Thanks for the reminder, God.

Adoption is expensive. There’s just no way around it. The cost is something that keeps many people from ever even thinking about pursing it. I mean, it’s thousands of dollars. Thousands. To be honest, once I felt God leading our family to adopt, I stopped thinking about the money. I just knew that it was what we were supposed to do, and I knew that if I thought about the money too much I would just get “chicken.” I felt very strongly that God would provide what we needed. Our friend, Scott Oatsvall (of the Oatsvall Team), says that God funds what He favors, and I took that to heart. I still know that God will provide. $25,000 – 30,000 is really not a big deal for Him. I know that in my head, but I must confess that I’ve had moments recently of worrying about how we will ever be able to afford adoption. I’ve wondered if we’re crazy to pursue it at this point in our lives – when we have less money than we’ve had in the past. BUT, God just KEEPS reassuring me in little ways that HE is in charge here, and that HE will take care of the cost.

If you haven’t noticed, I added a “donate” button on here. I was a little unsure of whether I should add it, but I did on Tuesday.  Well, on Wednesday night, Brad and I were in the office looking at our finances and making some decisions about how to contribute toward the adoption fund ourselves when I heard my computer chime that I had a new email. A person who is very near & dear to my heart had made our first online donation! And I sensed God saying, “Katie, remember that I’M in charge here, I’VE called your family to this, and I will provide.”

Then yesterday we received the sweetest card from a lady at our old church in Alabama.  There was a check inside the card and a note that read, “Katie the check is to get your new son a little something from me. Let me know when he gets home and his name. I am very happy for you all!”  I just stood there will tears streaming down my cheeks. We hardly ever see this lady, but she gets it! She gets that there is a little boy out there who is already our son. That he’s coming home. She even wants to know his name. I just cannot tell you how much that note meant to me – and of course the check. It touched my heart so much that she’s excited for us and that she would even give us money for our son. This is what is printed on the front of the card:

For You and Your Little One

A child who lives with gentleness
will touch with gentle hands.
A child who’s understood
becomes someone who understands.
A child who lives with patience
learns a way to wait for things.
A child who’s taught to smile at life
is one who laughs and sings.
When children find acceptance,
that’s another trait they learn.
And children who are loved a lot
will give love in return.

I’m here to tell you that if God is leading you to adopt, He WILL take care of the money.  If that is all that’s holding you back, step out if faith and watch Him work.  These donations that we received this week aren’t huge amounts of money.  In fact, in comparison to the thousands we need, they are really small.  But those small amounts add up, and they are hugely encouraging along the way.

Several people have asked me about the costs associated with adoption, so I’ve added a link at the top of the blog that shows how the fees are broken down.  The money is due at various stages along the way, and the total includes travel expenses.  If you ever have any questions about the adoption process, please feel free to ask us.  We’ll do our best to answer them.

** As part of our fundraising efforts, all proceeds from my photography business will go toward adoption in 2010.  If you haven’t already, check out my website and blog and help SPREAD THE WORD to your friends & family in the Nashville area! **

I hope you all have a great weekend!