Defining Hope: January 4, 2013 -- Did I ever mention I don't like roller coasters?

Anyone who knows me well, knows I do not like roller coasters. literally -- I get sick on them. In all fairness, I was warned when we began this adoption journey that it would be a wild roller coaster ride that I would want to jump off of many times, but if I could hold on, it would be the best ride of our lives. I didn't realize at the time how true that statement would be.

Today was a roller-coaster day as many of my days spent here have been like that. It really began last night when I started getting a headache which soon turned into a migraine. I hate migraines. Anyone who has had them knows how horrible they are - let alone to be in an orphanage with screaming babies 24/7. :)

I went to sleep last night hoping it would be gone when I awoke, but it wasn't. I got up to feed Grayson his bottle in my room and that was the extent of my strength. My Mom graciously took him back downstairs to play with his friends and she looked after him the rest of the day with me popping in and out when I could. I am sooooo grateful she has been here the last week!! Don't know what I would have done without her here! I know she loved every minute with him though :) She even got a kiss from him at the end of the night tonight!!! Precious :) I slept and stayed in my room until about 3:00pm -- then I ventured downstairs.

I found out that our paperwork was located in Taipei at an office there. It was at the social workers head quarters office and they were sending it to our town today. They said we could call and check in with the judge on Wednesday to make sure she got it. Praise the Lord someone found it!!!!!!!!! I really never thought they would find it at this point. It has been on hold for a month now. So we will wait till Wednesday to find out anything new. At this point - things will have to go really smooth and FAST for us to be outta here by Feb. 2 (the day I MUST leave the country by or pay heavy fines). I will have to decide fairly quickly what to do about the flight out of the country. Do I take my chances and not book an extra flight because we might be out of here -- or just book a flight just in case?? Needing some guidance on that. Please pray for guidance! We really need to be gone by the Chinese New Year which is in February as everything shuts down for 2 weeks. We really need prayers for a speedy process from here and that they will expedite our case to make it go quicker. Ted was filing a paper today in hopes they would expedite it. That is not common here so I am not sure how the judge will take it. I feel like we are coming down to the wire and I am on pins and needles. On the flipside of all my fears -- A dear friend wrote to me today and said to let God carry me right now. In all honesty, that is one of the hardest things for me to do - as I wish it wasn't - but it is. I am not even home yet and I know there have been some days where I KNOW God carried me. I am not perfect in my faith, but that will be my goal - to let God carry us through this. I know he doesn't need my help :) I will keep the blog updated every day as well as my fb.

On a good note!! ---- HAPPY BIRTHDAY UNCLE NICK!!! Grayson cannot wait to meet you :) I know you two will get along great --- Not gonna lie- I am a little worried at the things you might teach him! :) See you soon!