still on the edge of our seats...

The consensus from the other adoptive families was April 11th for our court date, but we have to receive confirmation of this date from the Ethiopian court before we can book our flights. Our agency e-mailed us this morning and said they are "frustrated, confused and in disbelief" because the judge did not approve our court date. Apparently he approved a court date from a previous submission, but not for the three cases that were submitted together (ours included). They said the court is usually very reasonable to work with and they are really surprised by this response. The in-country staff member for our agency is going to be communicating with the judge this weekend or Monday at the latest.

My guess is that the 11th is still a possibility. Our agency requires that we arrive two days prior to court which means we will have to leave next Friday or Saturday at the latest in order to make it there on time. Or maybe it will end up getting pushed out a week or two. Time will tell.

For now, we will move forward as if we're leaving in a week so we're prepared for either scenario. I'm thankful for such a supportive, helpful family... Dave's family has offered to babysit Ben today and tomorrow so we can get things in order-- pack suitcases, go to our appointment for travel vaccines/meds, shop for last-minute items including stuff for L and his orphanage, finalize our will, submit our taxes, get things prepared for Ben, etc. And my parents are willing to be on stand-by and book flights to CO at the last minute.

The adventure continues!! :) 

MOWA Approval!!!!!!

Yesterday we received SUCH GREAT NEWS!!! 

While Ben was facetiming with his papa, I dismissed an incoming call from Florida thinking it was just some dumb, automated call. When Ben finished his "conversation," I noticed an e-mail on my phone from our adoption coordinator Angela with a message in all caps: "CALL ME." I keep forgetting Angela lives in Florida. That was not an unimportant call that I so casually declined! My heart skipped a beat and I felt my stomach flutter as I instantly called Angela back. I kept myself composed, pretending to be calm and unexcited just in case she didn't have the news I was hoping for, "Hi Angela, this is Rachel Fritzler..."

"You've received a positive comment from MOWA!" YES!

"Would you be able to travel April 4, 6, or 11?" WHOA! That's next week!!!

Angela explained that there are two other families who received MOWA approval yesterday, so we are waiting for the other families to decide which day they can travel to Ethiopia. We told them we can make any of those days work. Apparently, the court process tends to go smoother when they can complete a few cases at a time. We anticipate this trip to be about 5 days long. We will meet our son!!! And appear in court to legalize the adoption. Sadly, we will not be bringing him home with us, but it should only be a matter of weeks before the U.S. Embassy in Ethiopia will give us an appointment to return to Ethiopia once they have completed the final approval for our adoption. That trip will be quick, only 3-4 days and we will be able to bring baby L home with us at that point!

We are beyond thankful for this answered prayer. There are still a lot of hurdles and hoops to jump through, but the MOWA approval felt like the last major one. Obviously we have a LOT to do now. Book flights to Ethiopia. Visit a travel clinic for meds/vaccines. Make sure everything is in order at home (and work for Dave). Arrange for my parents to come to Colorado to stay with Ben. Pack. More paperwork. It's easy to get caught up in the to-do's. 

I'm trying to not get overwhelmed and just soak in what is happening here. Almost three and a half years since we started this journey. "O give thanks unto the Lord for HE IS GOOD." And I know He will continue to guide each step and help with the details.

Thank you for your continued prayers!!

6 Months

6 months ago today was when we found out you were going to be our son. At that time, we hoped we would have you home within 6 months. But you're not here yet so we press on. Hoping. Waiting. Praying.

We still don't really know the outcome of the court date on the 20th. All we know is that we cannot receive our court date until we get the official approval from MOWA. Recently the response times from MOWA have been taking many, many months but we are praying that we will hear from them very soon.

God has reminded us to be persistent in prayer. Sometimes I feel like a broken record, but it seems that God values our repetitive, relentless prayers. I liked the NIV translation in the verses below: persistence = shameless audacity. So we will "always pray and never give up." (Luke 18:1)

Luke 11:5-13

Then Jesus said to them, "Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.' And suppose the one inside answers, 'Don't bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can't get up and give you anything.' I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need.

So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"