Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Waiting for a Homecoming

Sometimes it seems as though I could just push replay on the responses I give about my children. "It should only be a few more weeks" and "I'm hoping it will be soon" have been my answers for as long as I can remember. Each day that passes I long more and more for the word that I can return to Ethiopia to bring them home. I received a couple emails today regarding their cases at the Embassy which only led my mind to more questions rather than providing some answers. I know that it is necessary to trust the process but it is not easy. I'm learning more and more about what it means to live by faith and not by sight.

As I'm awaiting my sons homecoming, I think about how much more God awaits ours. I can only imagine the celebration that will ensue once my children return home. This pales in comparison to the joyous celebration when one of God's adopted children come home. It reminds me of the story of the prodigal son and the party his father threw when he returned from his journey. Until now I haven't fully grasped the immense joy that the father must have felt. However, with each passing day, I believe I understand it more and more.

Friday, July 1, 2011

Time Slowly Creeps By

Some say that time flies but for me the past month has crept by very slowly. A lot has happened since I’ve returned from Ethiopia and yet bringing my sons home still feels so far away. I know that if nothing else I’m closer today than I was yesterday but sometimes that is not very satisfying. I watched the movie Tangled and there was a line from a song that just stood out to me which I feel summed up my time in Ethiopia.

And at last I see the light
And it’s like the fog has lifted
And at last I see the light
And it’s like the sky is new
And it’s warm and real and bright
And the world has somehow shifted
All at once everything looks different
Now that I see you

The flight back from Addis was 17 hours. From DC it took another 12 hours to get back to Lexington. It took me about a week to get over the jet lag and the stomach issues that came over me during the flight home. I have felt so much love and support since then, it is quite overwhelming. My longtime friends Janet, Joan, and Sharon threw an adoption shower at Harmony and many friends and family members came to celebrate my new family with me. It was a wonderful night that reminded me of how blessed my sons and I are to be surrounded by such a wonderful support system. The following week my dear friends at work Olivia and Tonya threw a shower. I was once again amazed at how much support I received and it was a great time to be able to share with my co-workers the exciting adventure that I’m on. Sometimes I can start focusing on the external parts of this journey including the flood of toys that now blankets my kitchen. It doesn’t take me long to come back to the realization that all of this is for God and His glory and I find myself seated humbly at His feet in deep gratitude for placing this calling on my life.

I received word a couple days ago that the US embassy doctors have cleared the boys medically which is the last step before the paperwork can be submitted to the embassy. They have an appointment to submit my files on July 6th. From the past discussions I’ve had it should take 2 weeks once in the embassy’s hands. I did receive word yesterday that it could take up to 8 weeks and that the embassy staff is changing in July which could cause a slowdown as well. Although this did not come as welcome information, my mom reminded me last night that the timing will be perfect and just to have faith. I’m beyond ready for my sons to come home. I miss them so much! Please continue to pray for our family!