No Good Very Bad Day

The U.S. State Department has just issued a press release stating that no new adoption cases from Nepal will be processed. Meaning, we will not be bringing home a child from Nepal.  Families who have already received referrals will be able to process their adoptions, but no new cases will be allowed through. There was a line in there about hoping to open it up again, but I am not aware of any programs that closed opening up again (Vietnam, Guatemala, etc.).

This is not completely unexpected but I still feel like I've been punched in the gut. Especially since we got our hopes up this week. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to throw up.

Please pray for us. This was not a surprise to God, and we praise Him for His goodness even through our heartache.

Surprise Referrals for Our Agency

The San Jose International Airport has a new terminal with the greatest airport bathrooms ever. The stalls are big enough to wheel a stroller or rolling bag in with you, and the doors open out so you can get out without dumping your kid or your suitcase in the toilet on your way out. They're awesome.

What does that have to do with adoption in Nepal?

Nothing, except that's where I was when I got the call yesterday telling me that our friends, Tanya and Mike, got their referral for their son in Nepal! He is 19-months-old and shares Kyle's birthday!! The reason their referral is a surprise is because they were logged in in December, the last dossier sent from our agency, and yet there are probably 6-8 families logged in before them (although many of those families might be waiting for girls or younger babies).

If Nepal was going strictly in order, we would have received our referral first, but this is proof that the Holy Spirit is doing the matching (as if we, the parents of Kylelissaphyllisgeorgemarilynelmer Jr., needed proof of that). I told Tanya that I can't wait to watch their son grow up in their family, the family he was very clearly created for. What a blessing to see one more orphan receive a last name, a family, a legacy!

As if that wasn't reason enough to rejoice, Tanya also passed along some exciting news-- our agency told her that Nepal said two more referrals are on the way, also for children older than infants (what we requested). They were told the referrals would arrive today, but it doesn't look like that's going to happen (Nepal has the same concept of "manana" that we do I think). They have no way of knowing if one of the referrals is ours, but it gave us all a good heart jolt yesterday.

The fact that their son is 19-months-old and not closer to the top of their requested age range (3) makes me wonder if our son will also be younger. I'm thinking probably so since I've been mentally preparing for a 3 year old. And also because I spent last week with my good friend Melissa and her adorable and super busy almost-two-year-old daughter telling her, "Don't worry, it gets easier!" The 18-30 month range is NOT the lazy mom's ideal season! But we will be delighted to have Tow Truck home for as many of his months as we can get him, so whether he's 13 months or 3, we will be overjoyed!

Needless to say, I will keep you posted....