Family Reunion & Passport updates

We just got back from a Borchert Pinochle Reunion in Flagstaff, AZ. We hiked (see above-we're standing on a rock bridge), played cards, hiked some more, and had a blast at a natural water rock slide! It was tons of fun...even though playing pinochle stresses me out!! I did not grow up playing cards. In fact, the only card game we ever played as a family was UNO!! The crazy thing is my sister in law and I actually won a couple rounds thanks to our partners who bid high and laid down some sweet hands! (thanks Steve and Renee).

We came home to a nice surprise on our One Dollar Adoption Site... We are at $3,898.00!! Wow... this awesome!! We are SOOOO close!! It's been unreal to see so many people we do not know donate to help a family miles and miles away. Then of course there are all our crazy, sweet, huge-hearted friends & family who continue to support us and love us in ways that are totally beyond us. THANK YOU!! everyone-friends, family, strangers, acquaintances! We love you and pray God will bless your lives richly!!!!

Well, so the news is we're still waiting. That's it. Twelve passports were signed in the last week and none were ours. I was so anxious all day until I got the email that it we did not get passports. We celebrate with the families that did get passports!! What a sweet moment for mothers and fathers to finally be able to bring home their Liberian babies. One day we'll be there, screaming, crying, and flippin' out!!!
Another minor update: There was a price increase for the lodging in Liberia. AOH had recently purchased a guest home to house the adoptive families that come through every week. Before this, a missionary family was housing the families, which I'm sure was wonderful but very difficult. It's makes a lot of sense for AOH to have their own home for the families and the kids when they travel, so we're okay about paying a little extra for our lodging and meals. Just thought I'd throw this in to help explain some of the reasons for why our expenses are so high, and why we're trying to raise $7,000.

What I read today that has helped me in the long wait.
'let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith'.... Hebrews

God knows ALL our needs!! and He sure is cool

Okay, so our last post was partially about our dog being healed. Well, I just thought I'd post this funny Ka-win-kee-dink (however you spell it). Our dog was very ill and we spent several days with her in the Vet and emergency overnight care. All of this was simply to figure out what to do and what was wrong with her. Our vet bill just to keep her alive those few days came to $ 1351.52!!
As you all know, we are STILL raising funds to bring our kids home! So, we have nothing left for things like this. Well, the week of Kenya's illness we received our first tax return and then just today we received our state tax return. We received exactly what we needed to pay off this bill with $17 dollars left!!
This whole adoption journey has been such a stretch of our faith and has called Jeff and I to surrender ALL to God and His ways. Every time some crisis (usually money related) comes our way (which seems to happen ALL the time as soon as you decide to adopt and raise the funds)...GOD always has a way where there is no way. The very week we need $1000 extra dollars...we receive it. It's as if every time we think we have it all planned, figured out....God comes along as says "Are you going to trust me?" It's hard, don't get me wrong. I freak out every time, it never fails, but little by little I'm beginning to get it. It is HIM. It is HIS provision for Osobie and Fatu. They are His children, born from his very heart and given to us as a gift.

Even as I write this, we get a call that our car is going to cost $800 to fix! The check engine light came on weeks ago...and here we are again! Help God!! Help us trust you with what seems to be the impossible!!! And even now, God is doing the impossible. We are so excited to say that the
One Dollar Adoption Fundraiser is now at $3,284!!!!!

THANK YOU Everyone!! Thanks for passing it on to your friends and family!! We are getting closer and closer to our goal of $7,000.
www.jeffandkatie.onedollaradoption.com