The beginning of a journey....adoption

Jeremy and I have prayed about this long and hard.  It has been on both of our hearts however the pain of losing Christian is still very much alive.  So many emotions come with this decision.  The excitement of adding a new little one to our family! And the sadness of not having baby Christian here with us.  The joy of being able to provide a loving home to a child that doesn't have one, and the hurt that we cannot simply conceive on our own. 

God has spoken to us loud and clear and we are listening! We had discussed the idea of adoption and both decided we would like to start looking into it.  But I hadn't really made any calls or steps to go forward.  Until today.  Yesterday at church there was an invitation in a handout to meet up with other families that are adopting, have adopted or want to adopt by some  friends of ours that have also lost a child.  They are in the process of adopting a baby from Ethiopia.  A great idea to get together in fellowship with others that can offer advice, pray for eachother, and just connect over a common interest.  So I showed it to Jeremy and we agreed to go to the dinner next weekend.  (Sign #1)

After service we were speaking with Brandon (the hubby of the couple starting the adoption group) and talking about how we would like to start looking into adoption.  He was very excited for us!  I proceeded to tell him that I thought we might check out Bethany Christian Services.  At the exact moment the words came out of my mouth a woman walked by that Brandon quickly waved over to introduce us to..... her name is Laura and she works at Bethany Christian Services!!!  She gave us a little advice and said to call monday to set up an appt.   (Sign #2) HELLO! that was a big one I think. 

Today I call their office to see if I can get an appt to discuss our options and what is needed to begin and a woman by the name of Holly is wide open tomorrow if we can come in and unfortunately cannot do weekends.......BUT Jeremy is off tomorrow because he's working a 24 hour shift today! (sign #3) It's not likely Jeremy would be available during the week!

So all of this may not seem like big signs to you but to me I just feel God is guiding us in the right direction.  I realize the process wont be quick but the fact that we are moving forward with it is so exciting!   I found these verses in Isaiah 55:8-12

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways" declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace..."

So we will go out in Joy and be led forth in peace with this decision.  Whatever happens is God's plan because our ways are not His ways. 

We know we want to do domestic infant adoption.  We are also discussing the possibility of doing the foster to adopt program through the state!  There are no fees involved in going through the state.  And we dont have to foster if we dont think we can.  I'm not sure if I can handle taking care of and loving a child and then have to give him/her back! But my heart aches for children that need a loving environment during such an unstable time of thier lives. My friend Janet lives in Alabama and is doing this there.  It has been very inspiring to watch her go through this process.  Georgia might be a little different but we will learn as we go.  And of course we will continue to listen to what God is saying. 

Any prayers during this time would be greatly appreciated!  :)  Our first meeting is tomorrow afternoon so perhaps I'll have something to update yall with afterwards!