Math

Math... Nick's good at it...I used to be good at it... I think I was even considered "ahead" at one point in school (where are those days now!) and most recently Nick gave me a hard time for counting 24 hour time on my fingers on our recent trip to Spain. The reason I bring up Math is not to highlight my stumbles failures or Nick's smarts but to brag on our awesome God who is the creator and perfecter of all things...including MATH! 

Update: April 4th, 2013 was a tough day. We sat down for about the 3rd time to review and edit our support letter for our adoption. We argued over the smallest phrases, prayed over the big ones, and laughed at how humbling it was to write to our closest family and friends and ask for help. We sent out those letters in the first week of April. As we had prayed, people began to help us by praying, supporting financially, donating items to be sold, ordering tshirts, giving us custom furniture orders.... it was overwhelming to say the least. We collected items for a huge Saturday Yard sale! In case you don't believe me that people literally packed our house with stuff here are some pictures. 

 Thank you to everyone who let us borrow tents....it rained...and rained...and rained.... and overnight? It RAINED!!! 

 This stuck with each of our friends that helped us and we all rocked our adoption t-shirts! "Even as he chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him, In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will" Ephesians 1:4-5

The fill a bag idea was perfect! See that rain on the sign!

We had so many items left over we loaded up 4 vehicles and took items to Amvets. We then still had enough to have another sale the next weekend. 

Nick's face was the smiling the opposite of this, when we decided to do it another weekend! It was exhausting! 

After the second yard sale we still had enough for 4 more vehicles and a trailer of stuff to go to Karm. 

Needless to say it was a success. We couldn't say thank you enough for all the help of friends, family, people who donated, people who spent time with us days and days before pricing, organizing, laughing, and praying for our little ones that all these efforts would one day bring.  

So back to this Math issue. We took all the checks and cash to the bank. I pleaded with the teller to not turn me in as a drug dealer (I sure looked like one with all that cash)! We got home that day and looked back at the calendar. We realized it had been 2 months approx since we first sent out our support letters humbly asking for prayer and support. In approx 2 months we had raised Thousands of dollars and all of it was to HIS Glory! We have poured money into savings each month and time after time HE shows us that he is good at the math, he is good at providing, and he is good at knowing all things!

Since the yard sale we still have price tags on the bottom of our shoes, we have ordered more adoption t-shirts, we have received more donations, and more items to sell (on craigslist) hehehe Yard sale is currently a bad word at our house (don't tell Nick I even brought it up). Yet most importantly we are many steps closer to having our kidos here with us. And the yard sales were well worth the lack of sleep and our sanity!

God is good at Math, he knows exactly what we need, how much of it, he keeps track of it all providing every penny. The Lord showed me this passage of scripture back before the yard sale and it has continued to stick with me as a testimony of our support group. It says: 

"2 In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. 5 And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us. " 2 Corinthians 8:2-5

This has totally been the hearts of our family and friends. Verse 2, we are in a very severe time where everyone needs money, food, items, people have lost jobs etc and  yet their generosity has welled up! Verse 3. Our support of friend and family have given as much as they are able and more! Verse 4. They have asked us how can we help, they want to be a part of our story and Verse 5. They and the Lord have exceeded our expectations. By first considering what the Lord would have them do they then gave to us in Love and support. 

We cannot say thank you enough for those who have been a part of this. 

We finish our home study this coming Wednesday and will have the vast majority of the American part of our adoption process completed. We will then move to the Colombia side of paperwork, which is the Dossier full of more interviews, fingerprints, medicals, etc. 

Again...Thank you for praying for us and thank you for letting the Lord use you in this way!!

Till they are home,