Congratulations Joel, Carrie Ann & Josiah!

Joel, Carrie Ann, & Josiah James

My husband and I had registered for AD classes (to begin on Feb. 23, 2009) in anticipation of adopting in the near future. We had no idea just how near in our future.

Our adoption journey began on February 6, 2009. I received a call from a friend of mine who knew that Joel and I wanted to adopt. She told me that she had someone in her family that wanted to place a 7 month old little boy up for adoption. She told them about Joel and I, and before we knew it, we met our son to be the very next day. We met with a lawyer the very next week and we were on our way. It was so awesome how the Lord worked it all out.

The AD classes fit right in with what we were experiencing. It seemed to work out that each week was either what we were going through, about to go through, or we had just gone through it and we were able to share with the others. We are so thankful for the classes and Niki's willingness to lead them. They answer so many questions that people sometimes are either afraid to ask, or afraid to push for an answer. I would and already have highly recommended AD to many friends.

Our adoption was finalized on May 20, 2009. We give all the glory to God, for He is truly Awesome!!!

Joel, Carrie Ann, & Josiah James

Update - June 2010

In May, we celebrated the one year anniversary that little Josiah officially became our son! In our hearts, he was ours the first time we laid eyes on him. Words cannot even begin to express the joy that this little guy has brought into our lives! Over the last year, watching him grow, and develop, and discover, has simply been amazing! He has such personality, and the ability to capture hearts everywhere we go! It is so obvious already that God has His hand on him. It is also obvious that God is going to use this amazing child to show my husband and me all about stubborn determination!  We found out just how stubbornly determined he was when he underwent corrective surgery for a clubbed foot. He had the surgery on September 11, 2009 and was in a cast all the way up to his thigh for 4 weeks. It was during those 4 weeks, (cast and all) that he started walking. It was a bit unsteady, but he never gave up! His cast was taken off on October 8 and he started walking full force October 11. He’s been non-stop ever since! It is through the determination of this precious little man-child that we have been taught so many things! Never, ever give up hope! God has a plan and He will accomplish that plan, but we have to trust Him!! We must be stubbornly determined to never give up during the hard times! For it is during those hard times that He is showing us that He is God and that He is sufficient! To all those who may become discouraged along the way of adoption, just know that God already knows the outcome! He already knows what child He wants with you! Just pray and trust! No matter how hard, don’t quit! Don’t give up!! And always remember “Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6.
- Joel, Carrie Ann, and Josiah James 

AD is thankful that Carrie Ann chose to help others with their adoption journey by becoming an Adoption Discovery Leader!