The Lord Provides

We have been so moved by the ways we have seen God so obviously at work in this adoption process, even in just a little over one month!  Every up-front expense has been covered and all the paperwork fees have been paid.  We've seen hearts moved by this in ways we never could have anticipated.  Things are moving so quickly and with such support from our social worker, home study agency and others...the overflow of support we've received has been amazing!

Sunday was one of the highlights.  Josh and I were asked to speak at church a little about our adoption story.  I made a few Power Point slides with Toby's picture and some prayer points.  Many regular families were not there and we saw many new faces.  As we prepared, I wondered if I'd be able to hold it together, talking about our boy up in front of a crowd of people. 

Well...I did hold it together.  But my sweet husband couldn't.  He began talking, took one look at sweet Toby's face, and the tears came.  It was a precious thing to behold. 

We got through our talk and God moved.  He moved in so many hearts.  We were lavished with love and encouragement and prayers from so many.  Almost the entire first batch of pillows Sarah and our friend Rachel had made to raise adoption funds sold within a few minutes. 

 



And then...I was approached by a sweet young mama - a new face at our church.  She and her family were visiting from out of state on vacation.  They, too, have a heart for adoption and are hoping to start their own home study very soon.  They were moved by Toby's story and by the Holy Spirit.  So moved, that she gave me an envelope of cash that they had intended to use on their vacation.  It wasn't until we were on our way home that I opened the envelope....$500.  Five. Hundred. Dollars!  From someone who had never known about us or Toby before that Sunday.  Yet they are not strangers.  They are part of the Body of Christ and gave us a beautiful testimony of what it means to be part of that Body.  Thank you, dear family!!

 

Today we completed our last home study visit!  We have a great social worker - so professional and caring and experienced!  He's working hard on his end to get this all completed quickly.  It is our LAST piece of the puzzle!  Once it is completed, we can send it for approval to Customs and Immigration...which will be the final piece of paperwork to receive before sending it all off to be submitted in-country!!!  Woohooo!!! 

 

Things are moving so quickly!  And we are so grateful!  But we desperately need the funding to keep up.  We still have about $18,000 to raise in a few months' time.  Once the home study is completed, we can apply for several adoption grants.  We are already working on the applications for those so they are ready! 

 

From now on, all donations can go directly to our Reece's Rainbow Family Support Program grant fund.  We also have a donation button on the right side of this blog page.  We know the Lord will provide and we can't wait to see how He continues to amaze us with His goodness!  We also can't wait to share these stories with Toby one day....so he can know that his faithful Father was writing his story and watching over him long before he ever knew he had a family!

 

A good friend of ours donated a special item to be used as an auction to raise funds for the adoption.  We are so grateful!

 

So...we are offering this amazing Jasmine guitar and case!  The guitar is signed by all of the members of the David Crowder band and is in pristine condition!

 

Starting bid is $150 and we'll have it going on our Facebook Page as well.  We will end the bidding on Saturday, August 15th and arrange payment and shipping (if necessary) at that time. 

 

We hope there is a guitar-loving, praise-singing, adoption-supporting, kind-hearted person out there who will treasure this guitar!!!  Thanks for getting the word out to others!!