"Sad" New Year

We rang the old year out with some heavy hearts.  We received an email from Jonah House that AIT will not issue a visa until the birthfather signs relinquishment papers or has his rights terminated.  Unfortunately the court thought it best to pursue the parental rights termination in another jurisdiction and we have been told this will take at least 6 more months.  Yes, you read that right, SIX MONTHS our little girl will sit in an orphanage while it is decided that she, who has spend 7 of her 9 years in foster care and in orphanages, is indeed an orphan.  Go figure.  It is hard for me to believe that this is God's will for her or us.  So please pray that if His will involves a quicker timeframe we could find it.

There are some things to hope for:   The birthfather could be found and willingly sign the relinquishment papers (at this point the court has denied him custody or the right to parent Ssu-Ya, so he would gain nothing but spitefulness by not signing),  or immigrations in our state could look over the case and approve her I-600 that she is classifiable as an orphan, or the new court would somehow be willing to expedite the case for Ssu-Ya's welfare.  

Hope springs eternal. . .

I'm just so totally not willing to accept this yet.  It came as such an unwanted shock.  I am still hoping it is somehow not true and not what the future holds.  Time will tell.  I am thankful that I serve a risen saviour who knows all our needs and our frail frames and promises to work ALL things for good to those who love him and are called according to his purpose.