We are submitted!

Our dossier has been officially submitted & accepted by our children's country. That means they accepted all 40 plus documents and will now go over them to make sure everything is completely correct. Then hopefully in about 2 weeks we will get a call to tell us of our appointment date with their Department of Adoption!

Today marks 12 weeks since we started the official paper chase and only 13 weeks since we looked at their pictures...During that time, God has provided their "ransom" He provided fully for their adoption. (I read that on another person's post & I thought how appropriate for me to write that also.)

We have never seen miracles of provision like we have in these past 12 weeks...from the day we committed and needed $2004 for the first fees we needed to pay (which came in, in just hours of asking for it) to a new van to drive them in....it's been unreal to us! God LOVES orphans! Don't ever let the fear of money keep you from stepping out in faith to adopt a child. God provides! If you would have told me 14 weeks ago, we'd be at his point today, I probably would have not believed it BUT 'look what the Lord has done" And it's been God not us or our wonderful personalities trying to make something happen:) God has touched hearts, some we have never met and some who love us dearly...but you know what is interesting? He didn't touch any rich person to give...no He touched hearts that for the most part, had to take a step in faith to give...it makes the gift even more precious! I even had a great, funny friend who won a bit in the lottery and gave it all to the adoption! Another dear friend sold all her "junk" gold to give...it's been unreal and humbling to watch God do this!

Tonight I can't help but reflect on how we have changed as a family and grown in just the last 12 weeks...I can't imagine what is ahead for us, as we travel to get our children and then have the joy of raising them in a family! And hopefully even getting them the medical help they need to receive some sight!

I thank God for all He has done and stand amazed at His faithfulness!!! And I thank you all, some have given, some have prayed..all have encouraged us on this journey...

Please continue to pray! Pray that Sarah and Seth stay healthy and that God whispers in their ears every night that their family is coming so their hearts are prepared to accept us. Pray that they stay safe. Pray that our dossier will pass inspection and we will receive a quick travel date. Our desire is to leave no later than March 5th and return by April 8th (Easter) I KNOW that is asking for a miracle but....we have seen so many lately....!!!Pray for our trip for our safety and for FAVOR with all the officials we deal with.

Tonight I can't wrap my mind around what is ahead....even reading different people's accounts, they are all so very unique. Although we have adopted before, this is alot different. I have alot to do in the next few weeks, pray that I'll have clarity in all areas. There are so many details to attend to and it all has to be done!

Thank you all again!

Help another family out!!!!

Can I ask YOU my followers and read to do me a huge favor?? This friend of mine is also adopting from our children's country. Could I ask everyone to go to their page featured below and give at least $10? If all my regulars would do that we'd raise almost $800 for them this week!!! They need about $800 to take the next step! Let's help them friends!!! Could you donate where it says "Personal Adoption Fund Raiser"? This is an account they can access now for expenses!



http://specialingredientlove.blogspot.com/

Thank you!

Please pray...

Three posts in one day... WOW!

Within the next 36 hours our dossier should be submitted to our children's country. So much is riding on this. Please pray that we will be given to a worker whose heart is touched and who wants to help children get homes. Pray that we do not encounter any snags, it happens often it seems in this country. Our children have been waiting for a very long time for a family, please pray that we will find FAVOR with everyone who touches our file.

Emotionally I feel wrung out right now, we've pushed so hard and fast to get our paperwork done, the money raised and everything ready for them....now there is nothing we can do but wait! Please pray that once again the God of this Universe will have mercy on Sarah & Seth and fly us thru this process. He has been so faithful, I feel like one of the children of Israel right now... they saw God move and perform miracles then they doubted once again.....I don't doubt God I just don't have alot of trust in government workers (remember I was one for many years LOL- i was a good worker but I saw some doozies!!!)

So alot is hitting me tonight and I feel very down, overwhelmed and worried about this situation. There is so much ahead on this journey and I know it will not be an easy journey....I pray for strength and wisdom for us......I hate to fly, I hate to be away from home and I really hate to be on the other side of the world from one of my kids! The trip is long and not glamorous in anyway BUT it is the only way we can get our children.

Thank you for your prayers for all of us...soon to be the Clanton Seven!

Baby Shower

My friends, family & church gave us a wonderful baby shower last weekend! We were again blessed beyond what we could have imagined by the generosity & love shown to our little ones! I wanted to download some photos but couldn't do it:( We just had a wonderful time together and we got so much stuff for the kids! I actually had to put everything in my husband's office at the church because our house is torn up with all the painting and construction going on! Hopefully most of it will be done tomorrow and I'll be able to start putting things back together. A good friend painted their room and is redoing our closets giving us more storage space so everything is pulled out all over the place!

I went and bought the cribs yesterday (they are also in the church as there is no room for them at home!) We're putting them in cribs for their safety and for their feeling of security.Having a child with who is legally blind, I know that a crib makes him feel more secure (and it sure makes me feel more secure too!!!) They have beautiful matching jungle themed crib sets that were handmade and soft blankets with the matching theme. I can't wait till they are home sleeping safely in their jungle themed bedroom!

I've bought them some toys that will be attached to the walls of their room and a ball pit. We already have an inside trampoline with a net, that Sam loves. I'm so excited about their room, it will be a sensory room! Lots of things to touch and listen to as well as do. Our local Blind Services has a room like that for the little kids and I am trying to some degree to copy it. Some days I just dream about how it will be to have them home and enjoying everything! I hope to have everything done by this weekend and pictures up-hopefully!!!!!

Everything is getting into place, hopefully that is a good sign that we are close to leaving to go get them!!! Please remember to pray for them and us! Thanks!

NEW VAN

Last Monday night we had just gone to bed when we got a phone call from a church member...as a pastor, you think the worst, someone is sick or has died....well our member said everything was fine and then just kinda waited...then he dropped the bomb...his family was buying us a new van!!!!!! We almost passed out:) We met him Tuesday night and picked up a brand new Kia van:) It's lovely:) You can see it above. I like the picture where it is with our old 2000 Dodge Caravan, big difference there! We are so grateful to our dear friends and overwhelmed by the provision of the Lord to us. Never did we expect this and are just amazed by how God is providing for us and for Sarah and Seth! They will be riding in style:) And I love that the windows are tinted, we plan on getting them eye surgery this summer and that will make it easier on their eyes while they are recovering. God is in the details and it is amazing!!!!!!!! I'm blown away.....

We are scheduled for our dossier to be submitted on Thursday so please pray for us that it will all go smoothly and we have our travel date within 2 weeks. It seems we are so close but still so far away!

As always plese pray for Sarah and Seth that God will protect them and keep them healthy!!!!!!!! Thank you all for your prayers!

Faithful God

Today we received a check for $7000 to complete our adoption! We are in awe of what God has done for Sarah & Seth! I am in awe of God's faithfulness. I truly believe God hears the cry of the orphan, the cry of loneliness that comes from their heart & He responds to it. Having a front row seat to this miracle for the last few months has been amazing. We didn't do any fundraisers (not that I'm against that) we couldn't even figure how to put the link to the ministry that has an account for them/us on my blog:) BUT God moved on people's hearts & they responded to his nudges...

The lady who gave today just unexpectedly lost her husband. But years ago she had a dream about helping two orphans & when she heard what we were doing, she felt the Lord nudge her to help us as the fulfillment of the dream. She hasn't let bitterness over her loss take over her life, she is trusting God no matter what she is going through. What an amazing example for all of us to trust God and not let circumstances steal our joy & trust in God. I am humbled by her example!

Thank you all for your prayers and support as we have began this journey. Please continue to pray for Sarah & Seth's health & safety and that all the very complicated pieces fall into place in the next month. Pray that despite all human reasoning that things will continue to go fast and that they will soon be in our arms. There are so many components of the adoption ahead & so many people within their government that we need favor from God as we move forward. Please pray for us that we will soon have them home:) Thank you all!!!!!!!!

Thanks!

I just got a shower gift from a family in Arizona:) How sweet of you guys! Can't wait to see them using it to hold on to as they relearn how to walk again:) What an encouragment!