So Much to Say, So Little Time

Just got back from a run.  Thought it would settle my nerves.  Nope!  :)

Let me back up a bit......

On Tuesday morning we got an email from our caseworker asking us to call her.  She had an update on Jude.  As I was reading the message, I realized that they only give updates on your children if they are sick.  I tried to be positive and Derek and I made the call.  "Jude is in the hospital and is very sick" is what we heard her say.  I stood there silent as she shared the very minimal details regarding our son's health and hospital admittance.  We asked a few questions and got very few answers.  It was already evening time in Ethiopia due to the 8 hours time difference so there was very little we could do.  Pray and wait.  So, we asked our friends and family to be in prayer for our baby.  Since we were on a conference call, Derek buzzed home immediately.  So grateful he did.  I was sobbing, of course.  I wanted to trust God with his whole life but sitting here, a world away, feeling helpless for my baby boy!  We spent the afternoon praying and making phone calls to different people at our agency asking what we could do.  We wanted to rest in God's plan and purpose but also knew He was calling us to advocate for our child, just like we would here, with our girls.  Hard to do when you know nothing!
So, we waited and trusted. 
All through the night we kept checking our email and waited for phone calls and nothing.  So hard.  The next morning we waited for an update call from our agency.  Derek got one on his cell.  He called me and said they knew very little because communication wasn't working due to computer issues.  Just a short time later that morning we got another phone call.  Derek called me at the house and said he had our agency on the other line for a three way call. 
She proceeded to give us wonderful news about Jude getting better and going to be discharged from the hospital very soon.  Praise God!!!! 
As if that wasn't enough good news at that moment, she went on to tell us that we....
GOT A COURT DATE!!!!  July 10!!!
Finally!!!
Just 24 hours after devastating news, the most wonderful news ever!!!  God has such a way to help us place the last bit of anything we are holding too tightly before His feet!  We had to. 

It has been an absolute whirlwind for the last 9 days! 

Fast forward to today.  We are packed and pretty much ready to go.  Derek and I leave today to begin our journey to Jude.  We are feeling so incredibly blessed and very excited and nervous all at the same time.  Hence the run to try to calm down.

Some added blessings along the way we could never have imagined.  Derek and I get to spend the 4th of July in Washington DC!  And since it's our 16th wedding anniversary, we will celebrate by taking in the fireworks on the mall lawn by the Washington Monument.  Can't believe it!!!  We will also be traveling with three other adoptive families going to meet their children for the first time.  What a treasure!!!

Lord willing, we will meet our son Sunday, which will be Saturday night local time. 
It's finally here!!!!  It's been a long road but thanking God for HIS perfect timing. 
Thank you for your prayers, support and encouragement over the years!
We love you all!

Off we go!!!!!