Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Clinging.



This was officially posted today on the U.S. Department of State's Intercountry Adoption Website....

Ethiopia Adoption Alert

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Office of Children’s Issues

Government of Ethiopia Plans Major Slow-Down in Adoption Processing
March 9, 2011

Citing the need to work on quality and focus on more important strategic issues, the Government of Ethiopia’s Ministry of Women, Children, and Youth Affairs (MOWCYA) will reduce to a maximum of five the number of adoption cases it processes per day, effective March 10, 2011. Under Ethiopian adoption procedures, MOWCYA approves every match between prospective adoptive parents and an Ethiopian child before that case can be forwarded for a court hearing. The U.S. Embassy is working with Ethiopian government officials and adoption agencies to learn more about this change in procedures. We will continue to share information as it becomes available.

Given MOWCYA's current caseload, the U.S. Embassy anticipates that this change could result in an overall decline in case processing of some 90 percent. If this change is implemented as proposed, we expect, that parents who have begun the process of adopting from Ethiopia but have not yet been matched with a child could experience significant delays. It is not clear if this change in procedures would have any significant impact on cases in which MOWCYA has already approved matches.


I highlighted the above sentence because that is our situation...we have begun the process of adopting Caroline Faith from Ethiopia, but we have not yet been matched with her.

Here is the verse my sweet Mom texted me this morning that left me in a puddle of tears but filled my heart with such HOPE all at the same time...

"I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD." Psalm 27:13-14

Clinging to God's Word and His promises today. We are confident in His calling, and we will wait as long as it takes for Caroline Faith.

We will wait for the Lord.

24 comments:

Heather said...

I signed the petition Alison, and can only pray that the petition numbers are met! I know this breaks your heart!

Jenay said...

This is heart breaking for so many reasons. I'm praying for you and for all who are effected by this. The verse that comes to my mind when I read this is: John 16:33
33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Anonymous said...

Signed the petition & praying for your sweet family

ShellyO said...

I've signed and I am PRAYING! Love you dearly!!

The Segrests said...

I signed earlier and am getting Chad to sign as well. My heart is aching for y'all and I will continue to send prayers up for you and Jody and the kids - INCLUDING Caroline Faith!!!!
Hang in there friend.
I am claiming this verse for y'all today.

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Isaiah 41:10

Ashley said...

We are PRAYING for ya'll, Alison!!!! I can't imagine the fear and overwhelming sense of helplessness. We are covering you in prayer and lifting you up!

Hannah said...

Cling to that word. It's hard when the journey stalls, I am saying that from experience.. at one point they told us they did not see a way that Sophia would come home to us. But she did. The Lord made a way. The devil can throw roadblocks but he can NOT stop the perfect will of the Lord. Just cling to the word soon your baby will be home.

G said...

Praying, too! And trying to spread the word to as many people as I know.

Emily Ferris said...

Praying for you all, Alison!! I signed the petition, too. I'm so in awe of that verse your mom shared. May we all hope to see Him in the land of the living!! May He give you much peace in the coming days.
love,
Emily

Anonymous said...

Praying....
and signed the petition.

Joyce said...

Check your email.

Joyce said...

PS I hope you have an iPod!

Counting it all JOY! said...

Clinging...exactly where God wants you!!! I'm Praying...
"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
Signed the petition!
Blessings today...ashley

Kelly said...

We have signed the petition and are praying for this situation. My heart hurts for you...I remember that feeling--this is so similar to what happened with us in Lindsey's adoption. I know how hard the wait is.

I am very sorry, Alison!

Carrie said...

Thank you for posting the alert from the State Department. (I shared it on my blog too.)

I'm clinging right there with you, girl! I was so upset when I read the news article last weekend. But, you know...since that time God has clearly confirmed that this is His plan for us! He is so good!!

Megan said...

I was reading today in 2 peter 3 (cuz I'm behind in L3:) but it was divinely inspired for me to read vs. 9 today. "The Lord is not slow in keeping His promises, as some count slowness." Thank the Lord that He is sovereign and much bigger than we. He is able to do immeasurably more than we can even think or imagine.

Angela said...

Big Hugs to all of you! I saw this come thru on the AGCI emails today! I signed it, but better yet God wrote Caroline Faith's adoption story out already! Every day of her life is already planned out! I pray that it is written that she will be HOME very soon. God hears the cries of all of the orphaned children. I have faith that He will find a way to bring them all home quickly!

Unknown said...

Signed it yesterday...spreading the word...PRAYING!!!!

Rebecca (Craving Simplicity) said...

We are at the beginning of our adoption process and we are just heartbroken! A friend sent me your blog. I'll be praying for you and your family, and praying your baby home SOON!

Sarah said...

So happy to be clinging with you!

Amanda said...

I was nervous opening your blog today, hoping for good news. So sorry, friend. But love, love the verse your mom shared on text. God is bigger than governmental rulings!!
This must be very difficult...so thankful you are surrounded by so many wonderful people there...
Love
Amanda

Laurie said...

I can't imagine what you're going through, but I'm praying that God will make Phil. 4:6-7 a reality for you and your family: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Caytie said...

ohhh girl this news just made me sick but take heart for HE is Sovereign!! Hold fast to Him! my heart aches for you right now. I will pray for peace and for His Spirit to fill you up in the midst of the unknown.

"The name of the LORD is a strong tower;
the righteous run to it and are safe."
Proverbs 18:10

Kim said...

Every single time I read about this, my heart breaks all over again. I'm praying.