Adoption Update

I realized that I have said very little about the actual adoption process and where we stand in the whole scheme of things and why we have chosen to do this. I can explain where we are at with the adoption a bit easier then I can explain why we are adopting so I will start with that which is easier.

I mentioned earlier that our home study has been written and we are waiting for our clearances to come back from DSS so that the home study in its entirety can be sent to our adoption agency. The home study included two visits from a social worker, physicals for all 6 of us, financial statements, autobiographies from both Will and I (which he was not pleased at having to write,) and a few other things of that nature. All went well with the home visits until she spoke to Gracie, our youngest, who likes to speak her mind and she did, all of it. When the social worker asked what she would do if the new sisters took one of her toys she replied without hesitation, "I would punch them in the face." Well thank God for 5 year olds who keep it real and for social workers who have a sense of humor! Once the home study is approved by our agency we send it to immigration along with some other forms for approval. Then we prepare our Dossier which is every document ever known to man and then the whole package is sent to Ethiopia for approval. We are praying to have our side of the paperwork done and sent to Ethiopia before the summer because the Ethiopian courts will close at that time for their rainy season. So, pray for us that things run smoothly and efficiently and we are able to get in completed by the summer. Apart from the paperwork we are FUNDRAISING like crazy! And we have a wonderful church that is supporting us and tolerating us. We have had a yard sale at church (the first of many I am sure,) spaghetti lunch, sold pizza before Bible studies, we will have an Oyster Roast on the 26th of Feb, a silent auction in March and we are putting together a team to run the Savannah half/full marathon in November. There are other ideas that we are working on but those are the ones that are definite. God has shown up at each event and supplied us with many people to help and many people with generous hearts who given freely. BJ and I both are learning a tremendous amount about life, love, faith and ourselves through this whole process and one thing we are realizing is that we have difficulty depending on others. I know that sounds horrible but up until this point in our life we have been able to handle most of the curve balls life throws at you by depending on ourselves and God but very rarely others, sad but true. This adoption is so much out of our realm of comfort or capabilities that we must rely on others in many areas. So God is stretching us, imagine that, God stretching us; who knew He wanted us out of our comfort zone?! But each time we are learning that God has many wonderful saints who want to partner with us and allow us to lean on them when necessary, it has been terrifying and wonderful all at the same time. I don't like to cry but I come dangerously close every time I think of those people who are putting so much effort and love into our adoption. Thank you to all of you, you mean the world to us.
I am strangely long winded when I write, I am like this when I speak? I don't think so, I write more then I speak! Weird. I will save the second question about the why until next time so I don't bore you all.
If you think God is asking you to do something you are completely incapable of, unqualified for, or not even sure if you want do it; then you are probably on the right track. So, step out and do it, you will never be disappointed when you get out of God's way and let Him do His thing. It is our things that get us into so much trouble, not His things.