Friday, July 30, 2010

Monroe Has a Family!!

God has touched his family’s hearts and spoken to them!  He used their pastor, this Sunday, to confirm the call.   Not having spoken with their pastor yet, they had just prayed that God would use someone on Sunday morning to give confirmation one way or another about whether they were supposed to adopt Monroe.

You see, when it’s not a question of “can we” but instead “should we,” the answer is sometimes difficult!  Monroe’s family was waiting for that little extra push from God that says “yes”.  And this is what they heard in the middle of their sermon on Sunday:

“This picture I took represents to me the broad path and the narrow path, and all of us have opportunities to make decisions.  Today, when you leave here, you’re going to have the opportunity to make a decision, this week you’re going to have all kinds of opportunities to make decisions.  Will you choose the path of least resistance, the broad path, or are you going to trust your heart into God’s hands and follow him into whatever path He leads you in?  It’s a matter of trust, and you cannot have love without trust.  God wants us to learn to trust him.  His ways are higher than our ways, his thoughts higher than our thoughts and when we learn to trust him because of His love, it’s easier to follow him, down the road.  Learning to live in God’s love…”

At that point in the service they looked at each other and laughed, knowing that God had provided the confirmation and peace-at-heart that they had prayed He would provide, and on Sunday afternoon they committed to Monroe!

Still wondering who that family is?  Or… were YOU at church with us on Sunday? :)

YES, WE ARE ADOPTING MONROE! :)

In the first week that he was available, I didn’t even read his profile.  I saw his photo, announced his grant, and was amazed to hear he didn’t have that family I thought he would have in 48 hours.  It wasn’t until I sent out my second plea on my bl0g that I went and read more into his profile and looked at the older photos of him.   Then, prompted by Shelley and Lyndi (yes, I blame them LOL), I sent a link to Michael.  They asked me how he was going to decide to adopt him (since they apparently had this all figured out even though *I* said we weren’t adopting again right now) if he didn’t even know he existed?  Well, I said sure- I’ll send his profile to Michael, and wrote him an email saying “pray for a family for Monroe.  He has a full grant, is in a good orphanage, and just needs a family.”  And he replied “I will pray about it.”

That was Monday… Friday we went from “really not thinking this is us, but praying for a family” to the basic response to our prayers which was “quit praying and act, I’ve provided for you to be his parents!”

God opened the doors that we prayed would be firmly opened or closed, and the two biggies were our social workers.  Our homestudy social worker was immediately excited for us (homestudy should be to me next week to be sent to USCIS) and James’ case manager was very supportive and excited as well.  Two big “YES” answers there!

I’ll answer questions later on… that’s probably information overload already, right? :)

We are excited to introduce you to the ‘newest’ pursuit of our hearts, Monroe :)

July 2010

monroejuly2010 

Summer 2009

monroe-1 monroe-2

56 comments:

  1. You already know that I am thrilled for you and the entire Cornish clan! I have no doubt that God will take your "yes" and bless not only Monroe's life, but your entire family and everyone around you too.
    Congratulations!!!

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  2. You already know I'm excited for you too!! Can't wait to see him home with his family!!! God bless!!

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  3. Praise God! I was so excited to read that Monroe finally had a family. To read this post today to discover that YOU are his family - I'm in tears! I've been following your blog for many, many months so I know you are the perfect family for him. Thank you for choosing this road! Can't wait to see this adventure continue!!

    Marina from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

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  4. oH mY God, I am in Tears right now so happy for you guys and Monroe. I had no idea. Yes he is perfect for you and you guys for him. Bless you. xo

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  5. WOW... how awesome is this!!!!

    Congratulations.

    Jan

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  6. You KNOW I am thrilled, and will gladly take "the blame" ;) You and Mike are the PERFECT parents for Monroe. Thank you for always being open to hear what God wants of your family...CONGRATULATIONS!!!

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  7. Oh how exciting!

    Let me just tell you that what you just wrote about the sermon was our answer to prayer for a HUGE thing happening today in our lives. I called my husband and read it to him and he couldn't believe it because it was like God talking directly to us at the minute we needed it. We have something big happening in the next hour and that's just what we needed.

    THANK YOU!!!

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  8. Are you kidding!? I mean, obviously, you're not, but I'm giggling ... What a great surprise! How exciting for you all! Congratulations!!!

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  9. Woo Hoo! I'm so excited for you! Congratulations!

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  10. Wow, that is great news! YAY!

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  11. That is wonderful, Meredith!!! I am SO glad that you will be Monroe's family! We have been so worried about this little guy!

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  12. Yay! So very glad Monroe's family found him. I've been praying for that, for him, and as it turns out, for you. Congratulations!

    KathBski

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  13. Wow! God is so good! He will be perfect in your clan! he already looks like you guys! Congrats! Jamie

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  14. So very happy for all of you. Your "YES" is an inspiration to so many others. Thank You for being you. Thank you for accepting the wonderful gift God has given you, Monroe. He truly is a gift to you & your family. You are blessed & a blessing! Congratulations!
    Blessings,
    Meghan

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  15. Meredith,
    Praise God there are families with their heart's ears open at all times to God's voice. I'm sure you know how very many people were praying for the right ears to be open.
    Blessings,
    Traci

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  16. So happy for your family! He is just SO adorable. He looks like such a happy little boy and I'm sure he will be a blessing.

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  17. I am beyond happy for your family and for Monroe! I'm Kerry's sister! I was agonizing and praying over Monroe daily! I wanted to go and get him so badly, but this is not the right time for our family...as difficult as it was to come to that conclusion. Just as your path was cleared of obstacles, mine was filling up quickly! Monroe is one blessed little boy! I do hope and pray that my husband and I will welcome a child into our home through adoption in the future...hopefully the not to distant future! And...I hope and pray that when I visit Kerry...maybe I'll get to meet you and your crew!
    GOD BLESS!
    ~Dana

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  18. Congratulations!!! You are the perfect family for him!! No wonder no one committed to him within those first 24 hours....he was meant to be yours!! I had a suspicion that it was you guys :-)

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  19. CONGRATULATIONS!!!! I am so happy for you guys and so happy for Monroe. God bless you all.

    *peace & blessings+...
    jenn
    xo

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  20. I'm a recent new member of the RR Yahoo group because we are prayerfully considering adopting one or two of the angels listed. I pray for many of these precious children to find homes but my heart has been particularly heavy about Monroe.

    I cried happy tears when I heard about his grant. Then again when I heard that he had found his family. Now I'm crying all kinds of ugly tears reading about his new precious family.

    God bless you for choosing the narrow path. The one few have the courage to embark on, but leads to joys that few will have the privilege to experience.

    Much Love,
    Kathie

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  21. Meredith,

    I'm so excited for you and your family. Monroe is getting an excellent family that "shows" him Jesus in their actions everyday.

    After we finish with our adoption of three children, I hope to continue to adopt until God says NO.

    Thanks for your example for all of us.

    God Bless,
    Amy Land
    http://www.savingorphansforjesus2010.blogspot.com

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  22. How wonderful! I am so excited for you!

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  23. Oh Meredith! How blessed I am to hear that you and Michael will be Monroe's family! How I prayed for Monroe and his family to find one another! I'm so glad you are obedient and willing to hear God speak to you both. I'm also so very happy to hear that both social workers think it's a great idea, THAT is definitely God! Praying for speed and ease as you bring Monroe home.

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  24. Congratulations!!! I am so excited for your family!

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  25. When I read that a paper ready family was adopting Monroe, I wondered who that may be, I never thought it was the Cornish's, wow, what a happy and wonderful surprise and what a lucky little man. Congratulations to all.

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  26. Oh! WOW! How wonderful! He looks like such a sweetheart and your family will be so blessed. Congratulations!

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  27. Meredith......wow, how exciting!! I am so thrilled Monroe will have such an amazing family to call his own!!! Looking at his sweet face in those pictures...he just looks like he belongs in your family!!

    What fabulous news!!!

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  28. How wonderful!!! He could not have gotten a better family. I hope you get to bring him home soon and that the process goes smoothly!

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  29. That is awesome!!! I know God will bless!!

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  30. I had a feeling! Congratulations. I hope that all goes well and you are able to hold your new son very soon!

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  31. Oh Meredith, I am sooo excited that Monroe has a family! Thank you so much for choosing him!I can't get his doctor's face out of my mind as she cried tears of grief whenshe told me of his fate. I wish I could be there to see her tears of joy when she hears the good news!!
    They will be cheering and dancing in Groupa House 2 tonight!!!God Bless you! I will forward you more pics of him soon!

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  32. Wow. I am so excited for you guys!
    I wanted to adopt Monroe, he is SO cute! I prayed that if we couldn't be his family, that God would provide the perfect family for him to love him for who he is...God definitely answered that prayer!
    (And the prayer that He would increase Monroe's grant!)

    Congratulations & many, many blessings! You guys are the perfect family for him. I can't wait to see more pictures too!

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  33. Our God truly provides!
    Love you!

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  34. GOOSEBUMPS GOOSEBUMPS GOOSEBUMPS!!!!! I am thrilled for you... God is awesome!

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  35. OMG This just brought me to tears! I have been hoping that his forever family would find him...and here you are! <3 So excited for you all! Congratulations!

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  36. All I can say is you must be the luckiest woman in the ENTIRE world!
    A home for of beautiful, healthy children. What more could anyone possibly ask for?
    Congratulations!

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  37. Oh Meredith and Mike! How wonderful for Monroe and how blessed he is to have you for his family. God be with you in this journey and bless you for taking on the paper pregnancy again! You will be in my prayers as you go through this journey! Hugs, Linda Duncan

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  38. Oh Meredith and Mike! How wonderful for Monroe and how blessed he is to have you for his family. God be with you in this journey and bless you for taking on the paper pregnancy again! You will be in my prayers as you go through this journey! Hugs, Linda Duncan

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  39. Wow! Wasn't expecting that but congratulations!

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  40. He looks like a Corish to me!!! I am so excited for all of you. I know that God will bless your family for your faithfulness and the "yes" that you have said over and over. Congratulations! You are going to be one BUSY woman!!!:)

    Kayla

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  41. How wonderful!! Congratulations!!!

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  42. Yipeeeeeee....that is SUCH fantastic news, Meredith. The Salem clan is totally rejoicing with you and your family.

    Come home quickly, sweet boy :)

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  43. Oh Mer! his cheeks!! kiss them for me! how wonderfully exciting! thrilled for you AND Monroe. now you get to play the name game again. = ) your story sounds so much like mine, looking for someone else to adopt Annie, searching high and low, no interest anywhere, begging, pleading, telling everyone I could find. then one day it was like a brick to the side of the head, OH! no one else wants her because she is supposed to be MINE! OURS! and what a joy she is. I am so glad I woke up to that brick! lol

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  44. OK MEREDITH! Bless your heart! What a wonderful surprise!! I had no idea at all.
    Joy

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  45. Oh how thrilling!! This totally made my day and what a day I have had!!!! So excited for you all and Monroe! Can't wait to hear more details!! :) :)

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  46. Congrats! You guys are such an amazing family and I have really enjoyed following your blog. Thank you for sharing with us your journies to adopt these beautiful children

    Becky

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  47. Praise God. You will never know HOW MANY people were praying and posting on FB and blogs and looking for YOU. God knew right where to find you all along :)
    What a treasure! What will his name be? So thrilled he is going to be part of a family who will adore him and help him reach his potential! God is good indeed!

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  48. WONDERFUL NEWS!Monroe could not have a better family to love him.

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  49. Congratulations! I am so glad to hear that Monroe has a family--and what a perfect family you will be for him! He even looks like a Cornish--blonde hair, blue eyes--clearly God created this precious boy with your family in mind. I will be praying as you bring your new son home!

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  50. Congratulations!!
    I will be following your journey, i prayed too, so thrilled to have found the family God has choosen for this special little man!

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  51. Visiting for the 1st time... and I just want to ((((hug)))) you! God bless!!

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  52. Thank you so much! I dont know how I even found your blog today but I have prayed for Monroe since the day I saw him online. I have searched for people to adopt him and told everyone about his story and ours. I told them how God always provides and boy does He ever. Thank you for listening to God. I have been praying over and over that I would just know something about who adopted him and have I guess some closure. It was God that brought me to your blog today. Did you know Monroe has been on so many peoples blogs including mine? So many people were rallying behind him, it was beautiful. Thank you so much!!! I pray many blessings for you and your family.

    Be blessed
    Ashlee
    http://ourjourneytoadoption.beckfamily143.com/

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