This may be more of a rant than my normal upbeat blog post. Just warning you..
OK, so it's been 9 days since my last adoption post and for good reason. It seems like nothing has happened. We've been waiting on the official court ruling document. Apparently, that takes some time and its what is currently holding us up. It's been a frustrating wait as we've been told it was done and proof read days ago. At this point, the judge just needs to sign it. Once again, 'Africa Time' seems to be playing itself out.
As I've informed you before, the ruling is needed for the passports and the passports are needed for the visas. Our case worker seems to still think that we will make our October 23 flight date, but with every passing day, that date seems daunting. We've already changed our flight date once, and that was not a cheap thing to do.
Also, over the last few days, Viola seems to have gotten used to us, especially me. Since there were not many men in her life before me, I think she had a tough time knowing how to act around me. Now, she more often than not, prefers to play with me or have me hold her. She's also accomplished such feats as wearing pants for the first time and actually leaving food on her plate.
However, now that she's more comfortable, she also acts like a normal four year old .... who was previously malnourished ..... who doesn't speak our language ..... who had no rules our boundaries in her previous environment ..... [so not really like a 'normal' four year old]
SO, sometimes [most of the time] she very much dislikes our constantly directing her in the way she should act in public, interact with the host families belongings, and so on.. To sum it up, its been an exceptionally frustrating few days.
So, please continue to pray for us and especially our October 23 flight date. Its hard not to be a little [LOT] homesick when it seems like we're so close to being done with our work here, yet things aren't currently panning out so well.
Derek, Kristen, Viola, and Gideon
Thanks for courageously sharing the other side of this journey. It is good to know how we can pray for each one of you. I can't imagine how ready you are to get home.
ReplyDeleteThese days are the real deal, When your faith moves even deeper into your whole heart, mind and soul, when verses like don't worry about anything, take on a surreal and impossible quality.
Never stop taking your whole self and all of your thoughts and fears and tiredness to Jesus, he will help you wade through it all. Keep taking risks to bring people into the confusion, hurdles and disorientation, as well as the freakishly beautiful faces and smiles of your babies. It is hard to believe that very soon you will look back on this time as memory.
I love you both. I miss you and I am praying peace and power and strength for you and Kristen.
Karla sums it up nicely. You have been called to parent these precious kids and God will enable you to do so. You have already done an incredible job in the very short time you have had these precious little ones.
ReplyDeleteWe miss you and cannot wait to help with these precious little souls. We love you all and are anxiously awaiting you to come home. We will pray on the Oct 23rd date and plan on seeing you then:) Mom
Hang in there!
ReplyDeleteKeep your chn up!
There is a silver lining!
When life gives you lemons, make lemonade!
Turn that frown upside down!
I thought perhaps you needed some encouragement cliches to boost your spirit. Or maybe to make you more annoyed by the cliches than you are by your current situation. :) If that doesn't work, re-read what Karla and your mom said. Good words there.
I love you, too!
Cindy