Finding Brynn ...

So, when we started our second adoption, the initial plan was that we would complete our dossier, send it off to China and then wait to find our daughter on one of the COP (child of promise) lists that are issued to the agency every 2-3 months from CCAA (Center for Chinese Adoption Affairs). We had intended from the start to pursue the adoption of another child with minor correctable special needs, just as we did with Molly. However, we had discussed amongst ourselves our concerns with trying to choose from 8 - 10 little girls that might be on a list. In my heart, I believe, that it is impossible for me to choose my daughter from a list of several wonderful, beautiful little girls who each deserve the love and security of a family. We had discussed that we were a little uncomfortable with this process, but knew that this was the way it had to be with the agency that we are with.

You must know, with our adoption of Molly, it really ended up that we did not choose her from a list; we did not select her from a group of little girls available for adoption. We were shown three photos of little girls and told that we could consider if one of them was our daughter. By the time we arrived home to read through each of their reports, we received an email from our social worker stating that Molly was the only little girl still available on the list - a list that had been issued over a month earlier. We believe that she was the little girl that was saved just for us; we didn't have to choose, God chose her for us ... we just said "YES!" And she is, without a doubt, a perfect match for our family!

So, in the last week, during my prayers and discussions with God, I asked God to choose the little girl that would be our next daughter. I told Him that we didn't want to have to choose, that we trust Him and we know that His choice for us is the best choice. I prayed that God would somehow arrange for our next daughter to be saved just for us again, and that we would know it ... because there would be no choosing.

This last Thursday, a good friend of mine, who happens to be a walking rolodex of adoption information, emailed me the photo of a little girl listed with an agency in Oregon. I knew in the subject of the email that my friend was emailing me a child's photo and I was at first "frustrated" about opening it because I knew this would be a child that wasn't listed with our agency and, therefore, we wouldn't be able to even consider adopting her. I almost didn't open the email. However, I did ... all my friend typed in the email was "This little girl is on a WC list….Looks like Molly’s SN???" Oh, well, that peaked my curiosity!!! So, I opened the photo and saw a beautiful little girl that reminded me of Molly and tugged at my heart. 



I quickly emailed my friend back and asked her if the child's special need was listed. She replied, "meningoencephalocele". My heart started to pitter-patter! I emailed again and asked if she knew how old the child was. She replied that she thought she was about 3-years-old. PERFECT!!! Oh, but then reality sunk in and I was disappointed ... because this little girl is with another agency. I emailed my friend again and stated that I wish we could adopt her. My friend replied that I should ask my social worker about requesting the child's file from the other agency because she knows cases of that being done in the past. Well, I thought, you know what, ... what could it hurt? If I don't ask, how can I receive? I sent my social worker an email explaining the situation. Then I sat on pins and needles waiting for her to respond. During my wait, I spoke with God. I told Him that I trust Him, that He can do anything, and that if He was opening this door, no one would be able to shut it! [ I guess maybe I did learn something from Molly's adoption! :) ]

My social worker finally responded and said that they could not be the placing agency and that typically they do not do this, but that they would make an exception because of the child being special needs, and that they would be willing to do our home study and post placement reports. WHOA!!! Okay, what do I do now??? I called my friend right away, and of course, she knew the answer. I called the agency in Oregon, Heritage Adoption Services, and was miraculously and immediately connected with the Director of International Adoptions and I explained the story to her. She was wonderfully helpful and excited that someone was inquiring about the little girl who, as it turns out, has been listed for just over a month. Hmm, ... just like Molly. After a few necessary steps, (thank-you so much Ben and Diane!), the Director emailed us the little girl's medical report and additional photos. At this point, I was already in love with her and Brian was feeling God's provision over this whole situation. We were stunned to find out that her medical condition is diagnosed the same (meningoencephalocele) as Molly's, that she is from the same province in China as Molly and that the two home-towns are just 30 miles apart!!! Even in our hopes that weren't necessarily voiced in prayer to God, He knew and He fulfilled!!! I mean, what are the odds??? But with God, there are no odds! God's specialty is making what seems totally impossible, POSSIBLE! Words cannot express our humility and gratitude to our LORD!