Adoption Timeline and Update

Many have questions about our adoption, and I can not recall whom I have discussed everything with at this time.  Here's a brief breakdown of what occurred in Uganda and where we're at now.

July 8th - Arrived at our hut around 11:00 pm.

July 9th - Met Rose!

July 10th - Learned that our court date was cancelled due to an emergency leave of absence by our judge (this occured while we were in transit to Uganda, so we could not just stay home and wait for a new court date).

July 11-15th - Visited with Rose and volunteered at the baby home.

July 18th - Rose moved into our hut with us.

July 19th - Received a new court date for July 28th.

July 24th - Rose returned to the baby home because of our appointment with our attorney the following day.

July 25th - We met with our attorney regarding our case and what to expect at court.

July 27th - Rose moved back in with us.

July 28th - Woke up early to prepare for court; electricity went out at the courthouse and the judge had a meeting, so he did not see us.  Our attorney was confident that he would see us the next day.

July 29th - Same as yesterday; waited at the courthouse all day with Rose in tow.  Our attorney met with the judge, and then he said he was too tired to see us, so he went home.  At this point, I was advised to go home to our boys.

August 1st - Said goodbye to Rose and Darin and began my journey back to the United States.  The judge requested another document from our attorney and then left town for the remainder of the week.

August 9th - Our judge put our court date "on notice" because he wants to meet with the principle (or head) judge prior to meeting with us.

August 11th - Contacted our agency and was informed that our judge is actually refusing to see our case because of confusion of processing cases under the old law (we were grandfathered in, so there is not supposed to be any problem with our case).

Thankfully, our attorney has a positive rapport with the principle judge and is hopeful that he will see our case and grant us guardianship.  This has only happened to one other family, and the judge did grant the guardianship (the attorneys that worked that case are also our attorneys).  Unfortunately, there is no way of knowing if our adoption case will be accepted before the judge.  The process could take weeks or months.  

First and foremost, please pray for Rose.  While we are confident that she is being well cared for in the baby home, it's not the same as being raised in a family.  Please pray for our hearts in all of this. We don't understand everything that is happening, but we are caught in the middle of a battle within the judicial system.  And it hurts.  In the bigger picture, we are in the midst of a spiritual battle.  It doesn't help that Darin and I are on different continents at a time when we need each other the most.

However, I believe in the power of prayer.  Our God is bigger than this and desires for Rose to be home with us.  If you feel so inclined, you may join me in fasting as I dedicate time to prayer.

NEW UPDATES

September 8, 2016 - New court date scheduled for September 29th

September 29, 2016 - Court date!

October 11, 2016 - Verbal ruling date...did not happen

October 28, 2016 - Verbal ruling in our favor!

December 5, 2016 - Received Rose's birth certificate