Thankful List for March 2017

​Thankful List for March:
-a package from the family who hosted Zane... so many wonderful things (our favorite was definitely the book of pictures... it has been looked at so many times), his little clothes made me tear up but I'm so thankful to have them
-passing the 6 year mark in our adoption process... trying to trust God's LONG plan
-very specific home study prayers answered
-Leticia and the amazing way she constantly checks in with me and prays for me (and vents with me)
-several other friends who regularly ask me about our progress with Zane's tardy paper work, their encouragement and  consistency have been such a blessing
-Doley's watching the kids while I met with social worker
-a fun painting party at a church in Henrietta served as an adoption fundraiser
-lots of progress on our end (the current paper trail is wrapping up)
-stuck in progress on the China end  
(On this note, we covet your prayers. There is a very important document in China that we need in order to move forward with Zane's adoption. When we started pursuing his adoption in January we thought it would move forward pretty quickly. With each passing week and month, we have grown more and more discouraged. Other families with children from the same region are in limbo too. You can pray for peace and faith for us, pray for the other families and children waiting, very specifically pray for this paperwork to move forward, and mostly pray for Zane as he waits in an oprhange

"...you will incline your ear to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed..." Psalm 10:17,18

And a few random things that have nothing to do with adoption:
-our lent candles
-kids using their imaginations
-science experiments in the kitchen

-beautiful baby Clara made her entrance into the world!
-Libby's friendship with our neighbor and her classmate, Finn

-Spring Break adventures
-fun with friends, sleepovers, movies, and celebrating Libby's birthday
-friends helping with kids while Ben was gone and I worked
-successful Beach Reach trip for Ben

-Libby is 7! And she was made to feel loved by so many!

-sweet visit with Mimi and Pops
-Kasi--- and how she has practically been a big sister to our children and an extension of our family for the past 7 years. We selfishly hate that she moved but we are proud of her courage and her amazing ability to always land on her feet! We already miss her constant presence in our home, her willingness to serve and love us in so many different ways (who is going to dye my hair now?!), her ability to brighten any room that she is in with her laid back attitude, overwhelming compassion, contagious laughter, and joy over everything big and small. 

-watching our kids serve at Church without Walls

"Remain faithful with steadfast purpose." Acts 11:23