The Most Precious Words!

As I've already stated in our previous post, today marks 9 months of official waiting. Who's counting the 5 1/2 months of paperwork before that? Yep, almost 15 months of waiting. And that's if I don't count the entire year of prayer before that for God to show Billy what He had already shown me - that we would indeed adopt from Ethiopia one day.

In all those months of waiting there are many God moments along the way, but I've assumed all along that the most precious words I would hear in the journey is "this is your referral call" and then "you passed court" after that. And finally the most precious words would be the calling of our names or our daughter's name in that final moment before we hold her for the first time.

But today, the most precious words to date are different than those three phrases. Today, the most precious words are from our daughter, Libby. She continues to bless me with her own thoughts and concerns for Lulu. Just a few moments ago Libby very seriously approached me. She has been giggling and laughing all day so I was concerned when she came to me with such a serious look. She was tapping her belly as she said, "Momma, I want to tell Jesus something inside of me." Side note here, as she has learned about the Spirit of Jesus living inside of us she has confused that with the image of a baby living inside of a pregnant mommy. So she says that Jesus lives in her tummy. For a three year old, she still gets the idea fairly well. So, tapping her belly she looks at me with sad eyes as she asks this question. I answered, "What do you want to tell him?" And she said, "I want you to tell him." And I said, "What do you want me to tell him?" The look on her face got even more concerned  and sad. She said, "Tell him I want Lulu." She said it so sweetly and sadly. I almost burst into tears. I leaned over close to her belly  (because he had to be able to hear me from inside her tummy, of course) and prayed with her. She wrapped her arms around my neck as I prayed for Jesus to bring Lulu to us quickly. And then she smiled and went back to her normal activities. It was a priceless moment that I just had to jot down right away. 

A few days ago I was reviewing some of the notes I left on Libby's blog back when we were in China. I remembered, before reading the old posts, that the Lord had given me a word that Libby would be a joy and delight, but I had forgotten about a man who was praying over us,  before we arrived in China, who shared that God put on his heart that Libby would be a picture of God's joy. As I read the old post that talked about this I was reminded of the verse, "the joy of the Lord is my strength." As Libby has been giggling and joyful all day I am reminded that he has given her to me as a picture of His joy. And in these difficult moments of waiting for Lulu, His joy shown to me in her will be my strength. Man, I love that girl! Thank you Jesus for these precious moments!

Okay  - posting this a few hours later - more great news!!!! 3 families passed court last night - Howleys, Richardsons and Whipples. AND the Bayly family received a referral for a 6 month old baby boy!!!  Congrats to all!!!!

So, here's the updated list (for "either" and "girl only")

1.  Precopia - EITHER - 5/2/08

2. (1)  Taylor – girl only – 5/2/08

3. (2) Pickard - girl only - 5/9/08

4. (3) Bartley - girl only - 5/30/08

5.  Bushre - EITHER - 5/30/08

6. (4)  - But really # 1 in line for a toddler girl!!! - Portilla - girl only - 6/13/08

7. (5) FOOTE - GIRL ONLY - 6/13/08 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

8.(6) Redd - girl only - 6/13/08

9.(7) Kerby - girl only- 6/13/08

And here's the overall list of the top 10 or so waiting: 

Top 10 (that we know of) waiting for referral:

1. Precopia (DTE 5/2/08) – either infant (0 – 12 mos)

2. Taylor (DTE 5/2/08) – infant girl (0 – 9 mos)

3. Pickard (DTE 5/9/09) – infant girl (0 – 12 mos)

4. Bartley (DTE 5/30/09) – infant girl (0 – 12 mos)

5. Bushre (DTE 5/30/09) – either infant (0 – 6 mos)

6. Low (DTE 5/30/09) – boy (3 – 36 mos)

7. Portilla (DTE 6/13/08) - girl (0- 3 years)

8. Foote (DTE 6/13/08) - girl (0-12 months)

9. Jackson (DTE 6/13/08) - boy (0-10 months)

10. Redd (DTE (6/13/08) - girl (0-12 months)

11. Kerby (DTE (6/13/08) - girl (0-12 months)