A Destiny Decided By Hours....from Andy

 Imagine this: 14 years old, lived in an orphanage your entire life, your country finally opens for international adoption a few years ago, seeing other younger children find families, knowing that you may be stuck simply because the timing did not work out for you. You treasure your education, appreciate any meal.....you posses infinite hope in spite of unimaginable hardship.

And then one day, a single picture of you and your little brother finds its way in front of the eyes of a single perfect soul somewhere literally on the other side of the planet. You learn that this person is trying to rescue you. Without even hearing her voice, to you, she is already, "Mum". Yes Mum.

Now imagine this: a contemporary American family with three awesome kids, two working parents, one complicated weekly itinerary and zero margin of error for monthly cashflow. So many blessings, so many distractions, so many challenges......so many reasons NOT to make our life any more complicated.

Yet, here we are. Andrea and Evan on a flight to Ghana to see Joseph and Askia for the first time.
In spite of the announcement from Ghana suspending international adoption, it seems that our status is barely on the right side of the cut-off date. Literally by one day. Wow. Think of how that one day changed the destiny of these boys, our family and yes even you- our friends. There are still many obstacles before us. More mountains to move in this very complicated and red-tape infested process.
We are simply taking it one step and one day and one crisis at a time. Through faith.

Why are we doing this?

When I tell people that we have 3 biological kids and we are in the process of adopting 2 older boys from Ghana, the surface reaction is usually something like " wow, that's awesome, you guys are amazing humanitarians , blah blah blah" .  However, I sense that their thought bubble is often saying "seriously, do you know what your getting yourselves into?" In fact, this was MY initial reaction to the concept. Honestly, we really don't know what we are getting ourselves into.

All I know is that I love my wife, I love my family and that our whole life together has been blessed and rewarded for over 26 years through a willingness to take bold action. We acquired a crack house and renovated it ourselves by hand. We got a gas station and turned it into an institution. We bought a 5 bedroom riverfront house in 1994 with NO MONEY and NO CHILDREN. Our life has been defined by crazy faith.

To pull this off and bring these boys here; to give them hope, a family and a future ....we will need your faith too.

Love trumps Greed.

Andy

"Alert: Government of Ghana Suspends Intercountry Adoptions"

So after several hours waiting in line at the Ghana Embassy yesterday, we were told the soonest it would be ready for pick up would be Monday after 1!!!  But we are supposed to leave on Friday.  Clearly this would not work.     I quickly hopped on our Ghana Adoption FB Page for advice.  Thankfully someone quickly replied saying that there was a Ghana Consulate Office in Houston and they provided a quick turnaround.  We made the decision to take our chances on Houston.

Prayer answered.  A very kind woman by the name of Dianne assured us she would turn it around same day once she received our application and passport.  Andy and I hurried to the UPS Office down the street to send it Next Day Air to the Houston Consulate to an "angel" named Dianne.

On the way home from DC, we stopped for lunch and to pick up some last minute items for Ghana.  We have to assume this would be road block was diverted for now and we are back on track for our Friday departure.  After all, Dianne assured me she would turn the Visa around same day.

I'm back in my office by 3, emotionally drained but optimistic all will be fine and this was just a minor hurdle.
My bigger problems now lie at work.  We are in the middle of a major site re-launch and a couple of large design projects in NYC and Miami.  I have a great, dedicated, supportive staff at my office but I hate to leave them with so much going on and me so far away with little or no internet connection.

By 7:30 I am now emotionally and physically drained and it's all I can do to make it home to a relaxing bath, dinner and bed!  And now this .....  Andy reads the headline to me from the Ghana Adoption FB Page. The same page that had delivered my angel earlier in the day is now reporting this news?!?

Andy and I look at each other in disbelief.  Is this the sign that it's now time to abort our "orphan rescue" mission?  After all the headlines sound pretty clear.  All this work we have done and now the country is cutting off the opportunity of a forever family for these poor boys?   I just couldn't talk about it anymore and crawled into bed praying that God would give us a sign as to what to do.

I guess Andy needed the rest to come to a conclusion this morning.  The fact this message comes just days before we head to Ghana to start adoption proceedings is just typical for an "Edmunds' adventure".  Of course you will still go, he says.  We've come this far.  They surely can't mean us when they make this kind of announcement!!  

Alert: Government of Ghana Suspends Intercountry Adoptions

Until the next chapter ...... prayers appreciated!!

~ Andrea

"Let Go and Let God"

Yes, easier said than done at times.     I tend to worry too much about things that are out of my control.  But if we are following His path, He will meet our needs.    May not be in my time and as I would handle it but that's part of letting go.

The entire adoption journey up until now has been a walk of Faith.   So we will continue that walk today; even if it leads me to the Ghana Embassy in Washington, DC.  I so do not feel like making that drive this morning.  I am only in my office 4 days before I leave for 2 weeks.  I have so much to do and the absolute last thing I want to do is drive this far  and sit all day waiting for Evan's Visa.  I have requested twice but each time they have sent it back asking for more information.  At this point, I have no choice but to go in person since we leave on Friday.  

I am sitting here this morning complaining about my "misfortune" and "hurdle"; yet maybe I need to change my way of thinking and look at this as a very clear message that this is my path today.   At times I get frustrated because the path/choice seems unclear, it really does always unveil itself when I pause and listen. 

By the same token I need to see the "uncomfortable" trail as a blessing that I at least can see it and know where to go.  And that's what I shall do today.    So DC, 4 hours in my car and possibly hours of sitting in an Embassy Waiting Room, here I come.   I will open my eyes and ears to the message and lesson that lie ahead today.

God - please make this day simple in that they issue Evan's Visa without any problems.  

~Andrea

He is either everything or He is nothing at all .......

A very dear friend told me that today.  And I so needed that reminder.

So it's official.  Evan and I fly to Ghana a week from today!    Still so much to do and so much I am worried about while I am away but I know I am not alone in any of this.

Last week we were honored to have Carrie, her three children and Mary, the Orphanage Director and "grandmother" to the 74 orphans at the Offinso Home for Children in Ghana spend some time with us in our home.  Carrie is the one who put that original post/plea out there on Adeye's FB Page talking about the boys and their desire for a forever family.  She and her family live in South Carolina.

Mary was in the US briefly; escorting a sweet 18 month old boy to his new family in Michigan.  Allison and Tim Nelson are now enjoying life, as they never knew before, with a handsome, busy little boy named Eli, who was brought to the orphanage after his mother died suddenly.

This is Joseph with Eli in Ghana.

We were so fortunate to spend so much time with Mary and get to know her. It's evident she loves these kids wholeheartedly and has devoted her life to their well being and care.  It's so reassuring to know that Joseph and Askia have always been loved.   Mary brought letters the boys had written to us.  In them they express their gratitude and tell us how anxious they are to see us in Ghana.

Having gotten to know Mary a little better has certainly made us all feel more at peace about the upcoming trip,   I think it especially made Andy feel better about our traveling so far away. Mary has assured us she will have one of the older boys (from the orphanage) pick Evan and I up from the Kumasi Airport and drive us to our hotel.  Evan and I will spend the first night in Kumasi and on Sunday we will meet Joseph and Askia for the fist time.

As Evan and I are getting prepared for this unbelievable adventure, I find myself an emotional mess this week.  I am sad about missing Madison's very first prom and just being away from them for so long.  It definitely helps being able to take Evan with me.   I am also an emotional wreck at work finding myself worrying about everything and everyone while I am away.   I actually cried in a meeting today discussing priority lists for product loading.

I have to remind myself I am not alone in this and God is in control and NOT me!!  I need to let go of my fear and worry and have FAITH.   Someone shared this with me this morning and I liked it.  I will remind myself of this when I am feeling overwhelmed and out of control.  "I have enough. I am enough and I do enough."

Tomorrow we will start packing our suitcases and preparing our hearts for the trip that will forever change our lives.


~Andrea

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.