Sunday, September 20, 2009

How it all Started

Just to catch everyone up on how we have gotten to this place in our life. Bruce and I met in 1997 on a mission project at an orphanage in Romania. Since that time, both of us have had a heart for adoption and the least of these as described in JAMES 1:27. We married in 1999 and had our first child in 2000 (our sweet, precious Abigail). In 2001 God called us to adopt. After a year and a half in the adoption process we brought Nathan, our son, home from Russia in May 2003. In 2004, God was calling us to adopt stateside this time. The baby was supposed to be born on June 15, 2004, but 2 weeks before he was born our adoption fell through. Once again in 2005, we felt the calling to adopt and started down the adoption road but it did not materialize at that time. In 2007, we still felt God's calling to adopt but we did not get very far in the process. Since both of us are full time teachers, we were unable to generate enough financial resources to cover the cost of adoption and we ran into another roadblock.

God is always very clear and His timing is always perfect. In November 2008, our daughter who had been praying for a little sister for over 2 years looked at me and said "Mom there are so many children in the world that don't have mommys to hug them when they are hurt or bake them a cake when it is their birthday," she looked me right in the eyes and said, "MOM YOU CAN DO THAT!" We knew God was speaking directly to us about adoption through our own child. This time we felt God calling us to China and specifically to Hong Kong. We called Bethany Christian Adoption Services and got the process rolling. We still did not see how we were going to pay for the adoption but we spent a lot of time in prayer and believed that God would provide if it was His will. God is always faithful and has guided every step of the way. Every time we needed a payment or had to meet a specific demand we had just the right amount of resources because of o
ur incredible church and school community. They have been so supportive and enabled us to move forward with this adoption and get one step closer to bringing our daughter home.

Our Home Study was completed in February 2009 and our Dossier papers were sent to Hong Kong in March. Hong Kong came back with a few more questions in June. All of those questions have been answered and as of September 3rd we are officially on the waiting list. Hong Kong has all special needs children so it could be as early as tomorrow or 2 years from now we are matched with our daughter. We have been praying for a little girl around 3 to 5 years old and would covet your prayers as you partner with us. Please join us on the journey as we pray and wait, wait and pray for our little girl. To God alone be the glory, PRAISE JESUS!

5 comments:

  1. Shelley,
    I love your blog! Good job! I saw that Mary Sue Curtis sent out an email letting people know about this, so more people to pray!

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  2. Shelley and Bruce I am praying daily for the two of you. Love you so much! Rhonda

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  3. Sending love and prayers your way!
    Amy

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  4. Ryan and I would be honored to pray for this little gift....can not wait to pray alongside of you until she is home. much love!

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  5. Can't wait!! We are so glad to have this resource but you will be kind to remind me of the address as time goes by. You all are dear to us!!

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