I truly enjoy reading about the healing of the man born blind in John 9. That sounds awful at first, but it’s not about the man being blind. It’s about the healing of the man! The disciples were with Jesus when they saw a man who was born blind. They asked Jesus why this happened. Was it the man’s sins? Was it his parents’ sins? I love how Jesus responds. He replies in verse 3 that “this happened so that the works of God might be displayed.” A miracle happened when this man was healed. God’s work was displayed in his life, those that witnessed, and just imagine, all the others that were told of this!
God has been displaying himself in our lives as well! God has already done immeasurably more than we could ever imagine (Ephesians 3:20-21). Craig and I continue to be surprised and impressed at how God has provided. I started recording events during the adoption process. It’s been overwhelming at times, but it is amazing to look back and realize how He has blessed us. Some events record our progress through the steps of the adoption process, some events show the bumps in the road, and many more other share God’s blessings. This list, I have no doubt is abridged, because God has done these and so much more than I can even recognize.
God has been displaying himself in our lives as well! God has already done immeasurably more than we could ever imagine (Ephesians 3:20-21). Craig and I continue to be surprised and impressed at how God has provided. I started recording events during the adoption process. It’s been overwhelming at times, but it is amazing to look back and realize how He has blessed us. Some events record our progress through the steps of the adoption process, some events show the bumps in the road, and many more other share God’s blessings. This list, I have no doubt is abridged, because God has done these and so much more than I can even recognize.
7/23
Reading A Woman and her God. Key Message: Unity. Key Verse: Ephesians 4:4-5. This verse becomes very important throughout the process as reminder that we are united as a family in the Lord. One hope in Him!
7/27
Verse of the Day: Genesis 21:8. What a great reminder to celebrate God’s blessings! I needed this reminder today as the unknowns in the future get in the way. More to come in anther post, but the name Isaac has significance. For one, the name means “laughter,” because when Sarah found out she would have a baby in her old age she laughed. God provided for Sarah, and He provides for us.
7/30
Verse of the Day: 1 Samuel 3:19 Another great reminder as we grow our family that God is also with our child.
7/31
Verse of the Day: John 1:12-13 This whole adoption journey is changing the way I think about family. I love the image of God adopting me as his own child.
8/7
Ashley finds a bracelet with “I’m adopted. Ephesians 1:5“ on it at the 127 Yard Sale! This verse would become a foundational verse for me.
I find a used baby swing. The first baby purchase!
That evening I see the Holiday Inn Commercial. First time I ever saw this commercial and it put a smile on my face.
8/8
We go to church for a work day to help with projects around the building and walk away with a box of baby clothes that were no longer needed. They’re mostly boys’ colors, but Baby shouldn’t need much for the first 3 months. Crazy!
8/9
Verse of the Day: Proverbs 18:11. Finances have been on my mind as we go through the adoption process. The fees involved are around $25,000. This is something we don’t have, but trust that God will provide.
Our oven catches on fire as it preheats for our dinner. I’m thinking, “Another expense!” Two new parts are needed… $173.89 sounds better than buying a new oven.
8/10
Devotional on James 1:2-4. Consider trials pure joy. A needed reminder that trials develop perseverance, so that we are not lacking anything!
That evening Craig goes through his mail and finds an uncashed check for $783.54. Who can be upset? We ended our contract with Sprint and never deposited the check from last summer… a year ago.
8/12
Broke my arm. Well, I didn’t. The impact from falling into cement steps while being pulled by Buddy the Dog who was chasing bunnies caused the ulna and radius to break. Still, surgery and all estimated under $300. Now, that’s awesome!
8/14
I return to school and find a card attached to my classroom door with a beautiful note and a check from a friend who wants to help with the adoption expenses.
That evening I discover a card Craig found in the mailbox containing a lovely card and a check. Holy moly! God is providing!
8/15
We pay our Home Study fees of $1500. Now, get this. We had $783.54 from Sprint and a combined $650 from the donations we were given yesterday. This means God provided $1433.54!!!
8/17
Verse of the Day: Luke 12:24. Love this! How much more valuable am I than birds? Thankful for God’s provisions!
8/28
Receive a check in the mail for $41. A year ago our home was burglarized… this shows up and will go right into the adoption savings. Can’t say there was anything good about a break in, but the restitution checks slowly add up. In fact, this paid for all but a few dollars of the Family Profile books we ordered!
8/29
Craig received a letter thanking him for his service at work during a huge expansion. As a thank you, he receives a bonus check of $1000. Wow! We put it right into the adoption savings!
The same day we purchase our second baby item- a crib and mattress. It’s used, but only cost $100. It saved us over $150 and we got free sheet sets and a mattress cover.
8/31
First day of Homework Help. I pick up an extra hour after the school day on Mondays to help students with homework. A little extra income makes a difference!
9/1
Our third baby item is purchased- a dresser/changing table for $100… saving us $150.
9/10
Meet with Human Resources about maternity leave. I have 69.5 sick days even after breaking my arm! Praise God for providing future time off with Baby!
9/11
Craig switches from hourly to salary and during the transition gets about $1000 added to his paycheck. The switch in roles at work adds a little extra to his yearly income too. God is providing! It is clear!
9/12
Receive a check for the cash value of a life insurance policy…. $1167.50. God is good. It’s interesting how God works to provide. Don’t worry I still have life insurance!
9/13
We’ve been registered for Baby for one day... Craig’s parents ask if they can stop by. They show up with the car seat and many other items. Thankful for all the excitement and blessings!
9/19
Lunch at Josh and Jenna’s with Buddy and Carrie to plan a fundraiser. So thankful to be loved on by our church!
"This happened so that the works of God might be displayed" (John 9:3). There is too much that has already happened through the adoption process to doubt that His hand is in it. He has provided for us and continues to provide. Praise God!
Thankful,
Beth
Reading A Woman and her God. Key Message: Unity. Key Verse: Ephesians 4:4-5. This verse becomes very important throughout the process as reminder that we are united as a family in the Lord. One hope in Him!
7/27
Verse of the Day: Genesis 21:8. What a great reminder to celebrate God’s blessings! I needed this reminder today as the unknowns in the future get in the way. More to come in anther post, but the name Isaac has significance. For one, the name means “laughter,” because when Sarah found out she would have a baby in her old age she laughed. God provided for Sarah, and He provides for us.
7/30
Verse of the Day: 1 Samuel 3:19 Another great reminder as we grow our family that God is also with our child.
7/31
Verse of the Day: John 1:12-13 This whole adoption journey is changing the way I think about family. I love the image of God adopting me as his own child.
8/7
Ashley finds a bracelet with “I’m adopted. Ephesians 1:5“ on it at the 127 Yard Sale! This verse would become a foundational verse for me.
I find a used baby swing. The first baby purchase!
That evening I see the Holiday Inn Commercial. First time I ever saw this commercial and it put a smile on my face.
8/8
We go to church for a work day to help with projects around the building and walk away with a box of baby clothes that were no longer needed. They’re mostly boys’ colors, but Baby shouldn’t need much for the first 3 months. Crazy!
8/9
Verse of the Day: Proverbs 18:11. Finances have been on my mind as we go through the adoption process. The fees involved are around $25,000. This is something we don’t have, but trust that God will provide.
Our oven catches on fire as it preheats for our dinner. I’m thinking, “Another expense!” Two new parts are needed… $173.89 sounds better than buying a new oven.
8/10
Devotional on James 1:2-4. Consider trials pure joy. A needed reminder that trials develop perseverance, so that we are not lacking anything!
That evening Craig goes through his mail and finds an uncashed check for $783.54. Who can be upset? We ended our contract with Sprint and never deposited the check from last summer… a year ago.
8/12
Broke my arm. Well, I didn’t. The impact from falling into cement steps while being pulled by Buddy the Dog who was chasing bunnies caused the ulna and radius to break. Still, surgery and all estimated under $300. Now, that’s awesome!
8/14
I return to school and find a card attached to my classroom door with a beautiful note and a check from a friend who wants to help with the adoption expenses.
That evening I discover a card Craig found in the mailbox containing a lovely card and a check. Holy moly! God is providing!
8/15
We pay our Home Study fees of $1500. Now, get this. We had $783.54 from Sprint and a combined $650 from the donations we were given yesterday. This means God provided $1433.54!!!
8/17
Verse of the Day: Luke 12:24. Love this! How much more valuable am I than birds? Thankful for God’s provisions!
8/28
Receive a check in the mail for $41. A year ago our home was burglarized… this shows up and will go right into the adoption savings. Can’t say there was anything good about a break in, but the restitution checks slowly add up. In fact, this paid for all but a few dollars of the Family Profile books we ordered!
8/29
Craig received a letter thanking him for his service at work during a huge expansion. As a thank you, he receives a bonus check of $1000. Wow! We put it right into the adoption savings!
The same day we purchase our second baby item- a crib and mattress. It’s used, but only cost $100. It saved us over $150 and we got free sheet sets and a mattress cover.
8/31
First day of Homework Help. I pick up an extra hour after the school day on Mondays to help students with homework. A little extra income makes a difference!
9/1
Our third baby item is purchased- a dresser/changing table for $100… saving us $150.
9/10
Meet with Human Resources about maternity leave. I have 69.5 sick days even after breaking my arm! Praise God for providing future time off with Baby!
9/11
Craig switches from hourly to salary and during the transition gets about $1000 added to his paycheck. The switch in roles at work adds a little extra to his yearly income too. God is providing! It is clear!
9/12
Receive a check for the cash value of a life insurance policy…. $1167.50. God is good. It’s interesting how God works to provide. Don’t worry I still have life insurance!
9/13
We’ve been registered for Baby for one day... Craig’s parents ask if they can stop by. They show up with the car seat and many other items. Thankful for all the excitement and blessings!
9/19
Lunch at Josh and Jenna’s with Buddy and Carrie to plan a fundraiser. So thankful to be loved on by our church!
"This happened so that the works of God might be displayed" (John 9:3). There is too much that has already happened through the adoption process to doubt that His hand is in it. He has provided for us and continues to provide. Praise God!
Thankful,
Beth
