His plan....

A year has passed since an update on our adoption blog. A year full of birthdays, football games, school events, family fun, and lots and lots of prayers. 

And, a year of many changes to our adoption journey.  

Where shall I start?

First, rest assured. We are still adopting. That's the beginning AND the end of this story. And now for the in between....

Over the last year, we watched in anguish as our projected wait time to referral grew longer and longer. and longer. When we contracted, our agency cheerfully and confidently advised us to expect to wait 18-24 months for referral. If that were true, we'd have had our "referral call" by now, and would be preparing to travel to Africa. Instead, our new projected wait time as of right now is an additional 4-6 years. YEARS. If at all. Things are not stable. Corruption is real. International adoption is not guaranteed. We were told this going into this, but also reassured that Eth*opia is a very stable country. Not to worry.

As we were delivered the new time lines....things were also stirring in our hearts. Are we meant to stay in this program? Are we supposed to wait it out? It didn't feel settled. It didn't feel right, or real. What in the world was God telling us now? We felt so sure that He had called us to adopt, and more specifically from Eth*opia. So why are we doubting it now?? Why, does it not feel right anymore? Jaden is all the while growing older, nearly 8 at this time. In another 4-6 years, he would be a teenager, not even caring about being a "big brother".  And, WE are getting older too, Do we really want to wait so long to start over? And, as vain as it may sound....but a question many of you probably wonder....What about ALL the $$ we have invested??? The fees, up in the 10's of thousands, are not refundable. Not a dime. So, we lose a large portion of money that we earned, fund raised, and were gifted. Blah. Some options that were presented to us were to do a concurrent adoption, meaning from another country, or a domestic adoption. We didn't need to think about that much, because we knew we just could not make it work financially. TWO adoption fees just isn't in the budget.

What is your plan for us, Lord? We are trying to be obedient....Why would you want us to change our plans when we have invested so much?

As we were struggling with coming to a conclusion, a decision....A facebook message from a friend read this,
"How is your adoption going? Are you interested in fostering?"
Well, actually, yes....the thought had been hovering over us, even though 3 years ago we had thought we had closed that door...saying absolutely not, not for us. But now, 3 years later....It's been in our minds.
She continued on....
"Because there is a little boy who will probably need a forever family......."

I paid little mind to it at the time. It was nearing Christmas, and we were busy of course. Plus it being a very emotionally draining Christmas, I just didn't have the energy to investigate the situation. I let it go....
Another message a few weeks later, asking this time if we are pursuing becoming foster licensed. Because this little boy still needs a family.

I'm listening, Lord.

I have always said that I can't hear when the Lord whispers in my heart. No, I need Him to send me a text message. Clear as day, telling me what He needs me to do. I guess I will settle for a Facebook message, coming through a friend.

Honestly, the next steps after that came so EASY. Just easy, like it was always what we were supposed to do. Things fell into place, and the process has been so smooth. Like God is paving the way for us. We spoke with the family caring for the little boy a few times, at first to gain more information. It was so clear that we were supposed to move forward with getting our foster license so that WE could be this little boy's forever family. So we did, and are expected to be licensed by mid-June. Oh, AND....not only is there a little boy....but also a girl too. :-)

What will happen from THIS point on, only God knows. We are planning for these littles to come to our home soon...like in a month or maybe a little more. Unfortunately, we will not know if we will welcome them until AFTER we are licensed. In the mean time, we are getting to know them, spending time with them when we can. Preparing a bedroom, Preparing our hearts, and Preparing Jaden's heart. Praying that this is, in fact, part of His plan for our family. When they come, we will be their foster parents for a while, and will transition to adoption when it is allowed. We want them forever.

As far as our other journey....Well, that door will need to close to allow these littles to come. Our agency, unfortunately, does not allow us to be foster licensed while waiting for a referral. They will, in fact, terminate our contract. SO, we will wait to be officially licensed, then terminate our contract with All God's Children, International. It's actually sort of bittersweet. For years, we have pictured what it will be like to get "that call", to see a part of our world that we probably will never get to see otherwise. We know, though, that when God closes one door, there is always another that opens for us. Why He led us to Eth*opia, I will probably never know. Maybe to open our hearts further to ALL orphans, not just ones in different countries. Maybe it was simply to pray for some of the families I've "met" along the way, in their times of need. I do know one thing though....that we are not only "ok" with the decision to change paths, but actually overjoyed!

At first, it was actually really hard to accept that, financially, we would be at such great loss. I felt so guilty. Our friends and family have supported us so generously. And then it dawned on me. God doesn't care about the money. Not one bit. So, while we are still so thankful and grateful for the support from others, we had to just breathe and say....It is what it is. :-)

Whew. Is anyone still paying attention after that book?? Hehe. And that's the short version!

Please continue to pray for our family. In the months to come, we will sure need it. I'm sure there will be specific things to pray for in the future, but for now if you all could just say a quick prayer that the rest of this process goes smoothly? Thanks :-)

I can't wait to see this unfold before our eyes. Whatever does happen, I feel peaceful in that God is in control of our lives, and of these little kiddos lives. Stay tunes, folks. ;-)