We had an unexpected opportunity to try and beat the upcoming Christmas and Timkat office closures; so Osvaldo and I hopped in the car and drove to the Secretary of State's office in Austin (In reality, he drove. I slept comfortably after a penicillin- ibuprofen cocktail). =) After our dossier updates were authenticated, we walked a few city blocks over to USPS and had them expressed to Washington. Good news is that our updated dossier made it to the State Department, was picked up at the Embassy, and will be couriered to Addis Ababa within the week.
On Friday, our family coordinator shared the news that our kids will be moved into the transition home this Monday. We were elated to hear that they would be there in time for Christmas and Timkat. The move is one big step closer to the their forever home with us in Texas. It's also a huge change for them and likely required saying goodbye to many of their friends and the familiar place which has been their home for the last year. Thankfully, the transition home offers healing and hope. There are devoted caregivers and trained psychologists on site who address grief and help the kids prepare for the transition into their forever family. Our hearts and minds have been consumed with praying the kids through this change.
Will you please join us in praying for their protection and security? We pray that their little hearts would know the assurance of God's presence and love. He has a prepared a blessed future for each of them. We are so thankful that their futures include us!