ADOPTION

Not flesh of my flesh,
Nor bone of my bone,
But still,
miraculously
my own.

Never forget
for a single minute,
You didn't grow
under my heart,
But in it.

Author Unknown

FINALLY WE TRAVEL!!!!

Oct. 11th-

Last night we drove to good 'ole Illinois to fly out of Chicago tomorrow! Last night before we left, I had a teary moment realizing that the nursery that has played both devil and advocate during this long journey would no longer be empty. The past year of waiting has come to completion as our prayers have been answered. I told my mom last night that in 1 week Troy and I will be the parents that we always wanted. My mother lovingly corrected me and said, "You've been a mom and dad for the past year, bathing those children in prayers and patience." Our wonderful adoption mentors Pastor and Camie sent us off last night in prayer. What a wonderful support system we have! We'll keep you posted.

 

Sept. 28th-

After 14 months of waiting we finally got the call that we are officially going to travel to pick up these little ones! We need to be in VN by 10/14 and hopefully will be able to fly back on 11/3. We are sooo excited!!! The wait is finally over and emotions are running high to say the least! Each day is one nearer to our babies that we have prayed for so long! Keep us in your prayers as we travel. We will attempt to post while there to keep you all updated! Praise the Lord for getting us to this point. His timing is perfect and His grace is sufficient.

His plan not ours...

Sept.

Well, here we are a little over a month from our last posting and nothing has changed. We continue to wait for the infamous phone call, with the attempt of patience, although it would be a vast misleading if we were to say we're being patient!  The last six months have been full of anxiousness and discouragement, but also full of opportunities to grow. We are so thankful for all of your support and encouragement. We continue to pray that it will be only a "little while longer" until we can receive the blessing of these children. The rooms are ready, our suitcases are packed, and are hearts are ready to burst with love and guidance for these little ones. Please keep us in your prayers as Satan is daily attacking us with feelings of discouragement and pessimism. We will keep you posted!

 

 Aug, 13th,

"For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
         Nor are your ways My ways," declares the LORD.”  Isaiah 55:8

Troy and I have lived these words for the past several months. At times it has been challenging, but we know in the end it will be rewarding. We knew this journey was not for the faint of heart, but we did not know how much endurance it would truly require! We praise God for the marvelous ways in which He makes His will known! We have recently discovered that our referral for a little girl was causing us some problems. Her paperwork was not correct and was slowing down our chances of travel, so with much prayer we have decided to change our referral to another little girl in the same orphange who is ready to come home! We have received medicals on both children and are happy to announce that they are very healthy! Josiah is just 7 months old and Jayleigh is only 2 months old! We have been told that our travel date will soon be set and we'll probably be traveling next month sometime. We are praying that this will be definite very soon, as we must travel within the next 2 months due to medical reasons. We know that it is in God's hands as it has been from the start. We will try to keep you all better updated (now that our excitement has rejuvinated!). Please continue to keep us in your prayers

May 2nd

-We are proud and excited to introduce to you the 2 newest members of our family! Here are Jayleigh and Josiah Newill. They are not twins or siblings, but are both approximately 4 months old and are in the same orphanage. We have had these pictures for the past month, but were awaiting the medical forms. After a meeting with Michele, our attorney, we have decided to accept these referrals as is! How exciting! We are at peace with our decision and cannot wait to hold these little ones in our arms! The long wait is over and guess what we get to do now?!?!?!? Yes, that's right, wait some more! :) It will be another 2-4 months before we travel, with expectations for later than sooner! This is the final step in the process, so please continue to be in prayer!

 

March 31st

-This week we were told that we should have the medical reports within the next week or so. Please be in prayer, if we do not receive these soon, we may have to choose to travel to Vietnam without knowing the medical status. We still have not seen pictures of these children, but we do know that in February the little girl was 2 months old and the little boy was 2-4 months old! We are excited at the possibility of getting younger children, but are maintaining our distance, knowing that nothing is definite at this point. Continue in prayer for our pastor and his family. They have returned from Vietnam without their children and plan to make a return trip in the 3-4 week of April. This journey is not for the faint of heart, but God is in control!

Such a long wait.....

Today I found the greatest t-shirt saying: "Yes, I'm still adopting. No I haven't heard anything yet." This is my feelings exactly! :)