Whew!

What a busy week this was!  In the past 7 days, we met with our home study social worker for a total of approximately 11 hours - twice at her office and once in our home.  I think Walton and I probably each spent at least 4 hours each on additional paperwork related to the home study packet.  (All this in the midst of our normal responsibilities w/ the boys, our jobs, and just life in general...)  I'm glad to have a 3-day weekend to relax!

A week ago, we had never met our social worker, and now she knows just about every detail of our lives.  I have to give her credit for making the process as painless as possible.  She has the experience to know how to get us through the long checklist as easily as we could.  She is on vacation this week, but took all of our information with her to write the draft of our home study while she's gone.  When she finishes it, she'll e-mail us the draft to proofread for accuracy.  Once it's just right, she'll put it together in a package with all the supporting documents, and we'll submit it to USCIS and to the CDA in Jamaica.  So, we will wait for approval from both agencies simultaneously.  I wonder which one will approve us first?  I am betting on the good ol' US of A....unless Walton really charms the lady at the CDA when he goes there to turn in our paperwork during his next trip in February.

  

We are asked all the time how long we'll have to wait to bring Leah home.  Our best guess at this point is about 6 months.  Yes - a long time to wait!  It's a little like being pregnant & waiting for the boys to get here, BUT the child we're waiting for this time is already experiencing life in the real world.  It's hard because we want to be the ones loving, guiding, and influencing her - and enjoying how sweet she is!  But we know that God already knows the exact path the process will take - and we trust Him to walk us through it.  Isaiah 30:18 tells us:  "But God's not finished.  He's waiting around to be gracious to you.  He's gathering strength to show mercy to you.  God takes time to do everything right - everything.  Those who wait around for Him are the lucky ones."  So while we want to rush it - He is taking care of every detail and doing it right on our behalf.  What could be better than knowing that?