Officially waiting for you

Dear Macey,
 After 11 months of paperwork, prayers and patience, we have been given a place on the waiting list. We are relieved to be moving into the next phase of this process. It is a much needed rest from the constant paper chase it has been. Worth every single bit of it, but still, we are happy for a break.  It almost feels like we are running a marathon (not that mom or dad has ever or will ever run one). We started off running strong, trying hard to put the first few miles behind us. Step after step we found ourselves making progress. Now we can settle in to the next few miles at a steady pace moving up the list a little each month. But the beautiful day that we get "that" call, I know God will breathe into us a second wind. He will have us sprinting to the finish line, where you will be waiting for us to wrap you up in our arms and celebrate the end of the race and bring you home forever!

Annise Koops <akoops@adoptionassociates.net>	5/10/13
to me

Hi Justo and Velina,

You are placed at #45 on the wait list. Now the waiting begins! At this point, our best estimate for a time frame is about 12 months before receiving a referral. Please remember this is always an estimate :) 

Can you verify with me again what age, gender, and number of children you desire? We like to confirm that at the time the dossier is mailed.

Warmly,

Annise Koops, LBSW

Africa Team

Butterflies

Dear Macey,
  I know I'm behind on writing. I want so much to keep up with everthing so one day I can share with you the journey that led us to you. But, so many times I feel like I need to have something profound or eloquent to say. I can't find the words to express what is happening right then, so I don't write at all. I know one day I will regret that, so I am just going to tell it ilke it is from now on. If it comes out beautiful, then super, if not, then at least you will know I tried :)
  So, what brings be to write, right now? We are hours away from knowing our official number on the waiting list! Everybit of paperwork, forms, letters, notaries, seals, signatures, recommendations, stamps, money orders and mostly prayers, are behind us! Huge Milestone! This is where our "wait" for you officially begins. It took 8 months and a lot of leg work to get to this point. Everybit of it already worth it, and we haven't even met you, but already we love you.
  Our Dossier was tracked today and it was confirmed that our agency has it now. This means... 1) It cleared the State Department in Washington D.C. with no issues or flaws 2) It cleared the Ethiopian Embassy with no issues or flaws 3) It has made it back to Michigan to our agency. In the next day or two it will be on it's way to Ethiopia. I have butterflies as I wait for the call/email that will mean we start our wait for you. I've never been so excited to have to wait. Not that we want to wait for you, but we know everyday we wait is one day closer to the day we finally get to hold you!
 We love you already Macey!