USCIS Fingerprinting Appt.

We just got back from a 3 hour drive to Omaha and a 3 hour drive back for a 15 minute appt.! I can't believe that we had to go all the way to the Office Of Homeland Security and do the exact same thing that we did months ago in Grand Island simply because the State government and the Federal government do not like to share info. Crazy, huh?!?!
Now, we have to play the waiting game again. I will wait for approx. 10 days and then start e-mailing again. The squeaky wheel get the grease, right:) I just want my little man in my arms NOW!! I am so tired of waiting for that day. My empty arms are aching to hold him. . . Hey, at least we are one step closer to that day.

We have ALL the finances we need!!! PRAISE GOD!!

Last Tuesday, Toby met me at basketball practice to tell me that our miracle has occured! He got a call from a lady at Lifesong Ministries telling him that someone had donated $12,000 towards our adoption. It is in the form of a covenant loan, so when we get our adoption tax credit, we can pay it back. It reminded us of the parable of the mustard seed...our mountain was moved!!
Another miracle that has occured is that Toby had a change of command at work and his new boss said that it shouldn't be a problem for him to work from the Eastern Europe! He is amazing, isn't He?!?! I can't wait to tell TJ how God parted the Red Sea to get him home.

Fingerprinting Appt.

Literally, about 2 hrs. after my last post, I got the e-mail from USCIS stating that our appt. is Feb. 19th at 1pm!! Boy, God didn't waste any time in taking over once I surrendered control!! Another miracle. . .

God continues to move. . .

Well, another HUGE praise report!! As we are planning another fundraiser, (babysitting for Valentine's Day) God proceeded to blow us away with another completely unexpected miracle. We got a call on Tuesday that an anonymous donor gave $3,500 to our adoption account at the church. I am still in complete and utter awe!! He continues to go before us and affirm that this IS His will for us.
As the finances seem to be falling into place, I am getting frustrated with a lack of response from the USCIS. I am so anxious to keep moving forward and get frustrated with the "hurry up and wait" process. I have been trying to contact several people to find out the status of our application, but have gotten absolutely NO response!! UGH!! As each day passes, my frustration level rises. However, this morning in my quiet time, the Lord reminded me that this will happen in HIS time, not neccesarily mine. He comforted me with a verse from Psalm 27:14, "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." I need to stop pushing and start trusting and walking more in faith!

Moving right along...

I haven't blogged in a while because we have been VERY busy. We have painted and decorated TJ's room. It turned out really cute. The theme is Super Hero Squad (little superheroes). I'll post some pics. All we need now is the crib:) It makes it seem more real now and gets me so excited.
We also got our home study report!! YYYYEEEEAAAAHHHH!!!! We just got it in the mail yesterday and I mailed out our USCIS application today, along with a grant application. I am getting nervous now about the money. We are trying to decide whether we should do another fundraiser or wait on grants. I applied online for another grant and have 2 more applications almost ready to send off. We are getting closer and it is way exciting!!

Kind of Bummed...

I found out today that our home study report will not be done until after Christmas. They thought they would be able to get it written before Christmas, but she called today to let me know that that will not happen. Oh well, I'll just have to be a bit more patient.. .

PHEW!!

We completed the first part of our home study today. Boy, did I stress for nothing!! The lady who did our home study was the most laid back, down to earth woman who made us feel so at ease. In fact, she didn't even go outside of our dining room to look at the house (that I had spent the past 3 hours cleaning:). That was ok with me, though.
We showed her a video that Chad made for us of little Misha and she commented, "We've got to get him home fast!" At that point, I knew I could breathe a HUGH sigh of relief. I don't know why I allowed myself to get so anxious, I know that the Lord is in this and that He will work out everything for good according to His purpose and I know, from His Word, that adoption is His heart.
Anyway, I am soooo pumped (to say the least). Our next appt. is Tuesday night and she is willing to get the whole process done as quickly as possible, knowing it is a matter of life and death.
Again, God has shown up and blown me away. He is such a cool God, isn't He?!?!