We still do not
have our referral information, but we have agreed to accept two children. Again, we are not 100% certain, but let me
just share how the convo went down with the agency during our referral
interview. “Listen, we really need to know for sure if we’re getting two kids,
for financial purposes.” She replied, “My
job is to get these kids out of this orphanage as soon as possible, so I would
be insane to NOT give you two if that’s how many you are willing to accept.” So there it is. And my heart grew again, leaving a little
more empty space.
The referral
interview lasted more than an hour and resulted in a lot of changes to our
original plan. To make a long story
short, we went from expecting one child, 0-3, to two kids, 0-7. Typically, our agency doesn’t recommend
interrupting birth order, but we worked it out due to the dynamics and
personalities of our family and the kids we will be adopting. In other words, there’s a chance now that
Elijah’s little word will not be totally rocked by the addition of two babies
younger than him. And we will be able to
fill that gap between Kynady and Elijah, maybe.
Of course nothing is certain until we have officially accepted our
referral, but we’re open to whatever God has planned. As a result, two could become four, and we’re
ready.
To give you a
further update, our paperwork is still waiting signatures in IBESR (Haitian
Social Services), but things are moving.
We have joined a Facebook group with others adopting from Haiti, and we
rejoice every time a child comes home and every time a family moves from one
step to the next because that means our file is moving as well.
This wait is so
hard. It has been filled with so many
hills and valleys. There are times when
I get so exhausted from worrying and thinking about it that I have to release
it to God. It builds and builds and
builds, and then I am able to let it go. And then the process starts all over
again. I can’t explain the emptiness and
the constant battles within, but I will tell you that this process is making me
stronger. Isaiah 40:29-31 says, “He
gives strength to the weary and strengthens the powerless. Youth may faint and grow weary, and young men
stumble and fall, but those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength;
they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they
will walk and not faint.” I have never
felt so powerless in all my life, yet I have never felt the power of God so
strongly. I have never trusted God so
faithfully. Thank you, Lord, for your
blessings and your sovereignty. Wrap
your arms around our children. Give them
peace and let them know somehow that we are coming for them. If it’s your will, Lord, move our paperwork
through swiftly. Thank you Lord, thank
you for blessing us beyond measure.