We've Got the Joy Joy Joy Joy Down in our Hearts

Today is the first day of a new beginning.  No, we don' t have our Jacob home yet, but we know that he is ours.  This is huge! 

Last night our son , Noah, told us that the thing he feared the most in life was not being matched with Jacob.  To quote him, " now I have nothing to fear".  Today takes on a brand new meaning.  Noah also shared that the night before last he had a dream that we had gone over to the Philippines to see Jacob.  When Noah saw the pictures of Jacob that the Philippines sent he said, "mom!  Jacob is wearing the same shirt in the picture as he had  on in my dream"!  Amazing stuff to watch the faith of a child.  I know that Noah and Jacob will be the best of friends and brothers.

Some of you have shared your hearts for our family on my facebook page.  Thank you for the kind words and the prayers.  We have felt them. They have carried us through the days when there was no call and we didn't know the outcome of things.

 I just realized that there was no link to this blog on my facebook page.  I was seriously wondering why there hadn't been much response by my friends on the blog and now I know why - there wasn't a way to it.  Now, there is a way to get to this blog.  Please join the site and pass our information along to everyone you know - seriously!

This picture was taken on the day that Naomi was to go back to 

thePhilippines the summer she came over here . 

Her expression says it all.

We have been asked what's next? When will he be here?  How far along are you in the process?  So, I will do my best to answer those questions.  When we told the Philippines that we accept Jacob's referral , they expect the last of our payment.  In fact, we got an invoice today for the rest of the adoption fees - $7,500.00 and some change.  Until we can come up with that money, nothing will move forward.  Once we are able to get the funds together, the Philippines will send over Jacob's information (birth certificate,etc...) and then we wait for the approval on our government - The I-800 to be exact.   Once all of that happens, we wait for "the call" again saying that we can travel.  The rest will be history.

Naomi having a good time in the pumpkin patch

We really have no idea the time frame.  We keep thinking that if everyone we know - and those we don't could just donate $10.00 of their money to our cause we would have enough to begin the next step.  Sounds SO easy - but that isn't happening.  Here's the honest truth:   If you have been waiting for the "official" match or just to see if it will really happen,  it is time.  We need your help.  Without you -it won't happen.  Would you just give $10.00 to Jacob?  If you do, I know you won't be the same watching him grow up or hearing the stories of his life.  You won't be the same because YOU helped him get here.

May God bless all of you as you continue to follow our blog and help us get the word out!  We can sing it now. "I have the joy, joy, joy , joy down in my heart"!  Can't wait to teach Jacob that song!!

Lorrie, Marshall, Joshua, Noah, Hannah, Naomi and our Jacob who waits - will you help him join his family?