This morning it felt like spring through my kitchen window-the sun's warmth-the birds song. They have no idea, those birds, that there is a storm coming. A big one. It may silence them for a day, maybe two...
We had no idea this storm was coming in our lives, to silence us of God's goodness, to rob us of our song, to feel the cold, the bitterness.

...but there is such strength in singing during the storm

"10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord)"
 
[Chorus]

Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning
It's time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes


You're rich in love, and You're slow to anger
Your name is great, and Your heart is kind
For all Your goodness I will keep on singing
Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find


And on that day when my strength is failing
The end draws near and my time has come
Still my soul will sing Your praise unending
Ten thousand years and then forevermore

[Chorus x2]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

Jesus, I'll worship Your holy name
Lord, I'll worship Your holy name

Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name
Jesus, I'll worship Your holy name
I'll worship Your holy name 

 

 

Radical by David Platt

The process.

So I know a lot of you are wondering where we are at! To be honest, we are STILL at the beginning of the process. It is a lot. A whole lot. But honestly I am getting more excited daily. Things that were 'thoughts' are now becoming realities! Right now we are still 'paperwork pregnant'...slow and steady!
Here is a rundown of the process of adoption from Ethiopia specifically:

• Provide initial application, with references, to Lifeline for review
• Receive preliminary approval into the program
• Begin your home study with a licensed home study provider
• Receive official acceptance into the program (Requires home study review)
• Make application for USCIS approval
• Dossier compilation and submitted to Lifeline for approval
• Send Complete Dossier for authentication and translation
• Start your immunizations
• Receive Referral. (Typically about 12-15 months after Dossier submission)
• Receive Court Assignment (1-6 months post referral)
• Travel for 1st visitation and court appearance
• Prepare final documents and discuss travel
• Pick up your Child (Normally, 3-4 months post court approval)
• Usual length of stay is 5-7 days in-country for each visit

-there are somethings that may be slightly different. I am really hoping that our wait for a referral time is a little less, because we are not looking for a 'healthy infant'. But all in God's time!
There will come a day that we are holding our child, there will be a day that they will be declared part of our family legally, and there will be a day that we bring them home! And until then as we work on the process, God is working in our hearts preparing us for that day!