WHEN HE ANSWERS!

Yesterday was an amazing day, simply put. I can't hardly believe what all happened yesterday, kind of like I need to pinch myself or something and make sure I'm awake! Over the last week or so, we had figured up how much we needed to pay the rest of the agency fees, the country fees, and our plane tickets. I had no idea how we were going to pay for all of it. We have had people ask us recently what we plan on doing, since by now most of them know we are out of resources. Our answer has remained the same, "We don't know, but God knows." or "God funds what He favors." or most recently with God working on my heart I had gotten realllly good at saying, "I hope God waits till the very last minute to pull through for us, just so people KNOW that this is His will for our family, and it gives Him that much more glory."

Believe me when I tell you, sometimes I say things like that asking myself, "do I really believe that?!"

Well once again, after prayers of HUGE faith, God has answered.

Our children, Rosie (5), Grayden (5) and Aubrey (2) have prayed these big prayers with us. Every night at bedtime, at least one of them prays prayers like this....
"God, please give us the money to bring Akwasi home."
"Thank you God, that I have my own bed to sleep in, clothes to wear, and food to eat. Please give Akwasi food to eat today."
"God, please bring Akwasi home to us tomorrow, in Jesus name."
"God, please keep Akwasi safe today"

I have discovered a couple things. Children often have more faith than adults. Not only that, but they know how to pray with faith. They believe God when He answers. A big family isn't robbing them of anything, and neither is having to get used to disrupted birth order, a person of another "color" in our home, not being able to do ballet or hockey or have fancy toys...they are learning to be selfless, to love without holding back, to sacrifice one thing for something more important. We are very  honest with them about money, where it comes from, and where it goes. They know that we have been praying for God's provision for this adoption, and that means we all make sacrifices. They are happy hearted and full of joy to make them about 99% of the time, honestly as much or more than I am!

Yesterday we received an email that we have received an interest free loan to complete our adoption. The details of where it came from and how much it is for will come when I get permission =) But I will tell you this. It was EXACTLY enough to pay ALL of our agency fees, country fees, and our plane tickets to Ghana for this first trip.

We didn't even know we were both going on a "first trip" until 5 hours AFTER receiving the email about the loan. We thought that we would both be going on one trip, and that would be at the very end of the adoption process. Now, we must both go to appear in court, and Jeremey will go to pick up Akwasi and bring him home 1-2 months after court. God provided BEFORE the need even arose, and we didn't have a clue! Yesterday we were informed that we may be traveling, both of us, to Ghana by Thanksgiving for court! I can think of NO BETTER WAY to celebrate being thankful!!!!!  We are awaiting confirmation of a court date....

The kids and I (since we were the ones home at the time of receiving the news while Jeremey was in staff meeting at church) cried together, got down on our knees, and thanked God together. They were overjoyed that God once again put money in our "Akwasi money jar" as they call it when they point to the jar of change on top of the fridge.

I don't know why God chooses to continue to pour out his faithfulness on us, when we have so many faults and struggles. We are soooo far from perfect, yet He continues to pour out blessings on us that we cannot even fathom. Maybe that's what makes it so amazing. Despite ourselves, God still loves us. And He loves children so much that He will move the biggest mountain for them.

I cannot even hardly wrap my mind around the fact that I am organizing packing lists, making childcare arrangements, going to pick up donations for the orphanage, picking up malaria pills and antibiotics, and most of all GOING to get to FINALLY wrap my arms around our youngest son. AMAZING.