I have tried to refrain from talking about finances on our blog. One, I didn't want our blog to be a place people felt all we did was ask for money, or that that was the purpose for our blog. It is not. We want our blog to be a place where people can learn about adoption and see how the Lord has called us to adoption. To follow along on our journey as we have stepped out in faith. However, the Lord has blessed us so many times financially, in this adoption, I just had to share. One, to give God the glory. Two, so others can see that when you step out in faith for something God has called you to do, He will provide! Period. It may be last minute, but He will provide.
When we started the adoption of Levi in March we literally had no savings. We had saved up to buy our son a used car. What we thought was a "good buy" turned out to be a nightmare. We didn't even have the car 24 hours before it began having trouble. Three visits to the car shop and one transmission later our savings was depleted. We paid 2x more on the repairs than we did on the car. Anyway, when I brought up adopting Levi to Mark his first reaction was, "What do we have to do to bring him home?" His second reaction, "We can't pay for this. Where is the money going to come from?" Well, as God would have it our first huge fee came the same week as our tax return. The next big fee came only a couple weeks later, but so did Mark's bonus! Now, yes, it would have been nice to chuck all this into savings. But, God's timing is awesome and we know that He will provide for our needs, as well as for this adoption. John 6: 19-20 says, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal." I really feel adoption is an eternal treasure!
Along the way we had other fees. One was our I800a/federal fingerprints, which again was provided for by a dear family in our church who felt lead to pay for this fee. Other fees paid for by a co worker of Mark's who donated $100.00 to our blog button, and another co worker who walked up to Mark after work and wrote him a check for $570 right on the spot to help. These men helped pay for our home study costs. So here we are amazed that God has provided, just as He promises. Every fee due at this point has been paid for. Yet, we know other fees are coming: travel visas, agency fees, orphanage donations, and travel costs. All approaching quickly due to our expedite, and totaling close to 18K. It appears overwhelming to us, but not to God.
Due to the travel visa requirements changing we applied for our visas early. (See post below). We had been praying that God would provide the funds for this, but the day came to pay and no funds. So, I put $1193 on visa figuring this would be the beginning of our needing a loan. Knowing full well that on the heels of this fee would be a $7150 fee, due upon receiving our LOC, followed by travel costs and the orphanage donation. I came home though, at peace, knowing God was still in control. That
So, where will the next $7150 come from? I don't know, BUT God does and I can't wait to watch Him work!
He IS Jehovah Jirah and He WILL provide...it's amazing to watch God work when you step out in faith and trust Him to provide!!!! Hugs to you all!!!
ReplyDeleteKris, absolutely amazing. Growing up in my church, there was a family who had adopted I think 4 or 5 kids and had similar situations. One day, her husband was getting frustrated with fees and delays and the wife was saying, God will provide and the husband said, "I want to see God put bread on the table!". That day, she got a call from one of her oldest son's friends: "Mrs. H, since we had the snowstorm a few days ago, we now have a whole lot of bread that is expired and we can't sell here at the grocery store. My manager said to throw it out of give it away, and I was just wondering.... Could you use it?". She, of course, had him bring it over and they filled the large dining room table with bread.
ReplyDeleteAs she tells the story, that was not the end... At another time, her husband was again frustrated with fees and they were talking about the expense right as he put his arm through a hole in his undershirt, making it now a rag. He railed, "I know God will provide, but I don't even have undershirts! What are we doing going through another adoption?". Later that day, the priest at their church called and, in his Irish accent, asked her if she wanted any "vests" for the boys at her house. She said, "yes," although at the time they were living in Arizona and she had no idea what she could do with vests. She went to pick them up and discovered a large bag of what the Irish call vests... And what we call undershirts.
Your story reminds me again that we step through this life on faith, and what we need will be there for us with God's grace. I cannot wait to see what He provides for the rest of your journey!