A Good Story Continued

During one of my dark times, I was praying and very matter-of-fact like said, Lord. At least give me a good story.

My phone rang around 1pm, today. The conversation started like this, "Rebekah, it's [our adoption caseworker]. Are you ready to bring another little boy into your home?"

Pause.

I think I know what she's saying, but I've learned not to assume.

You guys were chosen. You're Little Boy's family!

The questions, tears, and excitement flew out of my mouth faster than they made sense. I was a ball of crazy energy, trying to listen, dream, and think - all at the same time.  In the middle of the conversation, I happened to look down and noticed the date.

It's the 27th.

I was never a symbolic number girl, but....remember Ty's story? The 27th was an important milestone in our domestic adoption journey because it marked the first day we turned in our application (4/27), the day we were officially dropped in the waiting pool (8/27), and the nine-months-to-the-date day we got the call from Rebekah (1/27).

It's more than a number. It's the day God has chosen, thus far, to radically change our lives.

I am going to be abnormally guarded in the information I share for right now, until the adoption is final, but I have to type a few details, so that we can share in God's goodness together!

Little Boy is 2 1/2 years old (two months younger than Ty) and has lived his entire life in the foster care system. Due to no fault of his own, he has been in 6 foster homes (two of which he was removed from by CPS) and had two disrupted adoptions. His current foster family was considering adoption, but notified the court on Friday that their final answer is no.

The family that adopted two of Little Boy's siblings never responded to the court's inquiries.

I have no idea if we were the only family that submitted their assessment to the state or not, I only know that I have been praying for this kid since November and, selfishly, begging God for him once I got wind of the situation two weeks ago.

There are many things I hate about the way this Little Boy has been forced to survive, but I love the words of Chris Tomlin:

He will wipe away your tears and return the wasted years
This is our God
A father to the orphan, a healer to the broken
This is our God

God will heal the brokenness...through the perfect fitting family he's created us to be.

It is not a mistake that God created Ty with an inborn sensitivity for tenderness.

Little Boy needs it.

It is not a mistake that God called Ben and I to adoption through foster care. 

Little Boy needs us.

It is not a mistake that God used me in constructing a start-up agency early last year, where relationships were forged.

It is not a mistake that God closed the door of application to every agency in Michigan.

It is not a mistake that God granted favor via one of the above mentioned forged relationships to get special permission from her supervisor to complete a home study for us on her own time.

It is not a mistake that God led me to the state site when he did to realize that Little Boy was still in the system after I had been led to believe that a family had been found.

It is not a mistake that our license to foster was mailed by the state last week and received today.

Little Boy's placement within our family is not a mistake.

Because we have an approved assessment for adoption -
Because we have an approved license for foster care -
Because we have eager, willing hearts -

Little Boy will be coming home soon. Very, very soon.