one big answered prayer!

Well friends,
We got an exciting email from our agency last evening..... {drum roll, please.....}

WE GOT APPROVAL TO GET BABY R'S BIRTH CERTIFICATE!!!

So that is one HUGE answer to prayer! We are one step closer to bringing him home!

But it also means that we really need to get a referral for our little girl VERY soon. We don't want to delay his adoption. And obviously want to have him (and our daughter) home with us as soon as possible.

We got an email from our agency on December 27th telling us about a little girl that should be paperwork ready soon. It was not exactly what we've been praying and hoping for (an official referral), but it is SO close!

Would you please PRAY with us that our agency would receive the medical, abandonment decree, AND birth certificate for this little girl (or whichever little girl the Lord has for us) by next Friday?? That would be the most AMAZING 5th wedding anniversary gift I can imagine!!!! {Yep, that's right- our 5th Anniversary is next Friday.} I know it sounds like a huge request, but nothing is impossible for God. And we don't want to not receive this great gift from Him because we have not asked Him for it.

" Give ear to my words, O LORD;
   consider my groaning.
² Give attention to the sound of my cry,
   my King and my God,
   for to you do I pray.
³ O LORD, in the morning you hear my voice;
   in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you^[a] and watch.
 ⁴ For you are not a God who delights in wickedness;
   evil may not dwell with you.
¹¹ But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;
   let them ever sing for joy,
and spread your protection over them,
   that those who love your name may exult in you.
¹² For you bless the righteous, O LORD;
   you cover him with favor as with a shield."
Psalm 5:1-4, 11-12

Next stop after we get our official referral for our daughter???
COURT!
To officially adopt both of our children! To legally become their PARENTS!
I mean seriously, I can hardly believe it as I type this out. Thank you Lord! Help- me to cling to and trust in your Sovereign plans for our family! That they are for our good and YOUR glory! And help me to have faith to believe in Your plans, even when Your ways are so much higher than our ways that we can't fathom what you're doing. I PRAISE you Jesus, that Your grace is sufficient for me and that Your power is made perfect in weakness (2 Cor. 12:9).

Rejoicing & Praying Expectantly,