Since my last post, over a month ago, we finished our dossier with our new agency (and it actually got sent to Ethiopia this time - touchdown was March 27th - whoo hoo), got on the wait list at #45 (we were #99 at our old agency - amazing movement forward), and we have been dazzled by God's amazing love, grace, mercy and perfect timing in ALL things ever since...
God is so good! I had a friend text me on the eve of our church fundraiser to raise money for our adoption traveling expenses last night saying simply, "Let God dazzle you!" I thought that was the perfect statement about what God is doing in our lives through this adoption journey. So many people showed up to offer their support to not only our family but also to our little one so far away. We were dazzled and so very grateful!! It was a great night indeed! JJ elected me to talk to everyone on behalf of our family about our story (God's story really). Sure, give the microphone to the panic attack sufferer - LOL! I had prayed so hard that my words would be the words God wanted me to utter, and I believe God was speaking through me that night. I was clear; I was able to speak of what was on my heart; I have never before been able to share so clearly what this call to adopt has meant to us in our faith walks, in our relationship with God, and in our deepened understanding of trusting in HIS timing and HIS perfect plans for our family. JJ even cried :) We stepped out on a limb with our faith in choosing to follow HIM in this way, and we have been dazzled. It hasn't all been razzle dazzle, but I really would not change a day of the last year and a half of our lives.
At 3:30 the day before our fundraiser, I got a phone call from our adoption agency. I was at work, so I could not answer the call. I called back a little while later, but our case worker was on the other line, so I had to leave a message. I must tell you; I knew something big was about to happen!! While on our way home that night, THE call came. We heard the sweet, dazzling words we longed to hear, "Sara and John, we have a referral for you!" Instant tears, and I fell to my knees. I think I heard every word she said, but I can't be sure. His name is Ashagre. He is 5 years old, and he is the most amazing sight... Beautiful with his big, doe-eyes and a smile that lights up the room. I wish I could show you a picture, but I can't publicly share his picture for privacy reasons. I have a few pics on my phone you can sneak a peak at, if you ever run into me out and about :)
We accepted the referral the same day as our fundraiser - so dazzling and amazing is God's timing of this. In fact, I announced our referral for the first time at our fundraiser - best.day.ever! Our case worker's mom was instrumental in putting together our church funraiser - so dazzling and amazing! A Zeeland Christian family (our kiddos' school) is at the very orphanage where our Ashagre is, and they have been able to send current pics of our little guy. Ashagre's referral picture is very grainy, and he was so malnourished then. You could just see the fear in this little guy's eyes. Daddy, are you ever going to come back?? Ashagre's story for a five year old is so sad to hear - breaks our hearts. We pray for a father that had to make the most awful choice - brings me to tears just to write it down. But, to see current pics of our little guy is so priceless, because you can really see what 3 square meals a day for 6 weeks can do - round little cheeks and a little less fear in his eyes. Ashagre will have a little piece of home just down the street from where we live (literally a few blocks away), not only because of the little girl this family is adopting but also because the dad became buddies with Ashagre the week they were there, and they had no idea of our referral - be dazzled!!! Thank you, God! I have also connected with a family that was at Ashagre's orphanage the day he was brought there. I got to hear that story and get a glimpse into our son's personality before we even meet him - be dazzled!
As you can see, our story has the hand prints of God all over it. Only God could have done such amazing things - all on behalf of one of the least of these in this world to have a forever home. That is love. We serve a God of love!!!!
From here, our paperwork gets submitted to birth mom court. This is where we need prayer warriors, not only praying for Ashagre but also praying for our paperwork to have smooth sailing from here on out. Our birth mom court date could happen any time, but the estimation is in June some time. After birth mom court, our paperwork gets submitted to court. This is the date that will bring us to Africa for the first time to see our little one face-to-face, and Ashagre will officially be ours!! That time frame is estimated at late July. The Ethiopian courts close for August and September, so we are praying for at least the first trip to happen before then, or we wait until October. God can and will dazzle us with the perfect timing of this, too. I am SURE of this! We have seen this perfect timing - it exists!! After court and seeing our precious bundle, we will go home for a few months and wait for the final court date appointment, at which time we will go to Africa to see our son and finalize his situation to come home - what a glorious day that will be. I know I will be DAZZLED then :)
We are trying to raise funds to go to Africa. Our hope is to raise at least $10,000, so we have created an on-line charity called Ten To Travel. If you feel like giving to us, it is via paypal and your credit card (secured site), please simply plug this address into the web, and it will take you right to our charity:
The site is very easy to maneuver. You can also read more about our adoption journey on this page, so just check it out!
At the very least, keep Ashagre and our family and the plight of so many orphans waiting for their forever families in your prayers, as that can also support in too many ways to count!
I pray that you are dazzled by catching a glimpse of our God's amazing love and perfect timing in your lives today and always! He is there every day; some days the dazzle is strong; some days you wonder if the dazzle is really there or ever was. We are testimony that if you look for God's dazzle, and you follow His call for your life, whatever that is, you WILL be dazzled, too!
BE DAZZLED!!!!!!!!!
