Wednesday, April 25, 2012

REFERRAL!!!!!!!!:):):)

**Disclaimer: this post was written yesterday through out the day when I had a moments to sit down and type, and LATE at night lastnight. I'm sure it doesn't flow and I didn't proof read it. SO - bare with me and ignore the typos.:)

Oh, my goodness. You have no idea how my heart and head are reeling with excitement, joy, anticipation, and just a million other thoughts and emotions. To write the title REFERRAL, a mere 5 DAYS after our paperwork was shipped to Ethiopia is completely UNREAL to Eric and I!!! Our paperwork, (also known as dossier) JUST arrived in Ethiopia today. ITS CRAZY!!!

So lets tell the story:):):)

Yesterday afternoon, at 2:30ish, I was on the phone with a dear friend when I saw a call come in from Virginia. I told Lindsay I should probably take it, and switched over to the incoming call. I have NO idea why, but the instant I saw the number, even though I wasn't POSITIVE it was from America World, our agency, I just had this hunch. I knew enough from other stories from other families that AW doesn't call you unless its something BIG. Big like referral big. My heart started pounding before I even said hi.

And it was LuLu, our Family Coordinator. She asked how I was doing and then ask me to remind her of our age range and child request. I reminded her of it and she said, (heart is pounding even harder at this point) "Welllll, we have a sibling set that has become available and the oldest is a little older than your age range, but because siblings are so few this days, we wanted to check to see if you would be interesting in viewing their file." OH MY GOODNESS!!!! I was COMPLETELY shocked and immediately burst into tears!!!! I think I blubbered something, "Are you serious???? We just sent our paperwork LAST week?? Are you really serious?!???"

LuLu went on to tell me that the referral included a 7 1/2 year old girl and a 3 1/2 year old boy. Our request was up to age 6, but we are approved by our social worker up to age 7. Here's the thing though - I couldn't tell LuLu that YES WE WANT TO VIEW THEIR FILE because Eric was flying that day. Literally, at the moment of our referral phone call, Eric was up in the air flying around the US with absolutely NO WAY to get ahold of him. And I knew he was going to land after AW had closed for the day. UGH!!!!

LuLu and I talked for another 10-15 minutes and I got of the phone and jumped our my bedroom, FREAKIN out but the whole time, SO bummed I couldn't tell or call anyone until Eric knew and that was going to be another 4 hours!!! AHHHHH!!!!

Britt woke up from her nap about 15 minutes later and we immediately left to run errands so I could just do SOMETHING instead of sitting around at the house waiting for Eric to land. I kept going over and over in my head how I was going to tell Eric, but would always come up with something different. I wondered if he would agree right away to view the file or if he would need time to process and seek the Lord since the referral was older than what we had requested. I just kept telling the Lord that my hope was in Him and asked for unity between Eric and I, regardless of what he felt or thought.

FINALLY Eric called at 5:30 to tell me he was on his way home and I just said, "Drive fast." Of course he questioned why but I wouldn't tell him.:) He told me later he had an idea it was our referral call so he had a little time to prepare himself on the 15 drive home.:)

Britt and I were waiting in the driveway when he pulled in and I just squealed and blurted out "We got our REFERRAL CALL!!!!" the instant he got out of the car. I think I sent him into shock, which I was well aware I would probably do. And I had had 4 hours to process it and Eric needs time. Lots of time to process.

So we had about 20 minutes to talk through what LuLu had told me before we had to bolt out the door to go to Community Group, our group of friends who we have been meeting with every week for the past 2 years. The whole car ride down we just talked and processed, laughed and looked at each other in disbelief. The whole thing is crazy! We thought for sure we would wait MONTHS before getting our referral. We thought for sure we would only get one child even though we wanted two, just because young sibling sets are rarely available. We thought for sure we were so far off from all of this but that wasn't the Lords plan and boy, was I okay with it.:)

I couldn't sleep lastnight I was too excited. I think I might have gotten 6 hours haha. And as I write, all I've had to eat are two eggs and two cups of coffee. And its 3:30pm. At some point I know I'll crash, but I'm JUST SO EXCITED!!!!!:):):):) I woke up at 6:30 this morning with no chance of going back to sleep so I just grabbed my Bible and spent time talking to Jesus about what the heck was going on and how I trust Him, and even in my excitement that I wanted to make sure HE was the center, not Eric or I, or even our new kids. Eric was going to go into work for a meeting but would be back around 8:30 when AW would be open and we would most likely get to talk to LuLu and see the files of our kids.

And about 9:30ish, we got our official referral call from LuLu, giving us the details of their ages, when they came to the orphanage, medical history, and their personal interviews. She emailed us their pictures.... um, THEY ARE SO ADORABLE I AM HEAD OVER HEELS. they are so so precious and in the same breath over and over today I have said that I cannot wait to be their mommy but please Lord begin to prepare me to enter into the pain and brokenness they have experienced and will experience in coming into our home. As excited as I am to have seen their faces today, I am made so aware that this is NOT has it was meant to be. But praise Jesus for His redeeming love and grace in my life and in the lives our our two new children.

SO.  We will call them "Miss F" and "Mr. K" only because I'm unsure as to what we are allowed to share with you via the internet.:) Miss F is 7 1/2 years old and has the biggest smile on earth. She is precious and completely dotes on her brother in the pictures that we were sent. Mr. K is so stinkin' yummy I want to eat him!!! He has the LONGEST eyelashes and we are told LOVES to dance!:) I think Britt will be an immediate fan of that!

We are shocked, excited, overwhelmed and just thrilled to know that the Lord has been preparing us and them to become a family. There are a ton more details but I haven't even process it all. We are so thankful for YOU though as we know you have prayed us through this process and will continue to do so. We still need you desperately!!!!!:) Thank you for loving us so well and so completely - it is so humbling how well you have supported us through this journey. We love and cherish you all.

And please leave comments!!! We want our kids to see others love and excitement for them!!!

24 comments:

jetjrfhth said...

Wow!! We are praising the LORD with you and so excited for this path He is taking your family on! I was just thinking about you guys today--and now I know why! Thank you for sharing about your experience. May the LORD continue to shine His face on the FIVE of you as He draws you all together in His perfect plan!! Praying!

ariana said...

WOW!!! That is a fantastic story. My first thought was Jesus if they get these kids I totally get to meet them and be in their life a little bit before one us ups and leaves. Gosh Jesus is so good to love these children and give them a home with the Millers. I know that no matter who your children are that you will always put Christ at the center of your family. I admire you an eric so much for being obedient to the Lord throughout this whole process and just remembering all that they have gone through despite your excitement to have them. I will pray for their sweet hearts and that Jesus continue to carry you all throughout this magnificent time! My heart is so overjoyed!!! Love you guys!

ariana said...

WOW!!! That is a fantastic story. My first thought was Jesus if they get these kids I totally get to meet them and be in their life a little bit before one us ups and leaves. Gosh Jesus is so good to love these children and give them a home with the Millers. I know that no matter who your children are that you will always put Christ at the center of your family. I admire you an eric so much for being obedient to the Lord throughout this whole process and just remembering all that they have gone through despite your excitement to have them. I will pray for their sweet hearts and that Jesus continue to carry you all throughout this magnificent time! My heart is so overjoyed!!! Love you guys!

Sam said...

This is absolutely wonderful! Long before God let you know that this would be your family, HE knew and planned for and loved you ALL. How calming to know that even though all 5 of your lives will be going through so much change, God was and is and will always remain unchanged. He loves these children so much and you've already loved them in your hearts...now you get to love them face to face! So excited for you and Eric! Love you!!

Sarah Spitser said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Sarah Spitser said...

Seriously I can NOT get over the fact that we were talking just FOUR days ago about how the paperwork was still on its way and wouldn't be getting to Ethiopia until later in the week... how you didn't expect to hear anything for several MONTHS... how you really doubted that a sibling set would become available... and NOW LOOK WHERE Y'ALL ARE! :D

God is so AWESOME and His timing and planning is so amazing!!! I KNOW that these two precious children will have a remarkable life with you and Eric as their parents! I can't wait to meet them and see how God blesses each and every one of you (as well as all of us who have the PLEASURE to walk alongside)

Your friendship means the WORLD to me and I'm so full of JOY that God answered your prayers in such a HUGE way! I pray for the upcoming steps to get these kiddos home, for you and Eric adjusting to being parents of 3, and Britt being a sister.

Sarah Cole said...

I am so excited with you!!! i cannot wait to meet little miss f and mister k. they are so blessed that they get to have you and eric and britt as their family. i was tearing up reading your post. there are so many overwhelming emotions to process - the sadness of them leaving their home country and their birth mom, and also the excitement and happiness of a new and better life here. i'm so excited that these two will have the chance to know jesus, where as they might not have in ethiopia. you guys are already great parents and i know you'll be wonderful parents to these two. i cannot wait to have them in our family and know them! i'm so proud of you for your trust in god through all this. i'm so stinkin happy for you! love you so much!

Becky Lucas said...

I could not be more excited! I am reading your story at work...and am now crying...so everyone is asking "why", of course. I get to tell them of God's goodness, faithfullness, and perfect timing! This family of five was in His plan all along and is already giving Him glory together!! Congrats to all. I will continue to pray for you and to thank Him!! Your family is such a delight to His heart!

Kristen said...

LOVE LOVE LOVE! How cool and awesome and an answer to so many prayers. Adoption is so very much God's heart- I am excited and encouraged by your steps of faith and willingness to enter into the brokenness. These children will be so blessed and so will you and Eric and Brit. Praying already for the transition, for your hearts and theirs. Amen sister!!!

Christine Fontaine said...

WOW!! SO exciting! I cried as I read your story...thank you for sharing it! The Lord is so faithful. What an amazing testimony of your obedience in caring for His children! May He bless you and keep you in His will through out all of this.

Dawn said...

I can't wait to be blessed to be Mema to more of God's precious ones! Keep the updates coming and the prayers are still flowing. God is Good!

Lorelei said...

What an amazing testament to God's faithfulness to us! & how incredibly amazing it must feel to be blessed with not just one but THREE of God's children! Such an encouraging message. My eyes watered as I read this story while holding our little one. My heart overflows with excitement & joy for you both! You all will be in our prayers as you embark on the beginning of this new journey. Not only are you blessings to your two beautiful new babies but to those around you as well!

Jessamyn said...

Hi Anna! I know I don't know you well, but when I saw this I was just beyond excited for your family! I'm so happy God is so good and let this happen so quickly! I housesat/babysat for some Ethiopian girls (sisters) that were adopted about 3 years ago (at 4 and 6) and they have had a great experience here. Actually, when they first got here they were a bit crazy with all they had been through, but as they got acclimated and learned to speak English, they really thrived…and then started talking about their third sister there who was still living alone (11 yr old) in a hut. This was of course unknown before by their adoptive parents, so soon after they went and adopted the third sister and now they are all reunited…they are an awesome family and it's so exciting to hear about this happening to yours, too! I'll be praying for a smooth transition and that you guys learn to love the berbere spice they're so fond of!

Whitney Wills said...

Anna,

I am so excited for you! I saw the link on Facebook and starting to tear up immediately. I read your post and started crying. Our God is so good! Michael and I have talked about how much we admire the way that you and Eric are choosing to grow your family. Miss "F" and Mr. "K" are so blessed to have you two as parents and Britt as their sister. I am so joyful that we get to be stationed in Oklahoma together just so we can watch your family blossom. I am beyond words ecstatic to get to meet your new babies!

Sam said...

I am so excited for you guys! I totally can't wait to meet the new little ones! And I'm sure Britt will be excited to have siblings to run around with and play with.

Andrea Coleman said...

OMG. I feel overwhelmed (in a good way!!) from simply reading this! PRAISE JESUS one, for answering prayer so quickly, and above and beyond what you could have asked or hoped, and two, for giving you all this amazing opportunity!! I CANNOT wait to get to see and meet them and love on them. :) So, so happy for you 3 and for what lies ahead for your soon to be family of 5!! Love you all so much!

Katrina said...

Yea!!!! Loved, loved, loved this entry! Thanks for sharing all your emotions and excitement!!! I can't wait to learn more about them and see their precious faces. Praise God for your willingness to be obedient, so He can get these kiddos to their mom, dad, and sissy!!

A said...

Great News! Loved reading about it - thanks for sharing :)

Pamela Cubas said...

Yeah!!!! We are so far away but thanks to Facebook we have been excited to watch this process you all have been going through. God is good and his timing and plans are always better and more than we could ever imagine. Can't wait to see their beautiful faces and we will continue to pray for the process, we know that Satan does not like when another family honors the Lord. We love you all and PLEASE keep us informed.

God bless your beautiful family,
Cubas'

kk said...

wow. this is a dream of mine and i LOVE seeing others wanting to adopt African kids too!! soo exciting. thanks for keeping everyone updated!! it's beautiful that they're a bit older and get to enter into such a caring family :) just prayed for y'all and can't wait to see how the rest unfolds! katherine ross

danielle said...

this news made my week! i don't even know what to do with this feeling of excitement and joy for you that i have started to even tell my friends and colleagues that have never met you ;) i can't wait to meet our newest niece and nephew! i know there are so many uncertainties in these children's lives right now and it gives me such happiness and comfort to know something that is absolutely certain: that they could not have have been matched with a more loving family than the one they've got in you! we love you all so much and are thrilled to be a part of your lives.

The Nolls said...

SO exited for you guys, Anna and Eric and Brit! Praise God! I just arrived home from Ethiopia last night, and this news is such a blessing to see. I spent a lot of time at our agency's transition house, and I LOVED being with the bigger kids - what a joy!! I know these precious ones will add to your lives in rich and wonderful ways. So thrilled for you guys!

L said...

Well I am just in tears after reading your post. We are so excited for you guys!!! and will be keeping your family of 5 in our prayers. Very excited to follow your wonderful story. God is so sweet and His plan so amazing!

Mandy Rose said...

Just found your blog after Sara Spitser commented on my blog leaving your URL. What a wonderful story! We, too, are adopting internationally {Philippines} and it is so nice to connect with others who are going through the same thing! Great job on being faithful and obedient to God and CONGRATULATIONS on your 2 new children! I can't wait to read more!