A new match

We are excited to announce that we have been re-matched with a baby to adopt!  A situation presented itself to us that was out of our original realm of consideration, but the Lord clearly laid on our heart that we needed to courageously follow Him.  He was asking us to trust Him and be obedient.  So, we are working very hard to do that.  Her due date is March 13th, meaning we could get a phone call any day now.  We are so excited about this opportunity to bring a new little one to our home.  The situation she is coming from is difficult, and to protect her, we have chosen not to disclose all of the details.  We just know that she needs us, and we need her.  We are praying for a healthy delivery for both baby and mother and for a chance to witness to the birth mother.  We are intending to be a reflection of Christ's love and are praying her heart will be receptive.   We have a conference call this week with the birth mother and it will be our first opportunity to speak with her.  Please pray that we will know the right things to say. Please pray for us as we are working out the travel details, finances, and all that comes with it.  Please pray with us for our baby and the birth mother. We are excited about where He is leading and we will keep you updated!

Unexpected Turn

Well, as is unfortunately too common in the adoption process, our journey has taken an unexpected twist. The baby girl we were matched to adopt was actually born this weekend, unbeknownst to us, and the birth mother decided to parent rather than placing her for adoption, as was the plan.  We just found out this afternoon and are more than disappointed.  We were really looking forward to bringing this baby girl to our family and being able to share our home and lives with her.  However, this baby was apparently not the child God has ordained for our family.  Despite our sadness, we are choosing right now to rest in His sovereignty.  There have been multiple times in our lives that God's greatness has overshadowed our human plans.  He has given us more than we could ever have expected through circumstances that looked dark and hopeless.  We only have to look at our amazing 5 year old, Luke, born with half of a heart, to be reminded of that.  Even in the most difficult of times, God has constantly been holding us in His hands.  We will continue to seek His will and wait expectantly for what He is going to do. 

We would ask that you continue to pray for our family in this process, for the birth mother that changed her mind, for her child who is now in a less than ideal situation, and for the birth  mother and child that we will ultimately be matched with.  Despite the difficult news today, there was a huge blessing in the midst, because all of the money previously raised for the adoption will be able to be rolled over to the next match.  This is amazing considering the risk involved with domestic adoption. None of the money will be lost despite the birth mother changing her mind.  So, we thank everyone who has helped us financially and want to encourage you that your support and sacrifice has been, and will be, used by God to change a child's life and change our family's life as we continue this adoption process. I will leave you with a song that we sang this weekend at our youth conference and that has always been an encouragement to Josh and I as we have been through difficult days:
                        Oh, no, You never let go, through the calm and through the storm. Oh, no You never let go, every high and every low.  Oh, no, you never let go.  Lord You never let go of me.



.