Traveling soon?

I  haven't posted in a while but wanted to let everyone know that I should be traveling to meet my little guy soon. I am currently waiting to be assigned a court date. I have been so busy with life that I haven't been dwelling on this next step. I felt peace knowing that each day that passed brought me closer. Last week I got a jolt when a friend in my similar situation received her court date. The jolt came when I learned that she had one week's notice for court. Wowsers!  I am so happy for this friend and it brings me joy to know that she is getting to spend time with her little guy and mine.

News of her court date reminded me that mine should be happening soon. Yay! It also reminded me of all that I need to do to prepare for travel. I have been asked to bring donations with me. If you are inclined to help, please look at the list and let me know.

Thanks for stopping in for an update. I simply CAN NOT wait to bring him home. I praise God for this new chapter in my life. Thanks for sharing my joy and for your prayers!

Suggested Donation List

New or like new condition children’s shoes, all sizes
New or like new condition children’s clothing (infant to 14 years of age)
Developmental toys for children (plastic or wooden preferred)
School supplies for older children
Books for young children and school aged children (board books and easy readers) Bed Sheets, bed covers, crib sheets, (for infant cribs and older child beds)
Baby and child shampoos
Baby and child bath soap
Similac formula milk in powder form; with iron and lactose-free are preferred.
Baby wipes
Preemie, Infant and toddler size diapers
Baby oil
Baby powder
Bottles
Standard bottle nipples
Anti-fungal ointment and tablets
Anti-fungal shampoo
Neosporin or antibiotic ointment
Hydrocortisone creams
Infant and child Motrin, Tylenol or other fever reducer
Pedialyte or Kaolyte (preferably powdered form)
Infant and child decongestants
Infant and child vitamins, liquid
Children’s Vitamin D supplements (found in several multivitamins)
Vaseline
Bactroban ointment
Alcohol Swabs
Saline spray or drops
Antibiotics
Nystatin (Mycostatin)
Disposable surgical masks and gloves.
Medical shoe covers (worn in hospitals during surgery) 

What's Next?

Many people have been on this loooooong journey with me and I promise that I will update my blog more regularly. If you look a few posts back, you will see that I haven't posted since October of 2011, when I had been waiting 16 long months. Who knew that my wait would basically double. In February, I passed 32 months of waiting. I still believed that it would happen, I just had no barometer as to when......

Therefore, I was very surprised astonished last week when I received a call from my adoption agency saying that I had been matched with a sweet 20 month old boy.  Praise God! Instantly, the pain of the wait fell away. I was in love and I knew instantly that I could be his mom. ( I plan to write more about the actual "referral" call later. )

So, what's next? Well, now I wait for a court date. My agency says it can be 2-4 months before I receive word that it's scheduled. Please pray that this happens quickly. Now that I have a face and a name I am even more antsy about getting him home. I am hoping to have court on the shorter end of the  estimated waited time. I would love to get court completed before courts close for the rainy season. I will then come home and return after a few months for embassy. I know that God's timing is perfect and I place all of this in His hands.

Also, please pray for this sweet boy. His life is also full of change and transition. Pray that he is comfortable, safe  and that he feels love and peace wherever he is. If you have time, pray for me too. Pray that I prepare ever so carefully for this new stage of life. I know that God is with me and I am asking Him to lead me down this very new path that feels so right!

Thanks for continuing on this journey with me. I need you!

I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
Psalm 121

It's happening......

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Romans 12:12

It's finally happening. I am pleased to announce that I have received a referral for a sweet little boy in Ethiopia. Stay tuned for more details......

God is so good!

I'm Still Here

Tomorrow marks 16 months waiting for a referral. I am one day closer to being a mom. Recent chats with my case worker say that it could be 3-6 more months. It pains me to write that, but it is what it is....

In the meantime, I have and intend to keep myself super busy. The school year is off to a fast start. My sister has moved back to town. I love having her and her family closer (two doors down to be exact). What a gift! I love having my immediate family so close. My brother and his family are a mere 20 minute drive away. So blessed!

Let's see....what else?

Well, as time ticks away, it seems that all of my paperwork is expiring. So, my social worker is coming for a visit on Wednesday (I am furiously cleaning while I type this). She will update my home study and I will apply for a new orphan petition with USCIS. After that takes place, I have learned that I need to complete a new dossier (dossier=fancy word for bunch of paperwork I get to collect and notarize). I have already completed one dossier but it is getting old and the process has changed so I will go back to paper chasing. It's okay I tell myself. I want to keep busy right?

So, when will all this happen? Not sure.....let's keep 2012 in our radar. My precious mom will travel with me. She has all her shots and is ready to go. That is such a comfort and I thank God for an adventurous mom!

I can't write anymore without thanking God for seeing me through this journey of hills and valleys. He has kept me steady and sure. Whenever I have had doubt or a sad day, He has encouraged me through words from someone or a thoughtful note in my mailbox. He assures me to "Be still" and reminds me that He's got this. "Trust me" He says.

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:6-7)

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

How will I keep busy?

If you have followed my journey, you know that there are funds that I need to keep gathering. My new paperwork with require additional funds as will my referral and traveling back and forth to Ethiopia twice. So, I am doing a few things to help......

1) I am having a giant garage sale on November 5. I have had two other successful ones. It's a lot of work but also a lot of fun.

2) Free trade coffee! If you are a coffee drinker, please stop by my coffee shop. A portion of the sales will go to my adoption. Yum! There are a variety of coffees to choose from.

3) I will be selling African necklaces again. They make great gifts and are fun to wear. Remember, they help the African women who make them and a portion goes to my adoption fund. Stay tuned for more details...

Please continue to pray for "BB". My daily prayer is that my child is safe and feels hope. Thanks so much for joining me on this lonnnnnggg journey. I couldn't do it without you and am humbled by your support.

One Year Waiting

Tomorrow marks one year waiting for a referral for a precious child from Ethiopia. As I reflect on this year, I can see God preparing me to become a parent. I have learned so much from reading, researching, and "watching" others experience adoption. I thank God for this journey and really don't know how I would do it without Him. There have been many highs and lows for sure......

When I think about this year, I picture myself in a loooooooooooooooong, slooooooooooowwwwwwwww line waiting for my number to be called.

Every time I get close to the front, someone moves the line or hands out new numbers. For example, at the beginning of my wait, the Ethiopian government announced a new requirement. Adoptive parents would make two trips to Ethiopia (no sweat, I love Ethiopia) instead of one trip. Then, this spring, the Ethiopian government announced slow downs to ensure ethical adoptions (how can I argue with this?).

So, my waiting continued. As I waited in "line", I learned so much. I talked to others in "line", read, and researched. I was even been able to learn from others who were way ahead of me in "line" (so happy for this family).

Countless times my feet (my heart if I am honest) grew weary from standing in the adoption "line" for so long. (I do admit that a few times I threw a pity party for myself.) I must say that each time I felt a pang of weariness, something happened. God always sent someone or something to encourage me. It might have been a friend or family member checking in to see how things were going. Often, it was a word from someone else who adopted. Other days it was a humbling donation to my puzzle fundraiser. Many times times it was a unexplainable peace that could only come from the Prince of Peace.

Be still, and know that I am God.

Psalm 46:10

but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 40:31

This week, my agency sent out new estimated wait times. Read below to see the news......

•Current wait times for families requesting boys 19-36 months: 12-18 months

•Current wait times for families requesting girls 19-36 months: 14-20 months

As I stand here in "line" I have to chuckle. Just as I get to 12 months of waiting, the wait time has increased. As I receive this news, I feel frustration.....then peace....and then hope. I am certain that this peace and hope can only come from Christ who strengthens me.

I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Philippians 4:13

So, in "line" I proudly stand. Proud to have made it this far. I haven't ever felt like I should get out of "line". Not once...(I have wanted to cut a few times though )

I take comfort in Scripture. Our Sunday School lesson this week was on the Israelites and the wilderness. I found comfort in the words of Moses to the people of Israel.

So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.

Deuteronomy 31:6 NLT

See, I know that God is with me in this adoption "line". He has gotten me this far. He will not abandon me. I find peace in knowing that He is ahead of me too. He knows my destination and He is leading me there. In "line" I proudly stand. At the end is my child.

Please keep "BB" in your prayers. I will take a few too. I can't wait to tell "BB" about all of you. Thanks for taking this journey with us and for checking in. If you need me, I am over here patiently in "line".

Katy

9 1/2 Months!

Hello All!

I have officially been waiting 9 1/2 months for a referral. In March I spoke to my case manager and she seems to think I should hear something in the summer months. Of course, as we know, all of that could change at any moment....

I can honestly say that I do have moments of impatience. I do get frustrated because I feel that I am ready now. Sometimes I have a full-fledged pity party (it's not pretty).

THANKFULLY, these brief moments are followed by a peace that can only by found through God's grace and His faithful reminders that His timing is perfect. It's pretty simple. He has my heart so He has my trust. Tonight as I sit updating my blog, I have a peace about the wait.

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

I also want to give you an update about the Puzzle Project. I am so very touched at the amount of support that you have given to BB (Baby Bohannon) and myself. I am humbled. I am grateful. Words cannot adequately tell you the amount of encouragement I have received by each one of you who have sponsored a piece of our adoption journey. I have such generous friends (some are brand new) and I thank God for you!

I will post a picture soon! It's 1/5 of the way there! I can imagine myself telling BB one day the story of each piece and the generous person who supported our journey.

"Children Of God" - Official Music Video

Today marks 9 months waiting for a referral! Praising God for this adventure and milestone. Hopefully will have news of a referral in a few months. Thanks to all for your support and prayers!

Here is a video that touched me this week. Enjoy!