Details.... part one.

We did not arrive at the decision to adopt easily, quickly, or

without much thought, soul-searching and prayer.

We became aware of  "Janie" through Reece's Rainbow (RR),

an advocacy site for special needs orphans around the world. http://reecesrainbow.org/.

It was close to Christmas and RR was trying to help raise awareness for these special children.  RR created a grant fund on "Janie's" page to help cover some of the expenses of adoption, which would hopefully help her adopting family more readily commit to moving forward.  We donated to "Janie's" fund, with the hope that a family would come forward.  And take her home.  And give her love.  And make her their own daughter.

No one came forward.

A few months passed.  

I walked to the mailbox one January afternoon and there was a package.  

(this is our Annabelle looking at the snow we got one January day)

A Christmas ornament.  

A picture of "Janie" on the ornament.  

This darling baby.

 Still  precious.

 Still waiting.

Christmas was over,

but in my hand was a little reminder

that this sweet baby did not have a family.  

Her second Christmas had come and gone...

without a mama.

Yet... what could I do?

“If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn't do it, it is sin for them.” James 4:17

Piles of papers.  

Stacks of information. 

 Finances.  The stability of our marriage. How we parent.  

Our children's ages, likes, dislikes, weaknesses, strengths.  

Why adoption.  Why special needs.  When do we go. 

How much longer.  How much more money is needed.

QUESTIONS

So many!

I have been writing non-stop since mid-June!  

The adoption application required short biographies on EVERYONE. 

 That's seven people. 

 Plus I had to highlight how Matt and I met, 

why we liked each other then 

and how we still like each other now.

Pictured ABOVE are a *few* of the grant applications I am working on.  

So far, we have completed and sent in 3.  

I felt much better after I organized a bit.  Folders help. Labels, even better.  

Not the fanciest set-up for sure, but it works for me. 

Easy. Simple. Done. 

All the writing forces one to be reflective, 

to truly evaluate why we are doing what we are doing.

Honestly, there is not one ounce of doubt. 

"He has saved us and called us to a holy life--not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time..."

 2 Timothy 1:9

So this is AJ...

AJ is smart.
AJ loves.
AJ is witty.
AJ has overcome open heart surgery.
AJ is observant.
AJ is sensitive.
AJ is compassionate.
AJ rides his bike in circles through our house.
AJ has 4 siblings.
AJ has a favorite toy named Woody the Cowboy.
AJ has a "secret lab" located in his room.
AJ also has Down syndrome.

AJ wants to be loved, included and accomplished, just like our other children.  We see ALL of his potential.
We also see it in every child we meet who has Down syndrome.  First, they are children. Second, they have Down syndrome.  We look at "Janie" and want to know...

Is she observant?
Is she sensitive?
Does she have a favorite toy?
Is she compassionate?
When will she learn to ride a bike?

She needs a mama and a daddy 

who will care about these things in her life.

We have a new fundraiser!  

It is an online party by a very sweet friend who JUST completed her adoption.  She is the proud mama of 2 boys and now a sweet little girl from China.  Deb has just completed this journey and it is a great encouragement to me that she wants to help us as we begin.

She is offering 100% of profits toward our adoption!

https://www.facebook.com/events/535069336615751/?ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming

There are so many things I want to write!  

About our emotions, how we arrived here.  At this place.  Adoption.  

I want to tell you all about the amazingness of children with Down syndrome.  How they so beautifully represent an aspect of God's character that is often overlooked, brushed aside, or seen as unimportant.  How throughout the day, AJ will tell me he loves me no less than 10 times a day.  About how AJ sees things that I fail to see, how he understands things I fail to understand and how he makes me stop sometimes and just listen to exactly what he has to say.

I am sure God is eager for us to do that.  

To stop. To listen.  To be captivated by HIM.

"...if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14

"My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me." John 10:27

We are his sheep.  We just have to listen.  

Matt and I are trying to listen.  

I know it doesn't seem like a rational, safe, easy decision. Adoption.  

Huge amounts of paperwork.  

Time commitments.  

Financial Commitments.   

Emotional commitments. 

Life commitments. 

 Yet here we are.  Trying to listen.  
Trying to obey.  I am confidant God is faithful.  
Where he leads, we will go.  

We have been overwhelmed by kindness!  Wow!  It is amazing to see how many people care for sweet "Janie".  Just today, we have a Family Warrior who will work with us to bring Janie home! 

Read her blog here: http://egpg3.blogspot.com/2014/07/the-long-family.html

More tomorrow...

Here is a link to donate...