Tuesday, August 27, 2013

God's Gracious Intervention!

Me and my girl (who has such a heart for orphans) sporting our team Payne adoption shirts!

I'm sitting here texting back and fourth with a dear friend who is about to watch her son be born! She and her husband are adopting for the second time and anxiously awaiting those special moments.  I can only imagine what is going through their minds and hearts right now as their world will momentarily change and all for the better.

You see, this little boy can't help the circumstances he's born into, he had nothing to do with his conception, he can't even tell anyone who he'd like to go home with.  God is graciously intervening on his behalf to give him a chance at a new life, a new family, a new home, and hopefully someday a new hope.  Much like salvation; salvation is God's gracious intervention in our lives.  He intervenes to save us from what would forever separate us from HIM; which is a life without hope or meaning.

His intervention in our lives is God adopting us into His family.  Our circumstances were changed on account of His great love for us.  He payed for our lives with the life of His only Son.  He made a way when there was no other way.  When He looks at us, He know longer sees us...but His Son.

I am humbled at His love for me.  I am grateful at His intervention on my behalf.  I am rejoicing that I have hope!

Adoption is such a beautiful thing...it was first demonstrated by God.

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Where He Leads, We Will Follow

As we continue on the journey of adopting, we are watching the Father's hand continue to move in so many different ways; but most specifically in the area of our faith.  We have been continuing down this road just expecting the ducks to line up in a perfect row and for that to be our signal that all lights are green.  However, God is stretching our faith in new and different ways as we are praying for specific things in this adoption.  I'd like to share with you some of the specifics we are praying for as we follow God's lead.

Some of the specifics if you'd like to join us:

*We are praying specifically for the birth mother to desire an open relationship.  I know that seems a bit counter-norm but we are praying for the opportunity to meet, love on, and most importantly share Christ's love personally.  

*We are praying for the health of our sweet little one to be like any parent would.  With that being said  we are bracing ourselves and asking God to prepare us for whatever the case may be for the child HE has for us. 

*We are also praying (even though its a far cry) that this adoption wouldn't cost as much as we've been prepared to expect.  Crazy I know, but we're still praying it!  But if it does, that He would continue to send the funds as He has so faithfully been doing through fundraisers, donations, grass cutting, and grants.

We are so very thankful and humbled that God has called us to adoption and we are so grateful for those of you who have so willingly gave and sacrificed thus far to help us graft another into our family as He so graciously did for us into HIS family!!! To God be all the GLORY as HE continues doing really GREAT and Mighty things!!!!

Stay tuned, this roller coaster just picked up speed!  More to come soon!


Saturday, August 17, 2013

Fundraiser Time Again!!! Shop til you drop!!!

I have several GORGEOUS pottery/ceramic necklaces that have been handcrafted by a lady who works hard to make these types of things available to families trying to raise money for the cause of adoption.

I also have some "blessed" bracelets by Mudlove who also exist to support causes such as these.  Not only does your contribution go towards our adoption, but also towards giving Africans clean drinking water.  How about that two great causes for the price of one bracelet!!!

I will be selling while supplies last, so act quick if you see one you like!!! As always, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your contributions to this call on our lives!  You are a blessing to our family and to our little one to be. 

To God Be the Glory as He keeps doing GREAT AND MIGHTY things!!!


Necklaces and bracelets are $24 each
"blessed" Bracelets are $10 each
colors: brown,black, a few red,and a few blue
These are going fast, already sold out of some colors! 

 1 Peter 5:7
(SOLD)
 Lamentations 3:22-23
(SOLD)
 1 Peter 5:7
(SOLD)
 Philippians 4:6-7
(SOLD)
 Matthew 11:28
(one available)
 Joshua 1:9
(two available)
 Proverbs 3:5-6
(two available)
 James 4:8
(SOLD)
 Philippians 4:6-7
(SOLD)
 Ephesians 3:20
(SOLD)
 Ephesians 3:20
(one available)

Jeremiah 29:11
(SOLD)

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Love B Salyer Photography!!!

Our mini photo fundraiser shoot with B Salyer Photography was a huge success despite the absolutely incredible amount of rain we had to dodge.  I am so grateful for all of the families that participated in this fundraiser and can not say, "thank you" enough!  You are a huge blessing and your babies are all gorgeous!  This fundraiser raised $550!!! To God be the Glory!!!

I'd also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to none other than the awesome photographer who drove ten hours, gave countless hours, and refused to let us contribute a dime to help with ANY of the expenses.  Brittney you are truly amazing and we are so thankful for your talent and your giving spirit!!! Not only did we benefit from the fundraiser itself, but from the precious time we got to spend with you that week.

My girls adore her; and Stephen and I love spending time with her!!!  That week is one I look forward to telling our sweet child about one day; of all the sacrifices that others put in, so that we could bring "Baby Williams" home.

We have already had several requests for Brittney to come back for more photo sessions in the future, so I'll be sure to let you know when she's in town!!! If you're ever up that way (Bristol TN), particularly in the fall, you should contact her for some gorgeous scenery shots of you and your loved ones, you won't be sorry!!!

Now to boast of my two favorite photo subjects :)



This is such a "Madie" expression.

I could just squeeze her!

PRICELESS!!!

 I SO LOVE THIS ONE OF HER!!!

She is growing up so fast and becoming more and more beautiful everyday!



 Be Still My Heart!!!




 These two bring unending blessings to me as a Mommy!



Friday, August 9, 2013

Sweet chats over milk and coffee

I had a sweet time of coloring and talking with my littles this morning about their future brother or sister and it just made me so very grateful for how God is molding and preparing their hearts, and just like Stephen and I, they are longing for the missing part of our family as well.

Madie and I crafted a picture together this morning as we sat and talked about the days ahead.  I so look forward to who she will become through this adoption.  It has already made her so very compassionate for those without families.  I pray it helps her see the very essence of what Christ did for her in a tangible way.  

How do we look as a family of five stick figures?





Sunday, August 4, 2013

HOME STUDY DONE!!!

We returned home this afternoon from being out of town for a few days to find a sweet little jewel in the mailbox awaiting us...OUR HOME STUDY!  It is finished and in hand!!!  As soon as I opened it, the anxious longing to meet and hold our awaited child overwhelmed me.  I can not convey the excitement we are feeling right now as we are inching closer and closer.

God has been so faithful to us through this whole process and I absolutely can not proclaim that enough!  He has immensely blessed each fundraiser with precious details that will remain dear to our hearts for the rest of our lives.  God has gifted us with such wonderful friends and family who continue to run to our aid in each of these endeavors.  We are so humbled at the way people have poured themselves out to help meet our needs, and to God be all the glory!

Now that we have finished our home study, our next hurdle is the largest hurdle in this process.  We still have A LOT of money to raise and at this point that is all that is standing between us and matching with a child.  We are tossing around a few more ideas of fundraisers, sending out grant applications, and working hard to save.  Please pray for God to multiply these efforts as we continue trusting that He is going to fund what he so obviously favors in His Word!  To Him be all the glory and fame and thank you from the bottom of our hearts if you have aided us through giving, purchasing, helping and or sacrificing time or things.  Words will never be adequate enough to convey our heartfelt gratitude!

"I have not hidden your righteousness within my heart; I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation; I have not concealed your lovingkindness and your Truth from the great congregation."
                                                                                                                      Psalm 40:10