Joy to My Soul

When I said, "My foot is slipping," your love, O Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul. --Psalms 94:18-19

My mom came into town after *Viola's surgery ... huge blessing ... and we had an incredible few days together. I still need my mom after 34 years. I hope my girls (and boys) do to!



The surgery was uneventful and we're still praying for Viola's hearing to be restored to 100%. She goes back to the ENT on May 24 for a follow up about her hearing. Coming out of the anesthesia was another story ... it was a nightmare. Wow. She also got terribly sick from the pain medication and throat/ear surgery plus throwing up = not.good.results. Today is day 11 post op and she is doing better than I imagined. The surgeon said her tonsils and adenoids, throat, and ears were full of strep infection. She's had strep 7 times since November ... in truth, she probably never got over it the first time. She is finally looking healthy. Finally! Clear eyes. No dark circles. Her rashes are clearing. Her color is coming back. She has more energy. More smiles. Fewer tears. Less naps. She can sit upright for longer stretches. Fewer tummy aches. More outside playtime. This is such an elixir to our weary weary souls. She still has a very long road ahead, but this is a promising first step. We had so many family and friends praying for her and loving her from afar ... there are no words for our gratitude.

While my mom was in town we ventured to Wendy's for a little lunch. I've been home for days and days, probably weeks and weeks ... daydreaming of that phone call from our adoption coordinator. I had just paid for lunch and my mom was corralling the kids to the table, I had my hands full with jackets, the diaper bag, and the tray of food, when my phone started buzzing in my back pocket. I thought about ignoring it, but in that split second, I thought, "it just might be ...". AND IT WAS.

We have a court date!

In one month from TODAY we will be boarding a plane (with a tremendous travel group) and flying to Ethiopia to become the parents of one little person half way around the world.

Fun trivia: Our court date is exactly 9 months to the day from when God stirred our hearts to be his family and we sent word that we would like to accept his referral.

Months and months of waiting ... reigning in our anxieties and deepest fears ... finding the courage to be faithful and steadfast that God had gone before us and was paving our perfect way to this little boy. In that moment in Wendy's, my once cautiously brimming heart overflowed with joy.

A million adoption puzzle pieces have to fall into place seamlessly for us to pass court while we are in country. Please pray that our MOWA letter is ready and that the judge finds favorable determination with us and that we leave Eth belonging to this child. (Also, I have an intense fear of flying ... lots of prayers and well wishes would be especially coveted.) This will be our first overnight away from the kids, ever. And, nine years since we had a getaway alone. It makes me woozy to think of leaving our three at home for a week, but Grammy and Papa will be so much fun! Pray for a smooth week for all of us as we are apart and as we come together on different continents. 

With utter faith,

*I've decided to use our children's middle names to protect their privacy while not making me crazy trying to remember what bloggy names I've given them. My mind is mush lately.