With God, All Things Are Possible

If you would have told me a year ago that we would be where we are now, I would have told you that there is no way we could afford or do it. I would have been right. Thankfully, it is not us that has done it. It has been orchestrated by God working in and around us and the body of Christ. At our church, we are challenged to attempt something so great that it be doomed to fail unless God be in it. Well, this must be it for us! So far, God has provided the cost, the connections, the favor in letting the agency let us begin even though we didn't have enough raised for their fees alone and the favor in how quickly this process has happened for us. God is faithful! Now, we did have the call to step out when we did. So, don't just jump and assume it is His will. : )

So, OUR LITTLE BOY is precious! His current name is Jihoon, which means wisdom and contributor. We plan on keeping that as his Korean name, and naming him Samuel Joseph. He just looks like a Samuel to us. The meaning fits perfectly too. According to his records, his health is "grossly normal" and he is developmentally on track. He is not shy and is a good babbler. I love how they say that, "He is a naughty baby who likes to play with his foster family." He seems to be well-taken care of by them. They had a lot of sweet things to say.

Depending on how quickly this next phase of paperwork goes through, we could travel as early as late November? But then it could also take several months longer. At this point, it is still sinking in that my prayers have been answered. I finally have a baby!!! Joe is already the proud father who carries his picture with him all day, showing it off. He has been so helpful with this last leg of paperwork too. I am paper-worked-out, so he took over.

The next leg is getting everything ready for Samuel, traveling to Korea, and making decisions about what to do when we get him. I have been very nervous about the last part because my income is needed. We have a little extra to go out to eat occasionally and pay for unexpected things. We have already cut out as much as possible. So, to think about not continuing to work at my current job is scary. I don't know what will be decided or how things will work out, but they always do. God has been getting me ready this summer for this time. I read about several missionaries and their stories of God's provision and protection. It never seems to be the way I plan it out, but it ends up being better. So, we will focus on today and let God work out our tomorrow.

On an end note, I wanted to share something else I noticed while reading Samuel's information. Do you remember me telling you on an earlier post how God had kept me awake one night and called me to pray for the protection of my baby and his birth mother's wisdom? If not, go back and read it. Well, his paperwork states that his birth mother worried about what to do with her baby while she was pregnant because she was poor and the birth father had cut off contact. She agonized about what to do. Well, my prayer was Feb. 20th and Samuel was born March 13th. God knew that she needed prayer and let me be one of those to pray for her. How awesome is that?!

I have had a lot of new people reading the blog lately and they have asked how they can help. If you are one of them, our support letter was posted on June 2nd. Basically, we are working with Promise686, we do have a prayer team that gets updates and prayer requests, and we are taking hand-me-downs at this time, anything from diapers never used to furniture. We have a crib and a glider so far. Oh, and the Tupperware Fundraiser is posted as well.

Unfortunately, we can't post pictures of Samuel until he is legally ours, which could be a year from now. After we get him from Korea, we still have home study visits for up to 6 months and then we adopt here in the states. So, our journey is far from over. But it is a wonderful journey! Thank you to all of you who have prayed for us so far. : ) And PRAISE GOD!!!

Referral!

We said at one time that we wouldn't announce a referral until we knew we were going to accept it. But, we are too excited to wait! We got the call today!
We go through the packet with our Home Study social worker Monday after work. UGH! I hope I can sleep and concentrate on the first day of school Monday. I'm sure I'll have so much to think about with that. At least it will be a good distraction.
I met some of my new students and their parents today. Every single one of them were adorable! I look forward to getting to know them this year.
I also got to see some of my former students. My how they grow so fast! Some are just about taller than me and this is only my fourth year at this school. One of the parents told me that 2 of her children (both my former students) have decided to do a triathlon and use the money raised for our adoption. I was so touched I had to hold back tears. They have even gotten some of my others students to do the same. I am so blessed with such wonderful children in my life. Their parents are just as wonderful. I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. : )
I can't wait to make a book of all of these stories for our baby and show how the body of Christ, young and old, were used by God to bring him into our lives.
I say him, because this referral is a boy, and he was born in March. I have so many family members born in March, including myself. I'm nervous to get too excited, because a referral does not guarantee it is our baby. After we go through the paperwork, we send off or go to a pediatrician to break down whatever medical issue he has and tell us the long-term effects. If it is a costly issue, we will have to pass up the referral so that he can go to a family that can better help him. These parents give up their children so that they can be better-cared for. It would be selfish of me to take on someone that I can't care for as well as another family. We are praying that it will not be an issue. Joe is pretty confident that we will not have to pass him up.
So, we will see. Pray for us to have wisdom and discernment, patience, and peace. There are so many decisions to make and more paperwork to do once we accept a referral.

Tupperware Fundraiser

You've received an Evite invitation. Click here to RSVP!

Here is information about our first fundraiser.

We are so excited about this opportunity. Allison is a friend of mine. She lived near me when we were in high school and we didn't even know each other until her husband started working at our church, where Joe and I both work. Since then, we have been instant friends and in the same discipleship group. I am honored and thankful for this blessing that she is offering. We are also excited about being able to get some Tupperware items for our baby with the extra points.

If you can not come to the Tupperware party, you can still order from Allison. The directions are in the Evite.

Joe is excited too. He is already wanting to plan out our snacks and things. I told him that he needs to get the baby room ready for everyone to see it. LOL

Keep praying not only for our fund-raising, but also for God to work it all out according to His glory. It is Him doing all of this and we are amazed. Also pray for our baby and his/her mom. Selfishly, I pray for her health, but I also pray for her heart. I know it can't be easy giving up life that grew inside of you for 9 months. We are so grateful for the opportunity she is giving this child and for us to be able to be a part of. We are trying to be patient and will definitely let you know when we get information on our baby.

Until then, we wait, we pray, and we worship.

Adoption thoughts

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2010/july/10.18.html?start=1

I'm not sure how to add links, so I am trying a couple of things. I hope it works.

This article was sent to me by someone I would call an adopted mother. She is not my mother by birth, but has claimed me as her daughter. Although I do already have a birth mother, whom I am very close to, I have aunts that are like second mothers to me as well. We all experience a form of adoption in our lives. When Joe and I got married, my family wrapped their arms around him. He calls them mom, dad, brother, etc. We have friends that we would call brothers and sisters. The church is our adopted family. I can't tell you how many people I know, including ourselves, that have been cared for like family through other Christians or even a church congregation. Even Jesus left his home town, lived life with and poured into his disciples. They had a bond of brotherhood.

The beauty in adoption is that we are accepted as we are. We don't have to earn love from the other person. We see faults in each other and even talk about most of them, but we love each other all the same. We confide in each other, correct each other, and encourage each other. That is what God does for his children. He has open arms ready to give us a voice. (Read the article about this.) He picks us up, brushes us off (which sometimes hurts), encourages us, and corrects us. He warns us about sin because He knows how bad it is for us. He does it because of His love for us. It is not a effort to control us. We don't deserve all of the goodness He offers. We don't deserve being adopted. But just the same, we ARE adopted and I am sooooo thankful for it.

HOW DEEP THE FATHER'S LOVE FOR US

How deep the Father's love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
And make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the man upon the cross
My sin upon His shoulder
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

Fingerprints went through!

At least that is what we were told. Joe and I got our prints done this morning. I REALLY hope we don't have to do that again, though. We had to leave the house at 6am to get there and wait in line for a little bit. We went through 3 lines before getting the prints. Thankfully, since we got there early, we didn't have to wait too long in the other lines. The woman who did Joe's prints, said his did fine. YAY!

I also have some exciting news for ME. We got patio furniture!!! I can't believe it! I plotted myself on the couch every morning willing myself to be content. But then Joe's co-worker went to Home Depot and looked at the patio set thinking of us. He came back and told Joe about this great deal. When we got there, the set he was talking about was gone, but the one I had been eying for months now was on sale. Actually, it was the bigger version of the one I wanted for way less than the price. I had also gotten paid for some of my extra summer work. Ever since we put it up, we have spend MUCH time back there talking and praying. I have enjoyed quiet time listening to the birds sing and have been reminded that God answers even the simplest prayers. We have even been able to see our neighbors and spend time with them. It has definitely been one more reason to trust God in providing what we need for this adoption and life afterward. I can see my heart changing about many things and softening in many areas. My hands are slowly letting go of their clutches and opening to receive His best for me.

Now we wait for the referral. I honestly have no idea how long that will take. Joe is the eager beaver and believes it will be any day now. I am a little more reserved and think it will be at least a couple of months. Either way, I am content for the time being. Just knowing that it is all just around the corner excites and stresses me at the same time. So, taking this time to rest and wait is just fine with me.

If you need me, I'll be sitting on my patio enjoying the view. . . : )

Enjoy the Journey

God answers prayers quickly sometimes! I woke up and got a summer schedule worked out. I also had time to pray and read. I was really convicted about trying to do things in my own strength, my own way. I was also convicted about being ungrateful. I have so many blessings to be thankful for that I shouldn't focus on what I want and don't have. Do I really need a patio set? No. I had a great time using the dining room table, which was an answer to prayer a little over a year ago. I realize that I waste so much time worrying or trying to work things out myself, that I miss out on the excitement of the "ride". An analogy I read this morning was about a boy that went on an amusement park ride with his dad. His dad was worried about his son possibly falling out but he looked over and his son was smiling the entire time. Afterward, he asked his son why he wasn't scared. His son told him that it was because his dad was next to him and knew that he would protect him. I want to be more like that boy with my heavenly father.

As the bulk of the adoption payment comes closer, I fear that we won't have enough money to cover it. I also still struggle with fear about how we will afford to live once we get our baby. What will things be like? What will our baby be like? What kind of problems will I have to deal with then? . . . There are so many fears that I know God will work out somehow. I need to give those fears to my father and enjoy this journey. I pray that you too will be able to enjoy this journey no matter what fears or problems you may be facing today.

(Oh, quick note: We got our gift report from Promise686 today. Many of you who have told me that you have given were not listed. Please make sure you put DeGuido adoption on the memo. If you forgot, either let me know or e-mail promise686.)

First immigration paperwork sent in

I already had the I-600A paperwork mostly filled out by the time the home study was approved. There were some confusing questions that I needed help answering and spent a couple of days finding them, but pretty much sent the form out quickly. So, another $830 has been spent. We are now waiting for Homeland Security to tell us where to get our next set of prints done and when. I'm almost positive it will be in Atlanta, which isn't too bad for me, but Joe may have to take more time off work.

Other than that, our adoption agency is working on getting our paperwork ready to send to Korea, which is really exciting. I have been reading other blogs from people who have adopted from South Korea and saw one that was where we are now a year ago. They got their home study approved in June and went to get their baby in January. I can't believe it may be that soon. But then again, I have read others that took longer. So, I'm trying not to get my hopes up too much.

In the meantime, I am tutoring 2 days a week and going to school most other weekdays to work on the projects I am doing. I finished one already! This next one will probably take me much of the summer, but it is nice to have a more flexible schedule. The only problem is that I haven't gotten a routine down yet. I am not getting good quiet time or bible reading done lately and I am feeling the effects. I'm sure Joe is feeling it too! LOL

So, please pray for both of us to stay connected with God and walk in the spirit. I am selfishly praying for a patio set for me to do my morning quiet time on. Joe is trying to save as much money as possible for the adoption and here I am ready to spend some of our extra money coming in. Maybe it is one of the consequences of not being connected. I do easily find myself discontented when that happens.

Also keep praying for protection for our baby, the birth mom and foster parents. We are probably a few weeks to a few months away from a referral. We can either accept or pass on the referral. We need discernment on whether the first baby referred is the one God wants us to have.

We should be hearing from Promise686 soon as to how much support we have raised so far. I apologize to anyone who has sent in a donation and has not received a response from us. We have not received a list of contributors. We should be getting something soon though.

Thank you to all who are following and encouraging us. We have been so blessed to know that people want to be apart of all of this. Your prayers are so needed and appreciated!