A setback

Now that we are certified and waiting we gets lots of questions, sometimes on a daily basis:

How's the adoption going?
Any news?
Have you gotten any calls?
When is the baby coming?
Are you having a boy or a girl?
What will you name the child?

Although I appreciate people's interest I don't always have an answer to the many questions asked of me.  The truth is we don't know when baby is coming.  We aren't sure if it will be a boy or a girl.  And if we do get a call I'm not sure how many people I will want to tell at first (just being honest!)  And as far as names go we aren't sure what we want to name baby since we don't know what birth mom has planned for a name. 

Things have been on autopilot as of late. I've been busy at school (two phrases: first quarter & kindergarten!) and Ben has more on his plate at church with our senior pastor on sabbatical.  The busyness of life has helped keep my mind off the inevitable: we could be parents in the next hour, day, week, or month!

Today we received some bad news: we did not get approved for the interest free loan for our adoption like we were hoping.  We met the qualifications, but the company is limited in how many loans they can fund.  We have raised around $5,000 but still are about $9,000 short of what we will need to pay once we receive placement.  I know God has a plan but it's hard to stay hopeful at this point.  With everything in life being so crazy right now the last thing I have time for is to research (and fill out!) more loan and grant applications.  As far as fundraising goes I have been overwhelmed with the outpouring of support we have received--the last thing I want to do is ask for more $!

So as I bring this post to a close I would ask for your support and prayers.  I don't know how comfortable I feel being available to birth families if we don't have funding lined up to pay.  Do we put ourselves on hold?  Do we continue to trust that God will provide somehow, someway?  It's a lot to handle and consider at this point...

Baby Shower!

My friend Crystal threw me an amazing baby shower!  Mommy hood is slowly starting to feel more real!

The refreshment table

The soda matched the color theme!  Cool!

Crystal makes the best cake pops!

A special banner for "Baby George"!

Yummy cupcake favors!

Cute Decorations!

The fruit dip was AMAZING!

More cake pops!

As guests arrived they decorated onesies for Baby George!  I had been worried I would have nothing for baby to wear when we first get home from the hospital.  Thanks to Crystal's thoughtfulness that won't be a problem now!

Loved this onesie made by my friend, Tiffany!

More cute onesies made by guests!

Me and my mom, aka Grandma!

The party planner, Crystal and I!

Opening gifts...

Cute bouncer/rocker

The gift must have been scary?!

A Redeemer!

If you follow my blog you know that I started studying the book of Ruth this summer.  What a study it has been!  According to the culture during Ruth's time she needed to be redeemed (purchased for a price) in order to sustain any livelihood for herself and her mother-in-law, Naomi.  The task of being redeemed was always taken on by a close relative.  Ruth meets Boaz, a close relative, and has hopes of being redeemed by him.  However Boaz, being the rule follower that he is, informs Ruth that there is another closer relative that must be given the opportunity to redeem her first.  However when this close relative finds out all that is entailed in the purchase he will be making (not only would he be buying the land that formerly belonged to Naomi's family, he would also have to marry Ruth) he turned the offer down.  Boaz then takes it upon himself to redeem Ruth and the rest they shall say is history (Ruth is grafted into the the line that eventually leads to Jesus!) 

My precepts bible study, after leading us through an initial study of Ruth, is now focusing on the Redeemer that we have in Christ.  Like in Ruth's situation he was given a choice.  No one forced his hand to come to earth as a baby and grow up as a man.  No one forced him to take our sins upon himself as he died on the cross.  He chose this destiny out of the love he has for us! 

After studying the book of Ruth and seeing how easily this close relative turned down the offer to redeem Ruth and her family it makes the gift we have in our redemption from Christ that much sweeter! When an offer is made on our behalf he doesn't refuse! 

Thank you Jesus!

Philippians 2:5-8

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:

Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,

but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-

even death on a cross!

From Darkness Into Light

This past week I started studying the book of Ruth.  Although it's only four chapters long, there's quite a few nuggets of truth packed in there!  Tonight our teacher focused on darkness becoming light.  In the book of Ruth darkness is everywhere Noami turns.  There is famine in her home land.  Her husband has passed away.  And now her two sons have also died, leaving their young wives as widows.  However God has a plan!  He will turn this darkness into light!  In a series of events Ruth meets Boaz, a close relative of Noami's family, and gives birth to Obed who later gives birth to Jesse, the father of King David!  Noami's family line is redeemed through the birth of one man, Obed.  Just as we are redeemed through the birth, death and resurrection of one man, Jesus Christ! 

As we listened to the lecture our teacher pointed out that throughout the bible God has turned darkness into light.  In Genesis chapter one "darkness was over the surface of the deep" but then God said, "Let there be light and there was light!".  In the beginning of all time God was reminding us of the hope we can find in Him! 

I think back over the last 3 years of infertility.  There has definitely been some dark times.  But God has always had a plan to bring light into our lives.  In our case that light is coming from the hope we are finding in adoption.

Isaiah 45:7:

I form the light and create darkness,

I bring prosperity and create disaster;

I, the Lord, do all these things.

God sees the good, the bad, and the ugly.  As the notes of my life application bible state: "God is the ruler over light and darkness, over prosperity and disaster.  Our lives are sprinkled with both types of experiences, and both are needed for us to grow spiritually".  Even amidst the dark times Jesus is empowering me with his life giving hope as he reminds me of the plan he has for my life.

I am so glad I serve a God who has the ability to turn darkness into light!  What darkness are you living in right now?  What trials are you going through?  Find hope in God and take refuge in the fact that He can and will turn your darkness into light!

"I wait for you, O Lord;

you will answer, O Lord my God."

Psalm 38:15

Fundraising Update

It's hard to believe we started the adoption process last February!  It's already been 6 months and we are now certified and waiting for placement!  Exciting!  We wanted to thank everyone so much for your love, support and prayers!  Here's an update on how much money we have raised through our fundraisers and direct donations:

Change is Good: $232  (That's a lot of change!)

T-Shirts: 47 sold, $330 raised!

Gold Canyon Candles: Still Computing!

Direct Donations:  $4090

If you have thought about supporting us financially, but haven't done so yet--NOW is the time!  (If you have been collecting change for us in one of our jars, please plan on arranging for pick up ASAP!)  Once we receive placement, the remainder of our fees are due.  We are in the process of applying for adoption grants and also are waiting to see if we qualified for an interest free loan specifically created for adoptive families. 

Thank you so much everyone!  We have been blessed by your generosity!