A Little Braggin' on The Big Guy (Upstairs) ;)

Well, we've officially seen God's hand confirming this process in some of the most awesome and unexpected ways.

One of our major concerns was that some of the major grant funds that we qualify for have their final application deadline for the year October 31/November 1. We were praying and praying that our home study would be completed in time for us to apply. I fretted, worried, and lost sleep. We had paid our home study fee, and provided every single document they needed before they even needed it... but still waited and waited (it was probably only 2-3 weeks, but when you're on a tight timeline, it felt like FOREVER) to hear from our social worker.

Back in Michigan, when we were working on the home study in our previous adoption process it took four months. FOUR MONTHS. Our home study agency out here gave a timeframe of 8-10 weeks. To say I was skeptical would be an understatement.

Two weeks ago I heard from our social worker for the first time.

She came for her first appointment three days later, and her second (5 hour long!) appointment exactly a week later.

GUYS. She freaking spent the ENTIRE next day writing our home study.

She emailed me at 7:00AM with some questions, and then called me at 8:00PM to let me know that it was DONE. She was sending it to our agency the next morning for review. WHAT?! People, let me tell you- this DOES. NOT. HAPPEN. All adoption/foster momma's- can I get an amen?!! It just doesn't.

When we spoke that evening after she completed it, I couldn't stop thanking her. "Promise me you won't tell anyone else who I'm doing the home study for. This doesn't happen. It was some fluke in the universe that I had no clients today, and the appointment I was supposed to have cancelled at the last minute." I KNOW WHY IT HAPPENED! Not a fluke in the universe, friend. It was intentionally done by OUR God, whose mighty hand is controlling this entire stinkin' process.

What a reminder of HIS faithfulness!

I've had Philippians 4:19 on a post-it note on our refrigerator for about a year and a half...

"And the same God who takes care of me will supply ALL of your needs from His glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus." He does!

Next to that, we've had Luke 1:37 posted on our fridge since starting the adoption process this time around: "For no word from God will ever fail."

What truth.

He promised to supply our needs. We haven't applied for the grants yet, as we are still waiting for the state of Colorado to approve it through the one agency they have determined has that authority, which is Lutheran Family Services (should be about 1-2 weeks) but all of these recent occurrences have reminded us that God is the one in control, and WILL provide. Whether we can see it immediately or not.

And now, today, we received another major reminder of God's faithfulness:

Right after we committed to adopting Caroline, we received a letter in the mail from the IRS. They were requesting more information from 2014, and tried saying we OWED $7500. That's SO much money, especially when you just committed to adopt internationally when that alone was a stretch. I about died. Again, lost a ton of sleep, and cried, and fretted.

I knew they were incorrect, but mind you, I'm no tax expert, nor am I a master record keeper. I tracked down as much as I could, sat on hold for hours with the IRS, and I compiled the best argument I could as why they were incorrect. In the end, I was pretty sure were actually OVER-taxed (seems like a stretch, huh?)...

GUYS. They agreed. We found out today that rather than paying any more, they are sending us a REFUND. WHAT?!?! Again, when does the IRS say, oops, our bad?!?!? THEY DON'T! If the IRS hadn't contacted us with an exorbitant bill, I would have never researched further and we would not be receiving this refund back, which will be such a great contribution towards this adoption. We're just so overwhelmed with the active ways that we have seen God's hand moving in this adoption, and our finances. It's beyond divine.

Thank you for your prayers. We've felt them covering us, and we've seen the effectiveness. Keep them coming, friends! Know how pivotal they are in bringing our girl home. You are a gift to us, and we are so blessed to rally along side of you all in bringing our sweet girl home.