Wasn't this an adoption blog???

Some readers may remember that we started this blog when we were first submitting our adoption paperwork and Tyler was just coming down to live with us. We haven't blogged about the adoption for a while, not because nothing was happening but putting things in writing just makes our hopes get higher. So here is the story that's been going on for months.

The adoption agency we were with, CHSFS, is a great agency that many of our friends have used and had great success with. They have an amazing care center where the children are loved dearly and I believe they have completed the most Ethiopian adoptions of any US agency. For these reasons, CHSFS has also become one of the most popular agencies. When we found out Maci was arriving, we were under the impression that we would be back on the list as soon as she was born and could bring home children once she was one. Well...apparently we miscommunicated because this was NOT the case. This news hit in January and we prayed and thought about our options. Our social worker gave us other agencies to look into, but after a few weeks we settled on the fact that we may have to wait up to three more years to finally bring our children home.

One of the agencies we talked to is a local, Christian organization called Celebrate Children International (CCI). We had a great talk with the Ethiopian Director. She has a huge heart for the orphans of Ethiopia and has done amazing work to build their program. She had many older children, which broke our heart because we were open to a child up to three.

Now comes the most recent and exciting news. The CCI Director was in Ethiopia and found lots of children that were in desperate need of homes immediately. AND THEN IT CAME! Pictures of a beautiful 15 month old boy, T%&@$#@% (you'll find out later)...or as I call him, MY SON. We've been waiting rather impatiently for his medical records and they came today. He is in great health and tomorrow we will officially sign our referral for his adoption. Another great blessing is that CHSFS was willing to give us 88% (unheard of) of our money back which covers all of our CCI payments except for travel. Lindsey has worked feverishly to recollect all of our dossier paperwork and we will hopefully be ready to submit this soon. We hope to travel this summer and once we pass court in Ethiopia we can post his cuteness and tell you all his name.

It's crazy how God has worked this out and is so far from OUR original plan. I'm sure we sound pretty crazy to be taking on another child so soon after Maci arrived, but we really feel confident that God has worked in this situation. No matter how overwhelming it seems, we know it only strengthens our dependence on Him. We are excited and can't wait for everyone to meet T.

Side note: CCI has many children in need, so if you are thinking of adopting CHECK EM OUT!