God is faithful...

    Luke 2:19 "But Mary treasured up all of these things and pondered them in her heart."

    As Christmas was upon us these past couple of weeks this was the verse that kept resonating through my head regarding God's faithfulness.  What we got to experience on Dec.19th was too tender to share right away; I was treasuring it up in my heart.

    In our last post we were joyfully anticipating talking to Miss Milanija on the phone the day after her birthday. (Dec.12th)  But the in afternoon on the 11th we got an email from Reda saying that the phone call couldn't happen because Milanija had been in the hospital for a couple of days and wouldn't be out anytime soon. She had an aggressive UTI and ended up in the hospital for a week an a half and was off limits to visitors.  We were so disappointed and of course, worried about sweet Milanija's little body. Meanwhile, she still had not yet been told about her family.

   We had been matched since Dec.1st and it was upsetting to know she didn't know yet.  I understand that there was a special plan to tell her for her birthday, and that was very sweet, but that plan got upended.  I had been praying everyday for Jesus to tell her himself, to whisper in her ear that we're coming and we love her; that He loves her.

   When Silva came to the Babies Home (Orphanage) on the afternoon of Dec.19th Milanija was nearly asleep for her nap.  She had just come "home" from the hospital that day, finally.  As soon as Silva came in the room she opened her eyes and said, "You have a secret for me.".  Silva was taken aback and said, "Yes, I do have a secret for you!" and she proceeded to tell her about her family.  Milanija just smiled and went right back to sleep.  Jesus DID tell her!!! She knew!  His faithfulness is dumbfounding.  His loving-kindness and tender grace; unfailing.

    Later that day, in the evening, Reda went to see her and give her birthday gifts.  She told us there's a big photo on the wall in the corridor of the orphanage of us with John-Patrik (Milanija sees us everyday) so Reda took her to it.  "This is your Mama and Tete!  Patrikas is now your broils!"  They practiced saying the English words for a while and then surprised us with a phone call.  It was Saturday morning for us, 10am, (7pm for them) and we were all home... 

   I answered and immediately recognized Reda's voice and then it clicked... "Oh my gosh, REDA!!"  I put it on speaker and we all heard it, a shrimpy little girly voice, "Labas Mama!  Hello Daddy!" and then in Lithuanian, "Come to me!"  Tears happened. (Rich's mostly)   Words cannot describe what was going on in my heart. But I suddenly caught a glimpse of understanding into that verse I wrote above.  "But Mary treasured up all of these things and pondered them in her heart."  ...there's no better way to describe it.

  In addition to that, (as if there needed to be more!) we received 2 very generous donations to our adoption over the holidays!  One from an old dear friend I used to do children's ministry with at the church I grew up in and who happens to be Lithuanian!  (I had no idea!)  And the other, Rich's mom... Thanks Janet!  And thank you, Matthew! 

We are so humbled and thankful for you, God's blessings abound. 

   

Overflowing Joy!

We've had an exciting week and a half and I'm overflowing with Joy! 

Our auction closed raising $455 towards the adoption. We realized we put too many items in the auction... it's a learning curve.  $455 is nothing to shake a stick at though, it helps us get that much closer!

Then on December 1st we learned that we were FINALLY matched with Milanija!  This was the big push because not only does that mean nobody else can adopt her first, it also means that we can communicate directly with her.  We'll be Skyping, talking on the phone, we can send her gifts, pictures, clothes... whatever we want to send to our little girl. 

  A side note: December 1st is (was) my grandma's birthday, her name was Honey.  Honey was very special to me, as many of you know.   Here's the amazing connection, Milanija's name means Honey, as in Sweetheart.  Things like this touch my heart so deeply.  God is so tender.  Her name could've meant anything, but it didn't.  It means something so special to me personally.

This Friday is Milanija's birthday and guess what we get to do!?!  We get to TALK TO HER!!!  I've thought of little less since hearing this.  Our beloved lawyer and friend, Reda, is going to the orphanage for her birthday party and will be calling us with her.  She will have been told she has a family the day before by Silva, our other beloved friend and representative in Lithuania.  They waited a few days extra to tell her about us so that it could be done for her birthday.  They are thoughtful and incredible ladies!  (I would passionately recommend anyone to adopt from Lithuania!)

Our next step with the adoption is receiving a "Proposal" from the Lithuanian Central Authority for Milanija's adoption with all of her extensive social and medical history.... essentially asking, "With all that's wrong with her, are you sure you STILL want her?"  (Not in those words, of course)    We, of course and without delay, will accept said proposal.  Then comes the second portion of the I800 immigration forms.

I remember with JP our agent, Cathy, made a personal phone call to me making SURE that we were walking into this with our eyes wide open and not romanticizing the idea of adoption.  This is wise to do because it's easy to imagine all the wonderful things we'll be doing and showing these kiddos.  I think she (and maybe some of you) was concerned because Rich and I were being so positive, as we are with this adoption.  Here's the thing, we FULLY understand what a huge and heavy choice we've made... if we don't start out being so positive and confident in God's path for us we would surely crash and burn 2 months into it.  Especially having a year under our belt, I'm here to tell you that there are some very hard days, some mildly hard days, and then there are those days when I've entertained the idea of a glass of wine at 10am. (not really.)  BUT with those days come amazing days!  Breakthroughs in development, realizations of progress, and blessed connection.  There is balance and more so even leaning towards goodness.

For anyone who questions our sanity... Never once have we ever second guessed our choice. Not even on the hardest days.  This isn't like the possibility of buyer's remorse or regretting a bad couch.  These are people.  Small, innocent, vulnerable people.  Please do not mistake our JOY for naiveté. We do not take this lightly.  Be joyful and faithful with us!

We're MATCHED!!!

Our sweet little Miss Milanija May is coming home soon!!

Our total still to raise is now $11,224

YAY!!!