Labor Pangs!

So I was in labor all night...in my dreams. I was dreaming that I was in so much pain and getting ready to have a baby. I wasn't progressing for the longest time and then suddenly I delivered my own baby and my mom was the one to clamp the umbilical cord. Then my dream immediately switched over to me being pregnant and in labor again. But this time I was being prepped for a c-section.
I will tell you that this adoption journey has felt like a never-ending pregnancy. A pregnancy without a due date! Agghhh! Oh what a day of rejoicing there will be!
This morning as soon as I woke up, I checked my email. There was a message from Amani Baby Cottage. This is what it said:

Just a quick update for you...first of all, Katie is officially walking consistently! She was moved to Baby 2 over the weekend! It's great...she toddles all over. On a less positive note, I spoke with the lawyer, and it will be awhile longer before you are allocated a court date (awhile is as specific as we could get) because the registrar is taking a course on how to be a judge. Scheduling is temporarily on hold until a replacement can fill in. I will keep you posted!

It is easy to be discouraged by this news. However I believe that God was whispering to me that He is in control, do not be discouraged. I think sometimes God likes it when the situation is obviously out of our control and not humanly possible. It is then that we clearly give Him the glory. I know that God has huge things planned. He will receive the glory. We are constantly learning what it means to trust and wait on our Lord. He is faithful and He will bring it to pass...And it will be in His timing!

More pictures from Auntie Rachel and Auntie Arielle

We serve a big God

The Chili Dinner was lastnight and it was a huge success. We had such a great time and were in awe (and crying) the entire night. It still amazes me that this fundraiser came together in exactly two weeks. It was truly mind-blowing.
Ephesians 3:20 "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!" God did immeasurably more than we could ask or imagine...God provided $9000 lastnight! We are overwhelmed. God has blessed us abundantly. He has blessed us through family, friends, strangers, and the community. We have been embraced by the community of Billings and there has been an outpouring of love, support, prayer, and encouragement. We stand in awe of God and are speechless. Thank you Lord. Thank you Billings, and thank you to everyone who was a part of the dinner lastnight whether you were there physically or in prayer. Uganda here we come! (as soon as we get a court date!) Please stay on your knees before our Father. May God bring Katie and Christopher home soon.

Thank you to all of our donors:

Ophthalmic Associates of Billings
Billings Flying Services
Bob & Joan Carr, PostNet on Grand & Rehberg
Shad Fancher, Independent Silpada Representative
Wal-Mart, King Ave.
Wal-Mart, Laurel
Tracy Pare, Independent Mary Kay Consultant
Billings Bulls
Let’s Party Party Store
Enzo
Starbucks
The Brake Shop
City Brew
Wild Birds Unlimited
Fuddruckers
Grains of Montana
Mustard Seed
Café Desserte
Tammy Sturdevant, Independent Two Sisters Gourmet Consultant
Lana Wilson, Quixtar Consultant
The Soup Place
The Pita Pit
Sunset Bowl
Sherwin Williams
Coldwater Creek
Misty Tull, Independent Mary Kay Consultant
Cookies By Design
The Fireplace Center
The Outlaws
Scheels
Papa Murphy’s
Ginny McDonald
Billings Athletic Club
Johnny Carinos’s Italian Grill
Snow Country
Park Place Salon
Elise Laininger, Independent Private Quarters Consultant
Eileen Pinkerton, Independent Consultant with The Smart Home
Brandi Phillips at Synergy Salon
Carmel Cookie Waffle
Natalie Mullet, Photographer
The Wave Car Care Center
UltraTan Full Service Tanning Resort
Billings Overhead Door Company
Kirstina Hedges at Park Place Salon
Rick, Linda, and Lance Kouba, Heavenly Homes Real Estate
Merle Norman
Linda Lundman, Independent Pampered Chef Consultant
Hope Church
Heights Fitness Center
Apex Mortgage
The Little Gym
Davidson Home Furnishings
Tara Pool, Artist
MTM Jewelry
Kristi Davis, Independent Creative Memories Consultant
Copper Colander
Starlite Roller Rink
Party America
Bible Book Store
Rustic Mountain Furnishings
Poet Street Market
KULR 8 News

Update

In my last entry we had just found out that Amani Baby Cottage had received our affidavits....

Well, shortly after that, we found out that our affidavits had one too many signatures and because of that, it could not be filed with the courts. So we had to do that part of the process over! We had to reprint the affidavits, sign and re-fedex (another $130)!! The most discouraging part was that it would take another week for the affidavits to arrive in Uganda. It felt like we had just wasted a week. I have to remember that there will be hiccups along the way--that's a given! It's amazing how many circumstances God can use to continually remind me that He is in control, His timing is best, and patience, patience, patience!

Our papers finally arrived last Tuesday, Jan. 22. The affidavits were filed with the high court on Wednesday, Jan. 23. We rejoice that this part of the process is done. We are officially waiting for a court date. One of the other families in our group got a Feb. 11 court date, so we are praying for a Feb. date as well. But again, God is in control, His timing is perfect, and He has a day appointed already, and it will not be delayed from that.

We also found out recently that Amani had to increase their prices for adoption. We now need to come up with an additional $3000. Again this was discouraging news, but this is no surprise to God. When we heard this news and shared it with some close friends, God began bringing his purposes to light. God gave an idea to our friend Erryn, and the motivation to bring it to completion. That night Erryn brainstormed and developed plans for a dinner and silent auction fundraiser!
This Saturday, February 2nd, we are having a "Crazy Chili Cookoff Dinner" at Hope Church on 56th and Grand from 5 to 9 pm. It is $5 per person, all you can eat chili, drinks and dessert. We will be having a silent auction and raffles. We have had an enourmous response from businesses who are lavishing us with support and generosity for this event. Our goal is to raise $5800 which will cover the increased adoption fees, travel expenses for me and the children, and costs while in Uganda.
We believe God has big things planned for this event Saturday. This is about God accomplishing His purposes and may all the glory go to Him. He is wonderful!

This journey has been long (two years in April) and we are tired. The finish line looks so close but we know that it requires a great deal of emotional and physical endurance. Please pray for us that we finish well. We want to be willing and obedient to God wherever and whenever he chooses to direct us.
We appreciate your prayers, support, encouragment, and friendship. God has richly blessed us through you. We are rich indeed.

WooooHoooooo!!!!!!!!!!

Another milestone...
It's amazing how one email can just make our day...we received news that Amani Baby Cottage received our signed affidavits--2 days earlier than expected! These papers should be delivered to the lawyer today, then he will file with the court by Friday! Then we wait to receive our court date!
Keep praying!!!
We also got some encouraging news...Siouxanne, the nurse at Amani, started requiring that Katie drink water four times throughout the day. (We had been concerned that she might be dehydrated which is critical with sickle cell anemia). The report has been good. There seems to be a noticeable difference in her energy level and health, so much that Siouxanne wants to make this mandatory for all the children.
We praise God for this!

GOT MILK?

Yippeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We received our affidavits! They arrived in our email inbox this morning, we printed off copies, got them notarized, and Fed Ex'd them off to Uganda! The documents should arrive in Uganda on the 17th. The lawyer will then take the signed affidavits to the Clerk and file a court date for us! This is a major milestone that we have been waiting to reach! We are so excited...things are moving forward. We have seen God answer so many prayers.

We continue to pray...
*that our affidavits will arrive intact at Amani Baby Cottage on the 17th or earlier
*that the lawyer will continue to be reliable, efficient, full of integrity, and bold
*that we will receive a court date in February
*that God raises up the last bit of adoption money
*that God makes it clear who He wants to travel with us
*that God gives us the energy to finish this adoption process well
*and last but not least, that God continues to receive the glory!

We have been reminded of the Scripture verse Ecclesiastes 3:11, which says, "He has made everything beautiful in its time."