Our Story of Adoption-Defending the Cause..

"Defend the cause of the fatherless..."Isaiah 1:17

As I see this verse again it reminds me of not only why we are adopting, but how we came upon Isaiah Minalachew's name.

This weekend Rob and I will be blessed to share our story with our Church Family at Faith E Free in Austin. As this is National Adoption Month, and Orphan Sunday is tomorrow I wanted to take a moment to share-from a waiting family-why we chose to adopt.

This process started less than one year ago-last December on a "date night" Rob and I had the opportunity to attend a concert in Austin by Sara Groves in which this video was shown (link is above)

Previously Rob and I had discussed adoption and foster care-ever since my days of teaching in Saint Paul I have had a passion for those who have had struggles beyond my imagination, but walk among us. We were also blessed in our days living in the metro to walk alongside a couple who went through the process of adopting twins from Ethiopia-from start to finish we were in such awe of the compassion and love they shared for this babies, even before they were born. After that concert Rob and I seriously began the talk of adoption. For those who know me-know a lot of reading, research, and meetings occurred before our final decision. Rob, who I have always admired for his strength and trust in God, felt this was the time to pursue the options of adoption.

We attended an informational meeting in Rochester in January, and shortly after submitted an application for adoption-with an emphasis on the Ethiopian program. Since that time God's hand has been guiding us (at times Rob might admit this has been a 'sprint' more than a 'marathon') throughout the reams of paper, meetings, and funds that have been poured into someone (at the time) we knew was alive, but didn't know would be ours.

By June we were done with the paperwork and approved. Guidelines were given--in about 1 year we would probably have our referral, so in about 2 years we would have a son/daughter that would be between 2-4 years old from Ethiopia. We started the "waiting" process by reading, attending multicultural events, and learning to enjoy some of the rich food flavors of Ethiopian food.

From Isaiah's journal: Friday July 30th, 2010. Today we found you.....

What a true God moment-I can recall having Kenny in the car when the call came through--I actually told the social worker she had the wrong phone number--what a referral, we have only been waiting a month! Are you sure you have the right family? Little did I know it wasn't up to her, or the agency, God had decided that Isaiah would be ours-long before that call came through.

Thanks to the support of friends, family, and a co-worker who was a notary of the republic-within one week all paperwork was completed and sent to Africa (to this day our social worker was amazed at the degree of 'passion' we took to get this completed so quickly). We then went right to work in getting all the things we thought we would have two years to do, done in two months. In this time we have also partnered with Lifesong for Orphans to assist with the financial obligations that have come due sooner then expected.

Family and friends have supported bringing Isaiah home in such special ways-from giving us their 'unexpected income', prayers, watching Kenny for us, making meals while I took on a second job at Winona State, listening to a tearful Jessica when frustration is more than I could handle, making Kenny special 'Big Brother' attire, or even a 'spur of the moment' trip to Duluth with girlfriends to just get away from everything-even if just for a day- God has not only set us on this path, but given us wonderful friends and family to support us along the way.

To date-we continue to wait for our first court date to travel to Africa-we have been told that there is no 'order' of who goes when, just to wait. Yesterday court dates were posted up until January 12th, this would mean that our first trip would be at least the end of Jan...meaning trip two to bring him home is into March of 2011 at this time (which when I struggle with waiting, friend and family remind me is still sooner than we had originally expected an initial call).

I write this with tears of happiness, sadness, frustration, and excitement. As we were blessed with Kenny almost 6 years ago-adoption certainly is more of a hurry up and wait process, then the 9 months of pregnancy with Kenny. If I have learned anything along this journey is that it isn't at all about me-God has a plan in when and why this will happen. We just continue to be grateful to share in this journey with each of you.

Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and

gather you from the west. Isaiah 43:5