LONG TIME NO BLOG

It's been a long time since my last post and there have been some developments in the adoption process. On December 15th we finally had our first collateral meeting. We drove up to Thief River Falls, MN to meet with the children's two psychologists, their foster mom, and social workers. It was a good meeting and I am thankful Jesus was there to guide the way. We were able to obtain some unknown information about the children and get to know their foster mom a little.
We were also pleased to hear that God has been preparing their hearts and Felicia, who 6 months ago did not want anything to do with being adopted, reported to her social worker that she is getting excited about being adopted!! What an answer to prayer! Thanks Jesus!
We are now waiting on several more reports that we have not been allowed to see until now. We did have an opportunity to read some of them but the print quality was so poor we did not get much new information.
It appears we have a lot more to pray about and consider as we wait to set a date to meet the children for the first time.
God has truly poured out His blessing on us thus far, and we have not heard Him say to turn around or stop! So we will be faithful and continue to move forward trusting that He will show us the path He has chosen!

NEW INFORMATION YAY!

Just got and e-mail asking if we can meet with the children's foster mom, teachers, and all on December 15th... Uuuhhhhhhh, YESSSSSSSSS!

As long as they don't cancel it again we will be there with bells on!!!!

We also received letters from each child. Felicia's mostly talked about wanting to continue with her many sports and her obsession with Justin Bieber.

Tyler is obsessed and specifically with University of North Dakota and wants UND walls, UND bed, UND carpet and UND posters.

Good thing I have a brother, a sister-in-law, and a boss that all attended UND.

Please pray for God to prepare their hearts and ours. I keep reading these awful facebook posts from other adoptive parent that have adopted special needs children and how much trouble they are having. I know that is Satan trying to freak me out but I definitely need prayer about that.

Thanks for following, praying and supporting!

THEY CHOSE US!

We had a meeting with Felicia and Tyler's County Social worker, Guardian ad lidem, and recruiter on Tuesday morning. It was a grueling 2 hours of information giving and gathering as the social worker and GAL had on their "poker face". When it was all over they said that they would let us know by the weekend if we were still being considered to adopt the kids. We stayed and met with our case worker to debrief. None of us were sure how the meeting went because it was so hard to read the social worker and the GAL. When I returned to work there was a phone call from our case worker telling me that the group had barely made it to a restaurant for lunch when they decided undoubtedly that Jeff and I were the ones that they would like to adopt. What great news! Not quite the same as finding out you are pregnant but pretty cool! As excitement filled my body, anxiety and fear take over. I know that anxiety and fear do not come from the Lord so I must take those thoughts and emotions captive and give them to the ONE who saves! Our new journey begins Nov. 30th as we travel to Theif River Falls to meet the foster mom, teachers, counselors and therapists. If those meetings go well and Jeff and I still want to proceed with adoption we will meet the kids for the first time in December! Please pray for God to prepare their hearts as they are recovering from some bad news. They just found out that their respite family is not going to adopt them, and I'm sure they are feeling rejected!

I pray for their sweet little hearts to heal miraculously as we continue to move forward in this journey!

NO NEWS

Still waiting to hear if the respite family wants to adopt the children. Should have an answer next week?

Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strenghten thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord Psalm 27:14 KJV

PINS AND NEEDLES

It's been too long since my last post! Our match meeting with the recruiter went very well, Jesus was so present in that room. We were able to gain more information about the children which was helpful. We were told that she had 2 more families to interview on 9/15 and the respite family had indicated they might be interested in adoption the children. The respite families interest presents a new twist in that they already have a relationship with these children but they haven't indicated that they are certain they would like to adopt.
On Monday 9/19 we received an e-mail that the recruiter had completed her interviews with the other 2 possible adoptive families and at this time Jeff and I were the best option for the children with the exception of the respite family. We are currently waiting to hear if the respite family does or does not want to adopt these children. Again, we are on pins and needles waiting on our Loving Father to reveal His plan for our lives. Can't wait to see what He has in store!

DRAWING ME CLOSER!

Tomorrow is our match meeting with the children's adoption recruiter. I have been unemotional about it and have had a guarded heart, or have I? I am finding that I am more in love with these kids than I was able to admit, even to myself. Today I received and e-mail from our case worker informing us that other families are being considered as well as the respite provider. What's that supposed to mean? Is it just information? OR is it a subtle bubble buster? I'm not sure, but I'm finding myself strangely disappointed and emotional now?
If anything, I suppose the match meeting will be good practice if these are not the children God has planned for us! Still wanting what God wants more than anything else. He's drawing me closer!

GOOD NEWS????

Well, we are scheduled to meet with the recruiter next Wednesday. This will be an opportunity for her to gather more information about Jeff and I and take it back to the children's social worker. At the same time we hope to get some questions answered about the kids. We are not sure how familiar the recruiter is with these children and their situation. What a slow and emotionally draining process. I was thinking on Sunday that God could be using all this time to prepare the children's hearts for adoption, which made me want to be more patient with HIM! God give me strength and bind away the enemy!!!! Praise you Lord for your perfect timing!