Just wanted to show you some of our puzzle progress!
The hardest part is not only finding where the pieces go, but trying to keep the groups together. (I bet once we get into the actual elephants themselves, it will be even harder...) We have two more families to put together as of now and hopefully will have those done by the weekend! So very blessed by those who love and support us on this journey! :)
Wow, it has been close to 2 months since we last posted. I will try to get better at it...
I have seen a few people make November (the month of Thanksgiving) their month of thankfulness and want to join the bandwagon. I know for me, and probably a lot of people, we get so wrapped up in our situation and our circumstances, that we forget to slow down and reflect on what we are thankful for. So, each day this month, I am going to talk about something I am thankful for.
Since today is the 1st of November, I thought I would talk about what is first in my life that I am thankful for - Jesus. Now, to some that may just seem like the typical Christians' Sunday School answer, but it is true. I have struggled and cried and been depressed and He has helped me through it all!! I don't know where I would be without His constant love and strength to get me through it. Thank you Jesus for all you have done, all you are doing, and all you will do through me and the world!!
The 1st of November is also the start of National Adoption Month. (I knew I could tie this in). As a Christian, we know that God the Father has adopted us all into His family - another thing we should be thankful for! This Sunday - being the first Sunday of National Adoption Month - is Orphan Sunday. This is a time to look at the orphan situation around the world, around our country and around the block. Now not everyone is called to adopt, but as Christians, we are all called to care for the least of these (including orphans). So, if you don't feel the calling to adopt, you can still care for those down the street or across the earth. You can do this by supporting (emotionally or financially) another family who is adopting or has adopted. Most families have some sort of fundraiser as the cost of adopting is fairly high. If you need some ideas, just let me know, but here are two families close to use who are both adopting from the Congo. Pray about it, talk it over with loved ones, and think about supporting them.
The Kings
They are in the process of adopting a 2 year old boy (Jude). They have a t-shirt fundraiser (the link) or Jacki is sewing like crazy with cute things you can buy to also support them.
The Hallocks
They are in the process of adopting a 4-5 year old girl (Harper Judith). They also have a t-shirt fundraiser.
Watch this video. Share the video EVERYWHERE. Give $1 or 2. Help the Kings bring home their son Jude from the Congo through this website! Fundraiser ends this Sunday (9/9) at midnight.
Apparently, something I (Michelle) said or did made a lot of people think we have been matched and are very close to baby coming home. Despite how much I would love for that to be the case, it is not true. We have officially finished the application part and are currently an official "Waiting Family" with our agency! What that means is we are in the mix of adoptive families that the birth parents could choose - so technically we could be picked today or any day after. However, the likelihood of sometime soon is quite small at this point.
Despite the fact that we have been essentially waiting for about 18 months, this is the true waiting period. This time is filled with anxious feelings every time the phone rings and not much updates until "the call" is made. The key for the Waiting Family is to "wait well" - keep yourselves busy, get the nursery ready, etc... Luckily for us, we painted our nursery a nice neutral green before we even moved in! (Someone thinking ahead??) Here is the "360 degree" view of the room!
My lovely paintings that don't quite match but we have no other place for them, haha!
Window and quilt view.
This wall is where the crib will go.
More pictures to come as we also have bought a "cubby" for the room and soon to have the assembled crib!
Thank you all for the encouragement - they are truly a God send! Also, thank you to all our sponsors - we have passed the 20% point! :) Here is the current puzzle:
Feeling a little more prepared (and maybe less at the same time) now that my friend Shirin donated some baby stuff to our future one! The picture shows just some of what she donated as her precious boy is still using some things. (And all of it would have been too much to fit in my car!)
I am so amazed by friends who encourage us through this journey in so many different ways - random phone calls/emails, donations, cards, etc... It is a strange process that is long (most of the time just waiting with no news/excitement). Those waiting times can be tough, especially if it is longer than your "timetable".
I know God has picked out our precious one already and am so thankful He has that under control! I am also thankful for the little encouragements and friends He has put in my life to help this journey!
