THEY ARE OURS!!!! WE PASSED COURT!!!!!

UNBELIEVABLE... That's the only way I can think to describe this morning. PRAISE GOD!

Last night I told my sweet husband that I wished he would be home to answer the phone tomorrow (today)... I really didn't want to get the call that we failed court.... He just said "you don't have to worry about that..." He had told our adoption coordinator to call him with bad news and me with good. Of course he had... This is Phil.

Before we went to bed (7:30 AM Addis Ababa time) we prayed that God would stir the hearts of the MoWA workers to go in early and complete our paperwork. After talking with our case manager yesterday, and learning more about what the MoWA closing meant, we knew this was the only way we were going to make it through court...

So there I am this morning, wrapped in a blanket on the couch, staring at my home phone and my cell phone (Phil would be calling on the cell phone). Just waiting for one to ring. I was sure it would be the cell phone after yesterday's news. But on the other hand, I knew how many people we had praying for us......

Then it happened.... THE HOME PHONE RANG!!!!

So, of course, I thought our coordinator must have forgotten Phil's instructions.

WRONG AGAIN!

It was our coordinator. He said "Well, I have some good news for you!" Which is when the water works started. Well, I actually can't remember exactly WHAT he said, because I was IN SHOCK! But, basically, God answered our prayer last night. Here's the email the attorney in Ethiopia sent our coordinator this morning:


I have a little surprise....

We heard MoWA experts went early into their office and wrote recommendations only for six children. Apparently, the Weinmeister family were among the few lucky families. Their adoption has been approved following MoWA'a supportive recommendation.

The Lord is good


You can say that again! The Lord is good!

And now.... introducing the two newest additions to the Weinmeister family......

Tarik Joseph Weinmeister





and Sophie Fasika Weinmeister

Not great news.... Please keep praying!!

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." James 1:2


Hey Everyone,

As many of you are already aware, the court date to legally finalize the adoption of our beautiful little babies in Ethiopia is scheduled for tomorrow (Friday, November 6th). We are full of emotion and I'm sure we'll have some trouble sleeping tonight. We just received an update that I wanted to share. All of the court cases to be heard today were postponed due to the Ministry of Women's Affairs unexpectedly closing today. This is sad news, since it affects a number of children awaiting their "forever families". This unexpected closing is something that's hard to understand as Americans; it's not clear exactly why the entire office closed and it's something that they can do at the last minute. The real tough news is that the rescheduled date is December 7th for all of those cases. Our case manager called us today to let us know that our agency's lawyer in Ethiopia thought that the same thing would happen to tomorrow's court cases. However, nothing has been officially announced, so, until we hear otherwise, our court case is still scheduled for tomorrow.

We know God is watching this situation and He has all of us -- our children, their biological families, and us-- on His mind. We know He will make this happen at the appointed time. Still - we are called to pray! I know you guys have been praying for these children for a while now and it is really an amazing thing you're doing. In light of this latest piece of news, please continue to pray - pray that the adoption court cases scheduled for tomorrow in Ethiopia are heard and that all obstacles that are not of God are moved aside.

Love,

Phil & Amy

Good News from October Court Cases!

Just wanted to post a quick update- we just heard from our agency that 5 out of the 6 cases our agency presented in court in October were approved!! Looks like our chances will be even better than 50/50 next Friday!

Is it Really Just One Week Away???

In just one week our adoption cases for both baby S and little T will be heard in court! Can this really be happening???

I can't sleep at night.... haven't been able to since we got our date... I just keep thinking about their little faces....

I'm trying to be prepared for the possibility of not making it through court... but it's so hard to not get excited at the prospect of having 2 new Weinmeisters next week. NEXT WEEK!

Yikes.

WE HAVE A COURT DATE!!!!!!!

Hey everyone!

We just found out yesterday that we have a court date!!!!! It's November 6- only two weeks from tomorrow!!! It's so hard to believe it's all actually happening!

We don't travel to Ethiopia for court- an attorney goes on our behalf. But we need a lot of prayer. Court cases are only successful about 50% of the time. And we have 2 different families involved (since the kids aren't related.... YET!). If we don't pass court for whatever reason (paperwork isn't complete, family members don't show up for court, etc.) we'll get rescheduled and have more waiting to do. BUT, if we DO pass court, we should be able to travel to pick them up about 8 weeks later.... maybe even by the end of the year!!

SOOOOOO EXCITING!!!!!!!

Love,
Amy & Phil

Court Opening Delayed...

Just wanted to post a quick update- courts will not be opening until Oct. 12. It's only a small delay, but we're just so anxious to get this show on the road!

Many Blessings,
Amy

Still waiting for court to open...

Hey everyone,

I know it's been a while since we posted, but we're still waiting for courts to open up after the rainy season recess. They re-open on Oct 6, so we're almost there! Soon thereafter, we should receive our court date :) We will keep you all posted!

Many Blessings,
Amy & Phil