We are officially on the roster for a January 3rd court date in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia!
Woohoo!
The past 2 weeks have been a blur of travel arrangements, planning, purchasing, researching, praying..
I don't really know how I also managed to work... and Stu worked and went to class!
Its been craaaazy! Crazy crazy.. But a good crazy :)
A wonderful crazy actually!
What an amazing holiday season this has been for us!
First a Referral on my sister and nephew's birthday.. So we were able to celebrate with my sister and her family and then again with our great friends, Brian and Ivonne, while also celebrating Stu's 40th birthday in New Orleans.
Then, learning we were Submitted To Court while my parents were visiting for Thanksgiving.. giving us one more incredible thing to be thankful for :)
And then receiving a Court Date for January 3rd, which means that 2 days after Christmas we will be headed to Ethiopia! We will actually be with our sweet girl on New Year's Eve :)
Amaaaaaazing!
Then the following week, after our court date, we will be in Ethiopia's holiest city, Lalibela, for Ethiopian Christmas! They celebrate with the Orthodox Calendar, like Russia, for Christmas.
The feelings overwhelming me during this time are beyond explanation.. This will be the trip of a lifetime for more reasons than I can even express.
To meet our child.. to actually finally hold her in my arms.. this baby that will finally be out of my head and heart and into my arms.. I cannot even comprehend it yet myself.. and then the New Year's and Christmas part too!
AND add to all of that, the whole 'We're Going To Africa!' part plus the Lalibela/Indiana Jones-Adventure/Eat Pray Love-holy experience....
Wow and wow and wow and holy crap!
My nerves are getting to me a bit too..
I'm trying my best not to stress out about all of the unforeseen, you're visiting a foreign land, don't drink the water, you're probably going to get raging diarrhea, possibly could get malaria, bed bugs are a reality, don't get pick-pocketed, don't know the language, ay ay ay ay ay..
I'm reminding myself to just take it all in stride..
Enjoy the ride..
and above all trust God.
This entire journey has been an adventure and a miracle.. And we're ready for more!!!! :)
Ethiopia, here we come!!!
I cannot express how incredibly excited I am for you. There have been times in my life that I thought I might adopt a child so I have somewhat been living vicariously through you. I know the anxiety and excitement I feel is nothing compared to what you are feeling. You guys will be awesome parents and I look forward to the day that I will get to meet your little girl. Congratulations and Merry Christmas! xoxo
ReplyDeleteI think I cry at every post/blog/message I read from you! The anxiety all makes sense and and normal, but the way it has all worked out makes it so clear it is exactly where you are supposed to be at that time. SUCH a beautiful story and I seriously cannot wait to read updates and then you know, help with a baby shower and then MEET her. You two are already such wonderful parents. We are Sooooo happy for you and your Christmas gift :o) xoxoxox0
ReplyDeleteoh my gosh oh my gosh oh my gosh Summer!! Your going to Ethiopia in just a couple weeks!!!!!!!!!!! I am overjoyed!!! Can't wait, it's finally here!!!!
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