Two More to the Crew

You know, I didn't quite know what to expect of myself when the time came for us to "meet" (via pictures) our boys.  The journey has been SO different this time around than it was last time.  While we anticipated the matching of our first children we were so totally engrossed in every detail.  I spent every free moment I had thinking of them, planning for them, and praying for them.  While I've regularly thought, planned, and prayed for these sweet boys it certainly wasn't to the degree or with same strange sense of intense helplessness as it was last time.  I truly can say that my faith and trust has significantly deepened since those months two and a half years ago.  God has shown His mighty provision again and again so much that I feel a calming peace in my soul.  Perhaps I shouldn't.  After all, we already have four children and two dogs, Jordan is getting ready to deploy, and I have nothing ready for these boys except room in the house, a few t-shirts, and their bedding.  But, I like it this way.  I like leaning on the everlasting arms so much better than leaning on my scrawny arms and diligent planning.  However, I digress...

As soon as the email came with the information and pictures of my new sons the exact same feelings came flooding back with a vengeance.  I fell completely head-over-heals, smitten-kitten.  My heart grew...again.  I suspect they are near to the feelings a mother feels when she births her second child.  I love them.  I long to squeeze them.  I want them to know how special they are.  I want them to know they are a precious child of God.

I wish I could share their names and pictures, but at this point I cannot.  I can show them to you in person but they can't be posted on the internet.  I will tell you, though, that they are very handsome.  They are tall and lean.  Joseph already has great plans in mind for the three of them.  I'm not sure if I should be worried about this or not :)

I spoke earlier of God's provision.  Let me share two major events thus far that only caused me to be incredibly humbled and in complete awe of Him:

1.  Our first payment was due to the adoption agency this week.  On the very day we intended to put the check in the mail I received word from Calvary Baptist (our church from State College) that they intended to support us in this adoption.  The amount they told me they would like to donate was the exact same amount as the first payment.  Wow.  God is so good.

2.  Our dear friends, Erin and JT Bell, began this adoption journey with us two and a half years ago.  Once we moved to State College we quickly formed a special friendship that only strengthened and grew once we both chose adoption.  At that time they had absolutely no idea that it would be this long before they would be matched with their children.  At that time we had absolutely no idea God would call us to adoption a second time nor did we know He would call us to international adoption.  That being said let me tell you this:  Of all the orphaned children in the world not only are our children coming from the same country, not only are they in the same large city, but they are in the exact same orphanage together.  Right at this very moment our four sweet boys (two of theirs, two of ours) are snug in their beds sleeping under the very same roof.  We believe it to be no simple coincidence that friends as close as we are have our children placed in the exact same orphanage at the exact same time.  God has made it clear to us that he knit this bond for a purpose.  We are eager to see what awaits our families.

We remain grateful and thankful for each one of you.  We love the way you love us and we love the way you love our children.  As this next adoption is moving much quicker than expected, we will be doing a variety of fundraisers.  If you have any desire to help (sell t-shirts, Zumba-thons, spaghetti dinners...any other ideas you may have) please let us know.  Every little bit of support helps.  We have already started the quickest and easiest fundraiser:  straight donation.  I've included the link below if you feel led to support us in this endeavor.

http://www.youcaring.com/adoption-fundraiser/USS-Ames-Adding-to-the-Crew/38625