A step closer...

I've put off writing anymore because while a big step has happened...it's all wrapped up in fancy names of forms that I have no idea what is being talked about!

We were officially accepted by our agency- not really a surprise with all the communication we were having- but still nice to get the congrats email! We have officially been put on the referral list...for those of you easily confused like me...the referral is when they actually match a child to us and contact us to see if we accept the child! That will be a wonderful moment! Someone said to me recently, in regards to adoption, that it must be like being pregnant. I laughed and explained that actually it's more like trying to get pregnant! Ugh! I think getting the referral will be like reading a positive pregnancy test.

Now the real paperwork begins! So many forms with big numbers and letters all mixed together...I'm not the most academic member of our family (I cried one day this year during Gracie's first grade math lesson!) and so it's all a little overwhelming for me. A dear friend prayed with me right away which was such a great help and reminder that prayer needs to be my first response.

The big cost start now as well...we have sent in our application for the ABBA Fund, a covenant loan for adoptions that come with no interest and is provided through our church. Praise God for a church family with a biblical perspective on adoption. Please pray that for each step we will have the finances necessary and the endurance to keep on filling out paperwork!

I was reading in a book on adoption and was really spoken to as it reminded me of my adoption in Christ. Praise God that He wasn't looking for the perfect child with no faults, handicaps, or imperfections- pray that we will have the same mindset as our child is chosen for us by our agency- always knowing that God has already chosen us for her and her for us!

We sent in the first of many fancy forms this afternoon- once it is approved by some fancy government agency we will officially be eligible to receive our referral- and our first peek at our daughter in Ethiopia. I'll let you know what happens next...don't be holding your breath and I won't hold mine...I'll just attempt to wait patiently on God's perfect timing.

Thank you for your love and prayers.