Waiting Game January 31, 2007

It’s just hard to wait. It’s hard to wait on something that you want so badly and have no control over. It’s hard to have a child thousands of miles away and him be so young and vulnerable. I have been a bit discouraged lately because things, although progressing, are not progressing at a rate that I would push them to. For those of you who really know me, there isn’t much dust that settles on my feet, so this uncontrolled waiting is really testing me (not to mention my 8 year old doing a good job at that too!) We received measurement/medical updates today, but no pictures. Those should follow soon. Lucas seems to be growing well, although he is still so small. At 3 months he is just 10 pounds. Compare that to my Reagan who was 9 lbs at birth and that seems small. Continue to cover him in prayer. I know that our Lord is sovereign and has Lucas and our adoption is in His mighty hand. He is able to complete this.

For those of you who know Gabi Yeomans from RC please be in prayer for her. She is not doing very well. Her family has set up a caringbridge site for her to keep you updated. www.caringbridge.org/visit/gabiyeomans

Happy 3 months Little Man! January 26, 2007

I can’t believe that we have known about Lucas for 3 months now! He is changing and growing up without us! Join us in our prayer that he feels the Love of Christ daily even when we are not able to tell him or love on him. We love and miss him even though we’ve not officially met.

We have a court appointment! January 25, 2007

I just got word that we have a court date or appointment on February 6 at 9:30. It is really more of an appointment than a court date. When I think of court date I think of a courtroom and judges. This is not the case. It is simply an interview by the social worker and a review of our case. We were hoping that this would have been a bit sooner, but trusting God in His sovereignty. It’s hard to remember that He is in control of everything when you want something so badly and you know it is for everyone’s best interest. Last week we finally got the paperwork that proves that our DNA was a match. It had a picture of Lucas and his birthmom, which brought up mixed emotions. I am so thankful that the Lord brought us to Guatemala to find our son, but know that one day Lucas will wonder why Blanca didn’t “want him”. He already looks so big and is getting chunky! It was nice to get a newer picture of him. We should get new pictures and weight updates early next week. I can’t wait to see our little man! Thanks for all your support and prayers. Please continue to pray for our finances and for the grants that we have applied to.

DNA a match!! January 18, 2007

We just got word that our DNA test was a match. This means that Blanca is the birthmom and that we can now proceed with the adoption. The DNA results will be sent to us and to the US Embassy in Guatemala for them to issue Preapproval. Our caseworker and facilitator think that the Guatemalan social worker is still on vacation (they take extended vacations around the holidays) and will be back next week. Please contiue to pray about that and thank the Father that our DNA came back positive!! What a great way to start this dreary icy day! One baby step closer to Bringing Lucas Home!!

Update on DNA testing January 7, 2007

Just wanted you all to know that we got a call from our adoption supervisor on Saturday. She said that everything went well on Friday with the DNA test. That would mean that Blanca came, signed the reliquishment papers and got the DNA sample taken. Now we just wait to hear that the DNA is a match! Thank you so much for your prayers and support. We know that God hears the prayers of the righteous and felt that on Friday as we had a peace about it all day. We were so pleasantly surprised that we heard from our agency on Saturday too! What a blessing! I can’t wait to see what else God has in store for our family and for Lucas! I’ll let you know when we get a positive match on the DNA!

PLEASE PRAY!! January 5, 2007

We found out yesterday (1/4) that TODAY (1/5) at 11:00 am Lucas will have his DNA test done. This is the appointment where his birthmom has to show up, hold Lucas (and have their picture taken together), both get DNA taken, and then she must sign relinquishment papers again (I think this is time number 3 out of 4). Please join us in prayer that Blanca, the birthmom, shows up, that she signs the papers, and that the DNA is a match. (if the DNA is not a match that means that she is not the birthmom and our adoption of Lucas would most likely be over). We will find out next week when our family court date is. At this appointment a social worker interviews the birthmom then writes a report approving the adoption and stating that the birthmom was not coerced to give her baby up, etc. This is much like our homestudy process here in the US. Join us in believing that this will go well and all will turn out positively! I know this would be a difficult step for the birthmom having to hold the baby and get their picture taken. Please pray that Blanca does the right thing and that she feels peace about her decision. Pray blessings over her and her situation. All we know is that she is 18 and unmarried.

I also wanted to include this devotion that was send by a member of our church. It is touching and pertains to all who are adopted into the kingdom of God!

“He predestined us to adoption as Sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will to the praise of the Glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us
in the Beloved.” Ephesians 1:5-6

Personal note:
Of course Paul is talking about all of us who are born again when he uses the word “Sons”.

The word ADOPTION (emphasis mine) is the important part. In the time that the above verses were written, the Roman Empire was in charge of the known world. The Roman system of adoption was very strict: If one of your blood children did something very bad, he could
be disowned by his parents, but one who had been adopted could NEVER be disowned, because He had Been CHOSEN. The blood child was not chosen, but the adopted child had been
chosen. Therefore, because he was adopted, he could NEVER be disowned, because he had been CHOSEN. You can never be disowned from the Father, because you were chosen. Now aren’t you something!

Happy New Year! January 3, 2007

Can you believe that we are into 2007 already. I am thrilled about what the Lord is going to do in our lives in 2007. I can’t imagine all that He has planned for us. Tim and I wanted to tell you all how much we appreciate your support and prayers. We know that Lucas will come home to us and that our transition will be a smooth one. We set some goals for the year and one is to pay off any debt from the adoption by the years end! We realize that is a pretty big goal, but that we have a pretty big GOD too! We also set some goals for our family, and spiritual growth. I hope that you did the same. We’ll never get any better if we don’t try.