Word Has It...

...that the Ethiopian courts are open and are planning to assign future court dates this week for those of us who were filed before court closure...yippee!!!!! How am I going to sleep any night this week?!

October 13th...

...that's the date Ethiopian courts are supposed to reopen. We haven't received a date for our case yet. This morning at church one of the pastors talked about the things that people have weighing on their hearts and minds, even though they may not talk about those things. I had a hard time holding back the tears. I don't talk about it much and I try to look at the positives in this situation, but I long for my little boy, whom I've never met. He's been at the orphanage for almost a year now. Does he think that's his permanent home? Does he get to look through the photo album we sent him months ago with pictures of us? Is he getting enough love and attention?

Dear God, please protect Jonah Nahom's little heart, mind, body, and spirit as he waits to come home. Please help him to feel loved and protected by You. Comfort him when he is hurt, lonely, and afraid. Prepare us as we wait. Help us to trust You. We know You love him more than we do. In the strong name of Jesus, amen.

Are They Open?

Rumor has it that the Ethiopian courts re-opened today, or it might not be until next Monday. Either way, it's good news for us. We still haven't received a new courtdate yet, but I am holding out hope that we will hear something very soon. I hope so. I'm getting weary and I'm starting to think Jonah Nahom will never come home.

Waiting...

Well, courts officially closed a few weeks ago, but will be re-opening on September 27, which is early! I had been hoping we would already have a courtdate scheduled for the beginning of October, but nothing yet. I'll keep you posted.

On Hold

Well, it's not official yet, but it sounds like we won't be getting a courtdate until after the Ethiopian courts close and re-open for the rainy season. I believe closure dates are August 21 - October 1. There is still an outside chance we'll get a date before courts close, but it's very, very unlikely. Assuming we don't, the best we can hope for is an early October courtdate. If Jonah Nahom's case passes the first time, which isn't impossible, but not typical, either, then the earliest we could go get him would be early- to mid-November. I haven't given up hope on an August courtdate just yet, but I'm trying to be realistic. Even though this isn't really "news," I wanted to update those of you who have been wondering, and sometimes asking, whether or not we've heard anything. The only upside to this, that I can see, is that it gives us longer to come up with the money we are going to need once we pass court. While time seems to be moving so slowly until we meet Jonah and welcome him into our family, I am reminded that God's timing is not ours and what seems so very long to us is really just a blink to Him.

Update

We just heard today that the Ethiopian courts have again started assigning and hearing abandonment cases. This is great news! We are hoping to hear by Thursday when our new courtdate will be. However, we are also moving Thursday, so it may not be until the end of the weekend before we find out our date and can share that information with all of you.

Case Not Heard

As was expected, though we were praying and hoping differently, Jonah Nahom's case was not heard on Thursday due to the fact that he was abandoned and abandonment hearings have not yet resumed. We are prayerful that his case will be heard before courts close at the beginning of August for the rainy season. If it is not heard and approved before court closure, the earliest his case would be heard would be October. Please continue to pray with us for a speedy resolution and for Jonah's peace of mind and comfort in the meantime. Thank you for your faithfulness to us and and to this beautiful little boy who is already our son in our hearts.