It's Official!

We had court today! They took us to some building (not the courthouse) and we waited in some sort of a conference room where we chilled and the attorney told us the kind of questions the judge usually asks. Very simple questions. Why did you choose Ethiopia? Have you visited your child? Do you know that this adoption is permanent and can't be changed? Those types of things. Really the whole thing is a huge formality. MOWA is honestly the biggest challenge. So after we waited in this conference room our driver took us to the court room. You go up three flights of stairs and wait in this really tiny room. They have about 10-15 chairs along the walls but they were all full when we were there. Be prepared. The people adopting aren't the only ones in there. They also have parents reliquishing their rights. So it was really sad. There were people with their kids and they had suitcases with them and when we were there there was this man who was blind and he was giving up his son. So mentally prepare yourself. We waited/ stood for 2 hours until we went into this adjacent room where the judge was. But seriousely, you go in and then you go out. It took 2 minutes. After the questions, she said, "He's yours." We were super pumped! After court we ate lunch with other families and then went on a tour of the church. It's been a fantastic day and it's just been amazing to see what God has done. After two years of waiting, it's official! He's ours (Question: if he is ours why can't we take him home??) Very frusterating let me tell you. Our embassy date is Sept. 2. My parents will travel to get him. None of us kids will be accompaning them. Praise the LORD!
- Rebekah Bentley