Adoption Date

A lot has happened since I've last blogged. Vince and I went on a non-cruise cruise, got married, and finally, after many months of waiting, received news that we have a court date in October. I will explain the other major events in another post, but I want to focus this one on our adoption. Courts closed on August 21 for rainy season and should open back up the end of September or early October. On the 23rd, I prayed for a miracle; that even though courts were closed, God would still provide. That week we received word that our case was one of three that the courts were still looking at and that we were hoping to get our case heard soon, or at least get a court date when they reopen. Well, things were looking hopeful and then not-so hopeful, as some miscommunication were taking place. Last Sunday night, as I was praying, I just felt that we were going to receive some news on Wednesday. I wasn't about to let my hopes up, and just took it for a possibility, a gentle whisper that I could have mistaken... That Monday, our pregnancy care center director called and asked if she and our good friend could come over and pray for us the next day, as the Lord had been putting it on their hearts. How could I turn that down?! What a gift!

I don't know if I wrote this down or not, but July 22nd, I thought that I might hear something and around noon, I was crying and asking God to tell me if today was the day or not. I opened my Bible and He gave me Habakkuk 2:3 "For the vision is yet for its appointed time;it hastens to the end--it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay." Well, on Tuesday, right before my friends came to pray, I opened my Bible to Psalm 102:13 "It is time to be gracious to her; the appointed time has come". They prayed and blessed me greatly. Honestly, when people spend time praying for you, that is one of the greatest gifts of love I can think of.

The next morning, I got the call that we had a court date for sometime in October. (It is in Ethiopian calendar and needs to be converted to ours). I praise God for providing for us, but I am asking for even a better, sooner date. I pray that God is working in Titus' heart, preparing him for us, that he would somehow KNOW we are his mom and dad and that he is not scared but is at peace.

One other thing that was cool... Last weekend, I was telling Vince that maybe I should have Pam take some clothes of mine when she goes to Ethiopia and put them in the orphanage, so that when I get there, I can put them on, and I will smell familiar. Well, while my friends were praying for me, Barbara said "And Lord, I just pray that you will give Titus Julie's scent. That he would be smelling her now so that he will know that she is his mother." WOW! Whatever this adoption looks like, however it plays out, I know God is working mightily to provide good things and it will be amazing when it comes. I can't wait!!! God is so good! Now I need to get to filling out adoption paperwork (our I-600 was only good for 18 months and we need to renew it :( )