Our Generous Family

On April 6th we had our first baby shower. Yes, I realize it is now May 13th. I am a procrastinator at heart.

We were once again reminded of God's great love for us as our family/friends/community lavished us generously. They held nothing back. We are so undeserving of this love. Adoption continually provides opportunities to see a picture of the gospel from all angles.

Sweet Baby Keeney, 

these are some of the faces of those that loved you before they ever saw your precious face.

We are entirely finished with paperwork and approved to adopt. Our letter and photo album are in the hands of our agency, ready and waiting for that special birth mother to choose. Baby K's room is ready. There is nothing left for us to do. We could get the call tomorrow or 2 years from now. All we can do is wait. I am preparing my heart for the long haul and coming to understand the equation for waiting well looks something like
Patience = trusting God is good and in control, so I don't have to try to grasp for control and become fearful or anxious. He has orchestrated every part of this and nothing will thwart His plans.

So, we are praying and trusting. Praying and trusting. Praying and trusting. I wonder if I have ever prayed for anyone so much?

Psalm 27:14

Wait for the LORD;

be strong, and let your heart take courage:

Wait for the LORD!

Benefited

Our adoption benefit was a success! We raised around $4,300! We were blessed to have close friends put the event together without cost (labor, musicians, venue, raffle baskets all donated) allowing each cent that came in go to Baby Keeney. All we really did was show up. We enjoyed hearing/watching the talented Erie as Folk, Kristin Major and Grady Spencer and the turn-out was amazing. The place was packed out! I remember looking out from the stage to a full house and seeing so many faces I didn't even know. Since Magnolia Motor Lounge was open to their regular guests we were amidst people who were unintentionally participating and some decided to take interest and be a part. It was beautiful.

I enjoyed meeting new people, loud conversations over the noise of the crowd, the awesome live music 
and getting to share our story with everyone (even though I'm not a fan of public speaking :)). I was so overwhelmed by it all. I kept telling Ryan, "I just want to pause time and take this all in."  Different moments through out the night God would give me glimpses of the depths of His grace in my life (And if you know me and who I was apart from Jesus, you know this to be true!!). He would give me a vision of something I wanted, and insisted on or begged him for and then showed me this picture of what He had instead. He is so much better and His ways are far greater and more joyful. My cup overflows! He is so good you guys!!

With continued generous donations after the event, the expenses for our adoption are now fully covered. Woot Woot! We had the first part of our Home Study last Wednesday Feb 13th, which was a 4 hour interview with our social worker reviewing our paper work. We are so thankful to be working with her. She made the whole meeting relaxing and enjoyable. We are scheduled for the last part of our Home Study this Friday and then we will wait to be approved. She expects that we should have our approval letter by the week of March 11th. And then we wait. We wait for the birth mom that is carrying our sweet babe to choose us. I'm just so ready!

Our Adoption Benefit

Here's the line up:

6-6:45 Erie As Folk
7-7:45 Kristin Major
8-9:00 Grady Spencer

Overwhelmingly Grateful

Over the past week the amount we have raised doubled. We are now at $12,925!!!!! Our hearts are overwhelmed by the love and support shown by our family/friends and His grace towards us. Our baby is already so loved!! We are half way there and excited about turning in our paperwork this coming week and setting up our home study. Please continue to be in prayer for us, our baby, our birth mom and the event at Magnolia Motor Lounge on January 17th. We have a wonderful bunch of people organizing it. I can't wait to celebrate with everyone.

In case I did not fully express our gratitude, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you so much for your gifts of time, money and prayers. Such generous sacrifices to give a child a family point us to the One who sacrificed his life so that we could be His precious children.

Galatians 4:4-7

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.

Merry Christmas!!

Art Fundraiser

This beautiful art fundraiser and blog post is courtesy of my sweet, talented friend, Heather Essian. Thank you, Heather! 

This is a great way to support adoption and decorate your home or give a lovely Christmas gift. 

Thanks so much for your generous donation towards Ryan and Kaylan's adopted baby to be!  

PLEASE BE SURE TO EMAIL US YOUR DESIRED PRINT SIZE, ALONG WITH THE NAME OF THE PRINT YOU WISH TO RECEIVE AND PAY AT THE LINK BELOW.


*Each design will be printed on high quality matte photo paper.


8x10 $30

16x20 $55


*16x20 canvas wrap prints are available for $145

 You MUST have your order in by Monday to receive it in time for Christmas!

100% of the proceeds go towards the adoption of baby Keeney!

DONATE AT A SECURE PAYPAL SITE BELOW
YOUR ORDER WILL NOT BE PROCESSED UNTIL PAYMENT IS RECEIVED :)

                                                                                               

Magnolia Motor Lounge Event

The date is set.

We will be having a fundraising event on Thursday, January 17, 2013. Magnolia Motor Lounge has so graciously given us the floor from 5:30-9:00 pm. We will have live music, raffles and more. The tickets will be $10/person. More details to come...

Thank you so much to my friend, Jessica Gunter for planning this for us! We are so grateful! Check out her event planning business,  The Southern Socialite if you are planning a wedding or event.

Please share this with others who you think would be interested in supporting adoption. And don't forget to mark your calendars!! 

Donate & Download Advent EP

We are feeling very loved today. A dear friend of ours, Matt Allen, recorded an Advent EP with 5 songs you can download for celebrating this season. What better way to celebrate The One who was born to die so that we may be adopted by God than by giving toward adoption! Listen below, leave a tip, download and enjoy! We are grateful for your donation and would love for you to share this with others.