Two weekends ago we had our yard sale. It was a HUGE success and we can’t say thank you enough to everyone who donated, assisted, and participated in the event. When we planned the yard sale we knew that it would impact our financial situation for the adoption, but we didn’t know the other ways it would affect our journey. Throughout the day we had many visitors. We had the opportunity to spend time with old friends and make some new ones. We even had the chance to hear some great adoption stories and words of encouragement. One story (two actually) had a profound effect on us.
Mid way through the day Friday as Chad was picking up more donated items, a mother with her daughter and beautiful baby boy stopped by. As they browsed, the mother, Rhonda, inquired about our adoption journey. I began to tell her our story. Now, for those of you who have been with us since the beginning of our adoption journey, you know that we have always a special place in our heart for the children of Africa. If you are just joining us, we have a special place in our heart for Africa. Now that we are all on the same page, I will continue the story. As I told Rhonda about our passion for adoption, I mentioned that we had initially wanted to adopt from Africa. Through a series of events, mostly agencies telling us that it would take 4-6 years to adopt from the area, we came to rest on the idea of domestic adoption. As I spoke I could see Rhonda’s expression chance. Her eyes widened with a look of mild shock and I could tell she was trying to hold back her comments until I was finished. When I finished telling her she quickly replied, “Really?!?! That’s not what happened to me at all.” Rhonda’s beautiful son is from Ethiopia and has been a part of their family for two years. Almost as soon as the story was finished, Rhonda was back in the car and unbeknownst to me, on the phone giving our address to her friend Gwen who has also adopted from Ethiopia and is in the process of her second Ethiopian adoption. As it happened, Gwen was only a few blocks away (He knows our every thought - every path - every minute of the day he has a plan for us). She came by and shared her own encouraging story and information about an email she had just received from their agency stating that Ethiopian boys who were adopted now could be home within a year. She gave us the information of the agency she was using and was on her way. Imagine my shock when both of these ladies told me their amazing stories of speedy adoptions from a part of the world that was supposedly so hard to adopt from.
When Chad returned he walked into a barrage of information. After telling him everything I had learned we both sat under the carport with our minds reeling, but not for long. Shortly after we sat to regain our thoughts, Rhonda was back in our driveway with a message. Rhonda said to us “I hope I don’t offend you by saying this, but I felt like when you told me you were adopting domestically you were trying to convince someone, and that person wasn’t me. I believe that everything happens for a reason and I believe in God’s providence. I believe that God has something bigger planned for you.” She topped it if by telling us that by looking at our shirts she knew that we were adopting from Africa. This conversation was a surprise to say the least. It also spurred some long talks and many hours of prayer. Finally we decided that in order to make an informed decision,we needed to have more information. Chad called the number that Gwen gave us and spoke with a placement agent. She promptly sent him information about Ethiopia as well as the Democratic Republic of Congo. As we poured over and prayed over information from the agency, one thing became abundantly clear to us- there is a HUGE need for adoption in Africa, specifically in the Democratic Republic of Congo. That is why we are excited to announce…
that we are adopting from the Democratic Republic of Congo!!!
We have already started paperwork, filed information for our passports, and chosen a date for our home visit for our home study. If all goes according to the timeline set by our agency (and let's be honest, things can go wrong with international adoption- but think positively)
WE WILL BE PARENTS WITHIN NINE MONTHS.
God is so good. He is molding us and shaping our faith. We have never felt closer to him. To God be the glory!!!
so...
YEAH!!!
ALSO - Keep praying. We have a LOT more money to raise. We are trusting in His infinite plan.
Thank you for hanging with us. We can't wait until the day when we are able to post a picture of the THREE members of the Chalos family.
