Referral . . .

Yes - that word gives me goosebumps!  That word actually didn't feel like a reality for the last year or so!  That word has brought tears!  That word brought, ashamedly, anger as I saw others speed through the system faster then us!  That word was the MOST BEAUTIFUL word spoken on June 28, Tuesday afternoon when our caseworker called and shared with me and Neal that God had finally granted us the desire of our hearts :)  At 4:06 p.m. came the call stating that we were matched with a child - oh wait we were actually matched with children!  Yes people we were matched with 8 month old twin girls!  Did I scream you may ask?  YES I screamed....!  I was in awe at the mercy and grace God was plenteous in giving us!  Are you kidding me?  Two girls?  Oh and did I mention two BEAUTIFUL girls!  I am still in awe . . .I look at their pictures every moment - like right now they are laid out in front of me!  We are calling them Kebe and Asch right now (those are shortened versions of their names)!  Due to Ethiopian policy, the pictures of them cannot be posted - but trust me if you run into me . . . I will be packing them around with me everywhere I go :)  Just ask to see them....or maybe before you get a chance to see them I will be shoving them in your face because I just cant help it. :)  


So the first question's people ask us are:  How did they come to the orphanage?  Are their parents alive?  Please know that we don't think you are crazy for asking these questions . . . we wondered them right away as well - but after prayer and talking about it we feel this information is incredibly sensitive and private for Kebe and Asch.  For now we are not sharing with anyone as this is very personal for them.  We feel this will be their story to tell someday.  So as hard as it might be to not know this . . . we prayerfully ask you to support us in this decision.  Thank you:)  You are such dear friends and we would love to bring your along in our journey as much as possible and I pray you can understand the importance of this.


The next question is:  When are you bringing them home? (our kids are good with tomorrow!!  Probably a little bit of it has to do with Grandma is coming to stay with them while we are gone!)  We talked to our caseworker yesterday and we are hopeful it will be within 7 months.  Estimated travel for court is around 4 months and then we will travel within 1-2 months after coming home the first time.  So around Christmas time (December/January) . . . maybe before, maybe during, maybe afterwards?! :)  Either way - God is good all the time AND all the time God is good!!!!!


We are signing paperwork and getting a large referral check ready (twins changed the amount by quite a bit)!  We have their medical records at an international clinic in Chicago and thankful for their extra set of eyes!  After that is gone over and we have spoke with the doctor in goes the acceptance.  If you want to know our hearts though - there really isn't anything that can scare us away at this point.  God is showering - I mean pouring his peace all over this decision!  We know HIS will is far more important then any 'go ahead' by a doctor :)  Thankful to rest in HIS sovereignty on this situation!  


I was listening to 'Beautiful' by Mercy Me this morning.  I thought of these girls and I thought of how they are so treasured by our God, they are sacred to our God, before they even took a breath, LONG before the earth was made, They were the ones He was madly enough in love with . . . enough to die!!!  Thank you Jesus!  Praise God He is allowing us to parent two more little ones in HONOR of the kingdom!!  Thank you for letting us experience physical earthly adoption so that it can strengthen our understanding of Spiritual adoption!  We are so humbled . . .


Thank you friends for being so supportive over the last 22.5 months as we waited anxiously for our referral!  Now please pray the next 7ish months go at God speed . . . which is perfect speed!:)


We love you so much!
Neal & Kim, Cailer, Brock and Jaci Jo :)