Between mailing our first set of forms and documents into our agency,
Running around (with my sweet little helper) to get fingerprinted,
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| Saying "cheese" while we waited our turn for FBI fingerprinting |
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| Thank you to the Roswell Police Department... she was a huge hit with the police officers who kept her entertained while mommy did her GBI fingerprints! |
and getting all of these additional documents and pictures together,
we were finally ready for our first home visit with our social worker.
Then after HOURS of cleaning, the crazy snowstorm hit Atlanta and we were forced to reschedule. Sigh...
Luckily we were able to reschedule fairly quickly and I am thrilled to announce that
our home visit was a HUGE success! (By the way, shout out to our social worker...she makes talking about subjects that aren't always the most comfortable feel like a walk in the park.)
Glowing from our success, I wasn't expecting to get a call from our adoption agency the next day with bad news!
When we started our adoption process the average length of time for Ethiopia adoptions was 2-3 years. However, due to some intercountry changes our agency informed us that the timeline is now closer to 3-5 years!
Devastation doesn't even begin to explain what I felt in my heart...I love this child as if I already know him/her...so immediately I thought how can I possibly wait 3-5 years to hold him/her in my arms???
Understanding our shock and devastation, our agency said we could always explore other programs and look into possibly switching to another country. In weighing our options, my husband and I wondered if God was trying to give us a sign...are we on the right path???
Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
and he will establish your plans.
Proverbs 16:3
In their hearts humans plan their course,
but the Lord establishes their steps.
Proverbs 16:9
Trying to understand God's plan for your life can be challenging to say the least...I often find myself asking (really it's more like begging) God for an obvious answer for what He wants me to do. And usually I don't get a clear answer to my questions...so as Christians what are we supposed to do?
Honestly, I don't have the answer (sorry)! But I can tell you that both my husband and I decided to go with our heart...SO we are sticking with Ethiopia! Are we praying the timeline will be shorter...of course! But without a clear sign from God all we can do is pray that the feelings in our heart are the Holy Spirit speaking to God's plan.
AGAIN I am going to ask you to please pray for our family...
- Pray as we prepare for our individual interviews with the social worker
- Pray that God will give us peace while adjusting to the new timeline
- Pray for our child, who we desperately long to hold in our arms
