Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Finalization Day
Hey Everyone, today is finalization day. In just a few hours, Mike and I will join James and Erica at the courthouse to have the judge declare that Landon is permanently a part of their family just as if he was born into it. We praise the Lord for all He has done in this short time. It was five months ago today that they first met little Landon. Thank you to all who have participated either through prayers or financial gifts. God is so good!
Saturday, October 24, 2009
PAID IN FULL
I was so excited to be able to post on here that as of Wednesday, we were at 40% of the goal we had set to raise towards Landon's adoption. Well, God had other plans and I can officially announce today that his adoption has been paid in full!!! James and Erica received a phone call on Saturday night from their attorney that an anonymous donor had called and paid the entire remaining balance in full. When this all started, they had no idea where the money would come from, but they trusted that if this was God's plan that He would supply. God, in His wisdom, placed this child in their home and now less than 3 weeks before the adoption finalizes has provided for everything financially related to the adoption. Praise the Lord!
Thank you to those who have followed this and prayed for this adoption. Thank you to those who have been able to contribute. We can do nothing less than once again proclaim that we serve Jehovah Jireh and our God provides!
Thank you to those who have followed this and prayed for this adoption. Thank you to those who have been able to contribute. We can do nothing less than once again proclaim that we serve Jehovah Jireh and our God provides!
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Some More Answers to Prayer
For those of you who are following this journey, we wanted to pass on some answers to prayer we heard from James and Erica on Sunday.
1. Their final post-placement visit takes place this Friday.
2. The birth father has signed the necessary paperwork for them to go forward with the adoption.
3. There is one hearing this week and hopefully 30 days later they will be able to FINALIZE!!!
Praise the Lord. We keep praying for His continued provision and are excited with each step He orchestrates.
1. Their final post-placement visit takes place this Friday.
2. The birth father has signed the necessary paperwork for them to go forward with the adoption.
3. There is one hearing this week and hopefully 30 days later they will be able to FINALIZE!!!
Praise the Lord. We keep praying for His continued provision and are excited with each step He orchestrates.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
WHOHOO - More Progress
We are very excited to announce that The Jehovah Jireh Project has now grown to 29% of our overall goal. We praise God for His provision. It has been awesome to see God's hand in this and we look forward to the day we reach 100%. Thank you to all of you who have prayed.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Many Thanks...
To those who have already sent in donations. So far The Jehovah Jireh Project has been able to pay for almost half of the homestudy for James and Erica. We are very excited about the process and can't wait to see how God provides the rest. Thank you to those who have been a part. You are making a difference in the lives of this family. Praise God!
Be sure to read the next post as it was written by James and Erica and chronicles how God has worked in their lives in the area of adoption. You can't help but come away from reading it praising God.
Be sure to read the next post as it was written by James and Erica and chronicles how God has worked in their lives in the area of adoption. You can't help but come away from reading it praising God.
Only God - A Note Written By James & Erica
For several weeks we have promising to share our adoption story. As you could expect, it's lengthy, especially since it starts at the beginning, but we hope you will quickly see the ultimate reason for sharing it.
Only God knew that the young man I met in the ninth grade at school would become my husband August, 1991. James and I are celebrating our eighteenth wedding anniversary this year!
Only God knew that after three years of marriage, when desiring to have a family, God would have other plans for us. At the time we had no idea what those plans were, but disappointments, heartache, tears seemed to be our normal as we prayed for a child. Additions of nieces, nephews, children of friends, baby showers, Mother's Days, and Father's Days were difficult to say the least.
Only God knew and then orchestrated specific events in one particular weekend that would create in our hearts a burning desire to pursue adoption (2001). We began requesting information from a number of adoption agencies across the country. We had almost decided on one particular agency, but when surfing the Internet one day (2003), I discovered Christian Adoption, an Internet-based adoption ministry.
Only God knew that partnering with Christian Adoption in 2003 would lead to four potential matches, three of which the birthparents chose other adoptive parents. (Our adoption profile was uploaded on Mother's Day.) The fourth potential match took place October 31, 2004, with a birthmother living in Orlando. We soon learned that not only was the birthmother early in her pregnancy, but she had a lot of emotional "baggage". We were 100% certain that God directed us to her, but the road was difficult, leaving us often times feeling emotionally, physically, and spiritually spent.
Only God knew we would receive "the call" July 1, 2005, that our soon-to-be-son would be arriving, would be greeted strangely by the staff at the hospital, then would be ushered into a private room, only to learn that our lives were about to be drastically changed. We assumed that the birthmother had changed her mind, which is always a possibility with adoption. However, it was much more than that. Our son, Evan James, was stillborn. Those moments we spent with him and the photographs we have will forever be etched in our minds. Only God knew that we would be saying goodbye before having the opportunity to say hello. However, there is Heaven!
Only God knew that while we were grieving the loss of Evan, He was creating our future daughter. During the latter part of 2005, our social worker called us to say an attorney in our area was in need of adoptive family profiles and gave us the contact information. February 2, 2006, the attorney called to let us know there was a potential adoption on the horizon. We soon learned that Jessica was early in her pregnancy (8 weeks along) and had some similar "baggage". After much discussion and prayer, James and I agreed that we did not want to say no because of our fear of a similar journey. God would have to be the one to tell us no. We agreed to pursue this adoption and plans were made to meet Jessica on February 16, 2006. Only God could make our way plain. The day we were to meet Jessica, I was at work and received a call from our attorney. She began to explain that due to Jessica's continual, unreasonable, and ever-changing demands, they would no longer be representing her. As I was processing the information and trying to formulate a few questions, the attorney proceeded to tell me that there was another birthmom, eight months along, who was interested in adoption. We went from eight weeks along to eight months along in one phone call.
Only God knew that we would meet the birthmom at the hospital the day she went into labor (March 27) and would meet our daughter Tuesday, March 28, 2006, just after midnight. The hospital staff was wonderful and we were able to "room in" at the hospital, take part in some of the labor process, and be awakened at night for the feedings. We chose a name that we not only loved, but also had a significant meaning. Eliana's name is Hebrew in origin and means "God has answered." or "God answered me." Indeed He did. Eliana's adoption was finalized in July, 2006.
Only God knew whether or not we would remain a family of three or provide us with another child. It wasn't until a few months ago that we came to realize that we would be 100% content if Eliana was our only child; but we would also be 100% thrilled if God brought us another baby. Only God could do that in our hearts.
Only God knew that our lives would be changed again as a result of one phone call on the way home from VBS Tuesday, June 16, 2009. Our friends, Mike and Sandra, learned of a situation that could potentially lead to adoption. They shared with us about a birthmom and caretaker who were sharing the responsibilities of caring for a baby and were extremely stressed out. Through a series of events, we offered "babysitting" services to give the two women a much needed break for the well being of the baby and for them. We ended up meeting the birthmom on Thursday, June 18 (James' birthday) and after conversing with her for awhile, she handed the baby to us to take home! What a birthday! We were able to have Landon with us until Saturday night.
Only God knew that the next week would be the biggest test of this entire journey. The birthmom desired to have Landon for Father's Day. After several phone calls we received, the birthmom made it clear that our desire to adopt was greater than hers. She indicated that the idea came from the caretaker rather than her, which she further explained that adoption would probably not be an option. However, she could already tell we loved her baby and agreed to let us "babysit" again from Monday until Thursday (the thought that an adoption was probably not going to happen saddened us, but we were thrilled to be able to have Landon once again).
Only God knew that the door we thought was closed would later be ajar. Tuesday morning I received a call from Landon's caretaker that someone from the Sheriff's office would be calling and stopping by. You can imagine how we must have felt. Only God could have planned that the birthmom's case worker, who had been out sick and on vacation, would choose to check up on her that very day, that Landon would not be with her or the caretaker, and that the birthmom would violate her probation that morning. The case worker then came and took Landon from us and placed him in foster care (The birthmom could not have him and our home study was not quite complete.).
Only God knew where Landon was while we were left wondering. After sharing our new adoption story as a prayer request in a small prayer group at church, we soon learned that Landon was with a family that we knew. Landon was in good hands.
Only God knew that the birthmother would falsely accuse us and the caretaker of calling the case worker on her, that the birthmother would be extremely angry at us, and then would just days later have a COMPLETE change of heart and mind. Only God knew that after appearing in court and then talking with our attorney, the birthmother would freely choose to proceed with filing adoption paperwork and then call us personally to tell us of her decision. She also apologized to us for falsely accusing us and being angry with us. The birthmom was also the first one to call us, Tuesday, June 30, to tell us that in fact she had signed the paperwork and that Landon would be our son!
Only God could perform the "impossible" by allowing our child abuse clearances to come back overnight rather than the usual 30-day wait. Our background checks came in the very next day, just before the holiday weekend! These were the last two paperwork requirements needed to complete our homestudy.
Only God knew that Wednesday, July 8, 2009, Landon would be placed in our arms by our attorney, whom we had not met personally until that day. We have one additional post-placement visit at the end of September. Once the post-placement visits are complete and our attorney's retainer fees are paid, a court date can be scheduled for finalization. Lord-willing our paperwork and adoption will be finalized by the end of the year.
Only God would do "exceeding abundantly above all that we could ask or think" by providing us a red-headed daughter (something we had always dreamed about), and a son who shares James' first name and Evan's middle name. Landon's name does not have a deep meaning like Eliana's name, but it does mean "long hill." God did have us climb a "long hill" of sorts to reach Landon, but He was with us every step of the way and Landon was worth the wait (as short as it was). In addition, through anonymous donations, almost all of our homestudy costs have been provided. Jehovah-Jireh!
We are overjoyed, overwhelmed, and in case you haven't figured it out, want you to know that all of this was and is ONLY of GOD!
"That they may know that this is thy hand; that thou, Lord, hast done it" (Ps. 109:27).
Only God knew that the young man I met in the ninth grade at school would become my husband August, 1991. James and I are celebrating our eighteenth wedding anniversary this year!
Only God knew that after three years of marriage, when desiring to have a family, God would have other plans for us. At the time we had no idea what those plans were, but disappointments, heartache, tears seemed to be our normal as we prayed for a child. Additions of nieces, nephews, children of friends, baby showers, Mother's Days, and Father's Days were difficult to say the least.
Only God knew and then orchestrated specific events in one particular weekend that would create in our hearts a burning desire to pursue adoption (2001). We began requesting information from a number of adoption agencies across the country. We had almost decided on one particular agency, but when surfing the Internet one day (2003), I discovered Christian Adoption, an Internet-based adoption ministry.
Only God knew that partnering with Christian Adoption in 2003 would lead to four potential matches, three of which the birthparents chose other adoptive parents. (Our adoption profile was uploaded on Mother's Day.) The fourth potential match took place October 31, 2004, with a birthmother living in Orlando. We soon learned that not only was the birthmother early in her pregnancy, but she had a lot of emotional "baggage". We were 100% certain that God directed us to her, but the road was difficult, leaving us often times feeling emotionally, physically, and spiritually spent.
Only God knew we would receive "the call" July 1, 2005, that our soon-to-be-son would be arriving, would be greeted strangely by the staff at the hospital, then would be ushered into a private room, only to learn that our lives were about to be drastically changed. We assumed that the birthmother had changed her mind, which is always a possibility with adoption. However, it was much more than that. Our son, Evan James, was stillborn. Those moments we spent with him and the photographs we have will forever be etched in our minds. Only God knew that we would be saying goodbye before having the opportunity to say hello. However, there is Heaven!
Only God knew that while we were grieving the loss of Evan, He was creating our future daughter. During the latter part of 2005, our social worker called us to say an attorney in our area was in need of adoptive family profiles and gave us the contact information. February 2, 2006, the attorney called to let us know there was a potential adoption on the horizon. We soon learned that Jessica was early in her pregnancy (8 weeks along) and had some similar "baggage". After much discussion and prayer, James and I agreed that we did not want to say no because of our fear of a similar journey. God would have to be the one to tell us no. We agreed to pursue this adoption and plans were made to meet Jessica on February 16, 2006. Only God could make our way plain. The day we were to meet Jessica, I was at work and received a call from our attorney. She began to explain that due to Jessica's continual, unreasonable, and ever-changing demands, they would no longer be representing her. As I was processing the information and trying to formulate a few questions, the attorney proceeded to tell me that there was another birthmom, eight months along, who was interested in adoption. We went from eight weeks along to eight months along in one phone call.
Only God knew that we would meet the birthmom at the hospital the day she went into labor (March 27) and would meet our daughter Tuesday, March 28, 2006, just after midnight. The hospital staff was wonderful and we were able to "room in" at the hospital, take part in some of the labor process, and be awakened at night for the feedings. We chose a name that we not only loved, but also had a significant meaning. Eliana's name is Hebrew in origin and means "God has answered." or "God answered me." Indeed He did. Eliana's adoption was finalized in July, 2006.
Only God knew whether or not we would remain a family of three or provide us with another child. It wasn't until a few months ago that we came to realize that we would be 100% content if Eliana was our only child; but we would also be 100% thrilled if God brought us another baby. Only God could do that in our hearts.
Only God knew that our lives would be changed again as a result of one phone call on the way home from VBS Tuesday, June 16, 2009. Our friends, Mike and Sandra, learned of a situation that could potentially lead to adoption. They shared with us about a birthmom and caretaker who were sharing the responsibilities of caring for a baby and were extremely stressed out. Through a series of events, we offered "babysitting" services to give the two women a much needed break for the well being of the baby and for them. We ended up meeting the birthmom on Thursday, June 18 (James' birthday) and after conversing with her for awhile, she handed the baby to us to take home! What a birthday! We were able to have Landon with us until Saturday night.
Only God knew that the next week would be the biggest test of this entire journey. The birthmom desired to have Landon for Father's Day. After several phone calls we received, the birthmom made it clear that our desire to adopt was greater than hers. She indicated that the idea came from the caretaker rather than her, which she further explained that adoption would probably not be an option. However, she could already tell we loved her baby and agreed to let us "babysit" again from Monday until Thursday (the thought that an adoption was probably not going to happen saddened us, but we were thrilled to be able to have Landon once again).
Only God knew that the door we thought was closed would later be ajar. Tuesday morning I received a call from Landon's caretaker that someone from the Sheriff's office would be calling and stopping by. You can imagine how we must have felt. Only God could have planned that the birthmom's case worker, who had been out sick and on vacation, would choose to check up on her that very day, that Landon would not be with her or the caretaker, and that the birthmom would violate her probation that morning. The case worker then came and took Landon from us and placed him in foster care (The birthmom could not have him and our home study was not quite complete.).
Only God knew where Landon was while we were left wondering. After sharing our new adoption story as a prayer request in a small prayer group at church, we soon learned that Landon was with a family that we knew. Landon was in good hands.
Only God knew that the birthmother would falsely accuse us and the caretaker of calling the case worker on her, that the birthmother would be extremely angry at us, and then would just days later have a COMPLETE change of heart and mind. Only God knew that after appearing in court and then talking with our attorney, the birthmother would freely choose to proceed with filing adoption paperwork and then call us personally to tell us of her decision. She also apologized to us for falsely accusing us and being angry with us. The birthmom was also the first one to call us, Tuesday, June 30, to tell us that in fact she had signed the paperwork and that Landon would be our son!
Only God could perform the "impossible" by allowing our child abuse clearances to come back overnight rather than the usual 30-day wait. Our background checks came in the very next day, just before the holiday weekend! These were the last two paperwork requirements needed to complete our homestudy.
Only God knew that Wednesday, July 8, 2009, Landon would be placed in our arms by our attorney, whom we had not met personally until that day. We have one additional post-placement visit at the end of September. Once the post-placement visits are complete and our attorney's retainer fees are paid, a court date can be scheduled for finalization. Lord-willing our paperwork and adoption will be finalized by the end of the year.
Only God would do "exceeding abundantly above all that we could ask or think" by providing us a red-headed daughter (something we had always dreamed about), and a son who shares James' first name and Evan's middle name. Landon's name does not have a deep meaning like Eliana's name, but it does mean "long hill." God did have us climb a "long hill" of sorts to reach Landon, but He was with us every step of the way and Landon was worth the wait (as short as it was). In addition, through anonymous donations, almost all of our homestudy costs have been provided. Jehovah-Jireh!
We are overjoyed, overwhelmed, and in case you haven't figured it out, want you to know that all of this was and is ONLY of GOD!
"That they may know that this is thy hand; that thou, Lord, hast done it" (Ps. 109:27).
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
How The Donations Are Dispersed
Our original fun plan was to collect until we had reached our goal and then surprise them with one big check. However, we felt it was necessary to ask their permission to do all of this fundraising since we wanted to use their first names and pictures to show people who they are.
One Sunday we were talking to them and they mentioned that their physicals which had to be completed before the home study was done would not be covered by their insurance company. Our other conversations with them also revealed that Landon (the little guy) needs special formula which costs quite a bit. After hearing of these two immediate needs, we made the decision to pass the donations along to them as they arrive rather than waiting. This way they can begin utilizing the funds immediately to offer some relief to the vastly changed family budget.
One Sunday we were talking to them and they mentioned that their physicals which had to be completed before the home study was done would not be covered by their insurance company. Our other conversations with them also revealed that Landon (the little guy) needs special formula which costs quite a bit. After hearing of these two immediate needs, we made the decision to pass the donations along to them as they arrive rather than waiting. This way they can begin utilizing the funds immediately to offer some relief to the vastly changed family budget.
How The Jehovah Jireh Project Was Started...
My husband and I decided about a year and a half ago to pursue adoption. One of the couples in our Sunday School at class had already adopted and did a lot to help us in the process. Even before our son was placed with us, my husband and I began to pray that God would bless this couple with another child.
In June, we received a phone call that there was a 7 week old baby that needed a home and we were asked if we were interested in taking him in or if we knew of anyone else who was. We immediately thought of our friends from church. This could be a great opportunity for them to add to their family. This could be the answer to our prayers. We were very excited. We called them and asked the question.
The next 3 weeks can best be summed up with the words "roller coaster". For a few days it would look like everything was going to work out to have this little guy in their home permanently followed by what seemed to be a definite closing of the door followed by a maybe it could work out after all to eventually a court date that gave them custody.
Most often when couples are adopting or planning to adopt, they have advanced notice to start saving money for the considerable fees and costs related to the adoption. However, because of how rapidly this all evolved, they had no time to really prepare. Thus the idea for The Jehovah Jireh Project was born. We firmly believe that God can provide. He has been orchestrating His will through this adoption and that has been evidenced several times. We know that He can provide the money to pay for the adoption and we are praying that by getting the word out to others, He will lay it on the hearts of others who can give to be a part of something special. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at sandranmike03@hotmail.com.
In June, we received a phone call that there was a 7 week old baby that needed a home and we were asked if we were interested in taking him in or if we knew of anyone else who was. We immediately thought of our friends from church. This could be a great opportunity for them to add to their family. This could be the answer to our prayers. We were very excited. We called them and asked the question.
The next 3 weeks can best be summed up with the words "roller coaster". For a few days it would look like everything was going to work out to have this little guy in their home permanently followed by what seemed to be a definite closing of the door followed by a maybe it could work out after all to eventually a court date that gave them custody.
Most often when couples are adopting or planning to adopt, they have advanced notice to start saving money for the considerable fees and costs related to the adoption. However, because of how rapidly this all evolved, they had no time to really prepare. Thus the idea for The Jehovah Jireh Project was born. We firmly believe that God can provide. He has been orchestrating His will through this adoption and that has been evidenced several times. We know that He can provide the money to pay for the adoption and we are praying that by getting the word out to others, He will lay it on the hearts of others who can give to be a part of something special. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at sandranmike03@hotmail.com.
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