One Year.

One year ago today we got the call that we had been waiting for, that we had worked for for over six months..."Hey, Bobi it's "our case worker", I am happy to be calling to tell you that your family has finally made it to the WAIT LIST!"  I remember exactly where I was, feels like it was just yesterday! I had been downtown shopping for my Mom's birthday gift and had just put the car in reverse when my cell phone rang! Funny thing is I did the exact same thing today, one year later! Was downtown today and bought my mom's birthday gift! Her Bday is tomorrow, Aug. 3rd.

Over the past year, our patience has been tried as there have been many uncertainties in Ethiopian adoptions in general. We have learned so much this year about totally trusting in God when there is nothing at all that we as humans can do to change things or makes things occur in our timing. We have also witnessed many answered prayers as the adoption process in general in Ethiopia has continued to improve and many children have recently been referred to their forever families! We have seen many children come home over the past year with other families adopting with our agency. Each time I witness a family getting off that plane, faces beaming, as they introduce their new little one to all of the family and friends who have supported them along the way, I just can't help but shed a tear of happiness in knowing that one day that will be us bringing our baby girl home!

This past month, there has been more "movement", as we call it in the adoption world. This means that more orphaned children have been matched with families in our program who are waiting for either boys, girls, or siblings. We were shocked to recieve our monthly email from our caseworker two nights ago saying that we had moved 13 SPOTS in the month of July!!! We moved from #81 in June to #68 in July!!! I had prayed at the beginning of July that God would do something big this month! That we might just jump right over the 70's and get a July number in the 60's! And just like He always does, He shows me that NOTHING is impossible with Him!!!

So, you may be asking, how much longer?  And that is a good question. One in which I wish I could answer. The past several months we have only moved an average of 3 spots a month, however our transition home has recently partnered with another orphanage so I believe that is why we are seeing an increase in referrals. I just pray that this trend continues. If we keep with this July trend, we could only be looking at 7 or 8 months until we see our baby girl!! I would just love to see her face sometime during next year!

I look forward to all that God has planned for our family during this next year of waiting. He knows the perfect time to bring our little girl into our family and He is lining it up perfectly! She will not come home late by even one day! We trust in a God who sees the whole picture and we are so thankful that He burdened our hearts for orphans several years ago and that He has called us on this amazing journey to our daughter.

To our sweet girl,

Today, we have been waiting for you for one whole year. We love you so much already and long for the day when we get to see your face!  Your brothers talk about you everyday as if you were already here! Mommy has been preparing for your arrival over the past year by putting away sweet dresses, baby dolls, and anything pink in your crib upstairs.We already have empty picture frames on the walls just waiting for your pictures!  Sometimes over the past year, I have gone up to the guest room where we are storing your things and taken out all of the little clothes I have been gathering for you. Looking at each one, dreaming of the day you are here with us. You have so many people who cannot wait to love on you and welcome you into our lives! Three big brothers who I know will love you dearly and protect you. A Daddy who I know will be smitten by his little girl! As we approach possibly another year of waiting for you, we are not even sure as of today if you are yet being carried in your birth mother's belly in a far away land. We pray for her as well, so often. That God would watch over and protect both you and her. That he would give her good health, provide for her needs, and give her peace as she will one day be making the most sacrificial and unselfish decision of her life, because of how much she loves you!  We cannot wait to hold you in our arms and bring you home to love and care for you.  God loves you so much and knew you even before the world was formed. And He knew that one day He would bring us together! I pray that you would grow never doubting His love for you and His plan and purpose for your life! Although you have yet to be born, He has big things planned for you, little one! And I feel so privileged that He has chosen me to be your mother.

Love,

Mommy