Paper Chase

So this is the part where we fill out a bunch of forms, run around to a bunch of offices, and then pay a lot of money to get all of those forms and documents notarized and certified.  I find myself being frustrated, and panicked.  Why does this have to occur in order to get you here?  Why do all of these people have to be involved?  Your big sisters and brothers don't understand why we can't just come and get you right now and promise to take care of you and love you.  I find myself getting panicked that we are not getting these things done fast enough.  That you are waiting for me to get signed papers and that each day is a missed day with you.
But those are small issues and fears and worries compared to the idea of growing up without a family to play baseball with, watch movies with, play games with, and read books with.  I am assured that God is in control, an that HE knows when you are coming home.  His timing is perfect, and no doctor appointment or certified birth certificate will disrupt his plans for you and I to play together some time soon.
So tonight I am praying for you.  I am thanking God that you are fearfully and wonderfully made.  I am praying that you will be protected, loved, and cared for right where you are.  I am praying that your heart is being made ready for our hearts, and that our hearts are being expanded to include you.  We can't wait to get to know you, and to one day hold you and tell you that every phone call, every form, every dollar spent on a notary was worth it.  And that all of those things pale in comparison to your worth in God's sight.

Thinking About You

Dear little one-

I don't know your name, or how you like to sleep, or what your cry sounds like, or what your sweet breath feels like on the neck of the one who holds you.  I don't know what you look like, what captures your interest, or calms your fears.  I don't even know how to say hello to you in your native language.  But those things are not important right now.  What matters most is that you know that you are God's amazing creation.  You are His handiwork, and you are loved.  

You are loved by the God of the universe-who put the sun into the sky, who tells the waves when to crash, and who set each planet in motion.  

You are loved by Jesus, who came to this earth to rescue you.  He knew you would need him before you were even born, and he willingly took your place to give you the gift of eternity with him in a place much better than you are in right now.

And now, you are loved by We Six Yohos, who cannot wait to be seven.  

You are loved by a daddy who can't wait to bring you into our home and love you in order to give you a picture of the even greater love of you heavenly father.  

You are loved by a mommy who already prays for you and eagerly awaits the chance to hold you for the first time, and the 79th time, and the 534th time, and forever.  

You are loved by a Big Sister who is making space in her room for you, and compiling a list of gifts she wants to shower upon you when you arrive.  

You are loved by another Big Sister who hopes to continue to minister to the people in your country long after you are at home with us.  

You are loved by a Big Brother who is ready to play with you, take care of you, and protect you like a Big Brother should.  

And you are loved by a soon-to-be Big Brother who really wants you to be here soon.

We can't wait to meet you.  But until then, we will pray for you.  

We Love You.

Let the Paperwork Begin!

 
Today we finished and mailed the application to be accepted as adoptive parents.  This is only to get the agency to accept us.  This is only the start of what will likely be a 2 year journey....here is what we are looking at as far as timeline.
1 week from start:  get application accepted with agency
3-4 months from start:  Complete Dossier (official documents to be sent to Haiti), get matched with a child
6-8 months from start:  travel to Haiti to meet child for a week
18-24 months from start: travel back to Haiti to bring child home

All of this is really just a guess based on what families are seeing who are in process right now.  We will need to apply for a presidential waiver in order to be accepted as adoptive parents in Haiti.  Please pray that the President of Haiti finds our family acceptable and signs our waiver in a very timely fashion.  (He doe not even have our letter on his desk yet, but we can still pray now, right??)

So, here is Big Brother Silas mailing off our application!!!  (He is currently praying for a little brother)

Six Plus One Equals Seven

There are times in our lives where God's hand so clearly orchestrates events that we cannot help but fall onto our needs and praise him and thank him for allowing us to participate.  Such is this time in our lives.  After prayer, discussion, and more prayer, we have decided to become the adoptive parents of a Haitian orphan.  Any of you who have known us well over the years will, rightfully, be shocked by this news.  You have heard us say our quiver was full, you have heard that we are done having children.  You have heard us say that we are content and done.

Well, now we are hearing God as he says,
"I have given you much."
"There is room in your van, your home, and your hearts for one more."
"There is someone in Haiti who needs a family to love them."
"There is a child who needs to hear of My Grace."

And so, with great faith in a savior who loves us and provides for us, and with many questions, we are pursuing, chasing after, and fighting for this little one who will one day call us family.