What we know ...

One month after our "DTE" date (Dossier To Ethiopia), there is little that we know - when we will receive the referral for our little girl and get to meet her, how old she is (and if she has even been born yet!), what she looks like ... but there are a couple things that we do know:

1. Ethiopia is 8 hours ahead of Minnesota. Click the link below to see what time it is there.

http://localtimes.info/Africa/Ethiopia/

2. The process is long. From what we're seeing with other families in the Ethiopia program from our agency, it will likely be another 18-24 months before we receive a referral. The referral is the point at which we receive a picture, name, and are asked if we want to pursue adopting that child. After saying "YES!" the process is generally taking another 6 months until all is said and done and families are finally home together. That time period includes several steps (which we're still trying to fully understand!) ... but in general starts with being assigned a court date, traveling to the capitol of Addis Ababa where we'll meet our little girl (and likely her birth mother or another living relative). The goal of this first trip is to "pass court" - the child's family relenquishes rights and we are determined to be a suitable family. After that, we'll have to come home without her and begin the heart-wrenching process of waiting to be submitted to the embassy for clearance and be given clearance to bring her home as a US citizen. Once we receive word that we've been given clearance we'll be on a plane as soon as possible for a quick 3-5 day trip to bring her home!!

3. The need is great. As we've begun our time of waiting, we're learning more about international adoption and the enormous need for families for so many kids. Kids of all ages from heart-breaking situations are learning survival skills and forming an understanding the world and themselves without an identity as a son or a daughter. Adoption is not a fairy tale; these are children who have not experienced the affection, touch, and care that is critical in a child's earliest development. By very definition, as orphans, they have been abandoned and experienced the most devastating and personal kind of loss. And yet they survive; these children learn quickly how to be independent. So for me, adoption is not a "rescue;" it is inviting an incredibly resilient little one into our family, meeting her in her grief, recognizing and honoring the challenges that she has endured, and offering an identity of beloved, cherished, prized daughter - much like what Christ has offered to me.

4. We're not in charge here. As educated, independent people who are accustomed to being able to "get things done," we are well aware of our inability to do much of anything to impact our process at this point; we are at the mercy of the Ethiopian government, US government, and about a thousand other variables that could impact our process. BUT the good Lord knows all of these details and more. David and I chose Ephesians 3: 14-21 for our wedding passage, which was one of my mom's favorites and mine too, and we now again we trust in God's promise of "immeasurably more" than all we could ask or imagine, for His glory. Yes!!

5. Ok, on the lighter side ... one last thing that we do know. Jackson and Colton are full of life and bring so much joy; they are great friends and will be wonderful big brothers.

Thanks for joining us in this journey!!