This is what I'm counting on....
Let me let you in on the last two weeks of our lives...
As you may recall, we've been waiting since June on a document for our adoption that was estimated to arrive in three weeks or less. THREE WEEKS. (In case you aren't counting the days like I am, it is now September 4th... a mere 3 months and 1 week later...) Well, two weeks ago (when I wrote THIS) I had just received news that the person in charge of filing this paper realized why we didn't have it yet. HE FORGOT. THREE MONTHS OF WAITING. THREE MONTHS OF OUR AGENCY CONTACTING HIM ON OUR BEHALF, WHILE HE REPEATEDLY SAID, "SHOULD BE SOON." "ANY DAY NOW!" and then... a QUARTER OF A YEAR LATER...he realized, "OH! I don't think I ever even filed that paper!"
Ladies and gentlemen, the neighbors may never recover from the things they heard coming out of my mouth that afternoon.
ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE.
For the next 5 hours Sean and I went through crates of paperwork and reevaluated all of our expiration dates. Three months of lost time is a huge deal for a number of reasons. #1 We lost 90 days with our precious Abiella. #2 Our homestudy, and fingerprints, and 1-600A's, etc. etc. etc. all have upcoming expiration dates and must be dealt with soon. So for the entire afternoon we called coordinators, and home study agencies, and USCIS, and a million other people trying to begin the process of updating all of our paperwork.
We also realized that afternoon that we would need to take a trip back to Africa to file our 1-600 when the time came.
Did I mention someone forgot to file our paper work?
Oh, I did?
Okay.
Sooo, by 8:00 that night, Sean and I were at FedEx overnighting a request for re-fingerprinting and by 8:30 we were sitting at dinner staring at each other like we had just walked out of a storm. We were okay, but we had a lot to do to pick up the pieces.
So what's happened since that night? Well, we've miraculously got our fingerprints redone... and now we wait on that form to come in... We confirmed that we still have 2 months until we have to update the remaining paperwork (Praise God)... and we've begun planning the trip back to file our I-600.
Sean will not be able to go this time. Three trips to Africa in 8 months is a lot of work to take off and he has numerous obligations in the next few weeks that need to be fulfilled.
Soo... we prayed.
And guess what? My mom is going to go with me!!
Woohoo!!!
The dates are still unknown, but sometime in the next few weeks my mom and I will board a plane to Africa!
We'll land, go to the hotel, file the papers and visit Abiella!!
Moral of the story: I do not understand God' plan. But we keep moving, we keep praying, and we keep fighting.
"Don't be afraid, for I am with you.
Don't be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
I will hold you up with my victorious right hand."
Isaiah 41:10
24 comments:
I love you just so so much.
This is a great post. Seriously. You are so strong and amazing and I love you. Can't wait to hear it all in person TOMORROWWWWW! xoxoxox
Great post! I'm so happy your mom can go with you this time! :) It'll be a special treat.
I seriously shed a tear of sadness and a tear of triumph for you guys! God is so good and in time, you will be holding that sweet baby in your arms, on America turf! We're still praying for you guys!
So glad that this event will still be happening - sad your hubby can't go but to have your mother go priceless. Has she been able to go before?
Safe travels and praying for your child to come "home" soon
Sharee'
www.momFITtingitallin.com
OMG woman! I don't know how you do this! I would be furious, but you guys have the strongest faith I've seen. One day closer! At least you'll get to visit Abiella very soon :)
You are the strongest lady I know, and I have witnessed first-hand where you got a lot of that strength - your Mama. What an amazing time it will be for Abiella to be surrounded by so much love from the women in her life. Love you dearly friend.
It sounds like there is some serious spiritual warfare taking place over your adoption. I am praying over the adoption process, your trip to Africa with your mom and your sweet Abiella!
oh, what a wild ride. i know it is always hard for me to wait on God's timing. many blessings as you wait and prayers coming your way, friend!
andi
whoops, i was on my husband's google account--that last comment was really from me!
Andi
www.thehollierogue.com
I just love this blog. The picture of the wolf is amazing, I died lauging in my cube at work!! So excited your Momma is going with you to visit that sweet little girl.
OMG, this was definitely one of the worst things that could happen in that case, right?! -.-
BUt the quote fit to me as well at the moment... I don't really like my current job.. but suddenly I got accepted at the university!!^^
SO hope everything turns out great (besides, can't I join you on your trip to Africa^^)
Sandra
wow - just wow....
Good for you for keeping the light at the end of the tunnel in sight - eventually everything will work out :)
That dude is not cool enough to be an asshole.
This is such a terrible thing but written beautifully. Your first image (quote) made me fall in love w/ your blog! I know how hard the adoption process is due to friends but this is unthinkable. God always has a plan to help up, even when we don't know it. Your faith will show you why or what you saved or prepared for.
Thanks for sharing your story as well as your faith...right on time. Oh and Abiella is a beautiful name!
*new follower-stopping by from Naptime Review
Stop by elletoelle.blogspot.com
Great to hear and I can't wait until you see that little one. So happy for you! If you get a sec, I'd love to hear your thoughts on my latest posts!
peacelovedecor.com
Can u say FIRED!!!!!! Grrrrrrr!!! I can't even imagine :( Your trip will b here so soon now!!! How wonderfully exciting!!!!! Not to b selfish but you seeing A means I get to "see" her too!!!!! Did I mention exciting?!?! Wooooot wooooot!! Xoxoxoxo
I admire your attitude! God knows what he is doing. That is why he choose you!
julie @ Naptime Review
Oh, don't forget to stop by tomorrow and check out Operation Fabulous! Hope you get lots of traffic!
Oh my gosh I would be absolutely livid with that guy! How could he just forget?! I can't even imagine how upset and ticked you guys were.
So glad you were able to scramble and get things in order though. & That's awesome your mom is going to be able to go with you! I hope everything goes through sooner than later!
I just had to stifle a huge scream while reading this. If I wasn't at work I would've screamed AND thrown something for you. That is absolutely ridiculous! At least you get to visit your little girl soon! I'm praying for you guys! God has this in the palm of His hand.
So happy to find your blog! Newest follower and visiting from Operation Fabulous!
I am SO glad you will get to visit her again :) I am sure it will be great to see her. that is awesome that God is providing all of the money for you to travel to africa so many times!!
Wow, what a journey you are on to get that little girl! I just read your guest post at Naptime Review and it was truly touching. She is gorgeous and I love the name Abiella. Best of luck to you! And with the agency forgetting to file your paperwork- they do that kind of ish all the time, you really need to stay on top of them (as I'm sure you know)! I have a friend who has gone through similar trials and tribulations with adoption agencies and she is always getting misinformation and unprofessional people. It's so scary to think these are the people in charge of getting a child a family! Don't give-up, she will be with you soon!!!!
Hi Jessica- Actually our agency has been amazing. They're not the ones who forgot to file, it was a person in country in charge of the paper. Our agency has actually been extremely helpful in every way. Sorry to hear about your friend's troubles though! How horrible.
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