God's generosity

2 Corinthians 9:8-12  And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.  As it is written,“He has distributed freely, He has given to the poor;
His righteousness endures forever.”He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.

We thank God for the many ways that He has been providing for us to adopt this baby girl!  We recently found out about a Baptist retreat in the city where she'll be born that allows pastors' families to stay there for free.  It's available for most of the time we expect to be there, and it will be a wonderful, comfortable place for us.  We were also given an adoption grant for pastors in the Southern Baptist Convention.  They were really kind to rush it so that it would be available in time for her arrival.  Several friends have been generous to give gifts to help us cover the costs of the adoption.  In fact, we even have friends that had a birthday party last week for their 3 year olds and they asked people to give money to help our family adopt our daughter in lieu of gifts for their sons.  We are humbled and absolutely amazed at the ways God is providing for us through the generosity and kindness of others!

I looked back in my journal to see when we had begun this adoption process.  We made the decision on 11/28/12 to switch from adopting two children from Congo to adopting one domestically and one from Ethiopia.  That is 9 months before this little girl may come, almost to the day.  How great is our God?!