All Things Are Possible

The last couple of weeks have been more busy than usual.  With that comes exhaustion, and with exhaustion, a familiar fear:

"There's no way I can handle another child."

And yet we've been putting one foot in front of the other out of sheer obedience to God, believing with all our hearts that He is behind this crazy idea.

Last week we had to submit our I-600 A.  In laymen's terms (from what I gather), it gets the process going to allow our little one to become a US citizen.  Along with this form, we had to submit a check for $720 to the Department of Homeland Security, and another check for fingerprints.

That night John and I went over the enormity of the financial mountain before us.  We concluded our conversation with prayer, and asked God to provide.

Thursday morning I went to a ladies Bible study at Faith Chapel.  During the songs, a friend of mine handed me a card that someone else had given her.  When I opened the card I could not believe my eyes.

This card came from a kind woman I don't even know super well.  Last year we were in a few meetings together but this year I have only passed her in the hall maybe once. I'm not even sure how she knew that we are adopting, but her card simply said:

"With God, All Things Are Possible".

And out fell a check for $720.

Seven hundred and twenty dollars!  Not $700 even, or even $725 or $750, but $720.  The EXACT same number I had written on a check just the day before.

I took a picture just because I wanted others to get to see it too.  My carbon copy check is the one on top, and hers on bottom (I covered her address and bank number, thought that'd be the kind thing to do while blogging publicly).  You can see the date on mine is 3/20, and the date on hers is 3/21.

Even more than the financial aspect of it, her family's gift truly brightened my entire soul!  It gave me renewed hope that we must surely be on the right path and God has not brought us this far to watch us fail.

Kinda Coming Together

A couple of months back, I came across a great website that features one adoptive family each week, and followers of this site (who are typically other adoptive families) donate $1 or more to help the featured family raise the adoption funds.  I decided to contact them, and ask what it takes to be a featured family. 

The response was that they have many applicants and there is no guarantee you will be chosen.  But the real kicker?  You have to submit a 3-5 minute video.  They even provided me with 3 examples, and they were rediculously creative and good.

My first thought?  "Ok, we're out."  Seriously people, just look at this blog!  No offense to me, I'm just not that good with technical things.  Then there's the idea of being that up front in a public video...umm, Forget It!  (Confession:  Even writing this blog terrifies me!)

But my second thought?  "You should call Amy Larsen"

Amy is an incredibly talented graphic designer, who recently quit her job and is now staying home full time with her two small children.  I didn't know if this was even within her scope but impulsively went ahead and called her.  And she just happened to answer.

I describe to Amy what I just told you.  Amy's sweet soft spoken voice replied:

"I don't even think we're going to have to pray about this.  Luke [her husband] is starting to do videography on the side and he just bought a bunch of new equipment.  Just a few days ago he said

'Do you think the Maloney's would think it was weird if I asked

if we could film a video about their adoption?'"

 

I was literally covered in head to toe chills.  I mean, we still have to film and our video still has to be chosen...but still, right?!  Amazing. 

 

Recently I heard a story about Mother Theressa.  She was quoted as saying something along the lines of how we don't have to have a ton of clarity or a completed master plan on exactly what we want to accomplish...but rather simple trust in God.  It got me thinking...how much in her life just kind of happend?  I mean, maybe she just took it one day at a time, one step at a time, one person, one hurdle, and one moment at a time?  And maybe, as she walked with God, prayed, read His word, and loved others...maybe things just kinda came together?  I don't know about you, but I want this level of trust...and I desperately want HIM to be the one who gets the credit for things "just kinda coming together".

Thanks for traveling this exciting journey with us!