I am so amazed at how God provides for our needs.....this just happened ten minutes ago:

I was sitting at the table working on adoption paperwork, trying to figure out what still needs to be completed, how we're going to come up with the next amount due, and figuring out immunizations for our upcoming trip to Ethiopia......and I saw a guy park outside our house and come up our driveway. I don't think I've seen him before. I couldn't get up right away because I had papers everywhere so I called to Phil and Robbie. By the time they got to the door, the guy was gone but had left a Christmas card with a $100 bill inside, telling us he is praying for us. Anonymous!! Well, whoever you are, if you read our blog, you have no idea how encouraging this is to all of us! God has used your faith and actions to remind us that he is caring for us, he is providing for us. This is his plan and I don't have to worry about HOW he is going to accomplish this.

Also, Saturday night Phil and I went to the tabernacle (BSHOP) for their worship/prayer time. Ryan asked people to lay their hands on us and pray for us and Trey and Tessa and that the adoption process would move ahead quickly. We both felt so encouraged and blessed by these prayers. And the hugs. So many people, many we don't even know very well, lifting us up, being obedient to the Holy Spirit's promptings!!

This is the fun part.......but there is so much more to come. I envisioned Trey and Tessa at the prayer house, in the middle of this group, worshiping God, praying........and knowing that these people loved them and prayed for them way before they even met. And knowing that all that love really comes from their Heavenly Father.

We have an official referral!

We just found out the kids are officially ours...We received an official referral from Ethiopia and we hope this means that things will continue to move along....

This was just a glimpse of hope when it felt like the waiting was tooooo long. At least we know things are moving and happening.

We also received some new pictures and information about Trey and Tessa. Oh wow. The pictures of the kids were ADORABLE. We had never seen pictures of them with such big smiles! We can't wait to show these pictures to all of you :)

Keep praying! We can't wait to have our kids home!

Happy 50th Birthday, Dad!

Today is a monumental day. Phil is turning 50! Time to celebrate! Here's a picture of him with an adorable kid that we take care of from our church. Soon, he will be the father of two more kids :)

Not many new updates on the adoption...
The paperwork is in Ethiopia being translated and processed. When we are asked, "When are Trey and Tessa coming?" we don't really have a clear answer yet. We are hoping within the next couple months. Please continue to pray with us for God's perfect timing!

We put up our Christmas tree on Sunday and there are a few presents for Trey and Tessa under the tree already :)

On a side note...The Hole in our Gospel. This book is so great. It is written by Richard Stearns, the president of World Vision and we highly recommend it.