Timing.....unfathomable.....

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven...

I have seen the burden God has laid on men.

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live.

That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil—this is the gift of God.

I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him." Eccl 3:1,10-14

With my excitement on filing for a court date for Mame....I have started to think about timing. WHEN will it be that I would actually travel over to Ethiopia to bring her home? All along I had hoped it could be at the edge of summer. Between family care leave and vacation time I have saved up, if it was at the beginning of summer, I could take the whole summer off with my kids to help Mame acclimate to us (not to mention the money I would save without paying for summer childcare). Oh the fun we would have in our new country home with the whole summer off for all of us??!!!

But after 730 plus days of waiting to date, what are the chances that it would work out to be at the beginning of summer?

So I had to ask my homestudy agency how long our local USCIS it taking for the 171h extensions. I am worried, what if I passed court, but could not go, because I was still waiting on my new 171H? Their response was six to eight weeks. Two months????

So then I had to ask my international adoption agency how long are court dates being scheduled from the date we file for one? Their response"Right now, I am seeing court dates taking up to two months from the time we file." The same time frame...

Then I know my embassy/travel date is about four weeks after I pass court. So the timing of all this would be court in late April (maybe my birthday??) and embassy travel in late May!!! The edge of summer!!! The last day of school is May 28th.

Now I know that there are many things that could impact this imagined timeline...but wouldn't it be awesome!!??? I am open to whatever timing God has...but I giggle just to think about it!

362, 698, 730....

730 days since I started this adoption journey for Olivia Mame....

698 days since her referral....

362 days since our last (third failed attempted) court date.......

....we are on the edge of happy.....

I got news today that a new court date is being requested (filed) for Mame, because all her paperwork is "ready"! Happy Dance.

(Now I have to get the updated POA sent to Addis, and am waiting to get fingerprinted for my new 171H).

sigh...sitting happy.

Edging closer.......

It bears repeating:

"A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver." - Proverbs 25:11

"As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country." - Proverbs 25:25

So I have to get a new POA notorized, authenticated and what ever that other thing is off to Assistant Stork.

I am still waiting on the new 171H (Still waiting on the homestudy agency to send the homestudy to the USCIS)...and then get fingerprinted...ONE MORE TIME....

But I am still happy!

.... we are edging closer to you, Mame....

What a difference a day makes....

"A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver." - Proverbs 25:11

"As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country." - Proverbs 25:25

I have used this photo before, but it bears repeating. :)

It is funny how a little word, a little clarification, one sentence, can spring hope and excitement where none had been.

We may have progress (awesome, stalled for 16 months type progress) on Mame's case. The coming weeks will tell if this news is the hope I hope it is.

Smiling today.....

Two Step....

One step forward, two steps sideways..... no end in sight.

I know there is an end, someday...right?

I saw new pictures today, of Mame being read the letter we sent her...the "you are not forgotten".

Yet, I have no idea if it is months, year. ever.....

I don't give up. I pencil in plans....remain flexible. Pray, hope, and hang on.

I think we are at point "B", {z actually} only to find out we are at point "zero" or 24, who knows.... When you are at a step, and you don't know how many there are {and it seems like eternal steps without end}...you are not sure, as you hear "supposed" progress...is this closer, is this sideways, or is this backwards.

Cotton-eyed Joe without the fun music, and twirly skirt.

And this is where I trust the Father, without understanding. I have asked. Other's have asked....so it is not a "you have not because you ask not". I have prayed fervently...so power and effectiveness has been brought to the cause, even when I don't see it. I have no idea of the "why" of the delay, in God's eyes. I know He is all-powerful, all loving, I can see changes for the good he has made {is making} in her momma and siblings....better prepared I am sure.

So we do what we do. I wished I could get thrilled on side-step news, new photos. :( I am sorry that I do not. I love the photos...but they are also sad. I love news. Makes me know that something is happening. ..... but I do not know if it is almost there news, or just another step in the long and winding road.

So lovely daughter, far away....life will change one day. There will be lots of laughter, tons of hugs, new wonders, and strange food. :) And I am sure some sibling squabbles. But it will start...someday...I hope.

Meanwhile we take one step forward and two steps sideways....

Happy Valentines Day!

New Pics...fresh ache

I saw new pictures of my daughter today. Ones taken last week. I wish you could see them! She is so beautiful. Becoming a lovely young lady, without a momma.

22 months we have been waiting.

I sent a letter over with a family leaving tomorrow... just to ask her to keep believing, and we love her and miss her and cannot wait for her to come home.

All the clothes are too small, but we will have fun shopping.

Oh, Lord how long? How about now? Is it time now?

In a Bible Study I am doing with some other ladies, this week, it talked about how hard it can be some times to get to our promise land. That it takes a lot of spiritual muscle building (faith, hope, prayer, trust, grace, believing) to get to our promise. And that is because once we get our promise, it takes a lot of spiritual muscle to keep it from our enemy who is out to kill and steal and destroy.

I know from the experience in the trenches that being a "broken momma of broken children" IS hard! {and wonderful!} And that it daily takes the grace, faith and trust from God, that it took to become a moma.

So I know that. I know these 22 plus months have taught me a lot, brought me further on in healing, and that I have far to go. I know I will NEVER be truly ready. But God's grace will fill the gap. I have to believe, Lord, that she is ready. That she has waited long enough.

Soon, Lord, please, soon.

She wears a cross on her neck, a great reminder in where our trust is.

My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness.

I dare not trust the sweetest frame but wholly lean on Jesus name.

On Christ the solid rock, I stand,

all other ground is sinking sand

all other ground is sinking sand.