Hello, Good News!

After months and months of sad, hang in there, good things have to be coming soon, clinging to elusive hope blog entries, I am overjoyed to be writing to share something GOOD.

I wrote the other week about the result of some important meetings regarding adoptions in Ethiopia. The decision was made that all children who have been cleared for adoption must be put up for domestic adoption for a period of two months prior to bring declared eligible for international adoption. For us and our kids, that meant another two months waiting before any children would be matched with their families. Even the kids who have been paperwork ready for the last six months and just waiting on a final signature.

We were devastated. Two more months. Sixty more days before we would hear any good news. Eight more weeks that these children have to wait to be matched with their families. Cue hysterical tears at work and then all the way home.

But then I got a text today from my adoption soul sister, Amy.

"3 referrals went out this weekend!!!" 

Our agency posted an update online that yet another change has been made. Usually, this is where my stomach does a free fall and I brace myself for news of further delays. NOT TODAY! 

The Ethiopian government has amended its recent decision, and now all children who were pre-approved at the time of the policy change are automatically eligible for international adoption! That means that the two month domestic adoption rule applies to children who are newly being processed, which in turn means that referrals can and will go out starting immediately. 

This is an absolute miracle. We had no indication at all that this was even possible. The Ethiopian government had made its decision. It was final. But then this great God I love, who sent His own Son to redeem mankind to Himself, this same God kicked down the door of impossibility and moved a mountain. Thank you, Jesus, for overcoming the humanly insurmountable. 

And our agency gave out THREE referrals over Easter weekend! Three beautiful children matched with their families. 

Oh, sweet good news, I had almost forgotten what you look like! And I sure am glad to see you! 

Thank you, Lord, for breaking through our manmade barriers and prevailing Your will over the decisions of man. And let this be just the beginning! 

But you, Lord, are a shield around me,
my glory,

 the One who lifts my head high.

I call out to the Lord, 

and he answers me from his holy mountain.

Psalm 3:3-4

Love, 

Baylor