It's a BOY :-)

Yep, it's offical... another boy in the Hall house! We couldn't be more excited. We were able to get a sneak peak at our precious boy thanks to a great friend of ours, Dr. Cutrer. I'm have been able to feel him move once in awhile. That has to be the coolest thing ever... knowing that I am carrying a precious gift from the Lord. I am thankful that the Lord has allowed me this gift and I am often mindful of my many friends who have been unable to become pregnant and/or had miscarriages. I continue to carry a heaviness in my heart for them and pray that the Lord will be their comfort in this broken world.

I had a precious friend from college with me this past week and we talked a lot about suffering. We talked about how, as believers, we often fail to encourage/mentor/teach each other to prepare to suffer well. That sounds weird at first, but when I look through scripture, I see a consistent pattern of suffering as a normal and expected part of the life of the believer. Rather than preparing each other for this, we spend much more time trying to pray each other "out of suffering". It seems unusual that I would reflect on this during such a time of joy, but truly, this time of joy has really reminded me that every good and perfect gift is from the Lord. And yet, in this fallen world, it has also impressed on me the potential that exists for such deep suffering. I hope and pray that we have a healthy child and that we live to see him grow old and strong and I don't live in a constant fear of the "what ifs". I have been confronted though, with a desire to learn how to suffer well, expecting that it will be a part of our lives. I want to be found faithful to my Lord all the days of my life, even those marked by suffering.

On a lighter note, I went shopping for the first time today for my son. What fun :-) I will say though, there are so many more cutie girl clothes... That just means I'll have to search more often I guess!! I can't wait to officially join the mommy club, complete with playdates, kids clothing sales/hand-me-downs, and sleepless nights! Here is a little picture of our baby boy! Not to clear because he wouldn't hold still for one second! Precious nonetheless!

Important Hall family update!!!!!

Happy New Year!! As we look over the past year, we can definitely say it has been full of surprises and excitement. This past year we began our adoption journey, finalizing our home study this past October. In November we held two fundraisers, a fun run/walk and a holiday shopping open house. Between our two fundraisers and gifts we have thus far raised $561.67 towards bringing a child home. So you may be wondering what has been going on the last few months as I haven't updated recently.

Well... as we were excitedly awaiting a match with a birth mother, the Lord surprised us once again. We found out that we are expecting a baby due in July 2011. We are thrilled and so thankful to the Lord for this blessing and are so happy to be able to share our joy with you, our family and friends. We will still, Lord willing, adopt after we are settled in as a family of 3. After seeking much wise council we have decided to hold off on showing our profile until after the baby is born to be able to fully enjoy both the pregnancy and the excitement of our adoption.  We will continue to save money to fund our adoption and it will be combined with the money we have already raised/saved.

Please continue to keep us in your prayers are we start a new journey as parents.  Specifically, that I will continue to have a healthy pregnancy and that our child will grow strong and healthy, that we will seek the Lord’s face as we begin our new journey as parents, and that we will have wisdom as to when to once again begin our adoption process. We have definitely learned throughout this past year that only the Lord is in control of our days and that His plan and His timing is best. We are doubly blessed to first have the opportunity to bring a child home through the miracle of adoption and now to also have the blessing of a biological child. The Lord truly is to be praised!!! We'll keep you updated!!

Fundraiser Update

Thanks to everyone who came out to support our Race For Home this past Saturday. We couldn't have had more perfect weather for a race. Special thanks to all of you who came from Ohio/Michigan/Indiana to be with us! We raised $420 and are happy to add that to our fund! We will be posting pictures soon!
Looking forward to this coming Saturday's Fundraiser - Shopping!!! Come on over to Crestwood and order some Christmas gifts with vendors like 31 Gifts, Pampered Chef, Premier Designs, Mary Kay, and even get a chair massage/snacks while you shop!! If you can't attend but would like to buy online, I have online accounts set up for 31 Gifts and Pampered Chef. If you would like, you can have things sent to me so you don't have to pay additional shipping and I will get your gifts to you.
For 31 Gifts go to http://www.mythirtyone.com/maggiegrimes/  from there you can look at the catalog and place orders. Make sure you find our event, it is under Bethany Hall, to make sure your order's proceeds go towards our adoption.
For Pampered Chef orders go to http://www.pamperedchef.biz/nancymcleroy  again, you can click shop online and search for our event under my name.
If you would like to buy something from Mary Kay go to http://www.marykay.com/klenon/default.aspx you can order through Kim and just mention somewhere in the comment line that you are friends of Kevin and Bethany Hall.
Hope to see lots of you there :-) Thanks again for your support!
ALSO, we have our Lifesong account set up so people can donate a direct gift and receive a tax deduction. If you would like to donate directly to our lifesong account you can do so online at http://www.lifesongfororphans.org/donation.html and click on the donate button. Put preference Hall/#1680 adoption in the purpose line. You can also send checks made payable to Lifesong for Orphans with the same preference in the memo section. Checks can be sent to:
Lifesong for Orphans
PO Box 40/ 202 N. Ford St.
Gridley, IL 61744
*Note:  In following IRS guidelines, your donation is to the named non-profit organization.  This organization retains full discretion over its use, but intends to honor the donor’s suggested use. 

Sorry for the long update :-) thank you again for partnering with us in bringing a child home!

Love,
Kevin and Bethany

Holiday Shopping Fundraiser

Running not your thing?! Check out our other fundraiser coming up the very next weekend. We wanted to have two big fundraisers that would hit on very different interests to allow as many people as possible to get in on our adoption process :-) This one is right up my alley!! Stop on by to get ready for Christmas! Have your lists ready. We will have Pampered Chef, Thirty-One Gifts, Premier Designs, and finish it out with a chair massage and some snacks!! Hope to see you there! Can't make it but still want to place an order? Let me know!!

Our God is Greater!!

YAY!! We got our first donation toward the adoption in the mail today. What a blessing it is to be a part of such a wonderful group of believers. We are SO excited to see how God will provide and the precious little boy or girl that is waiting for us!!

Run for Home - Upcoming Adoption Fundraiser

Check out our upcoming adoption fundraiser! We are so excited to host this race as running is one of Kevin's passions. If you would like to participate but cannot attend or live out of town, you can still purchase an entry fee and Kevin will wear your bib number with your name on it in your honor. Please let us know if you purchase an entry fee but will not be attending. We hope to have fun things available for the kiddos including snacks and face painting. We are in great need of some business sponsors so please let us know if you have a business that would be willing to donate a little money to cover the cost of the race and/or donate prizes, food, etc. Thanks!!! Click on the pictures below to make them bigger (easier to read :-)

Family Profile

IT IS DONE!!! YAY!!! Thought I would include it so you could see what we have accomplished. Man this took FOREVER :-) I know it is personal...but most of you know all this about us anyway and we wanted you to see our heart for our birthmother and unborn child. The only thing I ask is that if you see any typo... don't tell me about it. I had it looked over many times but now that it is printed and off to be read by birthmothers... knowing about a small typo will only stress me out. Thanks!!

Can't wait!!! Only a matter of time now!!! Please pray for our birthmother as she makes difficult decisions and that she would make healthy choices as they now affect our child. Please also pray for our baby that he or she would grow big and strong and healthy. We love you all!!