Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Sweet Sixteen!

Today, January 17, 2012, marks exactly 16 MONTHS on the AGCI waitlist for our baby girl in Ethiopia!

I love hitting these "waitlist anniversaries" because I know that it means we are another month closer to our Caroline Faith!  Our agency's estimated waitlist times have fluctuated greatly over the past 16 months.  When we first got on the list on September 17, 2010, we were told to expect to wait 12-18 months to get a referral.

Then a few months later, we rejoiced when our agency lowered the estimated waitlist times to 9-12 months.  But several months later, we were back to the 12-18 month estimated waitlist time.  And just yesterday, we were told in an email update to prepare to wait 18-24 months or longer for a referral.  We were totally expecting this, but it's still hard to see it officially in writing.

It looks like the Lord is asking us to wait a little longer on our baby girl.  So, now we can probably expect a referral anytime between March and September of this year.  For right now, I am trying to ignore those two little words "or longer" and just really hope and pray that we will fall somewhere in that 18-24 month timeline.  Summer is my favorite season, so maybe the Lord will bless us us with a sweet summer referral!

So, I am trying to prepare my heart for this new "18-24 month window" of waiting.  I know the Lord will give us the grace and strength to endure the wait ahead...no matter how long it is!  Thanks for hanging in there with us, following our journey, encouraging us, praying for us, asking about the process, etc.  It means so much more than you will ever know!!!

Oh yeah, almost forgot.  I celebrated our "16 month waitlist anniversary" by going to the health department  to get a TB test done for our home study update!  Checking things off the list!!! :)

To our sweet baby girl,

We are trying to prepare to wait a little longer before we see your beautiful face.  So hard to do, but we know that the Lord will be with us!  I truly believe that He has the perfect day appointed for us to get your referral, and the perfect day appointed for us to bring you home!

Every month that goes by brings us another month closer to both of those perfectly appointed days, and that thought fills my heart with hope! We pray for you constantly, talk about you all the time, and think about you every single day.

Your are loved, sweet Caroline Faith.  Somehow I know that this extended wait is going to make your referral day and your homecoming all the more special!  You are so worth the wait!  We promise to continue to try to honor the Lord fully in each day that He asks us to wait on Him.

Hold on, baby girl.  We love you, and we're coming soon!

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:6-7

3 comments:

Kelly Johnson said...

Love your outlook, that you are getting closer to her instead of complaining that it is taking so stinkin' long. :c) I can't wait to see you at C4C SOON! :c) I know it will be so encouraging for all of us.

leemeandthegirls said...

Yay for hanging in there! I have no doubt God has great things in store for your family this year with Caroline Faith! Oh,and I talked about you today. :) http://leemeandthegirls.blogspot.com/2012/01/in-most-simple-ways.html

mustard seed said...

found your blog, blog hopping :)

We are also currently at 16 months waiting for an ethiopian adoption too (with another agency).

It's so tough adjusting with the time increases :(