Joy

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
James 1:2-4

So grateful for this special group of people who remind me how to consider it all joy.



And for my wonderful husband, who always knows how to make me smile.




-Heather

Waiting

Waiting is hard. It didn't seem so hard to me until we found out we were #1. As soon as I knew that we could get a referral at any moment, I became obsessed with my phone. I stare at it during AGCI's office hours, make my husband stare at it when I can't, and am constantly thinking "this would be the perfect time to get our call." It's hard to concentrate on anything else. At church this weekend, we were in chapter 16 of Proverbs, and our pastor pointed out some encouraging things:

1) God is sovereign over our lives. Although we can't completely understand it, God uses everything to conform us to His image and to work out His plan in our lives. This day we are right where God wants us to be.

Proverbs 16:1,9,33
The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.
The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.

2) We must trust Him with our dreams and faithfully serve Him in the present. God can put you in seemingly insignificant places to develop your character. After David was annointed as king, he went back to the fields and continued to be a shepherd for a period of time. It was there that God prepared him for great things that were ahead.

Proverbs 16:3
Commit your works to the Lord and your plans will be established.

3) Consider to Whom you will answer. One day we will all stand before the Lord and will give an account for how we used our time, even the time that we didn't think was important. Martin Luther said there were only two days on his calendar, this day and THAT day. We can't do anything about the past, and we can't control the future; we can only live in the present, while thinking forward to THAT day, the day that we will stand before God.

Proverbs 16:2
All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight, but the Lord weighs the motives.

Proverbs 16:6
By lovingkindness and truth iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the Lord one keeps away from evil.

Please pray for us while we are waiting, that we will live in the present, remembering that we are right where He wants us to be.

Isaiah 30:18
Therefore the Lord longs to be gracious to you, and therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the Lord is a God of justice, how blessed are all those who long for Him.

Thank you!

Our good friend Brittany came to visit last week and brought a present!



And then she bought our little one another gift (a Glow Worm) while she was here! The generosity and outpouring of support from our friends and family has been overwhelming. Thank you, Brittany!

-Brian

I'm so excited, and I just can't hide it

So I don't usually post unoffical numbers, but I am so excited that I just can't help myself. We think that we now might be number


Here's the scoop: On Friday our friends in front of us on the waitlist got a referral of a precious little boy. We are SO EXCITED for them!!! This should mean that we are next in line for a referral! This was a great week for our agency, with many referrals and many families passing court! This means that a lot of kids will get to come home to their forever families soon!!! This video of my nephew Caleb best captures how we feel right now...





Congratulations to all the families who received good news this week!! We're celebrating with you!! -Heather

Officially #...

One small step closer to seeing our son =)

Some thoughts on racial harmony and adoption by Piper...

http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/TasteAndSee/ByDate/2000/1148_Talitha_the_Person_Who_Is_Adopted/

Happy Reading!
-Heather

A Weekend of Blessings!

We have so much to be thankful for. This weekend we were reminded of what an awesome God we serve, a God who always keeps His promises, always provides, and always blesses us beyond what we could even imagine. The Lord has blessed us with incredible family and friends. On Friday we received a package and when we opened it up this is what we saw:



One of my best friends from high school made this for us so that we will have somewhere special to put our son’s picture when we get the referral. We are so grateful for her thoughtfulness and can’t wait to put that first picture in it.

Friday night we went to visit my family and celebrate my dad’s retirement. My dad has always worked really hard to support our family and we were very grateful to be able to be there to honor him and show our appreciation for all the love and support he has given us.



Throughout the weekend, we were given many other surprises, including





It is SUCH a blessing to have so many people in our lives who are eagerly anticipating the arrival of our son. Our nieces and nephew (along with my sisters and mom) are constantly picking out books, toys, and clothes that they think their “new baby cousin” will like. This little boy is already so loved.

On Sunday we got another surprise when an aunt and uncle gave us a financial gift to help with the adoption. What an unexpected blessing! Their generosity was another reminder that the Lord always provides. This adoption is such a stretching process. It is really easy to get overwhelmed by the many difficulties and fears that come with adopting. But the Lord is molding us and shaping us, pruning away the doubt and disbelief, and gently reminding us of His constant grace and provision. We are truly blessed.

-Heather