1. Dossier MADE IT TO CONGO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hip hip hooray! (fireworks going off in the background, loud cheers from the crowd, etc...)
2. Added quite a few bills to this adoption journey including but not limited to: Airfare for our kids to get from Lubumbashi to Kinshasa, Translation Fees, New Birth and Death Certificates, FED EX FED EX FED EX, etc..Basically all of these costs total about $4,500.00+
3. Joined a FABULOUS new online group where we get to connect with other couples who are adopting from Congo through our agency. Seriously - to know someone out there who knows EXACTLY what you are going through - there are no words!
4. Worked on a new care package - which we will soon photograph and blog about.
5. HERE IS THE LATEST MIRACLE. Tonight we went to finish our taxes. We were less than thrilled. We expected to pay based on last year. Guess what!? We are getting money back - money that we can use to pay several of the items listed on number 2. HOW AWESOME IS THAT?
Isn't it so funny how we rejoice so freely when a miracle happens or God answers our prayers - yet we allow those shadows of doubt to creep in at the least bit of bad news? God is showing us the REAL meaning of faith- the faith that the bible so eloquently describes in Hebrews 11.
1 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. 2This is what the ancients were commended for.
3 By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.
4 By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead.
5 By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.”[a] For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. 6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Do you have faith? Even against the odds? We have seen God work in amazing ways. We believe in his perfect plans for our lives. Do you? Do you love God in all of his perfect plans more than you love your plans? It is a HARD lesson to learn and we are still learning every day. Thank goodness for his grace and love.
Oh - how the story is unfolding! We can't wait for the next chapter.
Blessings,
The Chalos Party of Four
Continuing to pray for this journey. Thank you for being so open to share everything. Letting us know how we can best minister to you. We love you all four. Can't wait to see those babies.
ReplyDeleteJeannette
Praying, too! Is the chart (thermometer!) accurate, or will the costs you mentioned above need to be added to that? Please continue to make your needs known. Your friends and family love you so much and are blessed to participate in bringing Kab and Etta home! ~ Ronda
ReplyDeleteThanks ladies for your prayers and support. I do need to adjust the total funds needed on our thermometer since we added a few costs. We are thinking (as of now) that we will need at least 40,000 total (if no more is added). We have been reading and found that we may have to stay in DRC longer than expected, so that may add to our cost. As of now that would cover our travel to and from, the kids travel from Lubumbashi to Kinshasa to TN, our lodging at the convent, and the final fed ex and housing fees for the kiddos. Whew. We are getting information together for a chickfila night soon. :)
ReplyDeleteEven though the road has been tough, I am thrilled for you and the exciting updates in this post! Hebrews 11:1 is my favorite verse (and I haven't seen this translation before, but I love it!).
ReplyDeleteWonder if we could have a chickfila night in Macon??? Or do something locally, at least.
-Donyale
Hi! We are adopting from LBB too! I'm so excited to find your blog. Which group are you a part of ? I'd love to join!
ReplyDelete