The BABY!!

A Light in the darkness

Today Julie, our caseworker at All God's Children, called us with our court date info...a few days earlier than expected (thank you, those of you who had prayed we'd hear early!!)

WE PASSED COURT! (HUGE SIGH OF R*E*L*I*E*F!!!)

lOOKS LIKE WE WILL BE ARRIVING IN ETHIOPIA ON jAN. 11TH!

Can you believe it?!!

The play by play goes like this...

last night I decided to have a relaxed day, I asked my Knight to fill the wood box in the living room, so we could hang out before the fire and read ALL DAY! We read the bible, some baby board books that we found in our attic stash, a story bible of Jesus...birth, death, resurrection...some other favorites that had been refound in the attic. (which we are cleaning out and plan to make into another bedroom...keeping us in adoption ready mode for the next round)....

The phone rang around 2 pm...I went for the phone, but a voice within me said, "take courage, take courage." (everytime the phone rang, fear struck me, as I was not sure how I'd handle bad news about court.)

I answered and Julie's voice (our caseworker) danced. She asked how we were...she hesitated, I hesitated, she said, "I have some good news for you."

I said nothing. I couldn't speak, tears rushed out, sobs bolted out, enough that my daughter rushed in to the room I had found solitude in...asking in sign language if I was "OKAY."

In the midst of this..Julie said we had passed court. She congratulated us and began giving us the pending details related to the travel itinerary. I wrote like crazy, hoping I'd be able to read it later...

I couldn't stop crying. She laughed and I could hear her words catch in her throat with shared joy.

I thanked her over and over...she said she was just the messenger

...but glorious messenger of such perfect JOY!

*click*

I called my Knight. He was driving, I asked him if he could pull over. He did and began crying at the good news. He thanked God with me and said softly, '...fasting works. Praise God!'

I am so thankful that this chapter is turning it's page. That we will begin a new chapter of our lives with this sweet baby as part of the story.

In a few days I will know more details of her size, schedule and such, so we know how to pack for the journey we will soon embark on.

Thankyou, thankyou, ThankYOU, for your prayers! We are so grateful for each of you!

The Holy Spirit spoke this to my heart post phone call ...

Psalm 33:18-22 (New King James version)

Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him,

On those who hope in His mercy,

To deliver their soul from death, And to keep them alive in famine.

( **He's ready to come to their rescue in bad times; in lean times he keeps body and soul together. )

Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help and our shield.

For our heart shall rejoice in Him, Because we have trusted in His holy name.

Let Your mercy, O LORD, be upon us, Just as we hope in You.