Things Checked off our list!

Over the past year we have accomplished some pretty big tasks that had to be completed before we could prepare for the move. From January through June we got rid of some larger furniture items in our home and got rid of lots of clutter in order to prepare for our move, and we did lots of planning. Our hands were sort of tied as to how much we could do since we had both of our children in our home and in our custody, but since the adoptions were not final we could not get their new legal documents like birth certificates, passports, and social security cards. These are all essential documents we must have for them before we could begin the VISA process and purchase plane tickets. We were beyond thrilled when our adoption attorney contacted us in June with our finalization date for both children. She contacted us in June but our actual date was July 22nd. In June we were also approached by a family interested in renting our home. After a few meetings that quickly turned into a lease/purchase agreement and we moved out of our home on August 13. God's provisions have continued to amaze us throughout this journey. A dear friend opened his home to us for the next few months until we depart. It is saving us a lot of money and we didn't have to sign a lease agreement!! We are so thankful for the support we have received from friends and family who pray for and want to serve the people of Belgium as much as we do. Since we moved into a friends home that was the perfect time to get rid of EVERYTHING we owned other than essential items we will take with us and beds(we will get rid of when we leave). Selling and giving away everything you own is very freeing, but it can also be a little stressful. It stressed me a little more even though it shouldn't have and I felt guilty for stressing. I am a woman, I am sentimental about some of the things we have collected over the 5 years we have been married. Some of our team members reminded me of a very important scripture about our earthly possessions. I find comfort in this verse and I also realize anywhere that I have God and my little family I will be at home. "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal." Matthew 6:19-20

It is now October and we are working harder than ever to tie up all loose ends. We have to finish our support raising. It isn't cheap to live in Belgium and we alone cannot serve the people of Belgium. It will take a host of people stateside who believe in the cause who are willing to support us not only financially but we need a large prayer team as well. In the last couple of weeks we recieved our childrens birth certificates, ordered new ss cards and numbers, gotten new pictures taken and ordered updated prayer cards. Next on the list is ordering the kids passports and in November we will begin the long list of VISA documents. I have already begun collecting some of them. I am also going to start working on French with our 2 year old. In Belgium children start school at 2.5 as long as they are potty trained. We can use our discretion, but to help her learn the language she will be attending some of the time. We want to work to prepare her as well.

Well I am off to to work on todays list! I want to sign off with this little message. In May of 2009 following the "YES" series our church preached on this opportunity of moving overseas was put on the table. Months before the "YES" series we knew God was working in our lives in a big way. We felt our time in our home was coming to an end. We weren't content with where we were. We felt the change months in advance. We not only put our "YES" on the table to move to Belgium we put our YES on the table to follow God wherever he may take us. We want to live in his will for our lives no matter where that may take us. Over the past two years that has moved us to sell/give away everything we own, sell our home, adopt two children with no assistance from an agency, Bryan a promotion at work, friends and family supporting us and blessing us in ways we could never imagine. We have connected with Team Belgium and they have become our second family. The Lord has continued to provide and bless us at just the right time. These past two years even with all of the change and transition and even stressful times. I have felt so at peace knowing that God is in control he is leading us. This is his battle not ours and whatever he ordains he will orchestrate. We are so thankful to him and pray that ALL we are doing is glorifying HIM. Don't be afraid to completely follow HIM with your whole heart even in the stressful or hard moments HE is with you.

At the city gates


Some of our team


Our tree in Belgium :) LOL