Well, the staffing today didn’t go our way but that doesn’t mean it isn’t without a bright spot. A couple was chosen who cannot have any children of their own and who have previously adopted one child. It seemed a good match to the case worker since both children will be adopted.

I’ll be honest, the let downs are getting tougher to take. This was number six in ten months, not counting those situations that we were never really considered for to begin with. Yes, six times we’ve been considered and then things didn’t work out. Some have gone farther than others but it’s always tough to take. Our children are, for the first time, showing signs of the emotional toll that the let downs are having. The faith of a child has become almost cliche, but when you see it, you can’t help but be awestruck. Children truly do have a greater capacity for trust in God than the majority of us who are “mature”. Our consecutive streak of disappointments is starting to dull the glimmer of their hope. It’s painful as a parent to see this happening. However, we persist, because we have faith also that what God has started He will finish. And when that day comes I trust that God will wipe away the dull from our children’s hearts and it will be an effect like rubbing polishing compound from a silver plate. Once it’s been buffed out, the shine is restored and then some.

The hidden gem in this story is that we have a rare glimpse to see how God answered our prayers in this situation. Yes, He did answer our prayers believe it or not. Want to know how I know this? It turns out that our friend Terri, who has completed our adoption extension for us, knows the couple who was chosen for this baby’s forever family. When she heard the situation, she let us know that this couple is not only a great family for the little guy, but they are believers as well. We prayed for this boy that he would be placed in a wonderful family and that one day he would come to know the Lord.

Now we know that God answered, and is still answering our prayers for this kiddo. We’re blessed to be allowed the privilege of  intercessory prayer. In this way God has graced us with a role to minister to the kiddos that will never know us.

JPM

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We are being presented this Thursday during a CPS staffing for a 15 month old baby boy in need of a forever family. Please pray that we will receive favor in the eyes of the case workers. Above all, pray that God would give wisdom to the case workers so that they are able to choose the very best placement for this little guy.

This is actually the second time that this same little kiddo has been brought to our attention in the past two months. The previous staffing was postponed while CPS spoke with a family member about possibly getting certified to adopt. We have to assume that they were unable or unwilling to get certified or the staffing would not be moving forward.

The journey continues and has been a long one already. Our certification actually expires this month because it’s been 18 months already. We have put in the paperwork to have our cert extended another year and we’re waiting to hear back on that. We don’t anticipate any problems, but it demonstrates the length of the wait. We started this journey over two years ago and we pray that God sees fit to bless us with a child soon.

JPM

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The amazing Director of With Child and our dear friend, Kim Schmidt, was in a head on collision and went to be with the Lord on August 2nd. Needless to say we were not only shocked, but deeply sad. She was one of the most passionate followers of Christ that I’ve ever met. Her friendship inspired us and she will be deeply missed.

With Child is continuing and a new Director has been named. We look forward to meeting with the new director and continuing as part of the adoptive parents working with that ministry. We also from time to time hear of CPS cases for which we are being considered, but nothing has materialized so far.

There are no coincidences and nothing is a surprise to God. This included. We’re glad to have known Kim. Her love changed our life. This is a significant event for us in several ways because we were not only her friend but also a part of the ministry of With Child. We’ll continue to follow God’s lead and wait on Him to bring us a child through adoption.

One of the last things Kim said to Stacie was in a Facebook chat. It has encouraged us and the timing was nothing less than a God-cidence. She told us that she “knows without a doubt” that God intends for us to adopt a child. What a gift that the Lord gave us in Kim.

Slide presentation from Kim’s memorial service set to music: http://www.youtube.com/v/96QqvmGAy9g&hl=en&fs=1&

JPM

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This couple broke their ten day silence and we have bittersweet closure on this situation; they have chosen to parent their baby boy.

We’re truly happy for them and feel that they have all the potential and support structure necessary to be great parents. They communicated that we were the perfect family to adopt their baby. However after meeting with us they were challenged to consider their options more deeply. It appears that in some way we were a part of the process that God used to bring them to a decision to parent. Although we’re heartbroken to be “back to the drawing board” it’s exciting to see that these two young adults (20 and 21 y/o) are going to do their best. What else can a child ask of his/her parents? You can continue to pray for them with us:

• That God would provide for them financially
• That their families would support them
• That they would take advantage of the parenting classes that With Child has offered
• That the Holy Spirit would draw them to Himself as Children of God

We’ve decided to take a short break from being presented as an adoptive family by With Child. This is the fifth adoption situation for us that has not worked out; the second in the last three weeks. The emotional effect on our family has been draining and we need some down time.

God put the desire in our hearts to adopt. We believe that He will bring that to bear in His perfect timing.

Delight yourself in the LORD;

And He will give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the LORD,

Trust also in Him, and He will do it.

He will bring forth your righteousness as the light

And your judgment as the noonday.

Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him;

Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,

Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes.

Cease from anger and forsake wrath;

Do not fret; it leads only to evildoing.

Psalm 37:4-8

JPM

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Thanks for being such faithful prayer warriors! We have some exciting news to share once again. Our profile was selected by a birth mother two weeks ago. She’s considering us to adopt her baby boy due at the end of August. Both she and the birth father met with us last Thursday evening.

Although this is fairly soon since our last match fell through, we felt ready. It’s a blessing that we haven’t had to wait for a long time and we’re looking forward to what God is going to do.

We were able to relax and be ourselves and enjoyed our time getting to know both birth mom and dad. We liked them a lot and had a fun conversation. Please continue to pray for them as they have a big decision to make. We feel a sense of peace about the situation, and we’ll be OK no matter what they decide.

Pray that the birth mother and the baby would have good health.
Pray for the birth mother and father to make a wise choice. This is a really big decision for both of them.
Pray that this would be a good match and once they make a decision their minds would be made up for good.

Thanks in advance for your continued prayers; we know it’s in God’s hands.

Blessings,

JPM

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We received disappointing news this evening; the birth mother who we met just over a week ago has now changed her mind about this adoption. The guardian of her almost two year old is going to adopt the baby in order to keep the siblings together.

We’re broken hearted, but remain faithful to our calling to adopt and hopeful that God will supply all our needs.

We count it a privilege to pray for each child that we are informed of and each birth parent whose name we know. God hears our prayers in heaven, and we believe it’s our privilege to intercede on behalf of these children of His that have crossed our path. Who knows, some day we may yet meet those children, maybe in God’s presence. That’s up to Him. But for now we’ll be sad a while because there’s a time for that, and one day joy will come again, but what remains is our respect for God and obedience to His calling for this is our all.

Jon & Stacie

We were given the opportunity to go to the ultrasound appointment this afternoon and of course we jumped at the chance. We saw the baby’s cute little face in 3D.

Magical!

3D Ultrasound

It’s definitely a GIRL. She’s healthy: heart was beating strong, lungs were working, brain looked good, everything is in place. She’s chubby: her little cheeks were very visible when the tech turned to 3D and we got a good picture from it. She’s camera shy: turned her face away from the US everytime the tech was ready to snap a picture, but her mouth was moving so she’ll probably be a talker. lol.

Due date is confirmed as July 28th. She’s a big baby at 32 weeks and would be over nine pounds if she goes full term according to the Dr. Therefore, the Doc is unlikely to let her go past 7/21. He’ll want to induce 1-2 weeks early if the mother doesn’t go into labor before then.

She is breech right now, but it’s not a big concern. In a month, if she’s still backwards the Doctor will do an e-version (he’ll try to turn the baby around by pushing on the mother’s tummy). We’re praying that there will be no need for a C-section because the physical healing is more intense and it’s better for the mother not to have both emotional and physical healing at the same time.

We’re really excited!!!!

JPM

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With great joy I report: God has answered our prayers!

The meeting last night went very smoothly. We were relaxed and able to be ourselves throughout the time we spent. Today we received word that we’ve been chosen by the birth mother to be the adoptive parents of the baby girl she carries.

We are both honored and humbled at her choice and highly respect her courageous and selfless decision.  Please pray with us for:

(1) physical health and safety for the birth mother,

(2) health and protection for the baby, and

(3) strength for our family as we continue this journey.

JPM

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We’re meeting with a birth mother tomorrow (Sunday) at 5:30 regarding a potential adoption.

Please pray for us not to be too nervous and that we can be ourselves. This will be our first meeting with a birth mother and her situation comes with a few complications. Pray also that the meeting would result in a very clear outcome: either that all parties are very comfortable moving forward or that this is clearly not going to work out. We desire to know one way or the other. Please also pray that she would not change her mind about meeting us. We’ll be accompanied in the meeting by Kim and Terri from With Child and that is giving us a lot of comfort.

This baby girl is due in July and has had some drug exposure. Pray for her health and well being. In addition, this birth mother has a 21 month old daughter that is in the care of a guardian. The guardian of the 21 month old will be at the meeting tomorrow as well. We’re only discussing the adoption of the infant at tomorrow’s meeting but there is a possibility that the other child may be placed.

“But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you.” Psalm 39:7

Jon & Stacie

We’ve received many encouraging words from friends about the recent disappointment. Here’s a collection of encouraging passages from God’s Word that have helped through this.

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” – Galatians 6:9
“Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” – Psalm 42:5-6a

“For I Know the plans I have for you “, says the Lord “they are plans for good and not harm, to give you a future with hope”. Jeremiah 29:11.

“And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:19

“For the Lord your God is a compassionate God, He will not fail you nor destroy you nor forget the covenant with your fathers which He swore to them.” Deut. 4:31

JPM

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