"Any News???" " Nope still waiting"

This Tuesday will be one month since we got our second medicals and have been waiting for a court date. The good news is that court dates have sped up and more people are passing court. The bad news is no matter how I look at it, I still don't have a court date! :) Once again, I'm hoping for this Wednesday. I have been doing very good during the week at trusting the LORD and not obsessing over the adoption the way I had been in the past. And believe me, the peace that I feel is ONLY from the Lord.
I am going to try to turn in an order for more T Shirts this week. I am ordering the black ones which can be seen on the right hand side of my blog. So if you are interested in buying one, let me know what size so I can be sure to include enough on the order.
A friend of mine came across this verse and shared it with me. I have since read it almost everyday. So I thought I would share it with you.

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen."

This song encouraged me today.

Be still my soul
The Lord is on your side
Bear patiently
The cross of grief or pain
Leave to thy God
To order and provide
In every change
He faithful will remain.

Be still my soul
Thy best, thy heavenly friend
Through stormy ways
Leads to a joyful end.

Be still my soul
The waves and winds still know
Still know
His voice who ruled them
While he dwelt below.

Oh what peace we often forfeit
Oh what needless pain we bear
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer.

Lessons while waiting.

This week we got some new pictures of our beautiful baby. She looks happy and content. I love seeing new expressions on her face. It makes me feel like I know her a little bit better. I found out that the agency receives updates on court dates on Wednesdays so I wont know if we have a date until Wednesday. I am very anxious to get a court date but God has really been working in my heart this week.
On wednesday I had a really hard day of waiting. Though I was happy to receive new pictures it was hard for me to see that she's a little bigger than she was in the last ones. I cried and complained to my friends and whined at God. And then my husband reminded me that God does not rejoice in our suffering but He does have a plan and He does want to teach us something during this time. And maybe instead of focusing on how much we don't want to be in this stage anymore, we should focus on what God wants to teach us.
I have learned SO much during this process but I also know that lately I've been putting God off. I sometimes feel so sad and overwhelmed because I can't see my precious baby right now. I pray to God and ask him to make me feel better. And I can hear him saying "Come to me". And I respond with "maybe later, but can you make me feel better NOW." You see what I'm doing is praying so that I feel like I'm in control, instead of praying and giving it over to God. I'm still holding on to my dreams and my desires. God has proven himself faithful over and over during this process. Yet still, I'm holding on. And so I recommitted myself this week to let go. To trust that God knows best and to give in to His will. I don't want to just get through this time. I want to learn everything I can. I want to take advantage of this opportunity to trust God. And so I am going to go to Him. Everyday. And everyday let go again.

Second Medicals Came

Today we got our second medical report. YAY! Our doctor will review it and probably call us or email tomorrow. Then if everything checks out okay, they will start gathering our paperwork to submit it for a court date! Agghhh! I'm so excited! I can't wait to meet my little Ethiopian Princess! PLEASE keep praying that the court dates speed up. Things have gotten a little bit better on that front, so your prayers are working!

Update:
I heard back from the doctor just a few hours later. And everything looks good so tomorrow they should start getting us ready for court!!!

I love her.

So, right now we are still waiting to get our second medical report. Once we have that and get it reviewed by our doctor they will submit our paperwork for court. YAY! I can't even explain how excited I am about my little girl. I think she must be the most beautiful baby in all of Africa. (I might be biased) ;) I want to hold her in my arms and rock her to sleep. I can't wait to hear her coo and giggle. I love her so much!