$15 challenge

It is time for us to pay the agency fees to bring baby Sydney home in march!! Our adoption consultant planted an idea of trying to get 1000 people to donate $15. One family raised $15,000 in 48 hours!! That would be amazing! I know many of you have helped so much already, but if you would just share this information with your friends and family it would be very helpful. If you are viewing this on an app simply scroll to the bottom and select view full web version to see PayPal donation button. Thanks in advance for your support. I can't wait for us all to meet baby girl!!

Our Yes

It's been quite a while since the last post. I've sat down to update several times, but there just wasn't anything to say. Since September we presented to 4 expectant moms. All of which chose someone else. God blessed me with a peace that only he could provide. Allowing me to understand that those were not the babies he had chosen for our family. This week we presented once again and this time we received our YES!!! Baby girl is due March 5th in Utah!! We are overjoyed. 7 weeks to get baby ready. Please continue to remember us in your prayers!!

Grant Granted

The road to adoption is full of many joys and challenges. The greatest joy being the inclusion of a child into our family and the greatest challenge being finances. We were recently awarded a matching funds grant to help with our adoption expenses thru Hand in Hand Adoption, Inc. A non-profit private operating foundation. They will match any funds donated through our friends and family dollar for dollar. All donations are tax deductible. If you would be willing to help us in this step of our journey, send a check payable to "Hand in Hand Christian Adoptions". For tax purposes our name should only be on the envelope, not the check. All donations must be postmarked by November 1st and Mailed to:
hand in hand Christian adoption, Inc
Williams family adoption
18318 mimosa court
Gardner, KS 66030
You do not have to be called to adopt to help orphans. God may lead you to help support those who adopt. Thanks for your prayerful consideration in helping us on this journey!!

In the silence

So, this journey has been full of hurry up and wait. Any of you who've traveled this road know exactly what I mean. The last month has been more challenging for me than months prior. We spent May filling out paperwork for our wonderful adoption consultant, Tracie Loux and then waiting for her to complete our family profile. In June we filled out all our home study paper work then waited on our home visit. July was spent waiting for our home study to be complete. August we filled out agency and grant applications and we continue to wait. Every once in a while we will get some kind of contact from an agency but as of yet it hasn't been a "do you want to be presented?" call. Even though I know this is all part of God's plan, the human side of me wants to know what's next?? I have repeatedly felt the Lord telling me over these weeks that he is working in the silence. This is His story and he is continuing to write even when I can't see the next chapter! With each passing day I look forward to the glory He will be given each time I tell our story with whatever details he writes. Continuing to "trust in the Lord with all my heart, leaning not on my own understanding. In all my ways acknowledging him, and he will make straight my paths." Proverbs 3:5-6

Here we go!!

Guess what I just did? I just left the office of our social worker where I picked up our home study!! I went straight from there to the post office to mail off our first packet!! I am beside myself with excitement! Tonight we will finish up 2-3 more applications and get them in the mail. I finally feel like we are making a step forward. Now that we are home study ready we can begin the grant and loan process. Our prayer continues to be for God's guidance and provision. And that in every step He will be glorified!! Remember, if you'd like to get one (or more) of our t-shirts you can pay via the donate button and I'll get it to you. Or if you find the Lord leading you to simply donate to our adoption fund that can be done in the same way. We know this can be a very fast process where money is expected quickly or it can take a while. We are looking forward to the ways in which the Lord will do a mighty work!! Thank you for your continued support and prayers in this wonderful journey.

T-shirt excitement

When mason got dressed today he asked to wear his adopted shirt and he headed out to play. The next thing I knew he'd sold a shirt to a neighbor. Then another. We had to leave for a bit but later with the enlisted help of his cousin Bella they were at it again. This time he asked David to walk with him. Not only did he ask friends, but also strangers! If only we could all have the boldness and bravery of a child. It is so wonderful to see their excitement to help bring their baby sister home!! If you'd like a shirt and don't see me, you can pay by using the paypal button here and I'll mail it to you. They are $20 and I have sizes YM-adult XL. Be sure to give me your address!! Thanks in advance for not only helping us but also raising awareness of domestic adoption.

Updates

I've been waiting for something worth mentioning to update the blog. Now's the time. First of all we have spent the past two weekends having garage sales in both TN and AL. We were overwhelmed by the donations provided by friends, family, and even strangers. The Lord provided both stuff to sell and people to buy it! Second, the baby bottles of change keep coming in. Every coin helps!! You can see from the fundraising thermometer that we have made a little progress. Third, we have a date for our home study...July 17th!!! Much to my social workers surprise my finger prints have returned. Which leads me to my first prayer request. Please pray David's prints return without issue. We mailed them off together and now 3 mail days later than mine his have not returned. Also, the person who handles child abuse clearance for the state has left and they aren't filling the position. Praying that doesn't delay that part of the process. Thank you all for your support and prayers. It means so much to us!!