Continuing to trust...

I have been trying to work on an update since Joey went to visit our boys in July. Life threw some crazy curve balls this summer and my thoughts have been pretty scattered. Some recent changes are exciting...I am now the instructional coach at our school, but not having a classroom on the 1st day of school yesterday was a real adjustment! Learning an entirely new set of responsibilities is also a little stressful. Lincoln started Kindergarten and acted like a pro on his first day. Molly, who held my hand UNTIL we got to the 2nd grade hallway, is excited that she and Linc are at the same school.

 As usual, I was really, really hoping to provide an actual update on my next post. However, my update is not as encouraging as I would like for it to be. As I have written before, we still have several steps to  complete before the boys get to come home and the next step is to exit IBESR (Haitian Social Services). From what we understand, this process alone requires several steps, one of which is the signature of a specific lady who has not been in the office for a while. We were really hoping that this week she would return to her office and sign our paperwork so that we can move forward. We were told that when our representative checked on our file today, he as told to check again at the end of August. This is very disheartening news as it makes a December homecoming seem so unlikely. I'm not giving up hope for a completed adoption in 2016, I must also remind myself that God's timing is not ours.

The week Joey spent with A and C in July was great. The trip was pretty last minute. I just could not stand the thought of our boys not having contact with us from April to November (our next planned visit). It wasn't too hard to convince him to go :-) I knew that it was best for me to stay with Molly and Linc, but it certainly was hard to not be with them in Haiti. It sounds like they had a wonderful time playing together and the boys were sad for him to leave. He thinks they understand the process as much as children can understand. He met some wonderful people and was blessed by the ministry of C4C.

We were encouraged this summer as 3 Chances for Children families (who have been in this process for 3+ years) were able to bring their children home. However, we are seeing other families have ridiculous delays, much like the one we are experiencing in IBESR.

With all of those scattered thoughts being written I will say that it is my prayer that my heart is content. Content that God has a plan and purpose for delays...Content that God knows what our boys need more than we do..Content that the God of the universe is in control of our homecoming date.

I am reminded in Philippians 4:6-7
            -Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Sometimes this Mama struggles because I want our family together so badly. Please pray that I continue to be reminded that I have SO much to be thankful for and that God will grant us peace in our hearts to continue to trust His timing.

Abandoned to Him,
Amy


These are some pics from Joey's trip. I wish I could show their precious faces and beautiful smiles, but we haven't made it that far yet!