So ... I feel like we've been running a marathon these past few weeks, and just when the finish line is in sight - they move it, and they keep moving it! Really - we are holding up amazingly well despite all of the last minute changes.
Today, Duni called to let us know that MOWA was able to pull all the paperwork together, but the judge was overbooked and could not review the case today. So somehow, we were slotted in for a court date 6 days from today. There has been a little confusion as to whether that date is Aug 4 or Aug 6 (counting the weekend or not) - but regardless, it is boldly highlighted on the calendar and we look forward with hope and great anticipation to hearing good news - and being able to share pictures of our 2 sons for the first time!
We're off to the last regular season soccer games of the year - tournaments start this weekend. Go Cheetahs! Go Dragons!
I can hardly believe it's true - but there is still an ember of hope glowing brightly and about to burst into flames! Earlier today, I received a phone call at work and glanced at the caller-id. The 703 area code signalled that it was a call from our adoption agency. I answered, welcomed Duni home and thanked her profusely for her hard work and perserverence - she then explained that she had "good news and bad news". (The bad news ...) She did appear in court on Friday and was again declined for a new court date.
(The good news ...) However, the judge inquired about medical issues for any of the kids, and she was able to present 4 families with doctors' notes in their case files. (These were for mild medical issues in the past.) The judge then asked her to acquire the needed recommendation letters from MOWA (Ministry of Womens Affairs) and then he would approve the adoptions.
Essentially - this is exactly what happens at a court date. MOWA reviews the paperwork and then issues a recommendation. At the court date, the judge reviews the information and then approves the adoption. Duni has secured a committment from MOWA and expects the judge to approve the paperwork tomorrow. She said it is likely that we will travel one week after the next travel group!!! (That's sometime in late August!!!!!!!!!!!)
Amazing news and we are waiting hopefully and prayerfully for Duni's phone call tomorrow. As I write this post - it is 5 am in Ethiopia and a new day is dawning!Also - we sent care packages and photo albums to our boys with the Ducommun family, who will be arriving in Ethiopia with the next travel group on August 8. Hopefully we will arrive shortly after to bring our sons home!
Thanks for checking in with us. Duni appealed for an earlier court date today but we have not heard anything from her today. There is always the possibility of a power outage or no internet connection. She may even be on her way home already. We have settled on the knowledge of an October 8 court date and if it gets moved up we will be thrilled. But as of today - no news.
We are still waiting for final news on a possible court date before the courts close from Aug 7 - October 7. We received an email from Duni today saying she did in fact appear in court on Tuesday and was given a court date of October 8 for us. (This is one day after the courts re-open.) She appealed for an earlier date on Wednesday and was declined. She appeared in court today, and was again declined. She is planning to appeal a 3rd and final time on Friday. Please pray for a miracle change-of-heart for the judge and safe travel for Duni as she returns home to her family.
I am amazed at Duni's perserverence. We are truly blessed to have her working so hard on our behalf. Regardless of the outcome, I am able to rest easier knowing that she did everything possible for us.
We also received news that 3 families who had a scheduled court date for today - PASSED!! Congratulations to the Cox, Moles and Ducommun families who will be travelling to Ethiopia in early August to bring their kids home. Waiting families will be sending packages with them to be hand-delivered to our kids at the Transition Home.
Still no news from Ethiopia regarding court dates. In her last correspondence, Duni said she would contact us Thursday morning. So we hope to have news tomorrow ...
We just spent a long weekend on the north shore of Lake Superior. A fantastic weekend in a truly grand location. I have tons of pictures to share but my camera battery is still charging for the download and I have urgent news to share on the adoption front.
Today I received an email from Duni, our adoption agency Representative, who is diligently working on our behalf in Ethiopia trying to secure a court date before the court closure on August 7. Initially, she was optimistic and confident that she would be successful in securing dates for families with referrals. But it looks like we may have missed that tiny window of opportunity by a day or two. Here is Duni's email to the 10-12 waiting families - she is requesting specific and urgent prayers.
Dear Families
I thought I would update you on what is going on as I know you are all anxious and also, after knowing the situation that you may pray specifically. As you know nothing happens the way or on the day you plan it here [in Ethiopia]. I was hoping I would have some solid information for you by today but nevertheless there is some progress. I will be appearing before the judge tomorrow to hear when your court date will be. They are no longer issuing dates for before the closure. I am 99% positive that I will get a date for sometime in October. My plan is to go back to court on Wednesday and appeal. Your children don’t have anything life threatening so I don’t have a major excuse to appeal nor is there any reason for the judge to grant it. I am going to try anyway. I am asking all of you to pray for God’s favor and for the judge to show us some kindness. You shall hear from me, whatever the outcome, by Thursday morning. ~Duni
No matter the outcome, we will set our minds to be at peace with the situation, knowing that Duni has done everything possible for us. I cannot share specific details about our sons or pictures until we have a successful court date. If our court date ends up being in October, it will most likely be November before we can travel to ET to bring them home. I am saddened to know that our oldest son was brought to the orphanage in October of 2007 and that he may not be home yet in October 2008 - with his family here who is waiting to love and protect him. He knows about us and he knows we will be bringing him home as soon as we possibly can. I pray it is sooner than later. I'll post again as soon as we have news.
So ... I feel like we've been running a marathon these past few weeks, and just when the finish line is in sight - they move it, and they keep moving it! Really - we are holding up amazingly well despite all of the last minute changes. 
