Update and Prayer Request

I wanted to give you all an update as to how things are moving along and also how you can pray for us. First, we will be sharing this Sunday at our church about how we came to this place of realizing God wanted to stretch us in a new way. We would love to have you join us if at all possible. Church starts at 10:45.
This week has been probably one of the more difficult weeks since starting this journey. There have been several very dark days for me. I am not surprised by this because the truth is that we have an enemy who seeks to kill, steal, and destroy what God has put in our hearts. I have had several friends who have been faithful to speak truth to me during these times. This has been helpful. Yesterday in talking to Doug, he really challenged me that what needed to happen was for me to surrender everything to the Lord. After crying out to the Lord and placing all my thoughts, plans, concerns, and challenges on the altar, I really experienced His peace!
One of the things that I realized this week is that we are not just jumping from the frying pan into the fire during the adoption process. This will continue for the rest of our lives because we are now becoming a trans- racial family. Unfortunately racism is alive and well. The saddest part is that it is alive and well in the church!! How this must grieve the heart of the Lord. Please pray for us as we walk out this part of our story. Please continue to pray for the body of Christ to see that there is NO room for racism in God's family.
Now for the good news. God is continuing to provide for us as we continue to step out in faith. Our church is setting up an adoption fund. We were totally blown away when Scott our pastor approached us about how the church could help us out. This is a way that people can support our adoption and it will be considered a charitable contribution for them. I will add our church's address at the end of the post. Please make the checks payable to new Life Community Church and in the memo, write adoption fund.
We are also having a fundraiser on November 8 at 6 pm. This is also National Orphan Sunday. The main thrust of this event will be to bring awareness to the plight of orphans globally. We are really praying that God would put a burning desire in more people hearts to adopt. The gift of adoption that I received because of Jesus Christ death on the cross is the greatest gift I have ever received. To be able to show that in a practical way to a child is an awesome privilege that each one of us can have whether that be through adopting or helping to other families to be able to bring children into their homes. We will be having a time of worship, prayer, testimonies and a couple of bands will be ending the night. We also have some really cool raffles. One of them is an overnight stay in one of the cabins at our favorite place to stay. The place is Indian Bear Lodge. If any of you have any contacts for other raffles, please let us know.
Here is how you can pray.

1. Pray for our sweet boy's birth mom! Pray that she would have nourishment during this pregnancy. Pray that God would comfort her during this time.
2. Pray for our sweet boy or boys. We really do need to hear clearly from the Lord if is to be one or two.
3. Continue to pray for all of the orphans. Pray that God would raise up people to take part in the amazing journey of adoption.
4. Pray for continual financial provision for us!
5. Pray for protection from the schemes of the enemy during this time.
6. Pray for our fundraiser. Pray that God is glorified through all that we do.

Our church address is:
New Life Church
5404 Center Road (SR303)
Valley City, Ohio 44280