What then? We wait again. How long before being matched with a child? Oh I wish I knew the answer to that. There is no telling at all, no guessing or anything.
But today, TODAY, the Lord moved a mountain and we accomplished FAR more than I could have imagined this time last week. Thank you Jesus!
When we discovered yesterday that today was going to be an adventure in Atlanta (Joshua's first actually), we looked over the map and created a detailed agenda (we had lots to do in a fairly small window of time). Tuesdays are Nathan's off day (I know...that is such a blessing isn't it?) so getting things done today was perfect.
We started off at the immigration office close to down town. I told Joshua what a special place it was going to be. I admit I expected a sort of miniature Ellis Island. It looked like a warehouse located somewhere between I-20 and 75 tucked between apartment complexes and convenient stores. BUT it was very clean and very well staffed and organized. The service was great and everyone we spoke to was friendly (even on this gray day). It may as well been a park with a playground for Joshua because he was entertained stepping up and down off of the curb, walking backwards on the tile, playing peek-a-boo with everyone in line, and picking up gravel. He met a little girl his age from El Salvador as well as another friend (19 months) from Guam. They laughed at one another.
Next stop was downtown. That's where the excitement began (particularly because I forgot cash). If you're adopting and about to go through the process of authenticating notaries, make sure and bring cash. So we're downtown, found a Wells Fargo, and it was no big deal (except, that we were running out of time as it was now late getting late into the afternoon).
Nathan dropped me off at Fulton County Courthouse and he and Joshua circled the block. Joshua, in theory, was having his nap time in the car. Nathan stayed in the car with Joshua, and I did the walking. I should say, I did the walking because I love to walk, AND I love downtown.
Again, everyone was super helpful and friendly and it took no time at all.
When I sit back and think about the Lord's blessing over today, I'm amazed. As we sang "Whom Shall I Fear" in church last Sunday, I petitioned to the Lord to make this happen this week. And here we go. Let me not forget to say "Thank You" to the One who sees and remembers. He has gone before us and stands behind and is watching over this child. I am confident of that.
So since we were in Atlanta, it was Joshua's first time in Atlanta, and we miraculously accomplished everything we set out to do, we went to The Varsity.
His first time at The Varsity was everything I hoped it would be. He ate all of his chicken and of course ice cream. He drank his water from a straw, spilled almost all of it on his shirt, and laughed a deep belly laugh over it. He was having fun. We all were enjoying ourselves. He waved to the blackbirds flying over the skyline and told them bye-bye. He particularly loved watching the 5:00 traffic shuffle through the downtown connector. Thousands of cars...and he loves cars!!! We loved every sticky minute of it.
We just knew he would crash the minute we put him in his car seat. Not so!! He was too excited. He laughed and talked and played patty-cake all the way through traffic, even when our tire blew out and we had to pull over in Atlanta!?!?!?
That's right we blew our front right tire. Thankfully, this happened when Nathan was in the car. Praise the Lord he was able to pull over and no one was harmed. (The tire was basically new. We don't know what happened). Now, of course Nathan knows how to change a flat...easy. However, we had to pull over on the left side of the interstate by the concrete wall. We were packed into that emergency lane very tightly and on a curve at that. He couldn't get out of the car, much less change the tire. So we called the police. I learned about something everyone in the Atlanta area needs to know...511. These guys are awesome! They came, blocked the lane, escorted us to the other side of the interstate, changed the tire (they had the awesome equipment) in like less than five minutes. At this point of the whole experience I figured I could cry about the fact that a car could easily hit us or I could take pictures. So the photo documenting you see below was my source of distraction. Joshua on the other hand thought the whole experience was amazing.
I feel that I should explain that we took off his shirt to take him home because it was soaked and sticky with ice cream. We did not however explain that to the policemen (and yes, I wonder what/if they thought about it ;) Joshua in this picture is saying "Whee--oo--whee--oo."
This car was two lanes away. Now that I think about it, I'm so glad it's totally blurry.
This is the view before the police and crew arrived. Joshua clapped and laughed as the cars raced past us just feet away from our door. He couldn't have been more excited if we were at the Georgia Aquarium.
Now we are home safe, and Joshua is sleeping soundly in his cozy bed. Tonight is his fifth night without his paci. I thought maybe this time he wouldn't cry (see this post) because he would be sooo tired he'd just pass out. Well, he screamed again.
BUT
I am very encouraged because he only screamed for maybe a minute. And he didn't immediately fall asleep. I heard him in his crib about 10 minutes after I put him down laughing!!! I'm serious, he was laughing. I really wish I could have known about what!?!? So, at least he's getting better about the paci. Now he is asleep.
Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow!
yay, for all that you accomplished!! I love downtown too! Wow, a blown tire in downtown Atlanta rush hour traffic--praise God that he took care of ya'll and that Nathan was with you--oh my goodness. Praying for the adoption process, that God would be in all of the details and speed up the process as much as possible!
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