July 8, 2014 – a Tuesday. I got some information
today (!) which has left me feeling a bit melancholy. I mean, essentially,
everything is good news as we are moving forward, making (slow) progress, doing this thing! But, I am a Mama and I can hardly wait to wrap my arms
around our daughter. And, people, it is going to be a while.
So, news that I did not care for included the hard truth
that after our petition gets approved
by the USCIS, then we can then submit
our dossier to Uganda and then it
will probably (and this is a really a l o o s e term) be about a year until we bring her
home. In a former life, I also used to
submit documents to the USCIS (for things other than adoption). This is a
government agency. While the government has some good qualities, excessive
speed in granting petitions is not typically one of them. However, I am
preparing for a smooth process.
I cannot submit our form until our Home Study is completed
and filed. We are still waiting on the state of Texas to get back with our
agency confirming that my husband and I do not harm children. We have found
ourselves living in the largest state in the nation and we submitted this stuff
almost a month ago, but moving on. …..
Now, I am just whiney. I hate whiney. No whine is allowed in
our house, unless it is the kind without the “h” in it. We knew that this was a
process. I am trying to look at this like the pregnancy of an elephant (almost
two years, right?!) than that of a human. I have a new respect for elephants.
Ok, the good news was that the lady in charge of our
daughter’s children’s home is doing some intensive training with her staff
regarding the writing of their social reports. This is something that we will
probably receive (along with a picture!) that discusses our child, her
interests and tells her story. While English is spoken in Uganda, so are many
dialects and community languages. So, all of us will have a few language
barriers to cross at some point. The fact that training is being done is a step
forward for us and other parents-to-be of Ugandan children.
In my distress, I told the boys about how we will not have
sister here for Christmas. I said that she may not be here until the end of
next summer. Olaf said, “that’s ok, Mom.” And, Jonah told me, “Mama we will
have her for every Christmas after that. We can love her every day” What a
blessing. They are right. They still pray that she will get her quickly – love
these precious people!
One thing that I know to be true is that God’s timing is perfect.
He does not usually work in my time zone, within my wants and perceived needs. Although,
I trust that He is in charge. He is pushing things along as they should go
along. He will make sure that the perfect little girl for our family will find
her way to us. So, since patience is something that I excel at (HA!), I will attempt
to put my mental brakes on and let this process happen. I am in charge of nothing
– how my children behave, what others think, if my air conditioner will come on
or not. The only things that I can truly control are my actions and words.
So, I am giving this back to you, God. You put this vision
in our hearts and I know that you will see this through to perfect completion.
I will use this time wisely; investing in the children that we already have in
our home, reading and learning more about how to properly care for and love on
our soon-to-be daughter, and worshiping you. This process will most likely take
longer than I want, but I will hang on to your words and trust in your timing.
You have never let me down.
God’s way is perfect. Psalm 18:30
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