If you don't like the weather, wait a minute...

In New England there is a saying..."If you don't like the weather, wait a minute."  I think it accurately describes news in adoption.

So here is the latest update.  We have been in a holding pattern.  Our case mirrors another case, right down to the same witnesses.  Before you cry "Foul!" if you were to hear the details...it makes sense.  They were sent to USCIS.  So we were trying to decide if we wait to see what would happen with them or hire the attorney and make sure our submission was as complete as possible.  I believe that we are the first case to hire the attorney proactively.

One of the things we are doing is re-interviewing the witnesses with extremely detailed questions.  But it has been almost 2 years.  One of the witnesses may have moved, and another is not sure that they want to talk.  This morning, is a good example of how it rolls...one email telling us that one of the witnesses does not want to talk to anyone.  The next, saying that they have changed their mind and will talk.  Then a third saying...the case that we mirror has been cleared, with out an RFE.  (An answer to many prayers.)  Good news also for us.

Today, I must be particularly fragile.  I am tired of the ride.  I just want to bring him home.  I am so thankful for Kathy, our case worker, my friends who sit and listen to my complaining about the USE (thank you, Katy), and last but not least, my prayer warriors who are storming heaven with prayers.  Wow, what would I do without them?  So we trudge on, through the muck and mire of international adoption.  I can't wait for the metaphorical rain to stop and the rainbow to appear.  And stuck in my back pocket for those moments that I get pulled into the flood...and can't remember what I am holding fast to...is this scripture: "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11  I remind myself that these words are written for Efa, too.

hmm...no, Tom Brady does not ring a bell.

mine.

Okay folks, lets get back to business at hand...football.

And then I get a glimpse of the rainbow.  Pictures of our boy from Becky and CHI and a text from Emily.  Efa is happy outside playing with the big boys.

6 weeks

This post is all about me. I mean that in an obnoxious self-pitying transparent way. The 6 weeks since we have met our little man have been an amusement ride of emotion.  The disappointment of not passing on the day of our court date gave way to the elation of passing two weeks later.  Then we moved to dreaming about when we would be bringing him home.  Braided in is the sadness that Efa would be leaving the only home he has known, the only woman he has known as "mom", and the "family" he has loved and been loved by.  We have our birth certificate and our passport.

The ride has just gotten terrifying.  Watching a friend with a different agency who traveled with us, pass court, be submitted, clear, and leave to bring home... So excited to welcome home E.  (Did I mention she is the same age as Bella and I love her mom?)  Watching my sweet friend Emily, pass court, be submitted, and clear (thank you Lord).  We have not been submitted to embassy.  I trust that our agency is doing everything they can to be submitted and successful at the embassy level.

But this brings me to my pets.  We have two new pets-Discouragement and Impatience.  Actually, I am not sure how new they are.  They are normally caged, but they are sneaky, and often escape and run rampant in the house.  They are quite destructive.  The craziest things can release them.  They feed on the most unexpected things...expectations are like a Red Bull to them.  They go crazy!  I hate admitting it.  But I am truly hoping to vanquish them from the house.  As I am becoming more aware of them and their triggers...I have come to realize that they did not move in just recently.  They think that they have lived here forever.

So, I wait.  I wait to be submitted in this beautiful season where we await the Greatest Gift.  The parallel is not lost on us.  In fact it becomes even more clear why I need Him.  I am so flawed.   My heart aches to bring this little boy home.   I pray for his case to be submitted.  I pray that the USE sees the evidence and allows Efa to come home.  I pray for patience.  I pray for a stronger faith.  I pray for encouragement.  I pray not to feel forgotten.

May the God of hope fill (me) with all joy and peace as (I) trust in Him, so that (I) may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Romans 15:13