Many miracles along this journey

There have been so many miracles along this journey, when I was reflecting on them recently, I knew I had to journal them...so I decided to post them here, and hopefully they will be an encouragement to you; but more importantly to us, they are real-life miracles, confirming the loving hand of God is guiding this journey every step of the way.

Back in October when Matthew and I were looking at different agencies and their Waiting Child lists, we were praying for confirmation...which sometimes is difficult. We were considering both boys and girls, and knew we wanted an older child. We finally settled on AWAA again and narrowed our search to one precious little boy and one precious little girl. My heart still thinks of that little guy, and prays that a loving family is pursuing his adoption.

We emailed the contact person at AWAA and asked for some more information on these two children, to help us make a decision. And how hard that was....knowing saying 'yes' to one, meant 'no' to the other....but praying in faith he, too, would be adopted. We found out that 'Hannah" (at the time) was living about an hour from where Jing-Jing lived; and her b'day was 5-17-98, exactly ONE WEEK before Matthew and I met. So, we took that as miracle #1 (well miracle #2; the first one being that God put us in agreement about a second adoption).

Miracle #3--We managed to get almost ALL of our paperwork for our Home Study finished before Christmas....what a HUGE miracle....financial statement prepared and notarized; physicals completed (for all 4 of us......and THANKS to Dr. Parmer who squeezed our girls in the last day before Christmas break b/c we were leaving soon to go to Israel); birth certificates obtained; local police clearances notarized; fingerprints made in Montgomery (another miracle within this one b/c the process changed within a few days which delayed the processing); employment letters notarized....

Miracle #4---After our Home Study was officially completed March 1st...we applied to Immigration w/our I-800A. Here in AL, the I-800A is sent independently to Homeland Security, while the Home Study goes to AL DHR for processing and they send it to HS.....anyone who knows me, knows how hard it is for me to depend on other people to get stuff done for me.....esp. when the task is life-changing, like this one.

Miracle #5---INTERJECT---Matthew emails AL Sen. Arthur Orr regarding the processsing of our Home Study at AL DHR b/c we've heard the process can take WEEKS, and there's a deadline w/our I-800A app. at Immigration....if that time expires, more delays will happen. One of his aides called Matthew and it was processed within a week!!!!

Praying all the while, the Home Study and I-800A app. met up, and no one can tell us how that happens (I know....it is God Himself)

Miracle #6---While we were waiting on the Home Study to be completed, we started the process of Certifying our Birth Certificates......Matthew's from KY had to go to Frankfort and mine had to go to Jeff City, MO. They both came back quickly. Then they each had to travel to different locations for Authentication. Mine from MO just had to go to Chicago and then back here.

That doesn't seem that difficult, except when I arrive at the shipping place and I explain what I need ( to enclose a pre-paid return envelope for the Chinese Consulte in Chic. to send the doc back to me) the guy looks at me like I have three heads. We got it figured out and my birth cert. did come back to me as planned!

Matthew's was a little more difficult. I truly laid hands on that envelope and prayed for it and the people who'd deal w/it. His had to go to the State Dept. in DC and then down the street to the Chinese Embassy..(albeit 2nd Day air, even though they are blocks apart!) At any rate, that package had 2, pre-paid envelopes inside, and I sincerely prayed that a very loving, and conscientious person would handle the doc's processing so it would get to the correct destination and back to us!!! GOD is GOOD...it also found it's way back home to Decatur!!

Miracle #7---While all of these things were taking place, I begin researching and completing grant applications...hoping that some foundation/agency would find favor with us and God would spur them on to give us a grant. This is where the 'rubber meets the road'...when it comes to the money. I had a very difficult time with Christmas, spending any money, b/c I knew shortly we'd be spending thousands of dollars. Several weeks had passed since I mailed off numerous grant apps. and we hadn't heard anything. I pleaded w/God for us to at least hear something. I received an email from a lady at Show Hope, letting me know they had our file.

Miracle #8--This past Sunday, Eric preached from Ex. 17 about God bringing water forth from the rock for the Israelites. I knew I needed to specifically pray for what I needed from Him....I named the agencies to whom we'd applied and asked at least for an acknowledgment. Yesterday, Matthew received an email from one of them requesting updated info. b/c they will meet about our file in May. Thank-you, Jesus!

Miracle #9--This morning, during my run, I prayed again...naming the agencies...(as if He doesn't know; but I believe He wants us to TELL Him, so I did!)..and while at Old Time Pottery in HSV, a lady from another agency called me!! I seriously almost fainted. I didn't do that...but I did cry. Why? Because He is faithful.....He heard my prayer...He is taking care of us.....

Pour out your heart to Him....He longs to hear from you and He desires to bless you, more than you could ever imagine!