referral day: take two

It's official - we have accepted a referral for a 2 1/2 year old little boy in the DRC! His is precious and his favorite activity is eating. He will fit right in!

Since he is legally not our kiddo yet we cannot share pictures of him online but trust me, he is precious. And so young! I wasn't expecting a two year old!

So the next question is... How long?

The short answer is 8-10 months. Here's what will happen during that time...

1. The attorney in the Congo will apply for a "judgment suppletive". I don't even know what that is. Three years ago I would have cared. Now I just want them to do it and do it quickly. I don't need to know every detail. Clearly I'm not in control anyway.
2. There is a 30 day wait period after the "judgment suppletive" is applied for. Side note, in Africa 30 days is not always 30 days...
3. A "no appeal" certification is issued. Assuming no one appeals. Since this little guy has already been deemed "abandoned", in theory, no one will. Break. My. Heart.
4. The attorney will apply for a birth certificate.
5. The attorney will apply for a court date where an adoption judgment will be made.
6. After the court date there is another 30 day wait period.
7. The judge will issue a no appeal certificate for the adoption judgment.
8. The attorney will submit all of those forms to an adoption committee for final approval. This is a new step for the DRC so I am told.
9. We will apply for a visa to bring our little guy to the US.
10. We will travel and stay in country 1 - 2 weeks.
11. WE COME HOME!

According to the time frame given by our agency, this will all be finished by early 2013.

I am praying it will be done in 2012.

There are some emotional/selfish reasons for this:
I just want the waiting and wondering to be over.
I don't want our little guy to turn three in an orphanage.
I want to have him home to celebrate the birth of Jesus.
I want Moses to finally meet the brother he has been praying for for as long as he has been able to talk. Literally.

There are some practical/selfish reasons for this as well:
The adoption tax credit.
The adoption tax credit.
The adoption tax credit.
Oh, and our CIS approval expires in February. And that means Wallace home study update #5!!!

Will you join us in praying? Let's storm the gates for this orphan.

Remember what happened when we prayed for our first referral to go home? He did.

God can do it again, maybe my way, maybe not. See what I mean - the waiting and wondering?!?
Oh let it be over in 2012!