Oh, the blessings...

Since we heard the news yesterday about our file being ready to go to Ethiopia, my heart has not stopped pounding! (or my head - ha ha!) We have had to make some very difficult decisions about money and our file. As a mother, there is NO WAY I can let my file sit in PEI when my daughter is waiting for her family in Ethiopia. We know she is waiting, we have asked for 2-3 year old child. She is alive and breathing and needing us right now! We have completely tapped out every single resource we have but we can finally have our money ready on Monday!!!

I talked with the kids again today about Christmas.

This is what Alyssa said "All I want for Christmas is 100 million dollars and then I'll give it to my sister"

This is what Caleb said "Mom, only get me one gift. I am trying to be reasonable" (those were his exact words - hee hee!)

Dylan isn't home from school yet but yesterday he told me he would be happy if all he got was his iPod shuffle.

We found out someone will be giving us money to help with the 2 foster children we have now and over Christmas.

I also found out today that a $200 fee I was supposed to pay is being covered by someone else. They just called me to let me know I didn't have to worry about it, they would cover it.

A friend called me today and has a $200 monetary gift for us!

So, last night we stepped out on faith and maxed every last cent and already today I feel God easing our burdens.

Most importantly, mommy and daddy are going to come to you soon, sweet daughter!!!!

Our own Christmas Miracle

Sigh...this is a hard post to write...

I have been praying, begging, pleading, wishing for a Christmas miracle! My sights have only been focused on our adoption and how quickly it could happen. The money is simply not there for us to send our file to Ethiopia. Perhaps only those who are adopting will truly understand the desperation we feel in wanting to get our file to Ethiopia. Without our file being in Ethiopia there is NO CHANCE to be matched with our daugther. So, to put it mildly, I was completely distraught yesterday - I just couldn't understand why this was happening to us. Why wouldn't God have provided my Christmas miracle???? Chris and I had a long talk last night (and I talked with a few of my friends as well :-)) and we decided all we could do was pray for peace about our file and our daughter. Everything else is out of our control. We need to focus on what IS in our control - well, I started thinking about the miracles I DO HAVE this Christmas.
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We have our own 3 children who we absolutely adore but God has also given us 2 more children to spend our Christmas with. We have a 2 year old foster son now and we are also having our 18 year old "son" stay with us for Christmas. (our 18 year old "son" lived with us for 6 years and is now living on his own). These 2 children have been brought to us because they need a safe, loving family and home. How incredible is it that we will now be able to share our love and happiness with 2 extra children this Christmas!!! They will be part of a family that loves them, smiles with them and makes them feel they are wanted! They will be able to take part in our family traditions, our Christmas Eve fun, the excitement of Christmas morning, the security and comfort of being together in a real family.
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So, even though my agency emailed me today saying our file will be ready to send to Ethiopia any day (possibly even today!!), we cannot send it as we don't have the rest of our financing ready. But, I look around at the beautiful, precious children in my home today and realize,
perhaps God did give me my very own Christmas miracle!

Update: Our agency called and our file is officially ready to go to Ethiopia...yet we can't send it off till we have all our money.

Feeling pretty bummed...

Last night was a pretty tough night for me...I am trying so hard to stay upbeat and optimistic! And, in reality, I have so much to be thankful for. It is so hard to wait for our child when everything is completely out of our control. We are completely dependent on others to finally be united with our daughter. I keep trying to remember we have 4 beautiful children in our home right now to care for (3 of ours and one foster) and to love and to hug and kiss. I know there are many families waiting and longing for their very first child(ren) and that must be unbearable.

Our agency is closing down over Christmas and there is already a backlog of files waiting to be issued court dates, medicals, visas, etc...So, even if we do get a quick referral we will still have a LONG time to wait before we travel to Ethiopia. There is another family who has been waiting 8 months since her referral.

It's so easy to say "It's all God's timing" and I probably do believe this :-) but right now, my heart is sick! I just can't believe it's going to be so long....

Maybe tomorrow will bring better news...

Will we hear??

I'm waiting to hear back from our agency about our file. I am really praying she tells us our file is back from Ottawa and ready to be sent to Ethiopia. Wishful thinking??? I hope not. It's been 4 weeks! If it does come back today or tomorrow, it will still be another week or more before it gets to Ethiopia. Then, I'm sure things will slow down or shut down over Christmas so it's looking like we won't see our daughter's face until after the New Year.

Check out my cutie elves!!!

Click the link and see them perform - Caleb, Dylan and Alyssa! Just a little fun to get in the Christmas Spirit!

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1147565400

Is this the week???

This week will mark 4 weeks that our file has been in Ottawa getting translated. It usually takes 2-3 weeks and it's even been as quick as 1 week! So, there are several other families who are waiting for their files as well...we've contacted each other and all our files were sent the same day. We are all really hoping to hear GOOD NEWS this week! Every week that goes by there is LESS chance we will see our daughter's face before Christmas. I am trying hard to believe and trust in the timing of this adoption - the right little girl for us will arrive at the Transition Home at the time our family's file arrives to be matched! I believe this, I just want to see her! :-)

Please let this be THE week!!!

Amazing Encouragement!

The verses listed below were talked about the other night at our Ladies' Bible Study and they have truly encouraged me!!! When we adopt orphans and see the state of so many children around the world, it breaks my heart...it sometimes leaves me feeling hopeless and useless. When I think about these children, their pain and suffering, their lonliness...I am overcome with such sadness! These verses truly spoke to my heart that NO MATTER WHAT our earthly life is like, God is our HOPE, our JOY, our PEACE. He loves us (and all the children of the world) WAY more than I could ever love them. I love that overwhelming victory is ours, overwhelming victory for each and every child (or adult) who suffers, is afraid, who is alone...how awesome is God's love!!! Amazing!
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Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loves us.
And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

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Romans 8:35-39

**Please continue checking my post (below this post) on buying items from families who are trying to raise money for their adoptions. I keep adding more links and these families have some incredible products for you, your family and your friends. Help us spread the word!!!