Coming Soon...A Court Date!

We can almost see the finish line!  A few weeks ago, we sent the last of the paperwork in and began the wait for a court date.  We really didn't know how long that might take, but after a couple of weeks, we got word from the orphanage that this was where the patience really was needed.

About two weeks ago, we were blessed to talk to the stateside representative from GSF.  He was so amazing!  He gave us lots of tips and information about what to expect and  how to prepare for traveling.  He also warned us that things just take a LONG time on the African side.  If they say it will be a week, expect at least a month.  So, we buckled down and got busy waiting.  And then, we heard this week that a court date MIGHT be imminent.  Like MAYBE even this month!

When we read the email, my mouth dropped to the floor.  All of the sudden, things seemed VERY real!  Only moments after reading the email, Adam asked me what we would do for a bed.  You see, we are having a bed made for the girls to share and it wasn't completed.  A PRECIOUS man is making the bed for us as a ministry for just the cost of materials (HUGE BLESSING), so we were just waiting for it to be completed.  Lilly immediately offered to let our sweet girl sleep in her bed until the other was complete.  Sometimes, I really like my kids!  Anyway, my sister has been planning to come visit this fall and was planning to come in November.  I realized I needed to call her and tell her not to buy a plane ticket because we might not be here.  I sent Adam to get the phone.  He returned telling me something freaky just happened.  We  had just received a voicemail telling us that the bed was ready!  That is NOT freaky, my friends, that is God!

We now have pieces of the bed all over the garage as we rush to try to get it painted.  Hopefully by the end of the weekend, the bed will be totally finished and we can get the girls' room ready for another occupant!

We are so excited, but we also realize that, when adoption is concerned, nothing is certain.  We were hoping to hear Friday whether or not we had a court date and we didn't hear anything.  That is in no way unusual, but that doesn't stop me from obsessively checking the email all day every day in hopes of that elusive message.

So, how can you be praying now?

• Pray that we will be content with God's timing and not try to rush things along or grow impatient in waiting.
• Chris checked this week and plane tickets are twice as expensive as what they have been and what we have been budgeting for.  Please pray that we will have enough money for all the upcoming expenditures or that a miracle will happen and the price of tickets will go down before we travel.
• Pray for us as we prepare our children for some time away from us.  Continuing studies is going to be tough with momma, the main teacher gone for 4-6 weeks.
• Pray for all the family, including our sweet, waiting girl, that our hearts will be prepared to love each other through the ups and downs of the coming weeks and months.  Pray that bonding will happen.
• Pray for our girl as her life is on the brink of HUGE changes.  Pray she will adjust and know that while things will be very different for her, she will recognize the love we all have for her.
• Pray for our children as they adjust to another sibling...especially Cooper as he will have to make a HUGE adjustment to not being the baby anymore.

Thanks to all...hope to give a BIG update soon!