Happy New Year!

In looking back over 2008, the Goins Gang can be thankful for a lot of blessings from God! Yes, from God, because every good and perfect gift comes from above!! Though this process of adoption has not been easy, we are thankful that God reminded us of James 1:27. We know that adoption is not the only way to obey this verse, but this is how we believe God wants the Goins' to obey. This process is also a good reminder of how God has adopted us--just as we are!

For every bump in the road, God has given us people to encourage us along the way! I don't know what I would do without Sarah, my friend who has adopted a sweet boy named Jaxson. She has given me help and encouragement like only one who has "been there" can! In reading an old entry in Katarina's journal, I was reminded also of how we weren't going to have a third garage sale, but someone told us of a possibility of some furniture we could sell. Well, not much furniture came, but we ended up making $1,346.40 from that garage sale alone! Our every need has been provided for! :)

We are thankful to all of you who are praying for us! There is nothing better you can do for us! God knows the little girl we will adopt, and loves her far more than we ever will or can! It is God alone who knows what we need! He goes before us! As they say in Ukraine, "Slova Bog" (long o in "Bog")--Praise God! And, as Cathy Gurley says, there is no safer place to be than in God's will! We just want to trust and obey!

Another encouragement that we received was on Wednesday, when a letter from immigration came in the mail stating that they received our paperwork and everything is in order. We now wait for immigration (UCIS) to send us another letter stating the date/time for us to get fingerprinted. At this point, any reminder that this process is moving along is a great encouragement!

Please continue to pray for us and our family.
Happy New Year!
The Goins Gang