FINALLY, LOA!!!

Got the call yesterday morning just before 8am. Hadn't even had time to really start pondering it for the day. It was almost anti-climatic, since I had wanted it so bad so many other times. But of course we were still very excited.
Then today about 10:15 UPS truck came. I thought I would run out and tackle or hug, the UPS man, but he was too quick! We looked it over, carefully signed it, then I was off to overnight it. An interesting tidbit is that china stamped it on Nov. 22nd, which is just after I spoke at our church. Amazing! God had me in the place where He wanted me and He wanted me to obey Him first, before we got the letter.
We were going to meet with our SW Mon., then I asked if we could meet this Thurs. instead, I couldn't wait til Mon.! Then now we are going to meet with her tomorrow, YAY! So maybe I can have the immigration paperwork done by tomorrow.
So that is the next step, it is called I-800. It is approval from our government to adopt and bring Caleb into this country. It can take anywhere from 3 weeks to 3 months. Please pray with us for only 3 weeks. All I want for Christmas is I-800 approval! Then once we get that its another 6-8 weeks until we travel. So we are hoping to travel no later than mid Feb.
I had fun getting him a couple of things at Target today. It is feeling more like it is really going to happen! Thank you for all your prayers and support, they mean a lot to us!
Isaiah 25:1 "O Lord You are my God; I will exalt You and praise Your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago."

Still Waiting...

We "met" Caleb 2 mos. ago today. What an exciting day that was! The time has seemed to drag since then, as we are still waiting for our LOA. But I think I have become a little more accepting of this is where God has us and we just have to wait...
But it would be wonderful to get it by Thanksgiving!
Spoke at our church's women's brunch today. Glad to have it behind me. But it was a faith walk to prepare that and go through with it when I didn't really want to these last couple of weeks when I have been struggling. But I hope I spoke clearly about the cause of the orphan and how everyone can do something.
Still busy working on getting jar mixes ready to sell and have a couple orders to fill. I havn't really worried about money during this whole process, that is one area I have trusted God, not so well in the timing part! But I feel like I need to do more fundraisers or think of something else to bring in money. Well, we put our property up for sale, it would be awesome if we sold that quickly! And doing these fundraisers takes time. And I feel like I'm asking the same people over and over for money! I so do not want to do that. I'm sure God will provide in ways I have never imagined!

Humbled and blessed

Well, I have not done so well with trusting God's timing the last couple of weeks. It has been REALLY HARD! Our LOA still has not come. It is still within a "normal" time frame, but come on God, our little guy is waiting! Don't you know its NOV.? Don't you know I've been praying to travel by Dec. or Jan.? It was also hard as Caleb turned 18 mos., I wanted the letter that day. Then I prayed and prayed for it to come by the time of our silent auction on Friday, even expecting a miracle on Friday, but didn't happen. I cried, was irritated, and slowly the last couple of days God is helping me to accept, to rest in Him, to be still, to focus on what I need to focus on right now.
Our silent auction was last night. I am humbled and blessed by the donations and how God is providing! Words cannot express how thankful we are. Austin prayed for a certain amount and we received beyond that. This is so great for my kids to see first hand how God provides.
As God has been working on my heart, mind and emotions this song, along with several hymns, really began to put me in my place.
"God is it True ( Trust Me)" by Steven Curtis Chapman
God is it true that You're thinking of me at this moment,
God is it true that You hear every prayer that I pray?
God is it true every time my heart beats You know it?
Well if it's all true then that must be You I hear saying " Trust Me"
God is it true out of all things You're doing on this planet
Could it really be true that You've counted the hairs on my head?
God is it true every day of my life You have planned it?
Well if it's all true then that must be You I hear saying "Trust Me", "Trust Me, "Trust Me", "I'll never leave you", I'll never forsake you", "Just Trust Me"
God is it true that Your love for us is never ending?
Could it really be true that You'd die before letting us go
God is it true that not even death can separate us?
Well if it's all true then what can I do
but put all my hope and all my trust in You
Well I know it's true
And I know it's You I hear saying "Trust Me"
I hear You saying "Trust Me"