It's been about 3 weeks since I have posted about our super exciting news and many people have been asking, when does she come home, what's next, etc? So here is that post...
There is of course a "timeline" for everything. Right now we are waiting to be submitted to court. That means that all of our paperwork and baby T's paperwork will be taken to the courts of the Ethiopian government. Unfortunately this is taking much longer than we expected. Please be in prayer about this, there are only 3 staff members in Ethiopia that are doing everything for our agency over there. It is sllloooowwww, my friends. The staff is working hard to get a family home right now, which is so wonderful, but it takes away from the staff being able to focus in other places. So prayers for more staff members (they are looking) and prayers for time management. It is really hard on us right now, as we wait with no answers.
After our paperwork is submitted, it will be about another 2-3 weeks and then we should hear a date for baby T's birth father to go to court for his relinquishing of rights. Those dates are usually given about 2 months out. Prayer for baby T's birth father would be appreciated too. He is doing the most selfless act and giving his daughter to a family he doesn't even know. It is truly a bittersweet time for us. We pray for him nightly and pray for his heart in all of this.
After baby T's birth father has his court date, we should hear that day what our date is, which is usually a month after that. Once we have our date, we will begin to pack and get ready to meet our beautiful daughter.
So here is the run down:
1-3 weeks more to be submitted to court. (hopefully this week though)
2-3 weeks to hear about a court date for birth father's court date
2-2.5 months until birth father's court date
1 month after birth father's court date we will travel.
We meet our sweet girl and go to our court date and spend 1 week in ET.
Come home without her :(
1-3 months we will be submitted to Embassy and travel our last time.
Best case scenario, we will travel in July for our court date (first trip) is what it's looking like. Friends, that is a long wait to meet our daughter. It is honestly so difficult to think about not meeting her until July, pray for our hearts and our emotions as we go on this roller coaster. God has a plan, and His plan will be perfect, but that doesn't always mean it is easy. If we would have gotten a referral when we wanted, we wouldn't have baby T's picture, and let me tell you (again) she is perfect. We know the wait is worth it, but the waiting is still hard.
On a happy note :) I have met some amazing adoptive mommies and have gotten to know them a little and their hearts. One of the husbands of the couples is going to Ethiopia within the next 2 weeks. It just so happens that he is going to the orphanage where our little princess is. That means we will get pictures!!! I am beyond excited about this! However, the orphanage she is in, isn't exactly wealthy. They are in need of diapers, formula, and shoes for little ones. If you feel led, go to walmart.com and find store # 3227 in Monument Colorado. When you get to check out, there will be a place for you to type in the person who will be picking it up. That person is Dawn Patton and she will pick them up and her husband will be taking them to Ethiopia when he goes soon. If you see me around in a couple weeks, ask for more pictures and I will gladly show you!! :)
Thanks for the prayers friends, they are so appreciated and we can't wait to tell our sweet girl how many people were/are praying for her.
