What day do you consider the first day of the week? Some consider it Sunday…others Monday. My life-long involvement with church has shaped me to consider Sunday to be the first day of the week. Now that we’ve clarified that:
This is the week we’ll finally have our day in court!
Back in July, when we figured out we had missed the rainy season and wouldn’t be traveling until October or November, we were so crushed…and quite honestly wasn’t sure we would make it. In a lot of ways…and like many times before…we just had to mentally check out. Take a back seat for a while. Think about something else. Do something else. Try to ignore the cute nursery waiting to be filled. Take the Frog Bath Toy holder off the shower wall. Take a small hiatus.
To pass the time, A made our Countdown to Ella that has graced the kitchen cabinets since late July. When she made it - probably between lots of tears - it seemed like an eternity. I remember eating dinner that first week and looking at that calendar and thinking “You have got to be kidding me!”
Each day that passed, we would move a tiny photo of Ella over one day, and mark off the day with a pink heart written with a Sharpie. Day by day, Sharpie heart by Sharpie heart, we are now to the actual week of court. It’s already Monday in Africa, so we’re on our way to our big day.
Friday is the day the judge will look over our paperwork and will hopefully sign off on it. If he does, then it’s official: we will be parents of the most adorable little girl! Although our agency, their lawyers on the ground in Africa as well as the orphanage director and social worker have spent these months going over everything, there is still a chance the court could want something more. Of course, we hope it’s all good and we pass through, and that is certainly what we’re praying for…every few minutes! Plus, there is always what we faced in July - power outages that prohibit court from working. We’re really praying, though, that it all goes through.
Today, people at church kept asking me what I was feeling…and it’s hard to say.
There is definitely a level where I’m trying to not get excited, but it’s extremely hard not to do that. I’ve really come to realize this is one of the big emotional differences between China and Africa: when you get a photo from China it’s pretty much a done deal. In Africa, you still have to wait a long time and there are still huge obstacles to get over. That is a big deal emotionally, I’ve come to learn.
But, as I said…it’s hard not to get excited. We really are closer than we’ve ever been, and it’s hard to sink into the reality that we are going to have a child…in our house…in our nursery…in our arms…and in our hearts. I really feel like I’m part of something so much bigger than myself in this, and I don’t know how to describe that without sounding grandiose. But there are certain ways that I feel like I’m a fortunate passenger along on this ride that is going to impact tons of people…in many different places…and I’m just grateful to be here.
I know I’ve asked you several times already…and you’ve already said you would…but would you say a prayer or two for us this week. I hope to be posting good news for everyone on Friday.
D
A
