We are finally all packed and ready! We leave tomorrow morning early, and are so excited to finally meet Miss Meaza! I am mostly excited, but also feeling a bit anxious about all of the travel details, etc. Please pray for peace and safety as we travel, for health and for an amazing experience to share with Meaza as she gets older!
Amy
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Ratified
A beautiful word....
Dove called and told us that court was ratified this morning! Thank-you so much for your prayers! We are so excited to finally know she is officially and legally ours! They also told us that they would be calling with travel dates hopefully in the next week or so......
Here are the next steps:
1. The court will release an official decree, saying that we are officially Meaza's parents.
2. Decision will be legalized at the office of Foreign Affairs.
3. Decision will be translated by the official Government translation office
4. Request the child's official birth certificate.
5. Register the court decision with the Government of Ethiopia
6. Request an Ethiopian passport from immigration for the child.
7. Meaza will have a medical examination at an assigned clinic to obtain her US visa
8. She will have another exam at the US Embassy for HIV testing (she has already had 2 tests which both came back negative)
9. All documents must be submitted to the US Embassy 2 weeks prior to our appointment
10. Families typically travel and have an US embassy appointment 4-6 weeks after court, but our agency told us last month to expect 6-8 weeks.
Dove's standing appointment is at the Embassy is on Thursday afternoons.
So, it really would take a miracle to have this little girl in our arms for Christmas. It is still our hearts desire, and we are continuing to pray for a miracle. We would love for you to continue to pray through these next steps for us, and that Meaza would be home in God's timing, whatever that may be.
Dove called and told us that court was ratified this morning! Thank-you so much for your prayers! We are so excited to finally know she is officially and legally ours! They also told us that they would be calling with travel dates hopefully in the next week or so......
Here are the next steps:
1. The court will release an official decree, saying that we are officially Meaza's parents.
2. Decision will be legalized at the office of Foreign Affairs.
3. Decision will be translated by the official Government translation office
4. Request the child's official birth certificate.
5. Register the court decision with the Government of Ethiopia
6. Request an Ethiopian passport from immigration for the child.
7. Meaza will have a medical examination at an assigned clinic to obtain her US visa
8. She will have another exam at the US Embassy for HIV testing (she has already had 2 tests which both came back negative)
9. All documents must be submitted to the US Embassy 2 weeks prior to our appointment
10. Families typically travel and have an US embassy appointment 4-6 weeks after court, but our agency told us last month to expect 6-8 weeks.
Dove's standing appointment is at the Embassy is on Thursday afternoons.
So, it really would take a miracle to have this little girl in our arms for Christmas. It is still our hearts desire, and we are continuing to pray for a miracle. We would love for you to continue to pray through these next steps for us, and that Meaza would be home in God's timing, whatever that may be.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Court Update
We were very excited to get our court date--We got it Oct. 21 and it was for Nov. 2nd, so it wasn't a long wait once we finally got it. I started letting myself get excited that this is real, checking airline tickets, looking over the packing list to see what we needed, buying diapers, registering, etc. My mom and sister even planned a little shower for me for 2 weeks after our court date, but waited to send the invites until we passed court. The night before (which was right when court happens) we had family over for dinner and prayed for court. It was a great night of hope and excitement. We prayed for everything I could possibly imagine that could go wrong....missing papwerwork, someone who was supposed to be there being sick or unable to attend, the judge, especially, and then actually slept very well that night.
Our agency called around 11:30 the next morning (I was peaceful when I woke up, but the next few hours were pretty torturous), and told me that court had over scheduled that day, and our court did not go through because they ran out of time and it wasn't even heard. She told me that they often do things alphabetically, so it makes sense that we were at the end with "W" for our last name.... We were rescheduled for 4 weeks away, Dec. 1st, which feels like an eternity. We spent last week really grieving...grieving the loss of a month or more of time with our daughter, grieving loosing having Christmas with our daughter and having lost the hope that we had that this was really happening. It had just started to feel real the week before court, and now it's back to feeling like something we are "pretending".....I don't know if that makes sense, but it's how I have been feeling....
We are slowly recovering, and feel that God has given us back our hope with the word "miracle" that keeps coming to mind. Our agency says to plan that we won't go get her until at least the last week in Jan., because now we will hit Ethiopian Christmas and everything shuts down for 9 days again.....We are praying that God brings us a miracle, and that we can go getter sooner than that, but have accepted that God might have a reason to keep her over there longer....Hard to understand, but we are choosing to believe that He is powerful and can work things to match His plan, and that He is good and really does have our best in mind, even though it doesn't make sense to us.....
We would appreciate continued prayer: 1. For a miracle and that we might have our daughter in our arms by Christmas, even though it is "impossible" in our agency's eyes. 2. For peace whether God answers that prayers or not 3. For energy and ambition to proceed with plans for the holidays, and that we would be able to make this Christmas a special time for Noah, no matter what happens.
Our agency called around 11:30 the next morning (I was peaceful when I woke up, but the next few hours were pretty torturous), and told me that court had over scheduled that day, and our court did not go through because they ran out of time and it wasn't even heard. She told me that they often do things alphabetically, so it makes sense that we were at the end with "W" for our last name.... We were rescheduled for 4 weeks away, Dec. 1st, which feels like an eternity. We spent last week really grieving...grieving the loss of a month or more of time with our daughter, grieving loosing having Christmas with our daughter and having lost the hope that we had that this was really happening. It had just started to feel real the week before court, and now it's back to feeling like something we are "pretending".....I don't know if that makes sense, but it's how I have been feeling....
We are slowly recovering, and feel that God has given us back our hope with the word "miracle" that keeps coming to mind. Our agency says to plan that we won't go get her until at least the last week in Jan., because now we will hit Ethiopian Christmas and everything shuts down for 9 days again.....We are praying that God brings us a miracle, and that we can go getter sooner than that, but have accepted that God might have a reason to keep her over there longer....Hard to understand, but we are choosing to believe that He is powerful and can work things to match His plan, and that He is good and really does have our best in mind, even though it doesn't make sense to us.....
We would appreciate continued prayer: 1. For a miracle and that we might have our daughter in our arms by Christmas, even though it is "impossible" in our agency's eyes. 2. For peace whether God answers that prayers or not 3. For energy and ambition to proceed with plans for the holidays, and that we would be able to make this Christmas a special time for Noah, no matter what happens.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Confusion
When we first got our referral, we were told there was a chance that even though the courts were officially closed, that they might still be assigning court dates through the closure because things have been abnormal with the closure this year. We didn' hear anything fo several weeks, then in mid September our agency then told us that the courts were in fact not giving out court dates until they re-opened Sept. 29th.
I joyously couted the days down and Sept 29th came and went, and maintained my cool until a week later, when we started to hear rumors that the courts had not actually opened Sept. 29th, and were in fact waiting until Oct. 13th to open. This of course happened over the weekend, and so we contacted our agency first thing Monday morning and they maintain that courts did in fact open on 9/29 but that its "like the beginning of school when it takes a few weeks to get things up and running". (Which as a teacher I take offense to, because teachers actually have one week of prep and then things start full strength on the first day with kids, but I can work past that and see the analogy--no cases are being heard, but people are in the building, organizing and training, etc.)
So, there is a chance we could hear anytime about our court date, but it will probably be another week or so before we hear. It is very frustrating to have missed out on 2 months of our daughters life because the courts are closed, but I guess I knew this was a possibility when we decided to adopt from Ethiopia. At times it feels like we are hitting all the possible "bumps along the road", but I feel like I am starting to surrender the timing to the Lord. I would love to have Meaza home before Christmas, but have to trust that if it's what best, God will make it happen and that if it's not, HE will give me strength to handle it....hopefully with grace...I would really appreciate prayers as it is again the unknown that makes me the most crazy....
I joyously couted the days down and Sept 29th came and went, and maintained my cool until a week later, when we started to hear rumors that the courts had not actually opened Sept. 29th, and were in fact waiting until Oct. 13th to open. This of course happened over the weekend, and so we contacted our agency first thing Monday morning and they maintain that courts did in fact open on 9/29 but that its "like the beginning of school when it takes a few weeks to get things up and running". (Which as a teacher I take offense to, because teachers actually have one week of prep and then things start full strength on the first day with kids, but I can work past that and see the analogy--no cases are being heard, but people are in the building, organizing and training, etc.)
So, there is a chance we could hear anytime about our court date, but it will probably be another week or so before we hear. It is very frustrating to have missed out on 2 months of our daughters life because the courts are closed, but I guess I knew this was a possibility when we decided to adopt from Ethiopia. At times it feels like we are hitting all the possible "bumps along the road", but I feel like I am starting to surrender the timing to the Lord. I would love to have Meaza home before Christmas, but have to trust that if it's what best, God will make it happen and that if it's not, HE will give me strength to handle it....hopefully with grace...I would really appreciate prayers as it is again the unknown that makes me the most crazy....
Sunday, September 20, 2009
One Year Ago
It was Sept. 20th, 2008 that we decided to use Dove as our agency and adopt from Ethiopia, so today is our one year anniversary of waiting for Meaza! We have been sooooooooo excited to have her picture, that this time of waiting for a court date hasn't been as hard as I expected. I am starting to have those twinges of impatience when I look at her pictures, though, wanting so much to hold her and tell her I love her! We have been told that they are not giving out court dates until October, but the good news is that it is ALMOST October! :)
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Meaza Grace Wilson
We got to see her picture for the first time on Monday, and it was an amazing experience! She is absolutely beautiful, and I fall more in love with her everytime I look at her picture. We bring her picture in when we tuck Noah into bed, pray for her (by name now! yay!) and Noah kisses her good night.
My mom and I found an adorable little outfit with flowers and buttons all over it, which seems just perfect for "Little Miss Button", (whose name means fragrance) and I am now trying to come up with a way to incorporate buttons and flowers into her room. I giddy and giggly, being so sure it was a boy, and now getting to pick out "pink things and hairbow and tights"! :)
We are pronouncing her name "May-zuh", so when you put it together it sounds a little like Amazing Grace! Meaza means fragrance or perfume, so we have been praying II Corinthians 2:15 for her (slightly paraprhrased) "That Christ in her life would be a sweet fragrance to everyone she meets".
A lot of you have been asking about timelines. The agency's lawyer is working on our paperwork to submit to court, and once she passes one more medical test, he will take it and see what happens. There is a chance we will be given a court date in the next few weeks, or we might not know until October, depending on when people take their vacations and how things work out. Our agency told us that the last court date they got was already Oct. 14, so depending upon a lot of factors, Tammy was hopeful our court date would possibly be at the end of Oct. and that we would maybe travel by December or January. Pray that all the pieces fit together and that we get the exact right court date, judge and travel dates for our family. :)
My mom and I found an adorable little outfit with flowers and buttons all over it, which seems just perfect for "Little Miss Button", (whose name means fragrance) and I am now trying to come up with a way to incorporate buttons and flowers into her room. I giddy and giggly, being so sure it was a boy, and now getting to pick out "pink things and hairbow and tights"! :)
We are pronouncing her name "May-zuh", so when you put it together it sounds a little like Amazing Grace! Meaza means fragrance or perfume, so we have been praying II Corinthians 2:15 for her (slightly paraprhrased) "That Christ in her life would be a sweet fragrance to everyone she meets".
A lot of you have been asking about timelines. The agency's lawyer is working on our paperwork to submit to court, and once she passes one more medical test, he will take it and see what happens. There is a chance we will be given a court date in the next few weeks, or we might not know until October, depending on when people take their vacations and how things work out. Our agency told us that the last court date they got was already Oct. 14, so depending upon a lot of factors, Tammy was hopeful our court date would possibly be at the end of Oct. and that we would maybe travel by December or January. Pray that all the pieces fit together and that we get the exact right court date, judge and travel dates for our family. :)
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Surprise!!!!!!
I have been bringing my cell phone with me everywhere for the past 6 months, and when it needs to be silenced, I ALWAYS have had it in my pocket, conscious that it could be "the call" anytime....Except, my theory was that it would be sometime between 10 and noon Monday through Friday, so I took a "break" during the weekends....
So, today I went to a baby shower, and was wearing a dress, and honestly didn't even think to have my cell phone near me. I had a great time celebrating with a good friend whom God has blessed with twins, and on my way home from the shower, I noticed that Brent (who was paintballing in Newberg) had called 4 times during the shower. My first thought was that he had gotten hurt, so I called back right away. He said, "I just talked to Tammy (the program director at our adoption agency)" and I said, "what? why?" He totally strung me along and asked if I really wanted to know or not and I said YES!!!! He then told me It's a GIRL!!!!!!! I totally started crying and then asked if he was joking (which, yes, would have been a sick joke, but I was totally flabbergasted about the girl thing). I then got to drive back to the shower and tell a big group of friends from church, which was an amazing, fun experience. Brent didn't have ANY details, since it was all on his email and we had quite a comedy of errors experience as I tried to access Brent's email from the Marshman's house, but we eventually figured it out, and here are the details we know so far:
Baby Girl!!!
Born: April 27th, 2009
Current Weight: 7lbs 4 oz.
Current Height: 20.9 inches
Current age: 3 1/2 months
She is on a good feeding/sleeping cycle and can hold her head up when brought to a sitting position, and can hold herself up on her fists in a prone position.
We are still deciding on a name, but will let you know when we decide!
Also, we don't have a picture yet, but are hoping to get on on Monday. So for all of you who live in the area, we are planning to hold a little dessert open house for anyone who wants to come by and see the picture once we get it.....More details to follow, and we'll cancel if we don't happen to get the pic on Monday!
We are so excited, surprised and amazed that God has brought a little girl into our family! Thank-you so much for your prayers during our wait! We'll keep you posted on the next steps like court and travel as they come. At this point we really have no idea how long it will all take, but are hoping we will maybe get to travel in November or December to bring this little girl home!
Love,
Brent, Amy, Noah and little girl Button :)
So, today I went to a baby shower, and was wearing a dress, and honestly didn't even think to have my cell phone near me. I had a great time celebrating with a good friend whom God has blessed with twins, and on my way home from the shower, I noticed that Brent (who was paintballing in Newberg) had called 4 times during the shower. My first thought was that he had gotten hurt, so I called back right away. He said, "I just talked to Tammy (the program director at our adoption agency)" and I said, "what? why?" He totally strung me along and asked if I really wanted to know or not and I said YES!!!! He then told me It's a GIRL!!!!!!! I totally started crying and then asked if he was joking (which, yes, would have been a sick joke, but I was totally flabbergasted about the girl thing). I then got to drive back to the shower and tell a big group of friends from church, which was an amazing, fun experience. Brent didn't have ANY details, since it was all on his email and we had quite a comedy of errors experience as I tried to access Brent's email from the Marshman's house, but we eventually figured it out, and here are the details we know so far:
Baby Girl!!!
Born: April 27th, 2009
Current Weight: 7lbs 4 oz.
Current Height: 20.9 inches
Current age: 3 1/2 months
She is on a good feeding/sleeping cycle and can hold her head up when brought to a sitting position, and can hold herself up on her fists in a prone position.
We are still deciding on a name, but will let you know when we decide!
Also, we don't have a picture yet, but are hoping to get on on Monday. So for all of you who live in the area, we are planning to hold a little dessert open house for anyone who wants to come by and see the picture once we get it.....More details to follow, and we'll cancel if we don't happen to get the pic on Monday!
We are so excited, surprised and amazed that God has brought a little girl into our family! Thank-you so much for your prayers during our wait! We'll keep you posted on the next steps like court and travel as they come. At this point we really have no idea how long it will all take, but are hoping we will maybe get to travel in November or December to bring this little girl home!
Love,
Brent, Amy, Noah and little girl Button :)
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Surrender (While Falling Out the Window)
Today is the 6 month anniversary of when our paperwork was sent to Ethiopia. I kind of expected it to be a hard, depressing day, since we are now officially "overdue", and past the 4-6 month window that it usually takes to get a referral. However, this day has been filled with joy and peace that surpasses all understanding, and I would like to thank everyone who has prayed for me during these past few weeks that have been so hard.
I think that my real turning point was actually in writing my last blog post. It was theraputic to write it all out, and also let people know I needed help. I am so thankful to those of you who sent cards, wrote me encouraging emails and even just told me that they were praying for me. I could really feel people's prayers and God working to change my attitute. I then had an amazing experience during our churches "One" service @ the Hillsboro Stadium, where I realized that I had been holding onto my own timeline and that although I thought I had surrendered it many times, I had taken it back and really was demanding God to fit into my plan. I feel like during communion (which was pretty funny because it was done with "to go" communion cups handed out on the way into the stadium) I was finally able to truly surrender the timing of this baby to the Lord.
This weekend, Brent and Noah went on a father-son fishing/camping trip, so on Friday night, my good friend Kari took me out to dinner, and when we came back to her house to play Karaoke, my friends completely surprised me with an "almost shower". I was COMPLETELY surprised, and a bit confused since I had no clue what was going on. But, once they explained that they wanted to spend the time praying for me and encouraging me, I was completely blown away by their thoughtfulness! We had a time of worship, a devotion and then each of them had come with a bible verse they had picked just for me and/or Button and wrote it on a beautiful quilt that Kari made with adorable little "buttons" on it! I received an adoption baby book, an amazing new diaper bag that my friend Tanya made, and lots of little things that babies need! It was so nice to feel like this is really happening. We are going to have a little one again at just the right time!
So, I am feeling very loved, prayed for and thankful for my amazing friends and family on this 6 month waiting milestone. I never in my wildest dreams thought we would be the ones to "fall out the window" (as another couple we know from Dove coined on their blog) but we do know and trust that God is leading us, teaching us, shaping us and has good things in store for us. :)
I think that my real turning point was actually in writing my last blog post. It was theraputic to write it all out, and also let people know I needed help. I am so thankful to those of you who sent cards, wrote me encouraging emails and even just told me that they were praying for me. I could really feel people's prayers and God working to change my attitute. I then had an amazing experience during our churches "One" service @ the Hillsboro Stadium, where I realized that I had been holding onto my own timeline and that although I thought I had surrendered it many times, I had taken it back and really was demanding God to fit into my plan. I feel like during communion (which was pretty funny because it was done with "to go" communion cups handed out on the way into the stadium) I was finally able to truly surrender the timing of this baby to the Lord.
This weekend, Brent and Noah went on a father-son fishing/camping trip, so on Friday night, my good friend Kari took me out to dinner, and when we came back to her house to play Karaoke, my friends completely surprised me with an "almost shower". I was COMPLETELY surprised, and a bit confused since I had no clue what was going on. But, once they explained that they wanted to spend the time praying for me and encouraging me, I was completely blown away by their thoughtfulness! We had a time of worship, a devotion and then each of them had come with a bible verse they had picked just for me and/or Button and wrote it on a beautiful quilt that Kari made with adorable little "buttons" on it! I received an adoption baby book, an amazing new diaper bag that my friend Tanya made, and lots of little things that babies need! It was so nice to feel like this is really happening. We are going to have a little one again at just the right time!
So, I am feeling very loved, prayed for and thankful for my amazing friends and family on this 6 month waiting milestone. I never in my wildest dreams thought we would be the ones to "fall out the window" (as another couple we know from Dove coined on their blog) but we do know and trust that God is leading us, teaching us, shaping us and has good things in store for us. :)
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Waiting Pains
Waiting has never been my strong suit....I knew that this part of adoption would be hard for me, but I had no idea how hard. I haven't posted in a long time, hoping that the next post would be the amazingly wonderful news of our referral, but I guess I should document this part of our journey as much as the other parts.
I started out thinking we were going to be the lucky few who are on the short side of the 4-6 month timeline. We had heard of people receiving matches within 2 weeks and I was confident that after all we had been through, after how hard I had worked on the paperwork to get it in fast, that I would be rewarded with an amazingly short wait time. I started carrying my cell phone with me everywhere, making sure it was in my pocket, not my purse so there was no chance I would miss a call. After a few weeks, I started getting irritated with my husband for calling me during work hours at home, since every time the phone rang it made my heart race, thinking it could be "the call". In my mind, "the call" will come between 10-12 in the morning M-F, because of when our agency is open and the time difference in ET. So, noon on Friday became a breaking point for me each week. Every Monday morning has been filled with such hope that this might be the week, every Friday afternoon filled with dispair as another week went by with no news.
As one month of waiting passed, I thought it's still early, surely it will be here this month. Same as it got to 2, then 3 months. When it got to 4 months, we were "in the window" given by the agency and I was again convinced it would be here any day. Then I started telling myself, "At least it will be before ____________. (Before our anniversary, before my sister's baby shower, before my sister gives birth, before school is out, before the fourth of july, etc.)
Next came a panic. Courts normally close for the rainy season in August and Sept. Our agency gave a tenative July 15th date for the last date we could get a referral and as that day came and went, we got information from our agency that the courts might not close this year. Hope once again filled my heart, as maybe this was the miracle we had been expecting. It turns out court is not closing this summer, but it is already filled up. People are already being told they must wait until October if they haven't received their court date yet. So, my worst case scenario is now my best case scenario.
Now we are about to exit the official window of 4-6 months of waiting, and my heart continues to break. When our paperwork officially was sent to Ethiopia, we told Noah and he looked up at us with big hopeful eyes, and said our baby is coming now? We then told him, no not now, but we are "One Step Closer" to our baby. Every time I get upset he tells me "mommy don't cry we're one step closer", and it is so sweet, but so hard to hear, because in reality we are no closer to our baby than we were 6 months ago.
I hate to admit it, but there has been good that has come out of this torture. I have been absolutely dependent on the Lord's strength each day these past months. I cry out to him daily for help, and am desperate to spend time with Him like never before. I have also learned more about "the sacrifice of praise" than ever before. There are certain songs that just get to me, and it is so hard to sing "Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord" when I am so frustrated about waiting, but God gives me the strength to sing-cry through that song--which I swear we sing every week at church. I know without a doubt that adopting "Button" as we nicknamed him/her a few months ago is exactly what God wants. He has given me such a strong desire for this child, that I have no doubts that he or she will be loved as much as Noah. We have also seen several miracles happen which leave us no doubt that this is what God has for us. We know deep down that this wait is part of God's perfect timing, but our hearts don't always cooperate...
Ways you can help:
1. Notes of encouragement.
2. One line emails with specific things you pray for me.
3. Call and check in, and/or invite me to do something. When I am sad, I get extra sensitive about being rejected, so I tend to isolate myself by not asking people to do things with me.
I started out thinking we were going to be the lucky few who are on the short side of the 4-6 month timeline. We had heard of people receiving matches within 2 weeks and I was confident that after all we had been through, after how hard I had worked on the paperwork to get it in fast, that I would be rewarded with an amazingly short wait time. I started carrying my cell phone with me everywhere, making sure it was in my pocket, not my purse so there was no chance I would miss a call. After a few weeks, I started getting irritated with my husband for calling me during work hours at home, since every time the phone rang it made my heart race, thinking it could be "the call". In my mind, "the call" will come between 10-12 in the morning M-F, because of when our agency is open and the time difference in ET. So, noon on Friday became a breaking point for me each week. Every Monday morning has been filled with such hope that this might be the week, every Friday afternoon filled with dispair as another week went by with no news.
As one month of waiting passed, I thought it's still early, surely it will be here this month. Same as it got to 2, then 3 months. When it got to 4 months, we were "in the window" given by the agency and I was again convinced it would be here any day. Then I started telling myself, "At least it will be before ____________. (Before our anniversary, before my sister's baby shower, before my sister gives birth, before school is out, before the fourth of july, etc.)
Next came a panic. Courts normally close for the rainy season in August and Sept. Our agency gave a tenative July 15th date for the last date we could get a referral and as that day came and went, we got information from our agency that the courts might not close this year. Hope once again filled my heart, as maybe this was the miracle we had been expecting. It turns out court is not closing this summer, but it is already filled up. People are already being told they must wait until October if they haven't received their court date yet. So, my worst case scenario is now my best case scenario.
Now we are about to exit the official window of 4-6 months of waiting, and my heart continues to break. When our paperwork officially was sent to Ethiopia, we told Noah and he looked up at us with big hopeful eyes, and said our baby is coming now? We then told him, no not now, but we are "One Step Closer" to our baby. Every time I get upset he tells me "mommy don't cry we're one step closer", and it is so sweet, but so hard to hear, because in reality we are no closer to our baby than we were 6 months ago.
I hate to admit it, but there has been good that has come out of this torture. I have been absolutely dependent on the Lord's strength each day these past months. I cry out to him daily for help, and am desperate to spend time with Him like never before. I have also learned more about "the sacrifice of praise" than ever before. There are certain songs that just get to me, and it is so hard to sing "Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord" when I am so frustrated about waiting, but God gives me the strength to sing-cry through that song--which I swear we sing every week at church. I know without a doubt that adopting "Button" as we nicknamed him/her a few months ago is exactly what God wants. He has given me such a strong desire for this child, that I have no doubts that he or she will be loved as much as Noah. We have also seen several miracles happen which leave us no doubt that this is what God has for us. We know deep down that this wait is part of God's perfect timing, but our hearts don't always cooperate...
Ways you can help:
1. Notes of encouragement.
2. One line emails with specific things you pray for me.
3. Call and check in, and/or invite me to do something. When I am sad, I get extra sensitive about being rejected, so I tend to isolate myself by not asking people to do things with me.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Habakkuk 2:3
"But these things I plan won't happen right away.Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled.If it seems slow, be patient! For it will surely take place. It will not be late by a single day." Habakkuk 2:3 (NLT)
Monday, February 9, 2009
Officially Waiting!
After almost 5 months of of "hurry up and wait", we are now officially waiting to be matched! We received word from the Program Director at Dove today that our dossier has been submitted, and that while it will probably take 4-6 months to receive a referral, we are to the point where we could receive one anytime! They sent us a tracking number so we can watch our dossier make it's way to ET, and it made it all the way to Salem today! :) Whoo-hoo!
It has been quite an up and down few months. We have celebrated each milestone, and then were quick to become anxious for the next one so quickly. I have been reading Exodus, and feel a lot like the Israelites who watched God's amazing provision one day and then began grumbling and complaining the very next day. I do feel like God is showing me a lot through this process, and was especially encouraged by a devotion someone sent me that said that we are not waiting on man for this adoption, we are waiting on God. I have been clinging to that, knowing that God is ultimatley in control of every stage and will bring us the child he has for our family when the time is right for both of us.
Here has been the timeline since my last posting:
Fingerprints at homeland security: January 3rd, 2009
Received I171H January 16th, 2009
Turned dossier into Dove: January 19th, 2009
Dossier sent to D.C. to be signed by Secretary of State: January 28th
Dossier sent to Ethiopia: February 9th (Birthday present for my mom!)
It has been quite an up and down few months. We have celebrated each milestone, and then were quick to become anxious for the next one so quickly. I have been reading Exodus, and feel a lot like the Israelites who watched God's amazing provision one day and then began grumbling and complaining the very next day. I do feel like God is showing me a lot through this process, and was especially encouraged by a devotion someone sent me that said that we are not waiting on man for this adoption, we are waiting on God. I have been clinging to that, knowing that God is ultimatley in control of every stage and will bring us the child he has for our family when the time is right for both of us.
Here has been the timeline since my last posting:
Fingerprints at homeland security: January 3rd, 2009
Received I171H January 16th, 2009
Turned dossier into Dove: January 19th, 2009
Dossier sent to D.C. to be signed by Secretary of State: January 28th
Dossier sent to Ethiopia: February 9th (Birthday present for my mom!)
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