Oh the anticipation...

Well, hello folks,

Ryan here. Just wanted say a few things. Pick up a copy of Adopted For Life. Be it from the library, bookstore, or friendly neighborhood superhero. Read it. Pass it on. This book by Russell Moore is eye-opening.

As he does in his book, I've tried to compare what the process is like to what I think the process might be like for...gosh I'm at a loss for words...a couple doing this biologically, or naturally. I, at first, hesitated to say "naturally", but it's true adoption is not natural in the sense that God created it that way. It is the result of the fallen world in which we dwell. It may not be God's original intention, but it is God's call for our lives now. Not just mine and Jessica's life, but ours in a collective sense. Anyway, I think the comparison is like we're pregnant. We are anticipating the arrival of our children. We wonder what there names might be and imagine their little faces, and what games they might enjoy. So, it's like we're pregnant.

We just had our immigration approval notarized and dropped in the mail. Hurry up and wait. That seems to be the theme for the adoption process. Hurry up and get everything done so that you can sit on your hands in anticipation of receiving the referral. I guess the referral will be like the ultrasouund only our ultrasound will show more than a fuzzy shape on black backdrop. Anticipation.

I got an idea from some friends of ours. They adopted two beautful children from Haiti. They had t-shirts designed and printed. I didn't ask about what they used the proceeds for, but I know their hearts and I'm sure it went to the cause of adoption in general, probably Haiti specifically. We just recieved our shipment of shirts! We will have a picture up very soon so you can see what you're buying. Ha! You like the way I slid that in there? I'm only half serious. We do have N. shirts for a minimum of $15, but we don't expect that everyone will buy one. We are not keeping records of who does and doesn't. The proceeds will be used for adoption in general, but probably donated to another adoptive family that needs financial support. We love you all and know that you support us in a multitude of ways.

Thank you for your kind words of encouragement, prayers, love, and friendship throughout this exciting time in our life.


Thanks for reading.

Approved by Immigration/Random thoughts

Hey everybody,

We received our approval letter from Immigration just a week after we had our fingerprints done! So God did answer prayers there. Now just waiting for January to get here so our paperwork can be reviewed and we can be matched with our sweet children. I have been thinking about them alot lately and all the things we have to look forward to. It's just little things that make me think of them...Ryan and I were talking about this being the first winter in our home and I said I just wished the kids were home with us.

I'm doing a bible study by Jennifer Rothschild called the Fingerprints of God and by no coincidence she talks about God adopting us as his children. She says we were orphans needing to be "gotten" and God chose us. In John 15:16, it says "You did not choose Me but I chose you". This gives me a new perspective on how God must yearn for his children to come to Him when they have not surrendered their life to Him or are living in sin and out of His will. I know how badly I want to see and hold my children so I cannot even imagine how it is for God! I am not the best at putting my thoughts on paper so I hope that makes sense.

I believe God has brought some special people into my life to encourage us on our journey. I have met 2 women at church that have adopted multiple times. Thank you Lord for bringing these new friends into my life. I know this is no accident either. God is so good even though I do not deserve it.

Until next time,
Jessica