Monday, May 21, 2012

I Believe


Today Jeff and I received  a letter in a mail today from Show Hope, which is Steven Curtis and Mary Chapman's organization that gives grants to families adopting. We applied a few months ago for this grant knowing that at the end of this month they would be blessing families with grants to adopt a child. We knew that there were probably hundreds of applications being sent in as they only pass out grants twice a year. We were hoping that maybe we would receive a few hundred dollars and we would be so grateful. But before I go on I feel that I must share what God has been speaking to me these past few weeks. Three weeks ago I was reading the story of how Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. I've read this story I don't know how many times but this time John 11:40 spoke to me so strongly that I couldn't stop reading that verse until I had to pull myself away. The verse that I now have forever embedded in my soul is "Did I not I tell you that if  believed you would see the glory of God?" I knew that morning that God was up to something big. He was speaking it so clearly to me that throughout these past three weeks that He would  wash it over me whenever a hint of fear or doubt would arise concerning any area of adoption. I kept telling Him that I am holding onto that verse as His promise and that I will walk this thing in faith because I don't want to have faith in you after I see what you are up to. I want to have faith in you now when I don't know what is going on or how things are going to play out. Well that same week we humbly received a $700 grant from our adoption agency that also rewards grants to adopting families. I said to God ok, was that was what the verse was for? However, He was still washing it over me these last few weeks and I feel it was leading up to today.  Today Show Hope awarded us $6000 to bring our little girl home! I cried on and off all afternoon, not only for how grateful we are, but because He has been speaking so clearly to me about this telling me just to believe.I have to admit I had my doubts that we would receive anything, but to receive such a large amount could only be Him showing up in a big way. We are so humble to serve such a wonderful God and so grateful that He has blessed us in every step of this process. Our prayer is that others will hear our testimony to see that when God opens a door for you and you step out in faith, He will provide and walk with you in every step even when you can't see. In the meantime our journey is not over as we are now waiting ,in His time, to bring our daughter into our lives. Until then we will believe. Because know matter what the outcome we will see the glory of God as He will be walking with us all the way.

 

2 comments:

Our Adoption Journey to Eastern Europe said...

Just curious...the grant cycle you applied for the Show Hope grant, how long was it between the time that you applied (and that cycle ended)and you were notified?

The email that confirmed they received our info said a minimum of 90 days afterwards we would be notified...did it take that long for you guys to hear back on the decision? Thank you for your help!

Jeff and Sara Packard said...

It did take around three months. I believe they reward grants twice a year. Once in May and another one in either the fall or December. They are pretty accurate in the time they say they will notify you. We received our letter one week before they said we would. Hope it works out for you. It is a nice affirmation.