How did this all happen???

We have asked that ourselves and only one answer comes to mind.  This is ALL God.....

As you all know, we were planning to adopt from Ghana.  It was probably going to be at least a year from beginning to end if not more.  Over the last few months, God has opened our eyes to domestic adoption.  We always assumed that domestic adoption was only babies or through foster care, which we are not eligible for due to our family size.

However, there was a situation a few months ago where a family was making a difficult decision to disrupt an adoption of two boys.  We were choice number 2 for awhile.  Finally, the decision was made for us to adopt them and we began contacting attorneys and such.  Then the family found someone else they wanted to adopt their boys.  During the whole process we kept telling God "whatever You want from us, we will do".  Therefore, it was confusing why this situation kept going back and forth and right when the door was opened for us it was slammed shut again.

Then we just kept went forward with Ghana.  However, we both felt like we needed to "wait out" June and see what God was going to do.  We had already sent in a large sum of money that is now non-refundable for Ghana, however, we didn't feel like we were supposed to start the USCIS part - we needed to wait.

My wonderful friend, Kim, emailed me just last week Thursday about the sibling set of three boys.  I called Ted and he just said to inquire.  Really, we both assumed NOTHING would happen.  It took awhile for the AZ caseworker and us to connect but when she did I learned more information on the boys and the names.  Let's just say the name of one of them was my sign that this was right.  AZ presented us with some other families and we were chosen.  We were at our friends' house eating dinner and we were both in such shock.  10 kids!!!!  5 boys and 5 girls.....what?!?!?!  Again "Ok God, whatever You want..."

Now, we know there is a battle going on.  Already we have hit some snags with MI and AZ.  However, we know there are NO ORPHANS in GOD!  We are trusting these boys will be in our family forever and we will use God's love to heal their wounds.

So, I think we are doing a last minute garage sale.  Not sure what date but if anyone wants to drop stuff off please do.  Probably a bake sale then too....pop can drive....whatever we have to do to get this done!  We do not like to ask for help!  And we both realized that is a pride issue so we are asking for any help but mostly prayers.  These boys are getting some horrible news today. Their daddy is spending his last Father's Day with his boys.  And then they have to live in AZ until we are cleared to get them.  Pray for their foster mother and her heart to reach out to them.

Thanks so much to everyone out there!  Our story is going so viral that Tennessee, Australia, Kentucky and such have been involved.  THANKS!!!

And to respond to the previous comment about what we will do if the birth parents change their minds - we have NO intention of keeping anyone's generous gifts.  Our funds would be rolled over to another adoption from this agency but we would return whomever wished that.