Getting Closer

Two and a half months ago we saw Yenenesh's face for the very first time ever.  And, since then, while we wait for courts to reopen in Ethiopia, we've managed (so far) not to go completely crazy.  

It helps that we've been SUPER busy.  

And that God is faithful to sustain us during a time when there's absolutely not one thing we could do to change our circumstances.  Short of moving to Africa, I guess.

But now, we find ourselves REALLY starting to feel the reality, excitement and anticipation of what's about to come.  

As I shared earlier, our Preliminary Hearing (PH) is scheduled for next Tuesday, October 22nd.  We do not appear for this portion of the process, but our agency's in-country director and a representative of Yenenesh's orphanage will proceed on our behalf.  

The very next thing to happen following this PH (assuming that everything goes well) is that we are given a court date and, because we do appear at this hearing, travel dates.

I polled some of my fellow adoptive families (on our Facebook page) about how quickly this portion of the process went for them and was pleasantly surprised that it can be pretty quick.  I also emailed our Lifeline lifeline (pun intended) and was told that once the hearing takes place, it can take 7-14 days for a court date to be scheduled.  HOWEVER, she also pointed out that (because of the court's closure), there will be no backlog of cases.  We should be/are one of the first families with cases being heard once court reopens.  She recommended that we be prepared to travel on short notice - YIKES!

It is so surreal to think about the fact that we are finally fast approaching that moment when we will meet our daughter face to face.  

Please pray for our PH which will take place on the 22nd.  Technically, because of the time difference, it will happen while we are sleeping on Monday night.  

Pray for Yenenesh.  With as many emotions as we are feeling/have felt, I can't even imagine what's going on in her little heart and mind.  Adoption is a beautiful thing but ALWAYS comes with great loss.  Out of respect for her story, I will just say that she has suffered much loss and soon, though she will gain a family, she will lose everything else in her life that she knows, including but not limited to her culture, her country, her language; the nannies who have loved and cared for her and the friends that she has made at the Transition Home where she now resides.  Nothing here will look the same, feel the same, taste the same, sound the same or smell the same.  We must not forget that.