How It All Happened
Well, before Chris left for his 2 week trip to East Asia, we got to attend a reception for all area families adopting from Ethiopia to meet our social worker who lives in Kentucky. We were excited to meet her face to face and fellowship with other families on the same path as us! She was wonderful, which we already knew, and she told us that even though we were number 6, we were number 2 on the boy wait list. We were thrilled! While Chris was gone, we got the official update for the month of October and we didn’t move-still number 6. Part of me was discouraged, BUT I knew we were unofficially number 2, so I was clinging to that knowledge. Over the next few weeks, my heart became more and more heavy for Haven. I cried and became more angry about why in the world we have waited 2 and ½ years. It seems so ridiculous when we know there are thousands of orphans looking for a forever home and we desperately want to provide one for them. God and I had a lot of talks, and I’m so glad he puts up with us and loves us and can take our anger and frustration.
I was in Mississippi last week with Story. On Friday, I was getting ready to head home. We stopped by my mother-in-law’s house to visit before we got on the road. My phone rang. I didn’t recognize the number and since I was not even considering we could possibly be getting a referral right now, I ignored the call. I took Story outside to play and left my cell phone inside. Chris tried to call, but I was outside. He called his mom’s cell and asked to speak to me. I said, “Hey Babe”. He said, “ANSWER YOUR PHONE, THEY ARE TRYING TO GIVE US OUR REFERRAL”! And from there it’s pretty much a blur. My mother-in-law knew just what to do. She grabbed Story and asked if I needed a computer. We got all of us on the phone together and our social worker sent us pictures and told us everything they know about our Haven. I heard maybe half of what she said. Story was sitting in front of me staring at the computer and looking at the sweet pictures of her baby brother. Chris’s grandmother walked in and Story looked up from the computer and said, “Haven is a baby brother!” Then I lost it!
This moment we have waited for is finally happening. The 2 and ½ year wait was so worth it. And to think, Haven wasn’t even born yet! Chris was a wreck and overwhelmed with joy and excitement as well. Chris has always said he felt like Haven was a boy, but he really felt like Haven would be a toddler. In fact, we so strongly felt like Haven wouldn’t be a little baby that we sold all our baby stuff in our last garage sale fundraiser this summer. So funny! We just never imagined that we would be back in the little baby stage, but we are so thrilled about it!!!
Story and I got back to Alabama Friday night and Chris and I began processing and talking about things. Chris got Story a framed picture of Haven to keep on her bedside table. Friday night, I went in to cover her up again before I laid down for sleep. Story had that frame on her pillow with her cheek pressed on it. She has been taking it with her everywhere we go. She is one proud big sister!
We hope to hear about a court date in the next few weeks and are praying hard that Haven can be home with us by the end of the year. Please pray along with us and praise God with us for his beautiful grace, unconditional love, and provision.
We will gladly be accepting donations for the following needs, so please check your garages and attics and see what you might want to get rid of: baby boy clothes, car seat, swing, blue or neutral color crib sheets and blankets (all of ours are pink), and anything else you think we might need.
Thank you for being a part of this long journey with us. We cannot wait to get Haven here and introduce him to our incredible community of friends and family!