Little bit of everything

The past couple weeks have been a whirlwind of emotions with so much going on in our lives, so many different types of stress, so many moments of uncertainty, that I haven't been able to stop and take a breath.  This past weekend allowed an escape and some space to breath.  Soooooo.... now for an update.  About the adoption and more....

Adoption news...
We FINALLY received the long-awaited medical reports last Monday and the translated version on Tuesday.  They gave us much information as to what our daughters may need when they come home and what to expect.  We got some surprises, but that's part of this crazy journey. We are so excited to meet them in person, and reading the report was brought us a little closer.  We talked to our adoption agency on Tuesday.  They said to expect 10-12 weeks till travel.  It could be more, it could be less.  There are four steps to get us there. 
Step 1:  Approval by ICBF.  We have already  been approved, both for adoption in Colombia and for a potential match for our girls, but we submitted the Letter of Intent on Wednesday and that requires the formal sign-off.  They said it should be formality and take less than a week.
Step 2:  Regional Approval.  Our girls are in Boyacá.  Our dossier must be transferred there to the regional office.  This is a big question mark for time.  It COULD take them a month between the transfer time and the waiting for the board to meet and approve it.  Or it could take 1 week..... we don't know and neither does anyone else. 
Step 3:  After regional approval we get the formal referral and we submit our I-800 which is the US clearance.  That can take 3-4 weeks on average. 
Step 4:  Final documents for travel.  3-4 weeks on average
Once step 4 is done they will set the court date (which is FAST) and we fly. 
If you add it all up, we are looking anywhere from the end of July to the beginning of September.  Please pray it is sooner than later.  We are all so ready to go bring them home.

On a completely separate topic but adoption related, we are still short on funds for the final necessary expenses.  Please share our story if you feel led, and if you have ANY fundraising suggestions, we are game!  Redemption is expensive!

Other news:
Some of you may know we had some concerns over a lump on Caleb's leg.  An x ray and bone scan was done last week.  We were told it is only an old small fracture that has led to some shin splints and will heal on it's own with time.  Praise God.

My sister visited a couple weeks ago.  She has done so well fighting the pancreatic cancer, but we found out last week another tumor has grown.  They are not out of options yet, but pain management is hard.  Please keep her in your prayers.  For more time, less pain, and peace.

My dad went in for his annual follow up last week and the cancer is back.  We don't know exactly what we are looking at yet.  They will be doing surgery Friday to remove a growth from his remaining kidney, biopsy the involved lymph nodes, and figure out what we are dealing with.  Chemo and radiation are highly likely.  We are heartbroken at this news.  Please pray for us all through this.

Deep breaths......

So there you go.  Now you understand why we took a couple days away from reality to regroup.  We had a wonderful time with our boys, I met a like-minded Christian woman who really bolstered my spirit during our brief conversation, and we all came back ready for summer.. and all it will bring with it. 

We so appreciate your prayers, love, and encouragement!

P.S.  We are having ANOTHER yard sale June 15th and 16th.  If you have any unwanted items to donate, let me know.