When I was a very small girl, I had a beloved toy.
My Inchworm.
I remember how the faster you tried to go forward, the more likely you were to inch backward. It is amazing to me that a toy that I loved dearly and that brought me hours of enjoyment now stands analogous to my journey as an adoptive parent.
And, unless "adoption" suddenly dons a jaunty hat and offers me a ride, I'm not sure I'm feeling as positive about the inching at this point in my life!
For us, we have inched a wee bit forward. I learned on Wednesday of this week that our homestudy had, in fact, made it to the adoption agency in its corrected, final draft form for what will be (please, pretty please!) a quick approval. I really hope early next week I will be able to update you to that effect.
We are not alone in this adoption journey, though, and for some of our fellow travelers, news abounds. Some of this news is of the wonderful variety while others involve the frustrating, hair tearing out variety. I thought I would share some links with you as you might enjoy offering some positive thoughts to those trying to make their way.
First, Justin and Nell Ann learned some wonderful news this week! Their paperwork made it through court after an unsuccessful first try (not uncommon and usually an inexplicable phenomenon). They have a son awaiting their arrival in Ethiopia. I cannot wait to watch everything unfold for them!
Second, a family adopting through the same program as our family learned that their child's paperwork has been collected and assembled. This means they will be ready to have their petition filed to receive a court date. So excited for them as well!
Finally, a story that raises my blood pressure quite a bit. I began reading this family's blog not long before their court date. On the day they passed court (meaning their daughter became legally theirs), I couldn't stop smiling as I read. As I watched the video, my eyes filled with tears to see this young lady, all of 12, telling her new family she loved them and wanted them to hurry to her. And then to realize the song running beneath the video was being sung by this family's son made it even more poignant. I was ready, yet again, to live vicariously through another family as they headed to Ethiopia to add to their family.
A few days after the joyous announcement, there were signs of trouble. Something about new regulations in the United States regarding "immigrants" and the Centers for Disease Control. Technically, our children coming to the States are immigrants and unfortunately, no delineation was made to distinguish adoptees in the new regulations centering on TB precautions. Because of these regulations, Marta--who legally belongs to and with her adoptive parents here in the States, has not been permitted to leave Ethiopia. Never mind that the TB she had has been treated and that the chest x-rays which show scarring will likely NEVER be clear--the damage is done, but not active in any way. So, Marta's file is at the bottom of a pile of others and until the CDC can sign off on her case, she is in limbo.
Her parents, for their part, are not taking this lying down. I encourage you to read the open letters they have posted on their blog. First, Mom's letter and then Dad's. They are beseeching anyone with an ounce of authority to hear their pleas, release their daughter from the red tape and then fix this mess so no other family has to deal with the heartache of waiting. The very hardest thing to see for me is this child, fully aware that she has a family, being denied the opportunity to join them immediately. Which, had her case passed court only a few days before it did, she would have--no questions asked, no delays.
I know many of you who visit this blog pray. Still others prefer to rely on other forms of holding out hopes of positive outcomes for others. I know also that many of you have directed your prayers and thoughts toward my family from the very beginning. I could not be more grateful.
This isn't to say that we don't still need your prayers and thoughts. However, if you could, give me a gift. Give me the gift of knowing that when you would normally send one up for my family in having read an update here that you will, instead, pray for Marta and her family. I want every bit of goodness that you can direct to be aimed like a laser on Marta and her parents and siblings.
That would be my belated Mother's Day request.
Let's see if we can put our collective power to good use and move those squeaky bureaucratic wheels much faster than they plan on moving.
