Where we are now...

Romans 8:28: "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them."

It is so amazing to me as I grow in my faith the more I see God's hand in all aspects of my life.  Sometimes I don't see it at the time, but when I look back over seasons in my life, it is clear to me that His purpose and plan is so much greater than any we could ever design ourselves.

Our adoption journey started years and years ago.  For me, it started when I was very young and very sure that I was going to adopt, specifically from China.  I don't know where this idea originated except that it was a simple way for seeds to be planted in my heart for the care of orphans.

I have written about how the adoption conversation started between me and Trey when we were dating and how it evolved over the past few years.  Over a year ago we knew one thing was certain - God was calling our family to adopt.  After we said "yes",  then came the hard part - discerning what our adoption journey was meant to look like.   We started a China application a little over a year ago, then a situation occurred in our lives that turned our eyes and hearts to the state's fostering system and we began the process of becoming a resource family through DHS in early January.  We felt confident God's hand was on this decision, and even though we were scared (OK, maybe just I was...), we put our faith in knowing that His plan is far better than ours.

I am so thankful for where that journey took us, both as a couple and individually.  We grew closer to each other and closer to God.  It changed me in many ways. It is a scary, sad, broken world, and my eyes will forever be opened to the need of families in our state's system and the children who are suffering.  It was not easy and did not end up how we thought it would, but without it we may not be where we are now.  And, again I say, His timing is so perfect!

After months and months (and months...) we are so happy to announce where our adoption journey has led us, and we are excited to watch it completely unfold.

We have almost completed our Home Study to bring home a little girl from China! We absolutely cannot wait to complete the process and have our daughter finally in our arms.  It has been a long journey, and we still have a long way to go, but we are so confident this is our adoption journey; we just needed the timing and growth before it could officially begin.

The amount of love we have received from our family and friends who know has been overwhelming and we are completely in awe of the way God has orchestrated every detail of this story already.

We couldn't have gone through the past year without the prayers and support from our family.  We have for sure felt them!

As we move forward on this journey to bring Mary Olivia ("Ollie")  home, will you pray for us? We know we cannot do any of this alone!

A few specifics that our on our hearts right now:

1) For Ollie's health and well-being.  We don't know if she has been born yet or not, but we are praying for her daily. And we cannot pray for her without thinking about and praying for her birthmother.  We are so thankful that she chose/will choose life for her! We know that all adoptions are because of brokenness, and our hearts ache for families that cannot stay together for whatever the reason may be.

2) For our sanity.  For real! Trey is a full-time minister and in seminary full-time (hold me close, sweet Jesus,  two years down, two to go...) and we have two small children that require a lot of attention.  These things alone leave us stretched pretty thin. We know there is a lot of paper work, travel and time that is involved in any adoption process, and we are only just scratching the surface.  We are committed and excited, but we need endurance to keep up! Pray for our patience and diligence.

3) For financial provision.  We know that God will provide.  He always does.  But I would be lying if I said the financial commitment of an international adoption is not overwhelming and scary. We have complete faith that He will pave a way where we don't see the possibility.

4) For Jones and Anna Joy.  Adding another child to the family is never easy, and we know there will be lots of adjustments in the months to come.

**Side note: When we told Jones on our way to one of our Home Study interviews that we would be bringing home a baby sister from China, he was quick to ask if we could also bring home a panda bear.  When in Rome...**

Thank you, friends! We can't wait to finally be a family of five and welcome Ollie into our lives!

Ephesians 3:20-21 "Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.  Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen."