So Much To Be Thankful For!

Our family has so much to be thankful for.  God in all His splendor is the reason I say this.  I'm thankful for His character;  His faithfulness, generosity, provision, friendship, forgiveness and love for us, His Word that guides us through this life and His promises that come to fruition when we trust and follow Him wholeheartedly.

I have seen all of these characteristics of God in our adoption journey.  I see Him unfolding the path for each step just before He knows we need to be there.  My prayer from the beginning has been to be patient and wait for God's timing each step of the way.  This is usually a challenge for me because I so often want to be in control, knowing all the details and having a plan set.  In the the process of adoption I found that I have no control over many of the things that go on;  when they will process our paperwork, when we will have our home study and above all when we will go get our son.  This realization has brought a complete surrender to God on my part.  I have given God all authority and control on this journey and He has proven Himself faithful and sufficient at all times.  There is such a peace that overwhelms me as I watch how God is working everything out form the $2000.00 grant we received that was donated the night before we shared our story with a staff member at LIfeSong, to being at the lab and having my blood draw go smoothly(I have small veins and have been pocked four times in the past before a vein was found).  I see all this and think....isn't this how we are supposed to live, always in total surrender to God and His plans.

If we walked in this full surrender giving up all control, trusting and knowing that God is paving the perfect path for us we would see God's perfect plan come to fruition.  As we move forward on this journey I know that God will reveal the next steps as I need to know them and when the day comes when we set off to bring our son home I will see the whole picture of God's plan for this journey.  But I also know that bringing Jedidiah home is only the beginning of all God wants to do.  As we open the door to our house introducing Jedidiah to his sisters I will know that another journey has begun.

Anticipating God's next step.

GCOA Grant

PRAISE GOD!!!  I got news today that we have been given a $2000.00 scholarship from Gold Coast Orphan Alliance.  This is so exciting.  I love watching God is provide for our son to come home, but even more I love the confirmation each blessing brings with it. 
We serve a might God!

                                     

http://www.weheartorphans.org/#/about/

Quotes I Love

"Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass...it's about learning how to dance in the rain."
-Author Unknown

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take, but by the number of moments that take your breath away,"-Author Unknown

"What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us."
-Author Unknown

"Those who are different change the world, those who are ordinary simply keep it that way."
-Author Unknown

"Courage does not always roar.  Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I will try again tomorrow."-Maryanne Radmacher

Have a blessed day!

Maria

The Zuzunaga Family Fundraiser

 I told you about this family a few posts ago. I wanted to share Maria's picture with all of you and give you the opportunity to support them.  This family is adopting Maria from Russia and to help with the expenses they are doing many fundraisers including selling these beautiful Christmas ornaments(see picture).  These would be a great gift for anyone.  They are $6 each.  If you are interested please e-mail Genrty at muchamacha@hotmail.com.

Hello

I feel so bad about not updating more but right now there is not much to say.  We are busy getting forms filled out, waiting to do lab tests for our physicals and patiently waiting for everything to come together.

This morning I was thinking about being in Hong Kong and what it will feel like as we wait to see our son for the first time.  I imagine it will be a lot like being in the hospital with the epidural in, laying on the bed knowing your babies on their way but not being sure what hour you will see their precious face.  I look forward to finally being there and making that journey to pick our son up and hold him close.  It's hard to be patient with thoughts like this!

Blessings,

The Zuzunaga Family

The first Friday if every month I host a gathering for parents with young children who have Down syndrome.  It has been such a blessing to watch the children play together while the parents enjoy conversations with each other.  I really love being with these families!!!  At our last gathering I met a women, Gentry, whose family is adopting a little girl with Down syndrome from Russia.  They have three children already and are waiting for Maria to join her forever family!  This was so exciting for me.  Another precious baby will soon join a family that will love her forever.  I can't wait to meet Maria.  Like us, this family is doing some fundraising to help with the very expensive process of adoption.  I am attaching all the information you need if you feel led to support this family financially.  This family is amazing and I look forward to the many conversations we are sure to have in the near future.  Gentry is also blogging her journey so please visit her blog and see their precious Maria!  http://afamilyformaria.blogspot.com/

Fundraiser Info...

In support for the Zuzunaga family's adoption of Baby Maria, we are having a

FUNDRAISER Open House
featuring Premier Designs Jewelry [made in USA/Affordable/Lifetime Manuf Warranty]
Friday, November 19th 4:30pm-6:30pm
at the Zuzunaga's home: 102 W. Constance Avenue #4, Santa Barbara 93105

Helpers are Needed to help collect orders prior to the show.
Helpers earn 30% of Free Jewelry for orders collected for the fundraiser.  For example, $30 jewelry credit for every $100 collected.
[great way to get some of your Christmas gifts for free.]

If interested, please contact Gentry Zuzunaga: (805) 680-4376

or Sandy Goe (805) 452-3632

Please mark your calendar to drop in at the Fundraiser Open House. Bring a friend- Feel free to forward this to your friends!
Your prayers and support are greatly appreciated.


From your favorite jewelry lady,
Sandy Goe
(805) 452-3632 / email: http://www.blogger.com/mc/compose?to=premiersg7@gmail.com

Orphan Sunday

Today is Orphan Sunday, a time to remember the children in the world that don't have a forever family.  Many organizations use this day to encourage families to pray and ask God how He would direct them to act, some may be called to adopt(like us), some are called to help financially but all are call to pray!  I heard a wise speaker once say, "It is more powerful to talk to God about man than to talk to man about God".  As we stand in the gap asking God to move, hearts are opened, transformed and ultimately lives are changed.  Because I believe this to be true I am committing to pray for the orphans of the world , will you join me? 

Expecting God to move in a mighty way!!!

Intake Interview a Success

Our intake interview went smoothly yesterday.  We had a great conversation with Gwen at the adoption agency.  She asked us to share our family life as children, give info about past abuses, if any (there were none).  We left this meeting feeling very blessed and grateful for the simple lives we have lived.  Because we both grew up in loving, caring homes we did not have a lot of the baggage that many people struggle with.  Thank you God for being so good to us, always!!!
We also talked more about Jedidiah and what issues we are willing to adopt him with.  We told them that we will take our son with what ever he comes with, with only one exception...a terminal condition.  This was a hard topic to discuss because although Josh and I would be willing to take a dying child we have three precious girls we must consider.  On the other hand, our decision to bring Jed home with any health conditions was easy to make.  When our girls were born we took them as they were, perfect in our eyes and we will do the same for our son.  We will love him for who he is and what he comes with knowing that God hand picked him for our family. 

James 1:27 "Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you."