Shocked and Scared

This morning while in Banff after celebrating my parent's 40th Anniversary there this weekend, I got a call on my cell phone from a friend that felt like the floor went out from underneath me.  Our adoption agency here in Canada has gone bankrupt.  Apparently, at the Transition Home in Ethiopia where our precious son and daughter are, there is only enough food to last another three days.  We are panicked.  We are heartbroken.  We realize now how much these children we have never met are truly OUR CHILDREN.  Yes, legally they are our children and I knew that but until today, I did not know the depth of my love for them.  We would do anything for Elijah and Sedaya, the same as we would for our other children.  We would quite literally go to the ends of the earth for them.  We would spend our last dollar for them.  We would sacrifice for them.  And it looks like we will.

I have been crying off and on for most of the day and feeling so helpless here while our children are in danger all the way over in Africa.  We were stuck in traffic and weather and our travel back from Banff was about two hours longer than it should have been which only added to my feelings of helplessness.  Soon after we got the news, I called my friend Shelley who is practically a neighbour of mine and who went to high school with me and who is also waiting for a visa to go pick up her son in Ethiopia.  Shelley kept me updated (thanks so much) while we made our way home and she gave me contact info. for our MP whose office I have been in touch with but am waiting to hear back from.

When our court went through so quickly and then our documents came quickly (although they have not yet been sent to Nairobi), I actually asked God why He was rushing things so fast after the referral and was actually at times thinking "slow down...there's so much to do still" but now I know that God had the timing worked out for a reason.  I feel sick to my stomach for the families who have been waiting a long time for a referral and now may not get one and some of the tears I have cried today have been for them.  I don't know why this is all happening and I feel so badly for those whose dreams of a family or a larger family look bleak tonight.

So basically, we don't know much.  We don't know if our kids are going to be okay.  We don't know who is going to be taking care of them, if they are going to have food, if they are going to have medical care or basic necessities.  We are scared for them.  We are scared for us.  We are setting things in place quickly so that Mark can fly there in a few days if he needs to.  We have appointments tomorrow with a lawyer to sign over power of attorney to me for anything that could arise while he is gone.  We have appointments sceduled for travel immunizations.  I am working on lists of all the things we need to do and pack.  We are trying to figure out the best way to get a lot of money fast (credit cards or line of credit).  We are trying to figure out how to keep Mark's business somewhat up and running while he is gone.  We will do whatever it takes to get them home safely. 

Please pray for us but most of all, please pray for our son Elijah and our daughter Sedaya.

Comments

[Sheri]

Oh Sharla. We will be praying. This is very upsetting indeed. I can't imagine being in your shoes. And yes!! Thank God that things went so quickly since your referral. It shows how much He is in control of these things. We will pray too that everything works smoothly if an early, and long, trip to Ethiopia is required. If there is anything I can do to help, please let me know. I'm not too far of a drive away now.

[Debbie]

God is still on control...afterall look how fast your court date has gone. God has been in control all along and will continue to be in control. We will be praying for you all.
Blessings
Debbie

[Krista]

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your children (both here and in Ethiopia) during this trying time. Hopefully one day soon, this will only be a tiny piece in the story of how you became a family.

[Rana]

Sharla, I have been thinking of you today..you and your sweet children Elijah and Sedaya have my prayers.

Rana

[Mary and Brendan]

We are thinking of you and your family today. We were planning on adopting from Ghana and we cannot even imagine your stress today. You're in our thoughts and prayers.

[emily]

You will most definitely be in my prayers. I don't know what else to say, this whole thing is just so horrible.

[Julie]

Absolutely unbelievable. All of my thoughts are with you.

[Rhonda]

Sharla and family,

I'm praying so hard everything works out and God watches over your children safely until you can have them in your arms.

Rhonda

[Shelley]

I am happy to keep you posted my friend, never in a million years did I ever think we would experience what we did today.

[Jessica]

We too are praying that your kids will be taken care of until you can be together.

[Jody]

We are praying also. It will work out and your babies will be home, hopefully sooner rather than later.

[haze]

Sharla, you and your family are in my prayers - as are all the affected families. I hope that you get all your answers very soon and gain reassurance that your kids are going to be okay while they wait for you to bring them home.

[Diane]

I'm praying for you Sharla that your kids will be coming home to you.

[Janna]

I'm delurking to wish you all the best with your adoption, I really hope everything works out for you & your family. God must surely be watching over you, and they say He doesn't give you anything you can't handle. We're in the same boat with the agency, though we were only 4 months in to the referral wait. I am going between numb & devastated right now. If this doesn't work out, I'm not sure where to turn.

[Denise]

Oh Sharla, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your beautiful kids in Ethiopia. Praying for another miracle for you...

[Ramona]

Sharla. I'm shaking as I type this. Hearing the news made me sick... and then it hit that it's worse because this isn't just a place closing, it's about many people's dreams and thier kids. I am praying that your beautiful little ones will be safe and cared for and that things will be sorted out... I don't have your email address with me (i'm on holidays)but know that I am praying for you guys and am trusting that there will be a miracle. And I'll be praying for wisodm about if your hubby going out there is the things to do...
Ramona

[Rebecca]

My thoughts are for you and your children. It is unbelievable. I was just about to register with Imagine, (almost finished my homestudy)so glad I haven't. You wonder how this can happen . . .
Rebecca

[mhovdestad@hotmail.com]

praying.

[Jenn]

so many prayers...oh so many!! we have already written our Mp/MLA/minister for children and families/minister for immigration. there is also this petition that we can encourage people to sign to hopefully get some action happening with our government and support for families. http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/SaveOurDreamofAdoptingInternatio/index.html

hoping your children are in your arms soon!!

[Debbie]

You did a great job on CBC...so proud of you!!! I guess the good that is coming out of all of this is that maybe you will get your kids home a lot quicker....in time to take them on that holiday you planned.
Blessings
Debbie

[Aneta]

We'll be praying for Mark, you, and all your children through this trying time!

[Kari]

We found your blog thru another adoption blog and wanted you to know how deeply sorry we are for this disaster!! We will join with you and pray for solutions and guidance to know what you need to do to bring home your children... as well as the other families involved. We adopted our daughter from Ethiopia, so we understand the crazy journey... this is overwhelming and a nighmare, but not for God!!! We will help sign the petitions and spread the word here in the US!!
Praying!!
Kari

[Erin]

We are praying hard, and spreading the news....Erin