A precious “GOTCHA DAY” video!

For those of you new to the adoption world, “gotcha day” is the day mommies and daddies get to FINALLY hold the one/s they have LONGED for in their arms…and FINALLY they are a family. Some also call this “family day”. A “gotcha day video” I saw on You Tube actually “got me”. Something happened as I watched it…and a light came on. And for us—growing our family through adoption made perfect sense. For us…it was a calling. Not everyone is called to adopt, but I believe we are all called in some way to help the orphan, the widow and the poor. Adoption is one way. Helping others adopt is another. And you can sponsor orphans and widows through organizations like Wiphan. No matter how you follow the Lord in this calling, your life will be different. But seriously, why would anyone want to live the “American Dream” with a white picket fence and vacations as your highlight? I mean…seriously?! Truly…there is so much more!

As we started our journey, we realized that part of our wait was to pray and cheer on families who were ahead of us. I watched a nearby family, the Vogeltanz family (another AGCI family), journey through before us. I remember when they got their referral…I actually called A LOT of my friends and family who didn’t even know them SQUEALLING that the “OH MY GOODNESS…the VOGELTANZ’S HAVE A BABY GIRL!” and while they said, “Vogel who?” I was just soooo excited as if it were MY referral! And then when they got ready to travel…they left on Christmas day…I’ll never forget—I was smitten! And then when they got home the beginning of January…I was absolutely sooo excited! Talk about being a blog stalker;) I just had such fun celebrating alongside this family! We prayed for them…rejoiced with them…and were inspired and encouraged by them.

“The Vogel who’s???” you ask.

Well…first turn off my music up top…and then you must meet them!

It is my honor to introduce you…

Be encouraged.

The waiting is worth it.

The journey is worth it.

And having a family that looks different…worth it too.

And to those families who are now rejoicing with us and praying for us…and waiting on our travel…and one day a “gotcha day video” too…thank you. Thank you for being on this journey with us.

And to those of you wondering if adoption is for you. Trust in the Lord, seek Him and just be obedient in whatever He calls you to do. It may be becoming a parent to one of these. It may be helping financially. Or it may be not only sponsoring a child but going on a trip and giving part of your heart away. And trust me—if you follow…it will be worth it.