Well folks, the latest in the Lugo adoption we find ourselves now in April and we are still awaiting the PAIR letter. WHAT?!! This has definitely taken much longer than I was anticipating. But our case is still moving forward as far as this goes as our agency is currently gathering the documents that the Embassy has requested for our case. So we hope to be done with this part of the process very soon and then head to court!
Back in early February our world fell apart when our agency closed down unexpectedly (for apparently many reasons that I can't even explain--so I wouldn't even ask, because I don't have the answers!) I can't even begin to describe where we were and how we felt at that moment, as it was a mixture of emotions and there are no other words besides--BROKEN. We were left devastated and felt defeated with so many unknowns with whether or not we would be able to continue with the adoption and bring home these two children who we have never met, though love so very much.
We knew God laid these children on our hearts, and we couldn't imagine why He would allow this to happen. But we decided that we were committed to these children, and we were going to fight for them because God placed them in our lives for a reason. You never fully realize how much you NEED God until you're at a breaking point, and then you discover how ridiculous you have been for not fully relying on Him through it all. We all too often take matters into our own hands, instead of fully placing everything we have in God's hands. It is often in these moments that the Lord shows Himself to you in ways He never has before.
We pleaded, we cried, we read Scripture constantly, we felt His comfort and peace. We knew He was going to get us through this. We had faith that He would move the mountains and asked Him to, referring to Matthew 21:21-22 And Jesus answered them, "Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, 'Be taken up and thrown into the sea,' it will happen. And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith." Little did we know God was setting us up to see His hands at work in our lives and in this adoption process.
-Even through the craziness, the Ethiopian staff still continued to work our case, our PAIR process was still progressing even though our agency didn't exist in the U.S.!
-We had had no confirmation of the whereabouts of T & M for over a month and a half! We got confirmation at the end of March of their location and we now know where they are, that they are safe, and doing well!
-We got confirmation that they finally received our care packages that we had sent back in November (they received them in Feb./Mar sometime); they now knew what we looked like, that they had a family, a family that are excited to meet them! We have since received updated pictures of them and notes from them, which is super exciting. They appear to be excited about having a new family, their new family!
-We received word the first weekend of April that the Ministry of Women, Youth, and Children's Affairs (MOWYCA) were allowing all cases involved to proceed with adoptions, through two specific agencies chosen by MOWYCA! So we are going to be allowed to proceed with our adoption!
ALL of these things were an encouragement! Knowing God was working His miracles and thanking Him for each and every one.
We immediately sent all of our information on our case to our new agency and they are currently working on it. Although we are quite overwhelmed with having to start over with a new agency along with new fees to pay, we are thankful that MOWYCA chose to let the adoption continue!
Would you please pray for T & M, our family, and this adoption? It's been a tough couple of months to say the least, however God is moving those mountains!
-Pray for T & M, they have been moved a total of four times since February, which can't be easy on any child! We know they are receiving proper care currently which we are grateful. Pray that the Lord prepare their hearts as they continue to patiently wait for us, and for the transition to their forever family.
-Pray for us, and all the logistics still involved with this process. That the Lord continue to prepare our hearts and family for these two precious children who will be joining our family.
We still have no idea when we will be traveling (hopeful that it will be soon, of course)! We are still praying that God will allow them to get home by the summer time. Many things will have to happen seamlessly in order for this to happen, but we have faith that He can and will move mountains if He so chooses!
Back in early February our world fell apart when our agency closed down unexpectedly (for apparently many reasons that I can't even explain--so I wouldn't even ask, because I don't have the answers!) I can't even begin to describe where we were and how we felt at that moment, as it was a mixture of emotions and there are no other words besides--BROKEN. We were left devastated and felt defeated with so many unknowns with whether or not we would be able to continue with the adoption and bring home these two children who we have never met, though love so very much.
We knew God laid these children on our hearts, and we couldn't imagine why He would allow this to happen. But we decided that we were committed to these children, and we were going to fight for them because God placed them in our lives for a reason. You never fully realize how much you NEED God until you're at a breaking point, and then you discover how ridiculous you have been for not fully relying on Him through it all. We all too often take matters into our own hands, instead of fully placing everything we have in God's hands. It is often in these moments that the Lord shows Himself to you in ways He never has before.
We pleaded, we cried, we read Scripture constantly, we felt His comfort and peace. We knew He was going to get us through this. We had faith that He would move the mountains and asked Him to, referring to Matthew 21:21-22 And Jesus answered them, "Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, 'Be taken up and thrown into the sea,' it will happen. And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith." Little did we know God was setting us up to see His hands at work in our lives and in this adoption process.
-Even through the craziness, the Ethiopian staff still continued to work our case, our PAIR process was still progressing even though our agency didn't exist in the U.S.!
-We had had no confirmation of the whereabouts of T & M for over a month and a half! We got confirmation at the end of March of their location and we now know where they are, that they are safe, and doing well!
-We got confirmation that they finally received our care packages that we had sent back in November (they received them in Feb./Mar sometime); they now knew what we looked like, that they had a family, a family that are excited to meet them! We have since received updated pictures of them and notes from them, which is super exciting. They appear to be excited about having a new family, their new family!
-We received word the first weekend of April that the Ministry of Women, Youth, and Children's Affairs (MOWYCA) were allowing all cases involved to proceed with adoptions, through two specific agencies chosen by MOWYCA! So we are going to be allowed to proceed with our adoption!
ALL of these things were an encouragement! Knowing God was working His miracles and thanking Him for each and every one.
We immediately sent all of our information on our case to our new agency and they are currently working on it. Although we are quite overwhelmed with having to start over with a new agency along with new fees to pay, we are thankful that MOWYCA chose to let the adoption continue!
Would you please pray for T & M, our family, and this adoption? It's been a tough couple of months to say the least, however God is moving those mountains!
-Pray for T & M, they have been moved a total of four times since February, which can't be easy on any child! We know they are receiving proper care currently which we are grateful. Pray that the Lord prepare their hearts as they continue to patiently wait for us, and for the transition to their forever family.
-Pray for us, and all the logistics still involved with this process. That the Lord continue to prepare our hearts and family for these two precious children who will be joining our family.
We still have no idea when we will be traveling (hopeful that it will be soon, of course)! We are still praying that God will allow them to get home by the summer time. Many things will have to happen seamlessly in order for this to happen, but we have faith that He can and will move mountains if He so chooses!
