Father, if it is Possible…

The good news- We were delighted to receive word yesterday, that our birth family has a court date this coming Monday (June 10^th) in Ethiopia, to finalize their part of this adoption.  That’s the last step before we travel for court.  Traditionally, the adoptive family (that’s us) has been given a court date about 4 weeks after the birth family appears in court.

 The bad news- Our anticipation and excitement was short-lived.  Today, we received word that the Ethiopian courts will close on July 6^th for the rainy season.  This is an annual closure, though our adoption agency noted that the closure is unusually early this year.  Apparently roads wash out and there’s flooding that makes it impossible for people from outlying regions to get in to the capital city for court business, so the courts just close.  We knew the courts would close this summer for a couple months.  However, it traditionally happens in late July or at the beginning of August.  When we got the notice about our birth family court date, we thought surely we’d get our court trip in before things shut down for the rains. 

 The synopsis-

• Birth family court date scheduled in Ethiopia-06/10/13
• Approximate date we would have court scheduled in Ethiopia-07/08/13
• Confirmed Ethiopian court closure-07/06/13

 Problematic discrepancy-2 Days

 Are you kidding me??!!  Two Days!  You’re telling me that a couple days may cost us months with our daughter?  Without going all clinical and psychological here, they are some precious, critical months.  I want those months.  A couple months more of attachment.  A couple months more of healthcare, of enough formula, of met needs.  A couple months less of developmental delays to be addressed.  A couple months less of being an orphan.  I don’t want to be ugly.  I’m trying to be patient.  I am certainly a more patient person now than when we began this adoption journey.  But, here’s how I do NOT want to spend my summer…waiting out rain and knowing that our girl is spending another day without a mommy and daddy!  No more backgrounds to be checked, no more forms to complete, just rain.  As my friend Chris Carter on ESPN would say, “C’mon man!”

 The request- Would you please join us in showering the throne of heaven with persistent supplication to this end?  Please, God, that the birth family would make it to court on Monday and that all would go smoothly.  Please, God, that there’d be no hiccups or hang ups or missing paperwork.  Please, God, that we might be granted a court date prior to the court closure on July 6^th.  We know it is possible.  We know He’s big enough for this.