WE PASSED COURT!!!!!!!!!!! On Friday, March 25 we got a phone call from our agency telling us that we passed court in Ethiopia and Lillian Yado was officially a Jones. We have a daughter!!!! An nine-month old, very chubby adorable daughter!
Let me back up by explaining how all this happened. As you know we were in Ethiopia the week prior, and our actual court date was Monday, March 21. There were a lot of issues in the Ethiopia for a few weeks with a government agency (MOWA) not writing recommendation letters needed for families to pass court, so we did not expect to pass right away. The morning of our court date, our agency director sat us down and flat out told us (literally ten minutes before we left for court) that we would not pass and that we shouldn't expect our letter to be ready for about another four-ish weeks. So when we appeared before the judge, we answered her questions, she checked off some boxes, said "that's all I need from you," and we left. That was our last day in Ethiopia. It was hard, but because we knew about all of the issues ahead of time, it wasn't a total shock and we didn't have our hopes up too much.
Well, the day after we got home, we got an email from our agency saying that the judge still had yet to open our case for the first time, and that we would probably pass any day. Sooo apparently the MOWA letters were already on the judge's desk and the judge had been backlogged. And on Friday the judge did officially open our case and PASSED us, making Lillian Yado an orphan no longer! For the first time since she was about a month old, Lillian went to bed that Friday night with a Daddy, Mommy and a proud big brother Cole!
We were praising the Lord for this amazing news all weekend long. There were so many family members, friend and our whole church family praying for us, and we truly felt those prayers and God's perfect peace surrounding us throughout the whole time. Please continue to pray that the judge gets through the many, many cases on her desk quickly. There are some families who appeared in court two months ago and still haven't passed. We are hoping to hear a lot of good news from other families in our agency this week, because it really does seem like they are trying to get through all of the cases as fast as possible.
We miss our precious pumpkin and can't wait to return and bring her home forever! Typically the wait until we can leave for Trip #2 to go get her is about a month after we pass court.
Let me back up by explaining how all this happened. As you know we were in Ethiopia the week prior, and our actual court date was Monday, March 21. There were a lot of issues in the Ethiopia for a few weeks with a government agency (MOWA) not writing recommendation letters needed for families to pass court, so we did not expect to pass right away. The morning of our court date, our agency director sat us down and flat out told us (literally ten minutes before we left for court) that we would not pass and that we shouldn't expect our letter to be ready for about another four-ish weeks. So when we appeared before the judge, we answered her questions, she checked off some boxes, said "that's all I need from you," and we left. That was our last day in Ethiopia. It was hard, but because we knew about all of the issues ahead of time, it wasn't a total shock and we didn't have our hopes up too much.
Well, the day after we got home, we got an email from our agency saying that the judge still had yet to open our case for the first time, and that we would probably pass any day. Sooo apparently the MOWA letters were already on the judge's desk and the judge had been backlogged. And on Friday the judge did officially open our case and PASSED us, making Lillian Yado an orphan no longer! For the first time since she was about a month old, Lillian went to bed that Friday night with a Daddy, Mommy and a proud big brother Cole!
We miss our precious pumpkin and can't wait to return and bring her home forever! Typically the wait until we can leave for Trip #2 to go get her is about a month after we pass court.
We'll close with a video from the day we met Lillian:
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10 comments:
CONGRATULATIONS!!! I know in light of all things going on with MOWCYA right now this is a VERY big deal! She is beautiful! What a blessing! Looking forward to seeing our blessing for the first time as well :) Prayers for a quick embassy trip!
Congratulations!!! She's so lovely:)
Congratulations on passing court! That is such a relief. Hoping you will travel for embassy very soon. Your daughter is absolutely beautiful!
Hi Josh & Candace! This is Jake & Lauren's friend Ashley. I've been watching your journey to bring Lillian home, and I'm so happy for you! I cried my eyes out watching that sweet video of you meeting your little girl!! We'll be praying that she can come home and be in your arms- for good- very quickly!! :) Congratulations!!
Wish I hadn't put on my mascara right before watching this :). Such a blessing to see what we have to look forward to! Congratulations!
Beautiful!! So happy for your family! The video was awesome!
Josh, Candace, and Cole-
What amazing people you are! I have been following your story through Marianna at CBRE. And she finally sent me the link to this blog. Now I can catch your updates as they happen. Lillian is beautiful and truly blessed to be coming home to your family. Cried my eyes out shamelessly at my desk at work watching your videos. I'm saying so many prayers for continued blessings for you! Congratulations! -Kay McKenzie
Praise God!! Congratulations to all of you! What a beauty your precious baby girl is! I am so thankful we joined your following in time to see this unfold for you! Blessings to you!
:)
Candace
Oh, sweet Candace, Josh and Cole ~ Your daughter and baby sister is an absolutely beautiful precious gift from GOD! I SO enjoyed your videos! I cannot imagine the reality of that first Family Day! How amazing! Praising God you passed court! May your travel to bring her HOME be very very SOON!!!! Such a sweet addition to such a sweet family! She will fit right in!!!
So happy seeing her pictures on your blog. She is such a beautiful little girl. Very excited for you!
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