July 08 Update

Dear Friends,

We want to take a couple of minutes to update you concerning our adoption process. We were anticipating hearing from Colombia about our referral (specific information about the children; names and ages etc.)in the beginning of June, instead we received a request for more information. This means additional time and $ will be required in the process. We were initially tempted to discouragement but soon realized this was God’s timing so we could raise the funds needed to complete the adoption. All things are indeed accomplished by God, in His time. By God’s grace Shirlene was able to fairly quickly assemble the needed paperwork. It was received in Colombia the 1st week in July. We are now anticipating our referral. We were told to look for it after 3 weeks. When that happens, we will be traveling 4 -6 weeks later. Please pray that God would adjust our hearts to rejoice in His sovereign timing.

Since our last update, we have seen God at work in numerous ways. We have been blessed with knowing you are praying for us. This continues to be our greatest need. We are very grateful and blessed by so many of you who have given of your time for both fundraising and the readying of our home. And we have been greatly encouraged as we watch God providing our financial and travel needs through you, our friends and family.

Twenty-four families donated “stuff” for our yard sale and numerous others gave of their precious time to help us prepare and administrate it! That Saturday, God provided a little over $1700.00. Some of the items people donated wouldn’t have made as much at a yard sale as they would on-line, so little by little we have been posting these items on eBay and other sites so far over $800 more has been added to the total. God has been amazing our family with His kindness!! Nearly 50% of donated items were sold and our garage is holding the remaining donations. Therefore we are having ANOTHER yard sale. Saturday, July 19th we are hosting the Jones’ Second Adoption Yard Sale! If you are interested in donating anything, feel free to drop off between this Saturday and next Wednesday at our home. If that is too far you can drop by the church office, anything that would fit in Nikki’s Pathfinder.

Please continue to pray that God would meet us as He continues His story and testimony on that morning! A growing number of people have been used by Him to minister to us and to people whom we don’t even know. Many people who came to the yard sale would ask questions about the adoption, which resulted in some neat opportunities to share of God’s love for us and His heart for adoption! Total strangers were affected to tears and offered to pray for us. Over and over, the yard sale mindset of “get the lowest price” was abandoned by our neighbors as they offered several dollars more than we were asking for an item. Thank you for your prayers! Feel free to email back if you have any questions.

In Christ, Bill, Shirlene, Nikki, Melissa, Matt and ?, ?, ? Jones