If you haven't heard, my family adopted a baby girl on Christmas eve. Thanks to many of you who donated we raised a little over $7000 in 5 days to start the adoption process. There's quite a bit of unknowns, tons of risk and possible heart-ache involved in stepping out in faith to adopt this baby. If you haven't read the other stories, they are located here: Christmas and Adoption & We're Adopting
Her name is Annalise and she's so full of joy. She fits perfectly into our family and always seems to be causing a scene for attention.
She's a joy to have in the family and has adjusted well to being around a crazy and fun family. Annalise can't walk yet but she crawls super fast. I was constantly having to go pick her up and bring her back into the living room, she wanted to explore the house.
It's different having a new baby there, a completely new dynamic for our entire house to get used to. Sometimes it made things harder for us to do as a family with the new addition but it's worth the sacrifice.
There is still a huge need for prayer in the adoption process. The first need was to raise the money for lawyer and adoption fees, the second need is that the current legal guardians and the mother don't come and take her back. Currently, no one knows where the mother is but by law she must be contacted in the adoption process to give up her rights to the baby. Only, after the court procedures are completed will the final process of adoption take place.
My parents are currently in the process of becoming her legal guardians.
Part of me is sad that I wont be a part of her life but all of me is happy that my parents will be raising her. As God moves me around the world, I'll dip in and out of her life but she has a constant family to love and care for her.
When I am home I'll definitely be influencing her to try extreme sports, travel for a year after high school and practice listening prayer daily.
Thanks so much to everyone who's prayed, donated or followed our story.
