Ready to Travel

We have received the go ahead!!! All of Kami's documents are ready. We have an embassy date of June 17, so all we have to do now is book our flights and lodging. We are going to get our sweet baby girl! I could barely sleep last night!

A new McKibben!!!!

Our court case passed!!!!

The Lost are Found

I received a glorious email from our adoption agency today. No message...just a subject line that read "Kami's father has arrived in Addis!" The reason we did not pass court before was because he could not be found. Well, he has been found and made the 14 hour jouney to the capitol of Ethiopia, Addis, where court will be held in the morning. In a few hours, Kami could officially be a McKibben. I am overjoyed that he was found. I pray for him as he faces the "end" of his decision. I am thankful that he loves her enough to want to provide a better life for her. Please pray for him and for Kami!

I have to confess that God spoke very clearly to me this weekend. I was cleaning the house and my mind was wondering. I began praying for Kami's birth father to be found. Bam...God pops a thought in my mind..."Are you praying this fervently for lost souls, because Kami will come home when it is My time?" Can you say conviction? This waiting game is so hard. I am not saying it is wrong to pray for our adoption and the details of it, but God reminded me, once again, that He is in control! He knows best, and I need to be as fervent in my prayers for lost souls as I am for having details in my life work out the way I wish.

Yippy Skippy!!!!

We received our I7-- something something, whatever from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services today!!!!! They have ruled favorably and believe John and I are fit to parent an orphan. That was our last hoop. Now on to May 18. I need all my prayer warriors praying the Kami's birth father can be found and appear in court so that we can get my baby girl home.

We received a video of her last week. She has grown so much. She looks so healthy compared to the first pics of her. She is talking quite a bit in the video. At one point in the video she grabs a little cup and says something. Several have said it sounds as if she is saying "I've got a cup." It does sound like that, but I don't think she would be speaking English. She also calls out the name of her nanny who cares for her. I am so thankful to this precious woman who takes such amazing care of these babies and loves them so well! I have to confess that I did have a little pang of jealousy too though. I know that is crazy. Of course, I am immensely grateful for the love she is receiving. I would never wish that she was loved one ounce less. I guess I am simply wanting to hear her voice in person and not on video. I guess I am longing to hear her call for me. Selfish, maybe. True, 100%!

Mallory and I had to run some errands today. We had fun checking out the toddler toy section and the baby department of Target. I must confess that we broke down and bought Kami a pair of flip flops. I am taking a wild guess at the size, but it sure is fun to picture them on her chubby little toddler feet.

John and his dad are outside today digging holes for a fence. I need to give a shout out to my wonderful inlaws. They have generously bought the materials so that we can build a fence. What a blessing that Kami will have a safe place to roam!

Try again...

Our court case was not passed today. The birth father was not found, and he has to appear in court in order to relinquish his parental rights. I am a bit disappointed, of course, because I want her here with us. I do know, however, that God's timing is perfect, and He is in control!!! He is also personal and sweet. After that disappointing news, I arrived home from work to find a new video of our sweet girl. She is looking as cute as ever. She has on blue jeans, and she puts her hand in the front pocket. So sassy! She is also talking on this video, which I have never seen her do on other videos. Smart girl! She looks very happy and healthy, and I am thankful for the wonderful care and love she receives at the transition house where she waits. Our new court date is May 18. Please pray for the birth father to be located and make it to court. Also be praying for our I 171H to arrive...without that we cannot be given an embassy appointment anyway. More time for more fundraising now....