And so the journey begins...

And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me. Matthew 18:5

Over the last seven years, God has done many miraculous things for Kelly and I...starting with our wedding day. There have been several times over those years that we dreamed of a child of our own...talked about adoption...and wondered if the day would ever really come. Kelly has two lovely daughters and I have four beautiful sons...after years of consideration and months of continual prayer and deliberation, the time has come. Today we met with the director of "New Life Adoptions" here in Wenatchee...There are mountains of paperwork and classes and an unknown number of days ahead of us! We are on our way...following God through the many doors ahead, as He opens them. 

In our research we have found countless stories of families like ours who had thought of adoption, but always hesitated(it seems SO big and SO expensive!), yet once they moved forward, God provided the way to bring their child home...it seems too big...too expensive...impossible... An immovable mountain...But, we know that nothing is impossible for Him.  So, like those families, we are ready to step out in faith, knowing that God will see to it that His plans for our family and (If it truly is His will) for our daughter, wherever she may be, are fulfilled. We know this is a dream that is the picture of God's heart...adoption. He adopted each of us and gave us a knew name...and He was SO excited, He tattooed that name on His Hand...and wrote it on His heart!  We look forward to learning all that this process reveals to us about the love of God...we are already starting to sense that excitement! 

This blog will be our primary means of keeping family, friends and supporters informed and involved in the process! We will be doing several fundraising activities (and are happy to accept donations from those who feel led to do so, but prayers are so very much appreciated, as well!) to help cover the needs that will inevitably arise from this adventure!  If you have any fundraising ideas that you would like to share, please feel free to comment here! We will be scouring "Craigslist" for many of the items we need as time goes on. 

I will also establish and keep up to date a current prayer needs list for the areas of greatest need and focus that we encounter in preparation for our child's arrival...we will be preparing to cover the basic needs of a baby(3 years and under) and the needs we have to modify our home(her future room needs a safe egress window installed before she can sleep there!) and we are asking for God's provision of a  new electrical panel and an improved heating/ac system installation(s) before bringing a young child home!  (But, only He knows what we really need!) Perhaps that will all come later!

We have seen, many times over, where God has called communities to participate in the "homecoming" of a child through adoption. We believe it is part of our calling as a church body to "care for widows and orphans in their distress" (James 1:27)...we invite you to join us now (in whatever way that you feel lead) as we start this journey!

Current prayer needs are:

1.    Firm direction on the choice of an adoption agency, and the agency that will provide our home study. (we believe this one has already been answered!)That God will direct us to a social worker who has His will for us in mind...

2.   God's guidance and direction when completing the application process... especially in the area of hearing His clear will for the "special needs" possibilities and "age range" selections of our application. We want to be open to accept whatever God has for us. We also need to be open to whatever preparation that may require!

3.   Guidance and favor as we submit our application and start the home study process.

4.  The funds to begin necessary repairs to our home and the installation of an egress window in that future downstairs bedroom. 

5.  The necessary elements to begin preparation for covering her needs when she comes home. 

6. Peace and a calm, watchful heart that is prepared to wait this process out!

7. Continued growth and strength to keep our eyes on Jesus, in our pursuit of God's will and His purpose for our marriage. 

8. And last, but not least...protection and a sense of love and peace for our little one wherever she may be!

Practical needs that some of you might feel lead to address:

Practical help in getting our yard completed(this coming Spring), our exterior cleaned up...replacement of the soffits(eaves?).  Expertise on installation of an egress window...(If anyone would like to donate the cost or equipment to install (or labor for installation)an egress window in the room downstairs where our daughter will sleep(so she is close to our room) that would be such a tremendous blessing!)

If you should feel lead to give monetarily, we will be having several events that will you afford that opportunity...or if you would like to keep it simple...there is a Paypal button in a couple of places on this blog...all donations go to making our home ready for the child that God has for us! Once that need has been met, the remainder is going to be put together as a donation to "New Life Adoptions" so that they can continue to help other families fulfill God's purpose for their lives through adoption!

We simply cannot shake the sense that she is out there waiting for us...whether "out there" means she has already been born or not, we do not know...but, we are praying for her and for her birth family every day...we are also praying for the countless children in our world who wait for their forever families to come and give them new life!

Thank you so much for joining us on the journey!

By His Grace Alone

Kelly and Jeanene

"Behold, I make all things new!"