Our Adoption Journey Offically Begins

After 3 years of talking about Adoption, we decided 2012 is the year we are getting started.  At the beginning of the year, we had no idea how we were going to fund our adoption.  To get started I wanted to at least have a 1/3 of the funds we needed.

In my time with God, praying and reading His Word, the two words that always came to me were, faith and surrender.  Andy and I were not going to be able to be on the journey of adoption in our own strength, we needed to surrender our needs to God and have faith that He would provide.  God provided in an amazing way and we received a 1/3 of the funds we needed for our adoption.  Praise the Lord, He is Good!!!!

Tonight, we have officially started our adoption journey by submitting our application to the adoption agency.  God has put on our hearts to adopt a little girl from Haiti.  We are excited for the journey ahead of us and know that God is walking with us on this journey.

Thank you to those who have been praying for us and for those who continue to pray for us as we officially begin our adoption journey.

Happy Anniversary Wausau

February 14, 2012....Three years ago today we arrive in Wausau, WI from Portland, OR.
It's been a good three years.

In three years, Rose was 2 1/2 year old, now she is in kindergarten, reading and writing, enjoying sledding, involved in dance, gymnastics, One Way Club (mini youth group), and swim lessons.  She's had play dates, been to birthday parties, had sleepovers with friends.  She is growing up.

In three years, Andy is still working at Tombstone Pizza, now owned by Nestle, almost done with his MBA, has gone ice fishing a few times, fished in the Great Lakes, traveled to Florida, visited family in Indiana, lead small group at church, and grown in his faith.

In three years, Renee worked full time for a year, is now back to working part time (and loving it), made some GREAT friends, found a church she LOVES, grown in her faith, been involved in craft fairs, was in a play production, and learned how to use the riding lawn mower.

We've had wonderful visits with family and friends who have come out to visit us.  Enjoy all 4 seasons of the year (some more than others), and looking for ways to be more involved in our community.

After three year, I can say I really enjoy living in my town of Wausau and look forward for what else God has in store for us.

Centers

In kindergarten this year, Rose is learning how to spell and read.  Her teacher is having the class sound words out to figure out how to spell them.  In addition, Rose has different "centers" in her class for different subjects: Math Center, Reading Center, Game Center, Art Center, Computer Center, etc.

Rose had a friend come over tonight (we are babysitting) and Rose decided to make different "centers" throughout the house with activities for them to do, should her friend want to.  Here are the signs she made with her various centers.

"Airplane For Vacation Center"

 "Art Center"

"Rest Center" 

 "Vacation Center"

 "Dress Up Center"

"Movie and Book Center"

Faith

This week, everywhere I look, there seems to be a message about faith.  I think God is trying to tell me something.  Maybe I should quit being stubborn and listen.  Below are some quotes I have read this week and are really speaking to my soul:

Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.  Hebrews 11:1

"Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase." – Martin Luther King Jr.


"So it's important to have faith.  How do we get our faith to grow?  By reading and believing the word of God, and applying it to our daily life situations, by praying for others and seeing their situations change, and by simply allowing God to take us through hard times and good times.  This will grow our faith." 

Happy New Year!

Welcome 2012!

We had a great night ringing in the New Year with some FABULOUS friends the Lord has blessed us with. As the ladies were sitting around the table, we shared what our goals for 2012 are, (I don't seem to follow through with resolutions).

Some of my goals for 2012
Financial:

• Pay off at least 2 bills.
• Start the homestudy study for our adoption.
• Get gazelle serious with our budget and finances (Dave Ramsey).

Personal/Fitness:

• Exercise at least 3 days a week.
• Fill out and turn in paperwork for my US Citizenship.
• Strengthen the friendships I have with others.
• Make more time for crafting and enjoy the process, not just finishing the project.

Spiritual:

• Read my bible at least 3-4 days a week.  

So, there you have it.  I'm told if you write your goals down, you are more likely to succeed.  They are now written down and I have goals to reach for this year.

Hope your 2012 is the best year yet!