Interview with God

One of my friends sent this to me the other day in an email. I love the pictures of the sun shining through the clouds and sky. Enjoy! http://www.theinterviewwithgod.com/

Update to the update

Yes, that is what I said. Here is the update to all of my updating. I had my home study visit yesterday and it will be done on Friday. I can then send it to CSI for a renewal of my I 171-H form. If you are in the process of waiting for a court date and are wondering if your immigration paper work is good, you should check! I also need to request for a new set of finger prints to be made.

I emailed Lisa today to see if she had heard from Laurie at the Hope office today. Still no email back. I am really hoping to hear some good news this week. Praying specifically for a court date to be set.

The latest on the court date travel issues is that it has been pushed back to May 8th now. They are hoping to get it pushed back to August. I am finding out that it does not pay to freak out about changes. I know that is easier said then done, but I am holding to this statement.

I am on Spring Break this week. I have loaded up the dog and am down at Seabrook Island for the week. I sat out on the beach for about an hour today and then the clouds persuaded me to go in. I love it down here. The house smells exactly the same when Bonnie was here. It brings back vivid memories of her and the kitchen table when I walk through the back door. Looking forward to hearing what God has for me this week.

God is good!

Homestudy Update

Yes...that is what I said. Time to update my home study. Unbelievable how this all happened. I was reading through someones blog and saw that they had to get re-finger printed and do some other paper work. I thought to myself, I wonder if I need to be concerned with this issue. So, I called Lisa yesterday and found out that my home study is going to run out as of March 29th! Holy Smokes!

I got in touch and after I pay $800 and chase down some paper work and do a home visit I can ask for an extension with the Immigration for free. So here is the question to be asked, "What if I had not read that blog?" If we do get a court date in the next 3-4 weeks and passed, I would have been screwed on the state side. Great Day!!

This is how I am looking at this situation. I am thankful for bloggers and the advice that they are giving out, because they just saved me a whole bunch of potential hassles. Why can't my agency keep me informed on what I should be doing next? Thank God I am aggressive enough to call and ask questions.

Lisa is traveling on March 20th-26th and will be talking with all of the people there that have to do with the court case. I am hoping I get a court date while she is there. I know this is a good thing, but sometimes I wonder if anyone knows what is going on.

Oh God...give me patience. God is good.

Mommy and Uncle in Ethiopia

I sent over a photo book for Yosef about 4 weeks ago. It was so neat to see photos of him looking at the pictures. Here is a picture of me and my brother Larry. We will both be traveling over to get Yosef when the time comes. I wish you could see the look on his face. One day I will be able to show you the whole picture.

He turned 10 months old this past week. The latest news given to me is that all cases that have not received a court date yet will get one in 3-4 weeks. Over a week ago I had to get a new form notarized for three different Power of Attorneys. I hear that the lawyer that was working on the cases had been making some errors. I hope that this fixes the problems. I am still concerned that Yosef's paper work is not fixed. Only God knows when this is going to happen and I am resting in that confidence.

This past week was also my dad's third year anniversary of passing away. It was nice looking back on the memories with him. I miss him terribly, but would not want him back in the condition he was in. I am so thankful for the example that he left me and my family on how to love and treat others. I do not take for granted, the gift of Godly parents. As I get older and my friendship circle broadens I see that not everyone has had this gift. I respect my mom and the courage that she has to live on her own and not give up on life. She lived with dad for almost 65 years I believe. I often wonder when I will stop missing dad. I think the answer is....never.

God is good!

Small World and Chubby Feet

I must have said the phrase "What a small world we live in" a hundred times the other night. My friend Shannon organized a dinner party with other families who are adopting from Ethiopia last night. It was such an enjoyable time. I met some wonderful people and had so much in common with one particular lady. It is amazing how God brings complete strangers into your life who will soon become fast friends.

The night was brought together by a common thread of adopting from Ethiopia and we all walked out having learned just how much we have in common. I think knowing that others are going through the same trials as yourself seems to make it just a little easier to bear it all. I feel so blessed to have met these new friends. Our next meeting will be downtown Charlotte at an Ethiopian restaurant with everyone's family. Should be a lot of fun! Thank you Shannon!

On to chubby feet! Yosef has the cutest little feet. A family in my agency traveled over to get their son over a week ago and they took some great photos of Yosef. It is so hard to just show parts of his body, but I can tell you this much, he looks healthy. They say that he is very happy and the nannies are taking good care of him. It appears that he has two bottom front teeth. My photo album continues to grow.

This week Laurie is traveling over the Ethiopia to help with the paperwork issues. We still have not heard word from Shimiless on how things are going over there. This will be his third week over there. Hoping to receive some good news soon. Thank you for praying for Yosef and his protection. God is good!

9 months

Yes...Yosef turned 9 months old two days ago. I received new pics of him on Snapfish on his b-day. I am so thankful to those who are traveling over there now and taking pictures of him. I have some great expectations for this week. Shimiless is over in ET at this point and I hope to hear good news this week.

I met with my future nanny yesterday and she is a sweetheart! God has His hand in all of this. The story about Yo's arrival and the preparation time is just amazing. Still trusting that He knows what is right and perfect for me and Yosef.

God is good!

Relinquishment Case?

That is what they are saying. Yosef's momma left him at the orphanage and didn't sign the appropriate paper work before she left. She did leave an address and phone number, but no one can seem to reach her. The Social services are involved and have to make the call on if this will become an abandonment case and get filed with the police department.

Time frame? Who knows the answer to that question? Only God knows what will happen next. So please join me in praying for Yosef tonight. Pray for his little mind and body to continue to grow and develop into the loving sweet boy that we have seen so far in pics and the video. Shimiless will travel over there on the 20th and pray that something will be done while he is over there. Let there be resolution to this issue.

Oh God help me to wait and be still to hear Your voice and not my own. He has the perfect plan and we will have an amazing story to share with an active big eyed boy one day. God is good!