Wow!  It has once again been a VERY long time since our last update.  I should apologize, and probably would, if only I had a plan to be more timely and informative in the future.  The truth is, it can be hard to write a blog update when we are scraping the barrel for new details to share.  Several times I have sat down at the computer to write, only to find I can't quite form a complete thought, let alone an entire update!  But finally, here is (over six months later) an update on the adventure we are living.
Last we shared, we were processing the new information that the little one we were expecting was now on a better adventure with her birth family.  After lots of prayer and a little time, we were pre-matched with a precious little girl who turned 2 years old this summer.  Our hearts are longing for the day we get to meet her face to face on our two week in-country visit, but we have yet to move onto that much anticipated part of this process.  
We receive an update of sorts from our agency every couple of weeks, but as much as they would love to have exciting new information to share with us, the department in Haiti processing this step in our adoption is moving painfully slow.  Many families and children are waiting for IBESR approval before they are able to move forward and be united.  Please join us in praying for those working in this very important department to be organized, productive, and driven by love, to work out the kinks in their system so children will not be needlessly kept from their forever families.  We realize IBESR faces challenges as it endeavors to protect children and their birth families from being exploited, and we highly admire anything Haiti is doing to protect them.  We are just one of the many families in the post Hague Treaty side of Haitian adoption experiencing the effects of change, and pray that in the future children and families will benefit from the difficulties some of us are now experiencing.  
The last update we received from our agency explained that some families (13 out of the 35 in our particular part of the process) have moved forward a step towards receiving approval and invitation to travel for their 2 week visit.  This was great news, and we rejoice with the families that received this positive update!  We are hopeful to be among the next to receive great news!  Haiti recently reported hiring "9 to 11"  people to help process adoptions in this department, which we found to be comical and wondered about the 2 person range?????  There has also been news of important training being implemented for IBESR workers. We are hopeful that the increase in staff and training will translate into increased productivity.  A possibly positive side effect of our long journey is the increased certainty that every necessary document and step will be completed accurately before leaving this department.  Unfortunately, some families are currently having to back step because Haiti made recent requirement changes to documents that families further along in the process had previously been told were complete.  So...... sorry to bombard you with the nitty-gritty, but this is the type of update we have to offer these days!
As you can probably imagine, there's always the possibility for fear and worry to creep in and steal joy from this adventure.  We were told recently there's currently only one social worker in the entire country of Haiti. Although I sometimes need to spend  purposeful time remembering the amazing ways God has already shown himself mighty in this process, my confidence is still in the One who sets the lonely in families (Psalm 68:6) and He can do so even with just one social worker!!!     
And when I say I spend time reminding myself of the ways God has been mighty, I mean I spend time  remembering the car loads full of garage sale items precious friends and family brought to us to stock our garage sale fundraisers.  I remember those who have wrapped us in support in every possible way.  What an undeserved joy!  I remember the fully funded adoption fund that we never dreamed was possible, but God made possible.  And I remember the hearts of our sons, so prepared to love and protect their sister, not because of us, but because of a beautiful work God is doing in us all.  Most of all, I remember the little girl waiting for us while we wait for her and praise Jesus for the privilege of someday calling her our own.  May she experience His presence as He continues to work mightily on her behalf, and may He receive every bit of due praise for the kindness and goodness He's shown us on this amazing adventure of love.