Finally Waiting

Tuesday we sent in our Dossier. A dossier is a collection of documents about our life that will go to Ethiopian government. It required 16 notarizations and three seals of state certification. Now that is in and approved, that puts us on the waiting list (finally). The time we wait for a referral can be anywhere up to six months, maybe more. We hope for sooner. It is the last big chunk of documentation to be prepared by us.

We also want to update you on the financial part of the adoption. With the dossier, we had to send in about $12,000 for various fees. That is a huge amount, obviously. Other than plane tickets, we are unaware of any other BIG bills coming. That puts us at approximately $15,000 spent so far.

So, here are some things for which we would love prayer:

1. Pray that God would ease our worrisome and impatient minds as we wait.

2. Pray for Ramiah, that God would watch over her and see to her care while she waits for us.

3. Pray that money comes in so that we are not crippled by debt at the end of this process.

4 We are applying for some grants (some matching) and interst-free loans. Pray that those would come through.

God of the Process

If you have been reading this at all, you have learned how frustrating this process has been. I think it was Tom Petty who said, "the waiting is the hardest part."

Well last week, we were reminded of God's role in the process.

We had received a letter from Homeland Security. We need to get clearance from them to bring a child into the country and start the process of citizenship. Part of that process is finger printing. Anyway, the letter said that we should expect to wait another three months before we could get the the fingerprinting. This were heart-fallen over having to postpone the adoption another three months in the name of bureaucracy. But last week, Cindie was pulling into the drive with kids in tow. She saw the mail box had mail and was convinced that the fingerprinting appointment info was in there despite what the earlier letter said.

As she was about to get out of the car, Hannah said, "Mom, look at that giant bird." On the handrail of our rather urban home was some very large bird of prey. I was not there to see it, but Cindie said it took her breath away. She was afraid to get out of the car, it was that big and close. Then the bird took off between our house and the next door house. Cindie says the wingspan on the bird was so impressive that it looked as if it could have touched both houses.

I reminded me of this from Isaiah 40:

28 Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.

29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.

30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;

31 but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

Waiting

God gives me what I need when I go to Him and ask.

I was feeling so down and discouraged around Christmas with this adoption process going slower than I expected and I just felt so alone. I was trying so hard to help myself, but kept failing, as I always do when I try to do things on my own. I finally got desperate and told Shannon he better start praying for someone or something to encourage me. I sat at the dinner table weeping with no control and Hannah our 4 year old leaned over and just rubbed my back. At that moment I felt God's hand touch me and comfort me through her. Hannah has always had a special way of ministering to my heart.
The next night our agency told us we were approved and on our way to finishing the next step in the process. We also had an email that 2 people had given money for the adoption. One in the amount of $5.00 and the other in the amount of $1,000.00. I broke down and cried for my lack of faith once again and the faith others have for our ministry in adopting our daughter Ramiah.
I am learning so much about God and His love and patience for HIS Children. Waiting for my child to come home is one of the hardest things I have ever done, but I think of how many times He waited for me!


Cindie