After passing court for Grace in a whirlwind with four other families, we were suddenly optimistic we could return quickly for her Embassy appointment as some families were travelling as soon as 4 weeks after court.
In mid-September we heard we might get submitted anytime.
Then came October. No submission. By this time, we were getting antsy. We heard they were waiting on a government-issued document rather than a church-issued one. If you know anything about Ethiopian government, you know this was not encouraging news to receive.
In the back of my mind, I keep reminding myself that God has the timing under control.
Enter October 10th. We received an early morning email that our case had been received by the Embassy.
Next we received another email stating they were already examining her orphan status–an email that usually takes 72 hours to come.
Fast forward an hour later as we’re heading to a field trip. My phone rings and our travel coordinator is saying, “Congratulations! You’re cleared!”
Humorously, this is not the first time I’ve heard these words from an agency and doubted them.
Apparently as we walked out the door, we received a last email clearing our case.
Submission. Reviewed. Cleared. In under 4 hours. I think we set a record.
Remember, that timing thing? Boy, have we seen God in the details this time.
1. Our travel falls during a scheduled break for our CC community which means we won’t have any school to make up when we return.
2. PJ’s team, that Patrick coaches, happens to have a bye next Saturday.
3. John’s soccer season will be over by the time we return which will allow us some much needed breathing room in our schedule as we re-adjust to another major change in family dynamic.
4. Because we will travel a month later than anticipated, Patrick’s parents will be available to come stay with the kids.
5. Grace’s arrival date will allow us to combine our 3-month post-adopt visit for John and Kayla with a special 1-month post-adopt visit for Grace mandated by our agency. This will save us a lot of time and money.
6. I will not have to cancel any of the 3 photo sessions I tentatively scheduled before I knew exactly when we’d travel.
7. The clincher…Patrick’s settlement for a car accident he was in a year ago (and that we’ve been fighting to get for a year) suddenly materialized today at a sum much higher than expected.
Phew! I’m glad He’s on those details.
Patrick and I leave Tuesday for our third trip to Ethiopia in 6 months. Prayers for our travels, our kids, and our adjustment are greatly appreciated.
In case you missed it last time, here are some homecoming guidelines.
This is so very exciting!!!!