“If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together... there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we're apart... I'll always be with you.” 
― A.A. Milne, Winnie the Pooh

Over the past few months, I have become almost crazy grateful for those whom I can call friend.  God has spoken to me through my closest friends to encourage me and sharpen me like never before and I stand in awe at the power of friendships.  

This week especially, at just the right time, God sent encouragement to me in the form of friends.  We have been STUCK in the mud in this adoption process for the past 14 days.  Despite paying a LARGE sum of money for my birth certificate to arrive quickly, 13 days later, we still didn't have it.  Last July, we were told and expected to be done with all our paperwork by Sept. 1.  It is now 7 weeks later and we are STILL not done.  The delays and disappointments of the process of adoption are sometimes overwhelming and hard to keep having faith.  While we are EXPECTING a baby just as much as any other couple might be, the process takes longer is not as tangible.  A pregnant woman can feel the promise growing inside physically.  But with adoption, you must feel it growing inside with Faith.  And God is FaithFUL.  He sends friends and relationships to encourage and grow my faith at just the right time.  I am filled with joy and thankfulness when I think about all those who have been encouragement to me this week and the past several weeks.  Each word of encouragement is breathing LIFE into me and life into those children in Congo. 

So what's the good news today?  Lots of it! Rejoice with me!

1.  I have my birth certificate now!  Hooray!  This is supposedly, the last piece of paper needed to send our dossier to the state of Michigan for approval, and a few other places and then off to Congo!  Hooray!  

2.  I had an incredible business owner in my city approach me and offer me the opportunity to sell my totes, zipper pouches, and headbands in their store!  And to top it off, they are not going to charge me any commission!  This is amazing and I pray that God will bless their store for caring for widows and orphans!  SOOOOO....if you live in the Mt. Pleasant area, be sure to check out the SBX (student Book Exchange) on the CMU campus.  They opened a SECOND store, right next door called SBX-tra!  It is a discount store where everything is $10 or less!  Very popular with the college students!  THAT is where I decided to put my things, thinking that there will be more traffic there!  So GO AND VISIT and check it out!  

3.  CRAFT SHOW!  So after a little bit of back and forth, I am definitely going to be at the craft show in Mt. Pleasant!  It is at West Intermediate School on Bradley Street on Saturday Nov. 10 from 9:00am-3:30pm.  Come see me to do some Christmas Shopping!  :)  

While this season in our lives has been trying, both with adoption, and with other areas of our lives, I have already been able to say that I am GLAD for it.  God has already changed me, shaped me, pointed out things I needed to change, and taught me so many things and I am looking forward to even more pruning.  Most all, He has given me a GREAT appreciation for LIFE....for those relationships around me that matter.  This day, I can say, it is WELL with my soul.  Christ in me, the HOPE of Glory.