Finding our Daughter!!!

At the end of October, I was once again visiting our adoption agency's waiting children site.  I frequently looked at the children and prayed that they would find their forever family.  On this particular day, however, one little girl stood out and tugged on my heart.  I showed her picture to Steve.  I often showed him pictures of the waiting children.  He seemed to react differently to her, though. 

It wasn't long after that, that we decided to inquire from our agency if they would consider us to adopt her.  It was against our agency's policy to adopt out of birth order....she was 6 and Jake was 4.  We felt we needed to at least ask.  I needed to get her out of my head.  That was a Thursday....

Friday, our adoption consultant said she would ask the director and get back to us.

All weekend I thought and prayed.  Is this what God wanted for us?  I prayed for a roadblock if it wasn't.  I prayed for wisdom and peace.  By Sunday, I mentioned to Steve that I would be really disappointed if this didn't work out.  He said "me too".

Monday morning I get an e-mail saying they would consider us but they had several action items for us to do.  One item was to call our social worker and after discussing it with her, to have her call them.  I was busily trying to accomplish everything they had asked us to do.  That afternoon, the phone rang, it was our consultant.  I assumed she was calling to discuss the 6 year old we were pursuing.  Instead, much to my surprise, she said our name finally came up for a referral....a healthy 4 year old girl.  We had to decide that day if we would accept her or continue to pursue the 6 year old.  I couldn't believe it.  The "call" that I had been waiting for over a year had finally come but I wasn't jumping for joy.  Thankfully, Steve was in a meeting when I told him the news, so he said he had to call me back.  That gave me time to think and pray.  By the time Steve called back, I knew my decision, I just hope his matched mine.  Again, we were united in our decision.  God had put this little girl on our heart and why would a referral change that.  I immediately called back to decline the 4 year old, knowing that if we weren't approved for the 6 year old we'd go back on the waiting list.

By Wednesday, I had accomplished everything they gave me to do and our decision hadn't changed.  It was driving me crazy.  I needed to know what they thought.  How long until they decide?  I called them.  Fortunately, our consultant was going into a meeting with the director and would call us in an hour.  After a seemingly long hour, the phone rang....we were approved!

Let's get the ball rolling to bring her home!