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September 21, 2012

I'm moving to Africa... or something like that...

Alright Friends!  Remember when I told you good things were happening and big decisions were being made?!?  Well, they've been made.  The verdict?  I'm moving to Africa... or something like that...

Many adoptive parents during this stage of the process fly out to Ghana to file their 1-600, visit their child, fly back without their child and then allow their Power of Attorney in Ghana to handle the remaining pieces.  (Apply for Visa, conduct Visa medicals... etc.) Then (after all the above is approved... 1 to 3 months later) the parent(s) would either go get their child or have their child escorted home.

The above is a very good plan and up until last week that's what we were going to do.  However, due to Abiella's special needs and the nature of various factors, we have decided to go ahead and take custody of her now. At this point Abi is legally our daughter (and so I'm fully allowed to have custody of her), she's just not able to come into the states yet. Sooooo... I will fly out next week and get custody of Abiella!!  Wooohoooo!!!! When I think of holding her in my arms as she leaves the orphanage for the last time, I can hardly handle it.  There's absolutely no words to describe the joy!

After leaving the orphange, we will live in a hotel room together for an unknown amount of time...We're estimating 3 to 6 weeks. (Hopefully much less... pray for miracles!)    During that time we will go through all of the steps mentioned above (1-600, visa medicals, visa, etc.) We're still waiting on her passport to come in, but since we can do the 1-600 without it, we're moving forward. Our hope and prayer is that the folks working on our case will see Abi's need to get medical care and expedite our case.  As soon as we get the last step done, we'll be on a plane headed home!!! Mama and baby!

Thankfully, my wonderful mama will begin this trip with me! Woohoo!!!!

All this to say, please pray for swift processes and a happy, healthy baby! We will be transitioning Abiella's diet while we're there, so please pray for a good feeding experience. (Last time, feeding was a bit challenging... to say the least.)

Am I thrilled about being in Ghana for an unknown amount of time?  Well.... I'm thrilled to be with Abiella and I'm happy I'll have more time to experience the culture.  I do however, desperately want to get back where I can get her the medical attention she needs AND to be a family of 3 in the same house.  So staying in Ghana for 2 weeks? 3 weeks? 4, 5, 6 weeks? A year ago, I would have been FREAKING OUT that I didn't have an exact plan, but after all the stretching I've been through the last year (not to mention the insane amount of sadness being an ocean away from my baby) I am THRILLED.  I can't WAIT to go and having my mom with me for part of that time certainly eases my worries. Can you believe it? I'm going to have custody of Abiella soon!!!! In a week!!!!!!

I just can't imagine what it's going to feel like to text Sean: "We have custody of our baby."

Thank you (as always) for all of your prayers.  I can feel them!  Please keep them coming! 


God Bless!

love,


38 comments:

Carolyn said...

OMG! This post makes me SO HAPPY! I wish that you were able to bring her home RIGHT NOW but at least she'll be with her mommy!!!

Ellen A. said...

This is so exciting! I am so happy for you! Lots of prayers that everything will move smoothly and quickly and you are able to bring your baby home soon!

Di said...

It sounds like a wonderful plan - the sooner the better.....congratulations.

Unknown said...

Congratulations, Mae! This is exciting news and it's obvious the Lord is working out all of the details.

Michelle said...

I am so excited and happy for you! I'll be praying for your trip and the remainder of the process to go smoothly and quickly! =)

Katie said...

that is so exciting! i'm so glad you don't have to fly there and back and back again! can't wait to hear updates and hopefully pictures soon!!!

Nicole - Craft My Soul said...

WONDERFUL news! I pray you have safe travels and a good and healthy experience staying there for an extended amount of time.

Unknown said...

Hi, Mae!
I recently found your blog and have read about your experience with little Abi. So uplifting and inspiring- thank you for sharing, and for being so brave! Good luck in Africa; have fun with your daughter!
-Beth

Libby A. said...

AHHHHH I'm SO thrilled for you! I'm flooding heaven with prayers for health, peace within, safety, quick process time and on and on! God knows exactly what he's doing and it's going to be wonderful! So excited your mom gets to be with you too! I imagine myself in that situation and I know my mom would be my rock :). safe travels!!!
-libby

Sara said...

This is soo exciting. How frustrating all this paperwork is, but so glad you get to spend that time with your baby. Praying everything happens super fast!!

Kaity B. said...

It will be hard, but I'm willing to be, in hindsight, you'll be so glad to have had the opportunity to become more well-acquainted with your baby girl's heritage. Praying for you, Mama :)

Anonymous said...

Oh my gosh that is so great that you are going to go there and stay with her until everything goes through! Thoughts and prayers for you!!

momFITtingitallin said...

I will be thinking of you and your family on this journey. Will you be able to blog there so we can keep up with you?

Thanks
sharee'

Melodee said...

oh my goodness how totally exciting!!!! I'll pray for a quick turn around time!! I love reading these posts and can't wait till you are all back in the U.S and you can share all of your mamma experiences with us:)

vintage grey said...

So excited for you!! I will be keeping you and this journey to get your precious girl in my prayers!! Can't wait to she is home! Blessings, Heather

Empirically Erin said...

Congratulations!! All the best for you and your little family. As long as you and your little girl are together, it will be worth it. The time will fly!!

Emily Carnes said...

I am over the moon excited for you!. Thank you for sharing your story....I am so very happy you will get to hold your baby girl in a week...how wonderful that will be!

Prayers of a quick return!

Ashley said...

Wonderful news! I pray you will both be coming home soon.

Amber said...

I'm not sure how I stumbled across your blog- but I've been absolutely consumed in it for the past 2 hours reading about your adoption process and it has even brought me to tears. I've been married for about a year and me and my husband have considered adopting and Africa was always a country I wanted to look into. I as well would like to give birth but also adopt and I find your story to be so inspiring and amazing! Best of luck to you! I can't wait to continue following your journey!

Anonymous said...

You are already such a great mom. so happy for your family. I will be praying for you and your family.

Jessica said...

YAY praise God!!!!! I am soooo Happy for you friend. Will be praying for you as you travel and as you get things in order for your beautiful daughter to come home. <3

Lauren CK said...

This is so fantastic. Happy happy happy for you all!!!!

Robyn said...

fantastic news. enjoy. it won't be an easy time i'm sure-but there will be a great ending!

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot said...

SO SO So happy for you! You are already the strongest, most amazing mother and I cant wait to hear about your journey with her! It will be great to take in the culture of the place she was born and be able to tell her about it someday!

Erin @ Living In Yellow said...

AHHHHHHH I AM SO EXCITED FOR YOU!!! Girl, you know you will be in my thoughts and prayers over these next several weeks. My heart is so full for you right now (my eyes with tears as well). That girl is going to be loved beyond belief. I can't wait to hear more and more about it. Praying nothing but blessings. Love you! Safe travels....xoxo

preppylove said...

WOW what an amazing thing you are doing! My cousins are adopted from Guatemala and it is just amazing to think of their wonderful life here as opposed to the terrible life they had in the orphanage there. Miracles!

Because of Jackie said...

So, so, so happy for you and your family! Hoping the time goes by quickly and for some wonderful times with your beautiful daughter:)

Mary said...

Congrats! This is wonderful news! Best of luck! Prayers your way for safe travels and a healthy Abi!! :)

Vanessa {www.vanillaroseblog.com} said...

I am so excited for you! Good luck in the coming weeks! I hope everything works out smoothly for you! I can't wait to hear about everything!

andi {the hollie rogue} said...

Ahhh! so excited for you! I have chills just thinking of how God is orchestrating this all and how He will sustain you through the wait. Many hugs and prayers, friend.

Andi

Anonymous said...

Im so excited for yall. I love you sooo much and will be praying for and thinking of you and Abi SO MUCH!!! XOXO LOVE YOU SISTER
Lindsay

Lindsay @ Trial By Sapphire said...

I wish you safe travels, Mae! I'm so excited for you, and I'll anxiously await your first mama post when you return. Sending love your way!

Sweet Carolina Grace said...

Wow, what wonderful news! I'm so happy for y'all and will pray for safe and quick travels! :)

itsmekt said...

Best post I read all day!! your almost there soon she will be home, over the moon happy for you !!

Unknown said...

I am praying for you MS! So so excited and thankful for baby Abi to have such precious parents. Sending love as you and your mom travel today and for Sean during this time.

Unknown said...

I am praying for you MS! So so excited and thankful for baby Abi to have such precious parents. Sending love as you and your mom travel today and for Sean during this time.

Sarah said...

Wow, this is amazing. You are amazing. This post is so sweet! God bless you!

Sarah said...

Wow, this is amazing. You are amazing. This post is so sweet! God bless you!