Home Study Visit #1

Ahhh. I can breathe. It wasn't bad at all. We've survived and passed our first homestudy visit! And, we've found out that we have completed all of our paperwork (except for our references that she forgot to give us the form for). We sat at our table with AJ (our case worker) and talked and talked and talked. She then inspected our home and all is well. She will now compile all of our information into a homestudy document and come back in two weeks to ask us more questions based on our information. I cannot believe I stressed so much about this. But at least we have all of our little odd jobs completed around the house and its super clean to say the least:)

Onto our bittersweet news...

From what I am hearing, the U.S. Embassy met with the Ugandan judges/government/Parliament and have enforced some different rules. Currently, the U.S. is not granting any visas for families who have been granted legal guardianship of their Ugandan babies. What used to be okay was that the Ugandan judges would grant "legal guardianship" and then these families would return back to the U.S. and complete the adoption paperwork. Well, now the U.S. is requiring the judges to write for "legal guardianship with the intent to return to the U.S. and adopt". Sounds easy...but its not. Ugandan judges have an issue with the word "adoption". It goes against their culture. They feel that families need to spend three years fostering their child in Uganda before they will grant adoptions. My heart is heavy!

Our dear friends, The Metz's, are over in Uganda trying to bring back their baby Samuel and are faced with this! God is Good and He does move mountains and this is a BIG mountain. He is the author and giver of miracles. Please pray for a change in heart for these judges. These are good Christian families who are wanting to give a life to a child and to show them how awesome God is!

This is yet another roadblock in our life. Its God's plan, I realize this and have faith in this. Tyler and I are hoping that an answer will be made for Uganda. Our hearts are there. But, we do not want to walk away without our baby. So, we are praying hard for some answers. We will continue to pursue this, but asking God to show us what path He is leading us down. We have discussed some other options and are keeping our hearts open to what His will is. Please pray for us.

God has nudged me to read Isaiah this week. Wow! It is just what I needed.

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand" Isaiah 41: 10.

"I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them" Isaiah 42:16.

"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze" Isaiah 43: 1-2.

I am constantly amazed at how God works. He knew that I needed this comfort and He is showing me that He will protect us. All things are possible through Him. He did not promise that this would be easy, but He does promise to carry us through and walk with us. I love you GOD!!