2 years later...

Almost two years ago, we made this announcement.

Two years.

24 months we've been on this crazy emotional roller coaster better known as international adoption.

I think back to two years ago, we were so different, so naive.  We were ready to open our home and our hearts to a little baby boy from Ethiopia who was between 0-12 months old.

Hold the phone! That's definitely not how things have worked out.

In two years we've traveled to Rwanda, to Ecuador.

We were totally rocked by  not only adoption but whole orphan care, which sometimes doesn't always equal adoption.  We went from thinking everyone should adopt (I know, I know) to beginning to fight for children to stay in their first families, because that's how God intended things, but sometimes that doesn't work out.

We saw our son's face for the first time..but SURPRISE he wasn't in Ethiopia, he was living in a tiny little country in West Africa.

So now, two years later, we wait to bring home our precious (now) 3 1/2 year old. And we continue to wait and pray for our sweet one in Ethiopia, who probably won't be 0-12 months anymore, from our original "plan."  We've learned that God has a totally different plan than ours (at least that's how it looks for us)

Sometimes people tell me they could never do what we're doing, and how we do it.  Well, I'll give you some pointers; some days outright suck.  Just being real.  Knowing your child's on the other side of the world is tough, it's freaking hard, but you know what? Some days are good, and we get updates, and we see pictures, and we see how he's growing!

Today I started thinking, if I knew now what I knew back when we started, would we still be here? I think yes. Definitely yes. Wouldn't change a thing, wouldn't take back the tears, wouldn't take back the anxiety of waiting on foreign countries, because that has totally changed us.

A little bit of honesty, and a little update!

These last six months have probably been some of the hardest of my life.

We started our adoption process almost 2 years ago.

2 years.

January 20th of this year we got information about a little boy who (we would have no idea at the time) God would orchestrate many many circumstances to show us he is our son.

He was about 2 1/2 when we first saw his face.  He's now 3 (we think) we're not 100% sure of his birthday, but we think he celebrated it this summer. :)

We hit so many walls with his paperwork. But we were not alone.  The families in this process with us also have hit many walls. We've cried tears together over others mistakes, and rejoiced over small progress.

A friend of mine suggested that I write a blessings journal, because let's face it. Sometimes it's really hard to find blessings when stuff seems to fall apart or you feel completely out of control.

So I've started to write my blessings.

I've got a lot of them.

But it's pretty hard.  It's hard to see and study a face for so long and know you're missing things. It's hard knowing that things are completely out of our hands, we literally have no control over what happens from here on out and the time frame in which that happens. We don't have a "due date"  we can't just call up Africa and speed things up, it just doesn't work that way.

But....

Right now we do have an update though! Our paperwork finally went on it's way to our little West African country last week! This is big news because we can't officially get any of little man's official paperwork (known as the 'Article 16') until our paperwork was received by his country.  So, now that it's on it's way and should be there soon, we are praying that we get his Article 16 soon.

Will you pray with us? Pray that we can receive it soon.

Also, pray for the families in front of us specifically, there are two of them.  They are nearing the end  and are awaiting big documents too!

We're paying big and praying bold. Please join us! 

No News Fridays

So we've begun a little tradition in our house, and it's affectionately called "No News Fridays" or better described as "A spin on that sad sinking feeling you get in your gut when 5pm rolls around on a Friday night and you know you probably won't have any communication in regards to your adoption until Monday"...oh and it's worse it Monday is a holiday...

It's really not that bad. Or it is. It depends on how the week has gone up to that day really.

So, I LOVE Fridays, I really do.  There's just something about them,, sometimes I can't even sleep on Thursday night because I'm so excited Friday is almost here (it's weird I know).  But as of recently..I hate Fridays, well usually.  Because I know that usually by Friday around 4ish if you haven't heard anything big or exciting form our agency, it's going to be a loooonnng weekend of wondering. Two days of (usually, sometimes there's an exception) no emails or phone calls from our case worker (of whom I really love and am constantly badgering, so she really should get a few days free of my phone calls and emails)

But it's hard, it's hard knowing that another week has passed.

So, we have adopted 'No News Friday', where we'll put a spin on a usually hard day and do something fun to get our minds off of entering the weekend with no news.  Sometimes we plan something together, or sometimes if I'm entering the weekend on a sad note, Justin picks something fun.

I know we won't always have No News Fridays, and while I like the idea of them..I'm praying we don't have too many...

Here's to a fun twist of no news on Fridays!
Wanna join the fun?!

The time has come...to buy a book!

So yesterday I wrote and told you about an amzing donation we were given to our adoption, make sure you read the story here.  And I shared with you all that the time to purchase was coming...

And it's here!

It's time for you to get your own copy of The God Puzzle and support our adoption too!
All proceeds from this sale are going to our adoption costs thanks to our great friend (and author of this book, Val Ackermann!)

So here's the deal, we have a whole box (that's 21 books!) to sell! They're being sold on a first come first serve basis!

So now's your chance! You don't wanna miss it!

Click the link below to purchase!

And make sure you check out the God Puzzle on Facebook! 

Remember how yesterday I told you to think of it as black Friday..well..pretend we just opened the doors and you're running to buy a book! ;) 

Just telling mountains to move...

Oh hey there, it's me again. You guys, I wish you could have been inside my head this past week (maybe you don't wish you could have been inside my head, but I do) So many insane things happened. 

First I broke my toe, then I slammed my head in the car door (don't even ask..) 

But in between those events, some major mountains fell to the ground. We pretty much have been telling them to move, and well, they're moving. 

So we held our "little" cookie fundraiser, which we kinda thought might bring in a few hundred if we were lucky..but guys..people donated over $1400 to our little cookie fundraiser...

Mountain gone. 

But wait, there's more.

Justin got a call last week about a sweet couple at our church who wanted to have their neighborhood yard sale benefit our adoption...WHAT?! 

And you know, yard sales are awesome. We've had one for each of our adoptions and they're super successful, but they're a lot of work, but this one? These sweet people are just raining blessings on us and they're storing, pricing, setting up..I mean..like..they're awesome. It's this Saturday, if you're local-I can give you the deets. 

But wait..I'm not done. 

So yesterday I get this text from my friend Val. And Val, she's modest and wouldn't tell you this herself, but she wrote an amazing book this past year (years).  She's the Children's Ministry Director at our church, and desired a Bible study that any parent could do with their child, that is deep-not watered down like some children's bible studies, that teaches the Bible as a story and keeps children engaged.  

This book is the bomb.com.  (I've seen it, so I definitely know ;) ) 

Here's what those more educated than me are saying about her book :) 

"Valerie Ackermann provides a user friendly children’s workbook that will enable parents to teach the life-changing truths of the Bible in manner that appeals to children. Her book helps children understand God’s Word through their own life experiences. It provides an excellent tool for parents to walk with their children through the Scriptures and to meet and know God in a deeper way while on the journey."

-Dr. Leland Eliason, Executive Director and Provost Emeritus, Bethel Seminary of Bethel University

This is a very good approach to Christian education within the context of normal family life.  Simple organization, strong content, and addressing an area that has long been missed by traditional Christian education. Most churches tell parents it is their job to train their kids, but they don't provide tools to do so.  They guilt, but don't equip.  Valerie has equipped without guilt!  I highly recommend this as a simple, Biblical, accurate, and helpful aid for parents."                                                                                          

-Dr. Rae Larson, Ed.D, former Pastor of Education, Scottsdale Bible Church and former VP of Administration, Phoenix Seminary, Arizona

Ok Ok, so you're probably wondering why I'm telling you all this right? 

Well..another blessing came our way...

The author, Val, is giving us a case of her books..for our adoption..like 100% of the proceeds will benefit the remaining costs of what we're looking at for little man (which isn't all that much, we're over the big part) 

Tomorrow I'll post specific instructions on how you can order these books.

And you're going to want to get one for sure.

Not just because it helps us, but because it's an amazing tool for parents to teach their children about the Bible. 

So stay tuned..pretend like it's black Friday and you have to wait in a long line, only this line will be an "e" line (like electronic) 

You don't wanna miss out! 


For now, make sure you head over and "Like" The God Puzzle on Facebook, and check out the Website! 

And make sure you check back tomorrow for info on how to order! 

Calling in the troops

Oh hey guys! You probably hope I'm stepping in with an update aren't ya? Well, I kinda am, all our documents are ready to go over to West Africa, once they get there, we can receive official paperwork on our little man and can go forward with the next step (which is, in case you're wondering will be filing our i800!)

Here's the deal, you heard (read?) me write about our agency switch, we lost about $4500 in that switch, but God has been faithful to supply our needs until now, and we don't doubt that He will continue, but here's the thing...

We need $3,114.76 like...a week from yesterday..YIKES! We have to have a check to our agency for $11,500 in the mail by Monday at the latest..so what are we going to do??

Eat cookies.

Well actually..we hope that YOU want to eat some cookies!

We're holding a cookie sale!

That's right ladies and gents! Are you craving a yummy cookie? Or a dozen perhaps? Well you're in luck! This weekend we will be baking up dozens and dozens of cookies! 

Here's the scoop:

Cookies will sell for $22 a dozen (that's a lot of money you say? you're right, but they're really good cookies!) 

You can order your cookies by clicking on this paypal link:

In the notes just put your name and how many orders you'd like, and we'll get bakin'!

This sale is for locals only (Fairfield, Vacaville, Suisun) 

BUT if you'd like some shipped to you and you're not local, let us know and we'll get a price for shipping :) 

Cookies will be delivered this Sunday, September 29th! After 5pm, so make sure in your notes you put where you'll be at that time so we can bring them to you! (note: if you attend Parkway Community we can deliver your cookies that morning) 

If you'd like a tax deductible donation, you can give straight to our agency:

Make the checks out to Faith International Adoptions, and writes "Nunes Family" in the memo

Their address is 

1105 Tacoma Ave. South

Tacoma, WA 98402

And if you're curioius as to exactly where that $11,500 is going..here's a little breakdown for ya:

Country Central Authority $2,000  ( note: I edited this because it showed the country name and we're not sharing that yet)

Lawyer Fees $2,000 

Court Processing Fees $500

Administrative Costs $500

Child’s Passport and Exit Documentation $500 

Orphanage Donation $4,000 

Agency Fee 2 $2,000

There you have it folks, we're nearing the end of payments (aside from travel) and this is our last payment, and it's a whopper, and so you know what? We need some help...

When you think you're at your end....

Ok, so. Long story short (and I don't know if we ever shared this publicly) but back at the end of July, we had to change adoption agencies for our West African adoption.  Not to go into too many details, the change was necessary, fast, unforeseen, and difficult.

We love our new agency (Faith Adoptions) located in Washington. They have been absolutely amazing to work with so far. They have a heart for the country we're working with, a desire to see a program long term there, and bonus- they have a French speaking lawyer! This is a huge bonus as the language is French over there in little mans country and so having a lawyer who can effectively communicate with those in country is amazing.

I needed to write what's happened in the last 2 weeks because I don't want to forget it.


I'll try to do my best to explain this, but my hands are shaking as I'm writing out of pure excitement!

When we changed agencies, we got a new payment schedule.  We knew this was going to happen.

They way our new and old agencies collect the money is set up a little different.

They sent us our new payment schedule, as I looked at it I realized we owed a lot of money in the next...

2 weeks..

Like $11,500...

in 2 WEEKS!

What. the. heck.

We knew we would need that amount eventually, but we didn't know we'd need it all at once..we had some, but we definitely did not have $11,500..

Doubt crept in..thoughts like "what are we doing?!" "We can't afford this!" "How are we going to come up with that?!" "Money is going to be the only thing standing between us and him"

It was a rough week or so...

Then I remembered WHO'S money it is..not mine. His.

Then I remembered this verse...

"And my God will supply all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus" Philippians 4:19

God was just getting started...

We pulled our money together and started trying to figure out exactly how much we needed to cover the lofty $11,500 total...I'd forgotten about our Pure Charity fundraiser we did a while back (ps who forgets those kinds of things? My mind is everywhere lately!) I told my husband I can't ask for anymore money, I'm so drained of asking..I just can't do it anymore..we were going to have to do it on our own, and not tell anyone. I told a few friends about our new total, basically just to pray for my sanity because I was ready to break.



On Friday a friend of ours got an envelope to give us, the person wanted to remain anonymous, so they asked my friend to give us the envelope with strict instructions that it go towards little mans adoption..

Today at church she handed me the envelope and we opened it..

$1,000 cash my friends...(dear anonymous, you have NO idea how this blessed us and our little man)

I am still in shock...

2 weeks ago we needed $11,500...

Today we only need $2,349....

That's $9,151 in less than two weeks...

You guys, someone tell me that's NOT a God thing....


If God had a hastag I think it'd be #BOOM because that's how He does it...when we're at our end and literally have nothing left, BOOM He shows off.

Some of you might think that $2,349 is still kinda big, and I guess it is...kinda..but you know what? I just watched God provide $9,151 in like 10 days. Still crying. We're coming buddy!

#BOOM