I’m afraid if I start telling the whole story of what happened yesterday, it’ll be the longest post in the history of my blog and quite frankly, my brain is fried from this long, crazy, wonderful experience. I’m also afraid that if I don’t tell the whole story now, it won’t ever get told. So let’s see where this goes… Basically, a miracle happened yesterday. And I don’t throw the word “miracle” around lightly. God moved a mountain, an even bigger mountain than we initially thought.
Last week we got unofficial news that most of the people at the DCS office were changing their opinions and were feeling she should stay with us. But it wasn’t official yet. Yesterday, they all got together and made their official decision. When we arrived at the courthouse in the afternoon, we got the bad news from Precious’ case worker after a very split meeting, they had decided she should move to the other “kinship” placement on Friday, as originally scheduled. My heart was pounding so hard I thought I might suffocate.
While we were waiting for our hearing, the social worker suggested we allow this new placement, the woman who had not yet met Precious, to hold her and see how she reacts. I could barely manage an introductory smile, and I just couldn’t bring myself to make small talk. How could I trust a woman who would do this to us and to Precious? Did she not realize the gravity of all of this?
As she was holding her, Precious kept looking over to Jason and giving him big slobbery open-mouth smiles. He couldn’t help responding back with a smile but I couldn’t do it. Watching that and imaging her growing up without a daddy, HER daddy—it was more than I could bare. I had to walk away as tears started burning my eyes. I tried to hold it together and not be a blubbering fool in the courtroom. Thankfully (?) we a long wait before going in and plenty of time to compose myself.
What happened inside the courtroom was a beautiful blur. I shouldn’t really share any details but here’s how it ended. The judge (magistrate, technically) asked us if we would be willing to accept full legal custody of Precious and no longer receive any assistance from the state department of childrens services. We enthusiastically said yes. Her ruling was that Precious leave state custody immediately and we be given custody of her. That means she is no longer a foster child—she’s ours! I think that ruling was unexpected by everyone in the room. Talk about a miracle! That just doesn’t happen. But it did. We are over-the-moon excited and thankful. God is so good!!
Now we’ll still need to adopt her through an attorney and there is a bit of a jumbled legal mess around this whole situation but WOW WOW WOW! And we’ll have to come up with money for a private adoption but come on, if God can do all of this, He can handle all of that, too. Thank you to everyone who has been praying and cheering us on. Seriously, prayer works and I without-a-doubt believe that God worked a gigantic miracle on our little girl’s behalf.
It’s all still sinking in.
myMCMlife.com 
Amazing. Absolutely amazing.
Prayer is a powerful thing.
And now I am crying at my desk. Haha.
YAY! YAY! YAY!!!!!
I don’t even know you and I am so happy for you and confident that this little precious girl has a perfect family now. God is good.
WOW!!!!!!!! God is SO GOOD. I’m such a lurker, but so happy for your family!
Congrats, Mommy! How wonderful for your and your family!!!
I commented about a week ago, and I’ve been checking my news feed each morning for news of your family and Precious. Praise God! Thank you for sharing your miracle with us. I can’t wait to see a real picture now. 🙂
Yesterday was an amazing day, a roller coaster of emotions kind of day, but what a great ending it had! What a privilege to be witness to what God did in my now-GRANDDAUGHTER’S life! I’m so happy!
You are a wonderful grandma!
Wow – I’ve got goose bumps for you! I hope that translates and isn’t just a weird English expression.
So so pleased. Do you have some way I could donate to help with the legal fees?
x
It’s an expression here too…no worries! Haha. 🙂 Thanks for your kindness.
Praise God! So happy for this outcome! Enjoy this sweet time!
I just started reading your blog (after you were linked on Design Mom), but congrats – I am so happy for you. I have several friends who have had tremendous struggles with DSS, and I am soooo glad to hear about a happy ending. Congrats!
YAY! Praise Jesus!!
I’m so happy for you I nearly burst into tears (but tried not to so I wouldn’t freak out my two girls here!). Now you KNOW WITHOUT A DOUBT that this was God’s will at this time. I think sometimes God does this just so we never have to look back and wonder… What a story for your daughter to grow up hearing! God Is Good. All the Time.
I got goosebumps reading your comment. Thanks!
Love this. Love you guys. Love the miracle. So happy, excited, amazing, and praising God!!!
I’m sitting outside a coffee shop in San Diego shedding tears of joy for your family and for God’s amazing grace! Hooray!
“For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba ! Father !” (Romans 8:15). As Jesus is so excited as we are adopted into the faith with the Father, so you as Precious joins your family permanently. Praise the Lord. A miracle indeed!
I haven’t met you but know you through my amazing brother, Jerry Charles. I have been following your journey through your blogs. I can’t tell you how happy I am for you all and how hard I am fighting back tears after reading today’s post. So much to say to you both for fighting for her. Like I was told many years ago, “they are on loan from God”. Thank you for sharing your story and for what you are doing for her life. Congratulations – what a blessing.
Congratulations, I’m so happy for you!!!
I am so thrilled for your family. Knowing that you get to keep your sweet baby… it just feels (to me) like good things happen, even when you think they won’t. I am really happy for you, and I can’t wait to hear her real name and see her face!
🙂 big smiles. delurking to high five your family. the power of prayer and conviction! She is lucky to have you.
I am so happy for the both of you and Precious!! I prayed yesterday for all of you!!
i got chills reading your post. what a beautiful, beautiful story of God’s heart for his children. excited for you guys, congratulations 🙂
Wow! Such amazing news! I am so happy for you guys, and so humbled by our God who cares deeply for the children who need families. It is a tangible view of redemption, isn’t it? Amazing!
Found your blog through Design Mom and have been following your story ever since. I’m so, so happy for you and Precious. What wonderful news!
I have been following you since your nursery was on Ohdeedoh, and this post just made my heart soar. I am so happy for your news, and I wish you all best in the adoption process. Congratulations to you and to Precious!
I am following your blog since I saw your kids room at apartment therapy and this post has brough tears to my eyes. This is so wonderful for you guys. I am sure she will grow up in a beautiful family and will be so loved. Congrats to you all!
Just wanted to say congrats! My heart waspounding when I saw your post on my reader since I had not checked blogs for a few days. This was the post i was hoping for!
I am so happy for you and your family. Precious is an incredibly lucky little girl to be so well cared for.
This is So amazing Martina!! I feel blessed that I got to meet her & hold her just before this all happened (how could anyone not love this little girl?!) she is definitely very “Precious”..I remember praying as I was holding her, “God, please fight for this little one…” and then BAM!! within a week, you guys had this major incredible breakthrough. All 3 of your lives are changed forever. God does hear our cries, & it was definitely in our Father’s heart for you two to be the mommy & daddy of this “precious” little girl!! I can not express how thrilled I am for all of you!! Just confirms once again “HIS” heart for the children, for us, & the power of all of our prayers. much love to your family…~misty
Thanks for praying, Misty & Paul. Doesn’t this all just make you want to be foster parents? 😉
Oh wow, congratulations! SO happy for you and your husband and daughter.
[…] if we don’t have enough going on with Precious and her pending adoption, Jason and I have also been working on another big project. We’re building a house! Well, we […]
[…] through. The story is incredible. Even if you don’t have time to read much else, just read this one post – God is so amazing. Though I started following because of the foster parenting aspect of her […]