Feeling a little like Cinderella!

It has been nice to take a break from reporting all the drama that comes along with an international adoption.  I can't say that it has been all bad.  Actually, none of it has been bad, just trying.   God has been stretching my faith and having me surrender completely to Him.  For this, I am grateful.

The kids and I have had a wonderful couple of weeks...sleeping late, staying up way too late and all sorts of fun filled activities tucked in between.

These extra weeks have been a great time to build memories and treasure just being a family of 4.

As court closures are fast approaching (Aug. 7), I am feeling a little bit like Cinderella.  Just as she was dreading the clock striking midnight, I too am DREADING the thought of not passing court BEFORE the court closure period.  I feel rushed, in a hurry.

I have requested prayer on our behalf soooo many times and yet here I am asking again!   Please pray that God would continued to sustain us.  That we would remember that He has already won this battle!   Our ultimate goal is for Jesus to receive all Glory and Honor through our journey.  We (mainly me) have not always been trusting and honestly questioned God's timing.  There is a bigger picture, one I cannot see.  It simple involves a God who KNOWS the what, whys, and hows of this process.  It is simple my job to surrender.  So... I am choosing to find JOY IN THE JOURNEY!  Wherever He leads, I will follow.

On another note...my sweet and precious husband is having an MRI tomorrow.  Would you pray that all is well?  He has been experiencing some hearing loss and the ENT wants to rule out any tumors or diseases before we discuss treatments.

Blessings!

The cloud is lifting...

A giant dark cloud has been over my family since last Thursday.   The last 3 days or so have been some of the lowest days of my life.  So many tears shed, so many emotions.  

BUT...I have decided to:  pick up chin, put my big girl panties on and... DEAL WITH IT!  Really, what choice do I have.   My children need me, my husband really needs me.  We are dealing with a major setback as best as we can.   Even though Ava is not far from my thoughts...the reality is, she is not here.  She is being well taken care of and is growing bigger every day.  God has provided a special friend for her, which I am SO grateful for.  I have to live in the HERE and NOW with my two precious children.  The show must go on... 

The cloud was a little smaller this morning when I woke up.  I see the sun peaking out a little.   We have planned  a small getaway, just the 4 of us.  We are going to concentrate on loving each other.   These days are precious.  I love the summer with the kids.  We will plan a little more since we will be home most, if not all, of the summer.

Only God knows when Ava will be coming home.  We may pass court the next time and we may fail again.  Either way,  I need to be prepared.  I am just not sure how to do that.    I will continue to surrender my fears and emotions to my creator, Ava's creator.  I find comfort that He is still watching my little sparrow-- Thank you Jesus!

Failed Court AGAIN!

I am so sorry friends I am just getting around to letting you know the terrible results to our court date. We are super sad to tell you that we did not pass court, again.

The judge is requesting additional information pertaining to our daughter's birth family. A situation that will surely delay our case for several weeks. No new court date in sight.

We are sad, angry, frustrated, and more. I cannot get through one hour without breaking down in lonely tears.

I am not worrying about tomorrow, I have to focus on the moment. The next second.

Nothing really else to say.

Please pray for our family.

With love-
K

Sweet Ava B.

Today we received an INCREDIBLE update from our treasured friends, Billy and Cindy Foote.  (I have posted a portion of the email below). They were able to take a care package to Ava B. and also shot some video and more photos.  They are in Ethiopia now picking up little Gracie-Lu.  I am overwhelmed with so many different emotions.  I just want to bring my daughter HOME!  PLEASE pray for us... our 2nd court date is in 2 days.  Thursday, June 11, we will find out if we found favor with a judge in Ethiopia.  I am requesting prayer also for Ava's heart as another HUGE transition will be happening in her life...soon.  

Kara,

I want to share a few encouraging words with you today!!!

Your sweet baby girl is just that – sweet! She is GENTLE and so very reserved. We tried our hardest to get her to laugh, but the more we tried the more scary we looked to her and I didn’t want to make her cry. We got great video and pictures of her. We blessed her and just stroked her hair and her arms. Her hair is soft and her eyes are amazing. She is one of those babies who just needs one on one attention and she will blossom and thrive. She is just tentative and scared when it comes to meeting new people or having a camera in her face. She is such a doll. She just stared deep into us the whole time. You can see a million questions swirling around in her head. I think she is probably very observant and inquisitive but too reserved to let you in on what she is thinking. You are the perfect family for her! We love her so much already! 

A blessing!

A little background to this story:

When my two children were born they both wore special coming home outfits.  They were beautiful and soft, both with smocking and very delicate.   I wanted to find Ava something similar.  Something special to mark her coming home to her forever family.   

I searched high and low and came across a beautiful lady by the name of Sandy.  I love the detail and thought that goes into each of her dresses.  Sandy is a believer and while she is making Ava's dress she is praying over our sweet girl.   WOW!  I love that.   I chose a soft lilac color.  A slip is also being made---complete with one of our favorite monogrammed bible verses.   I can't wait to see the final product.  

This morning, I received the following email from Sandy:

Kara - 
 
Just wanted to touch base with you and tell you that I am still working on Ava's coming home outfit. I was "sick unto death" for about a week, and got behind on stuff - but I am back to the land of the living. 
 
I was sitting here tonight, and it occurred to me that I had not caught up on your blog in a while, so I pulled it up and started reading. About halfway down the page, I froze. If there was ever a doubt that this dress was a divine appointment for me - trust me - there is no doubt. 
 
My private label is named "Nana's Heart" in memory of my Mama - who passed away Feb. 12, 2005. Her absolute...no question about it...always gave the same answer to the question, "what is your favorite song" was His Eye is on the Sparrow. It was one of only two songs sung at her funeral, and it brings me comfort as no other song does. Hardly a day goes by that I don't hum at least a little of it. My favorite piano solo is an arrangement of it, and I am often asked to play it, because "it comes straight from the center of my heart" (my good friend told me that, and it was one of the best compliments I have ever received!)
 
Now I know that someone might argue that it is a popular song, and has had sort of a resurgence in recent years as some young Christian artists have performed it - it's probably also the favorite song of many people. But a baby's nursery done in sparrows? Please...that is a first for me. Mama would just go nuts over that. I wish I had thought of it!!!! I do not believe in coincidences, and I felt a little tap on my shoulder from my Heavenly Father as I read that blog entry. 
 
Sorry this is so sappy - probably a sign that I should just go to bed! Anyway - just know that I haven't forgotten you - and yours. I have a couple of little index cards with "Ava" written on them stuck where I can see them often. I'm going to go pencil in the new court date - so I can lift up that day in prayer! And because I just know that the Lord is going to expedite things - I better get to smocking and praying FAST so that little one will have her dress in plenty of time.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!
In Christ,
Sandy

Incredible, huh?  Another amazing gift sent to me from God.  I too, do not believe in coincidences, I believe God knew that I NEEDED this email, today!  Thank you Sandy for blessing little Ava and for being open to share your heart.  

Blessings!

K

Next Step

The last week I have been listening to this song:

Next Step
Melissa Greene, Bernie Herms, Richie Pena, Matthew West

Have you ever been too weak, too weak to stand, to weak to even try and understand
Every tear, every pain inside
Have you ever been knocked down, broken and tired, slipping away, losing the fire,
Stuck in your life, can’t ever seem to move on
You don’t have to be the one who see the way this all will end

All you got to do is take the next step, come on come on, and take the next step
When your losing the fight and the finish line’s too far away
All you got to do is take the next step just get back up and take the next step
Deep in your soul there’s a strength just to face one more day
Just take the next step

Have you ever been held, held by a peace, a peace that you can’t ever explain
A calm in the ache, joy that you feel inside
Have you ever been carried, lifted by arms standing you up, up off the ground letting you know that your never walking alone
You don’t have to be the one who sees the way this all will end

You can’t control the future and yesterday is gone, but the God who wrote your story is the God who moves you on.

Powerful.  This is all I can say!   

*** I can't seem to download this to my blog but you can listen to it HERE!

 

We have a NEW Court Date!

YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!

Can you hear me rejoicing in Texas?  

We received a new court date today (our 2nd)!  

June 11, 2009 is the next date!  

That is only. 8. days. away!!!!!  

There is always a chance we could fail court again but we are hopeful that the judge will declare Ava B. to legally be our daughter that day.  

Please begin praying, NOW!!!

We have no idea when we would travel if we pass---it does not really matter!

8 days---YEAH!!!