Slight Change in Plans

We had hoped to hear from our social worker last week regarding our referral. So halfway through this week I couldn't stand it anymore and emailed her and asked if there was ANYTHING I could do ahead of time to make the process after the referral go quicker. She said that I can start filling out the I800 and other paperwork so it will just need to be dated and signed. Within an hour she had emailed me the documents and we spent the next hour going line by line through each document. With having to fill out 3 sets, it was over 100 pages!

Then at the end of the conversation she said she needed to give me some news. Everything is going fine, except our timeline is going to be pushed back by a month, most likely. Our dossier was submitted to ICBF in Bogota on Jan 6, and on Jan 20th it was approved and sent to Medellin's ICBF. Unfortunately, the ICBF let her know that they will be unable to give us a referral for another 3-4 weeks. They didn't offer any explanation, either.

We are HOPING that the reason is because they are updating our kids' medical reports. The information we received back in October was already about a year old.  So it would be great if they are getting the whole packet of info current.

So that means that we are looking now to travel in late April, not March. We're pretty bummed, but are still thankful that we DID get ICBF approval- which apparently can be difficult the first time through, sometimes.  It will give us time to do all the extra things on the To Do list and try to save some more money. I do have to say, I'm also pretty disappointed that I don't get to spend the cold Maryland winter months in beautiful, sunny Medellin! LOL!

I struggled a little bit feeling irritated that our travel plans were messed up. Feeling tired and weary of all the delays we've experienced over the last year and a half. Feeling sorry for us. Feeling really ready to just be done with the process and get our kids.

But, I've been reading through the Pentateuch where the Israelites were whining about God's timing and plans for them to enter the Promised Land. I started thinking, "How arrogant they were.  Sheesh. Why couldn't they just trust God's timing!" Uh, oh. That very day God revealed my judgemental heart. I was doing the same thing!! How arrogant of me to demand we travel when WE think we should travel! How dare I feel sorry for myself when I KNOW that all of this is God's BEST for me! Can I not trust the All-knowing, All-mighty, All-sufficient God with our adoption travel dates? He knows best even when I think I do. So, I'm thankful for this lesson about trusting God along this journey. Thankful that He didn't let me continue in my selfishness and arrogance. Oh, there is so much to learn! I am thankful He is patient with this slow learner!