A Roller Coaster, Yo-Yo, and Blender

Last week after we got the news that our 28th Embassy trip didn't look possible, I had a meltdown [and continued having them for the past week]. Brian sat down on the couch, held my hands, and prayed for Judah and Addise and for us. In his prayer he acknowledged before an all-knowing God that this process has been a full-on roller coaster, yo-yo, and blender all wrapped up into one. The last image of a blender was how I've felt this past week, but it didn't feel "mmmm". Thus the blog and social media silence. My heart's felt broken and though we've had hope that someday Judah and Addise would be in our arms, "someday" was just too ambiguous and painful to ingest. Honestly, I've been in a pretty dark place for the past 7 days.

Until Today! I got up early and immediately checked my email. Nothing. I was on my way to work early this morning and checked my email again - 3 emails from our case manager. WE HAVE BEEN APPROVED FOR THE JANUARY 11TH EMBASSY DATE - CLEARED FOR TRAVEL - GREEN LIGHT TO GO GET OUR BABIES!!!!!

We've re-booked our tickets and will be on our way to pick up our babies in 8 days!!!!! Remember my friend that heard God say "Christmas, Christmas, Christmas" as she prayed for us [read that post HERE]? Well, we are leaving on January 7th which is Ethiopia's Christmas. If I'd only known God was speaking in Ethiopian time, it could have saved me buckets of tears! It was truly a gift to have this piece clarified because haven't understood what God's already said with that's currently happening. A little is making sense now...

Regardless, after 22 months we are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and it feels goooooooood! We will be home with Judah and Addise Diaz on January 13th. :)

NOTE: Please continue praying for our friends the Mitchell's and Mummert's. They were in our original travel group and have not been cleared to travel yet for the 11th Embassy date. Their hearts LONG for their kiddos like ours do, my heart aches for them as they continue waiting without understanding.

Embassy Update :: Christmas in the OC

As many of you know and have already commented, we didn't get clearance from the US Embassy to travel tomorrow. We are heartbroken, crushed, whatever word you want to use... Yesterday I was drinking orange juice from a "Nightmare Before Christmas" cup, and winced to Brian that this was our reality.

There really isn't any good explanation from the Embassy as to "why", which makes it harder to understand and accept. In numerous emails from our case manager, we were told a number of things:

• The Embassy is not ready for you.
• Every family in our travel group has to have all their new documents submitted before any family will be granted another Embassy date.
• This is affecting every adoption agency in Ethiopia, not just ours. Therefore, countless families Christmas dreams have been affected.
• This is unprecedented in Ethiopia, so we're not sure what's to come.
• Our agency has been in contact with the Department of State and Children's Affairs in DC this week, and they aren't providing firm or specific answers for any of our cases.
  

WHAT'S NEXT? Our case manager is requesting that the US Embassy in Addis Ababa reviews our case on Monday morning independently from the other families and confirms for us a January 12th Embassy date [the next date possibility]. She's hoping that the "all families in the travel group need all their documents before any family is issued a court date" is some misunderstanding. The Embassy has NEVER worked like that in the past. For now we wait. Again. [NOTE: Our agency's office is closed until January 3rd, but we may still hear word before then.]

HOW ARE WE? Ugh... Awful? Ok? Devastated? Angry? Confused? Hopeful? Trusting? Missing Judah and Addise? Concerned about what's next? Longing? YES to all the above.

Honestly, we're a bit shell shocked and emotionally exhausted. I've cried rivers this week. We're gonna go dark for a little while and regain some strength and perspective. Thank you so much for your prayers. We've heard some of you have been fasting for us. We've read innumerable texts and messages. We've totally felt carried by our community. For that, we are grateful.

We'll keep you posted as we find something out.

Embassy Date? URGENT PRAYER!

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST: We found out this morning that the U.S. Embassy is requiring more information [not previously required for Embassy appointments] for Judah and Addise. Our case manager said that it was simply additional photos required but another traveling family said additional documents were needed that were not needed beforehand. If that's the case, it's unknown how long it could be to go back and find additional documentation from our kids' birth places [several hours and 6-8 months ago!].

Our 28th Embassy date could fall through! PLEASE PRAY FOR MOUNTAINS TO BE MOVED AND MIRACLES TO HAPPEN - not just for our family but for the 5 other families that were planning on flying to Ethiopia this week.

I'm having a bit of meltdown. Brian and I just prayed together and as he was praying I felt like the Enemy was simply trying to steal some of God's glory in our story. Period. That's not ok. It's all God's. No matter what. But we want for him to get the greatest amount possible. And we really believed God's word and promises through family and friends about bringing them home in 2010.

We are desperately praying...

BACKSTORY:
As some of you may know, we received unofficial word 1 1/2 weeks ago that we had the 28th US Embassy date in Ethiopia. Last Monday we found out that the Embassy hadn't cleared us for travel, but were looking through our documents with a fine tooth comb assuring that everything was in place for the 28th. [Due to another change in policy by the Embassy that occurred on the SAME DAY as our unofficial word!] Our case manager seemed quite positive that we would eventually be cleared for travel, but maybe not until tomorrow (3 days before our flights!!). This morning our case manager called to let us know that the US Embassy wanted more pictures of Judah and Addise to confirm they are the right kids matching the documents. Supposedly those were submitted today Ethiopia-time.

If we do not get the 28th Embassy date, we will really be emotionally heartbroken. It will also be a pretty huge financial hit for us. Bottom Line: we want them home on the 31st!!! We really feel like God gave us some words of promise and hope – through many of YOU! - and just feel like we need to pray against any enemy interference, confusion, or issues.