For over a year, I've been praying that God would guide us in a big decision. A decision that was tough for us to make because we were not always on the same page.
Updating our homestudy.
Yes...you read those words correctly!
I have been praying about having an open door. Not necessary pursuing an adoption again, but having a door open if we hear of a child that needs a family. I pray every day about whether another child is meant to join our family. Honestly, I'd probably have a house full of children if we were able, but adoption is complicated, and can be expensive....and Hubs and I have to be on the same page.
This has been my prayer...
And then we met a little girl. Sweet A.
She changed our world! In 2 days, she changed our hearts, our views, and brought us to the point where we both needed to be. Her sweet smile and her silly laughter melted us. I truly believe that one of the many reasons she was where she was on those couple of days, was to simply reach people, soften their hearts and let the Lord speak to people through her. The world has marked so many things against her...and yet the Lord is using her for His kingdom in a very very BIG way.
On our way home from that special weekend, we talked a lot about Sweet A and other children like her. We talked about adoption, growing our family, now or later, or ever? We talked about children with special needs, especially Down Syndrome because Sweet A has Down Syndrome, but we talked about other issues too. We talked about love and faith and the strength of our family...and if we were crazy about even thinking it...
And then...Hubs says that we need to update our home study. We needed to be prepared.
Really? Were we really on the same page?
I will admit, I was scared to get excited. This is what I've been praying for. For us to both be on the same page. To have an open door when children like Sweet A needs a family. Sweet A opened our eyes and hearts...in a big way. But scared none the less.
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| My prayer for an open door... |
Is this the perfect time to think about adopting again. No.
Have we planned and prepared. No.
Am I scared? yes!
Is God telling us to take a leap of faith? YES! YES! YES!
We are getting started on our homestudy update. The whole process is upon us again. Gathering documents, medicals, fingerprints, clearances, profile, etc. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little anxious. This is very unlike our other adoptions, where we saved and planned and saved and planned. We have done none of that!
But we are taking a leap of FAITH!
Do I think God will place another child in our family? Honestly, I don't know. But we are choosing to have our door open. We are taking a huge leap of faith. Our homestudy will be in place and our family will be registered with several organizations. This will be much different than our previous adoptions.
Out of my comfort zone? You bet!
When we've mentioned this to friends, they has asked..."how can we help?"
First, please pray for us. Please pray that God will continue to guide us. Please pray that God will prepare us for the child that He may be leading to us.
Financially, adoption can be expensive. We don't know what the future holds and do not plan on doing many fundraisers, in fact this will likely be the only one. We thought it would be fun to do this one and it would help us with initial expenses (homestudy, legal fees etc).
Hubs and I (and the kids) are rival fans. Hubs and Hulk wear blue/orange and Me and Bug wear red/white. It is fun in our family around football season. And many of our friends are the same way. So, we had the shirts designed in our favorite team colors.
And yes, there is also a fun design for those of you who don't rock the same colors as us! ha!
The shirts are awesome! I LOVE them!!
{A LITTLE ABOUT THESE SHIRTS} They are COMFORT COLORS...amazing tshirts!! Great quality that will last a long long time. Front and back designed by the amazing Fund the Nations crew just for us! (tell them we sent you!) When ordering, please choose your size Youth XS-XL or Adult S-XXL. And of course, choose your color: Red, Blue, or Seafoam
These are pre-orders and I will be placing the first order on August 16th and they will be at my home soon after. If you want to get in on the first round of orders, simply choose your size/style below and a huge THANK YOU from our family to yours!
I love that these can be worn all year, but LOVE that I can sport my team colors while sharing a little about those things that are most important to me. Faith, Hope, Love and FAMILY!!!! And yes, ALL ARE PRECIOUS IN HIS SIGHT!
AND for fun...I will be keeping a running tally of which team is 'winning'. I know who I'M pulling for...what about you??
{TO ORDER} Simply choose your options below and you can pay via paypal. You can also comment via facebook...or just let me know and I'll add your order and send you an invoice. And again...Thank you! Please remember to keep our family in your daily prayers.
8/8/13 As of today, the Bama fans are winning by 11!
8/10/13 As of this morning, the Bama fans are still winning by 13!
8/14/13 As of tonight, Auburn is up by 1!!
8/15/13 As of this morning, Alabama and Auburn are TIED!!
Love,
Me, Hubs, Hulk & Bug
update: I've had a few people ask if they can share this on facebook? Umm..yes! And thank you!
update: I had several people asking how to check out with more than one shirt. ah! I corrected it...sorry for those that had to do the checkout process several times! This will be MUCH easier!
Praying for y'all!!!! :) So thankful to know a little about you and am anxious to get to know you face to face! Hubby and I will definitely be buying a shirt to help y'all out!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness. So so excited for you. I am sitting hear reading this with goose bumps. I can imagine how scary this is but it is always comforting knowing that God is guiding you and will protect you along your journey.
ReplyDeleteChristine
Just ordered mine. From one Fund the Nation adopting mom to another, CONGRATS and Best wishes!
ReplyDelete