Whew. We did it. We finally submitted our dossier. So, it was only about 2 months later than we expected. I am quite sure we could have hit more bumps in the road and it taken longer, but possibly not. ;) I feel like we hit quite a few. The latest is one that just proves that when you make a decision like this, you immediately enter into spiritual warfare. It has been obvious from the beginning. And, Satan didn't stop this past month! Amazing story to show just how good our God is. So, we had been waiting for a very important document to come in the mail - when we began this process they told us it can take 30-90 days to complete this part of the adoption. And, of course, when we passed the 90 day mark, I wasn't really surprised since everything has taken SO long for us. But, I was a little worried because we knew we had been approved and were counting on this document to come in the mail. 8 days after approval, it still had not come. So, I just assumed it was lost in the mail. Great. Well, 2 Sundays ago, we got to speak in church about our adoption. That was pretty cool. Afterward, we went to lunch with Clay's parents and when we pulled into the driveway, we saw this man standing at our front door. He came up to the car, holding THE DOCUMENT, and said, "This came in the mail to my house this week. I live 3 neighborhoods over and, well, it looked kind of important, so I just thought I would bring it to you." I am guessing the U.S. immigration logo at the top tipped him off. :) I immediately started freaking out. And crying. He probably thought I was crazy. But oh. MY. GOODNESS!!!! He could have thrown it away. Or sent it back. But, he didn't. He took the time and effort to hand deliver it to us! What a blessing! God is good ya'll. He is watching over this. Even when the enemy is pulling out all the stops. So, that document completed our dossier and now it is on it's way to our agency social worker, who will mail it to Eastern Europe next week!!! So, what does this mean??? TRAVEL DATES ARE NEXT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WE GET TO MEET HIM! Again, I am not going to try to guess when. Okay, yes I will....maybe late October/early November???? Who knows. Who cares. We are traveling to see OUR SON in the next couple of months. Awesome!
Every day this becomes more real. And, every day, I love him a little more. I know I have said that before. But, it's true. Last night was a pretty amazing night. We met with a couple of other families from our church who have adopted. It was so encouraging for me. To listen to their struggles. To hear how real and raw all of this can be. And when I expressed concern and honestly feel like I am not "cut out" for all of this, I was encouraged to hear that yes, I was. God has called us to do this. Therefore, HE has equipped us. We are ready ....we just have to be willing to ASK GOD for HIS help in getting through it. I cannot even begin to express what an incredibly HUGE blessing our church family has been to us since this process started. Last night, one of the Dad's prayed for Nate. (Yep...that's his name. For real. Nathaniel Luke Richey. Nate. Done deal. At church someone called him "Nate-dawg" and that was all I needed to hear! He is gonna be one cool cat.....or dawg I guess I should say. Spiked hair. Handing out high-5s. Yep. Nate-dawg.) And today I got a text from a friend from Life group who is running in the Chosen race telling me how bad it was training this morning, but that she had prayed for Nate during her run. Life Groupers, Crossbridgers.....you all have blessed us beyond measure. Clay and I will never be able to fully express how much you all mean to us. We truly love you as family. And are so thankful for all of you. Thank you for praying over us and with us. Thank you for praying for Nate. And thank you for already loving him.
So....a couple of housekeeping items.....fundraisers coming up -----
(1) September 7th 4pm-8pm BBQ/Silent auction
(2) October - garage sale!! Give us your junk....but maybe wait a few weeks if you can! We like to park our car IN the garage!
(3) October 26th - Chosen Marathon
Email me if you have any questions about how to participate in these! jen_flahive@hotmail.com
And that will complete our fundraising. I really feel like God has been telling me to stop after that. I know HE will take care of the rest. I have faith in that. We are $15k short right now. Wait, $14k short...we had an amazing church family give us a check for $1000 a few weeks ago. It's all good. If you know me, you know I am a money worrier. But, I have absolute and complete faith that we will get the rest of the money to bring Nate home. It's all good. :)
