Adoption is hard.
HARD.
I’m not going to lie, friends. Though I know there are different and difficult challenges to come, this (hopefully) last part of the wait is horrible. I am a MESS.
Our daughter’s case was submitted to the U.S. Embassy on August 29. This Monday, we received an email (cc’ing the wrong agency, BTW) from the Embassy requesting a birth family interview. This was expected and normal, and in other recent cases has been scheduled within 24-48 hours of receipt… but of course this week Ethiopia is celebrating its new year (they follow a different calendar), so things haven’t moved beyond that request.
In the meantime, I feel like holing myself in the corner and rocking back and forth, wailing.
Does that sound like an over-reaction?
Consider how I explained my feelings to my kiddos when they witnessed said wailing:
“You know that Mommy loves you so much. You are each a part of me. If you were stuck somewhere I couldn’t get to you, somewhere far away, I would do ANYTHING to get to you. ANYTHING. Well, right now your baby sister is halfway around the world… without her Mommy, without me… and I can’t get to her to wipe her tears, to take care of her owies, to hold her when she is sad. I can’t bring her home yet, and it’s tearing me apart inside because — just like I would do ANYTHING for you — I would do ANYTHING to bring her home with us. Can you understand that?”
Three nodding heads. And one sympathetic crier who proceeded to cuddle with Mommy for the next hour as I wept. Thanks, sweet Annie. :)
There is no getting around it. Please bear with me… and if you’re so inclined, please pray to God to open the doors so I can fly to her as soon as humanly possible.
This part of the wait is awful, awful, awful. Throw in a misdirected email and an Ethiopian holiday, and there’s good reason you’re feeling so crushed. Having been there, I know the only relief comes from progress in your case. So I’m praying–HARD–that you get some progress soon.
And bless sweet Annie.
xoxo
So hard. Hurts so, so bad. And you just wanna scream at the sky WHY IS IT TAKING SO LONG?!?! Sending hugs and prayers for you today, friend.
I was there just a few months back. I’ve not forgotten. She’ll be home soon! Hugs-
This, too, is a trial, especially crafted for you by your loving Father to draw you nearer to Him. Cling to Him and know that your Father is also her Father. When you can’t hold her, He can.
My mommy’s heart aches for you. Your sweet baby will be home soon, and this will be a fleeting memory. God has the perfect timing for everything all planned out, and He knows your pain. He knows your heart. He has chosen you to be the perfect mommy for your four babies. Sleep well, my friend. She is coming!