Miracle Series – Money, Moolah, Dinero
Dave and I rarely talk about money with other people so this post is a bit out-of-character. However, we want to give God credit for the work He did/is doing in Carmen’s life.
Carmen’s adoption process cost roughly $28,000. When we started the adoption process in January 2006, we did not have $28,000 sitting around. We had purchased a home recently and spent everything we had on a down payment. So, there we were, starting an expensive international adoption with no apparent way to pay for it. I remember feeling stressed about the whole situation and thinking that we were dumb as dirt to jump into this. But, we felt God’s leading so we forged ahead.
We talked about getting a loan or doing some fund raising to pay for the adoption. We started feeling that we shouldn’t do either but should simply wait on God because He had something else in mind.
And, wow, did He ever!
In March 2006, Dave (who was contracting at the time) was unexpectedly paid for some extra work he had done previously. His contract stated that he would be paid for 40 hrs/week but he actually worked a LOT more during the previous months. $12,000. Later in the year, after Dave transitioned from contracting to a full-time position with the same company, Dave asked someone in his HR department if the company offered adoption benefits. It didn’t. However, the HR representative did mention that they were thinking about adding that benefit in 2007, which would at least be nice for the next adoption. Wouldn’t you know it, his company did implement adoption benefits beginning in 2007 but…decided to make the benefits retroactive to the fourth quarter of 2006 so that we would receive the benefit for Carmen’s adoption, which was finalized in December 2006. $5,000. Finally, since Carmen’s adoption was finalized before the end of the year, we were able to immediately file for the adoption tax credit for both the IRS and Maryland in February 2007. $11,000.
$12,000 + 5,000 + 11,000 = $28,000
Sometimes I think God likes to show off. He could have provided half the money and we would have found a way to pay the rest. Or He could have provided more than we needed. But, no, He provided exactly what we needed.
Whenever I start having thoughts that we sure could use that $28,000, I remind myself that it was never our money to begin with. God specifically provided it for a little girl named Carmen. And I think He provided it to give us yet one more proof that He took care of us then, is taking care of us now and will continue taking care of us into the future.
Hi, Boy that is really something. Obviously God knew Carmen needed you and he was not taking any chances. Thanks for sharing this stuff. God bless. In Christ, Joe
Oh, Amen Amen Amen. Just what I needed to hear at just this time. If you didn’t already know it, you folks have a full time ministry and God has put here to do His teaching. Hallelujah!!! Love it all….
Thanks for sharing…what a great story!
I love these miracle posts. Brought tears to my eyes. God is so amazing and I am so glad you faithfully followed Gods leading. Sometimes that is very hard to do.
Debbie
Wow – Divine Intervention! I’ve loved reading your miracle series posts too. There is absolutely no doubt that God would have moved mountains to get Carmen to your family. I pray that these memories give you comfort on the hard days.
I know I’ve shared this with you before, but it’s been exactly the same situation with Amelia. Every time that something is needed for her, right down to my mortgage, it has been provided for. I haven’t shared a lot of that on Amelia’s site because it involves my husband, and I don’t want to talk about any of that on Amelia’s site.
It’s amazing to me that no matter what a person goes through to adopt a child, in the end, you know, you just know that that child was meant to be wtih, and no one other than you. After Faith’s adoption, I question why I got the child with special needs. If I would have been a week later or a week earlier on our paperwork I would of had a different child, or would I.
God is powerful and has a very special plan for our Angels. Your family gives me strength and encouragement. Thank you
Lana –
We had a similar situation with our son’s adoption…I could have written a similar post!
Our husband’s company started the adoption benefit in 2002 – Jacob was born in February 2002.
Our state’s tax credit + the federal tax credit = the total cost of his adoption. Amazing… yet, soooo like God! He gives us exactly what we need and I am thankful that my persepctive has changed and allowed me to see his Divine Plan instead of saying we are “lucky” or dismiss it as coincidence.
God certainly deserves the glory!
Our prayers are with all of you!
Cindy