Unexpected...

So many things in our Adoption process have been unexpected...

Just when we thought the document we just filled out is done, there are 3 more similar ones that we didn't know we had to fill out. When we thought that was the last meeting with our social worker and it turns out we need just one more. When the time frame is unknown, when every day could be the one that brings news that our beautiful child has arrived. AND the list goes on...

BUT our adoption process also has brought us unexpected blessings too!

Just when we feel defeated with document after document to fill out, someone calls to see how things are going, someone tells us that they are praying for us. Just when we feel like we can't see this process ever coming to the end, someone tells us that God knows our child and is taking care of her and this is all in His time. And when we feel the overwhelming weight of debt, money comes in. God has provided so much encouragement through so many of you at just the right time.

I wanted to share the latest!!
Last night I sat alone after getting the kids in bed finally. Both have been sick all week with high fevers. Hannah had just gotten a cough that sounds horrible and Eli threw up at Applebees, yes on someone else's table! (the joy of being a mom) Shannon is gone for 4 days to St. Louis for his grandmother's funeral. As I sat with my huge stack of girly movies and the phone rang. Feeling exhausted and a bit defeated I answered. It was just what God knew I needed, a blessing from a friend. He said, we just got back from camp and just wanted to let you know you and Shannon's adoption was our mission for the week and the kids earned $213 dollars and .50 cents!

What encouragement that we are being taken care of at ALL times and that even when I didn't know it, children were learning about our adoption and raising their money for our daughter, Ramiah! After I got off the phone I sat and cried and praised the God, who provides all of our needs and knows just what we need and when we need it.