Well, today is a big day! I received my application packet from an organization I have been praying about and with whom I think I am being led to begin working with toward an adoption! Through many days of what seemed like endless research and prayer and decision making, I liked more and more of what I heard about and from an organization working in and with the a certain African country (I now need to remove info on this country as we are in process). I read a blog with a family who used the same people I was researching, and emailed a couple small emails with the author.

The organization I'm working with is NOT an adoption agency. They work to provide for the children of this country who have been left homeless and/or orphaned. AND they also partner with certain orphanages and attorneys and assist families in completing what are basically independent adoptions in this country.

As I began to get more and more excited about this organization, I found out through speaking on the phone with the Director, that they are so burdened (in a good way though) with applications and families wanting to adopt, that they are currently not accepting applications until October. I worked to get my head around that, as I was feeling that this could be where I was meant to go, and tried to see October as a good thing (though inside I was saddened that I would have to wait that long to begin.) The day after speaking with the Director, I received an email from her in reponse to a question I had asked online prior to calling. The email contained her one sentence response, and then a section that was a "form" response, explaining their back up and application date of October. And then, one little sentence at the end of her email, stuck out like a lightning bolt to me. It said, "However, if you are interested in adopting an HIV+ child, I can make an exception. " Wow! God! You are awesome! Thank you!!!

Of course I was thrilled, why? Because HIV is nothing for us! I forget often that it's still a "special need". And as I'm finding out, there are so few people willing to adopt a child with HIV, that for this "need" the October date for submitting an application to the agency I was feeling led to, is null and void! Praise God!

Needless to say I wrote right back and let them know that I would be MORE than interested in adopting an HIV+ child if there is a need for that, and sign me up! :) And tonight an application packet landed in my inbox. :)

Until I read through these papers, I didn't know what the cost would be to adopt through here. As I've said, humanly, money is a worry for me. I hear the multiple stories of God's provision in these instances. I hear them, and I feel HE is the one leading me in this adoption. BUT, I still worry, how silly I know. The costs are still way less than many agencies I've seen since it is basically an independent adoption, BUT it is more than I anticipated.

I am filling out my application. I am applying for a passport tomorrow. I am starting to compile paperwork. I am stepping out in faith that HE will provide the money for this adoption. I will be researching grants and funding, fundraisers and ideas. And I will love every step of it. I am thrilled with the idea of our new child. I will do what I can to help with the cost, but I will trust God to provide in HIS ways as well. I step out in excitement!!!!! Pray for us on this INCREDIBLE journey!!! :)