Where are we now?

Wow, it’s a miracle! Two posts in one day!? Well, kind of. This morning’s post was meant for yesterday but my internet was down last night. I’m sure this will go down as a record for this blog! Please, please, please “follow” Praying You Home by scrolling to the bottom and clicking on, “Join this site” or subscribing through email. I have 5 awesome followers and I know they’re getting lonely out here in Blogland:) I want to know who’s taking this crazy train with us!!

Now, back to business…

The afternoon I submitted our application, I had to sing with my dad at a benefit at the Cotton Club in Granger. I sat there the whole time giggling to myself about the idea of my African child partaking in our country music ventures. Isn’t that the most hilarious thought? As I sat there in that smoky, country dancehall watching all the two-steppin’, Bob Wills singin’, Merle Haggard lovin’ people, I saw what had always been very normal to me, through a whole new set of eyes. I pray Little Krause will love country music or he/she will suffer for the rest of their life;) 

The adoption agency we applied with is America World. (www.awaa.org) You are going to make fun of me and consider me irresponsible when I tell you how I chose this one. I love Steven Curtis Chapman. I knew one of the Chapman family ministries was adoption, so I looked up his website and figured out who they endorsed/adopted through. That was it. I was certain that whichever agency these adoption rock stars supported and encouraged others to use, would be the one.

AWAA informed us that it would take approximately 10 business days to hear if we had been accepted into their program. One week later (remember, we applied on a Sunday and the following Monday was MLK day, there had been only 4 bus. days), I received an email from Sara, the intake director at AWAA. She let me know that 2 of the areas they look closely at are medical history and the family’s finances as well as the ability to fund the adoption…UH OH. FAIL. Cancer and we are, um how you say, brizoke? She was so sweet, though! Quote: we recognize that for so many of our families this journey really is a step of faith…   We don’t expect anyone to know where every penny will come from. We do look to see that a plan is in place and that the funds are available to start the process. She also asked a few questions about my specific cancer diagnosis. The best I could do was send her a very honest response. I think it helped that I am 9 years removed from diagnosis and treatment. I also laid out my hopeful plans for funding the adoption. The last time I spoke with her was the Tuesday before last and as the days have ticked by panic began to set in. I couldn’t take it anymore and the anxiety finally got the best of me today. She immediately replied and let me know there was a slight confusion with our application. AND, listen to this, “there has been an onslaught of applications this month. MUCH higher than usual!!” How super exciting is that!? She assured me that our app. would be reviewed tomorrow or early next week and they would contact us as soon as possible. *SIGH* So, we will wait until then. I promise I’ll let you know right away!

So, here’s the burning question on everybody’s mind: how DO we plan to finance this adoption? Good question! When I figure it out I’ll let you know. I will assure you that this single income, blue collar family does not have $35-40,000 laying around. But to me, this is a great opportunity for God to really show up, for Him to be glorified! Pennies from Heaven:) We have been praying that God would move the hearts of individuals who He wants to be a part of Little Krause’s story. It’s an uncomfortable position to ask for help, but when I think of the end result, it gives me the courage. I was warned the other day by a friend who had been told “If you don’t have the money, that’s God telling you shouldn’t do this.” I wholeheartedly disagree. It made me sad that people’s hearts are so hardened. If 99% of the people moved to rescue orphans let the financial mountain stand in the way, what would happen to the orphan population then? It’s a scary thought. Remember, God gave me my encouragement at the seminar we attended: God funds what He Favors!

Ryan and I have been brainstorming like crazy. I keep going back to what I know best…concert benefits. In the next couple of months I plan on rallying troops to help me organize/execute this. It’s going to take a village! We’ve thought of garage sales, tshirt sales, applying for grants, various events (again, what I know!), and possibly finding someone to donate studio time for a cd I could record/sell. If you are in the market for someone to lead worship, someone to plan your party, a cool pottery barn knock off piece of furniture? The Krauses have got ya covered! We promised ourselves we would be shameless! After all, the future of our child depends on it:) Do you know a t-shirt printer who would donate? A graphics designer willing to design our t-shirts? Do you have advice, something that was successful for you? PEOPLE, DO YOU KNOW PEOPLE!? I want to hear about it! We have opened a PayPal account and put a donate button at the bottom of the blog. Our “campaign”, for lack of a better word, will be: You CAN Change the World…For ONE! And you really CAN! Think about it, 5 million minus one. It will make all the difference in the world of one! If God does move your heart to donate, PLEASE send me an email or leave a comment with your name. I plan on making a list of donors on the “You CAN Change the World…for one” page. I want to write you into Little Krause’s story<3

DON’T FORGET!!! FOLLOW PRAYING YOU HOME & LEAVE COMMENTS!!! I’m anxious to hear your thoughts!

xoxo,

Brit

A Very Annoying Love Fest

Hopefully tomorrow I will have time to catch you up on the story that has been unfolding in our lives. BUT, right now I’m going to take the opportunity to give a shout out to my man. Eleven years ago today, Ryan Krause made me his bride.

He woke me up this morning with a perfectly prepared, PEC mug of coffee and whispered, “I still feel like a newlywed.” And we do. Well, I take that back, we are WAY more crazy about each other today. He still gives me butterflies, I still feel giddy at 5:45 every day when he comes through the door, When we aren’t together my world always feels a little cock-eyed and I still count the minutes until I get to be with him again. He’s my safe place, the anchor that keeps this rainbow chaser grounded, my strength when I feel like giving up. He’s my very best friend.

People are forever making fun of me because I talk about Ryan like he’s my new boyfriend.  Unfortunately, today it is much more accepting to complain about your husband than to sing his praises. This makes me so sad. I want to tell you why I love this man like I do and why you must just shut it and suffer through the annoying Ryan love fests.

*At the young age of 21 years old his wife of 1.5 years was diagnosed with a rare and scary cancer. He buckled in for the ride and he stayed.

*He held my hand through hours of chemotherapy and never complained.

*He washed my hair and SHAVED MY LEGS when I didn’t have the strength.

*When my hair started to fall out, he shaved me bald and afterwards held my face and told me I was beautiful.

*He held the trash can while I spent months puking my guts out.

*In spite of the “Lemon” he got for a wife and the many health challenges we’ve faced he has NEVER ONCE complained. Not once demanded a refund. (although he has joked that I should have come with a warranty:)

*He CHOOSES to spend his free time with his family. He actually wants to.

*From the moment he walks through the door after LONG days of hard work, he’s present.

*He helps me around the house. He cleans, does laundry and bathes the kids every night. (well, now just Ella:)

*He loves baseball almost as much as I do.

*He makes my coffee every morning and, this is so random but SO Ryan, puts toothpaste on all our toothbrushes.

*He is handier than a pocket on a shirt, he can build, fix, do anything.

*He is a rock star lineman. He works long, hard hours and never complains.

*He defends me almost as ferociously as my mom.

*He loves me even though I’m crazy.

*He encourages all my wild ventures, validates all my unrealistic dreams.

*He is oh so devastatingly handsome.

*He makes me laugh. All the time. He’s so much fun.

Okay, I’m gonna stop.

But do you see now!? I have not done anything ever in my life to deserve this man and I spend most of my days in total shock that he chose me. I thank my God for him every chance I get. A million times a day.

Marriage is hard work but I think choosing to love each other, even on days you don’t “feel” it, brings forth something beautiful. It builds something solid and everlasting, unshakable….Ok, wait, forget all that. I take it back. It’s Jesus. He is what truly makes a marriage work, period. (remember, “he who builds his house on the Rock…”)

Happy Anniversary, Ryan. I. love. you.