Baby C first Sunday at church

Sunday morning

Jane volunteered to be on baby duty Sat night so Matt and I could rest up for our flying solo nights alone with her. We were appreciative for her to let us run together Sunday morning before church. Runs (exercising in general) together will be few and far between with a newborn and being in separate cities

We did pretty good for our first Sunday getting ourselves ready as well as a baby ready. We even had time to Skype with Aunt Bri for a little bit!

And we still made it to sunday school before it started! Win!
Baby C was def a hit at church!
She was only a week old. We prob should not have taken her out into the world so soon, BUT it was the Johnston's last Sunday at Faith and Ryan was preaching! I was not going to miss it!

It was an amazing but emotional Sunday. My heart was breaking for so many reasons, Baby C's mother, Baby C, Baby C's health, the Johnstons last Sunday (We had the great honor of Ryan marrying Matt and I), and God just really working on my heart.
At one point Ryan said Trust Me (referring to Jesus) about 10x and I lost it. It was a reminder that God is in complete control of Baby C and the situation. Matt and I want the best for her, whether that be with us, another family, or with her mother. We are taking one day at a time and God is literally teaching me new things about Him, His grace, and His Gospel on a daily basis.

Sunday afternoon, Baby C had a few more visitors:
My friend Charde from Pharmacy School.
 I am looking forward to spending time with her in Nashville this month

Matts Sister, Amanda and our nieces/nephew came to meet Baby C. Amanda got some great "postable" pictures of baby girl!

Sunday night we attended Mercy Hill, where once again the community blew us away and far exceeded our expectations of support when they laid hands on us at the start of the service and prayed over us for Baby C and the days to come.
Thank you Mercy Hill for living out the Gospel when Matt and I most need it!

We left and went to Ryans reception at Faith. Baby C was a hit once again. Everyone wanted their turn to show Baby C some love!

We went to Janes and had pizza and spent time with the Johnston Family. Praying for their family as they transition to a new city and a new ministry (but not a new mission: The Gospel)
Spent some time with Baby B and enjoying his precious personality! I love babies at 6-7 months!

Sunday night was the first night of flying solo with Baby C.
It was a rough night.
She slept all day. And then she slept until 2:30 am and wanted to be awake the rest of the night until 5:30am
Thankful for a short day (last day) at rotation on Monday!

More about Matt's day at court on Monday and team meeting in future post!

Pictures from the Night we picked up Baby C

Thanks to Kaitlyn Stigler for documenting the moment!

 

 I felt like we had just got married and we were driving away. ha

Inserting newborn car seat

Ready to go pick up first foster baby!

Baby Cs visitors

Saturday July 28th

The morning started off with Jane and I spending some time with baby C.
I had planned to fix muffins but baby brain made me forget I had no eggs.

Jane willingly volunteered to get out to get some eggs.

Baby C first visitor was mom
And dad through Skype! Tried to catch them up on the last 24 the best
i could.
Got to Skype Brianna in Thailand next. Loved getting update from her as well as introducing her to her foster niece!

Third visitor was none other than baby b himself! Karen and wayne had wedding in jackson. Yes, we took care of two little ones under the age of 7 months. Maybe we should get used to it!

Next up was the stiglers! What a blessing they have been the last few weeks. They came bearing dunkin giftcard! How thoughtful. Matt may need the coffee while I'm In Nashville and not sharing baby duty!

Our Sunday school teacher and wife came to meet baby c! Enjoyed hearing about their own personal adoption story of their second child!

Oh yea and a stranger met baby c because Matt sold his bike sat! What another blessing!

The Arnold's and Linds cousin and boyfriend dropped by. They loved on Baby b and baby c and got the scoop.

Our friends the mckinneys from
Path class came bearing a target giftcard for the precious little girl. They will have one of their own foster babies soon enough.

Pop And Allen stopped by. Allen brought Isaac over to enjoy play dough.
And pop came with groceries. Jane fixed us all dinner. Tacos were yummy!

Karen and wayne came to pick up baby b and to love on baby c!

The Morgan's wanted to hang out sat night before they found out about our new addition so they came to the house to hang out their! Always enjoy spending time with them! Looking forward to the months ahead! ;) we really appreciate the target giftcard!

And to wrap up our day, Jane was sweet enough to watch baby c for us to make A Muddys run! I had not left the house all day and just needed to get out!

Before bed we were able to Skype with my uncle/aunt/cousins in Smyrna. It made my heart fill with joy to see the kids excitement! Excited for them
To meet baby c and spend time with baby b! They have all been praying from a children's heart for other children!

What a day! Matt and I were overwhelmed with the support and encouragement from friends and family! None of this would be possible without support system! Thank you to all who have prayed for this day! Looking forward to what the future holds!

Bringing Home Baby C

Background: Thursday July 26th we were approved as an official foster home. In the same phone call informing us of approval, we were asked to CONSIDER being willing to bring home a newborn from the MED. She has some health concerns due to the mother's lifestyle and so we needed time to process what all that could mean for this baby's future. We told DCS we would be willing because Matt and I felt as if God wanted us to TRUST HIM. All we have to do is be obedient and He will take care of the rest. God does not call us to take care of only those orphans who are perfectly healthy, but also those who literally "the least of these."
Matt and I informed DCS we would be willing, but DCS decided to wait until July 27th (Friday) to make a decision.

Friday morning at 8 am, Matt and I went downtown to sign our official approval papers. We were excited, but nervous. One of the supervisors comments was, "enjoy your last weekend alone, go do something fun......well you might not even make it through the weekend without a baby."
By lunch, we had not heard from DCS on their decision. Finally, the team met and decided to go with another lady due to our papers not returning from Nashville. (Nashville is headquarters and everything has to have final say by them)
We were a little bummed and disappointed, but I was singing His praises because I had prayed that morning that His will be done, and I wanted DCS to have final call. I did not want Matt and I to make the hard decision of confirming her placement with us.
We were obedient and God took care of us. We were completely at peace with the decision made. We still had our hearts set on a little boy who is 7 months old!

Because our life could have changed in an instant, I was practically up all night Thursday with anxiety over what the next day held for us. My genuine prayer at 2 am was
Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God. And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

After leaving work on Friday I came home and napped due to not getting any sleep night before. 
We had been invited by a couple at Mercy Hill to come fellowship over food and watch opening ceremonies of  Olympics. Matt is super excited about olympics and we have no cable so we decided to go hang out for the evening.


Little did we know, less than an hour from being there we would get the call about Baby C. It was a little after 7 pm at night and The MED had indicated she could only stay until Friday.
The family who was suppose to pick her up did not work out. She was at the MED on the 3rd floor (well baby) and her case worker was waiting on us. 
Matt and I looked at each other and I felt like I was living in a dream. The same baby earlier today who was suppose to go home to another family has no one to love her and take care of her. It was an emotional roller coaster.
I was thankful beyond words to have been with the Mercy Hill Community. They immediately went into baby readiness and provided us with newborn car seat, they supported me as I cried tears of fear and joy, and prayed over us and for Baby C. 
It all happened so fast, but I would not have wanted to be anywhere else. It was a blessing beyond description for Matt and I to be around other believers who have a passion for the fatherless.


We called Jane and she met us at THE MED to pick up baby C.
A funny story about the evening is that I did not have a single ID on me. All I had taken to the friends house was my phone. Matt and his mom had their IDS but I could have said I was just about anyone. 

Despite not having an ID, it is the weirdest feeling to walk into a nursery, the nurse brings a baby out, goes over the discharge instructions, hands you some paperwork, and out you walk with a newborn baby.


Baby C was fussing when they brought her out. Matt held her while I listened to the nurse's information. Baby C has to take medicine every day, twice a day due to mothers lifestyle.
We changed baby C's clothes, in which she was extremely dry. The nurse told us she needed some good lubeing up! ha :)
We requested for Baby C's medical records for future pediatrician visits and we left!

The whole gang (Mary Beth, Linda, Allen, Sarah, The Johnstons, Jane, Mike, Isaac) was at Karen and Waynes (Baby B's foster family) so we went to introduce Baby C to everyone.
We headed home with her and we were so thankful for Jane agreeing to spend the night with our first experience with a newborn.
Matt had baby duty the first night because he was sweet and said I needed rest due to not sleeping the night before. Matt slept very lil, but Jane and I slept great. We took over around 6 and Matt slept for 2 more hours.


Next post will be about our Saturday with her!
 

DOUBLE TROUBLE!!

THE LAST 48 HOURS HAS BEEN A WHIRL WIND, SO MANY EMOTIONS!

SUCH AN ADVENTURE!

We are so thankful for all of your prayers, words of encouragements, visits from friends, family love, and the sweet little girl who is in our home.

More details to come soon! 

But we are doing good and learning moment by moment!

 

GOOD NEWS!

We have been approved as an official foster home for the state.

Matt and I are going downtown in the morning to sign the approval papers!

Only a matter of time.........
May the journey God has laid before us begin!

2nd sneak peak,,,,

WE LOVE THIS LITTLE ONE!!!

IS THIS SPECIAL LITTLE ONE A PRINCE OR PRINCESS???

Fun packed weekend

Friday

Matt and I got to hang out with our two favorite people from the path class! We have not seen our new friends in a few
Months so we were past due!
We shared stories of our journey so far with the states fostering process and enjoyed each others company.

We went to fuel restaurant. I had eaten a sandwhich out of their food truck that was amazing so I was hoping their restaurant food was just as good. I had veggie burger and side salad and Matt had a bison burger and fries! It was delicious! Glad we went

Then we went to bowling alley! Haven't bowled in a few months but its always a good time when we go! I got my second turkey ( 3 strikes in a row for all of you non bowlers) in my bowing career. I don't think I ever got a Turkey when I actually bowled on a regular basis! Oh well!

Then we went to Muddys for dessert. Can never go wrong with late night Muddys! I had the strawberry lemonade cupcake and oh my goodness it was wonderful!

We came home and crashed because At 5 am Saturday we we're headed to Waverly TN for Matt to sky dive. This is fourth attempt at sky diving. Weather has never cooperated!

Saturday

Of course we arrived at 7:40 am and clouds were everywhere, no sun! We went to same cafe for breakfast I've gone to every time and it did not fail us! Went for a lil exercise walk and still had time to sit around.
At 11 am clouds had broke, sun was out but still no skydiving!
At 12:15 we gave up, claimed our rain check and headed to the river!


We headed to the river to hang out with Chris and Linds for the afternoon. I love being at the river. It's like instant vacation/ relaxation time! We went out on the boat, skied, ate great food and headed home! What a long day!
Thanks to Lind's parents (Stace and Patty-0) for allowing us to use their boat and cabin for the day! Hope you are enjoying Europe! I will be there in less than 9 months!


Sunday

Matt and I slept in.....till a whole 8 am....haha
We had a great day at Faith hearing about the Gospel and Jesus' payment for adoption into God's kingdom. Never gets old hearing about the Gospel. Ryan J. always says he will quit preaching the Gospel when Christians start living OUT the Gospel and how true this is!!!
How undeserving we are to be saved through Christ alone, faith alone, grace alone, not by works or legalism!

The only thing I can say about Sunday afternoon is WOW!!
 Once again we have been blessed beyond imagine. I cant even begin to explain my gratitude. All I can say is God be the Glory and any child who steps in this house will not be without!!
My amazing mother in law brought the below to our home for a future little one......

We will be sharing the baby stuff with our friends the Mckinneys so it will all be put to good use!!
I will take some individual snap shots of items for upcoming posts but our favorites were probably the matching Titans jersey as mine (total accident), pair of Addidas sandals like Matt, outfits from 6m to 2T, FANCY car-seats I have no idea how to install, bumbo seat, high chair, toys galore (baby rattles to crib attachments) etc etc!!!

After organizing as best we could, we just spent time together talking in the living room! Some of the best conversations happen right at home!

After spending quality time with Matts mom and getting a quick grocery trip in, we get a call an hour later informing us Matt's mom was in ambulance on her way to hospital. She had fallen at a store (to be left unnamed) from a massive puddle in the floor. Her head had been cracked open and bleeding but she was conscious.
We went straight to the hospital. Of course she spent several hours in the ER but thankful for a clean CT scan other than some minor swelling from fall. Doctors did indicate she probably had concussion which would explain the dizziness, head hurting, and nauseousness.
Thankful this evening she was able to go home with 11 stitches and not any bleeding on the brain!

I could spend a whole post on how unacceptable health care is but instead I will choose to be grateful for a positive outcome!

Oh how the unthinkable can happen in a split second!
Be grateful for every day and live it for Jesus!

Side note: continue to pray for Bangkok Team! Continue to read Briannas blog for updates!! God is doing some mighty work in the lives of the interns as well as the Thai people!

Another side note on fostering process: We are currently waiting for our last official approval to be signed off on and our house will be an official foster home. I sent email to home study lady this evening so pray for positive news tomorrow!

A sneak peak...

THESE MAY BE THE HANDS OF A LITTLE ONE WHO HAS CAPTURED OUR HEART! 

God has a special future for the little one above!

Matt and I's desire is for him to be wherever God's will has him be.

 I know he is in good hands because this is a child of God.

Join Matt and I as we pray for God's plan to be evident!

P.S. Wal-Mart had these cheerio containers in the clearance section less than a dollar and just could not help myself! I love cheerios! Hope little ones to come do to!

TN fostering update

I know I have not posted in quite some time in regards to where we are in the process.

This will be really short and sweet:

Would you believe we are in the "waiting" phase? I know, crazy to think you have to "wait" on the state. ha just a little humor

But honestly part of the reason is our fault. The day our home study writer was planning to hand over all of our paperwork to her supervisor, she realized she did not have Matt's phsycial.
Well of course she didnt because he never had it done.
So Matt went to a walk in clinic that Sunday to get TB test done and get physical. In our opinion the "adoption" physical was way more expensive than it ought to be. If I posted the form a doctor had to fill out and sign you would laugh. By this standard, EVERY PERSON would pass as "healthy"enough to take care of a child. They dont even care what your blood pressure is or your weight....hmm...

Thankful to know people who are doctors who are willing to be a little blessing along the way in the fostering process. (physical=$$0.00)
After getting the physical faxed in Monday a week later, we were aware this would hold up the process some. But didnt know for how long until we found out from Matt's dad the two supervisors who have to review our paperwork are on vacation this week. Oh how I love summer time and people being in and out of the office.

Here is what will happen next:
Supervisor #1 will look over information and give back to case study writer for any corrections or request additional paperwork/information if needed.

After corrections are made, supervisor #2 will review the paperwork and THIS PERSON will be the final person to sign off on our our open home status.

The home study writer will then bring paperwork by the house for us to sign acknowledging we were informed we were approved or rejected! Praying we are approved! :)
We will be assigned to a case worker who will be our contact person from this point forward.

Then it will be a done deal and we could get a call to take a child in our home starting the next day if they needed us! :)

Thanks for continued prayers.....

7 ideas for sharing Jesus via Bro. Danny

•  Make a decision to share Jesus

• Get prepared with information to share
• All you need is two verses and your personal testimony
• place in your heart Romans 5:8 and Romans 10:13

• Be intentional in building relationships!!! Key**

 

• Get involved in people's lives
• A person must know how much you care, before they care what you know! So true!

• Be courageous in sharing a witness

• Be patient in waiting on the Lord
• Pray for the person

• Celebrate when God intervenes!

7:15 am and 7:15 pm

So Sunday morning 7:15 am Memphis time I skyped Brianna at 7:15 pm Bangkok time. I told Matt it seems as if
She's living in the future and I'm living in the past.

The intern team went to Church this morning and then spent the afternoon shopping Thailand style (cheap).

This week they have had mission training every morning which Brianna has loved! They have learned so much about the culture and about what they will be doing the next 5 weeks.

I wanted to give more insight to the two ministries they will be working with.
One ministry is relational and the other is based around business

Brianna and the team will be entering bars where dancers are employed.
The men pay to enter the bar, pay for drinks and then pay a fee to be able
To leave with a girl. So the bar and the girl makes more money if she leaves with a man to offer "services".
This may not be your typical American view of sex trafficking because you may think the woman is choosing this way of life to make Money. However to the woman it is a source of income and the women feel as if they dont have a choice if they want to provide housing and food and clothing for their family.

So Benita and her ministry home of new beginnings goes into bars and builds relationships with these dancers and offers them a change of life, THE GOSPEL, a paycut, and a place to Live. It is only by Gods power these woman leave this lifestyle and find freedom in Christ due to the paycut.

The other ministry called night light international ( www.nightlightinternational.com) goes into the dancing bars and offers women a comparable income via making beautiful jewelry which you can purchase at the above website. This Ministry is not able to offer a place to
Live but it does provide a change in lifestyle.
Brianna was able to witness women who have left the lifestyle of prostitution now making a living creating jewelry. Give glory to God!

Night light has ministries in the Atlanta and LA areas! Go to the website and check them out!

I am looking forward to hearing about Brianna and the teams experiences meeting woman in the bars and sharing the name of Jesus!

Brianna and the team are still enjoying rice and chicken for almost every meal. Wander how long this will last. Most of their meals come from food trucks and vendors on the side of the road. Matt and I had our first food truck experience at Shelby farms yesterday. It was yummy!

Mom and dad were able to Skype Brianna after I did! Thankful for technology that I know nothing about to allow me to talk with my sister across the world!

Day 1 in bangkok!

The team has arrived safely in Thailand!
Due to storms in Chicago, flight times got a little off which resulted in their luggage staying in Chicago!
Pray they get luggage soon!

After sleeping a few hours they spent the entire day on a scavenger hunt in the city to learn about the city and learn their way around! Props to the church for preparing that for them!

The team has access to wifi both at hotel and church so brianna will be updating when She can.

The team is now going to sleep for a full day tomorrow!

Praying for rest and luggage to
Arrive soon!