may 31 means update

Tonight we are feeling excited.
Last week on Wednesday, we met with lots of social workers and answered lots of questions from each! Very fun and intimidating, that is for sure.
Tonight, we went to our first monthly meal- a meeting where the fostering families all come together to eat dinner, mingle, and have a training. That was fun and we were able to make lot's of awesome connections and get some great intro advice.

We keep looking for a house. We are wondering if we should expand the search to the surrounding neighborhoods. We can pay up to a certain amount, but would like to pay a lot less if possible, and personally I am not sure if I should compromise location or price first. It's possible that I won't have to do either. But if I do, what should it be?
We have been stopping by at open houses in the area and talking to Realtors. We've been sharing our story and handing out my card. Even if nothing comes of it, it's still a wonderful feeling to share what God is doing and for people to know that He is Alive and Active!

Something silly to share:
Babysitting the other night, I started to get ideas about how I wanted the kids rooms to be set up...and eventually designed the whole house :)
I have all of these dreams about the focal point of the rooms, an intentional family entryway, recycling old furniture for handmade new furniture...
These things may not be in place at first, but it will be fun to have a dream to aim for later!
I will just be thankful to have a place to stay and beds to sleep in!

Another great thing: We got our fingerprinting done!
So now on to the health screening.

We are doing the first part of the home study next week. That is exciting. Someone is coming over tomorrow to help me be mindful of staying organized and clutter free.

So many good things.

Things I need to do:
Set up a facebook page
Figure out how to set up a way for people to send financial support
Get board of directors
Take picture of Matt, Gambit and I for a simple, informational flyer/card
Set up intentional prayer team
Start a website
Research their culture and food
Start reading parenting books (any suggestions!?)
Get the word out to more people who will be moved by what God is doing

Would you pray for us this week as we face this list and continue to rest in Him during this Waiting period?

waisted worry

As I sit in fear tonight, chewing on other's surfaced doubts-specifically our age (25&26)-I am reminded of an analogy dear to my heart...

When Jesus was resurrected and returned to show the Lord's miracle, He came not to a man, but to a woman first. I don't think I need to reiterate how crazy that was given the thought of women in society at the time. God likes to do unconventional things.
When Jesus was sharing the good news- he came not to the "holy people"- but to the broken, poor, "insignificant," willing hearts.

We might be young, but we have willing hearts. God can use us. This is what I have to hold on to in the midst of trivial fears.

a posture of patience...

Hello all!
Thank you for following our new adventure. So here's the current excitement;
We were all nervous and concerned about finding a house. We felt like it was (1) the biggest thing and (2) the thing that would make everything work out. But guess what- most of the time God doesn't want us to be concerned about making everything a safe situation that requires minimal risk for the sake of security and personal control. I think he actually desires quite the opposite.
It's funny because this whole week I've been feeling weird about looking at houses, and I haven't really been able to place it. As soon as I realized the timing wasn't right, I felt this overwhelming freedom and excitement, not to mention peace. Waiting like this is going to require a huge amount of faith as we will continue to look at houses and let them pass by, regardless of our interest in them, until we get the notice that the kids are coming on a specific date. I'm not exactly clear on the timeline, but I believe that after the initial faxed date fyi, it should be 3 to 6 weeks until they arrive?
So- I am excited because like we all know- God loves to provide at the last minute. And it's such a great lesson in dependance and trust in Him everytime. I so want to continue releasing my white knuckle grasp on my life. May He teach me to be GENEROUS with my faith, among all other fruits of the spirit.

Exciting news is that we do have a car!!! PCC is GIVING us a van. THANK YOU PCC!!!!

For now, we will be continuing to get the word out there as well as moving along with the paperwork. We have to get a health screening and fingerprints, and need to have resources for such accordingly.

I just want to say I'm excited. May God never stop in His teaching me to Trust and Be Generous.

Might have found a house! And have a van! Praise God!!!