Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Day 33 - Clinic

Today, Zane and I had planned to hang out at the guest house all day and try to work on his schedule.  HA!  That didn't happen!  We got a call at 9:00 a.m. saying that we needed to be at a clinic nearby at 10:00 a.m.  We had to get ready, call a taxi, and try to determine how long we were going to be there.  The embassy requires that all kids have another physical exam before being submitted for embassy clearance.  That means another step has been completed today.  I am praying that we are submitted to embassy tomorrow.  After submission, it takes 7-10 days for the embassy to go through all of your paperwork.  Then they decide if they need to do a special investigation into your case or not.  PLEASE PRAY WITH ME THAT EMBASSY WILL NOT DECIDE TO DO AN ADDITIONAL INVESTIGATION.

In Ethiopia, adoptions are final when the judge declares you have passed court.  However, the U.S. embassy must look into your case before coming home.  There is a woman I met today who has passed court (in January), but the embassy is still investigating her case.  In fact, she said it is now in Washington D.C.  This type of bureaucracy is so difficult for the children and parents who are apart.  I'm praying we do not get stuck in a situation like this.

Zane is still sick with an ear, nose, and throat infection.  His medicine is giving him diarrea.  Please pray for both of us.  I'm about to go insane with "clean-ups" and Zane cries constantly.  On top of that, I looked in his mouth today and he has two molars that are coming in.  Hence, more crying, ear ache, etc.  Pray that God will give him comfort and peace, and me the strength and wisdom to know what to do.

I feel very blessed that the Wests are still here.  Her sister arrived from the US today and she is a doctor.  Been asking her a lot of questions and feeling a little better about the situation with Zane.

Thank you for the words of encouragement you have been sending me on FB and on the comments section of this blog.  I am teary-eyed when I read them because I need them so badly.  I have no idea what I'm doing and I feel very homesick.  Your encouragement is vital to me, and I appreciate you allowing God to speak through you to me.

Praying in faith that we will be cleared to come home in approximately one week...

18 comments:

Josh, Candace and Cole said...

Cimbrey I will be praying you guys get submitted and pass QUICKLY. Also I'm keeping Zane and YOU in our prayers. I hope he feels better and that you can get some peace and strength as you go through this time. Sending you a big hug and lots of love!

Allye Crosby said...

We are praying for you Cimbrey! Grateful to God with you for all that he has already done and SO excited to meet Zane!
-Allye & Andrew

Jeffery said...

Cimbrey, YOU ARE A GREAT MOM! Our kids introduce us to a whole new world every day that they are with us, and as moms, we are in continual learning-mode. The teeth, the colds, the crying...all are scarey in the moment, but all teach us to depend on the Lord, and reveal what He has put in us to handle every situation. Praying you will get an expedited Embassy appt. so that you can get him home sooner! After this morning's news to us, I can attest to the fact that IT CAN HAPPEN!
Love you,
sherri

Michelle said...

Sweetie, none of us know what we are doing when we start out as mamas!! You are not alone-every mommy everywhere is in a constant learning curve...just in different stages! Our newest drama? PMS! aaaaahhhh (sound me running screaming to the hills) God will work it out! Praying for y'all!!!

Debb said...

Oh, Cimbrey, your momma heart is precious. You are doing everything good for Zane, whether you feel like you are or not! Being a first-time mom is hard (or so I hear....and anticipate) and figuring it out without Mark in a 3rd world country adds to the challenge. But never forget that God is with you both. He is guiding you as a mom and He is covering Zane with his divine healing. May He grant you an expedient embassy clearance to bring that boy HOME SOON!!!!! SO LOVE YOU!!!! And will keep praying for you!

Tracy said...

Praying for you today! Being a first time Mamma in Africa is giving you so much experience that parenting will be like a piece of cake at home! :)
One day (and moment) at a time...
Love, Tracy :)

Deanna said...

You, Mark and Zane are loved by so many people. You are covered in so much prayer. It may seem impossible right now but you are doing it! You are taking care of your son, in a different country, while missing your husband, as your son is sick. God has carried you this far, He will not stop now! After this, being in the states will be a breeze. :-)
So, take a deep breath, hug your son and watch all the miracles He is performing in you/through you. And know that He loves you too!

Unknown said...

Cimbrey,
I'm not sure exactly how I came across your blog (i think from "blogstalking" other adoption blogs) but then I realized you were at the adoption/foster care meeting that the Louisiana Baptist Children's Home held last year in New Orleans. I'm Ashley Davis with the Baptist Children's Home and was at the meeting. I have loved reading your journey to Zane. He is precious! Praying that things go quickly and Zane feels better and you will feel peace. When you get home, I would love to feature your family in our adoption news letter. Blessings! Ashley

JustJess said...

Just found your blog. Excited to pray with you and join your journey! We are still paperchasing. Praying the Lord hears your cries and gives you some mercy in the form of a quick embassy approval.

Unknown said...

When my kids were tiny, sometimes my husband would casually say to me when he got home from work, "what did you do today?" If the house was a mess, dishes in the sink, nothing else getting accomplished, when the kids were fussy, or sick, or needy, the only thing I would be able to say was "I was their mom today." That's what you are being to your sweet boy. Sometimes all we can do is hold them and love them and pray for them and pray for patience and peace for ourselves:) Even if we get nothing else done, that is enough! I'm sure you are doing an awesome job being a great mom to your little man through some of the toughest parenting conditions! Know you are being prayed over!
Katie

Little Lamb said...

Cimbrey! Take heart...I have NO idea what I am doing all the time...and Ryann is 4:) Praying Lamentations 3:22-23 over you this afternoon. Love ya.

Tammie said...

Hey Cymbrey, my heart hurts for you at this trying time. Being a mom is the hardest job there is. The only advice I can give you is go with your gut feeling. I will pray god grant you peace and contentment.....in whatever comes your way. May smiles and blessing rain on your day!!!!
Love,
Tammie

Erin M. said...

Hi Cimbrey. I'm a friend of Laura's & we've been reading your blog & praying over your adoption. As a mom, I know it can be tough under normal circumstances, I'm amazed by all you've accomplished so far. We're praying for physical & emotional comfort for you & Zane and your embassy appt. Praying for God's strength & that it will get easier for you both!
--Erin M.

Lisa said...

Precious Cimbrey,
Motherhood is the most painful, yet most joy-filled privilege in this world! Each day is met with some amazing emotion and the embrace of many "firsts". We hurt when our children hurt. We laugh when they laugh. At times we are fearful. Other times we are perplexed and read books or ask lots of questions when we don't know what to do. ~ Ha! Ronnie had a "how-to" manual in his hands as he read aloud the steps to bathing an infant as we lowered Emily into her first sink bath. :) ~

Know that you are not alone! We may not have a manual on every "how-to" when raising our children, but our Father knows exactly how to grow and love and mature us. He is with you and Zane at this very moment. May He provide comfort and assurance that He has given you everything you need in order to care for and love little Zane. What a wonderful mommy you are!!! What a gift!

Father, please be with the Brannans tonight as they pray over, love, care and serve there precious son. Father we know that You are in control and have a perfect plan. Thank You that Mark and Cimbrey love you, know you and that they rest in Your will and purpose. Be their strength! Be their protector and healer. ~ Please heal Zane from this infection. Help him and his mommy to feel relief from sickness and worry. ~ I ask that you cover the final process with the Embassy and lift any obstacles from the process or path that would prevent Zane and Cimbrey from a quick journey home.

LORD, in Your power we trust You, through Your love, we love You, and because of Your GIFT, we honor glorify and thank You.
Amen.

Unknown said...

Well I'm not a mom and can't imagine what you must be going through. However, 6 weeks ago my husband was in a serious accident and has suffered a traumatic brain injury. He is still in the hospital. So I do know what it is like to go through trials. Just trust God that He is working and will bring you something wonderful through this. When you can't take any more, just cry out to Him and ask Him to carry you. He can see the bigger picture he is painting in your life, so just hang in there.

Samual said...

Hey, you have beautifully explained all the things here. Multi speciality hospitals in Mumbai provide cardiac services to patients by maintaining the worldwide standards of quality healthcare.

Cardiology clinics in India

michelle woodward said...

Be encouraged! After 6 kids, I'm still semi-clueless... I say semi because I do have a couple things figured out. For example, if they eat a blue snowball you have a great opportunity to teach the color green. And that a band-aid will pretty much fix anything.

I have had to remind myself through Elijah's seizures/epilepsy that the Lord, Jesus knows and loves him more than I could ever even begin to love him. He alone has perfect plans for Elijah and is always seeking to grow him into a man of God. It's hard. That being said, the Lord has and will continue to equip you for the race before you! He chose YOU and Mark for this precious treasure. Amazing!

Love you!

Ricky jordan said...

Its really a nice blog.Thanks for the useful information.Such a inspirable and good blog . I am able to get new knowledge while reading this . Keep sharing this type of informative blogs.
daily horoscopes