Run the Good Race!

Well, as much as I procrastinated, the Chosen race still arrived and last Saturday we joined over 1100 other participants in running for the cause of orphans around the world.  While it was a pretty grueling event in alot of ways, (5am wake-up call, aching calves and feet, etc...) we were so encouraged by the support of everyone on our team and others that we didn't even know.  We had over 30 runners join Team DomiNATE!  That far exceeded our expectations, which is one of the lessons God is showing us through this experience...He will provide beyond your expectations if you trust in Him and place no bounds or limits in your faith of what He can do!  Here's a video recap of the event: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDP8ejTdTws&feature=youtu.be

Jenny finished the half-marathon in 2hrs and 35min (Jenny's time redacted at her request.) even though she was going slow to avoid injury.  I on the other hand was quite a bit slower and still felt like I was injured!  I finished in 2hrs and 59min.  It was really awesome to see families with adopted kids standing along the race route cheering us on and thinking we could be doing that with Nate in a year.  (I was excited just thinking of cheering next year instead of running!)
Jenny and I had both hoped we would hear about our travel to see Nate earlier in the week and then be able to go into the race last weekend with that news and excitement, but God had other plans.  We're still waiting to hear from his government regarding our application and travel dates, but I think God is showing us something in this.  He's preparing Nate and us for the time when He knows we will be ready to join our hearts as a family in the way He intends.  Keep praying for us through this preparation process and for Nate as God prepares him as well.  Pray for Jack and Chandler too.  They have been amazing all along, but we know they have questions and concerns too.

Lately, a thought has been constant during my prayer time and I think it applies in alot of situations in life, but in particular, it is something I need reminding of as we wait in this process.  It's this simple thought:  "It's not always God's will that I understand...just that I trust and obey."  I've been searching and praying for understanding when I need to be praying for trust instead.

Thanks to everyone for the supporting us in the race last week and we're looking forward to sharing any news about our progress with you as it comes.

Love,

Clay and Jenny

The Abundant Life

"And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."  2 Corinthians 9:8

This is Clay.  I haven't written a post in a while, (Jenny's been doing a great job on that front keeping everyone informed of how things are going and what we're learning on the journey.) but I felt like I needed to share some things that I've realized recently.  I've been overwhelmed lately at God's goodness in our lives and the transformation He has made and continues to make in us as we draw near to Him and seek His will.  In my prayer time this last week, I was thinking about His amazing goodness when the words Abundant Life came to mind.
These aren't terms you hear everyday so I've really been focusing on them and thinking about what they mean to me.

I remember when Jenny and I moved to San Antonio a little over 6 years ago.  We were excited to be back in Texas and even more excited to have family nearby.  As we settled into this new phase of our lives we began to acquire all the usual things that go along with it.  I was doing well at work and so was Jenny, so we bought a house, some cars, and pretty quickly we assimilated into suburbia.  If you had asked me if we were living in abundance at the time, I would have said Yes.  But I would have been answering with the wrong definition. Even though we had so much and had a loving family around us, something was missing.  One night driving home from church, I remember Jenny and I talking about how we'd been in San Antonio for a few years and didn't feel like we had any friends.  It was one of those moments where you don't realize how lonely you are until you actually say it.  We had no one other than family that was in fellowship with us and similarly, there was nothing in our lives beyond our work and family that we were connected to.  It's not like we intended this to happen, it just did.  We kept to ourselves, didn't engage people on a personal level and pretty soon, we were living in a way that was isolated and self-absorbed because we had nothing else to be absorbed in.  Thankfully, God has begun to show us what true abundance means.     

In the last two years, we've gone from a sense of isolation and loneliness to being a part of a community of people that care deeply for one another and we've begun to build rich relationships that go beyond surface level talk of weather and sports.  As this has happened, I've also seen the impact it has had on my children and wife.  They've grown through their relationships with others and it's made my relationship with each of them more fulfilling and meaningful as a result.  ALL of this...is part of God's plan in preparing us for the "Good Works" that he has prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10).  God can change us on His own if He chooses, but throughout the Bible, we see how God's preference is to use others and our interactions with them to develop new qualities and strengths in us that He will put to use.  I know that Nate will benefit greatly from these relationships and our community as we bring him home and introduce him to everyone and I'm excited to see how God uses him to teach each of us as well.

As I sat back in a lawn chair this weekend and watched my kids play with church friends and neighbors and listened to the laughter of people standing and sitting all around my driveway, I felt a profound sense of peace and gratitude to my Heavenly Father for showing me how truly rich He will make us as we follow His way.  I may not always have a house, a job, a car, or my health, but I have so much abundance in the friendship and love of my fellow brothers and sisters that everything else doesn't seem to matter that much.  That's the kind of priority shift that I needed and it is one that's truly transformational.

Praise God!

Finally!

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.  :)

Polluted

"Religion that God accepts as pure and faultless is this:  to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."  James 1:27

Polluted by this world.  Interesting term.  And interesting that I keep seeing this over. And over.  And over. Lately.  Yeah, yeah, yeah.  We are adopting.  Orphans, widows, blah blah blah.  But the last part of this verse struck me today.  And, it was after watching a video (yes I will share it with you at the bottom of the post!).  And it opened my eyes.  Ironically, after a very in depth conversation about the exact same thing with Clay last night.  Gotta love how God works when HE is trying to tell us something, right!  ;)   I guess I should tell you a bit about the conversation.  It started because our 10 year anniversary is coming up in a couple of weeks.  10 years.  That's kind of a big deal these days....pretty sad, but it is.  So, I remember for oh, like the past 9 years saying that for our 10 year anniversary we would go on a Mediterranean Cruise to Greece and Italy.  That was always the plan.  Well, we all know what has happened to OUR plans lately.  Out the window.  So, we are opting to take a 24 hr trip to Austin and stay at a hotel that we found on Priceline for cheap, then go out to Vintage Villas where we got married and make a date of it. Not quite a 14 day cruise.  And, then he leaves for Hawaii the next week for a conference at work.  And am I going with him?  Nope.  Why?  Well.  We have 5 (4 round trip and 1 one way - praise God for that ONE WAY ticket!!!  Whoohoo!) international airplane tickets we will be paying for in the next year so, that isn't exactly in the cards for us right now.  And, I am just going to be honest.  Because, well, I am already being told we are crazy for adopting, so since you already think I am a nut job, what do I care.  So, in all honesty, I was upset that I was not going to Hawaii too.  I mean, wouldn't you be?  So, that has been going on in the Richey family.  No fighting ....just discussions.  And last night we were discussing the WHY of things.  WHY do we, as Americans, want more.  Why do we want to drive the Lexus instead of the Toyota.  Why do women want a $400 purse?  Why do I feel sorry for myself that I gave up pedicures every month since we started this adoption...and now I only get 2 a year.  Why do I feel sorry for myself that we typically only eat out once a week since the adoption started.  Why do I feel like buying a new dress will make me feel pretty.  Why do I want to get chemical peels and facials and get rid of my "pregnancy spots" on my face? The list goes on.  But, basically, I have come to the conclusion of all of this.  Because I have been POLLUTED.  Polluted by this world.  Pretty sad.  I guess it's something else I can blame my parents for.  Totally kidding Mom.  Hahaha!  But, I would have to say that oh, probably 99% of Americans think this way.  They want MORE.  After all...it IS the American Dream.  But, lately, I just don't care.  Ok.  I still care.  But, I am TRYING not to.  I told Clay recently, I just want to move away.  Get out of this bubble we live in and go make a difference in the world.  And, what are we teaching our kids?  Anyways, just some thoughts I have been having.  Wondering if anyone else thinks of this stuff.  But.  I wanted to share this video.  It'll make you think.  If it doesn't, may God have mercy on your soul.  Kidding.  Maybe.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mVI-jDbtUI&feature=youtu.be

Oh...adoption news....NONE.  Still waiting.  Hope to submit our dossier soon.  But, I have been saying that for a while now.  Ugh.  Waiting on one last set of fingerprints to get approved and then we can submit.  And then it's more waiting.  :)   Growing patience is something I am getting pretty good at these days.  And resting in knowing God's perfect timing is better than any plan I could make!  Praying for our sweet boy.  Oh...and BTW.....might be a name change.  I just can't get used to "Nate". I am calling him "Matthew" again....I think we will know his name once we actually get to meet him.  You can call him what you want.  I will know who you are talking about.  ;)

Where are we?

 


So, it's been a while since a blog post.  We have had some progress the past 6 weeks with the adoption.  In terms of where we are in the process....we are hoping to be able to mail off our dossier in about a month???  Obviously, we cannot control the timing of anything, that is just a hopeful goal.  Still a few more things to do (and wait on) until we can do that.  BTW, the dossier is basically just your life in a big stack of paper.  Your medical history, financial, history, home study...and the list goes on.  Once we submit that, it goes to our country to be translated and then we should get our travel dates in about 8 weeks.  So, we are hoping to travel to meet our little guy in October/November.  Again, we have no control over any of this.  And the country were our son is, actually has a nice long 1 month government holiday in the middle of all of this, so that could push things too.  But, one thing I have learned in my life is that, while I may not understand, is that God's timing is much better than mine!  So, we wait patiently.  And in the midst of it all, we pray that our little one is safe and healthy and being taken care of and maybe held and loved on a little.   I think for me, that is one of the hardest parts of this process.  I don't know what his orphanage is like.  I don't know how often he gets taken out of his crib, or held, or gets a diaper change!  But, I do have faith that God is watching over him.  And I pray often that he would know that he is loved.

So, what else?  Where are we in the financials you may wonder.  So,  big news!  The race brought in a great amount of money!  Thank you to all of you who participated!!  It was so much fun to see our friends and family out supporting us!!  So, up to this day, we have made about $10,000 in fundraising or personal donations!!!!  Wow!!  Isn't God great!!!  That leaves another $15,000 to go!!!  We started this process in March....guys!  That is only 3 months!!  And we have about 9 months to make up the rest!!  We can do this!!  We are planning to participate in the Chosen Marathon this fall....so if you are a runner (or know runners!) we would love for you to join Team Richey!!  We will also do another garage sale in October.  So, we will gladly take your stuff for that.  There are other things in the works (ok.  Maybe not in the works.  I have been a little blah on fundraising lately.  But, soon, we will get going on those and let you all know!)

Right now at church we are studying the book of James.  Our study this week was James 1:1-12. 
^"2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,^[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ⁴ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. ⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. ⁶ But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. ⁷ That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. ⁸ Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do."

"¹² Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him."

Read those words again.  And again. This whole process is hard.  But, God tells us to consider these trials "pure joy".  Those may not be my words of choice at times  ;)  but I do think it is making me stronger.  And that, is pure joy!  I love to see growth in myself.  I love to watch the Lord open my heart and my eyes to those in need.   A few times I have made references to "the old Jenny" and "the new Jenny" when I talk to Clay.  Now, I am a work in process.  Always have improvements to be made and this work in me is never completed.  But, I am working daily to be the type of person that God intended me to be.  One full of grace, love, and joy.   And, some days are better than others.  The days I have worked all day and come home and have to get dinner on the table and am just exhausted.  Those are the days I stumble.  Or, the days I have been home all day and the kids are driving me nuts.  But, if we ask God for the wisdom and HIS strength, then we can persevere.  

So, this is a little subject change.  But, it's been on my heart.  The other night, Clay and I were talking.  He had read ahead for next week's study.  James 2.  I am sure you may have heard "Faith without works is dead".  Have you?  Here ya go...

"¹⁴ My brothers and sisters, if a person claims to have faith but does nothing, that faith is worth nothing. Faith like that cannot save anyone. ¹⁵ Suppose a brother or sister in Christ comes to you in need of clothes or something to eat. ¹⁶ And you say to them, “God be with you! I hope you stay warm and get plenty to eat,” but you don’t give them the things they need. If you don’t help them, your words are worthless. ¹⁷ It is the same with faith. If it is just faith and nothing more—if it doesn’t do anything—it is dead.
¹⁸ But someone might argue, “Some people have faith, and others have good works.” My answer would be that you can’t show me your faith if you don’t do anything. But I will show you my faith by the good I do. ¹⁹ You believe there is one God. That’s good, but even the demons believe that! And they shake with fear."

Ok.  I will start with saying.....Just because I am adopting a kid doesn't mean I don't have to do other things.  So, I am not exempt.  But, it's been weighing heavily on my heart that I have several friends who call themselves Christians, but let's just say don't exactly act like that.  "Faith without works is dead."  Think about those words.  So, do you really think that when Jesus comes back for us, do you think you will be saved?  I am not judging. I don't know the answer to that.  Only God does.  And, I am the first to admit that I lived 22 years as a luke warm Christian.  But, I will tell you what I told Clay the other day.  I do not want Jesus to come back, and our friends not get to join us in heaven. So, this is me, asking you, my friends, to just think about your life.  Where are you spiritually?  And, let me just say, going to church every week and checking off that "box" isn't gonna cut it.  I know.  Bummer right?  Compare it to anything in life.  Let's say working out, going to the gym one day a week and not eating right....you will never get that body you want. 
Again.  Not judging.  Just want to put a little bug in your ear.  Start thinking about it.  Praying about it.  What does God want you to do next?  Not sure?  Ask HIM.  HE will let you know!

Now, a couple of pics from the race!

 

Humbled

Wow!  What a crazy weekend.  The garage sale fundraiser was a huge success!!  Thank you to each and every one of you who donated goods, came out to help with set up/manage garage sale, and just stopped by to say hi!  We are so blessed by your help!  A huge shout out to our Life Group.  SO many of you guys stopped by or helped.  We love each and every one of you guys and are so thankful for your placement in our lives during this season.  So, before the garage sale, I really had a feeling that we were going to have a good result.  And did we ever!!  We made exactly what our goal was!!  Such an encouragement of God's faithfulness!  My eyes have been opened so much to what happens when you "LET GO AND LET GOD" as the saying goes.  We have seen God's provision, and I am certain that we will continue to until we reach our ultimate goal of $25,000 to bring our little munchkin home!  Every day I fall more in love with him.  And every day, I grow impatient to get to meet him.  We are still so far out.  And things seem to be moving so slow.  Clay has been traveling nonstop lately.  Which basically puts a lot of the stuff we can do on hold.  But, I do know that God's timing is perfect.  And he has this whole process perfectly mapped out for us.  So, I will *try* to relax and continue to LET GOD. 

I continue to be amazed by people during this process.  I will admit, before all of this, I really had gotten a bit of a negative attitude towards people.  I had lost faith in mankind.  But, man have my eyes been opened.  A few weeks ago at church we had a family that we do not know very well, come up to us and hand us a check for $500.  They, too, had adopted, but still!  That is no small chunk of change!  Saturday at the garage sale, a family from our life group gave us a check for $200.  What a blessing!  An old friend from my old playgroup not only gave us a ton of stuff for our garage sale, but also a check for $100.  And Sunday, I got a text from an old friend that I used to work out with every morning at Crossfit.  We haven't seen each other in several months.  She had texted me a while back and said that for Lent, she was giving up her cheat meal every week.  And she wanted the money she would spend on it to go to our adoption.  WOW!  So, I met her yesterday and she gave me $100 for our little guy.  Really!?  Tonight I got an email from a friend from nursing school telling us they wanted to send money.  I am completely humbled by each one of these people.  God is using them to show me His faithfulness and provision.  I feel so blessed to know each and every one of these people.  But, it's not just those who have given us money.  It's those who have prayed over us.  Said encouraging words, or just been there to listen to us talk about our little guy.  We are so thankful for our support system.  Thank you, all of you, who pray for us through this walk.  We love all of you and hope that we can one day be there for you the way you have been for us. 

John 15:12-15 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.

Exciting news - Short and sweet!

Another NON- adoption blog post!  But, this HAD to be documented.  And, since I am not a journal person, or a blogger  (this doesn't really count does it?), I will document it here!  Last night in the Richey house was a big one!  Tuesday nights I am not home because I am busy making people want to puke at Crossfit Endurance classes (yes, I find pure joy in this!).  So, unfortunately, I missed the biggest thing to happen at our house yet.  But, I got the full report when I got home.  Last night, our sweet sweet Jack made a decision that will change his life forever.  He and Clay were in his bed for his normal nighttime routine, and he told Clay "Daddy, when I die, I want to go to heaven."  He wasn't asking how this happens, he wasn't asking questions about it.  He knew.  He knew without a doubt that he was ready to make that decision.  That would change his eternal existence.  The topic had come up a few times before, and Clay and I just thought to ourselves, he is too young.  He doesn't really understand.  So, we answered his questions, but never acted on them.  Well, last night was different.  And, Clay knew.  So, Clay pulled out his handy Iphone Bible app, and went over Romans 3:23 with him.  And then they prayed together, and Jack accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior!  I was in tears when Clay told me about it.  This is what we long for in life....our children...the little creatures that we love most in this world, to decide to follow Jesus!  What an awesome thing!  We just kind of have a feeling that Jack is going to take after his namesake and go into the ministry one day.  We could be wrong.  Just a hunch.  He has such a pure view.  I love how innocent children are.  They are not yet corrupted by this world we live in.  So innocent.  So simple.  So pure.  One day we will have that pure life again.  Can. Not. Wait!