One year ago we were contemplating which direction we should take in this whole adoption journey. Yes we voted to keep Imagine going but we were unsure if we were going to be part of it. We had been checking into local adoptions and had started the process but my heart kept tugging me towards international. To be honest if we had the money we would have dropped Imagine and started up with a different agency that does South Africa or possibly the waiting children from China. But that option was not there. It was only a couple of days before the Dec 17th (I think that's the right date) deadline that we followed our hearts and signed on with Imagine. They told us at that point it would be a year to a year and a half until we received our referral. Well, we are almost at a year and still no referral. It has been an incredibly hard year with a few ups and many downs in this adoption journey. I am so glad we are at this point and have toughed it out. Sometimes each day feels like a week and each week a month, but here we are. We are a year closer - praise the Lord.
Also a year ago my dear mother-in-law whose health has not been great the last few years got very sick. We wondered if this was the beggining of the end and celebrated Christmas like it might be our last. But, she rallied and is still with us in better health than she was this time last year. I would love for her to meet our little one from Ethiopia because she has been so supportive. I know she would have no problem loving this one like all her other grandchildren.
As for referrals, there has been an amazing 12 so far this month and we are all celebrating. There have been many baby referrals and many older children referrals. We are right in the middle of that. You would think there would be a few 3 year olds in this new orphanage. We will hold out and wait for the daughter that God has in store for us.
The following pictures are my families attempts at making a Christmas card. Combine 6 people, a crazy dog and a camera that has a 2 second timer on it and you have the makings of a very stressful 1/2 hour. Try and press a button and run to your place in 2 seconds. Well my daughter rachel managed that and this is what we came up with. LOL
2 comments:
Unfortunately I can not view your pictures, but I imagine it to be very nice. It'll be that much nicer with your new addition to it in the future. I'm glad there have been so many referrals-that just means you're getting that much closer!
Now I can see your picture. You have a very beautiful family!
Hang in there. I continue to pray for more referrals to keep coming.
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