This past week has been filled with both emotional highs and lows *and I chuckle to myself because I know this is only the beginning of the crazy ride.
Last week I started off being encouraged in the little things – The boys and I went to pick up a recent copy of our marriage certificate. Whether it was a mix of the boys being really well behaved and/or the ladies behind the desk being a little bored, and/or the office having printer problems… a great interaction conspired. Some ladies were teaching Big B about the State and while others were cooing at Little B… it all resulted in free copies that would normally cost $40!
Then by the weekend, we were greatly encouraged by close friends who decided to donate half of their tax return to our adoption. They did it to follow in obedience to care for the orphan and to encourage us and support our decision at the same time. We were/are blown away by their generosity and thankful for their friendship. Today we also received our first check from our support raised through our fundraiser with Just Love Coffee.
And then the downer…
Our agency has monthly conference calls to answer questions related to the Ethiopian adoption process. Today after the conference call an email was sent out stating this:
As the wait time trend has continued to increase, we see the need to amend the time frame in order to better represent expectations for families receiving referrals. The wait times are increasing (from December 2011 it was 10-14 months then February 2012 to 14-18 months) now to 18-24 months for a male or female infant or toddler.
From other chatter on the AWAA support groups, it appears the wait will actually continue to grow longer before we receive a referral for the next little Wolfe.
{related to the timeline – we can’t receive a referral until our Dossier (pile of paperwork) is in Ethiopia which will be approx. 2 more months, and then after the referral there are court dates and embassy meetings which can take up to another 4-6 months} = up to 32 months = seems like a long of time.
My first instinct is to become extremely overwhelmed… Wait more than 3 years! … We want a large family but we can’t keep waiting 3 years in between… Does this mean we made the wrong decision?… Does this mean we are suppose to do something different?
If I am not careful serious doubt would creep in. I can allow these assumptions and inferences of what could or will happen in the future control and fill my time but instead I calm my heart and reflect on the things I know, the promises of God.
I John 5:14-15 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us, - whatever we ask – we know that we have what we asked of him. (NIV)
Isaiah 64:4 Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him. (NIV, emphasis mine.)
And I like what Job says back to God in Job 42:2-3
I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted. You asked, “Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge?” Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.
I love the verse AWAA posted on facebook regarding the situation.
When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. May your roots grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Ephesians 3:14-19 (NLT)
I am glad God is in ultimate control. He knows how He will be best glorified by our family whether it is waiting patiently on him for more than 3 years, spending more quality time as a family of 4, having more time to financially fund this adoption or just encourage and support others while we wait. Both of us strongly still believe God is directing us to Ethiopia. We will finish up the paperwork and then study, prepare, and love our family while we wait. A little boy will be waiting for us, so we will wait for him.
P.S. This new information doesn't change anything we are currently doing. We are still waiting for our home study to be completed, onto Immigration approval and the next Dossier $7,700 installment fee. All in all it just increases the time waiting time in between now and when we meet our new son.
