A Thankful Heart

It was a sleepless night last night.  Will and I went to bed and prayed together.  We drifted off to sleep and I was awake soon after.  It was like that all night...a long night...and when ever I was awake, I prayed.  I have to wonder if the court hearings took place some time around 11am Ethiopia time. I was wide awake at 2am and my prayer was very specific...very intense.  I prayed that the Spirit would intercede and pray for me when I dozed so there was constant prayer for all the birth families, the court workers, the judge, the agency staff, the families who are awaiting the news, our babies....

I woke with  Will when the alarm went off - our day got started.  As Will was leaving for the day, he kissed us and said, 'please call me the minute you hear anything from the agency.' He seemed a bit anxious as he left, but he said, 'whatever the outcome, we will praise the Lord. God's will be done.'
E-man and I made breakfast...took a shower...it is a school day, so we need to get going and get out the door.  I made his lunch, packed his backpack, and checked my email before we head out the door.  I also received a couple of text messages from my sister and a couple friends who have been praying and prayed through the night and early morning.

I checked my email, and there it was, a message waiting for us in our portal.  Nervously I logged in. I kept saying, 'God, your will be done.  Whatever this says, we will praise you and rejoice over what your plan is. As hard as it may be, we will give you all the praise.'

I read the message.  The message reads:

Will & Kristin,
We wanted to update you on your child’s birth mother court appearance scheduled for today. The birth mother did attend the court hearing, as did our team in Ethiopia, and relinquished _________.

We wish you a wonderful upcoming trip for your court date in Addis,
Kim

I burst into tears.  I was so confused by how I was feeling...I was happy, yes, but conflicted at the same time.  I know that with this joy, there is sorrow; there is great loss. I thanked and praised God. I turned my attention to our birth mother and prayed over her. Prayed for peace. My heart ached for her. It still does.

I called Will in tears - he immediately got nervous.  I said it's ok...I read him the email and he started to cry too.  A weight was lifted.  He said, 'God has revealed his plan to us - another part is unfolding.' And we praised God together.  We talked and said we are now even more motivated to do the birth family visit on our second trip. 

I am thankful for PBS and Dinosaur Train.  That kept E occupied and not confused by what was going on - why his mommy was crying...  He did ask me when I was putting on his shoes if I was sad. I told him, yes, and no and I explained the best I could that Baby T is closer to coming home.

In the car on the way to 'school', E-man piped up and said, 'Mommy, my best friend is Baby T.'  That brought a big smile to both our faces.