So far, we have spent nearly $8,000, about half of which was funded by the generosity of friends and relatives who have supported us financially through the Journey to Hope fund and/or purchased coffee through our online adoption coffee store – thank you! And, so far, we have done it entirely debt-free, praise the Lord! If you would like to purchase coffee to help support our adoption, you can visit the store at:
www.justlovecoffee.com/journeytohope
Benjamin is very excited that he will finally get to play an active role as a big brother – he has been one for over three years now! He has already started collecting toys and books to give to Hope when she comes home. He has placed several items in her room that he wants to pass down to her and he already speaks of her in a tender, loving, brotherly way. It’s so sweet! He is a very active, happy kindergartener and enjoys playing dress ups, knights, cars, robots, Pet Shops, Webkinz, riding his bike and scooter and spending time with his friends and family. He has been schooling at home via the Ohio Virtual Academy since October and has excelled in his class. He is now reading and writing and is learning new things every day. It has been neat to be so active in his learning and I have enjoyed being his “learning coach” this year, even though it means less “freedom” in my schedule. I wouldn’t trade it for the world!
Chad is in his 7th year with Teen Challenge, Cincinnati, where he works full-time as Program Supervisor, heading up the programs and staff of the men’s home. We have also begun the process of applying to launch a Teen Challenge in Cheyenne, Wyoming! Chad flew out west in early October and met with community leaders there to explore the area, pray and determine if this is where God is leading our family and the ball has been rolling ever since. He attended the necessary training in the fall and quickly began making connections and jumping through all the required hoops on the local, regional and national levels. He just submitted his final proposal, resume and reference letters to the national office this week, so now we wait!
Waiting seems to be a theme for us! We have not always been patient through the wait, but we know that God is walking with us and savoring every moment we share as we wait, hope and dream with Him through the peaks and valleys. I like the way Beth Moore puts it best …
“God takes his own sweet time because sweet time is God’s to take. Why wait if there’s no one to wait with you? God created time for man. A wait is time-oriented and, therefore, primarily man-oriented. Perhaps among a host of other reasons, I think God often ordains a wait because He purely enjoys the togetherness of it.”
It’s true. We cling to God during the wait like no other time. He is our hope and comfort. He is our refuge. He is with us while we wait! As we remember the birth of the long awaited Savior of the world this Christmas, we pray that you would have Hope in your hearts and feel the presence of God. Emmanuel, God with us, even and especially in the wait.
Chad, Emily and Benjamin
~Remembering Abby and waiting for Hope!~
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