unexpected plans...

it was so much fun reading what you believe you're never too old for...it's refreshing to know I am not in alone in my thinking....but today I have something special to share with you. One of my lovely sponsors Christie is currently in the process of adopting, but this adoption was something her & her family were not planning on, however God had different plans for her family......here is her story.....

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

Two weeks ago I was sitting on Facebook getting ready to head out the door for dinner when I received a message from a fellow adoptive Mom and bloggy friend Dawn. 

"I have a birth family that's looking for a married, Christian, inter-racial couple, with only adopted children for a baby girl due April 6."

Say what!  Why don't you just add, "And their names are Christie and Q!"

My heart shot to my throat, my hands got shaky, and I automatically said, "No, Lord."  

You see, nine months ago we lost Moriah's brother to a failed adoption and we swore off ever adopting again.

You see, two months ago we decided we wanted to try to grow our family again, but biologically.

You see, we were waiting on fertility test results when Dawn messaged me.

In other words, we weren't thinking adoption!

But, you see, we serve a God that's bigger than our plans and ideas.  So, my prayer was, "Lord, if you want us to do this let us submit our family profile and our un-updated home study without having to pay anything."  

I thought I'd added enough stipulations to it that it would be a done deal.  Silly me, this is God we're talking about.  The next morning we received the go ahead to send our un-updated home study and profile without having to pay anything.

Ok, Lord.

So, I quickly put together our family profile with a few pictures and overnighted it to Florida.  We've waited for two weeks for a verdict on this.  The patience the Lord has asked of me has been way out of my normal limit! :)

Last Thursday we heard that the birth family had narrowed their selection from 10 families to two and we were one of the two.  All weekend I've gone back and forth, "I know they chose us, I'm so excited, Lord I'm terrified, please don't ask us to do this again, another little girl!, oh the cost...."

And today we learned that we were chosen.  

"Ok Lord.  I'm excited, but terrified.  I'm trusting you that you work all things together for good for those who love you and are called according to your purposes.  Lord, I believe that you own the cattle on a thousand hills.  I'm willing to step out, I'm willing to work hard, I'm willing to sacrifice, I'm willing to petition heaven and earth for the ransom for this baby girl.  Lord, you.are.able.  I am not."

So friends I come to you today for prayer.  Would you commit to pray for us?  Adoption is risky, it's hard, it's tons of work, but it's worth it!

Right now we're in need of close to $12,000 in the next week or so and a total of close to $35,000 by the time she's born.  We are doing everything we can to come up with as much of this as we can on our own, but I know we can't do it on our own.  The Lord has asked us to "go", will you be a sender?

We've set up a chip in donation widget below.  Please know that every penny of your donation will go toward bring a beautiful baby girl into a loving, Christian home.  Our goal is to raise her to love the Lord with all of her heart, soul, mind, and strength...but we have to get her home first!

Last night we had a $10 donation come in from a friend.  I emailed her thanking her for her donation and she quickly expressed sadness at not being able to give more.  I told her that every little bit helps...and it does.

If you're anything like me, all you've seen is $35,000 and thought, "There's no way I can help with that."  

I get it and I know -- it's so much bigger than any one of us but it's not too big for God!

This morning the Lord laid an idea on my heart and I've fought Him all day about presenting it to you, but I know that He hasn't called us to walk this road alone.  So, I'm excited to present our biggest fundraising effort yet....

Operation {Adoption} 10:10:1

10 Days: $10: 1 Baby Girl

Goal = $10,000

Our adoption agency has given us 15 days to raise $10,000.  We are praying for 1,000 friends to come alongside of us and donate just $10 each.  

I know $35,000 is overwhelming.  

I know $10,000 is overwhelming.

But $10 is a little less overwhelming.

So, would you commit to partnering with us and would you commit to praying for us?

If so, simply use the PayPal donation widget below and please leave a comment with your first name.  I'd love to use each of your names in a special project for our little girl; something she can always have to remember how many people helped bring her home.

And, if you're so moved, would you share this post?  On your blog, on social media, through email?  May the LORD be glorified in it all...