Friday, January 11, 2008

We've Got Big News!

Click play to see what we've been up to! (First, scroll up and double-click on the pause button to stop the music.)

Yep, you heard it right, we are adding to our family once again! I have been dying to tell everyone, but wanted to wait until we knew for sure that we were "locked in" before the January 1st deadline in Guatemala. Some of you already know how badly I wanted to adopt again. Sammy did not feel the same however. He was very happy with the children we had. I have been praying for over a year for the Lord to soften his heart and let us adopt one more time. When I saw Josie's photo on the photolisting, my heart went out to her--I knew that if someone didn't want her, she would be one of the thousands of children left behind. Another statistic. I don't know what made me email the agency, but I did. They emailed me back telling me that there was a family interested in her. I was very happy knowing that she may have found her forever family. It was then, when I told Sammy about her and showed him her photo. The next day, Christmas Eve, I got an email saying that the family had backed out and Josie was available again. We had to act fast if we wanted her, time was certainly of the essence in this case. I tried to give Sammy his space and let him make the decision on his own. (I was praying so hard that he would say yes. I was dying inside imaging this little girl without a family.) Sammy finally said yes!!! I couldn't believe it. I didn't believe it. I made him promise me that he wouldn't change his mind--he promised. We were supposed to call the agency by 2pm to let them know; I called them at 2:10 pm. We booked our flight for the day after Christmas. After arriving in Guatemala City, we got to sleep a few hours before Josie came. When she walked through the door, it was surreal. She was an angel. I was looking at this beautiful, crying, scared child, and I knew she was my daughter. This was the child I had been praying for. Well, it didn't take us long to fall in love with her. At her age, she doesn't understand much. I think the only thing she really understands is that her bithmother left her and she is waiting for her to come back. I hope that in time she will learn that we love her and want to be her forever mommy and daddy. The adoption will take approximately a year. I hope and pray that in that time she will look forward to her homecoming with us.


Although I had been praying, we certainly weren't prepared to adopt anytime soon. Both Sammy and I feel that the Lord had brought Josie into our view and into our hearts. I had stopped looking at photolistings a long time ago. Not sure what made me look on that day--although I do believe that there is no such thing as coincidence. We do not have the means financially to pull this adoption off. We are putting our faith in God, as it was him who led us to Josie, and we feel that 'if He brought us to it, He will bring us through it.' We will do whatever it takes to bring our daughter home. I have some fundraising ideas that I hope to put together very soon. I will keep you posted.


Please pray for Jhosseline. She has had a rough start; but with God's help, she will soon be with the family that is meant to have her. You can all follow along on our journey to bring our daughter home. Check back often--you can save this blog into your favorites.

9 comments:

Gail said...

Hi!
Just found your blog thru another. Your little Josie is beautiful. I am adding your blog to my favorites so I can keep up on your process and pray for you.
Gail

Krystal said...

Congrats on finding your daughter :) What a beautiful family you have!!! Also, I love your blog design - it looks great!

Anonymous said...

What an incredible story! Josie is adorable and so blessed to have found her forever family! You brought a tear to my eye...god bless you in your journey to bring your little girl home.

Katie said...

She is so beautiful .... I pray she is home soon !!

Anonymous said...

I just found your blog through another. It touches my heart to see that another beautiful child in Guatemala has a family waiting for them. I pray that your adoption process is a smooth one and I will look to checking back with your blog along the way.

Amy said...

Hi,
Your story and Josie's eyes on your video touched my heart so deeply. I am a Guatemama too. I am also a licensed social worker with a lot of experience doing adoption work. I have my own business doing quick dossier preparation for families anywhere in the US adopting from any country. If help and speed in getting your dossier done could help you get Josie home more quickly and take some of the stress off of you, I'd love to donate my services to you. You can check out my website at www.AdoptionPaperChaser.com. I have been doing this for almost 2 years and have tons of references. I'd love to talk to you if you think I could do anything to help you.
I will be keeping your family, especially Josie, in my prayers. She needs you and the quicker the better, so she can start healing and experiencing the love of a family again.
Blessings, Amy

Nadine said...

Hi Carla, Sammy and the Entire BEAUTIFUL Azhderian Family,

You are AMAZING! I had chills the entire time I watched the video. The tears just kept running down my face. Oh, sweet baby Josie...one day she will know how blessed/lucky she is to have landed in your arms.
I hope that I will be able to help and contribute on bringing her home.
Much love, ooo's & xxx's, your friend ~ Nadine <3

Unknown said...

Hi Carla!!! It is hard for me to type with these tears streaming from my eyes. I can't stop sobbing. Carla & Sammy, God Bless you! You are both beautiful as well as kind people. I am so proud of you Carla, and I feel so blessed that you are my cousin!!! I will keep you all in my prayers. My heart breaks for the sadness and confusion that Josie must feel. Poor little doll baby! God's speed be with you in bringing her home! She's gorgeous as is the rest of your family!!! God Bless!!! Love you and miss you!!!! Love, Nikki

Anonymous said...

Hi Carla, Sammy and Family! Thank you for letting me know about your blog. Congratulations on the new addition to your family. How exciting for you!

It was great seeing all of you at the Azhderian family reunion. We hope to see you again, soon.

Our move to N. Cal. has been wonderful and the kids love being near so many relatives.

You probably know that grandpa was in the hospital again this week. He and grandma are doing OK, but we worry about them.

I am home-schooling the kids and I love it! I know that you can relate. :)

Feel free to email us, any time. If you are ever near Sacramento, let us know. We'd love to see all of you.

Jennifer Tan (and Rick, Ricky, Joey and Wilson) thetanfamily@msn.com