Long Over Due...

     It has been a long time… too long, so an update is definitely in order.  A lot of wonderful things have occurred since the last blog update.  The first interesting thing is our fundraising for adoption #2.  When we were in the process of adopting Benjamin, God provided abundantly through Nanette’s job, so when we started this process again, we figured that God would provide in the same way.  But as you know, God rarely does things the same way, right?  Shortly after we started this process, Nanette’s job took a turn and was not providing nearly as it had and sometimes, she had no work at all.  Because of this, she took on another PRN job with a different company to help with the funds.  After researching grants and fundraisers, we knew that God would provide for us some way.  We decided to participate in a project called Both Hands that serves an orphan and a widow.  We had a magnificent team that supported us by sending out letters to sponsor us to work on a widow’s home—doing some needed yard work, painting, fixing fences, etc.  With everyone on our team, we sent out over 600 letters and you might have been one of the recipients!  We had a great time on the day of the project w/ God’s hand evident throughout.  It was very touching to see so many people serving the Lord together to help our dear friend!  The sponsored money went into an account to assist us in the financial costs of our adoption.  Through this project, a matching grant, and some other smaller (but successful) fundraising, we were able to raise nearly $20,000!!  We are truly blessed by our friends and family that have made this possible and it is so humbling to be on the receiving end of such a huge blessing!  We LOVE to support others financially and for God to provide for us in this way is really difficult to express our gratitude in words.  Humbly, we have experienced God’s provision for His will in our lives!!

"Both Hands" day...The Greenes and Bickels

            To update you on the adoption front: we were “logged in“ (China’s approval to adopt a child) on 11/15/2013.  We thought that it would take 2-3 months to receive a referral.  We had our Both Hands project in May 2013, so we had the finances ready, but still no referral.  This period was a true test of patience and trusting of God to be in control of this whole process for us.  Honestly, it was very difficult emotionally, for me (Nanette J).  Finally, at the end of July, we received an email from our social worker asking what age we would be willing to accept.  We had planned all along for a child 0-4 years of age, but God suddenly changed Scott’s heart to be open to a 5 year old.  So we discussed this option and replied that we could handle 0-5 years old.  That night, she called and gave a referral of a beautiful 5-year old girl.  After some prayer and discussion, we accepted the referral on August 9, 2013!!  Since we had been logged in so long we received the next step extremely quick, in 12 days!  Now we are just waiting for travel approval.  We anticipate that our sweet Olivia Ruth Bickel will be brought home in about 2-3 months!

Olivia Ruth Bickel

            We plan on taking the whole family to bring Olivia home, so we are currently applying for visas, getting excused absenses approved, sending packages with pictures to her, as well as all the kids’ Fall sports are in full swing.  Bryce made the competitive travel soccer team for Briarwood, which has been fun experiences traveling around a little for soccer!  Elise is playing softball again, in a new league w/ kid pitch and stealing!  Benjamin is trying his “foot” in soccer with Scott as his head coach.  School is going well for all of them.  Scott is busy in his job at UAB with teaching and research, while Nanette has cut down from working 4 days to 2 days a week for family sanity!  We will try to do better at updates, since the real excitement is about to begin!!  Be in prayer for Olivia and her transition to our family.