"In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps." Proverbs 16:9

Saturday, October 9, 2010

REFERRAL!!!!!


"I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of Him." 1 Samuel 1:27

WE GOT THE CALL!!! We received our referral yesterday for the most gorgeous 15 month old baby boy!!! He is just adorable, and we are so in love with him already!

We could not have been more shocked or surprised when our phone call came yesterday evening. Just 24 hours earlier, after I had spoken with our family coordinator, I was crying tears of frustration and discouragement. I was overwhelmed in that moment at how emotionally draining the waiting had become. I was telling Charlie how I didn't think I was strong enough to keep going and begging God to equip my heart for the toll this journey was taking on me. In that moment of weakness, there was a precious baby boy halfway around the world getting ready to be introduced to his mama for the very first time!!

We had been invited by some local adoption friends to meet at an Ethiopian restaurant for dinner last night, so around 5:00 the girls and I were upstairs getting ready to leave. Charlie was downstairs in our office finishing up some last minute work. When the phone rang, I thought absolutely nothing of it. In fact, when I heard Charlie say, "Laura, its a 703 call!! (the area code for our adoption agency)" I completely thought he was kidding. I looked up at the clock, saw that it was 5:13 pm, and knew most definitely that my dear husband was playing an awfully mean joke! I continued to get the girls ready like nothing was going on. I even heard him say, "Is this our referral call?" and still I thought he was kidding! I couldn't believe he was taking it that far, but I was still convinced it was a joke. When I did finally come downstairs, I saw that he was crying and he said, "I'm going to hand Laura the phone now and I'll go get another one so we can both listen in." OH. MY. GOODNESS. This was actually it! Our call!!!!

Our family coordinator began telling us about this most beautiful baby boy, but I was crying and laughing so much, I'm not sure much of what she said was even registering! I remember at one point saying, "Are you going to e-mail this information to us because there is no way I'll remember everything you're telling us!" Charlie, although quite emotional, kept such a wonderful presence of mind. He though to ask all kinds of great questions. I, on the other hand, was just an emotional mess and totally in a state of disbelief. Our oldest daughter said later, "Mom, you just kept saying, 'Oh my gosh,' through that whole phone call, and we're not even supposed to say that!"

After we hung up the phone, we were in the greatest state of shock. Did that really just happen?!? We have a son?!? Within just a minute, we received our referral e-mail. We called the girls in with us and all sat down together to see our baby's face for the first time. I don't know that there are even words to describe the emotions of finally seeing the child God has chosen for your family. Twelve months and three days of waiting, praying, dreaming, imaging, hoping... all for this moment! There were lots of tears, lots of laughter, and lots of love. We knew immediately that this was our child. What an amazing moment that we will always cherish!

The most fun part of the evening came when we had the privilege to call our closest family and friends to share the news!! Most of them rushed right over, and within just a few minutes our house was filled with family and friends, all hugging, crying, and marveling over this most amazing gift we had been given. This sweet boy is already so loved and we are so blessed to be surrounded by such amazing support! We love all of you who made this day so incredibly special for us!

I didn't sleep much at all last night. I kept staring at his adorable pictures, memorizing every small detail, and dreaming of our future with him. My head is still spinning this morning, trying to grasp the realities of it all. WE HAVE A SON!!! I am just in awe at this gift God has given us.

I wish so much that we could share his pictures with you. He is just darling! He has the most adorable smile, gorgeous eyes, beautiful lips and the cutest curly brown hair!! We know that you will fall in love with him too when you see him! Unfortunately, we can't post any pictures of him until we pass court in Ethiopia and he becomes legally and officially ours. For now, you'll just have to take our word for it!

Thank you so much for all of your prayers that have gotten us through so far! Please continue to pray for our family as we are now anxiously awaiting a court date in Ethiopia. Please pray specifically for our son that his heart will be open to accepting us as his family, that he is being well loved and cared for in our agency's transition home, and that he will continue to be healthy and happy. Thank you all so much!

10 comments:

  1. Oh my goodness!!!! last night I became worried about you guys when you didnt come! I was thinking "i wish i had her number so i can call" i saw on my blog that you had a new post. when i read "referral" my heart did this little jump thingy. i started crying as i read your post! i am sooo excited for you guys!!!! its funny because this morning i told adam (my husband)I really wish we had another family that had a son the same age as Zek that is Ethiopian so they could grow up together. well your son is just a tiny bit older than zek and you live so close! enjoy this feeling. it is like no other....I am sooo super duper excited for you!!!!!!! yippeeeeee!!!!!

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  2. I'm so excited! I can't wait to meet him! He's not much younger than Reid---I'm sure they'll be pals! :)

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  3. Congratulations!! I was so happy to see your referral message yesterday. It was a perfect ending to an amazing day at AWAA. We travel at the end of the month for our November 4 court date. Let me know if I can take anything for you :)

    Robyn

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  4. Love Love Love You!!! I was so happy to be able to come over and share in your excitement! Can't wait for your beautiful son to join us!!! You guys are so precious to us! We love you!

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  5. So excited for your family! I love your post! I can't wait for that day. I remember the day of our Maliah's call like yesterday. It truly is surreal. I await your court passing so we can all marvel at his precious face. Until then, I pray for a quick court date, passing the first time and for your family as you prepare for his arrival. Congratulations!

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  6. I am so extremely happy for your family! I know how much you have been going through while waiting, no one thinks how stressful that can be. I cried while reading your blog! You are such a deserving family and the joy of a new baby is such a wonderful gift. I will keep your family in my prayers as you get closer to your court date and bringing your son home. Congratulations and lots of love!!!

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  7. Laura! That is SO exciting. I can't wait to meet him - I bet he and my Little Man will get along so well :)

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  8. Hope this doesn't post twice.....just tried and it disappeared into thin air!
    Trying again......

    I am SO EXCITED for you guys! I cannot imagine staring into the very face of the child that God hand picked for you to love forever! Continue to enjoy his photos ~ can't WAIT to see pics of him in your arms! Prayers are being extended...

    p.s.....how FUN that you were wearing the tee you bought from us when you got the call!!!!

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