Saying 'YES' To Adoption

"God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure." Ephesians 1:5 (NLT)

Adoption. One of the most beautiful pieces of the Gospel. An all-powerful and loving Father God chose us, in our sinfulness, to be His sons and daughters. Does it get any better than that? The fact that we, as Christians, can replicate this relationship in our own families to tell the Gospel through our lives is an complete honor and joy.

"WE SAID YES TO ADOPTION" // Andy & Laura's Story

 (video by Andy Watson)

Andy and Laura, adoptive parents of Eli from Ethiopia shared how God provided every step of the way, crushing fears and showing that HE is faithful to finish what He starts.

Part of God's provision came from Lifesong and its partner, Legacy 685 Adoption Fund, helping this family financially with a matching grant and funding support.

Learn more about Lifesong Adoption Funding>>

INDIGENOUS ADOPTION // Ukraine

Meet Volodya and Lyliya, one of the many Ukrainian families blessed by Adoption without Borders, an initiative that intentionally links like-minded families and churches in the USA with Christian families in Ukraine who are seeking to adopt.  

"(Adoption is) the deepest evangelism we can provide, to dedicate our lives to bringing children to the Lord. Our biggest dream is that all of our children would commit their lives to God." --Volodya & Lyliya, adoptive parents of five Ukrainian children 

Learn more about Adoption without Borders>>

HOW CAN I HELP? 

Because of your support, the families above have been able to give a forever family to a child in need. Are you looking for ways to join the cause? What you could do:

• Start a Church Adoption Fund
• Encourage these families by commenting on the blog or on Facebook, offering prayers and words of encouragement
• Support families through Adoption Grant Fund

READ MORE ABOUT ADOPTION...

How Could We Not? -  Erik & Erin's adoption story is unique, but beautiful as they stepped in to help a family member in need by providing Austin with a stable and secure family. Read Full Story

Worth the Wait - Guest blog post from Jeff & Rachel,  adoptive parents of Kate from Ethiopia. Read Full Story

God Creates Family from Strangers - Sharon, adoptive mom, shares her heart of on an ordinary day four months after bringing Asrate into their forever family.  Read Full Story

US Churches impacting Ukrainian families! - Three US churches wrap around a Ukrainian family to ensure home repairs where finished soadoption could be complete. Read Full Story

"I know you guys!" - Read as Robert & Alexis share about meeting their son Jacob for the very first time. Read Full Story

We Wait No More!

We received word from Elena this morning regarding our travel dates to Bulgaria.

One month from today, July 12th, we'll leave for Bulgaria.

On July 15th, Maya will be an ORPHAN. NO. MORE.

PRAISE JESUS!  We're going to get our girl.  The wait for signatures, governments and a court date is finally over.  The race has been completed . . . almost, but we can definitely see the finish line. 

Our girl stands at that line, and she's waving her arms, saying, "I'm here!  I wanna go home!  Come get me"!

We're coming, sweet girl.  We see you, and we're almost there.

We'll arrive in Sofia on July 13th.  On July 15th, we'll take Maya to be with us (for FOREVER, people!) and have her documents submitted for her passport.  Her medical tests will be performed and our appointment with the US Embassy comes on July 18th, and we'll receive her visa on the 19th.

On the 20th, we're all coming home.  We're ALL coming home . . . for good. 

We wait no more.

Isaiah 40:31 But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.



How we love you all,


Paige

Say Whaaaat?

Talk about a shocker.

We've been waiting for a court date for a couple of weeks now.  I thought surely it would've come last week, but . . . nothing.  I thought surely it would've come yesterday, but . . . nothing.  I may have been getting a wee bit bummed.  Not to the point that I was pouting, but I thought that we would've heard SOMETHING.  Man.

Me and the little kids were getting ready this morning to head to the movies with our buddies.  The phone rang at 8:15 and I saw that it was Lifeline.  Oh, good.  There's that SOMETHING.  Stephanie said, " I just got the weirdest email from Elena".  I knew it was bad.  I knew that she was about to tell me that the judge had looked over our documents, and that he or she wanted new FBI prints.  Prints that would've taken WEEKS to redo, and prints that would've delayed court.  I've been worried sick about those crazy prints. 

"Ooooh, no", I said.  "Oh, its ok . . . its a good crazy."  Stephanie might have sounded a little excited.

She told me that we had court yesterday, then she said that the judge permitted our adoption.  I got really scared at first, because it sounded like she said that the judge PREVENTED adoption.

 It was the fingerprints.  They were too old.  I knew it.

"No, he PERMITTED adoption!" 

That, my sweet people, means that we are now officially Maya's parents.  Somebody's working on getting a piece of official paper that says so.  The little line that asks for parent's names?  That's where our names are gonna go . . . Craig and Paige Stewart.  We're Maya's mama and daddy.  For real.

The official decree of adoption should take about ten days to be in-hand.  Elena is working on getting an appointment for us with the US Embassy in Sofia for visa issuance, and the process of getting a new birth certificate is underway.  The Embassy appointment will be the big determining factor in when travel will take place.  We have to be there for that.  From all indications, it shouldn't be that long of a wait. 

So, our timeline that we had in our heads has been drastically reduced.  The date we've waited on has come and gone, and so has the anxiousness that we've felt!  Its over!  We've just gotta hold on a teeny bit longer for that appointment date and we're THERE!

As soon as we get more info on everything, I'll pass it along. 

We're so excited!

Love,

Paige