Joy Unspeakable

We got a referral. For a little boy in Africa. For real. It has actually happened. We know who our Ethiopian son is. And he is PRECIOUS. The one we have prayed for from day 1...about 3 years and 6 months ago. It's happening. Our son.

I'm going to try really hard to put into words how we feel right now, but really, is so unreal that we are having a hard time explaining to people the amount of joy we are experiencing. We found out on Memorial Day, May 25th. I really think that day will be etched in our hearts forever. The kids and I were on our way to Lifetime Fitness to play around. Our first day of summer!!!! So much to be excited about as we drove down I10. My phone rang with an unknown number...which I rarely answer. I normally get so many telemarketer calls for Freedom Cup that I've learned to ignore them. So glad I answered this one. Our family coordinator for America World Adoption Agency was on the other line. I've never spoken to her in person, so I was completely shocked to hear her voice. The very first thing she said was "I have a referral for you". I don't think I spoke. "For a 6 year old boy." I think it was just complete silence for a second. Such. A. Shock. I turned around to Cannon who was in the back seat with my jaw dropped.  He knew instantly. And, he started crying. The brother he has prayed fervently for, dreamed of, longed to meet. This little boy has been in our hearts and prayers for so long now...something we have yearned for, but don't talk about too often with others... I think for the sake of our own sanity. It's too much. I think our hearts have unconsciously built a wall around themselves to keep us each from caving into a big puddle of sadness. We have so desperately wanted him home here since the moment the Lord said yes to start the process. We have always referred to him as "Brother" and he's mentioned often in our home. He has his own bed. There is a pillow with Africa on it. My heart feels like its being squeezed of every last drop of emotion each time I glance over at that pillow.

I had to turn around and drive back home so our Family Coordinator could talk to Shane and I both and give us all of the information together...it was the longest drive back home. I think Shane was in shock when I told him. We just sat there in silence for the phone to ring again. When she (finally) called back, she gave us as much information as she could and emailed us about 28 documents. His life. In 28 documents. I cried. When the picture of his sweet little face uploaded on my computer, my first thought was, "He's a Menn. He looks just like us." I know that sounds comical, but for some reason he just looks like he's our son! I wanted to grab him and hold him and squeeze him and tell him how much we love him! He is everything we have dreamed for. Shane's first words were "look at those cute little starched kacki pants". They had the most precious little starched pleat down the front. He looked so dapper. We cried some more, showed the kids the pictures, and celebrated his life!

He has recently been told about us. He's seen pictures of our family and he knows we are adopting him. The lady who told him about us said he smiled so sweetly when he found out...she said it was priceless. Of course, we have no idea when we will actually get to meet him. We are guessing November, but the Lord has that already planned out. All we have to do is continue to trust Him. His timing is always flawless. We have so many questions that we don't have answers to yet. So, again, we wait...and pray...and dream...and thank Jesus over and over again.  For our son. On the other side of the world. Pray with us?