ALL GOOD THINGS MUST COME TO AN END...

Our foster baby Zeb, who was with us since 10-27-15, just left with his new family.  We are very happy for him and the new family, but we are sad to say good bye to our little friend.  

It was an incredible experience to care for him so long and watch him and grow and change right before our very eyes.  It was an honor and privilege to be his first family and to help prepare him for his forever family.

As someone wise once said, "Don't cry because it is over, be happy because it happened."  I will try to remember that in the next few days as I miss holding and playing with adorable Zebbie.

This is what foster care means- you open your heart and home in a way that sticks with you forever even if the child only stays with you temporarily.  

It does make me think about those who are caring for Ryan at the orphanage.  Even though they are probably thrilled to know he has a family trying to get to him, I am sure it will be hard to say good bye when the time comes.  I am grateful for the care and love they have given that little boy over his first 5 years of life.

IN COUNTRY FAMILY VISITS WITH RYAN!!!!

Saturday we were blessed with an update about Ryan along with photos!

Another Reece's Rainbow family is in country for the adoption of their little girl who is in the same orphanage as Ryan.  This family was able to spend time with Ryan on Saturday.  They sent us some beautiful photos and also told us what a delightful little boy Ryan is.  

We are so happy and thrilled to get an update on our little guy.  He is so cute and has an adorable smile.  We so wish we could share the photos with you...hopefully soon.

BELATED CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FROM JONAH

Did you know Jonah arranges bus tours to the Holy Land almost everyday? Look close- baby Jesus is in the middle of the crowd! This was just too cute not to post, but I think it also displays a great message for all of us:  

Remember to keep Jesus at the center of your Christmas and also each and every day!

BELATED MERRY CHRISTMAS and 

HAPPY NEW YEAR 

from the LAVEYS!

😊

MORE ANGELS ON EARTH- THANK YOU!

Our FSP account through Reece's Rainbow is now up to almost $1000!

This is in addition to the $6200 that was raised before we entered into the picture  (Note: For the story of the $6200, see our 10-13-15 post- another miracle!)

What a testament to the Lord's care and provision!  We feel so blessed!

We just wanted to thank the 4 individuals who contributed towards our FSP account.  Two of the four donations in the account were $400-$500 each!

You are angels on earth by helping precious Ryan get to his forever family.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

UPDATE

Our adoption journey is still at a standstill- so much for an update.

However, we are getting closer to the 2-25-16 date so at least the standstill will be coming to an end soon.

My regular 6 month check up with my oncologist is 1-6-16 so at that appointment I will have to discuss an updated letter we need from him regarding my prognosis.  Cathy and Silva are already busy working on the wording for that.

Surprisingly, we still have the little foster baby boy that arrived the end of October!  This has ended up being our longest placement.  This also means it will probably be the hardest to say good-bye even though we will be so joyful when our little friend gets to go to his forever family.  Just the mixture of emotions that is what foster care is all about.

Strangely enough, if we hadn't had this delay in our adoption, we probably would have traveled in January 2016.  Our little foster baby might be staying through the holidays.  I guess God had other plans for us- we were meant to take of this precious baby boy during this time and travel to get Ryan at a later time.  

One never knows where the Lord's path will take you.

EXTRA TIME ON OUR HANDS: HOW ABOUT ANOTHER FOSTER BABY?

Since our adoption process for Ryan is in a holding pattern until February 2016, we have some extra time on our hands because there is no paperwork to keep us busy.  Andrew is laughing- he isn't really feeling the extra time!  He thinks we still seem busy even without paperwork to do. 

On 10-9-15, we said good-bye to Baby M when she went to her forever family.  

Two days ago, we got a call for another foster baby- this time a boy.  That is an unusually quick turn-around.  The past few years, we've had about 6-9 between placements.  

I am set to pick up Baby Zeb (our nickname for him, not his real name) tomorrow.  

Excited but also nervous- it's a big responsibility caring for a little newborn.  I always pray the Lord will watch over these little ones and help them get a good start while they are in our home.

Thank you Lord for keeping me busy- less time to fret about not being able to bring Ryan home as soon as we hoped for.

And as always, praying for continued protection over Ryan- that he would stay happy and healthy in his baby home.

NEED TO SAY THANK YOU!

I can't remember if I have mentioned this before in the blog.  If this is a repeat post, forgive me but if so, it is worth talking about twice!

Earlier this summer, we noticed the funds raised towards Ryan's adoption through Reece's Rainbow had jumped to the amount of $6200.  We were surprised and amazed!

We contacted Michelle at Reece's Rainbow to see if we could get the names of the donors so that we could thank them.  She told us this money was the result of an annual fundraiser that happens in Texas.  This organization holds a benefit concert to raise money for 4 or 5 families adopting through Reece's Rainbow.  We were given the name of the benefit organizer and have sent her an email thank you.  

I don't know when the fundraiser was held exactly, but isn't it amazing how God can work on so many fronts at one time?  Probably the same time we were making a decision to adopt Ryan, the Lord was working in the lives of these people organizing this fundraiser to help provide for Ryan.  What a miracle and testimony to God's provision and care for us.

So thank you God for watching over Ryan and also thank you to the wonderful Texans with generous and loving hearts toward these beautiful children found on Reece's Rainbow.  You are God's angels here on earth!