Movement and Magnificent Blessings

     After 13 months of waiting and moving only 1 spot on the unofficial list, I am happy to tell you He is moving adoptions with Ethiopia again! I don't know what has changed or why there has been no movement for so long but I am so thankful for these past 5 days. In the past 5 days we have moved up 7 spots to #37! It is important that the "37" part of that is unofficial and we actually have no idea what number we are at but the part we are certain about is that we have seen 9 families get referrals in the past 5 days (2 were for families that requested girls so they are in separate lines)! That's 10 children (1 was a sibling set) that have families to call their own and that will no longer be referred to as orphans! My hope is that this means the MOWYCA (Ethiopian government agency in charge of adoption) has been able to make the process more efficient while also making sure children are being referred with proper paperwork and thorough investigations.
     The families that are being referred have been on the list approximately 6 months longer than we have. Does this mean we have only another 6 months? Probably not. Those families started their wait time on a list that moved much faster. Do I feel it is possible that we will get a referral within a year? I do. Will I be devastated if it takes longer than that? Absolutely not. These years of waiting and trying have brought Justin and I so many blessings. From stregthening our marriage to teaching us how to give our lives to God and stop trying to control them to mission work to career goals to financial stability, the blessings He has given these past 5 1/2 years are mind blowing! I can't wait to be a mom and watch Justin be the amazing father I know he will be, but I also can't wait to see what happens during the rest of our wait! I truly thank Him for the journey He has taken us on. Has it been easy? No way. Has it changed me down to the very fiber of who I am, how I define myself, and how I live my life? 100%. When I go back and I look at pictures, read posts I wrote, or think about my life 5 years ago, I don't even recognize myself. All of these experiences have shaped me into the person I am today and I wouldn't change a thing. One of the biggest blessings through all of this has been my husband, Justin. He has been my rock that I could cry to, laugh with, be angry with, and love. The patience, compassion, and strength he has shown are amazing. God sure knew what He was doing when He teamed us up! 

Togo, West Africa 2011