The Amazing Hand of God

Having to wait until tonight to post and share with you guys the amazing things that have happened the last few days has been so challenging.  We could not wait to tell you what our Amazing God has done!!! Why do we even doubt or worry?!?! He NEVER ceases to amaze us!!

GOD'S AMAZING PROVISION!!
First...this week we had some donations come in for several thousands of dollars.  What a blessing that was to receive and for the people that so sacrificially gave to us...thank you so much!! REALLY...every single person who has given toward our adoption expenses has just blessed us more than you will ever know!!! You truly are carrying God's heart out by caring for the orphan!! Your sacrifice has been such a blessing.  Thank you so much!! 

Second...just this evening we got the most wonderful email from the JSC Foundation.  Instead of me telling you myself...let me share with you a portion of the email we received!!
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Dear Mark and Buffi,

Congratulations! You have received a grant from JSC Foundation for your upcoming adoption. The check has been sent to Lifeline and should arrive shortly. It has been a pleasure to learn about your heart for adoption. We would love to have a picture of your family after you bring Shephard home. God Bless!

JSC FOUNDATION

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AHHHHHH!! Isn't that AMAZING!!! We haven't listed the amount of the grant from the foundation at their request. But it was such a blessing!!! With all that has come in this week, we are SO THRILLED to share that we have officially reached the $16,000 goal we needed to wire to China in the next couple of weeks! AWESOME!!! God is so good!!! Is that the most amazing news or what?!?! I mean...look at that fundraising thermometer to the right!! Isn't that awesome?!?

Now all we have to do is focus on airline tickets.  We have a couple of things we are praying that God works out right now for good prices.  Please pray that God some how provides us with really great deals on those airline tickets!!! We will keep you posted!!! This is just SO AWESOME to share!! Isn't it GREAT?!?!

PRAYER REQUESTS:

Please keep the North Korea/US Conflict in your prayers.  We are praying that things will calm down and and blow over.  I have to admit...I've been trying not to watch the news. Ignorance is bliss...really...it is! I know I, (Buffi), have really struggled this afternoon with worrying about it.  I can't though.  God has taken care of things so far, and we know He has a plan to take care of us all the way there and all the way back.  We would just really like to see all these heated foreign relations simmer down!! :) 

I have asked our social worker if it will affect families traveling to China for adoption.  She said she is monitoring the situation and they plan to keep all of us informed.  I will keep you all informed on what we find out!! We are praying things calm down and stay calm until we can go and get our little Shepard boy!!

TRAVEL:

Our article 5 will be picked up this week in China. We will receive our Travel Approval in two to three weeks after Article 5 pick up!! YAY!! It's getting so close!! We will keep you posted. 

 

That's all the info we have now!!! We just couldn't wait to share that amazing news with you!!! Please don't ever doubt God's provision and don't let worry or "what if's" stand in your way of stepping out into whatever it is that HE is calling you to! He is faithful and where HE guides...HE PROVIDES!!! Be encouraged and step out into what God is calling YOU to do!! Let HIM work out the details!! 

We will be in touch soon!! Thank you all again for your prayers and encouragement. It means a TON!!! 

Blessings,

Buffi