I've been cleared!

I received my FBI clearance on Saturday. We now have our last piece of needed paperwork. Our social worker will be sending everything to DHR today. It was such a blessing and answer to prayer to finally receive my letter. Thanks for everyone who was praying for it to arrive!

Christmas Decorations

Here are a few pictures of our Christmas decorations for our friends and family members who won't get a chance to visit us during the holidays.

the perfect Christmas gift....

Check out our Just Love Coffee store. There is a link on the top left of our blog. We are selling fair trade African coffees that are roasted in the Nashville, TN area. 70% of the proceeds go straight to our adoption, and the Just Love Coffee company keeps 30%. Check out our store and stuff those stockings with delicious coffee.

Smoky Mountain Getaway

This past weekend, Kyle and I spent a wonderful 3-day weekend at my parents' new cabin in the Smokies. We had a wonderful time celebrating 4 years of marriage. Here are a few highlights.



View outside of our cabin on Saturday morning!







View of Mt. LeConte from Gatlinburg Bypass.

To answer your questions....

April -

So glad you found our blog! We are using Lifeline Children's Services in Birmingham, AL. They are a wonderful agency! You can learn more about them at www.lifelineadoption.org

Jessica -

Yes, we will be in Nashville on the 19 - 20 (as of right now). If you guys are going to be there, I would love to try to get together. It would be so fun to see both of you. :)

We did look at some African names, but as of right now here are the names we've decided on:

Duncan Stott (John Stott is one of Kyle's pastoral heroes and he's done a lot of evangelistic work in Africa)

Simeon Keller (after Tim Keller)

Noelle Elizabeth (Elizabeth is the name of both of our moms)

Darcy Anne (Anne is my middle name)

We picked out two boy names and two girls names just in case we get a sibling group; we aren't anticipating 4 children - just wanted to be prepared! Sorry Chels - wasn't planning on using your name. Although, I do think it's a great name! :)

Rachel -

I'll keep praying that June is when you will be able to travel! I think that is definitely a possibility based on when you sent off your paperwork.

Alright, look forward to answering more questions! :)

What's new with us?

Honestly, not much is new. I'm still waiting on my FBI letter. Kyle's came in two weeks, but mine is taking much longer. We've currently been waiting for mine for a little over two months. My social worker has assured me that it typically takes anywhere from 2 - 4 months for the FBI letter to arrive. However, that doesn't make me feel much better since Kyle's came so quickly. I'm still hoping and praying it will come soon so that we can send off everything to DHR. I would love to have everyone sent off before Christmas!

I know that many of our readers may have questions regarding our adoption, and Kyle and I would love to answer any and all of your questions. Leave your question in the comment section and we will answer it for you!

Thanks for everyone's continued support and prayers. We've received so much encouragement from family, friends, and strangers. Thanks for buying our t-shirts, ordering coffee, and sending donations through Paypal. We are truly thankful for each and every one of you!

Alright, send your questions our way! We're ready! :)

4 years...really?

It doesn't seem possible that 4 years ago today, Kyle and I were married! I am so blessed to be married to such an amazing and Godly man. I thank the Lord for bringing Kyle into my life daily.

Recently, a friend asked me which year of our short marriage has been the best and which has been the toughest. The answer to both of those questions was this past year (our 3rd year) of marriage. It was the toughest because we were struggling with infertility, adjusting to a new life in Birmingham, and trying to begin ministry work for Kyle. However, it was one of our best years because our struggle with infertility lead us to beginning the adoption process, moving brought wonderful new people from our Sunday school community into our life, and brought wonderful pastors into Kyle's life to mentor and encourage him.

We had hoped that by our fourth year of marriage we would have a baby and Kyle would be ordained and working at a church. However, the Lord's plans are greater than ours, and He is continuing to work for our good but most importantly His glory. When we finally bring home our baby, the Lord will receive the praise for answering our prayers for a family. When Kyle finally gets a ministry position, we will praise the Lord for not allowing other jobs we thought looked perfect to work out.

This last year has been our best year of marriage because the Lord has been at work sanctifying us and teaching us to trust Him completely. Unfortunately, I think I still need some work in trusting Him, so I expect more sanctification during this next year! :)

Kyle - thanks for being my best friend and an amazing man of God. I would not change a thing about the last 4 years of marriage and pray that we have many more years ahead of us. I love you and am so thankful that I have you in my life!