"Sow to China"

I forgot to mention that one of my sweet sisters, Missy, set up a "store" on facebook called "Sow to China". We will be posting some fun handmade items to purchase. So, go and like it and check out this fun stuff!! We will post pictures this weekend of them items made!!

Blessings & Love,

Julie

The Latest......

Well, I have had a few questions regarding how the meeting went with Lifeline last week and what made us decide on China!! Well, the main reason is because, quite frankly, I do not want to stand up to the big guy and say "It just did not sound like a good idea to me!!" I don't think that would go over to well.

The meeting that we had with both social workers for international and domestic went great!! Lifeline Childrens Services is a fantastic facility and it really felt great to be there!! After listening to both social workers and after we asked where the greatest need was and was told China, we knew that was where God wanted us to go!! Just the feeling of surety that come over both of us was fascinating!!! I have never been so sure of something in my life, and that is because Jesus has his hand in every decision that we make!! Boy, does it ever feel so good!!

Why did we not choose to have another child of our own? Good question!! We prayed about everything from having another child on our own to adoption. And again, God burdened me with the thoughts of adoption every day, even when I asked him to take it away!! He definitely told me, "No, not this time!!" Just to know that Steve, myself, Carson and Hailey will be making a difference in a child's life that could have possibly never heard the word of God or to be raised in a christian home with a loving family and to be given more love and support, just seemed right!! My heart is overflowing with love for adoption!! Steve and I both have so much passion now for adoption and telling our story. Praise the Lord!!

Tomorrow we will be dropping off our application!! We should hear something in a week as to what the next steps will be. This is another step towards our next "surprise party" with the Lord!!! Please keep us in your prayers and just know that helps more so than anything else!!!

-Blessings!!

Julie

The Beginning.....

Oh, how this all happened!! God planted a seed in Steve and I a little over a year ago when we joined Grace Life Baptist Church, fka Loveless Park. We joined a fabulous Sunday school class and started slowly getting involved. I started photographing events at the church and Steve started helping out when needed. But, we felt like something was still missing. In December 2010, Steve and myself along with both of our parents adopted a family for Christmas from Sav-A-Life in Bessemer. Granted we did not get to see the 3 kids open the gifts on Christmas morning, but I can tell you we had a good time shopping for them!! What a blessing to know we had a hand in a smile that they would have that morning!! What a "WOW" experience!! In January 2011, I began to notice alot of different signs, through scripture, billboards (yes, billboards), signs on the side of the road, coworkers discussing adoption with me, praise and worship songs, and on and on....Well one day, jokingly, I told Steve, " I think God is sending me signs to adopt a child!!!!" Love the look he gave me including a few words, "Honey, just pray!!!" Oh boy, did I ever!! I prayed and prayed and prayed so very much every day!! Then came along February and March!! Continued to pray to God to continue with his signs if it was his will. Well, one day in March, I prayed to God, "Please Dear Lord, take the signs away and let me have a peaceful day without thinking about it!!" "The thought of adoption will not leave my mind!!" " I can not concentrate at work, I am driving my husband crazy!" Guess what, He did not leave me alone!!! I came home from work that day and expressed to Steve that it did not leave my mind and I can not stop thinking about it. Steve told me that "If it is God's will, then we should follow his signs and be obedient." Oh wow!! Really???? Uh-oh!! Well, that Wednesday, we went to church and looked down on the prayer meeting paper and at the bottom it said, "If you are interested in Adoption.......please attend a meeting on this day." I looked at Steve after I slapped him on the arm and said, "I told you so." After I got the look for slapping him, he laughed and said, "Honey, just pray!!!" I have met so many fabulous people through this experience. Our faith is stronger now that ever before! God lead us through this experience to grow closer to him and to also share the gospel with our children. It is such a blessing to hear all the questions from our children about the gospel and church!! The joy that has filled our hearts through this is so fabulous!! I wish I could spread it around to everyone!! Oh the feeling of the good Lord having a hand in our lives is so fabulous!! Well, we attended the meeting at our church, which also created a small group at the same time, and had a great time. We met some fabulous people and heard some great stories and testimonies!! After the meeting, Steve went his way onto play golf and I went to take some engagement photographs. On the way, Steve called and said, "What did you think?" Well, to me that was a question that I was afraid to answer. So, I said, "What did you think?" He said, "Honey, let's pray and move forward to pursue adoption!!" I cried and praised the Lord!! I sat there and thought, "What in the world do we do now??" Pray!! We prayed together and with the kids!! Prayer is so powerful!!! The good Lord is amazing and to bring us to this and make our family closer is amazing!! We are in awe over all of this and so thankful for the blessings and the new friends that we have made!!! Tuesday, April 12, 2011, I contacted Lifeline Adoption Center and made an appointment to meet with a social worker. We met with social worker on Thursday, April 14 and had a great appointment. When we walked out of the doors to the agency, we looked at each other and said, "We are on our way to China!!!" I knew then, "This was my surprise party that God has been wanting to share with me!!" Our lives are forever changed and we are so excited!! 

Matthew 25:40 The king will reply, I will tell you the truth. Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine you did for me.