400

This is post 400.  Lots has happened in 400 posts, hasn't it?  

We moved from Texas to Thailand and back to South Carolina.  Collectively, we've worked on 3 different Master's degrees.  Made lots of new friends.  Had 9 different jobs... 

I could go on, but that's the beauty of this blog.  It's already a gathering place of memories.   

Thanks to those of you who stop by.  We appreciate you staying in touch! :)

Random Photo, Take 72

Yes, Pic 71 was taken in a Red Ford Thunderbird, my first car.  On my 15th birthday.  So 14 years ago this week.  Craziness.  Grandpa Tyndall bought me that car, and I made monthly payments to him.  Good times. 

Here's Photo 72: Who, Where, When? 

P.S. Based on this picture, I just decided what I'm going to be for Halloween. :)

Random Photo, Take 71

Pic 70 was my family at my cousin's graduation from Berry College in 2010.  Jeannene's graduation day with her sister (also my cousin) Julianne, mom and dad (my aunt & uncle) and her grandmother (not my grandmother).  Bonus points if you got that one right.  I'm not even sure how I have that picture on my computer. :)

Here's 71: 

Adoption and Cattle

The latest theme in my spiritual life?  Cattle.  

I've recently been overwhelmed, even frustrated, with the cost of adoption.  In my day-to-day life, I get annoyed when I realize that finances are all that stands in the way of us becoming parents.  (Well, that and God's Sovereignty, but from a practical point, ya know...)

This week, all over the place, I have felt God whispering to me "I own the cattle on a thousand hills... you think the cost of your adoption is too much for me?".  Yesterday, when meeting with a good friend, I was telling her that God keeps reminding me of the verse, but I couldn't remember where it was.  Here it is:  Psalm 50:10.  Read the context too.  God's reminder to me that He holds all of this in His hands--financially, timing, and otherwise. 

I KNOW that God isn't disturbed by the cost of adoption, as reminded by a friend on Facebook.  I KNOW that the frustration of finances (to me) isn't frustrating for God.  He knows the beginning, middle and end of this story, and all I can see is the right now.  I KNOW all these things in my head, but my heart is having a hard time recently.  

Seeing this post tonight from our friends helped: 
We are $6,549 away from reaching our adoption fundraising goal of $32,000! Amazed at God's provision with 3 months (hopefully) to go. We have raised $25,451 in less than 10 months. I just read through all the donors names in my little adoption book. What a joy it will be to one day show our son everyone involved in helping get him home. Amazing. Simply amazing. Please never let finances interfere with giving a child a family.

Did you catch that last sentence?  Good reminder for me today.  God's perfect timing.

Photo Source

Tomorrow, I will talk with our social worker and revisit our home study--mostly about finances.  Would love for you to pray with us. 

Random Photo, Take 70

Remember this game? Well, it's been over 2 months, I think, but I'm resurrecting it. My goal is to do 100 random photos, then make a hardcover book of them. After that, we'll see. Maybe I will have a baby to post pictures of at that point. :) 

Pic 69 was on our April 2011 trip to Cypress Gardens.  It was the only alligator we saw that day, which was a huge disappointment.  

Here's 70: