Referral Story

No, we didn't get "the call". But we have officially accepted the referral of the most beautiful little girl. Our little girl. Here's our story:

Rewind back to Feb/March. A coworker asked me when I thought we would find out about our baby. I replied without really thinking and I said "May. May would be perfect. Mother's Day is in May. I'm taking a week's vacation in May. That would just be perfect if we got our referral the week I'm on vacation. Yep, I'm focusing on May." And I kept up the May mantra through March, and then it became pretty evident that a May referral was unlikely. Parents requesting infant girls were now waiting 10-11 months, so realistically I begin thinking about July or even August and travel in November.

Two weeks ago, was my planned vacation. Not an actual vacation, unless you count going to Atlanta for the day. But I planned to spend the other days at home relaxing with Sam, maybe a movie, etc. On Thursday afternoon, May 21st, I was online and noticed a new mail message in my inbox. I checked the mail and received a message that new waiting children had been added to the CHI Family website. So, I immediately popped right on over there to take a look just out of curiosity. (Remember, had I not been on vacation this week I would not have seen this email right away. I would've been at work and may have missed this opportunity. And...this was not my first choice of vacation but I changed it to this week at the request of a coworker.) After clicking on the Ethiopia waiting children icon, I first saw two handsome little boys, scrolled down, and then... I saw her face. I literally gasped. The third child on the page was a beautiful little girl, estimated to be between 5 and 7 years old. I read a little about her and I knew I had to have more information. I immediately filled out the waiting child request form and hit submit. I had such peace in my heart that I had just found our daughter. It was around 3:30 pm on Thursday, May 21st.


I logged off the computer and went to call Charles at work. I figured I better let him in on this news. : ) We had a situation a few months ago that I believe God used to teach me an important lesson - when He tells you to do something, do it. Because if you delay, he will find somebody else to fulfill his requests. So that's why when I saw our daughter's picture, I didn't delay or hesitate. Charles and I had discussed an older child and he was excited too when I told him about this little girl.

Well, Thursday evening came and went and no word from CHI. So on Friday, I couldn't take it anymore. I knew our consultant, Erin, was off so I emailed Toni and asked her if my request had been received, was someone else reviewing her file, etc. She replied back that I would have to wait until Tuesday because Sharon was out of the office until Tuesday. (Memorial Day weekend of all things.) So in other words, I had a very restless weekend. However, Saturday morning when I checked my email I had a note from Sharon thanking me for my interest in the waiting child and stating she would get back to me on Tuesday. That did give me hope!


Tuesday, May 26th I had to go back to work. I was anxious all day about hearing from Sharon. Well, at 4:53 pm Children's Hope called my cell phone. I was in my car driving, I had just picked Sam up and couldn't get to my phone!! Sharon had left me a message on both my cell and home phones, and sent me emails to work and home but I would have to wait until Wednesday to review her file.

Needless to say, come Wednesday after talking to Sharon and learning more about our little girl, we fell in love! Monday, June 1st we officially accepted the referral. So now what? We wait to get a court date, which we hope is before courts close for the rainy season. And once we pass court, she is legally ours! We will travel shortly thereafter to Ethiopia to bring her home. Realistically, I think we can expect to travel in the next 3-4 months. Wow! To God be all the glory!