BIG WEEK!!! CONSULTANT + HOME STUDY = US GRATEFUL

After just a few weeks Jason and I are getting more excited as the weeks go by, we both have days where we get a little discouraged when we see in the news about scamming adoptive parents, or failed adoptions, or the many fears that come with the process. But we trust that we have picked to very known and trusted companies to be our biggest foundation in the process.

1. A Step Ahead Consultant: YAY for them who will be the ones helping put our profile and book (scrapbooking, pictures about us, "my specialty") together, along with finding many cases throughout many agencies in the nation to find our little baby. our amazing consultant's name is Teri and she will be doing a lot of handwork and will make us work jut as hard, there's classes to take (online), page after page to read about adoption, but at the end it will all be worth it.
2. Nathanson HOME Study: we have a social worker now YAY!! (Sarah) , and already have a meeting set up in just a couple of days, 1st- of 3 meetings.
SO FOREVER GRATEFUL WITH OUR CHURCH Forest Hill and our family and friends who have made this big steps possible with your contributions. our amazing Church gave us a grant to get us started.  We don't know where we would be if it wasn't for the Forest Hill Church Family and our family and friends who are supporting us every step of the way.
It has been such an amazing journey so far, everyday that goes by I find and Jason does do a new strength in us that we did not know we had, we meet couples everywhere that are also in the process of growing their family through adoption, HOW AMAZING IS THAT? giving little ones the chance of a loving home that they would not have other wise. God is doing some work around here!

When we get a little discouraged God reminds us that He is in control of it all, after all He created the heavens and the earth in just 6 days, how can we doubt Him with something so little in His grey might and Power?

These two verses gave my heart some ease the past couple of weeks:
" God is my strength and power, and He makes my way perfect" 2 Samuel 22:23
"The Lords is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me" Psalm 28:7a

Please continue to be in prayer for us as we begin to take yet the biggest steps of our journey thus far!

love,
L & J

http://www.youcaring.com/adoption-fundraiser/bring-home-baby-mcdowell-we-re-adopting/214735

Baby Steps-

Today was a great day!!!!
Jason and I met with one of the pastors from our church, Forest Hill, whom has adopted two children also, and we were given a grant (YAY GOD) and along with some other funding that we have gotten from friends and family we will be able to start the fun part, Home Study, and signing contract with Steps Ahead Adoption Consultants, whom we have heard amazing testimonies on baby placements.
This means we are one step closer to meeting our baby, and this is so overwhelming and exciting that I cannot put it in words. The thought that we may be a family sooner that later fills my heart with so much joy that it may burst.
Today the Lord reminded me not to worry about tomorrow because each day has a worry of its own, I am trying not to worry and not think about the large sum of money that we have to come up with, but I know God will provide a way, he will show Himself to us through others, who ever that may be. lastly pastor Mike reminded us today what a bumpy road this may be but oh how worthy is, when you get to hold your baby in your arms and look at him/her in the eyes and know that God chose that little human being for us, and he left us with this verse that I will carry in my heart:
"God sets the lonely in families"- Psalm 68:6

NEW FUNDRAISING PAGE!!

https://www.youcaring.com/adoption-fundraiser/bring-home-baby-mcdowell-we-re-adopting/214735