Our Family Blog: He's Coming Home!

Friday morning I received a call from our agency. We had been cleared by the US Embassy and we needed to be in country on Tuesday. Whew. . . ! So, here I sit at our layover in DC. The last 72 hours has been a blur. But, praise the Lord, we fly out in a few hours to go get our boy! I will try to post updates here . . and my journal from trip 1. Love to you all! Pray for safe travels and an easy transition for our M!

Jenni

Adoption Timeline

January 2010 - God begins to stir our hearts as we experience a season of discontentment. . . for what, we do not know.
February 2010 - Our small group begins reading Crazy Love by Francis Chan. With each passing week we realize God is calling us away from our "American Dream!" You know, the one where it's all about us!
April 2010 - We begin to long to break free from the status quo. We begin desiring to have an authentic faith . . . one that addresses the problems of our world. Still unclear of what the question is that God is calling us to answer and act upon, we commit to say "YES, Lord!" With much fear and uncertainty, we pray for Him to reveal the question.
May 2, 2010 - I know that God is calling us to something HUGE, even something uncomfortable. Lee thinks God may be calling us to give beyond our tithe. I think God may be calling us to move away. Both of which will definately be uncomfortable. This particular Sunday morning is when I really tell God yes. I surrender. I don't know what this "question" is, but I tell God "yes, I will do it." I also ask God to break my heart for this "thing" that He is calling us to. Lastly, I ask God that he would give Lee and me the EXACT same desires.
May 6, 2010 - Our sweet friends, Jody and Alison invite us (and Mack and Melissa - more precious friends) over to share with us some big news. Okay, I know you are thinking . . "what does this have to do with anything?" . . just hold on, it's about to get really good!! Their big news - they are adopting a baby girl from Ethiopia.
May 7-9, 2010 - The Lord begins to break our hearts for orphans. Lee is so drawn to the video (Lucy Lane's Gotcha Day) he watches it any time he gets. . . and weeps. The question begins to slowly develop - "What will YOU do about this situation?" Meanwhile, Jenni researches about orphans and is made aware of the over 40 verses in the bible regarding orphans.
May 10-12, 2010 - The answer to our "holy discontent" that has been very real in our lives over the past 4 months is being revealed before our very eyes. The question changes from "What will YOU do about this situation," to "Will YOU adopt one of my orphans just as I have adopted YOU?" And, at that moment, all it came down to was obedience. . .
May 13, 2010 - We fill out the pre-application
May 14, 2010 - Our pre-app is approved and we begin filling out the formal application
May 15, 2010 - We begin telling family
May 27, 2010 - Formal application submitted
May 28, 2010 - Officially APPROVED!!
June 2, 2010 - Receive Orientation Packet in mail
June 4, 2010 - Orientation Call
June 10, 2010 - Dossier Call
July 22, 2010 - 1st meeting with Home Study Agency
July 26, 2010 - Fingerprints taken and in the mail
August 2, 2010 - 2nd meeting with Home Study Agency
August 3, 2010 - FBI checks came in!
August 4, 2010 - All education completed!
August 30, 2010 - Final interview with Home Study Agency
September 16, 2010 - Home Appointment with Home Study Agency
October 6, 2010 - Home Study draft sent to Agency
October 11, 2010 - Home Study ready for pick-up
October 12, 2010 - Dossier in Mail!!!!!!
October 15, 2010 - WAITLISTED!

November 13, 2012 - We see our son's face for the first time!

January 19, 2013 - We meet our son in Ethiopia!

January 23, 2013 - We come back to the US without our son and wait for the embassy to clear our case

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

He's Coming Home!

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