We're Moving Right Along!

We were finally able to submit all of our loan documents to the credit union last night - what a time intensive excercise that was!  Chris had been working on them for a couple of weeks already, but last night we sat down for 3 hours just to finish them all up!  It was A LOT of information, a lot of paperwork and legally binding signatures (lol), but all that matters is that it's officially done!  We should have all the funds in the bank by the end of the week!  This means that the marketing team should be contacting us as early as next week to spend time creating our webpages together (that the birthmothers will look at) in hopes of grabbing someone's attention and being matched as soon as possible!

In the meantime, we are busy coming up with ideas for the nursery, acquiring all the necessary baby "gear" (furniture, stroller, car seat, etc), and registering for baby showers!  FINALLY we get to actually feel excited about the opportunity of bringing our baby home!  It's been a long time coming . . .

Additionally, I shared the news of our adoption with my boss yesterday.  I was SUPER nervous about the timing of this news, but very relieved when he seemed genuinely happy and excited for us.  He asked some basic factual questions and ended with a dialogue around the timeline.  I told him it could be anywhere from 2-6 months and that I would be on maternity leave for at least the full 12 weeks given (through the Bank).  Other discussions will be had in the future about how to cover my role while out, but at least he knows now and I don't feel like I'm carrying around this secret anymore!  I figured, given the uncertainty of a timeframe, the most advanced notice I could possibly give him would be the best option.  So, a huge relief for me!

We're Approved!!!

As you are aware, we mailed in our application packet on Tuesday (7/19).  Included in that packet was a financial application requesting to borrow $40,000 from their lending partners to help finance this adoption.  To our huge surprise, we received a phone call today informing us that we were approved for $35,000 of that inital $40,000 request!!!  What a ginaormous answer to prayer that is!!!  This means a lot of things, but mostly, it means that we have zero reasons for further delay in bringing home baby Harrell.  We have set out on this journey and there is nothing holding us back anymore.  We will still do all that we can to help raise that money (because inevitably we still have to pay it all back with interest), but there is security in knowing that the bulk of this adoption is already financed and we have the freedom to move along with the process quickly.

We're coming to get you baby Harrell, getting closer everyday!

It's Only Just Begun

We mailed in our paperwork today!!!  We are officially on the adoption train!  It took us a little bit longer to complete the application than expected, there were some seriously difficult questions to asnwer!  But we feel comfortable with the choices we've made and we are 1 step closer to meeting our child :)  From here, we are waiting on approval for the financing we've requested through ANLC.  Once we are approved (within 72 hours of receiving the application) we can move forward with the homestudy and marketing efforts.  The great thing is that all 3 components work in tandem so we're not waiting for 1 thing to finish before we can start another.  I feel like this HUGE weight has been lifted now that everything is officially underway.  No more researching, no more deliberating, no more waiting!  We are ready to bring our little one home :)

Our Adoption In Christ

A few weeks ago, our church brought in a guest pastor to speak on the topic of adoption - both wordly and spiritually.  We were in Raleigh at the time (for my sister's wedding) but a sweet friend forwarded the message to me in my absence.  I listened to it this morning and was on the verge of tears during the entire message.  He so clearly speaks to the motivation behind our adoption and why we feel we are so blessed to have been called to this ministry.  Please take the time to educate yourself on this amazing opportunity . . . perhaps your heart will be pierced as well and you'll be inspired to follow the biblical command of taking care of the orphans in this way just as we were.

Video Message: Our Adoption In Christ - Dr. Tony Merida

To Be "Called"

Many Christians use this term frequently, but I wonder if they truly understand its meaning. Chris and I have most assuredly been called to adopt and care for the orphans of this world. More and more I am convinced that God created us for this purpose. Our hearts are naturally softened by the idea of adoption, and our life together has proven to be one that is meant for this very calling. Pricilla Shirer made a statement in her study "Anointed, Transformed, Redeemed" that I am currently engaged in that says:
"What the Lord calls, He establishes (He sets things securely in order and prepares them for the specified purpose). That is: He brings into existence and assures the ability for the outcome to fulfill His purposes and plans. When God establishes a person for a specific purpose, He secures, equips, and fortifies the person called so that he or she is fully capable of performing the task at hand."
I love how profound this statement is! In simple terms, we are to trust that if God calls us, He will equip us. There's no room or reason for doubt. In terms of this adoption journey we are on, there are so many unanswered questions and reasons for spiritual discernment. The financial aspect alone is enough to make many a man quiver in their boots. But the peace comes when we understand what it means to have been chosen and called by God for His divine purposes and trust in His ability to equip and sustain us through our journey. Praise the Lord that we are able to walk confidently into situations that we, otherwise, would feel ill-equipped to handle on our own.

God is ABLE!

I have a fresh word from God that I will claim each day of this journey. A new piece of scripture that I will recite every day throughout this process. Ephesians 3:20-21. My God is ABLE!

I just got home from my weekend in Greensboro with Beth Moore, Kay Arthur, and Priscilla Shirer. Words cannot even express how amazing these women are. Their love for Christ and their commitment to follow Him each day of their lives is nothing short of spectacular! Christ spoke directly to my heart this weekend and He brought a fresh Word from His scripture. While all the women were incredibly encouraging and inspiring, it was Ms. Priscilla that God used to speak to me directly. Ephesians 3:20-21 says "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." I have heard this verse a million times, but never heard it broken down like Priscilla did for us this weekend. She took this verse step by step to make sure that we did not miss an ounce of what the Lord packed into this verse. First, there is a TIME. The very first word in this verse is "Now". There is a specific time to look at the ability of God and that time is now. If you read carefully the first 3 chapters of Ephesians, Paul is making an extravagant request to God. He's not asking for something small, he's not shying away from the giant requests in His heart b/c he limits God and puts His ability into a box, He blatantly lays out before God the extravagant requests on his heart. He is saying that NOW is the time to believe in the ability of God. Ms. Kay had reminded us the night before that we need to constantly "fix our eyes on Jesus" - it's a deliberate choice we make to choose God every day and believe in His ability to do all things. Then there is a TURNING - "to Him". We must turn our attention and our focus towards Christ alone. Next there is a TRUTH - "who IS able to do". Followed by TRANSCENDENCE and TOTALITY - "exceedingly, abundantly, above and beyond all that we can ask or imagine". Then comes TURBO POWER - "according to the POWER that is at work within us (meaning the Holy Spirit of God)". And finally there is a TRIBUTE - " to HIM be all the glory and honor and praise forever and ever, amen"! God is concerned about ALL that concerns you (me). Our God is willing AND able to do anything for us. The question is, am I a disciple who truly believes that He CAN? We were challenged to pray the following prayer: "Lord, do this one thing (fill in the blank with your request) . . . or something better!" To go "beyond the beyond". Christ is able to do anything He wants with us. He is able to heal my body of infertility. He is ABLE to provide the means for this adoption to come into fruition. And the best part about that to me, is that He is able to do these things in a way that can only point to Himself and draw others to the glory and the majesty of our great, BIG God! "Thank you Jesus for being willing and able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above and beyond, all that I can even hope or imagine . . . to YOU alone be the praise and the honor and the glory forever!"

Here is a picture of Travis Cottrell and his praise team leading our hearts into worship (an amazingly blessed time before God).

And here they are: Ms. Beth, Ms. Kay, and Ms. Priscilla!

I'd like to introduce you to my soul sista! This is Kelly Sides. Kelly is my dear, sweet friend. She is my prayer warrior. She is my source of comfort and companionship on this earth. Kelly has a heart as big as the ocean and she loves me just that much! I would experience far more troubles on this journey if it were not for the sweet love and sincerity of spirit in my friend Kelly. God places people in our life for specific seasons and periods of time, and this season is Kelly's season! I'm so fortunate to have her every single day! She is someone that I can laugh with, cry with, Praise Jesus with, experience Jesus with, and just be still and silent with. I love her!

Encouragement, Promises, and Reassurance from God

On infertility: "'Sing, O barren woman, you who never bore a child; burst into song, shout for joy, you who were never in labor; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband,' says the LORD." (Isaiah 54:1)

On adoption as the heart of God: "Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed." (Psalm 82:3)

On the type of adoption that is best for you: "But the LORD said to Samuel, 'Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.'" (1 Sam 16:7)

On beginning the journey: "Every prudent man acts out of knowledge, but a fool exposes his folly." (Proverbs 13:16)

On open adoption: "So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD." (1 Samuel 1:28)

On legal and financial aspects of adoption: "But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons." (Galatians 4:4-5)

On going through the process of adoption: "He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will." (Ephesians 1:5)

On waiting: "but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." (Isaiah 40:31)

On the completion of your new family: "God sets the lonely in families . . ." (Psalm 68:6)
"Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you." (Mark 5:19)