Behind The Eight (e-hem)...Make That, Behind the Christmas Ball!

So, I was trying to do a new blogpost at least every Saturday. I was off to a good start, and then....life is just interesting! A process that usually takes 90-120 days during adoption was expedited because of Ava's (Jada's) deadline. Well, expedited it was to take 30 days. Nope - God answered in a BIG way! 8 DAYS!!!! Did you hear that? E I G H T DAYS!!!! That threw me into a paperwork shuffle like you wouldn't believe! Compiling my dossier and getting all of the necessary seals and approvals. Then as I pulled into my driveway from the courthouse with my paperwork, I noticed three scarecrows, five pumpkins, two hay bails, and lots of pots of dead mums to great me! I realized that I hadn't even had a chance to take down my fall decorations. Which means, I also haven't had a chance to begin to decorate for Christmas! AS I was in the snow and ice taking down the fall decorations, I have to admit that I had thoughts of simply stringing lights around them and hanging mistletoe over their heads. So, now I wait in this ice to go to Annapolis for one final step of authentication. Planning on leaving in just a couple of hours. Also, tomorrow night is the end of the Auction For Ava (Jada)! If you haven't visited the Facebook page, please do so. Many items without bids. Also, the puzzle fundraiser is still going, albeit slowly. Please consider helping! Behind the 8 ball and behind the Christmas ball. Buried in paperwork and buried in ice. Yep, it's beginning to look a lot like adoption!

LESSONS FROM A CORNUCOPIA!

Cornucopia! Can't think of it without thinking of 1) thankfulness, and 2) fruit! So, how big is your cornucopia? Is it bigger than your complaint department? What kind of fruit is being produced from your life? What are you thankful for? What is in your cornucopia? I am so thankful for this life that God has chosen for me to walk. I have a gorgeous 22 year old daughter who amazes me with her strength, and has given me the most precious grandson! I have a sensitive 14 year old daughter who WOW's me with her creativity, and challenges me just by the way she walks out her faith. And I have the cutest little blonde haired blue eyed son who was born on the other side of the world, but was brought into our lives in a way that only God could orchestrate! Now, we are blessed to be adding Ava (Jada) to our family! Thank you to all who have donated to our puzzle fundraiser! This week's winner is Cheryl B-Ann! CONGRATULATIONS!!! She won a jigsaw puzzle, but generously donated the puzzle and shipping back to the fundraiser! THANK YOU!!! For every $10 donated to her fsp or directly to paypal (tinalynn3@gmail.com), you can have a name added to the back of a puzzle piece. Every week until all pieces are sold, I will do a drawing from the puzzle pieces bought and the winner will receive a jigsaw puzzle! Or, make a donation in memory or on behalf of someone, and I will e-mail you a picture of the puzzle piece with the name on it so that you can print it out. We, also, have an online auction happening! YAY!!! Just go to https://www.facebook.com/ChristmasAuctionForAva?ref=hl to see what's available and maybe do some Christmas shopping. While participating in fundraisers and donating to causes, you are not only expanding your cornucopia, you are storing up treasures in Heaven! As we enter Thanksgiving week, please examine the size and contents of our cornucopia - since they will have eternal results!

Here we go again! YAY!!! I have been ready to adopt again for quite some time, but God had not opened the doors for that to happen - not until now! I was sent a video about a little girl who is turning 14 in February. Annie and I watched the video and Annie said "that is my sister...". So, why not?! Right? At the piont in which she turns 14, she would be moved to an institution and would no longer adoptable. Can you imagine? Think about it... it's your 14th birthday, a day that others celebrate with cake, ice-cream, friends, games/activiites, but not for you...it's the day when you get moved to a place you've never been, left with people you've never met, and you are told that this is where you'll be until you die...that you will never have a mom or dad?! I can't bear the thought! These are words that I am praying that my precious Jada (whom I'm plannin on naming Ava Monet) will never hear! The race is on! Homestudy update is complete and I am applying for USCIS approval on Monday! Please pray that they expedite the process! It typically takes 90 days to get approval...I need approval in 30! After I send in the USCIS application, I will contact senators and local reps. to put them on stand-by, in case I need their help with USCIS. And, I'll be working on my dossier. As you can see, this doesn't leave much time for fundraising. But, I need to fundraise. So, I have 2 fundraisers that I will be doing very soon! I am excited about them! They are fun family projects that I think others will greatly enjoy! So, that is it! I'm looking forward to you meeting my girl!