What we've been up to

Well...an update is long over due. First of all, let me say God is so good! He knows what we need so much better than we do. So the whole living in limbo between Fort Worth and Austin was pretty rough on me. I'm not working full-time right now so I felt kind of useless...didn't have a house to set up, couldn't get going on our home study update until we moved...it really stunk. 3 or 4 houses we were really interested in fell through but God had us waiting for the perfect house for us right now. We are about a mile from the church in a really cute neighborhood with a great yard. I think the extra time was probably good to process and grieve the loss of our Nepal adoption. I'm kind of a list person so here goes some things I've been rolling around in my head.

Things I'm thankful for lately:

A wonderful and loving church family(they have been so supportive of Ryan's ministry)

New friends that have encouraged me

Godly and generous parents

God softening hearts about hard stuff

Together for Adoption conference

On fire adoption/orphan care community in Austin

A total stranger at church giving me a gift card for clothes and a precious note of encouragement on Orphan Sunday when she heard about our adoption

The Albritton family traveling to Ukraine to pick up their little one this week

Faithful friends who are prayer warriors

The youth we get the privilege to get to know and share Jesus Christ with

God's provision

Presence of peace and true joy that only comes from God during hard circumstances.

Healing of my friend Jessica Chapman's daughter Rachel

God showing Himself in little things like being able to get a medical form updated for our adoption so easily!

There are so many more things but those are the ones that come to mind right now. If you are reading this and you are one of those that have been praying for us...we are so thankful for you...I can tell you have been interceding on our behalf!!

I have been busy filling out paperwork again for our home study update. The social worker will come and visit us next week. Since we are changing countries, have moved, changed jobs, etc. the home study has to be updated. We are looking at waiting siblings from Ethiopia, so pray that God makes it clear which ones are our kids. We should have our dossier(paperwork to be sent to Ethiopia) ready by early to mid December so we are moving forward again!! Waiting children are kids who are usually older(age 3 and older but most are 7 and up) and have been waiting for a family for months or years so the process usually goes pretty fast(like 6 months total)!!

Love you guys,

Jessica