Waiting for Word from the Courts

Mothers Day 2011

......but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31.

While I wish this post would be filled with timelines, good news and reason to celebrate-I don't have that to share. We continue to be in a state of limbo with the Ethiopian Courts:

July 30th, 2010-received referral!

March 5th, 2011-we received "verbal" approval from the courts adoption passed.

March 22nd-we received word that our court approval was repealled for more information

April 15th-2nd court date-again not passed

May 3rd-received word that paperwork was working it's way through the different MOWA

agencies and will take an extended amount of time to pass through to get back to judge.

Our agency has preparred families that due to the courts change in processing, waits between referral and trip #2 could be up to one year apart. As we already experienced a significant wait time between our referral and trip #1 we are now bracing for a major setback.....we are planning now to travel in late fall/winter 2011.

When you go through these changes I struggle to find meaning in the "unknown". I recently finished a book recommended by our social worker on Ambigious Loss-through that book and ongoing journaling I am learning that the "loss" of the unknown of when he will come home is worthy of grief and sadness at this time-however I do have faith in the fact that he will eventually come home, and this additional journey is preparing us for our future together-somehow.

This past weekend Rob, Kenny and I spent Saturday of Mother's Day weekend with one of my former students in Saint Paul. This student has also experienced great loss in the last 3 months-the loss of his mom, guardian, advocate and protector. While we roamed the Minnesota Zoo and spent the day together I couldn't help but feel that God had truly placed us together for a specific reason-here was a young boy missing his mom, and a mom missing her son.

We continue to appreciate the prayers and support each of you continues to provided. I can't imagine how challenging it has to be on the "other side" of adoption. Not knowing what to say, or what comfort to provide...just know that knowing we have such amazing friends and family that continue to walk alongside us during this journey means the world to us.