It's a BOY!

"Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him." Psalm 34:8

Have you heard?! God is good - oh yes, all the time.

We had an interview this week. It was the third birthmother we've interviewed with. She was quiet and shy and didn't make eye contact at first - but then throughout the interview, she opened up, we laughed and talked and we left feeling good about it, but knowing that anything can happen. We've learned to remain somewhat guarded after the first two interviews didn't result in a baby.

We prayed all week for wisdom and peace and discernment - but most importantly we prayed for God's perfect will. Thursday was a big day. We knew the birthmother was meeting the second and final couple. We prayed all day. That morning I knew God had given me a perfect peace about this baby and it was the first time I allowed myself to pray specifically for him to be ours. It wasn't until we got home from work that Ed shared he had felt the same peace come to him that day. No sooner had we discussed it, the phone rang.

Our caseworker was on the line saying we needed to come back in on Friday. Ed said he thought it was a trick for her to tell us she picked us, but I did NOT want to get my hopes up.

When we got there Friday morning, we made small talk for awhile and then she asked if we remembered when we were talking about Winnie the Pooh. In our interview she asked if the baby could watch Winnie the Pooh because she grew up with it and loved it. This time she said she had something to show us - and pulled out a Winnie the Pooh stuffed animal holding Piglet and a hand-written card.

It read: "There's a boy named Riley and he needs parents and I'm hoping you can help him out because I'm let'n ya know I want you to be his!"

We were so overwhelmed we were speechless! We couldn't speak, cry, react - we just sat stunned. I was shaking - literally shaking. She had chosen us to raise this little boy - to be his parents - to love him and raise him in the fear and knowledge of the Lord. Oh how unbelievably blessed we are!

Riley is the name she has chosen and we have decided to keep that as part of his name. We can't decide if Elijah or Noah will be his first name - or Ed has suggested Riley Cane - as in Hurricanes. He's so excited, he already bought him Miami onesies, hat and pacifier!

And now the fun begins - we scramble to get together a nursery so everything is ready to bring him home in the next two to four weeks.

We ask for your continued prayers as this is a unique situation where the birthfather hasn't been involved or even located to sign over his rights. There is still a slight risk he could show up, but given the track record thus far, it doesn't seem highly probable. Still, we ask you to pray:
- Baby Riley, as he is in foster care, to be loved and provided for, healthy and to get on a schedule!
- Placement to happen BEFORE Father's Day, June 15
- The birthfather's rights to be terminated quickly and without contest
- Us as we get ready for baby!

We will keep you posted as soon as we know more details. We have so much to be thankful for and so much to continue praying about. We are simply overwhelmed by God's faithfulness, His provision, and His sovereignty.

"May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.
We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the LORD grant all your requests." Psalm 20:4-5

We know that God has allowed us to take this journey to increase our faith and to show us what He is capable of. Truly, we are witnessing a miracle. We pray that through this, you will experience Him too!