The Wait

Our adoption agency (Taiwan Xi En, formerly known as His Hands Taiwan) hasn't heard from the court regarding Simeon's adoption process since the court date (November 7). This isn't abnormal, but you always hope your case will move faster than normal. :) At this point, we still hope to have Simeon home between mid-December and mid-February.

Two families were able to pick up their babies this month (also from Taiwan Xi En) and it was a huge blessing to receive updates about what Simeon is doing ("Simeon is incredibly sweet and smiles easily"), what the nannies say about him ("I love him so much," "today one of the nannies was reading to the babies from the Bible in Mandarin"), etc. It was also fun to see pictures of their trip and hear about their new little ones. We will get new pictures of Simeon on Monday and are looking forward to that.

Below are a few Bible verses about waiting that God has used to strengthen me. God is so good to us and we trust His timing for our family. And we continue to ask Him (often) to allow us to be with Simeon as soon as possible.

but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
    they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
    they shall walk and not faint.
~ Isaiah 40:31

From of old no one has heard
    or perceived by the ear,
no eye has seen a God besides you,
    who acts for those who wait for him.
~ Isaiah 64:4


The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord;
    he turns it wherever he will.
~ Proverbs 21:1

Court Date Recap

 

This week was such a great week. On Monday we were able to skype with Simeon and one of the workers. It was great to see Simeon and to be able to ask questions about how he is doing, what he is like (he loves seeing everything that's going on around him and he giggles more than the average 4-month-old), and knowing how to better pray for him. We are so blessed by the people who are caring for Simeon while we are so far away and so thankful that he is loved.

On Wednesday morning (after the court hearing in Taiwan) the directors of our agency e-mailed us saying, "Court today was amazing, it was so evident that people were praying!" The judge was very gracious and seemed positive. The next step is for a social worker in Taiwan to do a home study on the birth mother and Simeon. Once the judge gets the home studies, she will make her initial decision (this decision is whether or not the government of Taiwan approves our adoption of Simeon). A few weeks after the initial decision she will send the final decision. Once our adoption agency gets the final decision we will be able to book our plane tickets! We are so thankful to God that the court date went well and hope to be holding Simeon in our arms in the next one to three months. Thank you for your continued prayers.