not be able to use miles. So, over the Christmas break we were looking at what tickets might cost in the Spring. Big gulp. So we began to pray immediately about the expenses. (You may notice I haven't talked about raising funds, etc... our guidelines discourage it so I haven't talked about it and it makes it a little challenging to get the word out that we are.) But, anyway - we have just continued to pray and the Lord has been faithful and provided for us every single step of the way. When we have needed to mail a check, the funds have been there - thank you, Jesus - Jehovah Jireh! In my prayers, I have heard God say, "I will provide - my plan is much bigger than you could ever imagine, trust in me. I will use others - to bring glory to my name." What does that mean? Use others? In our adoption journey? I know his plan is bigger than just us adopting a child into our family to be our son or daughter. I get that. But I didn't get what he meant by use others. I asked, and there was simple silence. We have had success with our fundraising selling Ugandan recycled magazine necklaces. We wanted to do a fundraiser that benefited someone else - the women in Uganda are striving to make a living to feed their children and with the purchase of a necklace, money goes back to Africa to help these women and children. And a little bit goes into our adoption fund too from the sale.
But recently, God showed up in a big way, and delivered on what he said to me in my prayers. We received a very unexpected gift to our adoption fund from a family...not once..but twice. Words do not even begin to explain just how humbled we are! The notes which accompanied the donations were beautiful...bringing glory to God. And then I got it. I understood what he meant when he said he would use others. Oh Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. Thank you - we are so undeserving of the gifts you provide, but you continue to provide for our every need and we seek to bring your glory in what we do. Thank you for your faithfulness to each and every one of us. You never fail.
We are continuing to sell necklaces and hopefully some 147 Million Orphan t-shirts too! So excited with what is going on there and to be partnered with them for our fundraisers! I also see a garage full of "treasures" that I am sure someone else might enjoy- we will wait for warmer weather for that one!
And a quick update on what's going on here. Christmas was wonderful - we had my parents here, Will's mom and step dad, Will's sister, and Will's dad and step mom. You read that right...we are thankful that everyone gets along well! A baby born in a lowly manger brought all these families together!! And they all wanted to see the little man for Christmas so we said, bring it on! It was fun - we had a great time and made a lot of memories. One of my favorites is Christmas morning when the little guy came down stairs and looked under the tree and saw all these gifts. Will asked him where they all came from - and he shouts out "The Store!!" It was awesome. We read The Story of Christmas to Ethan to instill in him from the get go what Christmas is all about. He will be the first to tell you Christmas is Jesus Birthday.
I am a fan of Julia Child. She was an amazing chef who wrote the incredible Mastering the Art of French Cooking. It has become a New Year's tradition in our home to make one of the masterpieces from her cookbook....I will let the little guy tell you what it is (he's so stinkin' cute when he says it! And the recipe makes enough for leftovers which we finished last night when we took this).
Blessings to you - God will pour out his abundant blessings upon you...I just know it! :)
(He is saying cheese for the camera when the video starts!)
No comments:
Post a Comment