An entry I had originally written in April 2011. Better late than never. : )

     Upon finishing our dossier in late February, we were required to pay another large fee of about $5,000.00  When we started this process, we had only a fraction of the amount needed to get us started. However, knowing adoption was God’s plan for our family and with His affirmation that He wanted us to start the process, we took a step of faith, not knowing where all the money would come from. Thus, when it was time to turn in our dossier, we had already used most of the resources we had saved.  With our tax refund, we were able to take care of part of it.

     As March approached, I knew that money would be tight after making this big payment. Just as I am known to do at times, I began to focus on what we needed and where the money would come from.  I began to focus on the problem and not how big our God is! During this time, I prayed intently, pouring out my heart to God about our needs. He graciously gave me the Scripture, Isaiah 46:11, “ What I have said, that will I bring about; What I have planned, that will I do. “   I was reminded of God’s provision in many ways during this time.

     During the first week of March, someone sent us a sweet card anonymously with a monetary gift enclosed. Upon receiving our referral, another big fee will be due. What a blessing that we already have a gift to begin saving for the next fee. How special that someone cares for our family’s finances during this time.  How thankful we are for our Christian family.  But even more special is that someone we love cares about the two sweet children that are soon to be part of our family. They’ve not even met them yet, but they wanted to help us in bringing them to their forever home. Someone cares about the orphan, the least of these. How thankful I am for that!

     So God has continued to provide for us financially, one step at a time.  It reminds me of the Israelites when they were in the desert (Exodus 16) God only gave them enough manna and quail for the present day.  Each day they had to trust God for their food, never able to rely on their own resources.  In the same way, God has provided financially for us, just what we need as each fee becomes due.  We have been forced to depend on Him each step of this process.  And He has always made a way for His plan to continue.  In April, we discovered we received a $3000.00 grant from Lifesong!

     In March, rumors began that MOWA (the organization that processes court hearings in Ethiopia) would be slowing adoption cases to 5 a day, supposedly a 90% decrease.  As this story developed, I became a little more anxious, but trying to wait patiently on the Lord. During this time, God ministered to me in such a great way through His Word.  In Isaiah 49:23, 25-26, it says, “ Those who hope in Me will not be disappointed…I will contend with those who contend with you, and your children I will save….Then all mankind will know that I, the Lord, am your Savior, you Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob. :”  There were moments when I just clung to these verses.  And it was during this time that I decided if the Lord did decide to bless us with a little boy from Ethiopia, I would want his name to be Isaiah.  During this difficult time, I grew in that I knew I could trust God’s plan for us ( not my own plan). And that my chief desire is to completely trust in Him, and see Him glorified…not that I would get My way for what I think His plan should be.