Weekend

If you think of us, please pray. Fridays without news are sometimes hard--just coming to the end of a Friday means there will be two more days without word from Rwanda. In this case-it's a "good" thing, because Peter is out of town and now there's a greater chance of us being TOGETHER when we get our referral. :) Nevertheless, I'm aching to know about our Myles. How old is he? How much does he weigh? What is his story? What is his name? What makes him laugh? Will he want to be snuggled as much as I want to snuggle him? He's chosen and waiting. Really can't wait for that referral...but have to.

The Little Tiny Babies

Painting the stripes in Myles' room went well yesterday. Even though it's a tiny room, it is taking a long time-which is FINE! Peter and I will paint his ceiling tonight and finish up the trim. It's been so fun spending time in there, praying and day dreaming about him. I think the kids have enjoyed the time in there too, bringing in stuffed animals to put in his crib, "helping" with the stripes, etc. While I was painting, Liliana put her music on in her room. The song "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands" was on...repeat. I think it's so funny that it was on repeat-God knew I needed to hear those words. I heard it over and over again before I really listened to the memorized words. "He's got the little tiny babies...in His Hands" resounded in my heart. I felt such a peace knowing that, no matter how crazy it feels right now with this longing to know so many answers to the oodles of questions we have about our child, our travel, care for the children while we're gone...I DO know that He has our Little Tiny Baby in His Hands...not to mention the WHOLE WORLD. :)

Chosen But Waiting

HOPE International had a team in Rwanda on a vision trip last week. The team visited the orphanage on Saturday (I think) and they asked the caretakers if they had chosen the "Greer baby." They were told that HAD BEEN CHOSEN--but the confirmation would be given Monday (yesterday) by Gladney staff. The baby room generally isn't allowed for visitors anyway. I believe that medical tests are being done now on our Myles and we should hear soon. Maybe hear by next week, don't you think?! (Here's hoping...)

For now, on to another house-project distraction. Just got back from buying semi-gloss yellow paint to paint "wallpaper stripes" in the nursery. :)

Choice

It is an incredible feeling to know that sometime this week, possibly even tomorrow-a child is being chosen for our family. We've heard from other families that the sisters at the Home of Hope in Rwanda take time to seriously pray before choosing a child for a family. We will know so soon. One of my friends in Rwanda told me, "We're feeling the labor pains with you!"

I am going to go back into Myles' room now. I had taken a few weeks off from sitting in there, because it made me miss him too much. Today, I am going through the closet in his room, I will empty it out and can't wait to begin filling it with clothes for him to wear, blankets to wrap him in, and toys to surprise him with.

After getting our Rwandan approval yesterday, we shared with our two children the good news about being a step closer to bringing Myles home. When I dropped Liliana (almost 3) off at preschool, she had a hard time letting me leave. She was crying and asking for a few more hugs and kisses. When I pulled back from hugging her and began walking away, I heard her say in a raspy, quiet voice, "I just want my baby brother to come home." We are all feeling these labor pains!

RWANDAN APPROVAL!!!!!

The e-mail came this morning, we've been APPROVED by Rwanda to adopt!!!!!

Still Waiting

I generally post on Mondays-and just wanted to give the update that there really isn't one. We did hear from our wonderful caseworker at the end of last week that they think we should hear something soon because our file is being processed and the report is that it's "fine."

We've been keeping busy. To see one family diversion, visit our family blog. Click on the title of this post or go to http://greergang.blogspot.com

Malaika's Home

I have linked this post to a family's blog who recently returned with their precious Rwandan daughter, Malaika. Click on the title of this post to visit and see pictures of their journey. Each week that we wait to hear from Rwanda, we have received a gift. Last week it was connecting with a doctor and nurse who volunteer and care for the babies at the Home of Hope, where we are adopting from. They randomly found our blog and were such an encouragement to connect with over e-mail. This week it's looking at Malaika's blog and viewing the images at the orphanage and realizing just how IMPROVED the conditions are. If you visit this family's blog, look at the pictures of the cribs--complete with bumper pads, toys, mirrors...this is new since May when Peter was there. It is so comforting to know that Myles will have more color and stimulation for his early days of life in the orphanage.

No word

Yesterday before the kids and I were going to start a game, I said to them, "Mommy just needs to check e-mail quickly to see if Rwanda wrote to us about Myles." I did, and there wasn't anything so I turned around to the kids and said, "Nothing came, let's go." Liliana became instantaneously teary and said, "Myles isn't coming home?" Myles, we're so excited for you to join us!!!

Last week we had some e-mail contact with the government official in Rwanda handling our case. It was so encouraging to know that we were (finally) being processed. They just needed some clarification on our file, nothing major. We are really hoping this means we hear word of approval this week. For now, enjoying the snow and thankful for our busy schedules and distractions.