Brad's Turkey - Spring 2011

April 16th. Brad was hunting in the pouring rain and crazy wind. He got his turkey about 7:45am. 11.5 inch beard and justa little over inch spurs. Thanks to Ean Green for his blind.  We're going to have a good supper tonight!!!  We like wild turkey sooooo much better than store bought!!!

Both Hands Project - 11/6/10

We serve an awesome God!!!


We arrived at Odessa’s home Saturday morning, planning to work on building a pump house for her water pipes so they wouldn’t freeze throughout the winter. When we got there, they didn’t have any water. The night before, the pipes burst. WOW! God’s timing is amazing.

After eating our breakfast provided by Hardees, we got to work. Most of the men started fixing the pipes and building the pump house. The rest of us blew (with leaf blowers) & raked leaves to help clean the last few leaves of fall off the yard and flower beds. (The family had already gotten rid of the majority of the leaves.) This family does everything they can to take care of their property, but because of physical limitations there are some things they cannot do.  Jeff even had the doors to put on the front of the pump house built, painted, and ready to go!

The weather was warmer than expected and we only saw a few flakes of snow throughout the day. We praise the Lord for controlling the weather for us!!! I (Marie) was able to spend some time talking with Odessa and getting to know her better. She’s a wonderful lady and was so thankful for the help our team gave her.

We left the project saying that even if this didn’t raise any money for our adoption, it was worth it. We were so blessed!!! God uses us in many ways and He works out details! We thank God for the privilege of serving this family!

Our team: Pastor John Bunn, Mike Bush, Jeffrey Keith Watts, Tony Watts, Lenora Bush, Marie Angus, Keith Watts (front), Odessa Watts (our widow), Dean Watts.

Not pictured: Brad Angus took the picture, Mark Underwood contacted businesses to sponsor us, and Jeannie & Robert Baker kept our girls while we worked.

Many other people prayed for us and gave toward our adoption.  THANK YOU to everyone who had a part!!!!!

Before - The old pipes

Broken Pipe

Mike & Tony work on a wall for the pump house

Not Approved for No-Interest Loan

Yesterday we were notified by ABBA Fund that we were not approved for the no-interest loan.  There are just too many people needing financial assistance and they can't help everyone.  Their e-mail was very encouraging and I understand that they can't loan money to everyone who asks.  I have to admit, though, I was surprised that we were not approved. 

A loan makes so much sense to me because we should get a tax credit and we have a grant that won't be sent until the child is in our home.  Both of these are cases where we need the money up front and then will be reimbursed - sounds to me like a loan would work.  I honestly thought that was how God was going to provide the last of the money we need before we can be matched.  I really thought I'd soon be able to tell the agency, "We're ready to be matched!"  I thought this organization was ideal because we wouldn't have to pay any interest.  God MAY still provide a loan, but this is a definite reminder that God does NOT work like I work and He does NOT think like I think.  Isaiah 55:9 states it clearly - "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."  Funny (actually it's sad) that I as a human try to figure out how God will work and even base much of my confidence and my plans on the way I think it's best for Him to work. 

As I was going to sleep last night I decided to listen to a sermon titled "How to Live for God's Glory."  The main point was "We glorify God by trusting Him."  What a timely message for me.  The preacher used Abraham and Sarah (and the birth of Isaac) as an example of this point. 
"Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, 'So shall your offspring be.'  Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah's womb was also dead.  Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised."  Romans 4:18-21 (NIV)

I don't know how many times God has used the story of Abraham and Sarah to encourage and challenge me through this adoption journey.  We have not waited any time compared to them and yet Abraham believed.  The situation seemed impossible and yet Abraham believed.  God has also used their story to warn me not to run ahead and try to accomplish things in my way or in my time.  If I try to "help" God, I will just make a mess of the situation.  And, so, I'm trying to wait and believe. 

Please pray that we will sense God's guidance as to what other steps we need to take.  We do hope to do the Both Hands fundraiser soon.  http://www.lifesongfororphans.org/bothHands.html


We have had a wonderful weekend.  We were blessed to spend Friday night in Cincinnati and spend Saturday at Coney Island.  (Someone paid all our expenses.  It was a special time for our family -- a mini-vacation.)  It was extra special that we were able to spend time with Brad's mom & stepdad.  We made great memories and of course we took lots of pictures.  I hope to upload some soon but can't with dial-up.

Have a blessed sabbath - REST in HIM!!!

Katelyn's Fund Grant

Last week we were interviewed by phone by the board of Katelyn's Fund.  Only four of the board members were able to make it (so they said we had an easy night), but we shared our story and answered their questions.  At the end of interview, they each prayed for us and our adoption journey.  It was wonderful to have them take time to pray over us.  What a privilege and a blessing.  We knew they were interviewing others and would then be praying over applications and we should hear from them in around three weeks.

This week has been a little difficult as we've been waiting to hear about our no-interest loan for which we applied.  We were told the review usually takes 4 to 6 weeks and then we'd be notified by e-mail or phone.  Monday marked 7 weeks since they received our application.  If we are approved, we should be able to tell our agency that we're ready to be matched.  I know I need to remember that I'm waiting on the LORD, not a loan.  I also know that He is using each detail to help bring us the son He wants to be part of our family.  Knowing these things helps, but it doesn't take away the anticipation or the emotions that go with the process.

I was encouraged yesterday by the following passage.  "...waiting does not diminish us, any more than waiting diminishes a pregnant mother. We are enlarged in the waiting. We, of course, don't see what is enlarging us. But, the longer we wait, the larger we become, and the more joyful our expectancy. Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God's Spirit is right alongside helping us along." ~ taken from Romans 8 (The Message)

We received a call today from Sheila at Katelyn's Fund.  She said we've been approved for a full grant - $3000.  Praise the LORD!!!  I was so surprised to hear from them already.  It was such an encouragement in the waiting.  We can't tell our agency that we're ready to be matched yet, but evidently God is not ready for us to be matched.  And, as a framed quote in our first agency said, "Faith in God includes faith in His timing."

Both Hands & Paperwork Progress

We got a call from Lifesong for Orphans yesterday.  They approved us to do the BOTH HANDS fundraiser.  We are excited and have quite a bit of work to do to get a team together, etc.  Please pray for us as we organize the project, etc and pray that God will be glorified through this fundraiser.  If you want to read more about it, you can see our previous blog post or go to http://www.lifesongfororphans.org/bothHands.html. 

Today we did our fingerprinting again.  Everything has to be done within 12 months of the child's placement in our home.  So, we've been redoing physicals, criminal checks, etc...  I must admit it's been a somewhat frustrating week because I've been confused about some of the paperwork.  After several people helped me, I think today I finally understood what we're supposed to do.  I don't say this to complain.  In fact, I almost didn't admit it.  But, if any people reading this are in the adoption process, they need to know that the adoption journey has it's ups and downs.  Hold on!!!  It will be worth it!

Some quotes from Hope for the Journey that have really encouraged me are


“This is what God has called us to do. We know it’s messy; we know it’s uncomfortable, and it’s going to turn our lives upside down, but this is God’s heart.” ~ Steven Curtis Chapman

and

"The adoption journey is not easy, but every hour of toil, every obstacle encountered, every tear shed, every sleepless night--all are but a shadow of the price that God paid for us."

and

“Looking back at the wait and setbacks we had endured to adopt our son, God’s timing could not have been more perfect. God knew exactly how to connect us to the child he created for us.” ~ Kerry Hasenbalg

Blessed Beyond Measure

We haven't updated the blog lately because there isn't much to say about the adoption process.  We're in the WAIT and PRAY (repeat, repeat, ...) stage.

We have applied to Show Hope (Steven Curtis Chapman's organization) and God's Grace Adoption Ministry for financial aid.  We are waiting to hear from both organizations and praying for God to provide in His way and in His time.  We also tried to contact the Boatner Foundation, but don't have current contact information.

In the mean time we are rejoicing in where God has us and how He has blessed us.  God has been so good to us.  We know that even if we never have the privilege of rearing a son, we have been blessed beyond what we could have imagined.  Our daughters are at such fun ages.  God has supplied all our needs and has given us many of our wants.  I never dreamed life here on earth could be this good.  Is it perfect?  No, of course not!!!  But God is good and we can't praise Him enough for working in our lives and allowing us to serve Him.  Thank You, Lord!!

We are so blessed!

Kaitlyn enjoys the leaves

Nicole

Natalie, Kaitlyn, Nicole

Nicole, Kaitlyn, Natalie

Kaitlyn's new twin bed - the railing is attached b/c it's made to be a bunk bed

Nicole (in pink) and Natalie (in blue) in their new full bed

Natalie & Nicole (background) doing one of their favorite things

(Please excuse the immodesty!)