The 5th time is the charm...

Yes, you read that title correctly.  Finally, after the 5th date/time that we have had an appointment for our embassy, it actually happened!!!!  Holy Cow!!  This past month and a half has been so stressful for us. (And that is an understatement.)

We never in a million years thought we would have this much trouble when it came time for embassy.  And let me be clear- it was not the actual embassy that was the issue. It was the person we had representing us that was. 

It really is a long story to tell of the events that have taken place over the last month.  One day I will tell of those events, but not today.  I do not think it would be wise to do that before we actually have our daughter on US soil.  But I will say it has tested my faith.  It is very humbling and even somewhat embarrassing to admit that, but it's true.  There was one day last week that I was so upset.  Thoughts sprang into my head that this adoption was not going to happen.  That the past 2 years and 4 months have been for nothing.  I was asking God "why?" 

Thankfully, my awesome husband that I am so blessed to have, brought me to reality.  He said, "We have to trust Him.  He's got this under control."  We spent the next 30 minutes praying together.  Then I spent the next couple of hours just giving it ALL to God, confessing and repenting of my lack of trust and faith.  And when I finally just gave it to Him (like I should have already done) I had such a peace in my soul.

When I went to bed that night, I was utterly exhausted.  I knew that I would sleep well.  However, I woke up about 3am and couldn't go back to sleep.  I tossed and turned for a couple of minutes and prayed once again that we would hear good news.  I still couldn't go back to sleep so I decided to check my phone for the email that we had been waiting for.  And IT WAS THERE!!  The email we had been waiting for to let us know that everything was going to be okay!

Just like that- our prayers had been answered and our day had a total new outlook.  Oh how I let my circumstances dictate the day that I am having so many times!! 

And it became so clear to me once again the things God had been teaching me throughout this whole adoption process.  Thank you, Lord, for the ups and(and maybe even more so) the downs of this journey!!! 

So, now where are we?  We are just waiting to get the approval to travel.  We are hoping and praying to travel in the next 2 to 3 weeks.  We need to travel before the end of November because our visas will expire if we don't.  So you can be praying for that!

There are 3 families in Congo this week with our adoption agency that have been able to see Emmalyn and love on her.  We are so thankful for that!  It's been fun keeping up with their facebook and blogs to see how their personal experience is going with their kiddos and what it's like being in Congo. 

Now we just dream of the day that it is us, and we are confident that it will be soon! And the list making and packing shall begin!!!

SOON SHE WILL BE IN OUR ARMS!!!

This is the picture we received last week when we found out everything was okay.  The first picture we have ever received of her smiling!!!  Isn't she beautiful?  (We did find out, though, from the families that are there now that her head has been shaved.  We don't know why.  So, the next time we receive a picture of her it will be of a bald beauty!)