It has been a while since I've posted any thoughts. Part of that has been the stress looking for work; part of it has been laziness; and still another part of it has been the family reunion we just had. My sister and brother and their families were able to come (from very long distances) to celebrate the 4th of July with us. We had one or both of their families with us over the course of weeks. It was a lot of fun to have them with us, even though we didn't DO much of anything--except hang out with each other. It was enough for me. I am glad they came. I am truly blessed with a wonderful family.
Another reason why I have not posted is because of a new development in our lives. We were contacted by the adoption agency again. The boys' birth mother is expecting again and wants us to take the baby--another boy. We were excited, but being out of work, the thought of paying for another adoption was daunting, let alone the new health status of the birth mother. This time, she tested HIV positive. This came as quite a blow to me, but as I studied it (chances of HIV positive baby, living with HIV, etc.), and as I prayed about the decision, we felt that we needed to adopt the child anyway. Somehow the Lord would provide for us to adopt the baby, and IF the child was HIV positive, he would need a loving and secure home. I sometimes doubted how well we could provide for him being out of work right now, but I felt that God would provide a way for that as well. Part of the security that the baby would have being in our home is that of his older brothers. They are already very protective of each other and I am sure they will be a source of strenght to him as well.
In the end, after taking our decision to the Lord, we decided to move forward with the adoption. The agency has been very helpful and we have been able to move forward with the paperwork realtively quickly. As we discussed how we could raise money, we announced our decision to friends and family and they have all been very supportive. In fact, friends in Iowa are doing wonders putting together a garage sale fundraiser for us. Family and friends in Utah have donated items for a garage sale we are planning here. Other freinds and family have already donated money, some at a great sacrifice of their own--to which we can't thank them enough. All in all, I am feeling very blessed right now. At times I am overwhelmed with the generosity coming to us.
God is good. He loves us. I have no doubt that he lives and answers our prayers. I trust that he will continue to bless me and my family with this new addition as he already has (through those of his children that have reached their arms out to us).
Thank you all.
