The Nuts and Bolts

So, It's been a while since I've updated on here and a friend gave me some outside perspective on what she wanted to know regarding our adoption process and progress.  


I had an Arbonne "Party with a Purpose" last night.  All of the proceeds ($120) went towards our adoption.  It was so sweet to see a few women come out to support us in that way.  So, thank you.  (That money will go towards paying our agency in Ft. Lauderdale (Adoption by Shepherd Care) for our orientation we had while on vacation.  That agency is who we are adopting through.) We do plan on having more fundraisers down the road as well. By the way, if you knew about this party and wanted to come and order but couldn't, Angie is still taking orders up until next Friday (June 22nd) I believe.  You can always let me know as well.  


Now onto the steps we are taking currently...
My husband, Eric, and I had 50 questions to answer for our agency who is providing us with our home study (Gateway Woods).  These questions were the same for each of us.  We finally finished them and sent them in.  Yesterday, we received an email from our social worker that we have been assigned to another social worker through that same agency to come out and interview us.  This is the actual home study.  The purpose of this visit is so they can see for themselves and the country of Colombia that we are fit to bring children into our home safely.  They will recover some of the questions that we answered and sent into them, they will look around our house and get to know us and our children.  


Cost of Home Study: $1700.00 (Still needed)


Once we have our home study completed, which could be anywhere from 1-2 months from now, we will qualify to start applying for grants.  Meanwhile, Gateway Woods will send our Home Study off to Colombia.  


The next step is for us to put together a Dossier (French for "Bundle of documents with a label and spine").  Basically, it is a very detailed description of the Wood family and our life for Colombia to see on paper.  We will send pictures, inform them of our hobbies, etc. We cannot move forward with this until we have the money for it.


Cost of Dossier:  $6,500.00 (Still needed)


So, that's where we are at currently.  Hopefully, this will give you better understanding of what we need and how you can be praying for us.  Thanks for keeping up with us!

"Our Feet Are Older..."

For our last morning here on the island, we decided to hit the beach one last time. After taking some pics of the kids splashing around for a bit, we took one final stroll along the shore. On the way back, Eden, our little 8 year old daughter, wondered why her feet hurt while walking on the shells and ours didn't. As Eric explained to her that "our feet were older and had walked on much more than hers have",I had a deep moment for a second. For the believer in Jesus who day after day puts their trust in Him in all things, choosing to believe He knows best, those shells are trials in life; some pretty small and unnoticeable, and others big, rough and sharp around the edges. As our feet continue to walk forward in trials trusting Jesus will not only bring us through them, but He's making our feet to look more like His, even better, our character more like His. The more shells these feet walk upon, no matter the size or lack of mercy they have on my soles or heels, the goal is for my feet to be weathered in such a way, that my eyes stay fixed ahead on Him who has walked before me. Lord, this is my prayer, that I would walk forward in suffering knowing You have a GOOD purpose for that trial. You love me and desire that I look more like You to bring You glory in this lifetime, while getting ready for the next. Amen.

Comin' Home

Welp, the time is here. Today was the last full day of our vacation in Florida! God was so gracious to keep the only day full of rain on this island for today. We were able to do laundry, pack and then go to Sweet Berries for a great custard. We're planning on hitting the beach one last time tomorrow morning if the weather permits. Checking out at noon, we'll head up to Orlando where we'll eventually take off. We'll be landing in Indy around midnight and then drive home from there to find our own comfy beds waiting for us... Sigh. We have had a crazy good vacation, well rested and super refreshed. We are ALL ready to come home to our loved ones and jump right back into the swing of normalcy. Super excited to keep drinking from this cup of Living Water I've been quenched by while here as well as make some good changes to keep me coming back for more. God's word has been SO ALIVE and penetrating to my soul on this trip. I DON'T want it to stop! Ready to check out some new books from the library and read up on some ladies whose lives I read about in the book, Faithful women and their Extraordinary God by Noel Piper. I suggest it to any woman who wants to get excited about a life lived for Jesus. Let these sisters who have went before you bless your soul like they unknowingly did mine. On a different note... Eric and I are finishing up our home study questionnaires and will have them sent out hopefully by Monday. We will then schedule an actual home study visit and get that ball rolling. Please continue to pray for us as we move forward in this. We are so thankful for all the support we have in our friends and family. We love all of you and are glad we have you all to walk through this with us!