Well a year and a half on our agency's waitlist. It was 2 years ago on Jan 3rd that we sent our application and started this process officially. And it has been 18 months since we've just been waiting. About 12 more months than we ever imagined. 8 months at that time was a decent wait. But none the less, we will continue to wait until God puts her in our lap and we see her face for the first time.
We are getting closer and that gives us lots of HOPE. We got Chloe a bunch of Christmas ornaments and hair bows this year to let her know we were thinking of her at Christmas. Today (our 18 month mark) is actually Christmas in Ethiopia (Melkam Genna!). Such a rich history of Christianity in Ethiopia. Legend has it that King Balthazar was from Ethiopia and was one of the magi who presented frankinscence to our Lord when they came to worship the newborn King. I keep learning bits here and there about this wonderful land that we already love and that will be a part of us forever. Every family that travels comes home with a deep love and appreciation for Ethiopia's people and culture. I can't wait to have our turn!
So unofficially we are #
Please pray that we can move to the teens soon. Or for there to be the perfect toddler girl for us. Although there is quite a wait for girls in front of us, I am not sure about the ages that they are requesting. We could be #5 for a 2-3 year old girl. I do know someone who received their referral at 19!!! Others have received them in the 20's and even low 30's.
Anyways, even though I get down a bit---I have been so blessed with words of hope and encouragement this past month, especially at Christmas and from our pastor. I know God's timing is perfect and I will rest in that. But continue to pray, because I do believe in miracles. I have faith that we will meet her sooner than later! Our kids are so ready to meet their sister.
መልካም ገና (Melkam Gena) - Merry Christmas
- celebrated on 7th of January (THAT IS TODAY!)
Apparently there is more than one way to say Merry Christmas in Ahmaric. I have seen it above and a dear friend gave me an African shaped ornament that says "Melkin Yelidet Beall" which is another way to say it. Thank you Faith. How ironic that you gave it to me on Ethiopia's Christmas Day!
We have been waiting for 6 months....Half a year. We could have another half a year ahead of us before a referral is made. We had quite a lull when we first got on the wait list. Let's pray for referrals to roll on in.
Then again.....sometimes referrals roll on in and then unfortunately don't work out. Which is why we are #41. We had gotten down to 39 before Christmas. (Janurary 3rd also marks the date where we sent off our application and started this process officially---ONE year!) OK, first off we are told not to focus on our number. (Much easier said than done)...Like telling a pregnant woman not to look at her growing belly. Or not to notice any movement when those flutters start. Anyways, I try to listen to that advice, to no avail. I want to know our number. But then when we climb in the opposite direction, it gets kind of discouraging.
Here is the reality: Although Ethiopia is open for adoption, it isn't necessarily easy. Even in March, before we got on the wait list they (the Ministry of Women's Affairs or as we like to call MOWA) decided to limit the number of cases they will approve each day. Also staff changes at both the Children's Hope International Ethiopian site and the US Embassy has caused a slow down, and then there are orphange closures in the south. Now apparently the closures are all in an effort to make sure ethical adoptions are going on, as well as community-driven, charitable aid efforts are being made.In other words, they want to be more self-sufficient, taking care of their own, if possible. At this time, the number of orphans don't make that possible....but it doesn't mean strides can't be made to building wells, work opportunities, and educational opportunities for those remaining in Ethiopia. But I have gone off on a tagent.....In the summer 3 CHI families recieved their referral and due to those orphanage closures their cases are in limbo....not exactly sure what is happening to their referred children and if they are now even adoptable (which is crazy to me---they are orphans...shouldn't they be adoptable?) But without knowing for sure, 2 of the 3 were put back on our waiting list, hence our number moving the wrong way. :) The 3rd family could go back on the list if they wish as well. So here are prayer needs:
1. Pray for these "lost" referrals. Could you imagine seeing your child's face that God has put in front of you, say yes and accept that referral, tell all your loved ones "we have a baby", and then lose that referral? I cannot. I hope I don't have too. It doesn't happen a whole lot, but it does happen. Pray for the children in Ethiopa and pray for the families who recieved these referrals. (I don't want to hit a touchy subject; obviously some have experienced miscarriage and I won't pretend to know what that feels like. I never have experienced this.---but I could imagine the losing of a referral would be somewhat similar---our hearts attach to the possibility of what might be very quickly).
2. Continue to pray for Chloe along with us. We believe she has already been born, so pray for her birthmother/birthfamily and for her current caretakers. Pray for patience and God's perfect timing.
3. Pray for what should be our final fundraiser. We are selling raffle tickets for a gorgeous handmade quilt. You can buy some delicious & smooth coffee and recieve a chance, OR just buy chances for the "coffee" quilt. To see more details of this fundraiser go HERE. You have one month. February 7th, we will draw a ticket to see who the lucky person is. (If I don't try to keep the quilt for myself.)
So Tuesday evening, we decided to put up our tree. It normally would have been done on Saturday, but traveling and a messy living room made me put it off till Tuesday. However, everyone was looking forward to putting the tree up. I think Chris and I should have planned our "family moment" a little better, because it seemed like the first hour as we assembled the tree, fluffed the tree, lighted the tree, etc. we we continually snapping at Eden and Eli. "Don't touch that!", "Not yet", "Be patient", "We'll get to it!" They were so excited and we kept dampening their excitement. Not to mention we had to take several time outs and keep Tobe out of the way as well. (He army crawls everywhere!). But even with mine and Chris' initial frustrations, the kids LOVED hanging their ornaments. They each have several of their own given to them by loved ones. And they hung them all at their own eye level. I had to save a few back so the tree would not be bare at the top. For the first time, it did not bother me that the tree wasn't pretty or themed. Instead it is eclectic and was put together with eyes of wonder. Eli even said it was "going to be the best Christmas ever!" That is a tribute to his Uncle Brent's optimism at the beginning of each holiday season. My brother would say this each and every holiday and Heather and I would just laugh. But the other day I could not help but smile when Eli said it. I am so glad that my kids are beginning to understand how special the holidays are and are ready to experience happy traditions with our family. Next year Chris and I will simply do the hard stuff while everyone is asleep and leave the decorating to the kiddos.
