I Dream of Lucy

I Dream of Lucy....originally posted in November 2009:

Adoption is hard.  I had heard that before but didn't realize how true it was until now.  My emotions are crazy.  Some days are totally fine and then others I cry for no reason. all. day. long.  Today is an emotional one.  I just looked at pictures of my friends with their babies for Halloween and for some reason it made me sad.  We have only been in the process for 3 months (almost) but she has been with us for over two years. 

I sometimes leave the specifics of "Lucy's Story" out because I don't want people to think we are weird.  But, I am realizing all of these details are significant to her story because it shows just how amazing and big God is. 

Tonight  I want to share the first time God showed us a part of His plan.

Russ and I were friends for almost two years before we dated.  During that time we would stay up late talking about everything imaginable (because we were just friends, right? ).  I remember us talking about how we both felt like we would adopt one day.  It was after this conversation that I am sure he went and watched sportscenter and I went home to plan the wedding because I just knew he HAD to be the one....

We were married in 2005.  When kids were discussed, we talked of adoption.  We fooled ourselves some days into thinking we would adopt later in life but most of the time we knew God had called us to adopt our first child.  Russ says most of his life he knew he would adopt his first child and that it would be a girl. 

One night, in October 2006, I woke up from a dream.  In the dream I was holding a baby girl, wrapped in a white blanket.  I was gazing at her but could not see her face or what she looked like.  When I awoke I just knew that I was pregnant or that we should begin trying. 

The next night I woke from the exact same dream...except this time I thought maybe we should adopt.  I woke Russ and told him the news. He agreed. 

The third night, I woke up from the same dream and can still remember exactly how I felt.  I KNEW.  I have never longed for/missed something so much in my life.  My heart ached for her.  I woke up Russ and told him that I missed her.  The amazing thing was that he understood. He didn't ask questions like "but you haven't met her yet?"...he just got it.

It was that night that we realized God had a baby girl for us and that His plan was bigger than we could imagine.  I love that I couldn't see what she looked like....and to be honest, it didn't matter....I just knew she was mine.

Sitting in the belly of a whale

You know those days....those days where you just need some good news.  Well, this verse came to me at just the right time :)  Hope it encourages you today.

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

Galatians 6:9

I easily give up.. but God is teaching me endurance right now.  When everything inside of me wants to give up...God ever-so-gently whispers...DO NOT GIVE UP.

I have been reading Jonah and am experiencing it in a new way.

Jonah 1:3
"But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the LORD."  ........I have so been here...running from the Lord.

But God again whispers DO NOT GIVE UP. 

You see Jonah went on to do what the Lord asked and the Lord was faithful to him and the people of Nineveh. 

Praise God for His faithfulness even when I doubt and worry.

CELEBRATING:

Bill (Anna's Dad), Terry (Russ' Dad)

These are two amazing men.  Both Russ and I have fathers that provided and loved for us growing up....and still do!!!  These men would do anything for us.....and I know that they will do the same for LUCY.  She will be one SPOILED little girl with these two around.  

Russ, Happy Father's Day to you.  While Lucy is not with us yet....she is already a part of us.  You will be an amazing Dad.  You love me so well so it will only be natural for you to love her well.  I cannot wait to see the two of you together.  I have dreamed of that image a million times...and I am getting closer to actually seeing it :) Thank you for making life more fun.

REMEMBERING:

Tom Cornelius "Pop" (Anna's grandfather)

Tom Burchfield "Granddaddy" (Anna's Grandfather)

"The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother..." 

- Theodore Hesburgh

These two did that well.  They loved my grandmother's well.  I miss them both so much.  It still hurts to see my grandmother's missing them but am so thankful for their example. Both of their marriages taught me so much about what I wanted in a marriage.  They exhibited friendship, love, and servanthood...which Russ and I strive to keep in the forefront of our marriage.

Happy Father's Day.

5 months

I cannot believe we have been on the waiting list for 5 months!!  Time has flown by but...it has started to slow down.  We are so ready to get Lucy home.  We are really trying to not rush this time..to completely trust in God's timing.  Which we do.  BUT, some days are harder than others.  Part of our family is across the world.  We wonder what is going on in her life, we pray for her first mom and family, we pray for God's presence in their lives.

I have not emailed or contacted our social worker in 5 months....which I was so proud of myself.  But, yesterday, I thought I had earned the right to check in with her and see if she knew anything on our case.  She did not.  But, the good news is that referrals have not slowed down and the current wait time is 6 - 8 1/2 months.  She even used the phrase "in the homestretch" to refer to our status.  Thanks for supporting us...she is already one loved little girl!!!

The night Russ and I decided to adopt from Ethiopia ....I was up late searching blogs...pretty much freaking out.  We knew it would be a girl and we would name her Lucy.  That night was the night I came across Lucy Lane's blog.  God used her video to confirm that we had made the right choice. 

I had the amazing opportunity to meet Lucy Lane (and Kristy) and am so thankful for the insight she gave.

Well, now Lucy Lane has been home for 1 year and they have the cutest video to celebrate her first year.  Check out the end of the video where they have pictures of all the families that decided to adopt because of her video and story.  We are honored to be one of those families!!!! 

Lucy Lane Gotcha Day - One Year Later from kristi johnson on Vimeo.

I cannot wait to have our video of our Lucy's first year home!!! 

Whew.

The past two weeks have been amazing....but very full!  I got the great experience of going to Nicaragua to visit my new friends Rick and Mary Ervin.  I will post more about that trip later.  I was in town for a couple of days ....in which I got to celebrate my birthday.  Russ decorated the back porch with beautiful white lights....so sweet!  Lastly, I went to the beach with my mom's family (plus my mother-in-law).  What a great time...experiencing God's creation...with people that I love.  Here are my last two weeks in pictures:

Active Volcano in Nicaragua

Market in Granada (the oldest city in Nicaragua)

Our back porch for my birthday :)

Gulf Shores, AL 

My mom and my Granny (Sure wish my granddaddy was in this picture)

My sweet Mother-in-law Birdie

Me telling Russ to point to the place where Lucy will hopefully be sitting next year....you can tell from his expression what a GREAT idea he thought that was:)  Oh, I wish she were here with us already!

LOST Finale

Sorry, I am a little behind posting pics but....here are some from our LOST party we had with our friends Beth and Ben.  If you do not watch LOST...these will mean nothing to you:)

LOST cupcakes

With Hurley's numbers.....

On the Menu: Mr. Cluck's Chicken

Fruit

Dharma Salsa Con Queso

Dharma Cola

Apollo bars

And Charlie's hand  :)

There have been mixed reviews on the finale but The Polsgrove household liked it. I do hate that the show is over......we loved our Tuesday nights watching it with friends.

Pics (Finally)

It has been CRAZY around here!!  But, I did want to show you pics from our BBQ Fundraiser.  We made over $3,000  which was amazing. We want to thank Ms. Debbie, Pat and Sarah, and all of our amazing friends who did a great job planning and doing this fundraiser for us.  We also want to thank Mr. Jim from BBQ by Jim's for hosting us :)  Thanks to Brandy again for donating the perfumes for our raffle....we made around $400 off of the raffle!!!!!

Russ and I were able to enjoy the night and talk with so many people.  Some we already knew but many we did not.  It was so cool to be able to tell them Lucy's story.  Hopefully, God will stir hearts towards  adoption.  We would love to see people in our community adopt...there are so many children out there that need a loving home.  

We are getting really close to reaching our travel budget......thank you to all of our friends and people in our community that have supported us in this.  God has blown us away with support.  Hopefully, we will receive that referral soon!!!

Awesome friends!!!

Awesome youth!!!

Awesome people helping out in the kitchen.

Thanks again Sarah for all your hard work!!

Jessica selling those raffle tickets :)

Thanks Mom (aka CoCo) !

Lucy's Future Friends :)

Pat and Sawyer (Lucy's Future Friend as well )

Margaret counting the money we made.

Lucy's awesome "aunts."

Month 4

Today marks Month 4 that we have been on the waiting list!!!  They say the estimates for a referral are 5 1/2 months to 9 1/2 months so we are getting there!  We simply cannot wait to get that call and see a picture of our precious baby girl!!  We are still trying to rest in the fact that God has had this planned since the beginning of time so He knows what is best.

Happy 5th Anniversary to Us

Russ and I celebrate 5 years of being married today. Our journey together has been an amazing one....full of ups, downs, friendship,  fun, and laughter. 

I thank God for the joy He has given me through this man.  I am cherished, adored, loved, supported, and cared for.  I thank God I married my very best friend.  This life would not be quite as fun without him in it :)

"Love is friendship set on fire." ---Jeremy Taylor

Song of Solomon 8:7

"Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away."