How is it possible to love a little girl so much, that I have never met, never felt move in my belly?

"I didn't want to be one of those Jesus Freaks..."

...is exactly what a student said to her peers at a chapel service on Chapel. She talked about how her "religion" was something that was personal to her, that she never wanted to be bold, or to let other people know how she felt. Long story short, God did a great work in her, and know she is wanting to tell people about Jesus.

Praise God for students like her. She is not sure what she us supposed to say, what she is supposed to do, but she wants to make a difference for Jesus and let people know about her savior. That is beautiful.

This is where my passion comes in....I get to be a part of her life. I get to be a part of training her how to effectively share the Gospel. I get to be a part of praying for her boldness on campus, praying for her friends, and praying that she would be used to change the world, through changing the campus.

Days like that...I love my job.

He has always been faithful to me (us)

Through the drama of Jon's job.....God provided him with a better job...less hours and more pay. The best part....He gets nights and weekends off for the most part! YES!

Not protected from the Glory of God!

A few weeks ago, Beth Moore (a Bible Teacher/Woman's Speaker) was giving a talk about not praying that we would be protected from God's glory. That has been my prayer. I don't want life to be easy just so it will be easy, I want my life to bring glory and honor to God, come what may. I know that this will open up a whole bunch of stuff, and gives permission for life to well....ahem, suck. Sorry for the language, but it's true. Sometimes that is where we are in life.

In adoption....I was protecting myself from the thoughts of the adoption falling through. I refused to get excited, to get the nursery ready, to do any shopping etc. Finally, God threw me through the wringer, and told me to quit!! Quit feeling sorry for myself, quit feeling like God is out to get me. I believe that God has good things for us, so if this adoption falls through (hoping it doesn't) then we know that God will be ultimately glorified. So....we have a pink and purple room, a full nursery and acquiring more baby things by the day. We have named our beautiful Noelle Grace, and are excitedly and without shame anticipating the day we meet her!

In finances....Jon just lost his job. Too long of a story for a blog...but wow. God will STILL have the glory.

Lord, keep me eyes on you, and only on you.

2 months and counting

The road to adoption is on its way!!! Noelle Grace is expected to enter the world Nov 11!

EMOTIONS EMOTIONS EMOTIONS!

Here are some recent emails sent out to friends and family for prayer......

Jon and I were called about a baby being born THIS weekend that needs a family to adopt this baby boy!! Currently the birth mom is dilated 3 cm, and baby is a good weight.

Some issues....the mom drank very heavily the first month of her pregnancy. There may or may not be issues that we will have to deal with.

Questions going through our minds, are mostly financial. Adoption is expensive, we thought we would have more time to save. If there is disabilities involved, that involves more of a financial burden. We don't even know what our insurance would cover. All of this is very very new. We have not even had 24 hours to think about it.

Pray for wisdom and guidance. Pray for the birth mother and baby as she gives birth this weekend. Pray for our financial situation, that if we should adopt that God would provide in amazing ways and that our trust in Him would grow.

I don't know about Jon, but I am exhausted. My mind has been racing, and I have gotten about an hour of sleep last night. Pray that we would not make a decision based on emotion, but from the Lord only.

_______________________________________________________________________________

Dear Friends and Family,

Thanks so much for receiving our frantic email yesterday and praying wisdom and discernment over us. We felt your prayers, and have been at peace with the decision that God has led us to.

We have decided to say no to the baby boy being born this weekend. Our hearts are broken, but have peace that God is not leading us in this direction.We are continuing to pray for this boy, that someone would adopt him soon! Thank you, thank you, than you for praying.

Please continue to pray. There is another birth mother that may be choosing us soon:) She is due on October. Continue to pray for the mother, the baby, and us!

We feel so loved and supported by all of you. Thank you.

Birth Mother Interest

We received a phone call from our case worker yesterday afternoon. There are few waiting families and even fewer that fit her "qualifications." So as of now we are the only family that she is looking at! Don't get too excited, there is nothing saying that she has to pick us, or even go through with the adoption, but we are hopeful and are praying for her and for the baby. She is due in September. Can you believe it? We just started this process and could have a baby in September! Pray with us, asking for God's timing and wisdom.