Update!

Dear Friends, We come to you with an update in our lives and a recent decision that we have made.  As many of you know, Jim and I have been trying to start our family for over three years, with no success.  After much prayer we have decided to take a new direction in our lives, and a new path toward starting our family.  We feel ever so strongly God calling us to adoption.   Recently God has answered many prayers with the opportunity of our new home.  Although we have not moved yet, completion is getting closer and we anticipate being in the new house in one or two months.  Prior to deciding that we would be moving  we had begun looking into a national adoption agency that we were intending on going with.  Financially we were worried, but prayed that God would make it clear whether or not we should begin the process with that particular agency.  Within a matter of two days the opportunity for the new house came up, completely out of nowhere- and we knew that God was answering our prayers, and that indeed, we were not to start the adoption process with that agency.  We have since focused all of our energy on getting the new house ready, knowing that God really is in control right now.   Well, in light of the fact that our new place is almost ready- and with continued prayer for guidance as to what path we should be taking in order to start our family- we feel that God has once again made it clear the path we should be starting.  Last week we were contacted by our friends Brian and Renee from our small group at church about some friends of theirs who just were placed with a newborn through the Foster to Adopt program through Milwaukee county, specifically through the Safe Haven Newborn program.  Our friends asked if we would be interested in talking with the couple and Jim told them we would get back to them- that was Friday.  On Sunday I happened to be at my in-law's house before the Packer game and casually picked up a section of the newspaper sitting out from Sunday's paper.  I opened the paper and there was an article about the Safe Haven Newborn program- the same program that Brian and Renee's friends received their baby from.  Coincidence?  Some would say yes- we however feel that it is God telling us that this is the way we should be taking.  Last night we met with Brian and Renee's friends and their new son.  It was very surreal for us- to be meeting with people who have been through the process, and who have now received an infant 9 months after getting their foster liscense- without having to pay tens of thousands of dollars.   So, we come to you dear friends and family, not only to let you know of our decision to start this process through Waukesha county, but also to ask for lots of prayers.  We know that this process with be full of ups and downs, and have been warned that it will get so very frustrating- as we will be working with the county.  We ask for continuous prayers over the next few months, and possibly years- depending upon how long this process takes.  It will take about 4 months or so to get licensed as we go through classes and meet with a social worker.  After the license is issued we wait- could be days- months, or years.  We pray that if this is indeed God's plan, it will go as smooth as possible, and that it will not be a drawn out process.  Pray that we are ready when we receive the phone call.  The people we met last night literally got the phone call January 4th and were given 5 minutes to decide if they wanted the baby and then had to pick him up that afternoon.  We feel blessed because we were given a brand new crib and car seat, along with other items, from Jim's cousin this summer- so when we get the call, we will be ready.  We are asking for prayers for patience and guidance, and prayers especially for the mother who God chooses to make the selfless decision to give up her newborn so that he or she can become part of God's plan for our family.   Through Christ, all things are possible.... we are confident in this.  We appreciate any and all prayers that can be lifted up for us along this journey. Through Him and His love,Jim and Sarah