Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Announcement

"The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles." Psalm 34:17




"The Lord has made everything for its purpose." Proverbs 16:4a


"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful." Hebrews 10:23





"Ah, sovereign Lord! You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you." Jeremiah 32:17




"One person advocating for one child can make all the difference." Taken from a recent email from Focus on the Family.


"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute." Proverbs 31:8 NIV







On August 19, 2009, Bryan and I made the decision to send in the first paperwork to initiate Foster Care Adoption!!!!






We are now anxiously awaiting the time we are finished with the process and we receive a call to come pick up a child to love and care for!!!!


The scripture on my desk calendar for August 19th (when I mailed in the first packet) was:

"As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the spirit of ADOPTION, whereby we cry, Abba Father."



On September 10th, we met our case worker for the first time. She attends the church we use to attend and she knows several of our personal references.



Is God not all over this!!


God is answering each prayer along this path and HE has given us much peace! We have renewed HOPE!!


Soooo, you may ask where have I been the past month? Well, I've been painting the baby's room, filling out paperwork and questionnaires for the case workers, having two home visits (with two more to go), getting fingerprinted (our fingerprints were denied once and we had to redo them), admiring Bryan putting the crib together, and hanging out a lot on line at BabiesRUs. It is been fun trying to prepare for a gender neutral nursery for an unknown age (we are asking for newborn - 12 months)!!



My father-in-love bought this chest for us and he refinished it. It is one of my favorite pieces!



I also worked quite a few hours making a scripture wall hanging for the baby's room as well. Thanks to the great inspiration from my very special friend, Melissa. I think we will call her Aunt Sassy or perhaps Aunt Lissa!! :-) I'll post pictures of it later.


We are not going into this journey blindly. We are trying to prepare our hearts and minds of the possibility we may only have a child for just a brief time. BUT, during this time, it is so very important I bathe this child in prayer and much scripture. I feel I can more easily give a child back knowing it is covered in prayer and God's word. I would have done everything within my power for the child. I have visions of sitting in a rocker, holding a baby, and reading these scriptures to it.



We began Foster Care/Adoption training on Monday, November 2nd. We meet two times a week thru December 3rd. I think this is getting us ready for the little free time we will have once we receive a child!

I'm hoping our paperwork/file will be completed by December 15th or around Christmas time!!! It just seems surreal!!!



I'm sure now I will have many more blog posts. I have more inspiration now!!

I know many of you have prayed for us and we are forever thankful! Please continue to pray for us!! We need increased faith, guidance, and discernment. We want to be equipped to also minister and witness to a mother/father who is less fortunate and who need Christ.

18 comments:

Kelly’s Korner said...

So exciting Julie! Oh I have just prayed for you and Bryan for SOOOOOO long and know that He has something great in store for you. And the child that is placed in your home will be SO loved and lucky!
You will be AMAZING parents!!!!!!

Caroline said...

PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALLLL ALLLL ALLL BLESSING FLOW!!!!!!!!!!!!

OH I AM IN CLASS AND CRYING!!!!!!!!!!!!

I PRAISE GOD FOR THIS BLESSING AND I PRAISE HIM FOR RENEWED STRENGTH AND HOPE


HE IS SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO GOOD!

Lord, may this child be the apple of their eye!!!! love you friend!

Vicki S said...

Go is so good! I am crying for you and loving you guys. I know God has a special little person to put in your lives! You and Bryan are going to be such wonderful loving parents! Praise God!

Immeasurably More Mama said...

You know I'm over-the-moon happy for you and Bryan!!! It's so fun to see where you guys are and remember being in the same place not long ago. God has GREAT plans in store for you and your future children and it's so exciting to be a part of this journey with you. He's going to get some GLORY...I just know it!

What a privilege it is for us to bathe God's precious little ones in scripture and prayer...you are SO right!

The crib and chest are GORGEOUS and I can't wait to see more of the nursery...so hurry up and post some more pictures. :)

Jamie said...

I am so excited for you!!!! You have no idea. I know I don't personally know you, but tears were running down my face reading this post! You will be amazing!!

valerie said...

Julie...
You know I've prayed for you and Bryan too for a long time and this is just so thrilling!!!
I am at work and have tears in my eyes & huge chill bumps all over.
That is wonderful news & you and Bryan are going to make wonderful parents.
I love the furniture!
I'll keep you and this precious little one in my prayers.
Thank you for the e-mail letting me know to read your blog.
I'm super excited for y'all!
God is so good & you have been faithful and trusted Him. He has great things in store.
Love you,
Valerie

Megan L Hutchings said...

This is so exciting Julie! I have often wondered where you "disappeared" to, but I have always kept you in my prayers :)!

The little boy or girl that will be placed in your home will be loved so much.

CONGRATULATIONS!

Lauren said...

so so so so awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So excited for you and pray God's hands will be ALL over this!!!!! :)

Candy said...

I'm SO SO happy for ya'll, Julie!!! You and Bryan will make the BEST parents!!! SO glad to hear this good news!!!

Megan said...

So happy for you sweet Julie! I am excited to follow youa nd Brian in this journey!

Heather said...

CONGRATS!!! I am SOOOOOOO happy for you! Praying...

petrii said...

Oh Julie, I have goose bumps all over!!! HALLELUJIAH TO THE LAMB!!!!!

Congratulations!!!

Love and many hugs to you,
Dawn

Chic Runner said...

I am praying for you two! :) That is so exciting and you will be great parents. Congrats so much and I can't wait to see pictures!!!! :)

Anonymous said...

I am so happy for you!!!

Faith said...

Julie, this makes me soooooo very happy!!! To see you guys putting together a crib is so amazing!!! I am praising the Lord for how He has worked in your lives and I cannot wait until the day your little one comes home! Yippee, what a joyous day that will be!!!!!

Kimberly said...

praying for many blessings to come your way, you have waited so long
love,
kimberly

danielle said...

YAY!!!!! We will keep praying!!!

Laura said...

OMGoodness, Julie!! How did I miss this?! Such fantastic news! I am SO happy for you!