In Ethiopia...

a generation of adults is dying leaving behind an estimated 4.8 million orphaned children. Source: AHOPEforchildren.org

Lots to write about....

I'm kickin back and having a relaxing Sunday morning...decided to hit the 11am service, just so its not a rushed morning. Brett went for a run this morning...as I was laying in bed it started to down pour...poor guy (although he loves to run in the rain)....I still felt sorry for him. He came home looking like a drowned rat.
Both babies climbed into bed with me about 6am. To have four feet and two bodies kicking and squirming isn't really comfy...but I must admit...I LOVE IT! I truly do...there is something about my babies coming to cuddle with me that makes me feel all mushy inside. It reminds me of baby chicks hiding under their mommy's wing. I think they knew Daddy was gone...so access into the bed was easy!
We had our garage sale fundraiser yesterday...but let me back up a bit. We have had a set back and are currently in the process of just taking a deep breather and waiting for God's direction on which agency to run with. We definitely still feel called to adopt. You see...our intial plan was not to start the process til Jan 2011, just so we could finish getting completely out of debt and start our room addition. But if you know me...I'm a bit compassionate and zealous for the orphans and have a very hard time setting still and waiting!!! Which in all honestly is probably contributed to the tension & struggles we have faced. Brett & I do have a peace about taking a step back and researching agencies and listening to people who have been through the process. It truly is...long and complicated!
The garage sale was another moment...where I can say...God wrapped his arms around Brett & I and truly BLESSED our efforts. I was amazed & so grateful for the people the Lord provided to make it a success. All of the shoppers that came where so interested and happy to hear about our adoption. And most seemed to understand how difficult it can be & how long it takes! Thank you shoppers!!! To my set up team on Friday...my Mom, my Dad, my sister Felicia, my Pap, Sarah Upton and to my Grandma Peggy for staying at our home and keeping an ear out for our sleeping babies. To all the donations...I truly lost track of who all donated...but let me try...my mom, my sister Tabitha, Shari & Sarah Upton, Crystal Watkins, Jessica Lutrell, Glee Helms...oh I know I'm forgetting someone! So sorry. To the crew who helped me the day of the sale...my mom, my Grandma Peggy, my hubby...who kept our kids and Keri Clapp...who kept our kids for three hours so Brett could come sit with me! To Jana Messer...who encouraged so many to buy raffle tickets for our Mothers Day Basket! To my clean up crew...my hubby, my mom and Bogey! Thank you alllllll! We each were a blessing to me and Brett.

We just....

Sold our first T-shirt!!!! Thank you for your support!

God's Faithfulnes...

Brett and I had an 8 hr adoption training this past Saturday in St. Louis. The morning session was fantastic...we learned all about the diseases and infections our children could have or may have been exposed to, and may even bring home with them! Very informative! We also learned about some resources that will made available to us for certain cases etc. The afternoon session covered a book "The Connected Child." And the fun stuff...legal issues and all crucial paper-pushin (which we have officially started!). All this to say...Brett and I were extremely tired on our ride home. Its an emotional process as well. We were informed of some financial things that we weren't really aware of...like...we will have to hire an attorney once we come back to the States w/ our children and readopt them. Even though that sounds minor, its another several thousand that we hadn't antipated. It just weighed heavy on us. And for a second, there was the option to wait several months before continuing. I prayed about it for a bit of the ride and shared w/ Brett that I didn't feel we should. God...all along...has said...have faith in ME. (I am doing a Beth Moore Bible study "Believing God"...and he has really used this study to speak to my heart...many times). Pray Big, Expect Big! There is something to be said about asking others for financial help....humbling prehaps...I'm not sure what the right word is. We have known all along...this is A GOD THING. Sunday morning during the alter call I was stubborn and hesitant to go. Its soo much easier to go and pray with and for other people! I have been called to the alter for several weeks now, yep...very stubborn! Finally God pushed me out of my seat and I was on the alter giving it all to God. Every concern for every penny. Every concern involved in the whole process. And talk about a peace that surpasses all understanding...I received it! I left the concerns and the worries on the alter (ofcourse they try to follow me)! Two hours or less after being on the alter the Lord handed us a $400 check. He proves his faithfulness. Shame on us (me) for getting uptight and concerned about things. He truly is in charge of the big things and the little things. I take heart in knowing that God loves the orphans more than I do! I know he has a plan. Let God show is FAITHFULNESS to you!
James 1:27 "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."
We started our Hague training today!!! We got through Module 1 & 2...only five more to go!