Still waiting. Still raising. And Still collecting .

We had expected to get dates around the beginning of this week. However, on Monday our agency informed us that the embassy was getting an upgrade in security which delayed everything by a few days. Our in country team says we should have dates by Friday or Monday at the latest. We are still expecting about a 10 day notice, maybe a little longer. Please continue praying for us because this part has been harder than any other so far in this process. There is absolutely nothing we can do to speed things up, short of calling them every single day. And that wouldn't speed anything up, it would just annoy them :)

We have Little Mans suitcase packed and ready to go ! We are so ready to get travel dates and bring him home. And  I am praying with everything in me that we can leave soon. He has waited so very long, and I am sure that by now he thinks we have forgotten to go back for him. While part of me feels like the months have flown by since we came home, it also feels like they have drug on and on. I am sure in his little mind that it feels like forever has passed. The thought that keeps creeping up is that he will feel abandoned, again. Before we found him and before we started the process of bringing him home, he was so sure that he was too old for a family. That he wouldn't get a mommy and daddy. He asked everyone that came if they knew his mom and dad and if they knew when they were coming. Today it has been exactly 15 months since we made the call to our agency asking for his file. It has been a long and trying 15 months.

These past 15 months have stretched and strengthened me in ways I didn't know I needed. It is really hard to put into words the ways this process has affected us. But it has made us closer as a family. I have seen my sweet little Ethan show compassion in ways that most 4 year old wouldn't. His little heart doesn't understand why brother isn't home, or why its taking so long. He truly believes we should just get on that big plane again and go get him. He prays over his brother every single night, and asks if Owen is ready to come home yet. He is so sweet.

We still have our Visa board going. And we still have our puzzle piece fundraiser. Would you consider purchasing a number or piece to help us bring Owen home ? We would greatly appreciate it!

We are also collecting items for Owens orphanage. We would like to donate tooth brushes, tooth pastes, hand sanitizer, body wash/ shampoo. diapers and wipes. And possibly children's medicines (Tylenol etc.), but this may be an after thought depending on how well the other things go. We have contacted almost every dentist office locally and asked for donations of tooth pastes and tooth brushes. Two have given us a few samples, so I think we are good on those items. We are still collecting the other items. If you would like to help us with any of those items please message me on Facebook- or email me at ashtonymcbride@yahoo.com We would love the help of our friends to give his orphanage things they can use. His orphanage is run entirely on donations and they really depend on the graciousness of others to keep it running. If you can help, please do.

We are coming sweet boy, slowly but surely. Like little turtles. Slow and steady....Even when we just want to sprint as fast as possible it isnt always what we can do.

So, until we get dates we are Still Waiting, Still Raising, and Still Collecting Donations <3