One Year Ago...

December 21, 2009

The day began early. Sam and I picked up my niece, Alexis, and headed to our local Rescue Squad building to meet with other families from our church. We planned to sort toys into Christmas baskets for needy children in our town.

I'll have to say my mind wasn't completely on the task at hand. Today was our court date. While we were sleeping, a judge in Ethiopia had determined if we would be granted the honor of being Birhan's parents. I was a nervous wreck waiting for the news. We did manage to sort toys for a couple of hours before I graciously bowed out so I could go home and check my email. I was optimistic. I rationalized that no phone call was good news. Because if the news was bad, surely CHI would call. But of course their office was closed for the holidays... But they did promise to notify us about our court date...

Sam, Alexis, and I rushed home and I couldn't get my email pulled up fast enough. And there it was. In my inbox was the best email I've ever received. Just in time for Christmas. The subject line stated, "Elizabeth Birhan is yours!" Tears of joy flowed. I instantly called Charles at work and we cried together. Finally, we have a daughter.

While the kids and I were eating lunch, the phone rang. A lovely representative from A Child Waits Foundation was on the line. She was calling to notify us that we had received an older child adoption grant from their organization. God has perfect timing! We could now enjoy the holidays knowing that Charles would be able to travel to Ethiopia also. Without this grant, I would've had to travel to Ethiopia alone for Libby. This grant covered the airfare for both Charles and myself.

And because we have a God who does exceedingly beyond all that we could ever dare to ask or think, we received another call later in the week. A family that we were acquainted with wanted to meet us on Christmas Eve, they had a gift for us. Okay, I thought. Not really knowing what to expect. This generous family gave us a large cash gift to help with our adoption expenses. I was blown away. It was enough to cover the additional escort fees that we had to pay to fly Libby (and her birth sister for court) from Mekelle to Addis Ababa.

So the one thing that I have worried about during this adoption process , $$$$$$$, God had it covered. In His perfect timing, he took care of it all. We would be traveling to Ethiopia in February, and our tax refund would almost to the penny cover Libby's airfare to America and our guest house expenses. And even when a snow storm caused us to change our flights, our pastor showed up at our house in the snow to give us an envelope of cash. It was a last minute gift from members of our church. It perfectly covered the fees to change our flights.

God's provision is perfect. If He is calling you to adopt, please step out in faith. He will be with you every step of the way. He has a heart for orphans. He will provide.