Eli's Updates

It's been a few weeks now since we found out that we were matched with Eli. Just looking at the few pictures that we have of him has caused us to fall even more in love. 

Many of you have been asking when we will leave, have we received any updates, etc. So here's a few answers to your questions. 

1. When will we be leaving? We have been told that we will leave sometime in September or October. However, the way this process works... when we get "the call" we will need to leave within 7-10 days for Uganda. This is not much notice, so our "goal" is to be as ready as we can be by September 1st. 

2. Have we received any updates? We've been told not to expect any additional updates before we leave. If we do, it will be a complete surprise & blessing! 

(Pictures can only be seen through our Email Distribution list. If you did not receive an email today, you are probably not on our email distribution list. If you would like to be added for future updates & pictures, please email us at mcjad_99@hotmail.com and in the subject line put Eli's Updates. If we have accidentally left you off the list, we apologize and please just resend an email. Thanks) 

3. How old is Eli? Because Eli was found abandoned in the forest, his birth date and his current age is really unknown. The doctors and caregivers have guessed that he is around 5/6 months. 

4. Who are Baby Mace, Chase, & Ben? During the adoption process, many families meet other adopting families. We have been very blessed to have known some that have already gone before us like The Graham's who adopted Baby Mace (originally from Hardee County who now live in Parrish). We have also been blessed to meet (virtually) 2 other families that will be going around the same time as us to Uganda. The Trivette's are adopting Baby Ben (we will be meeting them on Saturday and all the t-shirt $ has been raised for their adoption) and the Deckard's are adopting Baby Chase. I introduce these 3 families to you by their names, because you will most likely be hearing more about them all throughout this journey. So other than getting to know them, what's so special about these "random" people you may say... Mace, Ben, Chase & Eli are all from the same orphanage. They will forever have a bond and our families will forever be connected because of this reason. I will be asking throughout this journey to keep these families in your prayers and I'd like for you to be praying for them by name. Deal?!  

I'd also like to personally invite you all to join us on September 4th at Oak Grove Baptist Church at 5:30pm. We'll have dinner at 5:30pm and then service at 6:30pm. Paul & I will be sharing about our adoption, why Uganda and also showing a short film from World Vision that gives a better understanding of why so many children are abandon and left as Orphans. Hope you can join us! 

We have 2 baby showers coming up in August. We are so blessed to have a church family (not just Oak Grove) but an extended church family as well, Brothers & Sisters in Christ, that are so gracious to help us out with preparing for Eli's arrival. I'm overwhelmed with love and joy for each and everyone of you that have either purchased an adoption shirt, given financially, prayed, shared our story with someone else, or planning to attend one of the showers.

Every time I look at Eli's picture I think to myself, "Thank you Jesus for all your many blessings in my life and for never leaving me or forsaking me and for looking out for Eli, even when he was all alone." I'm reminded so often that any one of us could have been left to starve & die in a forest, but God's mercy, love & grace is everlasting and always enough! 

More updates to come...