A Church Family Like No Other

Today I saw firsthand what a church family is. This is not the first time I've seen them come together for a great cause but a wonderful reminder about why I love Shadow Mountain Church and it's peeps:)

I saw my church family unite and come forward with amazing support for my family's adoption process. They had 'secretly' been taking up a collection of loose change into a large pottery 'Haiti jar'. (How 250 people kept this a secret from us, I have no idea!) But they managed it!

When all was counted, it was nearly $300!

As I sat and counted money, I couldn't help but think about our son. The nameless, faceless little boy who we have yet to select, but who is somewhere in Haiti. I can't wait to see his face. I can't wait to visit him. I can't wait to bring him home, love him and give him the best life we can. I can't wait to take him to Shadow Mountain Church. Mostly, though, I can't wait to introduce him to the dozens and dozens of people who are chipping in, digging deep and helping us to finance this adoption. I can't wait for them to hug him and meet him, to see the fruit of their assisted effort. Our church family is as huge a part of bringing our son home as we are in having the hearts to open our home to him.

So a deep and profound THANK YOU to everyone who helped fill the Haiti jar. I look forward to the day, after our son is home, after all is said and done and we can pass it on to another family and offer prayer, support and love to them on their adoption journey.

Blessings to our church family. You will never know how much you mean to us!

Terry

Application Finalization...Say that 10 times fast!

Drum roll please!!

Our application has been finalized and our family has been welcomed into the American World Haiti Program! Yay! It's taken...hmmmm....awhile. But it's done! I was so excited, I got the call at the end of the school day yesterday and just blurted it all out for everyone standing around to hear! I'm officially an 'expecting' mother! Woohoo!

Sooooo....what's next, you ask???

More paperwork! Here is a list of the attachments that was emailed to me yesterday after our finalization call:

-American World Adoption Agreement

-Schedule of Fees-Haiti

-Haiti Pilot Program Disclaimer

-Haiti Presidental Waiver Disclaimer

-Client Grievance Procedures-Updated

-Clients Rights and Responsibilities

-Haiti Program Adoption Overview

-Haiti Program Family Service Plan

-Haiti Program Home Study Agency Agreement

-Haiti Program Post Adoption Agreement

-Privacy Notice

Now I know why they call adoption a 'Paper Pregnancy'!! I am excited to begin filling it out...of course, finding time to sit down and do it all will be the biggest challenge!

So now the 'paperwork' time consumption, financial crunch and real strain on my family begins. It may sound harsh, but it's true. I have heard enough stories to know that this is not an easy process. I'm not naive enough to think that this is going to be a walk in the park....BUT...

But I know that there is joy to be found in trials. There is joy to be found in doing what God wants us to do, even when it is not easy. I know that there is joy to be found in a small boy who God has already ordained to be a Lacey....I am ready to tackle the tough times as well as embrace the good! But mostly, there is joy in being called out to fulfill the Great Commission as we "GO" and bring home a child who will be raised in a home hearing about Jesus and what He did for us.

So a plea goes out for continued prayer to my friends and family. Pray that this next step in the process goes as smoothly as possible. That God opens doors for us, leads us and strengthens us. Prayer for Tayler as he still struggles with not wanting to 'share' his parents and brother and sister. He is working through it, but has trouble understanding sometimes.

Thank you, God Bless you all for all your ongoing support!

Terry

We Are On The Same Path

I feel very blessed to have been able to participate in training through Canyons School District last month. (I am employed at Granite Elementary, working as a Paraeducator to a class full of wonderful special needs children.)

Because of completing the training that the district offers, I was rewarded with a raise. I had decided that because we do not depend on that extra money from the raise to live comfortably right now, I just wanted to give the money away each month. My idea: Sponsor a little girl from Rwanda and add to our tithe at church.

The amazing, God-thing about this story is as follows: I had not even spoken about this to Daniel. Not a word. Not a peep. I was waiting to receive the first check with the raise added in to bring up the suggestion to him.

Yesterday morning, Daniel said the following to me: "I think we should do 2 things with your raise. First, sponsor a child. Second, give more to the church."

Um, anyone else getting chills at seeing God work???? God has united Daniel and I on many fronts over the last few months. It is drawing us closer as a couple and solidified our resolve on bringing home our son from Haiti. We are of the same mindset and on the same path...the one God has laid before us.

Thank you friends and family for continued prayer and support during our experiences! I just had to share that one! (Thanks for pointing out that I should, Angie:)
Blessings to all!
Terry

Glory in the Paperwork and Set-Backs!

So I've finished what is (hopefully) our last financial statement for the application process. Mind you that this is just the application process. We still need to go through home study, prepare a dossier, apply for visas and passport, do background checks...etc. (I will keep posted what we hear from the Agency on the finalization of the application process...)

It can seem overwhelming. It is overwhelming, honestly. But I feel compelled in a way I've never felt before. I pray and God shows me. He shows me that there is a boy, and even though I cannot quite see his face, I see that he needs me. He needs Daniel. He needs a family. But mostly he needs the chance to hear about Jesus. My feeling of being overwhelmed is nothing compared to the fire God has lit for me to pursue bringing our son home. I am tired. I don't know how things are going to get done. I will keep praying. God will send us what we need through grants, fundraisers and hopefully, His people.

I praise God for his goodness. His faithfulness. Things look bleak. The car broke down. Almost $700 later, we have transportation, but back to square one on raising money. The roof started to leak...another upcoming expense, I'm sure. But I still praise God for His goodness. He brought us to the decision of adoption and He will find us a way to succeed.

I just want others to know, keep glorifying and praising Him through diffuculties. We have faced so many in the short time we decided to adopt. It only proves something great is in the works. Satan is fighting hard against God's plan for us but he has no power over those who look to the LORD. Keep looking UP!
God Bless,
Terry