Adoption Update - Paperwork Issues

During this past weekend’s sermon, the speaker talked briefly on the topic of patience. He said (in paraphrase), “There are times in life when we must exercise great patience. We do not understand the ways of our Lord. But there are always great lessons to be learned as we wait patiently for Him…” We have been called once again to practice patience within our adoption journey.

THE FACTS. We found out Monday morning that paperwork completed for Alexander’s adoption by those in the southern region where it was initiated is inaccurate. It is currently unknown whether the required correction is a simple paperwork adjustment or requires extensive legwork and/or new approvals.

THE IMPACT. Paperwork that was to be submitted by June 1st to allow for Alexander’s case to be heard before the early-August court closure has not yet been submitted. It is unknown how long it will take for the paperwork to be revised. Our social worker advised we should begin preparing for the possibility that our case will not be heard before the courts close, delaying a travel date to ET by several months.

THE REALITY. Tears. The wait until September seemed long already; the delay until possibly the end of 2008 difficult to come to grips with. Helplessness. We cannot track down the necessary missing information & cannot prevent the drought-induced power outages dramatically slowing lines of communication within ET. Confusion. What more, Lord, is it that You want us to learn?

We are praying for a miracle; for this situation to be resolved quickly, for our paperwork to be submitted and our case to be heard before the court closure. And...we are also preparing for the possibility that God has different plans; that Alexander is to spend a few more months in our hearts before he is in our arms. Would you pray along with us; specifically for peace within our hearts & that we'll remember the goodness of our Lord even when we do not understand His ways?

A Weekend on the Farm & Childhood Crushes...

I am 'recovering' from a fun, action-packed weekend downstate. Friday night included a small-town Ice Cream Social and concert in the park in my former hometown. Earlier that day, Mom and I sorted & sliced fresh strawberries; some for the freezer and some for fresh jam - yummy! While Dad sprayed his cornfields before Sunday's rain, Mom and I tag-teamed at mowing the farmyard. We made trifles for a cousin's bridal shower on Saturday afternoon, potatoes & pies for a Father's Day celebration on Sunday afternoon. Just as the guests arrived on Sunday afternoon at the Sauders, we were met with some high-velocity winds & the loss of electricity for a couple of hours. The kids were bummed at not being able to swim in the lake but the sun came out shortly and we had fun playing yard games & just chatting with one another.

Since it was such a LAZY weekend, on Saturday evening Blake & I joined my parents at the Peoria Chiefs minor league baseball game. Ryan Eigsti, a former Eureka High School and Bradley University talent, was playing on the opposing team, the Burlington Bees. We had tickets in the Eigsti's Friends & Family section where many fans turned out to cheer on this 22-year old local boy & big-league hopeful. Our section erupted in cheers & high-five's when Ryan hit a homerun mid-way thru the game. While breaking into the big leagues is a grueling task, I am always inspired to see someone who follows their dreams...no matter how big or small. The following is a picture of Ryan at bat...

Okay...I should probably explain the 'Childhood Crushes' part of my title. Admit it...everyone has had a childhood crush or two, right? Well...mine just happen to be a couple of sports-players-turned-coaches. One is Jimmy Les, current head coach of the Bradley Braves men's basketball team. The other is Ryne Sandberg, former Chicago Cubs second baseman and current manager of...you guessed it...the Peoria Chiefs! Knowing of my former crushes, Blake joked that I took more pictures of #23 than I did of anything else the entire weekend. Unfortunately, I think he's right! Silly...I know, but quite harmless.

Here's a picture of me and my CURRENT and FOREVER crush. It just happens to be his birthday today. Happy birthday! I love you!

Not In A Bushel Basket...

Excerpt from a book I recently finished reading (Candle in the Darkness).

"Faith don't come in a bushel basket, Missy. It comes one step at a time. Decide to trust Him for one little thing today, and before you know it, you find out He's so trustworthy you'll be putting your whole life in His hands."

I have found Him to be trustworthy, have you? My prayer is that this day you can surrender the "little things" in your life (whatver they might be) and that He'll grow your faith in mighty, miraculous ways.

Consistently Walking...

This past year I have participated in a women's ministry within our church; it's entitled Women of the Word (WoW). My partner is in the 'upper' age-range and I would fall in the 'lower' age-range so she calls me her "little WoW-ie". I love it! She has inspired and impacted my life in more ways than I can put into words & I am filled with thanksgiving at God's provision in my life.

At a recent WoW Springtime Tea with the theme of "Fill My Cup Lord", a friend was sharing the lesson (or devotional) with the group. She concluded with the following statement which has been tumbling about my head the past few weeks. Make a decision to consistently walk with God instead of begging Him to walk with you.

How easy it is to cry out to God in times of anxiety. How natural to lift our face to Him in times of despair when it seems as if there is no where else to turn. Nothing wrong with this, of couse, BUT...why is it so difficult to seek Him daily; so hard to make time to talk to Him consistently & honestly when the need to do so does not seem so urgent? My conclusion? It is hard because the Enemy finds so many ways to distract us. But, thanks in part to faithful friends like my WoW partner, I am challenged to more consistently walk with God. My prayer is that you may be challenged to do the same as you live out your life walking down whatever path He has set before you.

Thank You! Thank You!

We have so appreciated the many comments posted here, the emails, the kinds words and the sweet hugs as you have shared in our joy as our family has expanded to include little Alexander. We are humbled & outrageously grateful for each one of you!

That said, I have been away from blogging for a couple of reasons: (1) I am still trying to wrap my head around the idea that I am a mommy to a little boy in Ethiopia. AMAZING! I have heard others refer to 'pregnancy brain' in regards to scattered thoughts & the inability to concentrate as their pregnacy progresses; something about a decrease in brain cells (?). Well...I am here to tell you there MUST be a condition called "adoption brain", too, because my ability to focus on a conversation and/or complete a task from start to finish has been greatly impacted by this little boy that entered our lives less than 2 weeks ago! (2) We have also been distracted by the last-minute details in planning for the wedding this weekend of our friends, Dan & Deanne. Click here to visit our business blog & see pictures of this recent event. It was a fun & beautiful wedding weekend here in Chicago.

Our (Latest) Little Miracle...

It is with GREAT JOY and overflowing hearts (and tear ducts) that we introduce to you our son, Alexander Tamirat. For legal reasons, we cannot post his picture here (in any public domain) but, take me at my word, he is amazing!

On Thursday afternoon (05/22) our social worker, Lindsay, called with the news. After retrieving Blake from a meeting at work, he flew in the door within the hour, we cried in the kitchen and then we called Lindsay back.

Tamirat (meaning 'miracle') is the name given to him by his first mother. He was born on February 29th, 2008 in the southern region of Ethiopia and was brought to an orphanage by his biological mother about 2 months after his birth. Our hearts cannot grasp the sacrifice she made in releasing her son to the caregivers at the center but we are extremely humbled at the opportunity to be this little boy's parents.

At some point during the day, the figurine pictured here (and obviously purchased in advance) was placed on my bedside table by my sweet husband. The figurine's description is 'Child of My Heart'. It is so incredibly wonderful to hold Alex in my heart & I cannot wait for the day to also have him in my arms.

The next step of our adoption journey is for our case to be heard & processed in the Ethiopian court system. We expect this to happen in July-August and if our case is cleared at that time, we would travel sometime in September. This timeframe may/could change and we'll keep you all posted.

We thank you for lifting prayers on behalf of us & our son and ask that you continue to pray for the Lord's perfect will. Love to you all!

Elijah's Prayer...

We received a really sweet email from my SIL, Raelynn, this week telling the following story,

"...this afternoon it was Elijah's turn to pray for you at the lunch table. He asked what he was to say. I told him to pray that God would be with you while you wait for your little baby. His interpretation... "Dear God, help Uncle Blake and Aunt Christine be thankful while they wait for their baby."

Thanks for the reminder, Elijah. We love you!