Adoption Update

We received word that the two families who received their referrals before us have received their court dates and will be traveling to Uganda soon.  Thankfully, one of the families will get to meet our daughter, and will be taking a care package to her from our family.

Although we still don't have a court date, we are anticipating traveling soon.  Once we receive a court date, we have very little time to get to Uganda.  The boys are feeling anxious about us being away from them for such an extended period of time.  Please keep them in your prayers.

We can't wait to meet our sweet angel.  The update that we received today said that she is now sitting up independently and she's eating soy porridge.  I wish we could share her picture and more specifics, but we are not allowed to do so on social media.  If you are around and ask to see her picture, I will be sure to share it with you.

Blessings,
Shana

To Elizabeth Rose on Easter

Dearest Elizabeth Rose,

Today was your very first Easter.  But you didn't get to come to church with us to celebrate the risen King.  There were no pretty dresses, and your Easter basket sat empty in our room.  Our hearts were heavy today because you weren't with us.  But sweet girl, we shared all about you with anyone willing to listen.  You were on our minds all day as we wondered what special things you might get to do with your nanny at the orphanage.  And we smiled, knowing that although this is your very first Easter, it is also your very last one without your mommy and daddy.  This time of waiting is hard for all of us, but God is preparing our hearts and our family and friends for something big.  Because you are amazing, sweet girl.  God has big plans for your life, and we can't wait to bring you home and see where He leads you.

We love you so very much,

Mommy and Daddy

...And We Have a Referral!!!

So our world fell apart on Friday, March 4th when we learned about the Ugandan adoption changes. On Monday, March 7th, I had a text on my phone to call Darin about a referral for a precious 8 month old girl (since that time, we have learned that she is actually seven months old).  Our agency contacted Darin first thing Monday morning with a referral, and explained that because of the recent passage of the Child Act Bill, agencies were rushing to match families with as many precious children as possible.  The hope is that families with a referral in hand will be grandfathered in under the old law if/when the president signs the bill.

We have been extremely busy since learning about our daughter.  Vaccinations (six apiece!), a phone conference with an amazing doctor from the international adoption medical center (who, by the way, believes our daughter to be one of the "healthier" children she has seen from Uganda), travel plans (we will be traveling for a minimum of eight weeks) and more paperwork...

Although the doctor shared that she believes that our daughter is extremely healthy, we decided to sign our paperwork committing to her prior to the doctor's review of her medical records.  A risk, for sure.  But we believe that God chose this little girl for us, and nothing that is deemed "wrong" according to medical standards will deter us from adopting her.

Our paperwork has been filed in Uganda, petitioning the courts for adoption.  So now we wait.  And it is agonizing.  It's so hard to trust others to care for our daughter each day until we can bring her home.  But ultimately, every thought of our daughter brings our hearts to God and causes us to put more and more trust in Him to care for her.

Please pray for our precious daughter, for her nanny and other caretakers, for all of the orphans of the world, and for God's continuous provision for our adoption.  We are hopeful that we will receive the grant that we applied for in February.  We are praying that the Ugandan courts will find favor with our family and that we will be able to travel to bring her home soon.  And we trust that God will meet all of our needs.