“The Lord has promised good to me,
His Word my hope secures;
He will my Shield and Portion be,
As long as life endures.”
-Amazing Grace by John Newton
Some of you may have already heard because I posted this watery-eyed “AAAAAHHHH!” photo with an update on Instagram and Facebook last Friday afternoon…
…but for those who haven’t, boy have I got some fun news to share with you today! 😀
In a nutshell, we’ve moved through 11 of the 12 steps in Parquet Court in the past 8 weeks, and our in-country Power Of Attorney is in the process of filling out and submitting our (exequature) application that will finalize our adoption in Haiti RIGHT NOW! Once approved, Sweet P’s last name will officially be Palmer, and he will legally be our child! Approval normally takes 2-3 weeks, so our current (specific) prayer is that everything is good to go, and that there aren’t any revisions or spelling corrections needed that would slow things down.
Thank you for all of your prayers throughout all of this, y’all. Getting to this exequature stage this fast really is a Christmas miracle and we are so grateful for your love and encouragement over the past few years. We actually started this adventure exactly 3 years ago this past Friday, and while it would be very easy to get hung up on trying to figure out why it has taken so long- we trust that God is in control. I’m not saying we never feel sad, frustrated or impatient. I’m saying, big picture…wide angle lens…we feel like the whole mysterious thing is blanketed in Protection and Love, and we have found so much comfort in truly believing that God doesn’t call us to adopt because our timelines will always be quick and easy…He calls us to adopt because He cares about His kids. Amazing grace.
Again this is such good news. I believe there is a reason for everything God does. Perhaps he wanted you both to learn the language, or give Sweet Pea time to adjust. Or maybe even give you some time to get over fear of flying. Whatever the reasons he’s coming home soon. Best Xmas gift ever!! See another reason!!! Maggie
This is the perfect Christmas present!!! x
Layla, I so admire your faith and patience and also expressing joy in the waiting. I know it is hard to wait, been there, done that and still doing that. God richly blesse you and your little family and pray you have a very Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas to the Palmer Family with Love!
Home from work and I will be late if I do not leave NOW, but I just ahve to have say how wonderful this news is~
Praise the Lord for giving us miracles! Merry Christmas.
I truly do pray for the three of you daily. This is so good!
Oh, Layla! I’m so happy for you, Kevin, and your sweet baby! Merry Christmas!
All good things in time and your time is here. Truly what a Blessing I am so Happy for you and your family. It’s so nice when good things happen to Good people
This is just wonderful news! I hope that young man knows just how lucky he is to be “coming home” to the two of you. Merry Christmas and only the best in 2016!
Warmest personal regards, Deborah
YAY!!!! I am so happy to hear this great news! Just wondering: when does this mean your Sweet P will be going home with you? Praying for you! Merry Christmas!
Awesome news! Best Christmas present ever!
So so so happy for you two!! I have followed from the get go and can’t wait to see Sweet P’s face! Praying for more Christmas miracles! We serve a BIG Almighty God and I know without a doubt that He can do this!!! xoxo
Oh gosh Layla I am sooooo very happy for y’all . I think sweet pea is such a lucky child to be given the gift of you and your hubby for parents . 2016 is going to be a great year !
Oh tears! I am so happy for you guys! I’ll be praying it all goes through soon! XOXOX
Praying so hard for everything to go smoothly. Thank you for sharing this journey with us. God has worked through you in this process in so many ways. By your gracious sharing, has reminded me to stop, wait, submit, listen, and Praise Him!! He will protect and love us! So happy for you, your hubs, and sweet pea!!
Layla,
For unto us a child is born, Christ our Lord…for unto you, a son is given….what a joyous celebration…Merry Christmas..can’t wait until he is in your and Kevin’s arms.
Layla,
Thank you for sharing your faith and journey with us! I wish you all the best as you bring your boy home.
This is so awesome! We are traveling to pick up our 6 year old son in Peru hopefully in late January:). Praying for a swift end for you 🙂
This is just the BEST news. You’re so close now, what a perfect Christmas gift. Sending you both a hug.
Oh, you guys are getting so close! I just looked at the adoption timeline again, and if you only focus on the things yet to be done, it could seem a bit daunting, but if you look at the WHOLE list (like you said: BIG PICTURE), you have come SO far! Hoping and praying Sweet P will be an official Palmer and on his way home with you very soon!
What wonderful news!! Will continue to keep you in my prayers. Have a Blessed and Merry Christmas!!!
I have felt ups and downs for I started following you as you began this journey and I’ve actually felt deep in my heart it’s not fair. It’s not right what this country has done to you and your child. But as you said. Timing. I’m praying and I do not even know you. I’m praying he will be happy and warm and feel no fear. I pray he will adapt. Kids really do adapt!!! I pray there’s a mighty war of Angels protecting this process from now until he lands in the USA. I pray that he will easily understand that Jesus loves him. I pray that he will stay well these next few weeks and you two will as well. Lord You have heard my pleas and the Holy Spirit prays for me with such groaning S. I am comforted. May this family be a family of Jesus love❤️??
Woo hoo! So happy for you guys! Sweet P will be coming home soon! This is excellent news and prayers that everything will go through quckly!
Congratulations on your Exequature! We are also in the waiting process on an adoption (domestic), our second. I empathize with the combination of impatience, faith, grace, a little more impatience, a little more grace… I didn’t believe it until we held our daughter in our arms the first time, but God and the universe really will bring you the perfect child for you. I have seldom felt grace so manifest in my life as I do in the adoption process. NOT that it’s easy, but as you said so beautifully, it’s in God’s hands. Blessings on you and Sweet P.
So happy to hear this great news! Think of you and pray for you.
Sooooo excited for you guys….. I love reading your updates!! and , if my memory does not fail me… didn’t you mention one time “Way Back When” that you felt like February was “Your” month… wellll… maybe February 2016 is the beginning of a little something special in life … or should I say “someone” special & amazing!!!!!!!
Thank you, Terri! 😀
And, yes, my (adoptive) Grandma showed me the date “February 26” in a dream a few years back, and it ended up being a date in the middle of our 2 week socialization trip when we first met our son! Maybe *next* February will be especially fun too! (Although I feel like early May will be our “sweet spot”) 😉
Wonderful news Layla and what a blessing! God bless you all!
Praying that everything goes smoothly, and that Sweet P will be home with you very soon.
Well said Mama…blanketed in Protection and Love…..because He cares about his kids. Love that! xoxo
Wow congratulations!!! Best news ever! Definitely a Christmas miracle and gift. Still sending my love & prayers that this goes even faster for you now. So happy for you two 🙂
Lauren Baxter | Lovely Decor
xx
Oh my gosh Layla! It’s going to happen very soon!! I am so excited for you and understand what you are going through!! We just got to Beijing last night and will finally be meeting/receiving our daughter on Sunday after waiting nine years!!! It will all happen very quickly! I am beyond excited for you and Mr.P! Praying for you!!