This past Friday we held another fundraiser for our adoption. A good friend, Jimmy Mizell, came up from Livingston and cooked jambalaya and white beans. We sold lunch plates all over town and ended up serving over 400 plates. After we paid our expenses, we made just over $2000. I would like to thank everyone who helped prepare food and deliver plates. Also, a huge thanks to all those that bought plates and to those who gave donations. Following the jambalaya fundraiser, Heather and I did some calculations. It appears that we have raised all the money that we need for travel.

I cannot begin to describe to you how the Lord has blessed our family over the past several months. Heather and I simply obeyed the Lord when He called us to adopt. When we began the process we did not have any money set aside for adoption and had very little in our savings that could be used for adoption. We knew that the cost of adoption was great and by our best estimates the final price tag to complete the adoption of Eli would be around $30,000. In the past four months, God has provided somewhere close to $25,000. AMAZING!!!

As we thought back over the past few months, we couldn't even begin to tell you where all that money came from. It seemed as if God just multiplied all we had been given. God has taught our family so much over the past few months. We have learned to trust Him even when there doesn't seem to be a way. As long as you are obedient to His call, He will provide.

From the very beginning of our adoption journey, the Lord has impressed on me that this adoption is not really about a little boy in Taiwan with Down's Syndrome and it is not really about a family living in rural Louisiana....this adoption is about God. To God be the glory!

The Final Fundraiser

Barring any unforeseen events, Friday, Feb. 18 will be our last fundraiser. We are selling lunch plates. The menu includes cajun-style jambalaya, white beans, bread and dessert. We are blessed to have a great friend from Livingston, Jimmy Mizell, coming to prepare the jambalaya. He makes the best! Tickets are on sale now. We will deliver to businesses or you can pick up a lunch at Triangle Pharmacy.

A Huge Thanks!

This past Sunday, Harrisonburg First Baptist Church held a lunch fundraiser for our adoption. We would like to express our gratitude for all those who worked so hard to prepare food and get everything ready to make this fundraiser a success. We appreciate everyone who gave. We cannot say thank you enough.

Almost There...We Think

February marks the third month since our paperwork entered the court system. Back in November, we were told that the court process takes 3-6 months to complete. So we are entering the final stages. We are continuing to wait on a phone call that will give us travel plans and our gotcha date. We have not heard any news or received any more information concerning Eli or our case, so we just wait. Please pray that the process will go smoothly and we will hear something soon.

Our family has been preparing for Eli. We have set up his bed and made room for his toys and clothes. Heather has been buying clothes every time she goes to Walmart. We are not sure if he will have anything with him once we pick him up, so we are stocking up now.

We are also continuing to raise money. Sunday, February 6th, Harrisonburg First Baptist Church is selling lunch plates to raise money for our travel costs. For those who read this blog in Harrisonburg, plan on going by FBC and eating. Thanks in advance for giving to our adoption. I would also like to thank those who planned this fundraiser and who are working hard to make it happen. We appreciate you so very much.

On Friday, February 18th, we will be selling Jambalaya lunches in Jena. The lunches can be picked up at Triangle Pharmacy or delivered. We need orders by February 16th. If you would like to have a lunch that day, contact us by email or by commenting on this blog. We will make sure you get a plate.

Between the two fundraisers, we would like to raise $4000-5000. This will cover our travel expenses and give us a little extra to buy anything we need for Eli while in Taiwan. Again, we don't know if he will have anything other than the clothes on his back when we get him.

Finally, please begin praying for Eli's birth mother. When we travel to Taiwan, we will have the opportunity to meet her. She has requested this meeting. I'm sure in her mind, she wants to meet the family that will be raising her son. She will want to keep the lines of communication open. We know that God is giving us this opportunity to meet with her and share with her the truth about Jesus Christ. Our desire is to share the good news with her. Please pray that God would begin to soften her heart. Pray that God would give us wisdom and boldness.