God always provides

For those of you who I have not spoken with lately...you will find it funny to know that I am nesting. Yes if you have had a baby before or adopted you know what that means. My house looks like a tornado hit it but it is suppose to look worse before it looks better, right? I had decided about a month or so ago that I was going to go through my house and purge EVERYTHING that I did not use, want or need in order to complete the money needed for our adoption expenses and travel to China. I found it funny how last week at church my pastor preached on debt and how we purchase stuff we dont even need just to end up in our garage sales a year later. I chuckled at that because I was indeed in the middle of planning for our garage sale. I have to share with you how God has provided for me in this process though. First of all a friend of mine is moving in a few weeks and called me to see if I wanted a few things for my sale. I said yes of course. OH MY!!!! When Mark pulled up in the truck my eyes about bugged out of my head. I said a simple "Thank you Lord" and my eyes began to tear up. The truck was overflowing with items. Baby and childrens Clothes (really nice clothes I might add), toys, shoes, ...ect..I dont even know all of it because I am still working on tagging and hanging up all the clothes. She offered us her swing set and gave us an outside playhouse for Annabel. Thank you Lord!!! But God also provided in another way. I grew up in a home where my mom saved everything. She was very thrifty and always found a second use for things. I have inherited that trait and try very hard not to hoard items. It is hard though because I get sentimentally attached to everything that comes through my house. Figurines, pictures, purses....you name it. I can't seem to justify getting rid of nice things. Well I have been really praying about simplifying my life. Actually Mark and I have been praying for this for about a year now. As I started going through my house this last week I have prayed for God to give me the ability to LET GO!!!! It is amazing the transformation that has taken place in our cabinets and drawers. Mark is still in utter shock and is waiting for me to put things back. But you know what. I just don't need half the stuff in my home. All the silk flowers....pretty, yes, but they take too much of my time to dust. Figurines...pretty, yes, but with a house full of little ones they will just get broken. Purses, yes I love them. But with my bad back my Chiropractor told me no over the shoulder purses and keep it small...so away they go. Shoes...I usually only wear one of four pair anyway. I can't wear heals anymore with my back...so away they go. Wheh!!!!! It feels wonderful. Costume jewelry...fun yes, but you only need so much of it. I feel so free!!!! Thank you Lord for providing even in the smallest of ways. You provided me with the understanding that these children mean more to me then the stuff!!!!! I forgot to add that I also had a couple of people at church ask me last week if I would like some things for the sale because they were going to be getting rid of them as well. I said yes. Praise God. He will provide for us the funds needed to travel to get Jacob. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I will not have to put one penny on a credit card. We have worked too hard over the years to get out and stay out of debt. I refuse to go back to that bondage. Thank you for your continued prayers.