Thursday, January 1, 2009

2009 riddle....

What's 32 inches, 22 pounds and has the most beautiful smile imaginable?

Our little girl!

This is the post I have waited to write for so long!! We know who she is!
Yes, you heard me correctly.. we KNOW WHO SHE IS!

I am trembling as I write these words. It's not that I am cold or scared. I am truly in awe of God and how He hears us. You see, if you look back at this blog throughout the year (and if you have talked to Jeff or I at all this year), you will see a consistent theme to our prayers. We have prayed diligently, along with our family and friends, to know who it is that God has designed for our family, to be our daughter. Specifically though, we asked that He show us her by the end of the year.

This is where it starts to get really good...

On December 20th, I got online to check some emails, and like I always do, I looked at the website for our adoption agency to see if there were any new girls listed. I didn't really expect it, but it's become a routine to me. Anyway, much to my surprise there was a new little face smiling at me there. There was no more information, so I emailed our director asking for some specifics and thinking she would get back with me in a few days (it was a Saturday after all!) Sue, our director, emailed me back immediately asking if she could call me.

She called me minutes later and told me about this little girl... as much as she knew at that time. There wasn't a lot of information known, if truth be told, but what we learned was sad and exciting all at once. I shared all of this with Jeff while Sue emailed us more pictures of this girl. We felt a connection immediately. Precious doesn't begin to describe her! We were told that a video of her would be sent to us to view, but also we were told that another couple was considering her for adoption as well. We began to pray, along with many others.

On December 22nd, we learned that the other family had decided to wait for an infant girl, as they had originally planned.

On December 27th, we received a DVD of this little girl in the mail. I was a nervous wreck as we began to watch it! We were able to see her playing with a ball, and it was such a blessing to see her healthy and with all of her developmental skills as they should be. We wept as we watched her take the hand of the nanny and walk outside. Wow... what else can I say?

Jeff and I decided that we would not make any decision until the medical evaluation was complete. On December 30th, we received word that she had been evaluated and that there were no medical concerns. We knew that she was the one for us. God had indeed answered our prayers faithfully... and just when we had asked (by the end of the year). For good measure, He also gave us a bonus... our dossier was returned to us on December 31st, authenticated and sealed by the US Department of State and the Ethiopian Embassy in Washington DC!

Today, we received the complete medical evaluation, and it has only made us more and more certain that this child is truly meant to be ours. We feel a tremendous connection with her, and we want to rescue her from where she is currently living. Please pray for her as she deals with severe malnutrition (and little hope of having that improved in her current placement), some minor and common illnesses (we are talking about a third world country), and mostly for her emotional well-being. All reports indicate that she is a very scared and sad little girl. Who wouldn't be? She's experienced a great deal of hurt and loss in her life, so we see this as a normal response. We are fully aware of the extra time she will need to trust us once she is home with us. She hasn't exactly had a lot of reason to trust people in her life.

We trust that God has held her protectively and lovingly in His hands throughout her life. And we trust that He has brought us to her, shown us her face and overwhelmed us with a love for her that is amazing. We trust that His love is ever-healing, and that she will eventually blossom and flourish in our home.

"Now to Him who is able to immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen" (Eph. 3:20)

15 comments:

Ariel said...

Oh my goodness!!! BIG Congrats to you and your family! What a great way to start the new year! How awesome!! Will definitely be praying for you that she will be home soon!

Jo Ann said...

PRAISE GOD!!! GOD IS SO GOOD AND SO TRUE TO HIS WORD. NOW, WE PRAY FOR ELLIE TO BE SAFE UNTIL YOU ALL CAN BRING HER HOME. WE LOVE YOU ALL....ALL 4 OF YOU.

MOM AND DAD

Robo said...

No doubt about it ......God's timing is perfect . This has been such a blessing to watch you and Jeff while you call out to the One who controls our lives in such a perfect manner .
Can't wait to meet Little E.
Love you guys.

Anonymous said...

I don't know who is more excited your Mom or I but Praise the Lord Elle will be home soon where she belongs. She will be in my prayers that the longest wait is over and she will be protected until she arrives safe and sound in her family's arms. Love Aunt Karen

Unknown said...

YOUR MOMMA SENT AN EMAIL WITH SUBJECT ''ELLIE''....I IMMEDIATELY STARTED TO TREMBLE AND WELL UP...PLEASE, I PRAYED...LET THIS BE GOOD NEWS.....
PROSSER FAMILY....I CRY AS I READ THIS BLOG....I AM SO SO HAPPY!! I CAN'T WAIT TO MEET HER SOMEDAY...I KNOW IT WILL TAKE QUITE SOME TIME FOR HER TO JUST ''BE WITH YOU 3'' AND ADJUST TO THE CHANGES MADE....WELL...THAT IS 4...AS GOD IS THERE AND HAS BEEN ALL ALONG...AND HE WILL HELP HER AS HE WILL YOU.

OH I AM SO HAPPY THAT WORDS CAN'T DESCRIBE...FOREVER IN MY HEART, YOU GUYS....WE MAY NOT SEE EACH OTHER, BUT I FEEL SO CLOSE...AND LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!

WHEN YOU ARE COMFORTABLE...CAN'T WAIT TO SEE PICS OF YOUR NEW DAUGHTER....
BRYAN...YOU ARE GOING TO BE A BIG BROTHER!!! WOW.....GET READY SWEETY...CAUSE US GIRLS LOVE OUR BROTHERS SO MUCH, AND LOOK UP TO THEM FOR EVERYTHING!!!
LOVE,
VICKI

Bird's Words said...

Thanks Vicki,
We are excited too! However, due to Ethiopian law, we cannot post any pics online or send any until we pass court and she is officially ours. We will show ya if we run into you though... I have her pic in my purse now. Trust me... she's beautiful !

beth said...

Holly and Jeff,
God is so so very good. I am so thankful for Ellie and for the wonderful family that God chose for her. I will continue to pray for her safety and well being. I wept with joy as I read your news!

Jenn-Jenn, the Mother Hen said...

Congratuations!

Chris said...

Congratulations. Can't wait to meet her. God is awesome.
By the way, I have a nickname already for her.

Bird's Words said...

we have one too.. ellie bean. what's yours?
I have also been calling her "ellie K" due to her Ethiopian name which we will keep as her middle name.

Chris said...

"Special K"
It came to me Christmas when I heard her middle name.

CHRISTY said...

Hooray, hooray, hooray!!! I have been so covered up with our preparations, I managed to miss this post! Is she in Addis, is it possible for us to take her anything or go get pictures of her for you? If so, let me know, we would be willing. If not- we'll simply pray! So excited for you guys! Praise the Lord!

Rebecca Caldwell said...

Wow guys! I have been behind on reading my blogs, but I am so excited to read this!! Praise the Lord!!! I can not wait to see her!! What a blessing! I will be staying tuned for sure!!!

Adrienne said...

How very exciting! I praise God that He designed this beautiful little girl to be your daughter and that you will all soon be together!

Chris and Terri said...

Congratulations on your referral! Yes - this is an emotional rollercoaster and journey of faith definitely! Our blog is at Thailand4us.blogspot.com if you want to follow our journey. I can't wait to have time to read all of your blog. I hope you get a Travel Approval soon!

Terri