IHNFA is on strike so there isn't any news on our dossier. Our new documents are in Honduras; one has to be translated so hopefully that is being done. Emily from our yahoo group compiled a list of families who are waiting to bring their children home & emailed it last night. I was excited to look through it this morning. Now I know who to pray for.

2 more documents down...

Yesterday I got a new employment letter & had it notarized & certified. Today T & I made a quick trip to Nashville for the apostille. Hopefully it will be in Honduras early next week and hopefully it's what IHNFA wants.

Talk about interrupted plans- and God showing me again that I am not in control. I had a to-do list a mile long today & thought I would make some progress with T at preschool. He played his Leapster all the way to school this morning & just as we pulled into the parking lot announced his belly hurt. And then he threw up. I know he was car sick but I couldn't very well leave him at school, so we headed home. It's a little funny now that it's over and he isn't sick but needless to say, my to-do list is now even longer. But I spent the morning in the big city with my big boy. I have what I call a "negative sense of direction" which means whichever way I think we should go, really the complete opposite direction is correct. I'm sure it would have been funny to trace the path he & I made to the Tennessee Tower in search of the Secretary of State. And the thing is- I had been to the office in August! If we would have simply gone about 3 blocks from our parking lot we would have made it there in about 10 minutes. But of course that would not have been near the adventure we had. T kept saying "I remember where we parked the van!" until we were headed back and he realized he was clueless. I love that kid.

The letter

I received the most beautiful letter in the mail today--- our new consulate letter! Joe picked it up for us on Thursday. I praise God for his work in this situation. I prayed, David prayed, my friends & family prayed, and it was done EASILY! Our program coordinator was also able to ensure that other families who had already traveled to Atlanta will also be able to receive their new letters without a return trip. These things mean a lot as we wait, jump through hoops and wait some more. What would I do without my praying friends?

Painting

IHNFA reviewed our dossier & has asked for a new letter from the consulate and a more in-depth letter regarding my employment. I almost panicked about the consulate letter as Atlanta is 5 hours away, and we have already been once. In the past it has been difficult to contact anyone there.The first thing I did was email a few prayer warriors and ask them to pray specifically that we could get this taken care of easily. I think "easily" was a big leap...we're talking about the government here. But God has shown himself mighty and we should have our new letter in the hands of our friend, Joe, in the morning. Joe works a few minutes from the consulate and he is helping us out---again, along with his precious wife Kelly who will mail that beautiful piece of paper to us.

I painted the boys room this week. I hate to paint. I'm no good at it. I like to begin projects but become easily bored, and painting isn't something I can shove into a closet, shut the door and forget about. The worst part is prepping- moving furniture, washing walls, removing hardward. I just want to start and get it over with- I was tempted to just paint around door knobs and skip cleaning the dust from the corners. But I did it the right way and as I did I thought about our adoption journey. It hasn't been fun so far. It has been stressful. My insides feel tight and doubt creeps into my head... did we choose the right country? is this the right time? do we really want to do this? is it ever going to happen? And then I am reminded of the paint prepping, and I know God is preparing us for something- I mean someone- really beautiful. The boys' room isn't perfect, I have already chipped paint and I even see a few tiny spots in the carpet, but it's pretty and clean. And it's a lot like this journey we are on, it's not fun but we have faith that what God started in us he will finish to his own glory.

If you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You'll get his help, and won't be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who "worry their prayers" are like wind-whipped waves. Dont think you're going to get anything from the maker that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open."

James 1:5-8 (The Message)