School starts

Well this post is not about adoption, but that's ok. I guess this blog is just as much about life in the Thomas family as it is about adoption.
School began today. The beginning of school always makes me sad. I love have my children home and I miss this so much when they are at school. I know that school is part of growing up, but it is still hard to let go a big.
Micah started 3rd grade today. And Jack started kindergarten. They are at a new school. It is a home school Co-op of sorts. They will go to school 3 days a week for 4 hours each and then I have them home to teach the other 2. It is a great set up.
I was nervous about them starting. Micah would be meeting all new friends and leaving the only school he had ever attended. Jackson would be starting school for the very first time and he had told us multiple times that he did not need to go:)
Well we are home now and the day went great. The boys went right into their rooms without an issues. Mommy felt quite sad, but they were fine! Their teachers are both precious, wonderful women.
The cool thing about their school is not only that they are home more, but... there are other adoptive families!! While we were on campus we met several families with children from Africa and Haiti. WOW!! God is so amazing. He has put us in a place where there will be families "like ours." I am so grateful!!!
I am looking forward to a great year of this new experience!!! I can not wait to be part of teaching my precious blessings.

My precious children

I was thinking tonight about my precious children and some of the things they have said related to adoption and thought I would share...-
-Karis prayed nightly for a month or more for a brother AND sister, before Dave and I seriously began to do the same.
-Some time after telling the boys we were praying about adopting 2- Jackson comes to me. He says "Mommy, I have been praying at night in my bed about us adopting 2. And I believe God is telling me in my heart we should." WOW!!
-Micah and Jackson were discussing the space in our vehicle and how once we are home with our 2 that there will be no room for friends to ride. They decided the solution... buy a limo.
-Jackson wants to know if we get "change back" once we pay for the adoption.
-Micah wants to know IF we only needed 1 more dollar to be done paying, could we use some from our grocery budget. OF COURSE WE COULD.
-Karis prays nightly that "the grants would give us money for our adoption." ( I think she thinks the grants are a family who is gonna help us out :) )
Kids say and do the most precious things. We are so blessed to hear their sweet perspective on life!

Amazing progress!

Many of you know that we have been in process with a matching grant for about the last month. We were to send out letters to friends and family and try to raise $5,000. The grant organization would MATCH every dollar given up to $5,000. We mailed out letters and then the excitment, nervousness, and waiting began. Each week we would receive an update as to how we had done so far. Well August 10 was the last day that donations could be postmarked by. So today we recieved an email regarding how we had done...
DRUM ROLL PLEASE>>>>>> $11,426.31 That means that friends and family donated $6,426.31 toward our adoption.
WOW!!! We were so awed, amazed and humbled by the mighty work God has done these last weeks.
First of all our thanks goes to Jehovah Jireh- our provider. Thanks also goes to each and everyone who prayed for this effort and to those who donated!! We are blessed to be surrounded by so many who love and care for us and who believe in what we are doing.
We now have around half of the finances needed to bring our 2 children home. Don't forget to continue to pray for us. We are trusting that God will provide all of our needs!!!

Grant

Many of you have asked how we did on our matching grant. Check back on Friday for the results!!!

Sermon

Dave has been preaching a sermon series about adoption over the course of these last few weeks. Today, my sweet, wonderful and amazing husband spoke about our personal journey toward adoption. What an amazing journey it has been so far. As I listened to Dave's heart and thought back over these last few months as well as the last few years- it reminded me of some things.
It reminded me of how God leads guides and directs. Our God is always there for us to talk to. He knows our hearts and loves us anyway. He helps us to follow His plan by gently prodding and leading. He uses things both big and small to show us His way. Our Father has been through us each step of the way and He continues to be there.
I am so very thankful that God has called us to this task of adoption. This journey has stretched my faith and patience. It is strengthen my prayer life. It is encouraging in the faith journey of our children. They can see how He guides, cares for us and provides.
God is so good! I can not wait to see how He continues to work.