leaving in two days

That's right! We leave on Wednesday for our FIRST trip to Ethiopia. We will be able to spend a little time with the baby and we will appear before a judge to say we do want to proceed with her adoption. Thank you for your continued prayers. After this trip, she should be legally a COLLINS and then we will wait for an Embassy appointment. At that time (maybe 6-8 weeks from now), we will travel back and bring her home. For now, we are excited to meet her, whisper in her ear that she has a forever family and see her beautiful birth country. We will update as we are able...

PASSED COURT

Really that's enough said in the title!! We are completely relieved and thankful that we passed court the first time. This is a blessing and we don't take it for granted. Looks like we'll be leaving in 20 days and meeting her, holding her in about 22 days!!! So thankful today! Thank you for your prayers!

court date is tomorrow

Please pray for our court case as you go to sleep tonight. Our court date is tomorrow and Ethiopia is 7 hours ahead of us. As we sleep tonight, a decision will be made about a baby girl's future. We have been told that court cases do not pass 50% of the time. If we don't pass, we may not be able to travel at the end of this month. Please just pray that all needed documents and people are present and that the case passes easily. I'm trusting that we will hear good news tomorrow afternoon or early Friday. Thanks for your continued prayers...

big week ahead

As I sat in church this morning, singing patriotic and worship songs, I had great difficulty holding back the tears. We have waited for this week for so long now. We have waited for a court date to know that we were one big step closer to bringing home our little girl. Our music pastor did a wonderful job of tying in scripture that related to freedom this morning. Then it hit me...our baby's Ethiopian name given to her by her birthmom means "freedom, liberty". I was overwhelmed. I have known the meaning of her name and have appreciated that her birthmom gave that name to her for a reason, but realizing that all again on July the 4th with an impending court date brought all my emotions to the surface. Just as I felt when we received our referral(s), I go into this week with mixed feelings. Of course, I want us to pass court easily. But I also grieve for a birthmom who feels she has no other choice than to give her daughter "freedom" and I honor her for the sacrificial gift she is giving her child. In a different country, she would most likely not have to make this decision. I just pray that I can always honor her. Please remember us this week...the court date is Thursday, July 8th.