New Developments ....

It was a busy week!  We are moving along and with each step it just feels so much more real.  We were fingerprinted a week ago Wednesday for the USCIS (US Immigration) and received our favorable determination letter on Thursday of this week!  So, we are approved to adopt an orphan by the US government!  Another hurdle passed.  The most exciting news of the week was the email we received from Ghana with a picture of a precious little girl, OUR precious little girl!  We received our referral this week.  Such an exciting email to open when you see it in your inbox, and realize that there is a document attached to the email.  We had been waiting for this email and thought it might come the week before, so when I saw it I kind of froze.  How does your brain process opening an email knowing that you are going to see a picture for the first time of the child that has been chosen for your family?  She is absolutely beautiful!  She is about 2 ½ and looks perfect to us!  We will now wait for the processes to play out.  We have very little information about her but will learn more as court proceedings happen and everything is confirmed for her being placed with our family.  We know that with international adoption things can change and we also know that there is always a chance that this little one will not be able to come home to our family.  We pray for her and trust that God is in control and He will pave the correct path.  We also look forward to the day that we can share her picture with everyone!  It is a different thing when you think abstractly about orphans not having someone to come when they cry, meet their needs and give them the love they long for … but once you see your child’s picture now you think intimately about YOUR child … who is loving HER, who is coming when SHE cries and what does SHE do during the day?

You may notice the green thermometer to the right of this page … we are planning, as a family, the ways that we are going to pursue our fundraising for this adoption.  Our kids are excited to join in and help and it has been fun to dream of ways to get fully funded.  More on that later … it just comes to mind more now that we have a picture of our sweetie!  Thanks for following our journey and thank you for your prayers!

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!  Amen.”  ~ Ephesians 3:20