The anticipated phone call....please pray

Yesterday early afternoon, the old land line phone rang....Yes...do you recognize these kinds of phones haha? Our cordless was on the blink and we're not sure why....Anyway, I digress. The ring is unmistakable so I whirl around to the kitchen to get the phone. It was "K" our case worker...Immediately, I said, "Do you call bringing good news of great joy?" (referring to an embassy date) and she said that she brings good news with caution. She said our paperwork had been submitted to the US embassy on Tuesday and they were waiting to hear if additional information is needed. You see....at the beginning of Dec., the US embassy decided to further investigate the cases. The additional information that they want varies from case to case so it is not something our agency can just automatically give when they submit our paperwork. This additional safeguard is put in place to ultimately protect the children (orphans). Apparently, there are people still doing things unethically that warrant these measures....

Having said that, she wanted us to explore itineraries with the possibility that we will get the Jan. 10th embassy date. She then went on to say it was a 40-60% chance, but she wanted us to be as prepared as we can be...Since this new policy has just gone into place...it is new for all adoptions in Ethiopia so it comes with little certainty and a person may not know until a few days before they are supposed to fly out, that they will indeed be "cleared" and booked for the embassy date.

So, I was ecstatic and nervous all at the same time...The kids were totally overstimulated b/c we had been to a place called, "Lanes & Trains" that morning for $1 bowling games. We had just walked in the door and I was trying to get sandwiches together ASAP as Spencer was going APE!! I wolfed down my turkey sandwich and pretzels and peruse through my old emails till I find the two travel agents I want to call (It is a pre-req. to use a travel agent..Some people may not, but they're crazy when traveling for an overseas adoption.) I called both of them. They are both great....One got back to me immediately. The other called back early evening. Her rate was better and she said she thought we could "hold" (no payment obligated) until next Tuesday. However, she called tonight saying that Ethiopian airlines wanted us to book by tonight so we cancelled. I know it all sounds crazy....It is!

We got off the phone tonight and 2nd guessed ourselves...It's just it was going to be a $200 charge per ticket to change and we really want to be wise stewards...We do know though that the longer we wait, the prices will continue to rise...what to do...what to do....Our caseworker did email us yet again today to reiterate to "tentatively" plan but not book yet.

So, here's where we need you....Please pray for these specific things:

1. That Justus' file will be complete and no further information will be needed.
2. That we will receive "clearance" from the US embassy.
3. That we will get a confirmed travel date once the clearance is issued.
4. That all this will happen sooner than later. (You know flights are cheaper when they are booked further out as opposed to last minute.)
5. That God will grant us peace.
6. That we will miraculously get good rates.
7. That God will continue to move on the hearts of people to help us fund this last trip to Ethiopia....

**God has provided through friends, family, complete strangers, co-workers, jobs, side-work, refunds, extra checks, and a giant yard sale over $24,880 dollars so far.....YEA GOD! We're so close to the end!!

These scriptures come to mind tonight....
Philippians 4:19
My God will supply all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus.
Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Thank you so much for interceding for our family.
With Much Love,