We Found Abby Grace!

It started quite innocently. As I was browsing our agency's website one day I realized that they had a "waiting children" section. We had discussed the option of a child with a "special need" before. We just didn't feel that it was a good option for us. As I read the information, I began to realize that my idea of "special need" was not a correct perception. I began to read about children with minor, correctable problems. Birthmarks, born with a hole in the heart, cleft lip, cleft palate. These were the kinds of "special needs" that caused children to be placed on a "waiting child" list. I realized quickly that we should re-think our decision and consider a "special needs" child.

We contacted our agency that allowed us to place a preliminary application. This application on file allowed us to view the upcoming list of children and petition to adopt. This application would place us as a "preview family". This would alow us to view the list for a week before it was released to others that would possibly be interested in petitioning for these children.

We waited.

Then, after what seemed like an eternity (it was really only about 2 weeks) the password that secured "the list" was released on Friday, December 9th. It seemed like a mad race! As I viewed the faces of those 40 children, wondered how I was going to be able to bring them all home! We had to have our petitions in by Thursday, December 15th at noon. After meeting with a pediatrician and reviewing the medical files of each child, we narrowed our selection down to 3 precious little girls.

The wait was excruciating! We knew that a committee would meet on Thursday afternoon to determine which families would be best for each child. The calls wouldn't be made until Friday.
When I woke up Friday morning, I thought I would be ill! The anxiety was sickening! We knew that there had been an enormous response to the list. We knew that there would be many, many calls that would be made to inform families that they had not been matched. Just over 20 children had been matched with their families, but more than 60 petitions had been made.

Of course, it's December 16th. There was work to be done. As I packed each child's gift bag at our distribution center, I wondered if we would have a daughter. I wondered which toy she would like best. I wondered when I would know.

So, in an attempt to take my mind off of my anxiety, I went to Wal Mart. And of course, as I was picking out watches for 12 year old girls, my phone rang. I thought I was going to be ill again! I couldn't find my phone fast enough! I was trying to check the caller ID to see if it was the agency. As I answered the phone, it was indeed Sherry W. from our agency. "Shannon, this is Sherry - you haven't been matched with _____ , but you have been matched with Yi Yi!" I think she said something else - but I was crying and I don't remember what it was. "Are you happy?" she asked. "Of course, I'm THRILLED! We've been matched! I'm standing in the middle of Wal Mart crying like a baby now!" So, she says "well, buy something for Yi Yi while you're there!" She said some other things - but I don't know what they were.

WE HAVE FOUND OUR ABBY GRACE!

Ok, for a few details - Her date of birth 7/10/03
She is currently in the Guangxi province
Her "special need" is repaired cleft lip
SHE IS BEAUTIFUL!

I so wish that I could post a picture here, but because of agency agreements concerning confidentiality, I am not currently able to do so. Once we have received PA (preliminary approval) from the Chinese government, I'll be able to post. Until then, you'll have to trust me! SHE'S BEAUTIFUL!

The beginning of the Red Thread

It was March 20, 2005. I was in my new Salsa Red Toyota Sienna mini van. We lived in Odessa, Tx. We knew that there was a corps that was in desperate need of a new(er) van. Robert and I decided to offer to purchase a new mini van and pass along my mini van to this corps. So now I was driving my new mini van. I had picked up my new van that week, so I hadn't moved all of my CD's into my new van. Now, if you've ever been a passenger in my van, you know that I generally always have a Disney CD playing in my van. Generally the only exception is during Christmas time when I love to listen to Christmas music.

It was a Sunday afternoon about 3:00 pm. On most Sunday afternoons at 3:00, I am taking my usual Sunday afternoon nap. This is a tradition that I have held to since childhood. But not on THIS Sunday afternoon. While at church that Sunday morning I realized that there was a lady in our congregation that had a need that I felt that I had to help fill. So, on Sunday afternoon, I was out shopping, had gone to this woman's apartment and dropped off the items that she needed, and about 3:00 I was in my new van, listening to K-Love on the radio. All unusual circumstances to me. As I was driving home, I heard a PSA for Steven Curtis Chapman's foundation Shoahannah's Hope. I wasn't really even listening, but I heard it! Adopting children from China... They need a home... Grants Available... web site. I went home and told Robert about it. I decided I would take a look on the website and check things out.

We had considered adoption a few times before. It seemed that with each time, there was always a huge obstacle in our way. We had pretty much decided that we could not do it. We couldn't afford it, was our final decision. Then I hear about Shoahannah's hope that offers grants to families wishing to adopt from China specifically.

Monday morning, the research began. What I realized, was that there was no way that we COULDN'T adopt from China. God began to open the doors right before my eyes! With every question that I had, He began to answer and show me that the doors were open before I even asked! So THIS is why each attempt was unsuccessful. God's plan for us was different!
His timing is ALWAYS PERFECT! I hope I never forget that! Even as I wait!