Tuesday, March 27, 2012

There's This Boy...

Several weeks after committing to our daughter, Scott started looking through photolistings again.  Every few days, he'd email me a profile of an older boy, and every time I had to tell him he was looking in the wrong country.  He just couldn't stop thinking that we were bringing home a boy, too.

My friend, Mandy, her husband, Marty, and their two kids had come to our home for dinner one evening, and I mentioned that Scott was looking for our son.  The next night, I had a message from Mandy.  It read, "Here's his profile :) No pressure... bring Cullen home, please, please, please ;)".

I clicked on the link, and I saw such a familiar face staring back from the screen, so much like the face of our daughter waiting in EE.  And I knew.  I ran down to our family room with the netbook to show Scott the profile, and then I left him alone.

All along, I've given the responsibility of softening Scott's heart to our child(ren) up to God, because I don't want this to be a Chandres thing.  This is all about us following God's command, not Scott following his nagging wife's whines and pleas.

It has taken a lot of prayer, a lot of talking about whether we feel equipped to take on two more children, a lot of realizing that we're in for a BIG adjustment period.  But when we look at his photo, we see our son.  And that is enough to make us move forward.

I'd be lying if I said it wasn't scary, stepping further into the unknown.  When you choose to adopt one child, everyone thinks you're doing something great; when you announce that you're adopting two, there is less happiness, and more worry in the responses.  And that's okay.  We're not adopting to earn praises, we're adopting in response to God's command for our family.

We are very, VERY excited that we are now adopting two children; in a sense, it's like finding out at the ultrasound that you're actually expecting twins!  Of course, the kids are thrilled, but they'd be okay with us bringing home every child in EE so, as long as they're not upset, we'll take that as a good sign.

We can't wait to announce who we're adding to our family, and we'll be on the New Commitments page on Reece's Rainbow, hopefully within the next few days!  In the meantime, this does add more agency fees, about $3500, and the foreign agency wants those ASAP.  So, while I still feel weary from fundraising around $8,000 (and paying over $11,000) in two months, it is onward we go...

(And this is for my dad.)

Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war, 
with the cross of Jesus going on before. 
Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe; 
forward into battle see his banners go! 
 
At the sign of triumph Satan's host doth flee; 
on then, Christian soldiers, on to victory! 
Hell's foundations quiver at the shout of praise; 
brothers, lift your voices, loud your anthems raise.
 
Like a mighty army moves the church of God; 
brothers, we are treading where the saints have trod. 
We are not divided, all one body we, 
one in hope and doctrine, one in charity.
 
Crowns and thrones may perish, kingdoms rise and wane, 
but the church of Jesus constant will remain.
Gates of hell can never gainst that church prevail; 
we have Christ's own promise, and that cannot fail. 
 
Onward then, ye people, join our happy throng, 
blend with ours your voices in the triumph song. 
Glory, laud, and honor unto Christ the King, 
this through countless ages men and angels sing.

17 comments:

  1. Love the song, and LOVE the announcement. I can't wait to meet BOTH of your new children! <3

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    2. I oopsed, I think we're looking at 5-6 months for travel!

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  2. Praising Him and celebrating with tears of joy!

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  3. Blessings on your journey! Can't wait to see who you are adopting!

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  4. So happy for you, and like everyone else, I cannot wait to see who your children might be! They, like you, will be blessed by becoming part of your family.

    Susan in Ky
    Cousin to 2 from EE

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  5. Thank you, ladies! Our FSP is now up, and our boy is a familiar face on RR (Cullen)!

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  6. I am so happy to see Cullen on here, you can't imagine!

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    1. I know you are! Glad our news brings you joy!

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  7. Congratulations! It was such an incredible and indescribable joy when my husband got on board to adopt Piper -the additional child this go 'round ;)

    And I'm supposed to share that I found your blog through the Adoptive Families Blog Hop :)

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    1. Michelle, I saw your Alyssa on another photolisting before we found our daughter. She is the girl that softened our hearts to children with Down syndrome! I am so excited for your family, I'm over reading on your blog now!

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  8. I came across your blog from RR, and am so excited for you!! Congratulations!

    Nikki
    www.madebynikki.blogspot.com - get your blog designed and support education around the world!

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  9. how exciting to be able to bring home two!!!!! Congratulations to your family!!!!

    p.s. hopped over from the blog hop!

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    1. Thank you! (Which reminds me, I'm off to check the blog hop, so I'll be heading your way soon!)

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  10. Congratulations! We're adopting our son from the same country you are. I'm praying to find a little girl to bring home as well!

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    1. And congratulations to you, too! He is adorable, and I'm excited to now be following your journey!

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