{ so. . . .why are you adopting, you say? }

wow. . .

i've been so excited to tell you what God has been doing in our lives! a few months ago, i started feeling a strong calling to Africa. my hubby began to feel a strong call as well. . . not necessarily africa at this time. we began to talk to many missionaries, because *we* just knew that's what God was calling us to do. HA! . . . notice, i typed we knew! well, when we contacted the IMB (the international mission board) we quickly learned that God wasn't planning on us heading that way just yet. (i had already went though our house, deciding what would be sold and what would be put in storage) with my education, i would be working in the field each day, while my husband would be the full time homemaker. we could still. . .and possibly God made lead to that in the future. . .be missionaries there if my hubby would complete his education and part of seminary, but the IMB won't send children if they are past the age of 10, due to culture shock.

well, we continued to pray steadfast, asking God to show us what He wanted of us. at my great grandmother's receiving of friends service, God spoke to my husband about adoption, but he never said anything to me about it. that was on a tuesday. the following sunday, we went to the alter and pleaded for God to show us HIS way. after church, while i was cooking lunch, i could hear God telling me that the reason He was calling us to Africa was we had children there. WOW! when i told my hubby, he put his head down, then quickly said he was feeling the same thing. . .again, not about Africa, but about adopting.

well. . . so many things came about. . .we would read scripture after scripture. . . .

Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.
James 1:27

Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows.
Isaiah 1:17

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.
Proverbs 31:8-9

And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me.
Matthew 18:5

and obviously, they were telling us what we already knew. while we were in a meeting one day, the boys and i walked around a building, running into these huge 24x24 prints from Africa, our devotions have been centered around adoption, before we had even told my parents or our boys, sam picked out a shirt in his closet he had never worn before that had Africa on it. . .and what it said, spoke to my heart yet again. i turned on the radio one morning and they were talking about international adoptions. . .the list goes on and on.

well, at this point, hubby knew God was leading us to adopt, but yet God had not spoke to him about Africa. my sweet hubby goes and visits each monday night at church. this particular monday, he went with another couple in the church and went to see an 81 year old woman. within her conversation to hubby, she told of her greatest joy in life was keeping her grandkids; two of them being adopted from AFRICA!! everyday we get another confirmation. we don't have the money to adopt. we struggle with me staying at home with our boys, but we know beyond a shadow of a doubt that our GOD IS GREAT. . .and HE CAN MOVE MOUNTAINS.

just yesterday, a friend called and said she and her hubby had been praying about a certain amount. she said they decided to give it to us and the amount she wanted to give us, along with what we had to put in the account to open it is EXACTLY what we have to send to texas for our application. i know there are going to be bumps along the way. . . i'm praying for God to prepare me for them. . .but how in the world can't people know there is a God! my JESUS. . .my SAVIOR. . .WOW!

we are going to trust in HIM that He will provide for us. we've already been asked a few times how we can be helped. first and foremost, PRAYER. prayer for us, our child(ren), the orphanage, the workers in the orphanage, our boys. . .the list could go on and on. we will also be doing fundraisers along the way. as you can see below, we are planning on having a large crop at Scrappin' In The City. if you think you will be able to come, please sign up. i will be happy to show you ANY photoshop tricks, answer camera questions, etc. there will be food, fellowship, fun, and lots of great things raffled. i'll also put those raffled items up here so you can bid on them up until the day before the crop! one last thing, there is also a donation button at the bottom of the blog on the left hand side if you feel like you'd like to help through a monetary donation.

we will be blogging about what is going on all along the way. . .and depending on what program we go through with our adoption agency, we could be in Africa for 3 1/2 weeks in about 10-15 months. . .or less!!!

i'm so excited!!!