Referral Day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sometimes--especially on days that I work at the YMCA and have to get up at 4am--I hit a certain low energy point in the afternoon, and I have to make a very conscious effort to be patient and interactive rather than snappy and withdrawn. Today was definitely one of those days.

Around 2:15pm, the phone rang...and everything changed.

I saw our agency's name on caller ID, and, honestly, my first thought was, "Oh, no." I was actually afraid that there was another "situation" or problem. (We have had three calls in the last month or so that presented potential referrals that ended up being outside of the request range we felt like God had impressed on us for our family.) My mind raced. As I pressed the button to answer the call, I remember thinking that Terra must have been calling regarding our paperwork questions in relation to our relocation. Maybe that was it.

Instead, Terra greeted us cheerily and stated that she thought they had found a referral that would work perfectly for our family. She gave us some information over the phone (her description for the boys was "absolutely adorable!") and then sent us a huge email with additional information. So here's the great news:

We have been referred two brothers, aged approximately 2 and 6. Unfortunately, I cannot give much information about them on the blog now. Here's how it works: We will send some documents and our final payment to our adoption agency here in the states. In a few weeks, they will inform us of a court date (usually set for about 2 months after referral). On this day in Ethiopia, representatives working with our agency will appear in court on behalf of us and these children. If a judge approves the case, these two boys will officially be Tappers. (At that time, I can share their pictures and more information.) It is important to note that approximately 30% of court cases do not pass at their first court appearance and must be rescheduled. However, we are hoping that we might be able to call these boys ours sometime in May or June. A few short weeks after passing court, we can travel to Ethiopia to pick them up.

Ethan and Abby have been imagining all of the details that will have to be worked out regarding their two new brothers. Here's a sample: (Abby) "I think our little brother will wear diapers, and I will help change him." (Ethan) "I think I can carry our little brother, but he might be heavy." (Abby) "I think this one would like to play trucks." (Ethan) "I could teach this one to ride a horse. Would he be scared? I would hold him tight." (Abby) "I think this is where he lost a tooth." (Ethan) "I will show them how to do lots of things because I know how." Pictures are carefully hung in the kids' room. Abby wanted hers on the ceiling so she could look at it, but Ethan wanted his by his head so he could touch it.

We are thrilled to have precious names and faces to look at, pray for, and dream about. Thank you to all of you who have supported us during the wait. We continue to lean on God, assured that He knows all that our future holds and will be more than enough through it all. Tonight, our hearts our filled with joy! As Isaiah 60 says,

Get out of bed, Jerusalem!

Wake up. Put your face in the sunlight.

God's bright glory has risen for you.

The whole earth is wrapped in darkness,

all people sunk in deep darkness,

But God rises on you, his sunrise glory breaks over you.

Nations will come to your light,

kings to your sunburst brightness.

Look up! Look around!

Watch as they gather, watch as they approach you:

Your sons coming from great distances,

your daughters carried by their nannies.

When you see them coming you'll smile—big smiles!

Your heart will swell and, yes, burst!

I am God. At the right time I'll make it happen.

Amen and amen.