THREES

How many of you have been told or believe that things happen in threes...good news, babies, deaths, etc.?

Well, in the past ten days we received baby news from three people....each one a miracle from God and each one came in His perfect timing!

Last Thursday we received the first call. It was a tough day. We had been sent a file on a second child to review and this child had very major needs that would require many surgeries. Confused, torn on what to do, emotionally drained, and completely frustrated with the process - my phone rings. My sister tried to call me the night before, but I dodged the call and didn't answer. I was emotional with the decision we had to make and didn't want to talk to anyone!

I should have taken the call...it might have cheered me up...because we learned we are going to be Aunt and Uncle again!!!! This makes # 11 for my sister & brother-in-law and a total of 17 nieces & nephews and 1 great niece for us...WOW! God has truly blessed our families with little ones!

The second bit of news came this week when we received a message from our friends. They have been trying to have a baby for quite some time and were even considering adoption. Well, it looks like they will be having their second baby in September! God has truly answered the prayers of many for this family.

The third story is of a family that we have never met, but have been praying for...our families share a common bond. This family has four boys and are in the process of adopting a daughter from Korea. When I joined the Holt forum this family was #1 on the referral waiting list....they had been waiting 18 months for their referral.

The mother requested prayer a week prior for her father who had just been diagnosed with leukemia. He was only 58 years old. Two days later he passed away. I think everyone that has followed this family's journey was broken hearted for them. They were waiting for so long and now this tragedy..you wonder just how much a person will be asked to take, however, God tells us His grace is sufficient.

On January 27th just two days before the two year mark from when they submitted their application and just days after her father passed away...this sweet mama received her referral call! I have never seen so many congrats on the forum. So many people had been waiting and praying this little girl into this family and God's timing was remarkable! The post to her announcement read - "My Daddy sent me my angel from heaven! Referral!!!!"

Children are the greatest gift and miracle that we can tangibly experience in this life. I have wandered with the grief and agony we have experienced in choosing whether or not to accept the past two referrals of how anyone can just seemingly casually choose to end a life before it has the chance to thrive and grow? How can you hear of the timing of God's blessings and the beauty of birth and adoption and not believe in God or in His salvation?

Adoption has blessed us in so many ways and one is in making God's love so apparent, so real, and so relevant in our lives. He allowed us to experience His love in the pregnancy and birth of our sons and now He is allowing us to live His love and His example through this adoption.

We are humbled and blessed that He chose us for this path...for this wonderful journey. Please continue to pray for us as we are praying daily for the two little girl's in Korea, whose files we reviewed, to find their perfect families. We are also praying that our sweet Annalee is safe and  loved knowing that God will bring her to our family in His perfect time!