Trials are not enemies of faith but are opportunities to prove
God's faithfulness. -- Author Unknown

God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one
to say 'thank you?' -- William A. Ward

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Three Adoptions Five Years in the Making

We signed alot of papers today for Varsha's (Valerie on Reeces Rainbow) adoption. This is an amazing story that I never would have imagined. God's plans are written all over this adoption. Let me start with some background information.
In the weeks that I spent on Dillon's waiting child page, a little boy stuck out. His birthday was March 30th. That is a special day for our family because that is Anthony's birthday. The medical information sounded manageable to us. The only problem was that Patrick wanted a little girl. I didn't mind either way. There were several girls listed and I started to narrow down the list. I found a girl that the medical information looked well within our limits.
On January 23, 2006 I inquired about that little girl. I fell in love with Ananya at first glance. She was our princess from that first moment.
But I kept an eye on that little boy. He was still waiting month after month. I knew another adoption would be a long time away. I was waiting for someone to go get him.
I was also waiting for our never ending adoption to finish so I could hold this little girl. I waited 13 months to hold that little girl. Alot of tears and frustration were in our home. I was just about emotionally broken. Well to be honest, I was broken and traumatized. Those were the longest 13 months of my life.
Right before we left, our agency rep sent out a quick description of some waiting boys and referred people to the waiting child pages. I jumped on over out of curiosity. The same little boy was still waiting. 13 months later he was waiting. He had the same birthday as my baby boy (who was 9). I told Patrick I wanted a little boy. He had no clue what I was talking about. Once he processed the information, he agreed to meet this little boy. We got pictures of that boy, Prasun. I held him. We took Ananya home.I spend a couple weeks randomly looking at that picture. Thinking of holding that boy. I was scared. Was I ready for 2 little ones with lots of delays? What if he was the one to stay with us forever? I think after about 2 weeks, I knew. I told Patrick and waited for him to agree. I didn't push. I knew if it was right then God would tell Patrick.
3 months later, out of the blue, my husband walks up to me and tells me to adopt that little boy. I was so happy. I wasn't scared anymore. No matter what this was the right path. I think most people thought we were losing our minds.
Another never ending adoption. A rough adjustment to 3 kids. I was exhausted. For a couple months, I really didn't care if we ever had more kids. 6 months later I was investigating foster care adoption. Lots of craziness happened.
I was on a blog that linked to Reeces Rainbow. I was just checking out the site and found 1 Indian girl. That one girl was available for adoption through the agency we had used 2 times. Contact information was listed for her. All the other kids had no contact information listed. Just this little Indian Princess. I emailed our case worker.We got approval from the agency to adopt out of birth order, from the orphanage, and we were ready.
Lots of delays. The never ending adoption process. Again.
Today we finally get acceptance paperwork to sign. We made it to the bank to get the papers notarized. I didn't even read the directions before we left. Had no clue what I was doing (in all the small paperwork details). We got the papers notarized though. We had dinner to celebrate the boys birthday. It was a special day.
I went to start signing the medical information for Varsha. I decided to peak through the old paperwork they sent for our information. Almost all of it I've read. Several months ago.
EXCEPT ONE PAGE....
It was dated 1-23-06. It had my name on it.
You see. The day I inquired about Ananya, the agency faxed us the information on the wrong little girl. I looked at the birthdate and knew the information wasn't right. I was waiting for information on a girl born 2-25-05. This little girl was 3 years old.
I called and got them to fax the information on Ananya. It was always part of the story, but just a quirky detail.
UNTIL TONIGHT.
Tonight I realized that 5 years ago God was giving me a sneak peak. I was seeing my daughter, but in His Grace He was showing me the 2 other children that would follow.
This isn't the first time God has done such things with me.
When I was 8 weeks pregnant with Anthony. 17 and scared to death with no idea how to do it, God showed me a little boy. That vision changed my life. I knew I had seen my son. 3 years later, one day I just saw it. This time not a vision, but my reality. I saw that little boy again. The little boy that God showed me was my son and 3 years later he was running wild in my house.
I am completely in awe tonight. I can't wait to sign all these forms and get our paperwork to India. We are ready to have Varsha in our arms.
Paperwork isn't the only thing standing in our way. Unfortunately, we still need to raise ALOT of money. We have a family sponsor page on Reeces Rainbow. Just click the red icon at the top of the page. You can donate through our Chip in below it. It goes to Reeces Rainbow as well. We just want our daughter home.
With God, All Things Are Possible.
This is our story. Please help us to spread the word. Help us raise this money. $5 will be an incredible help to get us to India. To our Princess. Varsha Hope.

5 comments:

Heather said...

Amanda,

Thank you for sharing your story! I'm excited to see you are in the process again.

You took pictures of our daughter for us at ISRC in 2008. We are leaving soon to pick up our son and were just awarded a grant from the M. Night Shyamalan Foundation today. Have you tried them?

Heather

Peter and Nancy said...

This is amazing! I've linked to your blog from mine, so more people can read about you and your children's story. I am so moved by the fact that God has chosed to reassure you in these specific, amazing ways. His eyes are on your little sparrows.
Nancy

Peter and Melissa said...

Incredible Amanda! Nothing like encouragement when you aren't expecting it. Thanks for sharing and I can't wait to see that little girl at home with her wonderful family.

Pam said...

Wow Amanda. Wow. Wow. I can't even say that enough. Just wow. Can't wait to see her home with you guys. Hugs.

Julie & Patrick said...

His plan is truly amazing and I am so thankful it brings you such comfort while trying to navigate this most difficult system. I hope things continue to fall into place for all of you.

Julie