Monday morning I put in the order for 36 books! In addition to the books, some people included extra donations, which completely humbled me. At lunch on Monday, a colleague and I were talking about the fundraiser and she asked me how much was raised because she knew the total amount I need. I told her, "It was close to $1,000 and after paying the immigration, I have $1,000 left in savings, so, I've got $2,000." There was a moment of silence and then we both started laughing. Another colleague sitting next to us asked why that was so funny and we told her because I still need $6,000 but we know God will provide somehow, someway.
That made me reflect on when Munni's referral came and they told me on a Friday that I needed $18,000 by Monday. And God provided every last cent including answering a prayer I prayed a month before that someone I knew would win the mega lottery and use part of the winning to help me:) It was a faith affirming conversation to say the least!
When I got home from school on Monday there was a check in the mail from a church in Florida. My friend Kristen whose husband authored the books, The King's Christmas List and The Battle For Christmas Castle had shared my story with her mom. Her mom is a pastor and an amazing woman. Apparently, she spoke about Munni, me and sweet baby R in her sermon the week before and that touched many people's hearts. They sent me a check for $1,000!!! I was a sobbing mess. I called Kristen immediately and it went to her voicemail. I left a message for her in that high, squeaky voice when you are crying and trying to talk at the same time….I'm not sure if it was intelligible :) She called me back and told me she knew it was coming and wanted me to be surprised! Well, surprised, humbled, overwhelmed and completely filled with joy is a better description! Then today, I received another check for a $100 from an old friend I haven't seen or spoken to in almost 18 years. A little while later I received a notification of another donation for $250.
I am blown away by the outpouring of love for Sweet R. I told Kristen when I talked to her that this fall I felt my heart being guarded against R. I'm not quite sure how to explain it but she, a mother of 4, told me, "Welcome to your second child." You see, when I found Munni I think I cried over her every day and prayed for her constantly. I was DESPERATE to get her home. Her situation was obviously very different and her adoption was uncertain for a long time which probably added to the anxiety. Anyway, I cried the first few days I found out about R but after that, I had more of a stiff upper lip. I was so overwhelmed with Munni's medical stuff this fall that I honestly don't think my heart had room to allow me to FULLY let go and let my heart completely embrace R. I was struggling big time with guilt because it wasn't that I don't love her and pray for her, it was just different.
I told Kristen that last Friday as I stepped out of the post office after mailing out all of the updated documents to get the apostille, I lost it. I started crying and my heart was flooded with an overwhelming love for R- it finally felt REAL. It was happening! I also think because Munni's surgery is behind me now, I am free of that stress. Well, that act of mailing out those documents have opened the floodgates of tears of joy :) I have a renewed sense of hope, love, and joy about R and her adoption. It reminded me of the man that came to Jesus with his child who was possessed.
That made me reflect on when Munni's referral came and they told me on a Friday that I needed $18,000 by Monday. And God provided every last cent including answering a prayer I prayed a month before that someone I knew would win the mega lottery and use part of the winning to help me:) It was a faith affirming conversation to say the least!
When I got home from school on Monday there was a check in the mail from a church in Florida. My friend Kristen whose husband authored the books, The King's Christmas List and The Battle For Christmas Castle had shared my story with her mom. Her mom is a pastor and an amazing woman. Apparently, she spoke about Munni, me and sweet baby R in her sermon the week before and that touched many people's hearts. They sent me a check for $1,000!!! I was a sobbing mess. I called Kristen immediately and it went to her voicemail. I left a message for her in that high, squeaky voice when you are crying and trying to talk at the same time….I'm not sure if it was intelligible :) She called me back and told me she knew it was coming and wanted me to be surprised! Well, surprised, humbled, overwhelmed and completely filled with joy is a better description! Then today, I received another check for a $100 from an old friend I haven't seen or spoken to in almost 18 years. A little while later I received a notification of another donation for $250.
There are no words.
I am blown away by the outpouring of love for Sweet R. I told Kristen when I talked to her that this fall I felt my heart being guarded against R. I'm not quite sure how to explain it but she, a mother of 4, told me, "Welcome to your second child." You see, when I found Munni I think I cried over her every day and prayed for her constantly. I was DESPERATE to get her home. Her situation was obviously very different and her adoption was uncertain for a long time which probably added to the anxiety. Anyway, I cried the first few days I found out about R but after that, I had more of a stiff upper lip. I was so overwhelmed with Munni's medical stuff this fall that I honestly don't think my heart had room to allow me to FULLY let go and let my heart completely embrace R. I was struggling big time with guilt because it wasn't that I don't love her and pray for her, it was just different.
I told Kristen that last Friday as I stepped out of the post office after mailing out all of the updated documents to get the apostille, I lost it. I started crying and my heart was flooded with an overwhelming love for R- it finally felt REAL. It was happening! I also think because Munni's surgery is behind me now, I am free of that stress. Well, that act of mailing out those documents have opened the floodgates of tears of joy :) I have a renewed sense of hope, love, and joy about R and her adoption. It reminded me of the man that came to Jesus with his child who was possessed.
20 And they brought the boy to him. And when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. 21 And Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. 22 And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” 23 And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” 24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” - Mark 9:20-24
I believed that God was working in R's adoption but there were/are still seeds of doubt and unbelief- Would God really provide again? Would he move on R's behalf the way he moved for Munni? He is showing me in only the way he can that indeed he is working things out for Sweet R! Will you please continue to pray that God would continue to move and provide the remaining $4,600?
I am also *almost* finished with allllllllllllllllll the paperwork! In my excitement to send everything off, I forgot to get the notary on my home study certified before sending it for the apostille. Grrr. The state capital sent it back with a note telling me to take of it and then send it back. The county were the notary is registered is 4 hours away. So, I overnighted it yesterday and they received it today. I should get it back by Thursday and I will turn around and overnight it back to Columbus. The thing that stinks is I was hoping to overnight my complete, updated dossier to my caseworker on Monday because she is leaving the country for Christmas. I'm still waiting to hear when R's CSR is in- we know it's in route! Please pray that I would have patience and continue to trust and not be frustrated with more waiting. I realize that I just asked for a miracle ;)
Finally, TODAY one year ago, I met Munni for the very first time :)))))))) Words cannot even begin to describe how incredibly blessed my life has been ever since she became a part of it! I broke down several times today, completely in awe of the miracle she is. I love my Munni Bird!
THANK YOU SO MUCH to everyone to has been praying, encouraging, and donating. My prayer for you is that God would bless your socks off!
