Friends and family, 

This post cannot be typed fast enough! Let's jump right to the point: THEY CHOSE US. You might remember that 2.5 months ago, right before Mother's Day, we received a call about a little heart on the special needs list of waiting children. One week later, after praying and consulting with a pediatrician, we requested this little heart to be apart of our family. The only update we heard during this grueling waiting game was that multiple families had also requested her. We held our faith and love before the Lord and prayed His will be done. 

On July 22 we got the phone call that made us fall on our faces (literally, fell on my face sobbing-Katie). They said OUR profile has been chosen to move forward. So with grateful, excited, nervous, overwhelmed, in love hearts, we tell you we have a daughter, who is 21 months old, waiting for us in the Philippines. Our little heart is in a children's home and has access to good care providers and doctors and nannies. She will turn two on November 14, 2016 and shortly afterwards we will be able to travel to bring her home. 

Within the month, we will be sending over to the Philippines all our paperwork, including the Dossier and Home Study that we have worked on for the past 6 months. A social worker will be assigned to our case in the Philippines, and will take an avg. of 3 months to review our paperwork and finalize the decision that we are good parents for her. 

After this 3 month waiting period, then the social worker will spend an avg. of 5 more months getting her ready to immigrate, which includes her passport and medical appointments. Meanwhile we will be preparing immigration paperwork here, and preparing a place for her in our home, and a larger place in our hearts. 

So, in 9-10 months, we will travel to the Philippines, and bring our daughter home to her forever family. Our trip will be approximately 7 days long. For those of you able and interested to help us complete this process, your support and prayers are needed first and foremost. If you are further able to financially support this little miracle, we are still looking to raise between $15,000 to $18,000 between now and next spring. 

We are over the moon blessed, and are so thankful for your support and love in this journey of becoming parents. This little heart is going to be the best thing that's ever happened to us. 

With grateful hearts, 
Joseph and Katie Murrey