March 3rd, 2009
Thanks to everyone who has been praying for us on this journey.
Katie and I have each been seeking His face regarding what it is he wants us to do. What path to take. It has not been easy, and yet we have both come to the same place in our hearts.
We sense the Lord is turning our course in another direction. We do not know what all that holds. It seems the Lord has put us on a similar path to reach out in help to orphans by visiting them and helping them where they are. Our hearts are always open, as is our home, but we know for now that He has said “Not Now” for our desire to adopt.
We are not certain why this change from our excitement mere months ago about bringing home another boy or girl (or both) from another land. There are many questions we have as to why He is changing our present course and why we even began the other. What I can say personally is that had we not walked from there to where we are, we would have not known the awesomeness of the adoption process. The immense struggle it is and the amazing people we have met along the way who are stepping through an open door of adoption.
So, for now, we are content to rest in His guidance and can only hope one day, if it is His will, that the door will open again. If it does not, we hope our hearts will forever be drawn to assisting those who are able to adopt.
To those who have contributed so generously, we will be returning your gifts as we would want them to go to use now maybe for another couple you know who is adopting or maybe going through a difficult time. As for the anonymous gifts we have received, we are seeking out His will as to who we may help in the adoption journey!
We love you guys and thank you for your prayers and support!
Ray and Katie
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February 4th, 2009
When we started this process several months ago, we were so excited. We couldn’t wait for our child to be home. To be honest, I fell in love with him/her without even knowing them yet.
As we have walked this path, there have been several obstacles in the path. Money. Timing. And other factors tat contribute to our present need.
IN recent days we have questioned whether or not we had made the right move. We started the process, yet timelines have some and gone and the money was simply not there. Our first agreement was we were not going to go into debt for this process. We just did not feel comfortable doing that ourselves for adopting.
Our time with the agency has come and we still have not raised enough for the initial payment to them, or the money for the home study. My work has been blessed to pay for our bills at home, but there has been NO extra for this process.
These things have brought on doubt and wonderment of where to go from here. We would cherish having another child in our house, but we are not sure if these blockades are “doors closed by God” or barriers from the Enemy. We have tossed around whether or not we should adopt one or spend our effort, time, and money supporting all we can through orphanges and mission trips to these areas.
Needless to say, we have hit a wall and need your prayers. God has blessed us with such great friends who are supporting us through this dream. Those who have donated money have been amazing, and we thank you very much. Please pray for us to see God, Hear His voice, and for wisdom to understand where He wants us to go and do!
Thanks so much,
Ray and Katie!
p.s. We know this may cause some to wonder about contributing. But we felt we should be open through this process! We need your prayers. Katie is doing a great job tracking contributions. So, if God does say “No” (which I really do not want to hear!), we will be able to contact donators for reimbursement or sending the money to another fund of their choice! Thanks Again for EVERYTHING!
Tags: Adoption, God, orphans, prayer, prayers
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January 17th, 2009
There is always a quiet before the storm.
Keep watching!
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December 31st, 2008
Hey everyone! I hope you are having a great evening looking the New Year in!
I have been asked by several what the latest is on the adoption process! Here is where it stands!
We have raised about $1500 toward the process! It is a long road ahead! We have $2500 due in the next 30 days for the Adoption Agency and $2800 due for the Home study to begin. Of course, we have sensed that we are not to borrow for the process, so we are committed to raising the money. As you can tell, with what we have raised and what is due, we are having to slow walk through this journey. Not really what we wanted to do, but we are committed to His timing.
During this time, Katie and I have had a real sense of stopping and sitting in His lap and simply wait and pray! I can honestly say, this has been nothing short of amazing! It has meant a lot to us as a couple as we have prayed together and had to be patient together! The key word is “together.” I am so thankful I have been blessed with an amazing woman to walk through lifes journey together with!
That being said, I am more convinced today than ever that this is a journey He has for us to walk, and as we travel the road, I am sure it will be a journey to learning more about Him and His faithfulness and making us more like Himself! And according to Romans 8:29, I believe that is His ultimate goal for us in the end! Not just to increase our family, but that we would each individually and as a couple relfect Jesus to our world!
Have a Happy and Safe New Year!
Tags: Adoption, Happy New Year, Jesus
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December 13th, 2008
Hey Gang! As part of our Auction the other night, Logo My Stuff and owner Roy MacDougal, had generously donated some Hoodies and T-Shirts. We have several left, so, we thought we would offer them to you here online. They are Gildan Hoodies and have some really cool designs on them. I figured we would offer them in stages.
The first one is a chocolate hoodie with one of FollowMeTees Designs. We have SIX of these hoodies in size M.
The Next one is an Alpha Omega Design. I have one Medium(SOLD) and One 4xl.
Here is a One of a Kind Hoodie. I have ONE large!
and lastly, here is one for the ladies with a little color flare! Katie really likes this one. I have two mediums available!
These would make GREAT Christmas gifts and/or, great winter wear. They are extremely comfortable hoodies. You would normally pay $20 or so for a hoodie plus shipping.
WE ARE OFFERING THESE FOR $18 which includes shipping !!!!!!!!!!
And, don’t forget Katie has Webkins too you can pick up for $7 plus shipping. If you come to our house or meet her near by to pick them up, there is no shipping! She has Reindeer, Cats, Dogs, Ducks, Frogs, and more!!!!!!!
They will be sold on a first come first serve basis. ALL monies will go to the adoption fund. You can place your order buy emailing me, sharpkiddo@gmail.com
Tags: Adoption, alpha omega, christmas gift, follow me tees, gildan, hoodies, logo my stuff, pursue life, webkins, winter wear
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December 12th, 2008
Well, last night was our long awaited Benefit auction. I had been in class all day yesterday for my Auctioneers license in KY. I came screaming home and made it to the church at 5:15 or so. Thing was, I was driving in the snow showers (which means lock down in TN for some reason.)
Due to the weather and finding out later that three local elementary schools had their Christmas programs last night, we did not have a sufficient crowd for an auction (about 10 people). Therefore we canceled the auction and allowed folks there to choose any items they wanted! Lo and behold, we raised $1947. Amazing!
We do have some items left and Katie and Brea will be handling those via ebay and Craigslist. We are EXTREMELY thankful for what God has done so far and for what people have blessed us with.
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