Our prayers have been answered!!! God is Jehovah Jirah!

The Taylor household is singing God's praises!!!  He has answered our prayers!!!  No only did God provide the funds we needed to move forward to the next step of our adoption process, we went over and beyond.

While Jason and I have been sitting and waiting this past month, due to not having the funds to move forward in the adoption process, we have realized that we have experienced a test of faith.  We claim on our blog and to others that we know God will provide the adoption funds and He is Jehovah Jirah (provider).  This past month, has been a test on whether we really "believe" what we say.  Yes...we believe!!!  It would have been easy to go take out a loan and just push forward in the process.  However, that would go against our convictions about debt.  We know many families that have taken loans out for their adoption process and we are not saying that is wrong!!!    We see nothing wrong with people taking out loans to adopt if that is what God leads them to do.  We believe that you should obey God and what He places on your heart.  However, God has placed on "our" hearts to not go into debt and to trust Him to provide through donations, fundraising, etc.  This is the conviction God has placed on our heart.   Since God put the desire in our hearts to adopt, we trust He will provide!

Over the last two weeks we have been blessed with incredible donations to our adoption fund.  We are humbled and greatly thankful!!!  The donations received came from families that would like to remain annonymous.  The total donated since the last blog post is $7,450.  The total raised/donated so far is $12,895.  Our deepest gratitude to those that donated!!!  Thank you for being obediant to God in your giving!!  Praise God for providing our needs and beyond!

So what is the next step...
1.  Tuesday, Jan. 3rd, we have our final (4th) home visit with Karen.  Once she concludes her report we will have officially completed the home study process of the adoption. 

2.  We have contacted two agencies (BAAS in CA and Living Hope in PA).  Once we personally chat with them on Monday over a couple questions, we will officially make our decision to which agency we will be going with for the remainder of the process.  There is one agency we tend to be leaning toward...not do not have a complete peace until we talk with each of them.  Both are GREAT agencies with wonderful reputations!!! 

3.  The month of January we will continue our fundrising acitivies!  Stay tuned for the next event!

4.  When our home study report is complete, we will begin to apply for adoption grants.

5.  After applying with the agency we pick next week, we will start our 31 page paperwork process.  Once we complete this...we send it to China and the waiting process starts again!

We are excited to report our adoption updates and the next timeline of events!!!  Please continue to pray for us to be obediant, make the right choice in agencies, and for the remaining funds to be provided.  We are looking forward to finding out who our little Melanie will be!!!

Patiently waiting and thankful!

It has officially been a month since we had to make the decision to stop moving forward with our home study until additional funding comes in for the adoption fund.  We are still patiently waiting for God to provide the remaining funds for us to make the first installment with an adoption agency. 

This weekend we have been humbly surprised with additional donations for our adoption fund.  Jason's co-workers, a dear friend, and some members of our church family donated a total of $500.  What a blessing!  We are truly thankful! 

As of today, December 18, 2011, there have been donations and/or we have raised a total of $5443.50 for our adoption process.  Praise our Jehovah Jirah!!!

For us to move forward in our adoption process, we need approximately $2000.  Please join us as we pray for God to provide these funds. 

One funny thing to share from this week...  Cohen and I were watching a video about Big Bird going to China.  I checked this video out of the library so that Cohen could be prepared for how physically different his sister would look from him and that he could see how her culture is different from our.  He made the decision after the video that he was going to go to China with us to pick up his sister.  How adorable!  I pray he can go with us.  Cohen really understands the concept of the adoption.  He was explaining to me the other day that he came from mommy's tummy, but his sister is in China and we are going to go get her.  Cohen seems to have a great concept of the adoption process and is SOOOOOO excited about having a sister when he turns 5.  He tells everyone he sees that he is going to have a sister named Melanie when he turns 5.  I pray that his wish comes true and we can bring Melanie home next Summer... 

The Winner is...

Today is December 10, 2011...the official day of our American Girl Doll Raffle Drawing!!!

We GREATLY appreciate all the donations that came in for our adoption fund.  The total raised was $550!!!  Thank you to everyone that donated.  You helped us get one step closer to bringing our little Melanie home from China. 

The winner of the raffle is Juliana Heisey!  Congratulations Juliana!!!!

So far the total amount raised is $4906.00. 

God is our provider!  Jehovah Jirah!.

Praying for God to provide...

This week is a busy week for adoption fundraising!!!  With $3000 to raise before we can move forward in the adoption process...we are praying for God to provide!

Tomorrow, we have our Stella & Dot Jewelry Trunk show from 12-2.  Ashton Gilbert will be doing the show.  She is actually a previous bride of mine!!!  Her and her husband had one of the sweetest wedding ceremonies and a beautiful reception.  I will be providing lunch and children are welcome.  Anyone that cannot attend the trunk show can place an order online at www.stelladot.com/ashtongilbert.  Make sure to choose Karla Taylor as the hostess.  15% of sales go to our adoption fund. 

Friday, at noon (CST), will be the deadline for submitting donations in a chance to win the American Girl Doll.  The drawing will be Saturday. We are so thankful to everyone that has donated!!!  Our goal for this fundraiser is $2000.  We are currently at $330.

We are trying not to get discouraged!!!  Our family knows that God has put the desire of adopting Melanie on our hearts...He will provide the means!  We keep praying and we keep coming up with ways to fundraise! 

If you would like to be a prayer warrior with us please pray for the following...
1.  We will have a peace about what agency we are to go with, once the funding comes in.
2.  To receive the funds to move forward in our adoption process.  We had to stop our home study until we could raise the funds to apply to an adoption agency.  The funds we need to move forward is approximately $3000. 

American Girl Doll (Kanani) - Adoption Donation Raffle! You could win this new American Girl Doll by donating to our adoption fund!!

The contest has begun...just in time for Christmas shopping!  You have a chance to win one new (still in the box) American Girl Doll (Kanani) by making a donation to our Adoption Fund.  (See details on donation amounts and how to enter under the picture of the doll...to the right.)

If you have been following our blog, you know that we have a large amount to pay in the month of December to finish our home study process and commit to an adoption agency.  Without this money, we cannot move forward in our adoption process.

This fundraiser - American Girl Doll Raffle - is to bring in the money we need for us to move forward in our adoption process. 

If you win you will get:
1 - NEW in the box - American Girl Doll (Kanani) along with a flower, necklace, and book.  She is the 2011 doll at American Girl where quanities are limited.

On all the details of how to enter, make a donation, deadlines, etc.  Please look to the right side of the blog under the American Girl Doll picture.  If you have questions, please email Karla at karlamtaylor@hotmail.com.

The deadline of this fundraiser is Friday, December 9, 2011 at 12 noon (CST) and the drawing will take place on December 10, 2011. 

Please pray that God will bless this fundraiser and it will bring in the finances we need to move forward with our adoption process!!!  Thank you for your prayers and donations to help bring Melanie home!

Third Home Visit done!

Last night, we met Karen out at TGI Friday for our third home study visit.  Only one more left to go!!!

After research and prayer, the Korea situation that was laid in our laps last week will not work out.  Once we got all the details, there were many missing pieces and to be honest...the whole thing was a little shaddy.  It seemed like we were being used as a ticket for someone getting to the states.  Carol, with the agency in Chicago I talked with about this situation was wonderful...they are not shaddy and my friend was so kind to have told me about this possible situation....thank you Fran.  It was the mother and father information and details that sent the red flag.  Another door closed...praise God for that protection and discernment.

So here we are...what agency do we go with?  We have narrowed down our decision to BAAS in California and New Beginnings here in TN.  We have a week...or two to decide.  Where is our little Melanie?  There is no absolute peace about going with one over the other.  Both are great...great reputations...nothing negative!  God please give us direction...  I feel like we are on a time clock!!! 

Another prayer request...finances!  Once we make the decision on an agency, we have a large amount of money to pay.  We have the money to pay for the remainder of our home study.  The amount we need would be the large amount to the agency.  We have faith that God will provide!!! 

Good news...we did receive a very nice donation of $225 this week from a very sweet friend and received $283.50 from selling items at my consignment sale under the consignor number ADOPT last week.  Our total of donations are now up to $4356.  Praise God!!! 

For all those prayer warriors...please pray for two things:
1.  Wisdom on which agency to go with (within two weeks)
2.  Finances to pay that agency once we decide

We may have a new open door...

This week has been rather interesting and filled with excitement.  My consignment sale started on Tuesday, That Consignment Sale.  We officially had 58 consignors actually drop off.  Sales are going great for our first sale!!!  I was offered a business opportunity...to purchase another business on Monday.  However, Wednesday was probably the most eventful day of the week. 

Cohen takes a class on Wednesdays.  While I waiting, checking my email and posting my sale on craigslist, my sweet new friend Fran (which has a grandaughter is Cohen's class) tells me about an interesting adoption situation that was told to her daughter.  In less than 30 min. after our conversation, I was on the phone with a lady named Carol that was in an agency in Chicago.  Long story short...we may have an opportunity to adopt a little girl as soon as February.  The mom lives in Korea and wants to come to the US to have her little girl. 

How cool is that?  As me and Fran both said...this would be a God thing if it works out.  We are not getting our hopes up just yet.  There is one family in front of us to either accept or deny this opportunity.  Three other families have already said no.  There would be a lot of upfront expences, which we do not have at this moment and adoption details that are up in the air. 

Please pray that if this little girl is not our Melanie that the door will close shut quickly.  We want God's will.  Also...we have less than two weeks to decide on an agency and country.  With this new opportunity...things may change.  Please pray, pray, pray that we will KNOW in our hearts what God wants us to do.

2nd Home Study Complete!

Last night, Friday, November 4, 2011, we had our second home study with Karen at New Beginnings.  She came to our house to do the inspection and interview us.  It was great! 

We are in prayer mode...what agency do we go with?

We have two weeks to decide on an agency.  Right now we are praying between two...New Beginnings where we are doing our home study or BAAS in California.  There are wonderful things about both agencies!!!  No negatives!  What to do?

So...we are praying for direction...

Also...this next week is our big consignment sale - That Consignment Sale!  We have 76 consignors and around 4,000 items coming.  Great for our first sale!!!  Today I am tagging 318 items for the ADOPT consignor number...everything sold under this number will go directly to our Adoption Fund.  I am actually tagging over 400 items today.  I thought it was 400 items...I miscounted it is more like 550.  Wow...I have a busy day ahead of me. 

Please pray for volunteers for our sale!  It will not run smoothly without my volunteers!!!!  We need volunteers for the sale Wed - Sat.  I want God to be glorified...he has provided the money, location, and everything for this sale.  I pray it is a success!!!

Fingerprints and Background Checks...

Well today I set up our appointments for fingerprints and will pick up our background checks in Hendersonville.  I seriously feel like I am applying for a government job or applying to be an educator again.  One step closer in the adoption process!!! 

This Friday, Nov. 4th is our second home study visit with Karen.  Last weeks meeting was rescheduled. 

Praying for direction on which agency to go with right now...  We still cannot get the orphange in Taiwan out of our mind.  Emailed them again today to pray this week to reconsider.  We want God's will not ours...  So...is this really a closed door?  I guess we will see this week.  Pray for direction...

The clock is ticking...  We have to pick an agency before we conclude our home study. 

Zumbathon

Last night we had our Zumbathon adoption fundraiser!  We had nine instructors volunteer their time and a total of 22 people.  It was a night of fun and figuring out how out of shape I am.  I have to say I love to Zumba...not very good at it yet...but definitely going to start taking a class. 

There were door prizes ranging from a massage (Deb Catron), hair car (157 Studio), med spa treatment (Rivergate Med Spa), tshirts (For His Glory), a painting (Amanda Baugher), free Curves membership (Gallatin/Long Hollow), an ornament, a belt (Doodle Bug Designs), and gift certificate for yummy treats (Iced Bake Shop).   There were bananas, bottle water and cereal bars to munch on between instuctor changes.

We cleared $160 for our adoption fund after expenses...what a blessing! 

On a side note...we also sold the wooden file cabinet and wooden table and chairs that did not sell during our adoption yard sale.  We made $125 for the adoption fund!

In one day...we raised $285 for the adoption fund!  Thank you God!

God closes a door...

Over the last three days Jason, Cohen and I have spent some much needed family time away in the Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg area.  Just a little family vaca at the Wilderness Lodge while Jason is on Fall break.  This was planned back in the Spring of 2011.  There was hiking (Jason's favorite), swimming at the indoor water park (Cohen's favorite), shopping at the discount scrapbook store (Karla's favorite), and eating.  We all enjoyed the relaxation! 

While we were away, God closed a very large door in our adoption process.  Jason received an email confirming that the orphanage in Taiwan would not allow us to adopt from there.  The reason...because we already had a child.  To our understanding, the orphanage had made exceptions for those that already had children before...so why not us?  Even with the knowledge that I am unable to physically have any more children, the decision still stayed.  This was a bummer to find out during our vacation!

We have prayed for God to close doors so that we know His plan...not ours.  Wow...this is harder than I thought!  I really believed in my heart that Taiwan was the location of our Melanie.  Guess not...  I am not going to lie, I am a little discouraged.  Jason and I will continue to pray for the next direction in our adoption process.  We will pray and move forward with our home study!

Another sad thing to report...  When we returned from our vacation, we found our sweet little Beta fish - Grassy - had passed away.  Yes...we had someone feeding and taking care of her while we were gone.  She lived six months.  I will miss my mornings with Grassy jumping out of the water after being fed while I fix breakfast for me and Cohen.  She was the best fish ever!  RIP Grassy!

One home study visit down and three to go!

Tonight was our first home study visit with Karen from New Beginnings!  Karen was great!  We felt comfortable with her and she was so informative.  Cohen, Jason and I met her at Panera Bread in Hendersonville at 5PM.  We ate dinner and chatted until 7:30 pm. 

We turned in our 17 page application and made our deposit.  In the next two weeks, we have some additional information to gather and we should be done with paperwork...for the homestudy.  Our next meeting, at our home, is Thurs. Oct. 27th. 

The great thing is that we could have all of our home visits completed in a month!  That is fabulous! 

We thank God for closing the door on the previous agency and leading us to Karen at New Beginnings!God is so good!!! 

The Paperwork has begun!

This Thursday is our first home study visit!  We are excited...and a little nervous.  Jason brought home the application paperwork for the home study last night.  Yep...everyone was correct...there is a lot of paperwork and information to research about yourself.  For this Thursday, we have 17 pages to fill out, some documentation to find, and some personal autobiographies to type up.  Trust me...we are NOT complaining...just excited that the process has officially begun!!!! 

Praise...we have the money to pay for our home study!!!  This last week we received some generous donations for our adoption process.  Praise God...He is our provider...Jehovah Jireh!!!

For those that are praying for us...

1. Please pray for the upcoming Zumbathon Adoption Fundraiser.  This week I am searching for door prizes and food donations (bananas, bottled water, and cereal bars).
2. Please pray for confirmation that the missionaries in Taiwan have received our email/information.  We are waiting on feedback that they have received our contact.  Jason and I are patiently waiting on confirmation/feedback on whether we are able/approved to adopt from Taiwan.  We pray for the right doors to be open and those that are not in His will to be closed. 

The Adoption Yard Sale was a success!!!!!

Thank you to EVERYONE that supported our Adoption Yard Sale through donations, purchases, and prayer!  It was a success!  We raised $1300!  Praise God!!! 

Thank you to the great idea of Anissa, we had an adoption donation bucket at the yard sale.  We raised around $50 in donations. 

We had great weather and good traffic throughout the day.  The items that were not sold will be sold on Craigslist or at my consignment sale (That Consignment Sale) in November under the consignor number "ADOPT".  Hopefully with the proceeds from the yard sale and the other items being sold on Craigslist and the consignment sale, we will have enough to pay for our homestudy ($2000). 

Great news!  We have ordered our new homestudy from New Beginnings!  Our first meeting is Oct. 13th. 

This week was also received our first cash donation of $100!  God is so good!

So the next adoption fundraiser is the Zumbathon!!!  Oct. 21st at College Heights Baptist Church from 6:30-8:30 PM.  $10 per person at the door.  Even if you don't Zumba, come join the party!  There will be door prizes and healthy snacks.  Invite your friends!  My friend and previous neighbor, Tina Bishop, is a Zumba instructor and she is orchestrating this event.  Thank you Tina!    I have never done Zumba in my life, however, I am going to try it out at the Zumbathon!  Hope to see you there!

Our First Fundriaser...Adoption Yard Sale

Excitement is in the air at the Taylor House!!!  Our house looks like the Goodwill....Cohen keeps telling me to clean up this mess and Jason and I see it as a huge blessing!!!  We have had so many donations so far that words cannot express our thanks to our friends and even complete stranges that have donated their gently used items...even new items...to our sale.  There are more donations on there way today!!!!  We feel loved and supported.  Thank you to ALL who have donated!!!! 

Our Adoption Yard Sale is Friday (30th) and Sat.(Oct. 1st) at 1016 Harmony Lane, Hendersonville.  The Creekside at Station Camp Subdivision.  Follow the Adoption Yard Sale Signs!  It is from 7am-2pm both days. 

We are not pricing anything.  It is "Make an Offer or Donation"!

We have furniture, toys, Vera Bradley, pictures, clothes and so much more!  We hope to see you there!

First bump in the road...

Well...we had our first bump in the road yesterday.  It seems as if our home study is NOT ordered.  We listen...follow directions...listen some more and ask questions...and follow directions.  So...why is the agency we ordered our home study from changing the story?  Hmmmm....Is God giving us a big hint to change the home study agency?  So this is why the key word in adoption is "flexibility"!!!  We will not lose hope!!!  So...we continue to pray...and wait on God's direction!  Please pray with us...  "Please God give us direction...your direction.  This is the path you are guiding us on...we don't want to mess it up.  Close those doors that are not Your way!"

Many have asked if we already have a child waiting on us named Melanie.  No, we have not received a referral for a specific little girl. Check out the section..."Why we named her Melanie..." to find out the story behind her name.  Grab your tissues...I cried while I wrote it. 

Pray...and wait!

Now that our Home Study has been ordered through Bethany Christian Services...we wait.  We wait on their call to set up our first meeting.  We wait to see how long the Home Study will take.  We pray, trust and wait for God to provide the finances.  Wow...did I pray for patience.  No...I learned not to do that many years ago.  I have faith!  (Hebrews 11)  I trust! (Psalm 37)  God has put the wonderful desire on our hearts...we know that He has a perfect plan.  We do not want to mess up the plan, because His is perfect!

We have emailed the missionaries in Taiwan.  We pray and wait!  Is our little Melanie there?  Could we get twins...our little Melanie and her brother or sister?  So much excitement!  It is like we just found our we are pregnant.  The questions...the uncertainty.  What to do?  We pray and wait...

Here we go!

Today we ordered our home study!  The journey has officially begun...