update, yard sale, and a birthday party...

Let me just begin by saying that God has brought me a long way in one week...and that is thanks, in part, to so many that have been praying for us and who have sent encouragement our way. I guess this is to be expected, but I have become very teary lately...so many blog comments and emails I have received in the past week have been read through eyes blurry with tears...and several conversations I have had with others always seem to end with my eyes whelling up. God has used your words to give us renewed strength...I feel like, with each tear, healing has been taking place. Satan wants to use this experience to destroy our faith, to crush the peace we have of our call to adopt, and to wipe out our witness....but, I refuse to allow this to happen. It is a minute by minute battle...but, one I know God will continue to give us the strength, wisdom, and grace to fight. We firmly believe that God will finish the work He began!

This past weekend, we coupled with Daniel and Lyndsie for another adoption yard sale. It was not as busy as the last sale, but we still did well...we collected $1,100 w/ the sale and a very generous donation!! I still have a few larger items that I am planning on using Craig's list & ebay to sell. We are so thankful for all of the donations we received from friends. We still have tons left over...and I'm trying to decide if I have it in me to have one more sale...

We have been blessed with so many supportive friends here, and my sweet friend Katie is one of those amazing people God has placed in our lives. She spent her Saturday morning away from her children (and a house they are building) to help us...I am so thankful for her!!!

It was so good to spend time with Daniel and Lyndsie...God has blessed me with her friendship as we journey together on the road of domestic adoption.

The girls at the sale. We loved spending time with Daniel's sister (far left)...she is so precious!

After we packed and loaded all of our un-sold items, we headed to my sister's to celebrate my adopted niece's birthday ...It's hard to believe EllaGrace has been in our family for only one year...I feel like she has always been a part of our lives...

My older nieces touched my heart that night...Each one of them either bought (with their own money) or made a present for Ella Grace...they love their little sister and were so proud to share in the excitment of her first (4th) birthday. :) Below is JennahKay with the gift she bought EllaGrace...

Healing is in His hands...We are still weary, but growing stronger in our faith every day. Yesterday, the physicial fatigue set in...but, we are grateful to serve a God who is near to us in our most difficult of times. Please continue to pray for Faith's birthmother as she is facing several challenges right now. She is an amazing young woman and I'm very thankful God has allowed our paths to cross.