Life has changed so much. Jeremy and I have moved 'home' to Georgia and now live around the corner from one of my sisters. Neither of us have a job, but we are trusting God. How did this all come about?
About a month ago, Jeremy and I received a call from our adoption agency about a baby who had been born two days prior. We needed to give them an answer 'within the hour'. Three emotionally draining hours later, we called and told them no. I think both of our hearts broke a little that day and I know that as one of the hardest things I've ever gone through. It's hard to even explain to those who have never been through something like that how devastating it was.
As a result, Jeremy and I hit our knees before God and prayed diligently. We realized our life needed to change if adoption was what we really wanted to do.
I've never had God pave a path so clearly as He did for Jeremy and I that next week. Within days, we had a place to live and possible jobs back home in Georgia and God confirmed His will for us through a sermon our pastor preached just three days after the big adoption decision. Now, even though neither of the jobs panned out for us, I look back and realize God knew we needed that bit of security in order to step out on faith and move.
So here we are. We will hopefully hear next week from our new adoption agency office about starting a new home study, and then we can start the long process of waiting again. God is so amazing.
Saturday, November 19
Thursday, October 13
Blessed Abundantly
What a busy few months we've had!
Jeremy and I are so loved! Our entire Sunday school class got together and helped us host a spaghetti lunch on September 18th. I, as usual, was so stressed. Would we run out of food, bread, sauce, etc? To help temper that, I asked my dad and sister to come down from Georgia to help out. Then, my uncle and aunt, and friends Bryan and Melanie also came. My sister described it perfectly when she commented on how many wonderful people we had who loved us enough to do all of that for us. We had the fellowship hall broken down and tables set up after Sunday school in no time flat. We enjoyed 'fellowshiping' (southern baptist word) with everyone while the sauce was bubbling on the stove and the bread was being baked.
Jeremy and I didn't really have any goal in mind as to how much we were hoping to raise. I think I was more focused on being worried about running out of food, or something not going right. So when my sister, who is a math guru, counted the money, I was BLOWN AWAY. We had raised $946! I didn't even know how to begin to say thank you- to God, to everyone who helped out, and to our wonderful church family. So many people stopped by after church just to donate towards our cause. I was overwhelmed at the love!
Then, right after that, Jeremy and I started picking up yard sale donations. People far and wide donated items. I even had a lady who saw our yard sale listing on Craigslist come the night before and bring items for us to sell. We worked hard pricing all the items, and I had to live upstairs all week b/c of the yard sale 'mess' downstairs. But it was all worth it. Saturday, the people started arriving at 5am (yes- it was intense) and didn't stop until 1230pm. We sold almost all of the items and raised $850!! Once again, we had not thought about a particular goal, but we were so overwhelmed by God's provision!
Jeremy and I are so loved! Our entire Sunday school class got together and helped us host a spaghetti lunch on September 18th. I, as usual, was so stressed. Would we run out of food, bread, sauce, etc? To help temper that, I asked my dad and sister to come down from Georgia to help out. Then, my uncle and aunt, and friends Bryan and Melanie also came. My sister described it perfectly when she commented on how many wonderful people we had who loved us enough to do all of that for us. We had the fellowship hall broken down and tables set up after Sunday school in no time flat. We enjoyed 'fellowshiping' (southern baptist word) with everyone while the sauce was bubbling on the stove and the bread was being baked.
Jeremy and I didn't really have any goal in mind as to how much we were hoping to raise. I think I was more focused on being worried about running out of food, or something not going right. So when my sister, who is a math guru, counted the money, I was BLOWN AWAY. We had raised $946! I didn't even know how to begin to say thank you- to God, to everyone who helped out, and to our wonderful church family. So many people stopped by after church just to donate towards our cause. I was overwhelmed at the love!
Then, right after that, Jeremy and I started picking up yard sale donations. People far and wide donated items. I even had a lady who saw our yard sale listing on Craigslist come the night before and bring items for us to sell. We worked hard pricing all the items, and I had to live upstairs all week b/c of the yard sale 'mess' downstairs. But it was all worth it. Saturday, the people started arriving at 5am (yes- it was intense) and didn't stop until 1230pm. We sold almost all of the items and raised $850!! Once again, we had not thought about a particular goal, but we were so overwhelmed by God's provision!
Wednesday, September 14
Adoption Update
Well, I don't even know where to start. Jeremy and I have began our fundraising efforts, and, thanks mainly to my mother and sister, we have raised $2000. With this, we can finally do the last step in the adoption process. When we turn in our profile/portfolio, Bethany Christian Services will begin looking for our precious child. A dear friend of ours has agreed to help us get this portfolio done in a timely manner. I can't believe how easy it's going to be, especially after the nightmare Jeremy and I went through with our adoption website- which is still not done.
I've been feeling very overwhelmed lately with trying to get several things done for the adoption at one time. This morning I started reading the book for my Sunday night bible study, "Too Busy Not to Pray". I have to say- the entire first chapter was such an encouragement to me. It reminded me to step away from the stress and spend time giving it to God- not just the first time, but each and every time I begin to feel overwhelmed. I'm so excited to get started!
I've been feeling very overwhelmed lately with trying to get several things done for the adoption at one time. This morning I started reading the book for my Sunday night bible study, "Too Busy Not to Pray". I have to say- the entire first chapter was such an encouragement to me. It reminded me to step away from the stress and spend time giving it to God- not just the first time, but each and every time I begin to feel overwhelmed. I'm so excited to get started!
Tuesday, August 23
Adoption Adoption Adoption
It seems like all I think about lately is ADOPTION! Jeremy and I finally settled on a website! Even though its still under construction, most of the information is up there for all to see.
EmbraceHope4.Us
I'm very pleased with it, and I really want to figure out how to direct traffic to it. There are so many people who have shown such an interest and willingness to help in any way possible that I have been overwhelmed! As I've stated before, I'm not the most technology savvy person, but this is very important for me, so I'm trying to learn.
My mother, who is very well known back home in Georgia for her cakes, and my sister Taylor came up with their own fundraising idea! They picked out 6 yummy cake recipes and started selling them for $25 each. Their goal was to sell 100 cakes, and be able to raise $1000 for our adoption. ($5 per cake goes to ingredients) I'm so HAPPY to say that they have already mailed me a check for $500 and have a total of 70 cakes ordered! That was just in a month!! God has been so good. I can't tell you how many people from my families' lives and our past that have come forward to help us out. One lady my mom mentioned was our old neighbor. I grew up in the same house for over 21 years, and she was our neighbor for most of that. She had recently found my mom on Facebook, and when she found out about the cake sale, she ordered three!! Once again, and I can't say it enough, God is so good!!
A friend on facebook was hosting a Thirty-One Gifts party to raise money for her adoption, but I didn't know any Thirty-One consultants here in PC. Several of my friends went through a phase (and still are I suppose) of hosting Premier Jewelry Parties. The same consultant did several of the ones I went to. She also attended church with another friend of mine, so I called her up and asked her if she wouldn't mind donating part of my Jewelry Party proceeds to our adoption. She was so thrilled that I asked her! I have had two parties so far and have raised $400!
Jeremy and I have planned a Spaghetti Lunch one Sunday after church, and a Yard sale in late September. I have to be honest and say that I often get discouraged and overwhelmed, but I know that just the devil. I have really had to focus this past month on not letting him get to me. He doesn't want us to give God the glory for all the amazing things He's done so far and all the amazing things He will do! So please, follow via our website all the exciting things going on, and most importantly, please continue to pray for us.
EmbraceHope4.Us
I'm very pleased with it, and I really want to figure out how to direct traffic to it. There are so many people who have shown such an interest and willingness to help in any way possible that I have been overwhelmed! As I've stated before, I'm not the most technology savvy person, but this is very important for me, so I'm trying to learn.
My mother, who is very well known back home in Georgia for her cakes, and my sister Taylor came up with their own fundraising idea! They picked out 6 yummy cake recipes and started selling them for $25 each. Their goal was to sell 100 cakes, and be able to raise $1000 for our adoption. ($5 per cake goes to ingredients) I'm so HAPPY to say that they have already mailed me a check for $500 and have a total of 70 cakes ordered! That was just in a month!! God has been so good. I can't tell you how many people from my families' lives and our past that have come forward to help us out. One lady my mom mentioned was our old neighbor. I grew up in the same house for over 21 years, and she was our neighbor for most of that. She had recently found my mom on Facebook, and when she found out about the cake sale, she ordered three!! Once again, and I can't say it enough, God is so good!!
A friend on facebook was hosting a Thirty-One Gifts party to raise money for her adoption, but I didn't know any Thirty-One consultants here in PC. Several of my friends went through a phase (and still are I suppose) of hosting Premier Jewelry Parties. The same consultant did several of the ones I went to. She also attended church with another friend of mine, so I called her up and asked her if she wouldn't mind donating part of my Jewelry Party proceeds to our adoption. She was so thrilled that I asked her! I have had two parties so far and have raised $400!
Jeremy and I have planned a Spaghetti Lunch one Sunday after church, and a Yard sale in late September. I have to be honest and say that I often get discouraged and overwhelmed, but I know that just the devil. I have really had to focus this past month on not letting him get to me. He doesn't want us to give God the glory for all the amazing things He's done so far and all the amazing things He will do! So please, follow via our website all the exciting things going on, and most importantly, please continue to pray for us.
Tuesday, August 9
venting
So, I haven't posted recently mainly because my husband and I were working on a wordpress blog for our adoption journey, well mainly the fundraising aspect of it. However, it hasn't been going so great. I don't have much blog knowledge as you can see from this one, and wordpress seems to be more complicated than most blog websites. Then, on top of that, my husband makes everything even MORE complicated. He really can't help it- he knows the ins and outs of websites and photoshop- but he also doesn't explain things in such a way that I can understand. I wanted my website up and running weeks ago, and now I feel like I need to start over.
I have been very blessed to find a Premier Designs Jewelry consultant who has graciously offered 50% of her profits from any Premier Designs Jewelry party that either I hosted or someone hosted for me. I raised $150 from my show, and my mother in law (who so kindly hosted a show) will probably raise about as much.
My mother, who is well known for her baking skills back home in GA, and my sister Taylor have agreed to help us raise money by baking cakes and donating most of the proceeds. Their goal was to raise $1000, and they've already raised $500 in just three weeks!!
Then, my very loving grandparents gave us $500. I have been so blessed growing up to have them as an example. They have never been rich, but my papa is very smart with money. I hope one day to be able to bless my granddaughter like they did me.
So I'm trying to focus on the positive and the MANY blessings, but right now all I want is a decent website. I'm so selfish.
I have been very blessed to find a Premier Designs Jewelry consultant who has graciously offered 50% of her profits from any Premier Designs Jewelry party that either I hosted or someone hosted for me. I raised $150 from my show, and my mother in law (who so kindly hosted a show) will probably raise about as much.
My mother, who is well known for her baking skills back home in GA, and my sister Taylor have agreed to help us raise money by baking cakes and donating most of the proceeds. Their goal was to raise $1000, and they've already raised $500 in just three weeks!!
Then, my very loving grandparents gave us $500. I have been so blessed growing up to have them as an example. They have never been rich, but my papa is very smart with money. I hope one day to be able to bless my granddaughter like they did me.
So I'm trying to focus on the positive and the MANY blessings, but right now all I want is a decent website. I'm so selfish.
Wednesday, August 3
Fall 2011 Fashion Trend
PLEATS!!!!
I'm sorry, but I love pleats. Of course, they have evolved from when I wore them in high school.
The knee length skirts really weren't flattering on anyone. And no one really actually wears the Brittn*y Spears school girl look in public.
SO- I'm really looking forward to finding several items for my fall wardrobe that include pleats!
Tuesday, August 2
Time with God
Today is the day to turn over a new leaf.
I vow to make time to spend with God.
I desire to draw near to Him,
because I need Him to draw near to me.
I vow to delve into His word,
in hopes of learning more about Him.
Today is a new day.
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