A Wonderful Surprise!

Recently, my husband and several friends from Church surprised me with a Toddler Shower!! (I thought we were going to the zoo!)

It was completely unexpected! I had such a wonderful time and it meant so much to me that our friends are just as excited about welcoming The Littlest Logue.

The afternoon was great! We had games, cake, and some awesome gifts. I don't think I can say THANK YOU! enough.

P.S. Brian - - you still owe me a trip to the zoo.

Thanksgiving...

The more I think about the process of our adoption, specifically the outcome of yesterday's court hearing, I actually consider myself very lucky.

Generally speaking, so far we have had a fairly smooth process. From the overwhelming amounts of paperwork, to welcoming a social worker into the most private parts of our lives, to figuring out how we are going to pay for all of this, to accepting our referral, and to finally have our case in front of a judge ... only find out we were missing one. piece. of. paper.

I am thankful.

I am thankful for this lesson in patience.

I am thankful for this reminder that I cannot control everything.

But most of all, I am thankful for this feeling of peace.

Yesterday, if we had that one piece of paper and had a successful court hearing, I'm not sure I would have learned anything. I would have been too absorbed in phone calls and travel arrangements and baptism plans to pause and appreciate what is important.

Instead, I am thankful for this opportunity to learn humility.

What a wonderful lesson.

Unsuccessful Day in Court

Today we did not have a successful day in court. The Ministry of Women's Affairs in Ethiopia did not complete the necessary letter of recommendation in time for our court hearing. This letter is needed for The Littlest Logue's birth certificate and passport. You would think something so important yet so minor could have been accomplished within the two months we received the referral of our son until our court hearing.

We have a new court date rescheduled for Thursday June 18th.

Sure I am sad, however, our cross seems much lighter than many other families who are just as eager to have a family of their own.

Besides, June 18th is only 24 days away.

Saint Martin de Porres - Pray for Us!

In the Catholic Church, a novena is a devotion consisting of prayer said (most typically) on nine successive days, asking to obtain special graces. These may consist of small prayer books, recitation of the Rosary, or small prayers through the day. There are four recognized categories of Novenae, those of mourning, preparation, prayer, and those which are indulgences, however, a given novena can belong to more than one of these categories. (from Wikipedia)

The practice of saying novenas is derived from Scripture. After Jesus' Ascension into heaven, he told his disciples to pray together in the upper room and devote themselves to constant prayer (Acts 1:14). The Apostles, Blessed Virgin Mary, and other followers of Jesus prayed together for nine consecutive days, concluding in the descent of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost.

** The Littlest Logue's Godmother, Alison (really? Who could ask for a better Godmother?) took it upon herself to write her own novena to Saint Martin de Porres. She has even made flyers and passed it to 100 people to pray that The Littlest Logue's court date is successful on May 25th.

** In 1579, Saint Martin de Porres, a son of a Spanish nobleman and a freed black woman, was born in Lima, Peru. Growing up in poverty, at 15, Saint Martin became a lay-brother in a Dominican priory, where he learned, among other vocations, medicine and the care of the sick. Saint Martin devoted himself to ceaseless and severe penances. He established an orphanage and a children's hospital for the poor children of the slums.

He set up shelter for stray animals. He lived in self-imposed austerity, never ate meat, fasted continuously, and spent much time in prayer and meditation. In turn, God endowed Saint Martin de Porres with many graces and wondrous gifts.

Saint Martin de Porres died on November 3, 1639 and was canonized a saint on May 6, 1962. He was venerated from the day of his death.

******We ask that you pray each day from May 16th until May25th for a successful court hearing in Ethiopia for The Littlest Logue. ******

Saint Martin de Porres, your concern and charity embraced not only your needy brethren, but also the animals of the field.
You are a splendid example of charity; we thank and praise you. From above, hear the requests of your needy brethren.

Especially our request for Brian and Andrea's adoption of their son.

By modeling our lives after yours, and imitating your virtues, may we live content knowing that God has looked favorably upon us. Because this is so, we can accept our burdens with strength and courage in order to follow in the footsteps of our Lord and the Blessed Mother.

May we reach the Kingdom of Heaven through the intercession of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Amen.

A Positive Email

Today I received a reassuring email from our adoption agency:

"This email is to confirm that the embassy has received all approvals from USCIS needed to process your child(ren)’s visa once you pass court. "

So far - everything is falling into place.

Two Weeks

Two weeks, people, until our court hearing in Ethiopia.

Thinking back to starting our paperwork, working on the homestudy, and figuring out how we were going to pay for all this; it amazes me we have made it to this point.

Wow.

And the best is yet to come!

Happy Mother's Day

Donations

When we travel, we are taking a few donations to the transitional home, including clothes, small toys, pencils, paper, coloring books, hand soap, puzzles, and colored pencils. The trick is to get all of this stuff into one storage container......

Mission Accomplished!

I haven't weighed this yet - but I have no doubt it exceeds the airlines weight limits.... $

Three Weeks

... until our court date in Ethiopia.

I'm as ready as I will ever be. If our agency called and said we needed to leave right now; consider it done.

Seriously, can time move any slower??

Update!

Today in my inbox I had a wonderful surprise. The Transitional Home where our son is waiting sent us updated pictures and information!

I would love to show these pictures! But until we have a successful court hearing I have to keep them to myself.

I was very nervous because he does not speak Amharic, which is the common language for his location. I was worried he didn't understand what was going on, however, in his pictures he has the biggest smile and looks very happy and his head is shaved!! He is understanding some Amharic words and is learning the alphabet. He was a little reserved, but has become more playful.

He has gained three pounds and has been healthy and eating regularly.

It seems his favorite toy is a toy car. He is in for a real treat when he sees his bedroom!

I'm telling you, June cannot come soon enough....