Adoption News!

Yesterday, we received a phone call from our adoption coordinator. Funny, when I saw the number on my caller ID, I thought, "I wonder why they are calling, maybe it's about the grant we applied for."
Well, to my surprise, our coordinator wanted to know if we would be interested in a little girl who is a bit older than we originally put on our paperwork. She really had no information on the child except the region and age. I was at a loss for words - I could barely talk. I was thinking, "Wow, the adoption is really going to happen!"
Don was not home, so I told her we would discuss it when he came home and get back to her this morning. We prayed constantly yesterday, last night, and again this morning. We believe we must be open to whatever God has planned for us. Therefore, we emailed her today that we would be willing to take this little girl!

For those of you who are new to following our blog, we have been in this process for a long time. We have had many ups and downs and our faith has been challenged on several occasions. We even stopped the process for about 8 months. But finally, it seems we are getting close.

The entire adoption process seems to take so long and longer when there are bumps in the road. Sometimes it feels like when I was a child waiting for my birthday, the first day of school, or my grandmother coming to visit. It just seemed like it was never going to happen! But of course, birthdays come and go, school days pass, and grandma came to visit many times. Life continues, time passes, and we move on.

Last night I laid in bed wondering what she might look like. Will she be blonde? Brunette? Or maybe a redhead? What color eyes will she have? Will she look like Don or me? Not that it really matters; we will love her no matter what. Finally, it feels real. There is a little angel waiting for us to bring her home.

Now we wait to be registered in the region and then the referral.
Everything in God's perfect timing.

Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west. Isaiah 43:5


In the waiting room again!
Elizabeth

So, How's the Adoption Coming?

Praise the Lord! We heard from our adoption coordinator this evening. Our dossier is in order and we should hear something soon about registration in Russia and a referral. I am speechless, Don is speechless. It is hard to believe that after all this time, it (the adoption) will finally happen!
How many times have we been asked, "So, how's the adoption coming?" and we answer, "Well, we have a few more documents to update" or "We sent some paperwork and we are waiting to hear."
Now, we can say, "We are waiting to be registered in Russia and waiting on a referral!"
Woo Hoo! Yippee! Those happy shoes are itching to dance dance dance!

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

Praising God,
Elizabeth

Smiles and Happy Feet!

Well, copies are made and the package is ready to go to our agency. This is our 3rd time to update our dossier. Will it be the last? Who knows. But right now Don and I are happy campers. We are all smiles and our feet are itching to do the Happy Dance.

It seems it has been a long journey to get here again. Many obstacles and setbacks. But it has been a good journey and one that has helped us grow in our faith and our marriage. For that, we are grateful. Sometimes we have wallowed in self-pity, sometimes we have been on our knees praying, and sometimes we have been jumping for joy! I am convinced it is all part of the adoption process.

Now, we wait. As I mentioned, we've been here before and waiting is no easier than the part of the journey we just completed. The difference this time is that we are more faithful, patient, and Godly.

While we wait, we will be getting ready to dance, dance, dance.

See these feet? They are Happy Feet waiting to do the Happy Dance!

In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. Psalm 33:21

Joyfully,

Elizabeth

It's Here!

I arrived home from work today to find our final documents in the mailbox. Yippee! Finally! Now, I will make the copies and get the package together to be sent to our agency. Sorry, no time for blogging tonight.

Praising God,

Elizabeth

Paperwork Found!

We received a phone call from the State Department of Certifications today. Our paperwork was found. Apparently, our self-addressed stamped overnight envelope was returned to the State for postage due!! If Tallahassee was closer and gas was cheaper, I would be in my car driving to pick it up. They will mail it today. We pray it will get here safely next week.

Now, how does this stuff happen? Ugh! It seems we spend hours on this paperwork; making sure that every "t" is crossed and every "i" is dotted and then not enough postage was put on the envelope when I had it weighed at the post office. Next time, I will use a courier service.

Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:4

Still waiting patiently,
Elizabeth