To the world we might look crazy...

...we get it. 

We really do.

Adopting two boys from Africa alone probably sounds a little crazy to some. 

Then, considering they aren't  even related. Heck, they don't even know each other.

But saying "yes" to both when we only had the financial means to pay for one adoption probably sounds even more crazier to some. 

I mean, it's not like we need a few thousand dollars.

We need THIRTY THOUSAND DOLLARS!!!

So, really, I do get the "crazy" in all of this.

But.

But the difference is we are NOT doing this alone.

And, we are not doing this because we want others to think WE are are doing a "good" thing.

You see, it really isn't about US at all.

Our hearts have been burdened for the orphan.

Period.

Why did that happen?

One word.

God.

Adoption means trauma. It means heart ache. It means a lot of finances. There is a whole lotta "hard" that comes with adoption. 

So why pursue "hard"?

One word.

God.

Because even before we knew God. He knew us.

Because even before we pursued God. He pursued us.

As my husband so eloquently put when he spoke to our church body last week...

"God is the story teller. This is HIS story. We get the privilege of being characters in His story and being used for His glory."

He adopted us! (Galatians 4:4-5)

And that whole lotta hard turns into a whole lotta love. 

There is BEAUTY FROM ASHES only because of Him. 

And just like God...

We pursue, pray for and love our boys half way across this world when they have no idea we are doing so... when they have no idea who we are, that we even exist.

I know these truths about Jesus, but I have to keep reminding myself constantly.

Because last week, our Power of Attorney needed another $10,000.

We sent $10,000 last month and this additional was going to wipe our savings out.

I had a slight panic attack (Scott can attest to that).

I know it is not me that is in control, yet I try so very hard to take the reigns. 

And then, in a time like this I panic. 

What will we do when the next $10k is due?

A question I could not answer.

And while I became very stressed of this fact, Scott had peace.

The Lord gave him peace.

No more than 24 hours later, we were having dinner with some very dear friends of ours.

They said they wanted to support us with the adoption.

They said they wanted to give us a check for $10,000!!!

Yes, you see it right....there are 4 ZEROS at the end of that. $10k!

Even in my doubt, The Lord shows His goodness to me. To us.

I do not have to worry where the next $10k will come from.

Praise God!

And as if that wasn't amazing enough...

They want to match $1 for $1 up to the next $10,000!!!

So, if you are doing the math...

We need approximately $30,000.

With the $10,000 check along with $10,000 match. Once we raise $10,000, we will be FULLY FUNDED.

Friends, this is not just a fluke.

This is definitely not by chance.

This is all God.

We are incredibly humbled by this gift as well as immensely grateful for our friends. 

They are blessing our family in such a huge way that thank you just doesn't seem worthy. But, thank you...thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you.

We will not forget this pillar that the Lord has provided.

"And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus" ~Philippians 4:19

"The family was so happy"...

5 simple words.

Oh my...

How instrumental those 5 simple words were for me to hear today.

"I went with Bernard (our POA) to meet with Jojo's extended family about the social welfare report," said Elvis (the orphanage director).

To which I replied, "How did things go?"

He said everything was good.

"The family was so happy."

Happy?

That word implies so so much...

They were happy that Jojo was going to be adopted.

They were happy that Jojo was going to have a family to call his own.

They were happy that Jojo would soon no longer be an orphan.

They were happy...

...and so is this mama.

You see, it doesn't take much to make me smile and remind me why we are doing what we are doing. Today I am reminded that although this road may not be an easy one, it is worth it. There are many obstacles ahead, one including a lot of finances, but He who calls us is faithful.

Jojo & Francis...were coming after you with all that we have... 

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal,  but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 

-Matthew 6:19-21

A "random" encounter I don't want to forget...

It was the Saturday after New Year's and we were visiting family in Nashville.

That evening we had plans to go to a winery to celebrate my oldest brother, Brian's 50th birthday.

A winery entailed a couple cocktails, so my sister suggested using Uber. Similar to a taxi service, but individuals (aka: drivers) use their own vehicles and evidently it is WAY cheaper than a taxi. Sound good to me.

The drivers that pick you up are at random.

Dominick and his sweet smile picked us up outside Renee's home. 

We made some small talk and found out that he was from Rwanda, a relatively small country in East-Central Africa. He came to the states in 2007 to pursue a degree. Now he is working 2 jobs to pay off said degree.

I was happy to hear one of his brother's lives with him, but he has not been able to go back to see the rest of his family due to costs. He wants to make a life for himself here, he said. Conditions in Rwanda are too unstable and so much more safe here.

Something I cannot totally wrap my mind around. Making the decision to move half way across the world, alone, knowing you may not ever return because life will be better... So easy for us to forget the freedoms and liberties that protect us in our great country.

He dropped us off at City Winery and that was that.

Well, we thought that was that.

Until we reached out to Uber for a ride back home and guess who got selected randomly once again???

You guessed it.  Dominick!

On this ride, Scott & I opted to share with Dominick about our story a little. And told him that we were in the process of adopting 2 little boys from Ghana.

He smiled.

He asked if we looked into vaccinations as there are many too consider. Further saying we would want to protect ourselves. And then almost as if something in him told him to stop. He immediately said, "But you do not have to worry about any of that. God will protect you. What you are doing, he will surely be with you."

So. Very. Sweet. 

He went on to say that he thought it was wonderful what we were doing...giving 2 boys an opportunity to life that would not be possible where they are at currently.

The conversation was warm. Was encouraging. Was random. Yet, not random at all.

Thank you Lord, for the way you place individuals in our paths at the most unexpected times to remind us how small this big world really is.