Smiles, Lizards, and Prayer

We woke up this morning to an email that we have been anxiously waiting for all week!  It was an email from a dear adoptive mama who just got home from Ethiopia yesterday!  The email had new pics of our sweet little man - BE STILL MY HEART!!!  He has got to be the cutest little thing there is!  His smile and his eyes make me melt! It is such an amazing feeling that someone I have chatted with and emailed has spoken to, hugged, and loved on our son for us!!  It makes it all so real!

Also, last night while we slept, another very sweet adoptive mama who had arrived in Ethiopia on Easter Sunday, visited our son and delivered our care package to him!  We packed a cute little draw-string backpack full of some fun boy stuff.  We also included a photo book of our family and our home.  She said that he LOVED the little plastic lizard and the Superhero Sunglasses!  She said he was having fun sharing his gum with the other kids.  She won't be able to email us pictures until she gets back to the US, but she said she got some AWESOME ones - can't wait!!!  It is surreal to think that he has pictures of us, knowing that we are here and waiting for him.

I can't help but spend my days staring into the face of the little boy that God brought into our lives!  I can't wait until I get to hold him in my arms.  Please continue to pray for our paperwork and finalization as we work toward passing court and then on to conquering embassy.  Families have been waiting around a month to hear a court date, which has been around a month later.  BUT - like everything else in adoption - nothing is expected - it is ever changing.  Two families have been notified this week, 6 weeks after their referral, that they need a couple documents in their child's file before they will be given a court date.  The new protocol seems to be that the courts are reviewing files and identifying any additional documentation needed PRIOR to giving a court date - this SHOULD ensure that when you make it to court everyone should pass with flying colors - every "t" should be crossed and every "i" should be dotted.  This could mean extended wait times between referral and court - extended wait time between seeing a sweet face and getting to hold and love on him!! 

PLEASE FAMILY AND FRIENDS - pray that all documents are complete and included in his/our file!  Pray that if there are any missing documents that they are able to gather them in lighting speed!  Can't wait to hold my baby!!!!  Please continue to pray for our finances!  We know and trust that God will provide but it can be overwhelming planning a trip for 5 - halfway around the world!

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7