Referral Story (2)

(continued from below)

After Faith had received the phone call from our case worker, our resolve was strengthened, weak as it was. We talked about the increased wait times, understood the distance that could still be there between us and our child(ren), and prepared ourselves for another wait. At home, we said to one another, "We need hope," and having the assurance that we may not be waiting five months gave us a glimmer.

That evening I had volunteered to host a seminar at our church for the E-Free leaders in our district for coaching. Faith had been lovingly preparing a meal for the few of us who attended. After the first night I came home and we talked more about the adoption and slept better than we had the previous few nights. We prayed together. I can't imagine following through the adoption process without someone walking with me who is going through the same emotions and doubts and is able to understand how I am feeling and thinking - and is able to stand strong when I fall just as I would for her. It is so easy to doubt God's plan some days, even those things we have been assured of. My friend Tony once reminded me of this (not sure of the source), "Don't doubt in the dark what God has shown you in the light." These had been dark days.

The next day the seminar continued. As lunchtime approached, I knew I would have to duck out and help Faith with preparations to serve a meal to our guests. I admit, I really love working with Faith in the kitchen. So when my iPhone started buzzing in my pocket at 11:00 am, I was sure it was Faith letting me know she was at the church and needed some help. I politely dismissed myself from the room and answered the phone in the stairwell. And I was surprised to see the number was from our adoption agency. The voice on the other line was clear and jovial, which was a blessing to me. Our case worker said to me first that she had spoken to Faith the day before (which I knew) and that she had really been sorry she didn't have better news - like today.

"I have a referral for you."

"You're not serious are you? You're kidding. How is that possible?"

"I'm not joking! I wanted to tell Faith yesterday that we might have a referral for a Canadian couple, thinking that it would be for you - but I couldn't say anything because we didn't know for certain."

"And you're calling me - did you try the house already?"

"Faith wasn't home. And I wasn't going to use the answering machine unless I couldn't get a hold of either of you. And - "

"Well, I think you've got both of us - hold on a second...."

And in walked Faith with everything for the meal. And on came the speakerphone. And I brought Faith into the conversation. It was so much to take in.

Not just one child, but two.

A boy and a girl.

Then she sent us an email with their photos. We still had to prepare the rest of the food for lunch, and we weren't sure we would be able to withhold our emotions through the meal (or to it) if we looked. But curiosity got the best of us. We had to know. So we looked. We read their names for the first time. Saw their faces. We read the little bit of their story that is known. Our hearts were satisfied for the moment.

We served the meal, made some small talk, and Faith cleaned up and went home. I tried to stay. I tried to focus. But I was so in another world. I had to go home. Like any other good host, I left without explanation. As I was leaving, I also passed by our summer intern filling water balloons for my youth event with three other staff members who needed a break. I returned to them them with a cryptic, "This is the day - I'll have to tell you later."(It had been a rough week for us as a staff. We had a difficult memorial that Monday for the father of one of our staff members.) One of them correctly assumed the best - she had been praying for it once again that morning. Another assumed something more ominous.

I headed to Walmart to make some prints and then I headed home. We made the phone call and accepted the referral. School would be out in a few moments, so Faith and I headed out our separate ways and got the three children we do have at home. I couldn't help it. I blabbed to Micah in the vehicle. Faith just told the other two that we had a surprise for them. We captured a few photos of them looking at the referral photos and beaming with delight. It was finally happening. We could finally begin to bring them home.