It takes me a while to get there, but this blog really is about our adoption… eventually (this is Michael by the way).

So Jesus helped the disciples feed 5000 people with 5 loaves and 2 fish (Matthew 14:13-21). 5000 people! You’ve probably heard this story a million times, but that’s seriously crazy when you pause for a moment and think abut it.

When the disciples told Jesus that He needed to send the crowds away so they could buy themselves something to eat, Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” When the disciples told Jesus that there were only 5 loaves and 2 fish, I like to think that Jesus replied with, “Your mom only has 5 loaves…” But apparently He was a pretty humble guy so it probably didn’t go down that way. Anyway, when it was all said and done there was leftover food. Leftover food after feeding 5000 people with 5 loaves and 2 fish! Your mom has leftover food… Sorry, I couldn’t resist.

Jesus has also asked Mary and I to feed a crowd of people… For over 2 years, we have helped feed needy people and families at a soup kitchen on the south side of Columbus once a month. It’s been really cool to serve in this ministry, along with friends from church. Mary and a friend recently took over coordinating this meal. (The friend that was leading the ministry is 8 months pregnant and needs to take a break). This coming Wednesday is the next meal, and as of yesterday we had very little money to buy food and very little help to prep and serve it. Mary sent out an email, and then we prayed that God would provide us with the resources that we needed to “give them something to eat”. Within 1 hour we had emails, texts and phone calls from people offering money, time and food. There was an all church picnic today, and they sent us home with leftovers… And there were a lot. Between the additional money and food that we received, along with more than enough help to serve, we have found ourselves with more than we need. Praise God! We have been called to feed these needy people, and God has provided us the resources just like He provided for the disciples when He told them to feed 5000 people.

As you know, we have also been called to adopt an orphan and give him a home. We are relying on God to provide the resources because we certainly don’t have an extra $25,000+ laying around! It’s a bit overwhelming and so far we have only paid the initial program fee ($2,000 paid, $23,000+ to go). But, we are so encouraged by what happened these past couple of days… God provided more than enough for us to serve the meal this Wednesday, and He fed 5000 people with 5 loaves and 2 fish. Of course He will provide the resources we need to bring our new son home!

Please pray that we continue to be encouraged and don’t worry about tomorrow. And please spread the word about the ROOM4MORE store, which we set up to raise funds for the adoption. Please send emails to your friends and re-post on Facebook.. it’s amazing what God’s people can do when we all come together.

I have also taken on some freelance graphic design work and I will be teaching two classes at Columbus State Community College this fall to help fund the adoption. So, God has already started to provide and we know that He will continue.

Last but not least, “your mom goes to college” (FYI, I am planning to end each blog post with a random Napoleon Dynamite quote… Why? Because I’m cool. According to me.).