Hodge-Podge

What a week!  We have been going non-stop preparing for our kids.  Our home and lifestyle were not equipped to bring four children them so quickly but boy are we getting there...beds, furniture, clothes, toys, etc.  You name it, we need it...and are getting it...quickly!

This blog is a hodge-podge of updates so please bear with me:

1.  We met our children for the first time this past Saturday.  They are just as sweet as the caseworkers made them out to be.  It is so very clear to us how badly and desperately they will need positive love and attention.  Once they realized we were a source of that they were all over us.  These sweet, sweet babies are craving structure and love - which we fully intend on giving them.  We get to have an overnight with them this weekend.  It is Military Day at HersheyPark on Sunday.  We've rented a hotel in the area for Saturday - Sunday so we can take them to Chocolate World on Saturday evening and then to HersheyPark on Sunday.  The rest of the timeline is as follows:  the following weekend (April 15-17) they will be spending the entire weekend with us.  Then, they must go back just for a few days (bummer).  When we pick them up on April 21, 2011 they will be staying with us for good.  Praise God!

2.  There are some legal issues that still are mildly concerning to us.  Please pray  that this adoption will be finalized without any disruption.  Pray this every single day.  Just because our children are in our house does not mean they are fully ours until we have our court hearing and the adoption is finalized.  We prayed so hard to get them here and now we must continue praying to keep them here.  We constantly remind ourselves that "this battle is the LORD's" and that He is in total control.  He only wants the best for us and our four babies, and thus, we must place our unwavering faith and trust in Him and His power. 

3.  Humbled. Jordan and I are nearly brought to tears over the outpouring of love and support.  I know I've said this quite a few times throughout this process but each time I say it we mean it more and more deeply.  We are thankful for each and every single one of you AND each and every single gesture of kindness:  emails, phone calls, cards, notes, gifts, financial support, set-up help, advice, etc.  We have even had gifts and support from complete strangers who don't know us or our kids but have heard of their story and their fresh start to life.  We always knew people were good...but we truly had no idea how good until now.  We always knew God was faithful...but we truly had no idea how faithful until now. 

"The Rock:  His works are perfect,and the way He works is fair and just; A God you can depend upon, no exceptions, a straight-arrow God." - Deuteronomy 32:4 (The Message)

If that doesn't give you peace, what can?  We'll be in touch, friends.  Next time you hear from me hopefully all the furniture will be here, we'll have our home secured down in Quantico, and we'll be even closer to having our babies move in.

p.s.  We're not comfortable posting pictures or sharing names in cyberspace just yet.  If you'd like pictures/names, etc. just email me and I"ll get them to you:  amessj23@hotmail.com