Struggling.....

So hear it is April 25th and I am expected to be on a plane in less than a month (May 15th to be exact) to Ghana to meet our boys for the first time and spend time with them.

So many emotions these past couple of weeks about leaving.  We were advised to plan on a 2 week "bonding period" and then we would come back a few weeks later for our court date.  After much family discussion, it was agreed that Evan would go with me on the first trip.  Andy and I agreed we couldn't both leave our kids for two weeks but I can't bear to be away from my whole family for two weeks.  So, as a family, it was decided Evan would join me. 

Evan is thrilled at the thought of spending 2 weeks with his brothers and all the other kids at the orphanage.  He sees this as an adventure and let's face it, 2 weeks away from sisters and school is most appealing to a 9 year old boy!   Although, he had to agree to be "home schooled" by me during our 2 weeks away.  Thankfully, his principal blessed our trip and agreed it would be an incredible opportunity for Evan.

Now the struggle......

So I woke up this morning feeling very strongly about putting this out there because I know that when He does work this out,  it will be in His time and the reason and timing will not only be a lesson for me but will be a testimony to others. 

We have gotten to a place where finances are preventing us from taking that next "leap of faith".  The flights alone for two to Ghana are $3200. right now.   Up until this point, the money has always come just when we needed it.    I know it will now too.  I'm just getting a little impatient.  The longer we wait to book our flights, we risk the prices going up.

I wondered if this is a sign we need to postpone the initial trip.  I just don't know but for some reason, we cannot take that leap to book our flights just yet.   I've had a few offers from friends wanting to initiate fundraising for our adoption but I just have not felt comfortable doing that for many reasons.  I feel like there are so many families out there that need it worse than we do. 

Because God has had His hand on every aspect of this adoption process, I know He is still right here with us and He will see us through to the next phase of our journey.  One of my dear friends told me this morning that He puts us through these hurdles so that when we get through them, we are more grateful and He is more glorified. 

~Andrea

Keeping the Faith

So after worrying how in the world we will handle four weeks in Ghana, I am reminded that God is in control and He will not give us anymore than He knows we can handle.

Andy and I seriously began questioning how we could manage the 4 week requirement; even if we split it up.  I made a decision not to worry too much about this yet.  I just have to believe God would not have brought us this far for something like this to deter us.

After emailing Mary to explain just how difficult this requirement would be on our family, she came back to us a few days ago suggesting we come for two weeks middle of May and return for court in June or July.  So even though the return court date and length of visit is a little uncertain at this time, I can rejoice that the original 4 week requirement is now only 2 weeks.  This is manageable and we are grateful for this.

We have also decided that instead of my going alone,  Evan will go with me for the two weeks.  It will be an amazing opportunity for him to experience and he will enjoy bonding with his brothers.   Madison and Emma agree this is a good plan.  Their acceptance was important to us as we wanted this to be a family decision.

After getting the blessing from our school today, we will begin looking for the best flights right away.

My lesson in all of this has been to learn to let go of fear and not let fear control me.  "Our course has been charted.  All is well.  Today I will relax, breathe, and go with the flow."

Some un-settling news from Mary.

 So today I've been expecting to hear from Mary with our May court date and instead got this:

"DEAR ANDREA AND RUTHANNE,TODAY I MET WITH THE FAMILIES OF THE KIDS, THE REGIONAL DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND THE LAWYER. AFTER A LENGHTY DELIBERATION THE OUTCOME WAS THAT ADOPTERS HAVE TO BOND WITH ADOPTEES BEFORE THEIR APPLICATIONS ARE SENT TO COURT. THIS IS THE NEW GOVERNMENT DIRECTIVE. I AM THEREFORE ASKED TO TELL YOU TO COME TO GHANA. YOU HAVE TO PLAN TO STAY NOT LESS THAN FOUR WEEKS. SO WE DECIDED THAT BECAUSE I AM COMING TO AMERICA AND WILL NOT BE BACK TILL 13TH MAY. SO YOU CAN PLAN TO COME 15TH OF MAY. YOUR STAY SHOULD BE FOUR WEEKS. THE MAN OR WOMAN ALONE CAN COME.THERE IS NO NEED TWO OF YOU IE HUSBAND AND WIFE COME. AFTER YOU GO BACK THEY WILL ARRANGE FOR JULY FOR THE INTERVIEW. PLEASE NOTE THAT IF THEY DONT DO THIS AND YOU COME FOR COURT YOU MAY BE REFUSED THE ADOPTION DECREE.I HOPE YOU UNDERSTAND ME. I HAVE FORWARDED ALL THE DOCUMENTS AND YOU WILL BE INTERVIEWED BY THE LAWYER AND SOCIAL WELFARE WHEN YOU COME IN MAY.MARY"

I am going to try not and panic yet.  I am going to pause and turn this over to God.  Four weeks is pretty unrealistic but this journey thus far has been one FAITH.  I was just reminded of that from one of my very dear friends tonight.

On a lighter note, Evan thinks this is great news and doesn't understand why I see this as a problem at all.  He says he will go with me and play with his Joseph, Askia and all the other boys in the orphanage for 4 weeks.  He sees this as a break from his sisters and a party in Ghana!  LOL

Clearly life is easier when we view it through the eyes of a child.