Thursday, April 30, 2009

Thankful Thursday

This being "Thankful Thursday," I have so many things to be thankful for today and all days. A couple of weeks ago Matt and I were so worried he was going to get laid off again. As many of you know, our economy is not in the best shape right now and with Matt being an Electrician, he works only when there is work to be done. Right now in the town we live in there is not a whole lot of work to be done. Anyway, instead of getting laid off he was moved to another job where he was told he would be getting some overtime! Well, the overtime was only for a day, and then we were once again not sure if he was going to have a job or not. He called me on a Friday to let me know that some of the guys were being moved to other jobs and others were being laid off, but that he still had not heard what was happening with him. When he came home from work that afternoon I was expecting him to go right to the computer to file for unemployment. Instead he said that he was told he would be working until Wednesday of the next week, and that they would let him know then what was going to happen.

I kept telling myself that if he did get laid off maybe it was just a sign that we are not supposed to move forward with this adoption. As much as I knew in my heart this is what I wanted, my mind was telling me that maybe He had other plans. I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason and that just because I/we want something, doesn't mean it is in His plans. So, I as I knelt in Church on Saturday evening, I prayed and prayed that He would once again give me a sign that we were in fact traveling down the right path. And that this is the path that He has laid out in front of us.

~THE SIGN~

Monday came and Matt made it through the entire day of work without anyone telling me not to come in the next day. Tuesday came and every time the phone rang I was apprehensive to look at the called ID afraid it was Matt telling me he was laid off. So, when the phone rang that afternoon, I checked the caller ID and guess who it was? Yep, Matt. But not to tell me that he was getting laid off, to tell me he was going to be working about an hour and a half from here (in another state), and that this job was in major overtime. Our prayers were answered and then some. Not only did he not get laid off, he is working at least 50 hours a week right now. This weekend he will be working 12 hours on Saturday (time and a half) and 12 hours on Sunday (double time). This job and the overtime is supposed to last through May. Praise God! After doing the math, and if this overtime lasts as long as he has been told, we will have enough money for the USCIS, the dossier authentication fees, and the CCAA fees.

Jesus replied, "What is impossible with men is possible with God." Luke 18:27


We have faith in the Lord that He will carry us through this journey just as He did with Mylee. The journey of adoption is full of leaps of faith, moments of worry, lots of waiting, but the gift of having that child placed in your arms is nothing more than a miracle from Him. He has walked beside us to bring all four of our children home and there is no doubt in my mind that HE is walking beside us to bring our fifth home.

We talked with Drew on Tuesday night through SKYPE. All I can say is that I cannot wait to get him home. I let Gabe stay up to talk to him as well. Gabe told Drew that he was going to share a room with him. Drew asked if we had cars and was so excited when Gabe told him we had lots of cars. He has such a personality and it is pretty obvious that he is going to fit in so well with our family.

Drew also got the care package we sent him soon after we talked to him on their Wednesday morning. Below are some pictures of him going through what we sent as well as sharing with his friends.

~ENJOY~



















Make sure you turn off the music on the side before pressing play on the video.

15 comments:

Tara said...

Mandi, that is WONDERFUL news about Matt. God is definitely showing you guys a sign when you asked for it. I'm so happy for you guys and for Drew. I absolutely love the picture of him looking at the cell phone.

I think I'm going to grab him at the airport and squeeze those cheeks. (just kidding)

Tami said...

Mandi!

I loved the video...Drew's so darn cute!!! He was really lovin' the tunes and has such a cute 'sway to the music' move!!!

The hats and glasses you sent for the kids look so fun...I'm sure they all appreciated it.

You are so right....God provides, all we have to do is trust:-). So happy He has given you the peace in knowing you should have the adoption funds covered....Praise Jesus!

OX, Tam

Nicole said...

Beautiful story! Stay in FAITH!!! Cling to HIM!!!
Hugs,
-Nicole

amy said...

Yeah!! He always provides!! Trust is the only thing we can do!!

Love the pictures!
Blessings
Amy

MJ said...

WOW! God's provisions are so amazing!! I'm floating on air for ya! It's such an encouragement for our journey too.
Drew is a hoot!! That video is priceless!

Anonymous said...

He's so cute! Just can't wait to meet him!

Melissa

Anonymous said...

oh mandi, what a wonderful blessing on how God shows Himself to His children!!! :-)

what a faith walk!!!!!!!

AND Drew....what more can be said....he is a CUTIE!!!! i cant wait for him to join our group and see him play with all our children! :-)

and i'll be "fighting" tara for that squeeze of those cheeks...OMGoodness they are sweet! :-)

love ya,
marna

DiJo said...

Mandi,
THANK YOU for signing my blog and letting me know about Drew!!! I am so happy for you! What a blessing to know he is in such caring and loving hands. I think New Day looks like a wonderful place to grow up until you can be with your forever family! I look forward to seeing both Drew & Sophie come home!!!!!

Congratulations!
Diana

Anonymous said...

He likes his jams and he's an awesome dancer. I can't wait until he gets here!!!!!

Ohilda said...

Praising God!! No doubt that when he shuts a door he opens a window.

Also, the video is ADORABLE! That little man is just cute as button.

living4him5 said...

What a blessing to get to talk with Drew!!! Praying Matt continues to get more work and overtime!!!

Shelly and Family said...

First off - love the photos of Drew with his care package!

As for working in this days ecomony...I so understand and can relate. Keith works in DC (while we live in PA) and is gone Mon - Fri every week. He has been doing this since 2004 and we are finally getting to the point where we need to move in order to be a united family (which is alreayd in the make)...getting back to what I was starting to say...Yes - God DOES work in mysterious ways. And as my mom is always telling me - God does not close a door unless he opens a window...Words I so live by...

Here's to keeping the Faith.

Doug and Terrye said...

What a sweetie!!! He is going to be such a blessing to your family :)

Terrye in FL

TanyaLea said...

LOVE the video...looks like the boy has some rhythm!! :)

And we will pray that Matt continues to get work. Just remember that there is an enemy at work in this world, too. And he certainly doesn't want things to go smoothly for your family, especially regarding adoption. So be sure to remind him that he is under your feet, and GREATER is HE that is in you, than he that is in the world! PTL for the promises in His Word that are meant for us to claim!! <><

Blessings & Hugs,
~Tanya

Shelly and Family said...

Just stopping by today to wish you a...Happy Mother's Day!