God's timing is always perfect.

The Lord is funny isn't He?

When I thought I didn't need to blog about Joseph anymore, God knew I would need to after reading this letter........



Hey Melissa-

I hope you are having a good night so far. I needed to update you on some things about Joseph. This is a hard note for me to write and I wish we could sit down face to face over coffee rather than communicate over email. So, a lot has happened in the past few weeks that I'll explain more about, but it looks like we are not going to be able to go through with the adoption process with Joseph. I know this is really hard news to get especially since you love Joseph and have worked with such passion to help find him a family. I soooo wish we weren't writing this to you.

We have a close family member who has has become very critically ill. It has been overwhelming and his illness has played a part in our decision. We want to make sure that we are fully available to him now and long term as we are unsure about the prognosis and we know he will need support as time goes on. We wonder if the Lord was using this in the middle of the adoption process to lead us in another direction.
 
We had to cancel the April 16th home study appointment anyways because we didn't have enough money for it. We wondered if the Lord was beginning to lead us away from this because it didn't seem like He was providing the means to go through with the home study.

For many years, we also have felt a calling to the mission field and wonder if it is realistic to think that could adopt Joseph with his many medical needs and still be able to go where the Lord has called us as a family. We wrestled with it when we first heard of Joseph, but decided to go forward with pursuing Joseph, but as time goes on, it doesn't seem that the two callings can work together. So, how do we decide which is our calling? That is a tough question that I am still wrestling through. But, with all of the immediate issues going on, it seems right to stop the adoption process.

I can definitely tell you that this has been a really sad and painful time for us as we make this decision. It's not one that there is a lot of "peace" involved, just a simple knowledge that we felt a decision had to be made and that there is where we feel the Lord leading us. To be honest, it is still very confusing why we were so drawn to Joseph in the first place. We are still processing through it and I don't know if I'll ever understand. I am very disappointed  that I won't get to be Joseph's mom. I still want him to have a family very badly.  I can only trust in the promises from the Word that God's ways that are higher than our ways and that He isn't a God of confusion, but a God of peace. We need to find peace in who He is and that He has compassion on Joseph and has a plan for him even when it hurts so much to feel like we are being taken out of that plan. We are praying for Joseph and we are thankful for the day that Jesus will make all the wrongs in this world right and that Joseph won't be an orphan in Heaven. We are thankful that this fallen world is not our home forever.

"And we know that God causes everything to work together for good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." (Rom. 8:28)

" For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." (Jer. 29:11)

Joseph,
God knows the desires of your heart. He understands that you so desperately want a family but you have to wait for his perfect timing. I (Melissa) thought I was done with this blog but that wasn't God's plan.
Just remember you are loved and if the Lord wants for you to have a family, HE WILL MAKE A WAY.
Love you little brother,
Melissa

Well it is time to keep blogging about a family for Joseph. Please keep him in your prayers. Pray also that the Lord will lead a family into adopting him.

Time is ticking: He turns 14 on May 8, 2013. 

*Clarification about the homestudy*

Hello everyone!

I just wanted to clarify with you all more about the home study.

The home study was recommended by the adoption agency that the family go ahead and do the home study before turning in the application for pre-approval.

Keep praying that the Lord's will would be done in this situation.

Joseph has a family.

Happy Easter all!

It is time for another update on Joseph's adoption process. (I seriously can't believe I typed that. There is a family who desires Joseph to be their son!! So exciting! Thank you Jesus!!!!)

(The family would like to remain nameless until they receive approval from China to adopt Joseph)

So as stated before,  the family has not yet received approval from China to adopt Joseph. They are working hard with their adoption agency for the approval before Joseph's birthday which is in May. The agency is telling them a home study would give them a better chance to receive approval to continue with the adoption process. After the home study is completed, they are hoping that will give them the opportunity to continue on with the adoption process.

Here is where you all come in, 
The home study will cost about $2,000; home study fee is $1,800 (Two $900 payments), Hague online training is $179, and FBI fingerprinting $43. The home study has been scheduled for April 16th plus having the $900 payment in hand. As of right now, the family does not have $900 but they are trusting that the Lord will provide.
I have been telling the family all about "Joseph's fan club." They are so overwhelmed by the amount of encouragement you all have shown them. They are so appreciative of you all! Keep it up! :)
There are many of you who have been praying for Joseph to receive a family. Once the family came out to state they were pursing to adopt Joseph, many of you asked me if there was any way you can support them financially.
Well now you can, here are two ways of donating,
If you would like to send some money via snail mail. Please email me at melissa.polensky@pcc.edu. There I will send you their mailing address to do so.
If you would like to donate online, check out their blog spot http://ohtoseewhatsnext.blogspot.com/. If you do donate online, I would also like for you to please email me with your name and address so I can keep the family updates about the money coming in.

After the family receives the approval from China, they will continue on with the updates of the adoption process and ways for you all to be praying for them. So make sure to keep checking out their blog, again it is  http://ohtoseewhatsnext.blogspot.com/.

As for myself, this will be my last blog post about a teenage boy wanting a family.

The Lord has certainly opened my eyes having this blog. He has given me such a strong desire to see unwanted orphans find families who want them. I am so thankful for this family who are desiring to adopt Joseph. First off they love the Lord which is a huge plus and they are seeking the Lord's will in all the different obstacles that come with adopting from China.

And again, thank you all for reading my blog and spreading the word about this boy. Without you all, this family may have never heard about Joseph.

So long all you amazing people and God bless, Melissa