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.

God's Children

A lady I met online made this video. I really liked it and thought I would share.

News

When I started this journey, I pretty much had no idea what I was doing. And I certainly had no idea what God was doing. After getting our referral in February and waiting and waiting and waiting and praying that we would be able to bring our little girl home. There have been many times I've wanted to question God and His ways. Many times that I felt that God had forgotten us and wasn't hearing our prayers. But he has shown us that He indeed has heard our prayers and indeed has been working. Though the whole story would be too long to write out, we believe that God has called us not to adopt one baby, but to adopt two. That's right! We are adopting another child. We started the paperwork and are on the waitlist for another baby between 0-18 months, either gender. We have no idea when either child will come home and it's quite possible that we may have to travel twice. But we are so excited! I feel very cofident that this is the path God has for us. And it was the plan from the beginning...we just didn't know it! I'll post again later and share more about how God lead us to this decision. For now I just want to leave you with this verse once again:

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."
Ephesians 3:20-21