Adoption Update

Hi friends!

So as you know, the world is a little upside down right now but the Bixlers are still adopting :).

Our daughter: She is beautiful! She is about 6 months old and we get updates roughly every week with pictures and some information. Unfortunately, we are not able to share pictures publicly (Colombian child protection laws) until we have legally adopted her (however, if you live in Waco and want to stop me on the street I can show you one ;)).  Back in December/January (before she was assigned to us) she suffered from a really bad case of RSV which left her a little weak and under weight but guys, in the last month she has put on so much weight and is so healthy 🙂

One update I can share about her is her name eek! Some time this year we will be welcoming home Miliana Bixler. Our kids, friends, and family have already started calling her Millie and Milliebug which we absolutely love. Her name means eager and for sure we are eager for her! Every time I pray for her, her caretakers, and the country, I have this deep feeling in the pit of my stomach that I can only describe as eagerness, maybe a little anxiety ;), but mostly eagerness. 

A second update, that we just got tonight, is that Miliana is moving into a foster home! This is very exciting because she will be moved out of a group home and into a family setting with foster parents that are very eager to skype with us and keep us connected to our daughter. 🙂 What a blessing! This week (hopefully tomorrow) will be the first time we get to see her live!

Adoption finalization: Colombia is under extremely strict quarantine measures right now. They have ban/grounded all flights, men and women are only allowed out of the house on separate days (men on odd, women on even), you must be wearing a mask and it must be an essential errand. That being the case, we can’t get to our sweet Miliana. Our paper work is sitting on a desk in the embassy in Bogota waiting for a court date to be assigned. As soon as we get that court date (when these protective measures have been lifted), we will be buying plane tickets to get her. I am not going to sugar coat it. I often have tough days thinking about how disconnected from her I am, and how I have no control of when or how we will get to her. However, I am encouraged by the amount of times God has showed himself faithful when his people waited for him eagerly in the Bible, in my own life, and in that of my friends. Our God is sovereign in his timing and I can feel sorrow over our separation but I can find joy in the fact that our God is both ultimate and intimate. He is in control of the entire world (including the virus) while simultaneously comforting and providing peace to two insignificant parents separated from their child. The reality of our God brings me joy.

Finances Update: We currently need to raise $36,000, and with some gracious donors we have been given $8,500. As you can see we still have a long way to go but we are trusting the Lord during this time to provide not only finances for us but to see this adoption be finalized as we continue to take steps in eager obedience to his word. If you would like to help support us or know someone who would, our church has kindly set up an account that you can give to, and all proceeds go to our adoption fund.

https://gracewaco.churchcenter.com/giving  (use the drop down menu to select Bixler adoption fund)