Good News!

I will start with this for those of us who are excited when we read a title like the above:

Have you ever started the day without make-up?  I mean after showering, getting dressed, but no make-up? Today started to be that day.  Mostly because I ran out, but because it just didn't feel like a day to put on make-up.  A kind of blah, heavy heart day.

Oh sure the sun is shining, the weather is beautiful...but my heart is heavy. I am longing for our little one(s) right now.  I feel like I can't see the light at the end of the tunnel.  But Will can. And he keeps telling me that.  I just would like our family to be complete.  I know...it's all God's timing. Well, Lord, I am ready! Hello!!! Can we get things going here? :)  I am not very good at waiting... and E-man keeps saying "we go to Eeeopia soon mommy?" "I share this with my sister." "I play on my playground with my brother."  Oh me.  We talk about his soon-to-be brother/sister all the time. He knows he/she is coming. He asks about him/her. He said, "we adopting? Ethan adopted! Mommy adopted! Daddy adopted! Tessa adopted!"  It's the sweetest thing - we have been talking being adopted - we want to introduce E-man to the language and terminology; he doesn't understand what it means, but he hears the words all the time at our house - and we want him growing up knowing he is adopted not sat down at an older age and told he's adopted. It's part of who he is, and we celebrate it.

Speaking of celebrating adoption - some close friends of ours are starting their journey!  We are so happy for them - they have been such a support to us - always offering encouragement. We are walking with them on their journey and we are so excited for them! I got an email from them this morning...that really brought a lot of joy to the day!

I also got a phone call from our agency this morning. I couldn't get to the phone, so I got a voice message. I listened to it...it didn't sound like THE CALL, call.  I called back, and talked to our case worker. She had two things for me...the agency is offering one-on-one conference calls with the International Team at the home office. If we want to talk about specific things that are going on in Ethiopia, we can call and talk directly to the team that is working specifically with Ethiopia.  We got a block of times to choose from, so we will be making an appointment to talk.

The second thing she had for us today was what they are seeing happening with cases in Ethiopia.  Nothing has been determined yet as standard practice, but they are seeing MOWA handling 20 cases per day. To us, this is GREAT news.  No, it's not the 50-60 cases they were doing each day, but it isn't 5 that they said they were cutting it to.  We were cautioned that this isn't permanent, but this is what they are seeing happening right now and it could change at any time.  Praise you, Jesus for what is happening now!  I was also told that no new staff was added - the slow down is coming from the MOWA workers having to investigate each case, ensuring that each child is truly orphaned and that the proper paperwork has been completed stating so, and other things making sure the adoption is transparent.  So that's where the slow down is coming in. 

Our agency creates a life book for each child they place.  This documents how the child came to the orphanage, if there is any family living, what happened to the parents, a documentary of the child's life and interviews with any living relatives and why the child was orphaned and placed for adoption.  The agency has been doing this for I believe about a year now.  Can you say, what a blessing?

The agencies and US Government are trying to help MOWA with the investigation process - they are trying to do what they can to help them process the cases....not sure how that will go - two different countries trying to work together and pride may get in the way - but we are told they are reaching out and offering help. Please continue to pray with us...here are some specifics.

Specific prayer requests:
~The Children remain top priority for everyone
~The cases processed each day would continue and hopefully increase
~That pride be cast aside and governments act in the best interest of the children
~That agencies do their due diligence and ensure orphan status before referral and paperwork for the adoption is started/processed with the government
~That everyone comes together in Jesus Name - listen to him, and follow his direction
~The Lord be glorified

I was reading A Thousand Gifts last night and I want to share this...it's a great reminder no matter season or circumstance of life we are in - 

Bowed at the edge of the world, Jesus asks me spun in circles, me coming to, only to lapse and to forget again, He asks softly of me who is yet again lost what He asked of the man born blind: "What do you want me to do for you?" (Luke 18:41)

Why have I run?

A mama with children, a wife with a full house, a Father's child living eucharisteo and even the hard - His eye is on me under the moon, penetrating my own shroud. His breath falls warm. He knows what I want, need. Has He called me because He wants me to do my own plumbing of the soul?
What do you want? 

Isn't that the sole question we all need to circle back to, over and again? And who knows the answer?

That cute picture above...yep I stole it. :) It's from Becky at a Peek at the Peeks - she wrote an entry for (in)Courage called, Adoption is Not Plan B

Lots of good news today - a lot to thank the Lord for. He is working... 
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

Today... is a lipstick wearing kind of day.