Look at the title of this particular post: "The most important blog so far". Why is it the most important blog so far you ask??? Well...let me tell you why. Sit back. Relax. Grab a cup of coffee. Because this may be a long one. Not sure yet. I'm just going to write until I stop :)
It is the most important blog because this one is the one that is going to show God in all his amazingness. The one that is hopefully going to let everybody out there reading this KNOW without a shadow of a doubt that God is real. Not only is He real, but He is takes care of His children. He is our Provider. He is our Father. He works in His own time and because of all this He deserves to be praised. To be lifted up.
Ready for the story? Let's go!!
I'm not going to lie, this week has been hard on Richard and I. We were looking at 4 days left until our deadline. And we had 2,400 dollars in the bank. We need 5,000 dollars by our deadline which is today to be exact. Sunday, March 31st 2013. As you can see, that's barely half of the money we need. We still need 2,600 dollars. We have 4 days to get 2,600 dollars!?!?!?! Talk about us looking at that amount and thinking to ourselves "ha yeah right". So we started preparing ourselves mentally and emotionally. We started to talk to each other and decided that maybe this agency isn't God's plan after all. Maybe we got ahead of ourselves. Maybe we aren't going to reach our deadline because we are supposed to be somewhere else. We REALLY feel like it would bring God the most glory if we did this adoption debt free. So that's our plan. No short term loans. No borrowing from family. So we were preparing to have to stop this process until we had the money. And let me tell you this...it simply broke our hearts....to even think about stopping before we got started was really hard to grasp.
So here we are on Friday night, still needing 2,600 dollars. We met up with some very good friends of ours for a date night. When we left they handed us a check for 200 dollars. We were so thankful beyond words to them as I know it was a sacrifice. On our way home from our date night received another message to stop by another friends house. Somebody had anonymously given 550 dollars to help with this adoption. And another good friend 50 dollars that same night. It was too much to take in. I couldn't believe it. This is crazy! God You are so amazing!!! The next morning went to work and person after person came up to me handing me 100 dollars at a time!! This is seriously not happening right now is it?!?! How is this possible??? So we went from needing 2,600 dollars on Friday morning and by Saturday evening we were down to only needing 700 dollars!! Oh my!! I can't even grasp that!
Sunday morning (today) We celebrated Easter. Had an amazing time with family and friends. Just sat down for some down time. Richard received a call from a very special couple. They chose to give us 600 dollars. And then shortly after that another dear friend to us had text us and said they would like to give us 100 dollars. Are you seeing that???? 700 dollars is what we needed by Sunday. Sunday afternoon 700 dollars just comes to us. Can you even GRASP that?!?!? I am not sure I have yet. God is so amazing. I feel so stupid for even doubting for a single second. I ask for forgiveness for doubting that God would do something totally amazing.
There was a reason that I never told on my blog how much we needed exactly. Because I didn't want a single person to be able to doubt that God is in control of this adoption. We needed 5,000. We got 5,000. Really God?? You are so AMAZING!!!!!
We are SO EXCITED!!!! I can't even believe this!!! Is this really happening to us??? Thank you for your prayers. Thank you for your support. Thank you! Thank You! Thank You!
We will definitely keep you updated!!
We love you!
The Nuzum's :)
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Another Puzzle Update!!
Well we have had fun working on the puzzle!! We have gotten a LITTLE further than what I last posted!! Ha-Ha! The last time I checked I think we had up to 238 puzzle pieces sold! And after I took my last picture of the puzzle we have already sold almost 10 more pieces! I am SO thankful for all you out there who have been blessing US and blessing this baby that will one day get to see all the people who were a part of this process!!
We are coming up on our deadline!! VERY CLOSE TO OUR DEADLINE!! As in 3 more days!!! How are we doing???? Well, we are terrified, nervous, and a whole other bunch of emotions rolled up into one...which by the way is REALLY confusing to work through! Ha-Ha! We are fighting with being discouraged and we are joyful and encouraged at the same time! We aren't to our goal yet. But we are focusing more on what we HAVE been blessed with! Every time we think about how we have been blessed it bring tears of joy, humbleness, and excitement to our eyes. Because YOU ALL ARE AMAZING!! And we thank you! Please don't ever mistake us being discouraged as us being ungrateful! FAR from the truth!
I just ask for prayer right now! Pray that God give us what we need left! If He chooses not to do that and to wait, pray that our agency will be gracious to us! Pray that we continue to trust in Him no matter what happens in this situation. He Is Able!
Here is a couple of pictures of the puzzle so far. Sorry if you can't see it very well, the pieces are so shiny it's hard not to have a glare on them!
We love you!
The Nuzums :)
We are coming up on our deadline!! VERY CLOSE TO OUR DEADLINE!! As in 3 more days!!! How are we doing???? Well, we are terrified, nervous, and a whole other bunch of emotions rolled up into one...which by the way is REALLY confusing to work through! Ha-Ha! We are fighting with being discouraged and we are joyful and encouraged at the same time! We aren't to our goal yet. But we are focusing more on what we HAVE been blessed with! Every time we think about how we have been blessed it bring tears of joy, humbleness, and excitement to our eyes. Because YOU ALL ARE AMAZING!! And we thank you! Please don't ever mistake us being discouraged as us being ungrateful! FAR from the truth!
I just ask for prayer right now! Pray that God give us what we need left! If He chooses not to do that and to wait, pray that our agency will be gracious to us! Pray that we continue to trust in Him no matter what happens in this situation. He Is Able!
Here is a couple of pictures of the puzzle so far. Sorry if you can't see it very well, the pieces are so shiny it's hard not to have a glare on them!
We love you!
The Nuzums :)
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Puzzle Update!!!
Hey! Well we got the puzzle in last night and we started working on it as soon as we could. It was so cool to be able to write down all the names of all you out there that have been so amazing to us! This is after we got all the pieces written on with the names of those who have bought a piece of our puzzle!
So many generous people!
As I was putting pieces together. I wanted to take a picture of a small sample of what the back would look like.
Families may not be beside family, but as I looked at this picture, it struck me that this puzzle represents all of the people coming together (like a puzzle) and making our dream come true.
It really is overwhelming to see all you being so generous to some random people who have a dream of bringing home this amazing baby. I could never thank you all enough. It is definitely more than a donation to us. We love you all for doing this. It means the world. Thank you.
Here is where we quit for the night...
All the pieces around the puzzle are also "bought" puzzle pieces...we just couldn't find a spot for them yet, so we will keep on working on it as people continue to "buy" pieces for the puzzle. I will update as we keep adding to the puzzle.
Thank you all!
Love,
The Nuzums :)
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Meanwhile....
Well, while we are waiting on our puzzle to get here so I can get that started, I figured I would write a random post. A filler, if that's what you want to call it.
A blog post that will kind of describe what's been going on through my head during this process.
Since we have started this whole process, I have been spending most of my time getting on OTHER families blogs about THEIR adoption journey. I get enthralled in their story and I find myself starting at the beginning of their journey and not stopping until I have read every post until the end. In reading lots of adoption blogs, I realize how blessed I am.
100 percent of the blogs I have read have dealt with women who struggled with infertility and are now adopting. I have read how their hearts have been broken. All the tears they have shed. And the great struggle of getting through that. I feel SO blessed, because I think God has chosen to protect me from that. I have never struggled with it. My heart doesn't hurt because I haven't had biological children. I don't get sad when my friends get pregnant. Which is just another reason why I feel like I'm called to adopt. This just feels natural! :) I thank God that he has thus far spared me from all that turmoil. Thank you Lord :)
A dear friend to us who also adopted, told us that this would definitely stretch us. He said that as a married couple we would have to pick each other up. Boy was he ever right, and we haven't even REALLY gotten started in this process. We have already had points where I was weak and needed my husband to pick me up. We are now at a point where my I'm doing okay and now my husband is needing me to be strong and pick him up. I guarantee that if you give it some time, it will be my turn again. So I am thankful for my husband and I can't wait to see how we grow together as a couple through this.
We are approaching our deadline in a couple of weeks and we aren't even half way to where we need to be. And it's easy to focus on how much we don't have and the fear of how we may have to postpone this until we are fully funded. But we have both been smacked out of that thankfully and heard God telling us too look at how much He has blessed us! Because of the loving support of our friends and family, we have been blessed to raise almost 2,000 dollars in just 2 and a half weeks! That is just INSANE! I am so amazed at all of you out there who are being so good to us. We love you. We thank you. You are a blessing to us and our family. I pray that God blesses you doubly.
The fact that we have been through all these things with our feelings is a little scary seeing as how we aren't even out of the beginning step yet! ha!! But I am also excited to see where this whole thing takes us. I hope you all stay along for the ride!
we love you!
The Nuzums :)
A blog post that will kind of describe what's been going on through my head during this process.
Since we have started this whole process, I have been spending most of my time getting on OTHER families blogs about THEIR adoption journey. I get enthralled in their story and I find myself starting at the beginning of their journey and not stopping until I have read every post until the end. In reading lots of adoption blogs, I realize how blessed I am.
100 percent of the blogs I have read have dealt with women who struggled with infertility and are now adopting. I have read how their hearts have been broken. All the tears they have shed. And the great struggle of getting through that. I feel SO blessed, because I think God has chosen to protect me from that. I have never struggled with it. My heart doesn't hurt because I haven't had biological children. I don't get sad when my friends get pregnant. Which is just another reason why I feel like I'm called to adopt. This just feels natural! :) I thank God that he has thus far spared me from all that turmoil. Thank you Lord :)
A dear friend to us who also adopted, told us that this would definitely stretch us. He said that as a married couple we would have to pick each other up. Boy was he ever right, and we haven't even REALLY gotten started in this process. We have already had points where I was weak and needed my husband to pick me up. We are now at a point where my I'm doing okay and now my husband is needing me to be strong and pick him up. I guarantee that if you give it some time, it will be my turn again. So I am thankful for my husband and I can't wait to see how we grow together as a couple through this.
We are approaching our deadline in a couple of weeks and we aren't even half way to where we need to be. And it's easy to focus on how much we don't have and the fear of how we may have to postpone this until we are fully funded. But we have both been smacked out of that thankfully and heard God telling us too look at how much He has blessed us! Because of the loving support of our friends and family, we have been blessed to raise almost 2,000 dollars in just 2 and a half weeks! That is just INSANE! I am so amazed at all of you out there who are being so good to us. We love you. We thank you. You are a blessing to us and our family. I pray that God blesses you doubly.
The fact that we have been through all these things with our feelings is a little scary seeing as how we aren't even out of the beginning step yet! ha!! But I am also excited to see where this whole thing takes us. I hope you all stay along for the ride!
we love you!
The Nuzums :)
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Let The Fundraising Begin!!!!!
Hang in there blog readers, this is kind of a long one!!
Okay, there is no way to beat around the bush here. Might as well just come out and say it. As we have talked about before...adoption cost LOTS of money. I know this may come as a shock to you all, however, I need to say it...we don't have a lot of money!! ha-ha.
So here I am, asking all of YOU and all of YOUR family and friends and all of THEIR family and friends to become a part of this process. To be a part of bringing this baby boy or baby girl home. :)
No better time to start except for the present! So here we go! Fundraiser Number ONE!!
PUZZLE FUNDRAISER
Richard and I have picked out an adoption related picture and we have sent it to a company that is going to turn it into a puzzle. Our puzzle will be here in about a week.
Okay, here is how it works:
We have ordered a 513 piece puzzle!! Our puzzle pieces are going to be for "sale" for $5.00 a puzzle piece.
When you "buy" a puzzle piece, we will then put a piece of the puzzle together. And also when you buy that puzzle piece (s) we will write your name on the back of that piece.
We will be taking pictures to update you as the puzzle progresses. When every piece of the puzzle is "bought" then the puzzle will be complete. We will then frame the puzzle between two pieces of glass and hang it in the babies nursery. It will be framed in two pieces of glass so when we turn the puzzle over we can show our little one all these people who helped bring him/her home.
We are going to keep the actual picture a surprise until the puzzle is completed, but you will get to see it as the puzzle progresses!!
So just tell me on my blog, on facebook, or in person if you would like to "buy" a puzzle piece so I can get your name on the back of a piece!
If you would like to participate in this, you can either pay me in person or mail us the money at: Amber and Richard Nuzum Po Box 159 Pleasanton, KS 66075. Possibly in the future we will have a button on our blog where you can pay/donate using paypal. But for right now it's just by mail or in person.
Thank you everybody in advance. We are so excited about this. And we are SO glad that we get to include all of you in this process!
If this didn't make sense and you need more explaining just message me and I can try to explain it a little better :)
Love,
The Nuzums
Okay, there is no way to beat around the bush here. Might as well just come out and say it. As we have talked about before...adoption cost LOTS of money. I know this may come as a shock to you all, however, I need to say it...we don't have a lot of money!! ha-ha.
So here I am, asking all of YOU and all of YOUR family and friends and all of THEIR family and friends to become a part of this process. To be a part of bringing this baby boy or baby girl home. :)
No better time to start except for the present! So here we go! Fundraiser Number ONE!!
PUZZLE FUNDRAISER
Richard and I have picked out an adoption related picture and we have sent it to a company that is going to turn it into a puzzle. Our puzzle will be here in about a week.
Okay, here is how it works:
We have ordered a 513 piece puzzle!! Our puzzle pieces are going to be for "sale" for $5.00 a puzzle piece.
When you "buy" a puzzle piece, we will then put a piece of the puzzle together. And also when you buy that puzzle piece (s) we will write your name on the back of that piece.
We will be taking pictures to update you as the puzzle progresses. When every piece of the puzzle is "bought" then the puzzle will be complete. We will then frame the puzzle between two pieces of glass and hang it in the babies nursery. It will be framed in two pieces of glass so when we turn the puzzle over we can show our little one all these people who helped bring him/her home.
We are going to keep the actual picture a surprise until the puzzle is completed, but you will get to see it as the puzzle progresses!!
So just tell me on my blog, on facebook, or in person if you would like to "buy" a puzzle piece so I can get your name on the back of a piece!
If you would like to participate in this, you can either pay me in person or mail us the money at: Amber and Richard Nuzum Po Box 159 Pleasanton, KS 66075. Possibly in the future we will have a button on our blog where you can pay/donate using paypal. But for right now it's just by mail or in person.
Thank you everybody in advance. We are so excited about this. And we are SO glad that we get to include all of you in this process!
If this didn't make sense and you need more explaining just message me and I can try to explain it a little better :)
Love,
The Nuzums
Saturday, March 9, 2013
Being Still
Be Still. A LOT harder than it sounds. Who knew two little words could be so hard to live out??? "Be Still and KNOW that I am God" is even HARDER!! To sit back and wait....doing nothing except trusting the Lord. Trusting that my situation is going to be taken care of by Him if I just stay the heck out of the way and let Him take care of it.
So where are we at right now in this whole process? God has opened (with ease) several LOCKED doors. Locked door number 1: We got accepted in to this agency that we thought basically impossible to get in to. Locked door number 2. We found out there was an age requirement of 25 yrs old. Richard is only 24. They are choosing to waive that requirement for us. Now we are standing at Locked door number 3. Dead bolts from top to bottom (ha). The agency sent us the contract that we need to sign. 3 pages of a contract to read and sign...piece of cake. Here's the thing....we need to mail back our signed contract with X amount of money. An amount of money that we have never had all at once in our entire lives. ha-ha. We have to send back the contract within the next 21 days.
Richard and I have prayed about it and from the very beginning we have decided that we want to do this adoption debt free. We just feel like that's how God would like us to handle it. That being said...we have nothing close to our X amount of money that we need to send in. Our flesh is crying out that we just go get a small loan, or borrow the money from someone. Then we cry out for forgiveness for not being still and trusting in the Lord.
Coming up soon we will be doing some fundraisers that we hope you all will participate in and be a part of bringing our new addition into our lives. Some of the fundraisers we have in the making take a little longer than 21 days to pull together.
So here we are. Being Still. Trusting. Fighting our Flesh. Surrendering our doubts.
We love you all. Keep following us!!!
Love,
the Nuzums :)
So where are we at right now in this whole process? God has opened (with ease) several LOCKED doors. Locked door number 1: We got accepted in to this agency that we thought basically impossible to get in to. Locked door number 2. We found out there was an age requirement of 25 yrs old. Richard is only 24. They are choosing to waive that requirement for us. Now we are standing at Locked door number 3. Dead bolts from top to bottom (ha). The agency sent us the contract that we need to sign. 3 pages of a contract to read and sign...piece of cake. Here's the thing....we need to mail back our signed contract with X amount of money. An amount of money that we have never had all at once in our entire lives. ha-ha. We have to send back the contract within the next 21 days.
Richard and I have prayed about it and from the very beginning we have decided that we want to do this adoption debt free. We just feel like that's how God would like us to handle it. That being said...we have nothing close to our X amount of money that we need to send in. Our flesh is crying out that we just go get a small loan, or borrow the money from someone. Then we cry out for forgiveness for not being still and trusting in the Lord.
Coming up soon we will be doing some fundraisers that we hope you all will participate in and be a part of bringing our new addition into our lives. Some of the fundraisers we have in the making take a little longer than 21 days to pull together.
So here we are. Being Still. Trusting. Fighting our Flesh. Surrendering our doubts.
We love you all. Keep following us!!!
Love,
the Nuzums :)
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