The List

Wow, what a crazy couple of weeks! So much has happened already :-)
We are incredibly excited and so stinkin' giddy (it's ridiculous) - We went on a date night to Babies-R-Us last weekend just to daydream, and it was SO MUCH FUN!!! But in the midst of all that happiness, the reality is starting to sink in, and our faith is already being tested. 
Here's what's going on so far: 

1. We got our "official approval" from Faithful Adoption Consultants, and had 48 hours to submit our contract and pay the $3500 fee! We are still short about $1000, and we are hoping to raise that money before the credit card payment is due at the end of the month - so we can pay it off. 

2. FAC sent us the "TO DO LIST" to become "active clients". This is the list of things we need to get done before we can start being matched with birth mothers.  

3. We have checked off everything on the list that we are financially able to do right now, but money is stopping us from moving forward. Basically, there are two more things left on the list: The Home Study and The Profile.
* The Profile is the book that will be presented to birth moms with Jarred and my information. I thought I might be able to do it myself, but the guidelines are so strict, they highly recommended we go with a professional. 

4. We received tons of information about grants and loans that we can apply for to help fund the adoption! We were so excited, but then we realized you have to have an approved home study for 90% of them before you can apply. We are optimistic that these resources will be helpful after we get the home study.


So to sum it up, this is where our current needs are financially:
- FAC Fee (amount short)     $1000
- Home Study                     $1500
- Profile                             $ 850
TOTAL                                   $3,350

Our original goal was to be able to become "active clients" and start presenting by February 2016, but we are trusting that God will work out the timing according to His timeline, and we're going to be ok with that.

So here are my ramblings tonight... 
God has got this all under control and is working it all out in ways I don't even realize. I know He is teaching me the importance of community and friendship. He is teaching me to accept help from my family and friends with grace and humility. He is teaching me to wait patiently and joyfully.

Please continue to be in prayer for us. It's hard not to be overwhelmed with thoughts about the adoption, but I am clinging to these two verses:

Matthew 6:33 
"But seek ye FIRST the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

Proverbs 3:5-6 
"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."