We got our referral!!

Well, the day finally arrived! Not exactly how we planned.....we always thought that we would receive our referral call and be given all the information in one well placed conversation. But, of course, this whole adoption is out of our hands......

In mid July, on a Saturday afternoon, our Social Worker emailed us - a sibling group had come through which had 2 children within our age requests. She stated that she knew we had always said that we were ready to adopt one - but for some reason, she felt these children were worth mentioning to us. She wondered if we would at all be interested in considering TWO children. Wow. Vicki quickly contacted Dave (who was at Joshua's baseball game) and told him about the email - his response was "yes". We continued to spend the day quietly talking and praying and agreed to sleep on it. On Sunday, we got together with trusted friends to get their insights (we wanted to see if this was a "crazy God thing" or just "plain crazy"). Then we presented this possibility to all four of the current Jansen kids and all four of them agreed that this was what we should do. We shared possible changes that it would bring, sacrifices, as many unknowns as we could imagine - and they remained strong in believing that this is what we should do (we must tell you how very PROUD we are of each of them!!). So, that Monday we told our Agency that we wanted to pursue the adoption of these two kiddos and we had an addendum put on our Home Study to change it to be for TWO children.

Since then we were sent pictures, birth certificates, medical exam results, and an adoption profile. Usually, all of these items are provided when an Official Referral is given - because this situation was a little different, it all came to us a little bit at a time. But, this past Friday, the final bit of information came through to officially declare that WE HAVE A REFERRAL!!

And, we have accepted this referral of TWO beautiful children.....one handsome little boy who is almost 6 years old and a beautiful little girl who is 3 years old. We love them already - they are children of our hearts and even more importantly, they are children of God's heart.

(Due to international adoption laws, we can not share pictures or names via the Web).

Please join us in rejoicing in this wonderful news!

Please pray for their safety, nutritional needs, emotional health and that their hearts, minds and bodies are being prepared for all that will be happening during this adoption journey.

Please pray for our current household as we try to prepare for travel, physical and emotional changes in our home, the finances needed to cover adoption costs (at least $8000.00 higher due to another child) decisions about bathrooms, bedrooms, vehicles (we don't have one that seats 8!) and for all of us to be as prepared as possible for the changes ahead. We are so excited, but we know that this could be a long journey full of bumps and curves in the road.

Our Crazy Big prayer is that we might ALL be able to be Home in America to celebrate Christmas together - would you add that to your prayer list too? PRAY BIG!

"To the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen."

Jude 25

With much joy,

The Jansen Family~