Seven months, Five days!

Hello all! Just thought I better post a little something so you would all know that we are still here.....and STILL waiting! You know, the wait never seemed to bother me before. I would always laugh about those ladies that would obsess about the yahoo groups and check the agency site dozens of times a day. But guess what?? I think I am becoming ONE OF THOSE! :)

No, really though.....the wait it getting longer each day. Now that everyone in our community has their children (or going shortly--Redburns), we are suddenly feeling lonely and isolated. Where we once had scads of friends to call and talk about "the wait", we now find ourselves incredibly lonely. It's a sad place! People always give us those encouraging words about, "When it happens, it will be perfect" and while I know this is true.....it really doesn't make it any easier!

So, there is nothing new to tell.....we are just hanging out, staying busy, and waiting for God to drop a bombshell on us! (As if the news of TWO trips to Eth. was not "bombshell" enough!) The next bombshell we are are hoping for something GOOD!

Thanks for hanging in there with us! Love to all!

The "Labor Pains" of adoption

On March 14, we have been "paper pregnant" for 7 months. Typically, at this point in a "regular" pregnancy, anticipation begins to set in. Mothers begin nesting and getting things ready for their new arrival. They suffer sleepless nights and occasional "pains" associated with this little one.

Last night, we received news about a change in the process of Ethiopian adoptions....it is a change that has caused me some "labor pains" today.

One reason we chose Ethiopia was that we only had to make one trip to Ethiopia and it was a fairly short, painless process. (HA!) Now, they have changed the process to require a SECOND trip. Not only will this be a tremendous added expense for us, but it was prolong the process for us even more......

In my pain, a good friend shared some good advice to help me get through this "pain".

"If it's God's WILL, then it's God's BILL!!"

I must stand on this and know that HE will make a way where there seems to be NO WAY. And things will be even better than they were before! He will get the glory and honor in this adoption!

6 months....

We finally hit our 6 month waiting mark yesterday. It really has went by relatively quick....Each day, I think , "Today is the day!" Only to be disappointed. But you know, it really isn't disappointing. I KNOW that God is preparing OUR child for our family. I know that when it is God's perfect time, and He says, "Ok, NOW I'm ready to give you your baby," that it will be perfect and right. So, that makes the wait so much easier.

I have been blessed by such awesome friends through this process. The Simmons, Pritchetts, Redburns, Loos, Hogans, Toni Lynch, and many, many others that have showed their love and encouragement to us and have meant more than words can say! I thank God that He gives us people to walk hand in hand with us and help us through the process.

So, for now, we WAIT! Someday, you are going to jump on here and think, "I think I will check out Amy's blog," only to read those LOOOONNNGGG awaited words, "WE GOT OUR REFERRAL!" I can't wait for that day.....but it MUST be GOD'S time!! :O)

And then there was one.....

So when we started this process, there were several other families in our community that we knew were in the process of adoption at all different levels. Our best friends, the Simmons family, actually dropped their application in the mailbox at the exact same time that we did....after a wonderful prayer service with our kids. It was a special moment as I knew this journey would be something that would connect us forever. Then one of my PAT families suddenly announced that they were starting the process for adoption. The principal of Mark Twain and his wife are good friends and our boys have been very close for years. At her son's birthday party, she told me THEY were in the process of adopting from Ethiopia. In the Fall, I came to find out that a former coach for Rolla and her husband were adopting from Ethiopia as well. Wow! So many people all adopting from the same place. Awesome. Well, let me update you on what has gone since Aug. 09....

The Pritchett family brought their beautiful two boys home in June (I think June) Muluken and Dawit are wonderful additions to their family. We were honored to have them in our home last weekend. They are delightful, playful, and very well mannered.

The Simmons' family accepted the referral of a beautiful little 4 year old boy in October. Conor has beautiful, big brown eyes and scrumptious chubby cheeks....I can't wait to hug and kiss on him...hopefully in February.

It is my understanding that over Christmas break, the Scott family accepted a referral for a gorgeous 3 month old baby boy.

And on Wednesday, the Redburn's called to tell me the exciting news that they accepted the referral of not ONE but TWIN 6 year old boys! Hopefully they will be able to travel late Spring or early summer. I can't wait to see how this awesome family blends with these two special blessings!

And.......then there was ONE. Guess who the "one" is?? :) Yes, I am trying to stay focused and positive, but one is a lonely number........still waiting.............

Five months.....and counting!

It's been 5 months and 1 day since we became an "official waiting family". In many ways, it was flown by, in other ways, it seems like it has been an eternity! We are happy and peaceful and are learning contentment in just "waiting".

Our hearts are also staying busy worrying about our our friends, NO, FAMILY in Haiti. Since 1997, I have made the trip to Haiti over 20 times. There is a part of my heart that stays in Haiti each and every time I go. That part of my heart is also suffering with those I have come to love.

I know that our children we care for tenderly are all safe. I know that my faithful partner, John, and his beautiful wife Ruth, are safe. I know that their lives are consumed with caring for the sick and helping remove the death and despair from the streets. I pray that God will use me in the coming months to be encouragment and strength to those in need.

That's it for now. I hope to someday be able to knock you off your seat when I am able to put info about our precious son or daughter, but for now.....we wait!

It's raining referrals!

FINALLY some referrals are starting to come in. I think someone on my yahoo group said that there have been 13 in November already and we are a little over halfway through! This is good news for those of us on the lower end of the referral list.....

We are just still waiting anxiously and patiently for God to send us our little miracle. He (or she) is going to be a perfect fit for our family. God knows the cry and prayer of my heart to get that child that was meant for our family long, long ago. God created a plan for our lives before we were even born. He knew that someday, we would be waiting on our little "special someone" to be born. He knew that I would long to see their big, brown eyes starring up at me. He knew that I would want to wrap my arms around them and see a big, toothy grin. He knew the excitement, and fear, that would well up within me.

Now don't worry family and friends......I know that it will not all be roses. But this time, I KNOW that it is right. I know that as we wait on the Lord, He will renew our strength. HIS plan is in motion and when the time is right, HE will complete the good work that HE has started!

A replenished hope.....

This week has been pretty quiet. It is a stark contrast to last week which was full of activity and "stuff". However, I have a new, renewed hope this week as some great things happened in that busy week.

First of all, I met a wonderful new friend. Well, I actually met her over the summer but had the chance to really get to know her this past weekend. They are adopting TWO munchkins from Russia and I have been so inspired and moved by their families committment to adoption. Thank you Lord for new friends.

Then, we had a successful adoption fundraiser dinner! We were able to raise $2100 and added to our $1000 grant, we are $3100 closer to getting our baby! Praise God for people's willingness to give.

Finally, our dear, dear friends, the Simmons', were blessed with their referral this week! They sent their dossier in one week before us!! It is so exciting that they are already considering this incredible little boy. He is 4 years old and such a DOLL! It helped to remind me that MY TURN IS COMING and I will be able to look into the eyes of my new son or daughter! I can't wait!

Well, that's about all for now....but someday........