Reality

Sometimes we want to live in the world we "hope is true" more than the one that is reality. Here is an example of what I mean:  Before we left Kenya I stubbled upon a shocking realization.  For fun, I just sit around and read ALL the papers the Adoption agency gave us.  I knew about the fee sheet, but I hadn't looked at it in a while because I knew there wasn't much we could do, as far as paying, until we had our home study in hand.  Once we have the home study in hand THEN we can apply for grants and things.  As I was reading it I figured out that we owe $7,480 upon submission of home study for approval.  THEN we owe another $7,500 upon submission of our Dossier.  OUCH!  I mean- we knew this was coming, but do you know that that is about a 2 or 3 week window between the 2 payments?  It just so happens that we have ALMOST everything to submit our dossier right now because we had to have it for our super-in-depth home study (due to the new I-800 process).  So yes, we owe about $15,000 in about a month and a half.  We have $2,200 thus far.  So here is the deal; as SOON as Little Angels gives us the home study, the grants are already filed out and waiting.  We will send those.  They take a while to hear back- that is why I am so anxious to get them in the mail!  As for the dossier, it will have to sit at our adoption agency until we come up with the money to pay for it.  I can't tell you how that breaks my heart.

  When my mind begins to wonder if some of the paperwork will begin to expire as it sits, I stop myself and remember something so vital:  the God who undoubtably called us to this will bring us ALL the way through it!  Not just to a certain point and stop.  ALL the way through. 

 We also found our that our friends the Austin's will only be referred one child instead of 2.  Apparently, there aren't 2 siblings ANYWHERE

 in all of Kenya's orphanages.  Yea... I know.  

That really disturbs him!

(Please call Chris' cell or email me if you would like to follow their blog I will give you the password.  THEY ARE AN AMAZING FAMILY- it will be WELL worth your read!)  As we were talking to our country coordinator about all of this money stuff we also asked what was up with that.  Apparently, Kenya has only been approving people for 1 child since November.  As we sat there in Robyn's office- I got really quiet with all of this talk. Robyn left the room for a few minutes to get a few things.  Chris began talking to me about the money side of things.  I asked him politely to please not talk about it until we could get out of the office.  I was already really teary.  I knew that if I did cry that I wasn't trusting that God is sovereign and that He loves our children far more than we do.  Chris being the wonderful optimist that he is- isn't worried about the money side one bit.  I love that about my man!  All this to say- if God lays it on your hearts- please pray for grants and monies!  We are missionaries, meaning we don't exactly "make money".  So it is all up to the Lord to provide it.

And the reality IS that God WILL do exactly what He says.  And it's so nice to be reminded of that simple truth!  

We have brought some nifty authentic African stuff to sell.  So if any one is looking for something ultra unique for a wedding, graduation, or birthday gift- come see us!