The countdown has begun. Today I realized I only have 9 more days to work. NINE. Nine days to train someone to do my job, to say goodbye to all my co-workers who are now all my dear friends, and to tie up all the loose ends. Leaving is hard and I'm sad about this. Then I think about Bobby and getting him and having him here back with us and I'm so excited. So, it's bittersweet. When I started this job I had not worked for 15 years and entered with gratitude but also with some sadness for the loss of life as I had known it since our kids were born. It was a difficult adjustment emotionally for me and I was torn as to whether it was the right thing to do or not. Now, after almost six years of working full time and finally making the adjustment to a "new normal" it is time to do it again. I love the people I work with, they make my job not seem like a job at all but as a place to be together while we all do certain things to make the school run better. They are all so fun! So, I know to be patient with myself, grieve the losses, and look forward to all the blessings that I know will come with opening our hearts to this little one.

Today I received this message from a friend who is at Amani now, Emily. She said, "Hello!!! I just read bobby his book, and told him how wonderful his family is and they are coming to get him! He started crying, and I started crying. And he wants to see you "on the video". Oh, and Bobby says "I love you!"

I love you, Bobby!! Hold on, we'll be there soon. We got our plane tickets finalized tonight! We leave March 31 and arrive in Uganda on April 1, then to Jinja on April 2.

Yesterday I had to leave work mid-day to pick up a meal for someone I was "making" dinner for. Coming back I had the idea of sending Bobby some kind of calendar so that he can mark off the days to get a better idea of when we will be there. I know of a local lady going to Uganda next week who said she can deliver the items to Bobby. After talking to my sister, she had the idea of a paper chain. She teaches in a K-2 magnet school and is a good source for developmental appropriate ideas. So, today I am cutting strips of paper to send with a roll of tape so that Bobby and the Oatsvall's two children can count down the days till we arrive.

Yesterday we tried to Skype Bobby but did not make the connection. Today I received this message from Mary, the adoption coordinator who is in Uganda now. She said, A volunteer came to me today and told me this story,"auntie, I want to see my mom." "she isn't here yet bobby." "I want to see her on the computer". He is a smart little boy. When he saw me today we told him again, one month. he repeats back, one month. we know he understands you are coming.

This is so sweet. I know he doesn't have a concept of how long a month is but I think he is now hopeful because he knows there is a definite date. We will try again this weekend or next week to Skype and I will let you know how it goes.

THE call!!!

This morning at 5:15 the phone rang. With young adults in our family and one of them not living at home, this is always a little scary. Buddy was up as usual and answered. It was Mary from the Amani orphanage! WE HAVE A COURT DATE!!! Praise the Lord!!! The LONG awaited court date is April 6, the Tuesday after Easter. Another blessing is that my friend Gwen Oatsvall has the same date also!! A link to her blog is on the side.


After emailing with Gwen yesterday and both of us a little discouraged with the wait, I went to the Y and this is the scripture I received: "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6
This comforted me yesterday because I felt like God was telling me to hold on, have faith and I would find Him faithful. Thank you, Father.

Now, 5 weeks to countdown and a LOT to do! I'm open to any advice anyone wants to give me about traveling to Uganda.