Dossier is in Ethiopia!!!

Received word today our Dossier is officially in Ethiopia!!! YAH! We also were told some news about the region our children are from. Here's what our agency has found out so far:

“The Oromia officials announced that they will be writing guidelines for all orphanages/adoptions from their region BUT they will not do so until after the elections in late May. No further announcements or news will be heard until after the elections.”

So this means that they will not even start reviewing the guidelines until late May. This means that children and their paperwork are not going to move anywhere until officials make a decision. We do not know how long it will take.
We will let you know when we get any new information."

So this means we will be waiting a while for a court date. But at least it's better than no news at all. I kinda figured this to be the case. They didn't want to mess with it until after the elections. Makes sense I guess that way the ones writing the rules will be able to see them through. It doesn't make it any easier on us waiting but God knows what he is doing.

On a side note we had a great meeting with our Pastor who came out to our home to visit yesterday. I have to admit I was nervous but I don't know why. growing up it was not strange to have one of our senior Pastors at our home for a bible study. it didn't take long for my nerves to be calm. He has a calming spirit about him. Makes you feel comfortable when he speaks to you. It was a good visit for our entire family. The kids enjoyed having company over as they always do.

I pray for our children here and overseas that they feel the love of Christ in their lives. For the two in Ethiopia I pray someone will tell them of his love and HE will comfort them when we can not. For my two home grown kidos I pray I can lead them on the right path and they will continue to walk it when I am gone.

Random Wednesday

Thought a lot last night night and today about the mother of our referred adoptive children. I pray that someone will tell her of the love of Christ. That she will be given peace in and through HIM.

I could not image the pain and hurt she must feel and there is only 1 who can ease her pain and suffering.

We often feel for the children but forget in some cases there is a mother, father, family left behind. They are not heartless, uncaring, callous, or cold. Most truly love their children and want a better life for them than what they have the means to give. I hurt for those who have to make this choice. I can not image having to choose this for my children or myself. Being a Mother of two children I can not image being apart from them even if it was for their own benefit.

Please join me in praying for these families who are left to carry on without their little ones that someone will cross their path and lead them to the ONE who can ease their pain. God the only one who knows their hearts and sacrifices.

Bible verse of the week(actually weeks) for me

"Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from
the east and gather you from the west. I will say to the north, 'Give
them up!' and to the south, 'Do not hold them back.' Bring my sons
from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth." Isaiah
43:5-6

Dossier update

Well, our dossier got through Washington and the Ethiopian Embassy and is on it's way to Ethiopia this week. YAH! 5 months of my life spent on paperwork. We are just so glad it is done.

That's the Good news. Now we are being told that our kids still can't be released until the ban on Shashemene region is lifted. Pray please for our two kids to be released very soon so they can come home. We were asked again today : How long will you wait?" Well I do not have an answer for that. I guess as long as God tells us too. I mean our wait has just really started. 6 months, 2 years it's really up to HIM not us. I really feel these kids are to be Kirkland's so we wait. If we are told not to wait anymore for these two that just means God has a plan for them and for us.

We received an update on our baby girl. She is hitting all of her developmental stages. Great! Only issue noted was she is not adjusting to strangers. So sad for her. What will she think of us. We pray God will prepare their hearts for us just as he is ours for them.

On a separate note we got our trip shots today. Wow, I take shots pretty good but man 5 at one time was apparently to much for me. After the 3rd one I had to sit down and have them give me a drink. They say my face and lips lost all color. I could have told them that from the ringing in my ears to the dry metal taste in my mouth that I was going to go down if I didn't get something to drink. She asks did you eat today? Well sort of. Had a half bowl of cereal at 9 am. Shots were given at 1:45 whoops should have eaten. Jim was there with KK and when the nurse left the room in such a hurry for my drink I could hear him say Ha she's passed out. Ha No I didn't all the way:) Jokes on him. I just needed a minute to compose myself.

Dossier on it's Way

Well, Today was a huge day for us. Mom and I drove to Indy to get our two papers in the dossier authenticated at the state level. 5 1/2 hrs later we were back home. I dropped Mom off and went straight to the bank to get our agency fee check and the Embassy checks all done. Then off to UPS to overnight them all out. The Dossier should arrive in Washington today!!! It's been such a long time getting to this point. We are still having trouble with getting our I71 approval since the state claims they have never received a copy of our home study even though I personally overnighted 1 and the agency did as well. So a third times a charm.

When I go t home from I told Jim well no turning back now our money and paperwork is out of our hands. He looked at me so serious and said " You know I've been having second thoughts" I could've died. Leave it to him. He must have seen the defeat on my face and quickly said " I was just kidding, relax" Wow not a joke you want to hear at this point. Leave it to him to cause me to have a heart attack:)

He then said it's a huge step maybe we should celebrate. Not something I felt like doing but thought you know he's right. So we asked the kids where they wanted to go to eat. Sub way east fresh they said. That was a mistake. not a relaxing meal at all. My kids acted like they were raised outside the whole time. Jim looks over and says good idea just think 4 of these animals. Now who's having second thoughts:)

Enough ranting. I do have prayer requests.

1. That our paperwork is okay and gets to the proper places in a timely manner

2. that we get our I71 approval since we can't get a court date without it

3. that the region the kids are from will open up adoptions again.

4. That someone over there is showing my kids the mercy and love that they deserve and is sharing Jesus with them as wait for them.

Lord please keep these little ones safe and happy and loved until we can get them home. Prepare our hearts for hem and theirs for us. Amen