Hop on the adoption roller coaster!

I like a lot of roller coasters.  They are exhilarating.  The emotional roller coaster that is adoption is not as fun right now.  There have been unexpected twists and turns in the process.  There are emotional highs when we get pictures and information on Sam, and emotional lows when we learn of delays in the process.  The worst part about it is that you have no control and you really don't know when it will end.

The month of June we have been in a state of anticipation.  We are getting much closer now to the end of this roller coaster.  It's like we are climbing the hill before the last big drop.  But we can't see when we are going to crest that hill.  It could be any day though.  We are waiting as always for our turn to be submitted for an emigration permit so Sam can leave the country.  There have been a batch of parents selected at the beginning of each month for an EP.  Every month that passes gets us closer.  At the beginning of June we expected that we'd hear one way or another if we'd be selected, but so far no one from Holt has been selected.  I initially thought that June would be a long shot, but we are learning that the group for June will be an extra large group!  And the reason for the delay is because it's taking longer to get the paperwork done for so many.  The anticipation is grueling.  It's hard to think of anything else sometimes.

Another thing adding to the anxiety is the fact that if we don't get submitted for EP, we may take another turn and be forced to wait quite a while until the next chance.  Rumor is that we may not have another shot until this fall.  Just thinking about that possibility makes me ill.

I should mention one high we had for this month.  Last Friday we received a letter from Sam's foster mom.  It was very sweet and kind.  She thanked us for the care packages we sent for them.  She says she is very grateful for the time she has had with Sam and that he spreads joy to everyone he meets.  He is very active and likes to be around people.  I can't print the letter here for her own privacy, but if you'd like to read it for yourself, let us know.

If you think of us, please pray for good news this month.  We really need our boy.