Hey friends! I wanted to write a quick post and give you an update on our adoption.
If you are new to my blog and do not know our whole adoption story, you can read about our story HERE.
In a nutshell, we hosted an 8 year old little girl this summer, we fell in love, and we pursued adopting her.
We traveled to her home country in Eastern Europe in December of last year with the intentions of bringing her back home with us. However, things did not turn out as we had planned. Because of unexpected reasons, we made the decision to stop the adoption and return home.
We are not able to fully explain to the reasons why, but I can tell you…hands down…that it was the most difficult, heart-wrenching decision my husband and I have ever made in our lives. For weeks, I felt numb and couldn’t make sense of what had happened.
However, one thing that I have known for sure throughout this process is that God has been right beside us. I definitely do not understand why things happened the way they did, but I trust God, and I know that HE DOES. He has drawn our whole family closer to Him during this process, and I have grown to love Him even more. I love that no matter how chaotic and crazy our lives can feel, God is our constant. He never changes. He is always faithful.
Even though our adoption was stopped, our love for our little girl continued. She is forever in our hearts, and we still feel like God is telling us that she is to be a part of our forever family. By His Grace, we have been allowed to continue the adoption of our girl. Unfortunately, we are having to re-do our home study, our i800, and complete additional paperwork to make it happen, which of course requires more time and money.
Because of her mental and behavioral needs, our sweet girl is no longer with her foster family or in an orphanage. She is actually not in a very good place right now. We found out a couple of weeks ago that she may be there until the middle of April or longer. It began to look as if we were not going to be able to go over and get her until early summer. Again, our hearts were breaking for her.
However, on Thursday, we found out that the Orphan’s Court had visited her, and they feel she may be able to leave the facility she is staying at in a few weeks!! This means it could be by the end of March!! We were thrilled!!
They also gave her the letters that we had written to her, and they said she still calls us “mom and dad.” They said she is not angry with us for leaving and that she still very much wants to be a part of our family. This blessed our hearts beyond measure!!!
So now we are hoping and praying that our paperwork can be processed asap, and we can start making travel plans.
We ask for your prayers in all of this.
First of all because we are in the midst of a very exciting time in our lives…Jonathan being on season 10 of The Voice!! It is going to be tricky figuring out how to handle all that is going on with him and our adoption at the same time. I begin to worry, and then I remember that God is bigger than my schedule or busy life, and that He will work it out in His perfect timing.
Secondly, because we are having to re-do a lot of our adoption, we will need to come up with more money to cover our expenses. This time when we travel, we are hoping to take all of our boys with us. This will be more expensive, but it was very difficult on our two youngest boys, Adam and Eli, when we were gone last time. We know that this is not going to be easy, but our girl is worth it. You can’t put a price tag on being a part of a family! :)
And lastly, please pray that God would prepare our hearts and our little girl’s heart as she comes home to be a part of her family. We found out in December that her mental, emotional, and behavioral needs were much more serious than we had initially realized. Over the past few weeks, we have gotten several different doctors and therapists in place for her when she comes home to help us get her to a healthy place in her life. We know that it may be a long journey to get her there, but again, she is worth it.
We cannot tell you how grateful we are for your love and your support! This adoption journey has been quite a roller coaster ride, as I know many are. But it is one that we are very thankful for. Hopefully, very soon, we will be reunited with our girl and we can begin the process of being a family of seven. The boys miss her and can’t wait to be her big brothers. She will be in very good hands with my boys! They are already so protective of her. :)
Thank you again for all of your encouraging words and faithful prayers for our girl and our family.
God bless you!
Will be keeping you all in prayer. It will all work out becausecGod is in control.
Thank you so much!!
Continued prayers for your sweet girl and your entire family Traci! xoxo
Thank you, Claire!
This is so wonderful to hear! Will definitely be praying for all of you and for her therapy when she comes HOME.
Thank you, Bridgett!
I’ll definitely keep all of you in my prayers. God is in control, for sure.
God bless!
Thank you, Ginger!
Any thoughts to a Gofundme account? I have been following your story for a while and waiting for good news about the adoption process. I know that sometimes it’s hard to accept money from others, but think of it as others helping your new daughter. ….just a thought. I’ll be watching if you decide to do so. I’d love to send a bit to help out.
Thank you, Denise! Yes, we have thought about it, but yes, it is hard to take money from people. I appreciate your willingness to help our little girl out. God bless you!
That was my question too! We may not be able to give much but we are friends, right?! ;) I think most of your readers feel apart of this!
Such great news..will be keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.
Thank you, Shirley!
When will Jonathan be on The Voice??? would love to see him perform.
Yes mam! Keep watching! ;)
Traci…such wonderful and exciting news for you and your family! There’s nothing like having a daughter…you will love being a full time mom to your soon to be daughter. You all will be in my prayers 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Congrats to Jonathan and I can’t wait to see him on The Voice!
Thank you Cynthia! xoxo
My heart is with you. I have two boys and I am an only child (girl). Oh, if I could of had just one girl. My boys are having a tough time right now and are figuring out their problems. Meanwhile, mom is biting her nails. I am sure with their hearts in the right place everything will be ok. God is with us and I know that he is with you too. You are fantastic people that rule from your heart, and God knows that. She is going to be a lucky girl to have you as parents. Hope all is going ok and soon. Lisa
Thank you for your sweet words. God bless you!
I’ve been thinking of her – and all of you – often since December. My daughter and her husband adopted a little boy from China almost three years ago. They took our granddaughter – who was then 5 – with them when they traveled there. My heart was in my throat the whole two weeks they were gone! It has not been easy as he has some behavioral issues as well and has had two surgeries to continue to take care of his cleft lip and palate, but he is worth it! He’s funny and incredibly smart, and we all love him. I will pray for you and your girl.
What wonderful news about your grandson! I know you understand how stressful and beautiful the adoption process can be. Thank you for your continual prayers. God bless you!
Today I met my new grandson for the first time. Adopted by my daughter from South Africa. They also adopted a little girl from Ethiopia three years ago. I understand how long the adoption process can be. It is so worth it! Keeping you and your whole family in my prayers.
Thank you so much, Terri! And Congratulations on all of your precious little treasures!! xoxo
I will certainly be praying! I am so excited that you are getting another chance. God is good, all the time.
Thank you, Cindy!
It’s so weird that the blog world connects us–it’s this huge brigade praying for each other. We never stopped praying for your boys and little girl. Tonight, let’s pray — God speed:)
Peggy..YES! It is so weird how the blog world connects all of us, but it is such a beautiful thing! THANK YOU for your continual prayers for us all!! God bless you!
Traci, Praise God for the way He’s been working in your lives. I believe as do you that your precious little girl is in God’s hands so when and if (in the fullness of time) she is ready to be placed in her forever home it will be in God’s perfect timing and His will for the best of all concerned. If you find the trip is going forward have you considered a Go Fund Me page? I would love to donate and I’m sure many of your other friends would too. Even though we’ve only met in the blogosphere I do consider you a good friend.
Take good care and may God continue to do His good work in the lives of you & yours.
Prayerfully,
Doni
Hi Doni! Thank you so much for your encouraging words. :) We have thought about a Go Fund Me page, but truthfully, it is hard to take money from people, ya know? I know that I have so many wonderful readers that would love to donate, but again, it’s hard for me to take their money. We are going to try and pay for as much of it as we can on our own, and I may sell something on my blog to raise funds. We are going to just wait and see how it all unfolds. Thank you again for your prayers and willingness to invest in our adoption. God bless YOU!
This is such great news, I’ve been praying for all of you. God is good!
Thank you, Tonya!
Praising God and rejoicing with you!! His timing is perfect and He will work out all the details. She will remain in my prayers too. Looking forward to seeing Jonathan perform :-)
Thank you, Lisa!!
Traci, Gods working a miracle here!! He wanted to make sure that both your little girls needs would be met and your boys would also be taken care of! He wants to so protect all those that are involved. So its taken the long road to get there. But it will be so worth it. And her emotional and mental needs will be fine all in do time just because she is surounded by love from a beautiful forever faimly! And with that things can only be great! This is all part of this miracle that our God has allowed to happen!! Amen to that!! praying for your faimly always!!
Shawn, thank you for your encouragement! We are thankful now that we understand her needs better now and that we will be more prepared to help her when she gets home. It is definitely going to be very hard at times, but we believe that God is calling us to be her family. God bless you!
May God bless every single one of you !!
Thank you, Ann!
My prayers are for you and your daughter. I do not want to be kill joy but you told about her problems. My mother’s cousin and her family adopted a boy from Russia. He had so many bad bad things that she ultimately had to give him up. Please be careful.
I understand you concerns, Jody. Thank you for your prayers.
Yes, I think adopting families have to be prepared for this. It’s harder if there are other children involved, because the problems may spill over and effect the other children, causing even more problems and you all end up in therapy. Sometimes adopting parents think that if you give a child enough love, all problems disappear. I wish this were the case, but it just isn’t so. It seems Traci is lining up help for her girl and is not under any illusions. God bless her and give them all strength and wisdom.
My heart is beating so fast just reading this -i canot imagine all you and she have been thru emotionaly. God’s timing is not always easy to understand Sending so many prayers for all of you.
Sharon, Thank you for your sweet words. :)
Well, this is happy news on my Sunday morning! So glad to hear this isn’t over. Excited about His HUGE plan for all of you.
Thank you so much, Emily! It has been quite an emotional ride, but we are hanging in there. :)
My heart goes out to you and your family -which includes your little girl. I am praying for you and know God’s got it all figured out and taken care of. Hes already gone before you to make the rough places smooth. He’s got a plan. A good plan for each of you. And He will provide everything needed to accomplish His good, pleasing, and perfect plan. Love is more powerful than I think it’s given credit. Love breaks down the barriers and brings total healing and restoration. Your family’s love for your little girl will restore her and Gods love for y’all will sustain and strengthen you. Trust Him on your journey and He will do more than any of us can imagine ( Eph 3:20) because with God, nothing is impossible! Yay :)
Thank you, Moriah. Yes, we are trusting in the powerful healing love of our Lord for our little girl. :)
Thank you for your encouragement and prayers.
Praise His Holy Name…No matter how low we get..He is always right beside us working daily to see us through.
It brightens my day to read this and know that this precious child will be with you & your loving family.
May your days be blessed as you continue this journey……All my love & prayers daily…
Thank you so much, Teresa!
Praying for your family and this sweet precious girl. She will be so happy to be a part of a loving family.
Thank you, Tammy!
Such wonderful news for your family and especially this beautiful little girl who loves and needs you so very much. Prayers and Blessings for your little girl to soon be with your four sons, you and Cy, and healing and love grow and grow…
“The righteous cry out and the Lord hears them…” Know I’m praying….
Awesome news about your little girl. I am continuing to pray for her and your family. I am so excited for Jonathan. Can’t wait to see him perform.
Praying for your peace and resting in Christ. He will provide for your needs as you seek to honor him. Praying for you and praising the Lord on your behalf for He is good!
I’m so happy for you. Sending you big big prayers!
xoxox
Traci, we are praying for your family and would love to make a donation to your family to help with your expenses. Do you have a GO FUND ME PAGE? If not maybe you should think about having something like this. I’m not rich by any means but if all your faithful readers were to donate a small amount, it would add up quickly! You could have a link on this page. It would be strictly voluntary. Keep us posted on your journey! God be with you!
Traci, thank you for the update. You all continue to be in my prayers. As someone so beautifully commented on one of your prior posts, it seems this time of waiting is also a time of needed preparation. Please prayfully consider a Go Fund Me page. Remember that sommetimes God asks others to be the answer to prayer. So let them/us help be that for you. And there are certainly ways to keep the existance of such a page low key.
My sweet friend, Traci – please do prayerfully consider a Go Fund Me account. You are such a sweetie. You wouldn’t be “taking” money from people – we would be giving it to you. Our Heavenly Father commanded us to take care of orphans. While we are not all able to physically do that, it would be my honor to do so through you. I am praying for you and your family. God could have put us all on our own private island, but he gave us each other so we could support, love , and help each other. Please let us help you. Much, Much love!!!
All in Gods timing! We just need to learn to trust and have patience. And, give it to him. So happy to hear your news.
Traci,
I continue to pray for your family and your little girl. As a former adoption worker, I can tell you that all adoptions come with their share of challenges and Love does not conquer all so I am glad that you have professionals in place to help out when she gets here. But your love and faith will help you through this. So excited for you ! And, of course, watching for Jonathan on the Voice.
BLESS your hearts. We adopted Internationally twice. We just told ourselves it was not a matter of IF but a matter of When! Keep your faith. Praying for you and your sweet girl!
Amazing. With God, all things are possible. She is so lucky to have you and your family fighting for her. Just imagine if she didn’t. When we went through similar trials when adopting our daughter, my sweet Mom said to me, “This is all going to work out…I have a good feeling about it.” And she was right. Our girl now has her forever family and I just know the same will happen for your girl. “I have a good feeling about it”.
What wonderful news! I know it had to be heartbreaking to make that decision in December. I think it really shows that your family is truly dedicated to your little girl. Taking the time to explore the help she will need, and having it in place for when she comes home, shows that you guys are ready to meet the challenges and be successful in providing her a happy home. God bless you!
Traci, thank you so much for giving us an update. My very first tho’t was how can I help you. I know how expensive adoption is and even tho I don’t have any great ideas on how to do it, I’m sure that there are others who would like to help to. It may not be much but every little bit could help. Please let me know how I can do this for you guys. :) I’ve been patiently waiting to see Jonathan on the Voice – hope to see home this week. Sending hugs and love and praying for blessing on your day.
Traci, thank you so much for giving us an update. My very first tho’t was how can I help you. I know how expensive adoption is and even tho I don’t have any great ideas on how to do it, I’m sure that there are others who would like to help to0. It may not be much but every little bit could help. Please let me know how I can do this for you guys. :) I’ve been patiently waiting to see Jonathan on the Voice – hope to see home this week. Sending hugs and love and praying for blessing on your day.
I found your post via a childhood friend so, obviously we are not aquainted. I’m so happy for you and your family that your adoption is proceeding.
We are in year three of having Maisie with us. She is currently squirming around on the bed next to me. It was almost a decade of forms, home studies and social workers before we were finally matched with Maisie and then could start this agonizing wait to go and get her. Your disapointment at coming home empty handed must have been devastating. The idea that your child is out there in the world somewhere and you can put your arms around her and protect her is exquisitely painful.
I’m so happy that things are moving forward. We have been overwhelmed at the blessing Maisie is in our lives. We anticipated joy but never imagined it would be this incredible. All the uncertainty, waiting, aggravation and money (don’t forget all that money) have faded into a distant memory now that she’s here.
I hope thing are quick for you.
Wonderful news about your little girl. Perhaps you could do the T-shirt sale like Layla at the Lettered Cottage has done too help raise money for your adoption expenses.
Praying for you and your family. God bless and keep you all through this journey.
Life is full of learning new things that aren’t always easy to take. I cannot imagine trying to adopt from a foreign country where their mind sets are very different than the american way. Not sure which country you are dealing with but think it must be difficult. God will help you through it all. He knows all peoples and their agendas they are on. As for the voice, your son has one and will do well. No heartache necessary.
Thankfully there is a future for him.
I have been a long time (silent) follower and will sometime comment. I know you know this, but God has got this my sweet friend. I also follow your friend’s Layla and Kev’s blog and I may just reach out to them and have them do a t-shirt sale for you and your family!!!! They don’t know me from adam, but I know they have huge hearts and are in the final process of their own adoption, so who knows!!!! ;-) I will keep y’all in my prayers. I am a huge fan of the voice and will be watching for Jonathan. Kim (in Texas)
Oh Traci I am so happy that you are getting another chance! I would love to donate to your travel plans. Has there been a fundraiser setup? I know that sounds crazy but I am sure many would love to help out :) Including us!
Traci,
I hesitate to leave a comment because you have received so many to read already. But I have been following along on this emotional adoption experience and praying that God would work everything for good as He always does. Will continue to pray for all of you until baby girl is finally home with your family, once and for all.
Leslie @http://onceuponatimehappilyeverafter.com
Prayers
http://www.rsrue.blogspot.com
Thank you for sharing this update. Praying that all works out for your good and God’s glory. I have no doubt it will. :)
Blessing to you and your family. I’ve been telling everyone I know to watch the Voice and telling them about Jonathan. I’ve followed your story of your sweet girl and every time you write about her I want to send you a donation. Children are so worth it! Please put the thought of Gofundme in your prayers. People who love you through your blog want to help. It’s what families do:-)
Traci, I have continued to pray for you all during this difficult journey, especially your girl. I know
God has got this and it will all work out…I believe that with all my heart. Keeping you and the whole family close to my heart and in my prayers🙏🙏🙏🙏
Wow! How incredibly exciting! This little girl is so fortunate to be wanted and loved by a God loving family! I keep thinking “His love never fails, He never gives up, He never gives up on us”
I echo the thoughts of many other readers and would be honored to have an opportunity to support your family in some way. It would be a blessing to be able to contribute to a cause that is the pure reflection of Christ’s unconditional love!
Hoping all goes well and smoothly with the adoption and that your little girl will be part of your family soon and getting the help she needs. I will also be eagerly watching The Voice tomorrow night and hoping Jonathan is finally on. So excited to see what happens!
oh,,, my heart is so happy to read this story…. sometimes kiddos (even our own biological kiddos) have very special needs …. needs that the world sometimes passes judgement on …. but to think that you are bringing home your sweet girl, knowing of her needs before you bring her home… that is the love our God has for us… we will be praying for your sweet daughter, for your boys and for you and your husband…. God is able to do exceedingly abundantly beyond what we can dare hope or ask for <3
Praying for God’s grace, wisdom and perfect timing.
Praying for God’s grace, wisdom, peace, and perfect timing.
Traci, such exciting news! Just remember when things get jumbled that “ALL” things work together for good for those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose.” God is at work in this and He is stronger than the enemy who is working against you and your little girl. Can’t wait for you to bring her home!
Continually praying for you guys!!! You’ve got a whole lot going on, but God shows up even more when we can’t figure it all out! Hang tight girl! So excited for you all! Psalms 20 praying over you guys! Sending love and hugs your way!❤️❤️😃😃
This is good news Traci. I’ve been praying for y’all for awhile now and will continue to do so. He knows the desires of our heart and I know y’all are going into this with a lot of prayer and know exactly what you will be dealing with. God bless you for opening up your hearts to this little girl and her challenges. On another note, still looking for Jonathan on The Voice and can’t wait to see him. Maybe tonight :)
I’m very excited for you! We have adopted twice international and the first time we left our two children at home however the second time we took all our children with us – best decision ever!
I will be praying for you as you become a family of 7!
Such uplifting news. You are truly inspiring. I pray for God’s will (because we all know when we force it- we get extra homework) It’s an odd place to be, I’m sure. I pray your sweet girl finds peace. Blessings to you and your family.
In my prayers! And thinking of all of you.
Traci, I worked many years with special needs children and every one of them was a blessing to me. I can see that it is meant to be for this little one to be a part of your family. All in my prayers.
p.s. watching the voice here in Calif. :)
Thank you, Caryn. Your words are a blessing to me.
I strongly recommend Empowered To Connect. You will learn skills to adequately parent a traumatized child.
Thank you so much! I have heard about that from someone else, so I need to check it out. Blessings!
Hi Traci! I found your blog when looking for painted brick options for our rental property! ha! I just stumbled upon your adoption story and just wanted to reach out. After almost THREE YEARS, we just brought home our little girl from the Democratic Republic of Congo. We have been home for 5 weeks now. The journey can be so long and heart wrenching! I hope you have found a group of adoptive parents to connect with because it’s so important! I second the Empowered to Connect suggestion. Our favorite book has been The Connected Child, which is by the same group of out TCU here in Texas. If you ever want to chat more about the process, I am happy to! I get it–all of it! It’s a beautiful picture of the gospel and the Lord will continue to shape you through this process all for HIS glory and honor!!
Traci, have you started a GOFUNDME.COM account?
If so, please send me the link, I would love to help and if not, please consider doing so.
I love the VOICE, is your husband still on?
Thank you for the update and look forward to hearing from you soon, Sheila Litz
Hi Sheila! I have not started a gofundme page. You are so sweet to suggest it, but I just don’t feel right setting one up. I may do a tshirt fundraiser or something similar. Thank you for your support.
My son was on The Voice, but isn’t on it anymore. It was a wonderful experience!
Trauma is so rough on these children. Have you read the connected child or looked into TBRI training? We have not been in your situation but we have dealt with trauma through foster care. Hope you are able to help you little girl.