Blessed

With our agency, International Adoption Guides, we are privileged to be a part of an online group where we can interact with other families in the process with the same agency.  Often, usually at least monthly, families are traveling to Ethiopia for their court appointments and Embassy appointments.  IAG allows and encourages families to carry care packages for other people's children when they go, and take as many photos as they can when they visit the care centers.  Families upload these photos to a private picasa account that we all have access to. I can't tell you how wonderful this has been for us.  We have access to many other families that we can ask questions to.  We often get updates on the Embassy and what's happening with different people's cases.  We celebrate together when people get referrals, or pass court, or get their Embassy appointment.  It's become a little online community that has really blessed us.  It's nice to see things happening for other people, even if nothing's happening for you, and you don't feel like you're in a big black hole of waiting. : )

This month, since the courts are re-opening, there's a ton of families heading over right now.  People are talking back and forth about care packages, who to send what to and who's taking what.  It's fun to watch, but it's a bit sad to know our little girl won't be getting one when nearly all the other kids do.  I'm glad that she's so little and won't know the difference. : )

But then, another mom who got her referral the same day we did, sent me an email.  She said she knew we lived overseas, and so she wanted to put together a care package for our little girl.  I was so surprised and just brought to tears.  I've never met this woman.  I've only emailed with her a few times.  But she was reading my mind!  Here is the sweet care package she put together for our girl:

Can I just say, I LOVE that the snuggly blanket has an elephant head!! How perfect is that for a girl who's headed to Rajasthan! : )

So, we are anxiously looking forward to seeing pictures of her with these new things, just for her, and the photo of us waiting for her.

In the meantime, we are praying some specific things:
-We pray that our paperwork would be finished quickly
-We pray that the documentation, investigation, and evidence of her orphan status would be clear and obvious without any room for doubt.
-We pray for all the families ahead of us, that their cases would move through without delay or complications and those precious children can come HOME
-We pray for her health and her weight to increase
-We pray that she will grab the heart of one nanny who will love on her and spoil her until we get there
-We are praying now that she will be granted a visa to come to India in her Ethiopian passport

We'd love for you to join us in praying for our sweet girl until she's home with us!