Glory to GOD for a Pre-Approval!

Oh my,
what a day.
Today is James' 8th birthday.
We celebrated with a family/friend party at home.
As we were finishing dinner
(Dominos Pizza & Mama's Sante Fe Soup no less)
I checked my phone.
As I clicked on an email from Amy at our agency,
I couldn't believe my eyes.
So I did what any mature mama would do...
I began reading in a very loud voice.
Because seriously, some news just requires an audience.


Here's what it said.

"We received your Pre-Approval Congrats!!!!!  

This means that China has matched you with your daughter."

What followed was an explanation of how

to send care packages and request updates.

Boompa is all over sending Emily Margaret 

her very own potato chips. :)

So let's recap.

Several weeks ago James asks for a picture 

of Emily Margaret for his birthday.

I kindly explain it wasn't gonna happen,

but allow him to pray about it any way.

I read a blog post.

It talks about the matching process.

Take home message:

adoption is not the same as special 

ordering your new car,

these are children.

The post leads me back to our agency list.

The very list I prayed over intently months ago.

(There were two children on the list 

that God confirmed were NOT Emily Margaret.

I was baffled but stayed faithful to HIS timing.)

I clicked on a file that I knew wasn't my child.

I watched her video...

and I fell in love.

What I saw in that 8 minute 30 second clip

was a baby girl who needed a family.

She wasn't a post-op pt or 

a hearing screen follow up,

she was a baby who needed love.

I must have felt my heart leave for China

because I immediately set sail for DE-NIAL.

Oh I had such great reasons why she wasn't my child

and God had even better reasons of why she was.

But He was so kind and so patient.

Every time I hesitated, 

He sent a burning bush.

When I felt more pain than I thought possible, 

I stood firm in His truth.

Most importantly, He held me tight. 

Last Thursday I completed our Letter Of Intent.

Last Friday our agency sent it to China.

On Monday we got the news that China needed 

letters from our physicians summarizing our 

surgical and medication history.

I stalked physicians, smiled sweetly 

and praised His name.

Within 3 hours the agency had what they needed. :)

Tuesday I was busy at the hospital.

By Wednesday my heart was heavy,

so I emailed Amy.

She hadn't heard anything else from China,

but said we'd either get a request for more info

or our Pre-Approval.

She followed up by saying the normal 

processing time was 2-3 weeks.

What followed next was nothing short of pathetic.

My heart was broken.

What if Baby Girl wasn't Emily Margaret?

Could I move on and find peace?

Yes I would.

I'd seek comfort in knowing 

that His will was being done.

I prayed for God's wisdom.

I wanted Him to provide Baby Girl 

with the perfect family for her...

whoever they were.

But selfishly I prayed that if Baby Girl was Emily Margaret,

He'd would send us Pre-Approval for James' birthday.

I claimed His victory everyday

because I knew with Him anything was possible.

And He did it.

He beat the timeline 

and rewarded the child that 

prayed for his sister.

He soothed my soul

and gave confidence to my steps.

Now I will give Him ALL the Glory,

and praise His name for ever and ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dear Emily Margaret,

Congratulations on becoming the 

newest member of the Hinson clan. 

We love you so much and 

can't wait to hold you in our arms.

Your gonna LOVE this crazy family!

God's blessings friends, 

Sarah one proud mama :)