Thursday, August 30, 2012

GET OUT OF HERE! Announcing our long-awaited referral!


First, we scrapped our original plans for Friday night, and headed out to our favorite Indian restaurant to celebrate! Then after we received our package of acceptance paperwork, we got busy with our pens.  One of Peter's finer qualities is his willingness to dive head-first into government forms. 

* * * * * * * * * * *

YES!  It finally happened!  I am so, so happy to announce that today we sent out a giant sheaf of paperwork to officially accept the referral of our next daughter!

(After 3 years and 5 months of waiting, I can't believe I just typed that!)

And the title of this post is really, truly what I said when Jynger, our agency's India program director, called us.  I was taken completely by surprise, because earlier in the week we had some communication from her suggesting that some of us who have been waiting a loooonng time may wish to consider other country programs.

So we did.  We researched three different programs last week, even participating in a conference call for an hour with another country's program director.  But one after another, the doors kept closing on the other countries for a variety of reasons.  Finally, Friday morning, one final door slammed in our face.  Peter and I sat on the couch and began searching the U.S. foster system for a child that met our home study parameters.  There was only one match in the entire foster system that fit the age range allowed in our home study.

And then I broke down and sobbed.

I told Peter that I felt like I was grieving the dream of having another daughter from India, and grieving the idea of our girls sharing the same heritage and birth country.  We sat together on the couch like that for some time.

We started to fill out an inquiry about the 3-year-old child in the foster system . . . then Peter said, "We have an e-mail from Jynger.  She wants to know what time would be good to call today."  We didn't think anything of this request -- we had been on the phone with her several times last week.  And I had to leave in 15 minutes for a mammogram (T.M.I.?), because I'd spaced my appointment the previous week.

So when I answered, and Jynger very calmly said, "I have some information about the referral of a little girl from your orphanage," naturally I said, "GET OUT OF HERE!"  Honestly, that thought had not even entered my mind!  Peter heard me, and saw my eyes popping out of my head, and said, "WHAT??  SHUT UP!"  And he knew instantly what Jynger was calling about.

And now, thanks to our first responses to the good news, we shall forever be remembered as the least profound, least noble, least spiritual parents in the history of adoption.  :o)

But we don't care!  Because we have seen the first picture of our daughter . . . and I would love nothing better than to share her sweet, smiling photo, but the new rules say I can't do that until we receive guardianship in the courts!  Argh!!!!  But I can tell you that "K" is 14 months old, and has endured so much in her short little life.  She is a survivor, and a treasure, and a perfect little dear lovingly created by our Abba.

What next?  Why, we wait, of course!  We now wait for K's case to move through the court system in her city, and pray like mad that we pass through each step in the process as quickly as possible.

And for now, we thank God for weaving this little girl into our family, and stare and stare at a tiny photo of our dear K.

Next time, I'll share a few more details, and the kids' reactions -- they were priceless!  But right now I must take the oldest three to school to meet their new teachers.


26 comments:

Kristen said...

YIPPEEEEEEE!!!!!!! WOWZA!!! I am so, so happy for you! I love how (in retrospect) the Lord was shutting every door right before he introduced you to your new daughter. I will be praying that you have a speedy court process!! CONGRATS!!!!!!

and oh, I love your reaction!

Kristen

Julie & Patrick said...

Happy Dancing like a maniac! Yep, that would be me!! So thrilled for you guys and can't wait to hear how the kids reacted.

julie

Nikki said...

Yeah!!!! SOOOOOOO over the moon excited for you and I LOVE your story!!!! Can't wait to hear more about your newest blessing!!! Congrats!!!

Miche said...

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!! That is SO exciting!!! Oh I LOVE hearing your wonderful news!!! Huge Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Auburn said...

CONGRATS!!! A long, long, long, wait that is so perfectly timed! We're excited and celebrating with your family!

Colleen said...

God is great!!!! After a long, hard day at work, this is the post I needed. I cannot wait to hear more and see your sweet daughters face!!!!!!! congrats

No Greater Love said...

OH MY WORD, OH MY WORD, OH MY WORD. Nancy!!!!!!!!!! I am so so so so so so so so so happy for you. Wooohooo. Congratulations!!!!!! So we were filling out paperwork at the same time! How awesome. :) Love it.

Nikki said...

Oh.my.stars! I seriously came back to read your post again just because it makes me smile!!! SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO over the moon excited for you guys!!!!!

Sarah said...

Oh my goodness!!!!!!! I am so, so, so very happy for you! I tried to blow up your photo as big as I could so that I could see your sweet little pumpkin, but no luck. :) Can't wait for your court date so we can see her picture!! Woohoo!!!!!!

No Greater Love said...

Ha ha...I'm the same as Nikki. I am so excited, I can't help coming back. It's all I've been thinking about all night. We spent time tonight praying as a family...and just PRAISING HIM for your referral. My son prayed for you and called you "Nancy and Ted." I have no idea where he got "Ted" from...since I clearly stated your husband's name....but I still thought it so funny. So..."third time is a charm" truly IS for you!!! :)

Kristi W. said...

Nancy! Big congrats!!!!! I'm so excited for you and can't wait to watch the rest of this adoption unfold. It will be so fun to finally see your "K"'s picture!

:) Kristi

Heather said...

We are super, super, SUPER excited for you! What a huge, phenomenal surprise after your epic waiting. We are looking forward to hearing more...

YAY!

Heather

Pam said...

Hurray Nancy!!!! I can't wait to see her picture! Speedy process to you!!!
<3
Pam

The Labontes said...

Holy smokes! soooo happy for you guys! It's been a marathon, and probably felt longer than the one Peter actually ran :) Cannot wait to see her precious face. I'm sure she is a perfect fit, part of His perfect plan for your beautiful family. Congratulations, and ENJOY!
Kristy

Cristy said...

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the earth hear His voice!
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the people rejoice!
O come to the Father, through Jesus the Son,
And give Him the glory, great things He hath done!


Congratulations!!! I'm delighted for you guys.

Traci said...

SO EXCITED FOR ALL OF YOU! Congratulations! - Traci

The Pfeiffer Family said...

When I saw a new post show up on my blog roll I held my breath like I usually do hoping and praying to see that you finally received your referral, and the "Get out of here" title sealed the deal. I am THRILLED for you and your family! Can't wait to see the precious face of your princess. Praying for a speedy process throughout the rest of your adoption. I am excited to read about your kid's reaction. My guess is they are priceless :-)

Blessing to you all!

April :-)

Candice said...

AWESOME! Now I have chills thinking about how the Lord spoke to you last week through the verses I posted..."be still in the Lord and wait patiently for Him to act!" He was working at that very moment for your little girl and your family! I am so very excited for you all and can't wait to see her little picture!

Candice

Karen said...

YAY AND HOORAAAAAAAAAY!
Welcome, Baby K!
A match made in Heaven -- a family for K, and K for a family. Perfect love!
I just can't wait to hear about the kids' reactions. What a long, long wait it's been. We'll continue to pray that the court process in India will be smooth & speedy!

Sending grins, hugs, and lots of love --
Karen & crew

SarahinOK said...

It's you! It's you! It's you! I had been talking to Jynger and she said one of the families got a referral! I'm so happy its you! Praying now for a speedy and smooth process from here on out!

Crying with joy!

Cliff and Tami said...

congratulations!! So happy for your family!

Tami

Amanda said...

That is awesome! Congratulations!

Rose said...

Yaaaaaaaaaay! Happy freaking awesome super congratulations!!!

Leveta said...

SO SO SO happy for you all! It is amazing the way God works.Can't wait to hear more details like the kids reactions and for the time when you can share her picture.Praying the rest of the process goes without anymore holdups and this sweet girl can get home asap.
Leveta

Fox family said...

Dear K, we wishes you all the best in your new life.

NOTHING IS WRITTEN. IF WE FIGHT AGAINST FATALITY, THE BEST IS ALWAYS POSSIBLE !

Congratulations to your family.

Friendly yours from the fox family

Missy said...

I'm so happy for you, and I so needed a reminder of why we're doing this! Thank you!!