A phone call...

...can make a world of difference.

Here we were, not knowing what to do next, what the future meant in our adoption journey. And one phone call was just what we needed to shed light on our path.

Who was the call with, you ask? Anita. After everything went down at AAI, our interest was peaked when Anita mentioned Independent Adoption to me on our brief talk. Scott & I decided to do a conference call with Anita and explore this a little further (Friday, September 28th, which happened to be Anita's last official day with AAI).

How do I describe Anita? Warm. Inviting. Someone who listens. Someone who makes you feel comfortable from the 'get go'. Someone who is advocating each and everyday for family preservation, for the care of orphans. I love her heart. I love her passion. And, right now, I love the fact that she wants to continue working with The Ripley Foundation in Ghana. The Ripley Foundation is the same organization she worked with at AAI. What a reassuring fact right there - this is an organization that Anita has developed a very strong relationship with through the years. An organization that holds the highest of ethics to ensure the best outcome for each child under their care.

It isn't how we planned it. The road has made a turn. But don't most roads turn at some point? Turning is ok, especially when you get a warm feeling inside that things are going to be alright. That things just might be better than alright. You see, while we agreed with AAI's mission statement, it was ultimately Anita that made our final decision. This journey is not just about what happens in the end, it is also about the journey along the way. And the relationships we make. It is MORE than just our adoption story. It has to be MORE. More need to be aware of the need and call before us - as God shows us in His word. More must step up to that call. Yes, so much more.

And so our story continues. We are now included in a very small group of families that at present, Anita has titled 'TRF Families'. Fitting.