God is Good

Wow, how many times can God work me over before I REALLY REALLY get it! I have so much to share, I wrote pages in my journal and still don't feel like I fully expressed myself. But I will once again try to summarize the things that God is teaching me.
On Wednesday of this week I was hoping to find out our paperwork had been submitted to court. Instead I found out that their was a missing signature and it was sent back to the local official. I felt so angry and frustrated at first. Why does every step have to be such a battle!
Then Sam told me how he felt bad about expressing so much frustration about the adoption because he really does believe that this will happen in God's perfect timing. And WHAM! It was like God through a glass of cold water in my face! (except God is so much more gentle than that!). Do I NOT believe in God's sovereignty, in His Goodness, in His Faithfulness. Why must I fight him on every step. I am so much like the Israelites wandering in the dessert... God parts the red sea and the next day I'm all worked up about having nothing to eat. Didn't He just show me how capable and powerful and miraculous He is!
That night was youth group and we were having an all worship night. During the service we sang two songs that have specific meaning for me. One that reminds me of a time in my life when I feel like God moved heaven and earth to fulfill one of my dreams. The song is called O Praise Him. It instantly reminded me of all the events that God orchestrated to make it happen. At that time I was committed to only have Praise for God on my lips. And hearing the song convicted me of all my griping and complaining through this adoption process. When in the end, God is doing something good. That's a promise.
The other song is called Sanctuary of God and was written by the pastor of my old church. It's based on the story of Asaph. And God used that Psalm to teach me about His goodness. God's goodness does not depend on our circumstances. He is always Good, and our good is in being near HIM. And singing the song moved me deeply as God reminded me all the things He has shown me.
I felt as though God just said, "Hey, calm down and look to me! Don't you remember who I am?" I wish that my first reaction would be to trust God. I'm so thankful that He doesn't give up on me when my first response is poor.
I KNOW that God called us to this adoption. I KNOW that He lead us down this path. And I WILL follow Him all the way. God is GOOD! All the time!

Courts Open

The courts are open again! I found out last wednesday the 7th, that our paperwork was signed by the official and should be ready to be turned in when the courts opened. Well courts opened today but I wont get an update until wednesday. I've been awake for 2 1/2 hours and the anticipation is already killing me! I'm so happy that we've finally had progress on the adoption, but will feel more relief when I know the papers are actually at the court.

So the process from here: If our papers were turned in for Violet we will get our court date appointment sometime in the next few weeks. The date will probably be for several weeks away. Then when the court hears our case IF they approve us the first time then we would travel 6-8 weeks later. So the earliest we would travel would probably be in December.

As for Tytus, I dont have an update on the status of his paperwork.

Thank you for your continued prayers!

Second Medicals for Tytus

We got Tytus's second medicals on thursday! YAY! This is a big step. As soon as my pediatrician looks them over, then they will begin gathering the paperwork to submit to court. So basically Violet and Tytus's adoptions are in the same place. I'm really starting to wonder if we're going to end up getting Tytus first. Wouldn't that be crazy!
Violet's paperwork is still spinning in circles. So, I'll spare you the details, honestly they're so confuzing and we take two steps forward three steps back so it's hard to follow. We haven't actually made any progress since April.
God continues to work me over and turn me inside out. The last few weeks He has been giving me a glimpse into my own heart. About how I was allowing bitterness to take root. About how I was blaming my problems on the adoption and not realizing, it's my heart that is the problem. I've once again strayed from depending on Him everyday. I'm not walking closely with my savior. I'm thinking only about the adoption and pretty much nothing else. And basically that amounts to worshipping the adoption and not Him. I find myself crying out, "How long O God? How long will you not answer me?" And last week I heard him say back, "How long O Katy? How long will you not worship me?"
He is remaking me, refining me. Though I may hate to admit it, I'm going to be a better mom because of all of this. I've prayed that God would prepare my heart and I just didn't realize how much work it needed.
I will choose this day to worship the one and only God, because He alone is worthy.

Maybe soon

Tomorrow I am really hoping to get some news about the adoption. Supposedly our paperwork should have been done this week. But they haven't been able to confirm that yet. The offices in ET were closed thursday and friday for Ethiopian new year. So I'm anxious to find out more info tomorrow. I'm not letting myself believe it's done until it's actually turned in to the court. I did receive some new pictures of Tytus. He is SO cute. So, I'm hoping that since they were able to email pictures, they should have been able to email his second medicals. We'll see.
I was feeling really frustrated/angry last week about the whole thing. But for the millionth time God worked on my heart this morning and reminded me that He is ALWAYS working. And that He is ALWAYS in control. I'm not hopeless because my hope is in Him. And He never changes.
People continue to whole heartedly support us, and I continue to be amazed. Several people told me this week that they are praying everyday for our babies and for us. And it boosts my heart everytime I hear that. It's been a long wearisome journey. Sometimes I feel lonely. But God is quick to remind me how many people are fighting this battle with us in prayer. Tytus and Violet are two very blessed babies, they just don't know it yet. Thank you for continuing to love and support us. We could NEVER have endured this without all of you.

Keep Praying

Remember when I said I wasn't going to post anything until we got a court date. Who would have thought we'd still be here now.
Well, things are moving in a positive direction. It's hard for me to think that we wont just hit another snag, because that's what's happened for the last 5 months. But in a nut shell, Aster was able to meet with the official. They are trying to get things moving with the orphanage. The official sounds like she is willing to work with the orphanage director and that is a good thing not only for my adoption but for all the other little ones in the orphanage.
Thank you all for your continued prayers. This has been a LONG process. I appreciate your support so much. We would never make it without you all.
We still don't have Tytus's second medical report. So please pray that it comes in and we can move forward in his case.
Pray that the official will sign Violet's paperwork.
Thank you!

Growing Weary

The last week has been tough for me. Sometimes I just feel so weary of the journey. God has taught me so much but sometimes my heart is still so heavy as I receive more pictures of my baby and she gets bigger and bigger.
Here are my prayer requests. Pray that we get Tytus's medical report back so they can begin the paperwork to get ready for a court date.
Pray that Aster (a CWA employee) is able to gain the favor of the official in Violet's region so that she can finish her paperwork.
Pray that when the courts reopen on October 6th both cases will be ready to be assigned a court date.
And lastly, pray that I keep my eyes fixed of God. That I remember that He is always working. Even when we can't see it.

My Baby Boy

Well, I waited as long as I could to post this. But I must share with the world. I am adopting a beautiful baby boy! Sam and I got our second referral on July 28th. We plan to name him Tytus. He is about 5 months old. He is SO cute. We officially accepted the referral last week, while I was at camp. So I am going to have two babies about 4 months apart. God is so awesome!
So the courts will close until October 6th. So be praying that both Violet and Tytus's cases are ready to go when they re-open.