Sunday, June 24, 2007

God at Work

One of the "larger" qualms we had with Joe changing jobs was losing a very sizeable grant that his employer gave for adoption. AND, being the planner that I am, I had PLANNED on that grant to help us reach our goal for this adoption. I saw it as a huge deal and was really praying that God would work that into something like a signing bonus with Joe's new job. But no, God didn't choose to work that way and Joe still took the job, and I saw it as a way to sit back and watch God work. He's moved mountains for us before - I know He can do it again. SO - in my "sitting back" time, I got the mail and there was a letter from Shaohannah's Hope. Shaohannah's Hope is a wonderful adoption grant that people can apply for to help with financial aspects of an adoption. We applied with our first adoption and were declined as they had run out of money, but I thought I would try again this time. The letter was very thin - I assumed it would be another rejection - but it doesn't take a thick letter to let you know you were chosen to receive money!!! Yes, God provided for us again!! AND - it is more than the grant would have been from Joe's previous employer. That is how I love to see God work and then I love to share that news with others BECAUSE, we CAN NOT do this on our own!!!! We need God's big hand, and I'm glad He's there to guide us and help us.

The other thing that really touched me about this is that yesterday we received a newsletter from Shaohannah's Hope in the mail and it had staggering statistics - 1,140 couples applied for a grant last year. Only 480 were chosen to receive a grant. Shaohannah's current adoption assistance fund total - $1,500,000. What's needed to assist every qualified applicant each year - $3,420,000. Staggering - reminds me again of how even if people don't feel "called" to adopt, they can be used by giving financially to organizations such as these - there are lots of families that are "called" and need the financial help!

34 comments:

redmaryjanes said...

I am so happy that you were chosen! I have the most wonderful things about that organization and Steven Curtis Chapman. The Lord is amazing! I hope your baby comes soon.

Lady L said...

It reminds of the song MY GLORIOUS where it says:

God is bigger than
the air I breathe
The world we'll leave
God will save the day
and all will say
My glorious!

He has been Glorious Again!

Unknown said...

Thats wonderful..Our God is an awesome God!!!

Mr.Brian said...

it is these kinds of stories we nned to reat that remind us How Great is our God.
Praise him for his workThat is wonderful news.

Anonymous said...

HALLELUJAH!! That is truly a blessing. Thanks for your testimony. I really needed to hear that. I am going to pass it on to a friend who needs a lift today.
~verna

Lisa said...

Wow! God is awesome! It is always uplifting to see the good that he does. Congratulations on being one of the families chosen.

Linette said...

That is great news! I got that same newsletter from Shaohannah's Hope yesterday. I'm SO glad you were chosen as well- God is good!!!

Nikki said...

Congratulations Bilby Family!
Good for you -- trusting that God would provide for you!
Also LOVE that organization...Steven Curtis Chapman is definitely an earthly "hero" for me!

Michelle said...

Hello..This is such a wonderful testimony to God and His ways. Thanks so much for sharing this!!!!

Mom 2 six said...

How wonderful !!
What a blessing.

ShaggaBear (Linda) said...

That is so awesome! God makes a way where there seems to be no way! We're praying for our provision as well.

Lisa said...

That is SOOOO wonderful! God is so good! I love seeing His hand in the miracle of adoption. Thanks for sharing!!

Rejoicing with you! :)

Lisa

Headmeister said...

Hi - found you on another blog... Wanted to delurk and say congrats to you on "finding" the money. Isn't it amazing how things seem to always work that way? :) BTW, your children are beautiful!

Our LID is 12-29-06... We're most likely going to be traveling together :)

Be well,
Heather
www.diggingaholetochina.com

Tracy said...

Great news! Thanks for sharing how God is working in your life.

Carey said...

Praise the Lord! I'm so happy for you guys! It's so awesome that you kept the faith that the Lord would provide, and He provided greater even than you expected! He is so good!

Gwen Oatsvall said...

He is a super big God ... I sent a special thank you to our friends from your family !!!

Unknown said...

Congratulations Becky! That's wonderful news! God is awesome and has used Shaohanna's Hope in mighty ways! What a testimony to your children!

Teresa

Jen said...

Yeah God!!! Reminds me of the line from my "theme song" of late. "I will lift my eyes to the Maker of the mountains I can't climb...."

God is GOOD!!

Monique and Jamey said...

Our God CAN and DOES move mountains! I am just sorry we won't see you at any more company picnics!:)

Steffie B. said...

Woo-hoo......I am so happy for you!
God is so good!

Anonymous said...

YAYAYAY!!!! Congratulations! God is good indeed!

Kristy said...

Rejoicing with you !

Middle-Aged Moi said...

Oh, I am SO glad for you! That is WONDERFUL! I wish we had something like that in Canada!

And you are a CHILDREN'S LIBRARIAN? That is SO cool! I will be keeping an eye on BOTH your blogs!

I'm so glad you left a comment on my blog, because now I've found yours! :-)

Kristy said...

Okay, me again.
Hop over to my blog when you get the chance; I have something for you!
;o)

Tiffany said...

God certainly does amazing things!!!!!!!

Roy and Lori said...

How wonderful!! God never fails us!

Mr.Brian said...

I think Krist described you very well.there is always something about you that makes me smile too.Not to mention your darling kids and oh so kind husband.

Jeff and Valerie said...

Oh what a happy day! I am in awe how much God provides for us everyday!

3 Peanuts said...

Congrautaltions! Trust in the Lord! I am so thrilled for you.

Kim

Leah said...

Congratulations!! I am a faithful supporter of Shaohannah's Hope! It is an awesome Christ-centered organization. God is always faithful. I thank you for testifying to that fact. I love it!!

Erica said...

Congratulations! That is awesome news. I love seeing how God works to provide for his children.

Julie said...

God is good - all the time! We have a similar story - we were not prepared for this SN adoption when our agency called us about Sam. We KNEW he was our son and this was from God, so we sat back and watched Him work. Our agency had an anonymous donor give grant $$ for SN adoptions and they selected us! It was more than we ever dreamed. When it is His will, He provides a way!

I am so glad that we found each other in blogland!

Pam said...

That is wonderful news. God is great!!

Joan said...

Have you seen Mary Beth and Steven's Blogs?

http://chapmanchannel.typepad.com/asiaandbeyond/


http://chapmanchannel.typepad.com/

When you are harvesting your crops and forget to bring in a bundle of grain from your field, don't go back to get it. Leave it for the foreigners, orphans and widows. Then the LORD your God will bless you in all you do.
~Deuteronomy 24:19

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