You might want to sit down for this... BIG NEWS

This past few weeks we have been processing some crazy, bittersweet (mostly sweet) news... it's a real game changer. God has always had the reigns in our adoption processes and He just steered us a whole new direction and we feel obligated to keep everyone in the loop who have been following our adoption journey.

Here it is: we just found out that I'm pregnant with our 3rd child! I'm only about 6 weeks along (due Feb 20, 2014).

I know there's a lot of questions that come with this news so I'll try my best to answer them:

Yes, we were consistently and correctly using birth control and it failed. Our hearts were deeply invested into this adoption and we wanted to grow our family in that way. Afterall, one of the things that voids our adoption is becoming pregnant. No refunds. No holding your spot. When/if you want to start back up you start back at square one (once your youngest child is 1+ years old). They will, however, freeze our statues until 12 weeks gestation (the "danger zone" for miscarriage) and if at that point your pregnancy is considered "high risk" by a doctor then they can continue to freeze your status.

We value this precious life that has been given to us and yet we have shed many tears grieving what feels like a great loss with regards to our plans for adoption. Our hearts were all in and we were happily envisioning our future with our adopted child. But we feel great contentment and joy in knowing that God has a plan for our family. We know that while this pregnancy has taken US by suprise that this new life is no accident. All life has been given with intention and purpose by our Creator and we certainly see this life as a blessing to our family. 

¹³ "For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.
¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from you
    when I was made in the secret place,
    when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
¹⁶ Your eyes saw my unformed body;
    all the days ordained for me were written in your book
    before one of them came to be." (Psalm 139:13-16)

As you know, we have received many donations... $11,520 to be exact.  We've also spent a little over $3,330 on the adoption thus far. Still, we have decided to return all donations (other than a few who have already let us know that they refuse repayment) after I reach 12 weeks gestation. We don't want anyone to feel taken advantage of. We are so thankful for the generous giving of funds and we want those who gave to know that just because the adoption didn't "succeed" that their giving was not in vain. When God stirred their hearts to give they were obedient and became participants in caring for orphans regardless of the ultimate outcome. The deed was done and what was done was good. We are honored to have received these donations. Again, a big "thank you" to all of you who stepped out in faith with your resources. You've blessed our hearts.

We still feel a strong pull on our heart for orphans. While we can't move towards adoption right now we are still weighing and considering it for our future. We also know there are many ways to act on behalf of the parentless, vulnerable children of the world. We will be praying about what our role will be in responding to these children's great need. We hope you all do the same. After all the call to care for orphans is a command (not a suggestion) from God:

"...look after the orphans (and widows) in their distress" (James 1:27). 

"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute" (Proverbs 31:8). 

"...'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'" (Matthew 25:40).

We've loved sharing our journey with you. We're excited about what our future holds and love being reminded that God (not us) is in control... He's a more qualified driver anyway :)

With love, the Meyer Family

Third Home-Study Completed

Today at 10:30am we completed our 3rd (hour-long) home-study appointment. Our social worker asked Jeremy and I relationship questions (ie how we met, how we resolve conflict, and how we would describe each-other...) and then asked us questions about the kids (ie personalities, physical features...) and then observed them for a bit. Then she toured our house with our 4 year old, Jackson, as her guide. I think her favorite room was Jackson's room ;) (who doesn't love a lofted bed with a slide and fort below??).

We found out that she WILL meet up with us for a fourth time (Fri June 21st at 10:00am) where she will review her written study on our family (checking for any errors) and then we'll be given a more specific timeline for how long we can expect to wait for both being matched and when we'll have our court hearings in S Korea. It looks as though we'll have to fly to Korea 2 separate times. Once for immigration and a second time to gain custody. Thanks for your prayers!

"You're gonna have all of me..."

Today I watched a handful of other people's "gotcha day" home videos (that's the day you get to take your baby home). They were incredibly sweet and had me in tears a few times.  One of them had this song and I thought it was perfect so I'm sharing it with you all:

To the child we wait for... All Of Me - Matt Hammitt

2 Donations

Earlier this week we received a $100 check donation from a family at our church whom prefer to be anonymous. And we also recently received a $200 check from older sister, Jessica, and her family. We are so thankful for people's willingness to help shoulder some of the financial burden of our adoption. It will be amazing to tell our son/daughter someday about how friends, family and even some strangers made sacrfices to give a him/her (a child they never met) a family. What an amazing story of love. Thank you, thank you!

2 Home-Studies Down

Jeremy and I met with our social worker for the first time today. Jeremy had his hour long one-on-one interview with her at our kitchen table and then the same for me followed. We felt that it went well. Like us, she is a Christian and seems to share many of our values. She also is the parent of an adopted child as well. We likely only have one more visit left to complete our home study. It's scheduled for June 7th so keep those prayers coming please!

Also, if you have not yet watched the short 2 1/2 min Documentary Promo "The Drop Box" you can find the link in the entery before this. It's near to our hearts and we hope it can serve to broaden people's worldview and melt hearts for the sake of these volunerable little ones. Please consider what your role may be in caring for the orphaned (or those in the midst of other types of great need). Helping can take many forms.

"If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don’t love, I’m nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate.
If I speak God’s Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, “Jump,” and it jumps, but I don’t love, I’m nothing.
If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don’t love, I’ve gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love."
1 Corinthians 13:1-7 (the message)

"The Drop Box" Documentary Promo

Click here to see a 2 1/2 min documentary promo about amazing things one man is doing for abandon babies in Seoul, S Korea (where we are adopting from): "The Drop Box" Promo

Donation and Home Study Appointment

My dear sister Anya (19 years old) donated $100 yet again and communicated that she plans on giving $100 every month until we bring her nephew/niece home. I, of course, thanked her but also commented on what a big sacrifice that was for someone her age and income. But she was quick to express how much she supports what we're doing and that it's worth the sacrifice ...so sweet, right?

Our first of three visits from our social worker is set for May 30th. This will be a one-on-one visit with me. the next will be just Jeremy and then the whole family. Prayers for smooth communication and favorable assessment would be appreciated. There's not much standing between us and being introduced to our child (via photo/profile)!