Lately….

It’s been a while. We have had a lot going on lately. We went to the beach the first part of June. My grandparents had a condo in Gulf Shores and when they passed away,they left it to my mom and her two sisters. I grew up going there and it is so much fun to now take my kids!

We have still been trying to sell our house. To say we are weary is an understatement. This has been a very difficult road but I continue to say out loud to myself, God is good. He has a plan. His ways are higher than my ways. So I have to believe it and move forward.

Joey starts his new job Monday. He will have to commute for the time being- about an hour and 20 minutes one way. We obviously tried to avoid this, but until we sell our house…this will be our life! Again, God is good and I know He loves us. I have to remind myself DAILY that He has a plan. The not knowing when it will sell has been so hard. We’re ready to move and be settled in our new town!

In adoption news, in case you didn’t know… we withdrew from the South Korea program. Some issues came up and we just didn’t feel comfortable moving forward. This was one of those times when I asked specifically for God to open or close a door. And He did. The very next day! So I knew we were doing the right thing. We just sent in our application to a new program. I will keep you updated as it plays out. Hoping to hear good news! Our homestudy will be updated when we move. And we just got our Favorable Determination Letter in today. So we are still making progress.

I’ve been selling tshirts to raise money for our adoption. We have sold about 25 which I am thankful for. I ordered 50 so I’m hoping we can sell those as well. Once our application is approved, we will have to make several more payments to our agency so I’ve got to get on the fundraising ball! If you would like a shirt, you can pay through our paypal link on the right and specify a size! I ordered extra of each size. If anyone has any fundraising ideas they would love to share, I would appreciate any!!

In other news, I started a new business with a great company called Rodan + Fields. I’m very excited about this company. With adoption costs coming up, I figured Why not?! Rodan + Fields is a skincare company started by the doctors who created ProActiv. They are a new direct selling company in the ground floor stages. They have not yet reached momentum so it is a GREAT opportunity! If you are anyone you know might be interested, I would love to talk to you more about it. Timing is everything. Rodan +Fields is changing skin and changing lives! They are offering average people the opportunity to own their own business and gain financial freedom! Check out my websites: www.jcarpenter1.myrandf.com  www.jcarpenter1.myrandf.biz

Okay, so I’m obviously very excited about Rodan + Fields!

So, I guess that’s about it for us. Please add us to your prayers: for our house to sell and for our adoption. We greatly appreciate it. This verse has been my motto lately!

Romans 5:3-5 “we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5And hope does not disappoint us.

Here are a few beach pictures to leave you with. My kiddos have brought me so much joy lately. Joey has had a more laidback schedule this month so we have greatly enjoyed our time together! When I get down about some of the difficulties in our lives right now, I remind myself of my blessings. And my family is surely one of my greatest blessings! :)

-Jill