Our first wait list #

Finally! We are FINALLY on the wait list officially! After 11 months, I have been itching to type those words. Our official wait list number as we enter the list is:

What does this mean? Well, it means we have a LONG road ahead, but all of our paperwork is completed and approved (although we will have to update it throughout the wait). Technically there are 163 families ahead of us who are waiting for a referral from the agencies that we work with (Lifeline and West Sands). Now, each family has different specifications such as gender, age, health status, siblings, etc. So we would not necessarily have to be at #1 before we get a referral.

As of now, we are being told the wait is around 24 months before we get a referral and then another 9 months after that till we can bring him home...sigh! Yes, that is a long time! There is no firm time frame, they just give you an estimate based on what they know as of now. Lately there really have not been many referrals with our agency due to paperwork slowing down with the Ethiopian government. There are so many factors that go into this. We are hoping the referrals pick up soon. Each month we will receive a new number, as long as referrals are coming in. Some months, there are no referrals, so your number may not change. As we receive a new number, I will be sure to update you all each month.

While this wait ahead is going to be tough, I am just thankful that we made it on the list before the end of 2013. It was a great surprise to open my email and see that number. We will be taking a rest for a while from paperwork and fundraising since we have been going hard at both of those for almost a year. We are whooped! In the mean time we will be continuing to pray for our son, educate ourselves on adoption and Ethiopian culture, spend some good quality time with our kids, and continue to follow God's calling in this area.

Thank you to all of you who have been so supportive during this first part of the process. We have raised half of the money we need. I still cannot believe that! All of you have been so wonderful this year and we truly feel supported and encouraged. Thank you for sticking with us through this journey so far. Please continue to pray for us and our son as we WAIT.

"The Lord is good to those who WAIT for him, to the soul who seeks him." -Lamentations 3:25

"Wait for the Lord;  be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord." -Psalm 27:14