The Greatest Reason to Be Thankful....

We received good news today! Minalachew Isaiah Cabeen is coming home!

"Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see" Hebrews 11:1

Lots to share-most of it could be a made for TV movie-but here are the amazing highlights of the past few months in which both Rob and I believe God had a hand in bringing us to this day today.

October 2011- Just when we had thought it was over--we had the amazing opportunity to meet with the Vice Prime Minister of the Federal Ministry of Women's Affairs (MOWA), along with the 4 other families that we have been connected with through this difficult journey. Within a week of finding out this high ranking official was in the United States- we packed up, put together a heart-breaking file of birth certificates, court orders and photos to take with us, and headed to meet a person who we now know had a great influence in our case.

While there we finally met the "group" of 4 other families from across the United States that have been with us in this painful journey. It was amazing to see them, and get to know them during those two days while we learned more about what was happening. Kenny and Rob did an amazing job sharing our son's story. Our second "Angel in Africa" took our paperwork back and went to work.

October 30th-email came through-judge issuing WARRANT for children, should be to court next Thursday!!! Rob and I were floored-this was to be over! Prayers have been answered! As luck would have it I was in Long Beach CA when this was all to be happening so it was wonderful to have the group messaging Rob and I with updates if I didn't have phone/email access....things were a go--he was coming home!

November 3rd-a turn for the worst. The orphanage directors arrived, without Minalachew. They would not tell anyone...even a federal judge that asked twice...where our son was.

The next two weeks we experienced a new set of twists and turns that would normally shake the faith of anyone-but for some reason I knew this would happen-I just couldn't direct the timeline. So instead, we started prepping, planning, and believing he would be coming home. We started reading materials again, I had gotten in contact with a local Ethiopian who is willing to give me some Amharic lessons now, and when Minalachew comes home. To add to our changes-we found out we are moving to the "east" side of town-so between setting things aside for a trip back to Africa, we are packing boxes for a pre-Christmas move.

He is "home" well almost- today we received word that he and the other children had arrived safely to Addis and are in care at an orphanage. Tomorrow they appear in court-one last time-and then we begin the work of preparing for the US Embassy Process.

Next Steps-we aren't sure, it takes some time to be submitted/reviewed for US Embassy-but we are optimistic that they will take into strong consideration the hurdles we have endured thus far and complete their paperwork in record time so we can be a family. My hope is he is home before March 1, 2011-a year to the day since we had met him.

Thank you all for your quiet prayers and support-we have appreciated everything.

Blog back up and running, and here is to good news for the Holidays!