Shawn just called the attorney and he still hasn't talked to his "associate"  So, he said call back in two hours.  Shawn is going to set his alarm and call.  Hope we get some news.

Today I was in Safeway and my  tummy started rumbling and I thought, "I'll get a Jamba Juice".  I looked up at the menu and saw "Mango a-go-go". The ingredients were mango, pineapple and passionfruit juice.  I was feeling a bit down so I splurged and ordered one.  I picked the Mango drink because the fruits remind me of my beloved Uganda.  The liquid slid up the straw and as it touched my tongue so many senses came to life.  I was there!  I was back in Uganda sipping passionfruit juice.  I was eating the sweetest pineapple from the side of the road.  Tears stung my eyes as my senses completely grabbed ahold of me and threatened to sink me.  I got it together quickly and went about my day.  But, just for a moment I felt like I was home. 

Last night while praying I couldn't help but chuckle when Benson said this:

Benson: "Dear Heavenly Father, We pray that the dumb people at the embassy without brains in their heads will start issuing visas.  We pray for all the people who are suffering in the world. We're grateful for etc, etc etc". 

Out of the mouth of babes! I couldn't be mad at him as he is frustrated too.  It must have worked because visa's are going to be issued again.  The problem now is our court hearing.  Still waiting to hear.  Shawn tried to call our attorney for about 4 hours this AM but couldn't get him. We'll call tonight and hopefully have an update. 

The attorney sent an "associate" to meet with the judge.  Whether the meeting ever happened today is unclear.  The attorney and his associate never crossed paths again.  Shawn will call in the AM.

I have been thinking a lot about patience lately.  This something I came across that is helping me through this.

"Patience is not passive resignation, nor is it failing to act because of our fears.  Patience means active waiting and enduring.  It means staying with something and doing all that we can-working, hoping and exercising faith; bearing hardship with fortitude, and even when the desires of our hearts are delayed.  Patience is not simply enduring; it is enduring well"!  Deiter  Uchtdorf

I wonder how well I am doing at this.  This quote has given me something to chew on for sure, and has helped get me back on track.

Today I'm looking and choosing to find things good in all of this!  I received a nice call from my dad yesterday.  After telling him what was going on with this roller coaster he said something like, "Just remember you're fighting for  one of your kids now".  I thought, "He gets it"!  How affirming to know that your own dad believes in what you are doing.  He is so open minded and has been such a help through this.  He's a quiet guy, but every time I see him he'll say, "How's my grandson"?  Today I'm grateful for my dad.  Grateful that he is willing to hop on a plane at the last minute to help me bring Joseph one step closer to coming home.  Grateful that he "gets it".  Joseph is ours.  We are committed to him.  This is no different then if we were fighting for any of our other kids.  Love Ya Dad!  I know you don't read the blog, but just the same I hope you can feel my gratitude when we're together.

Yesterday I was in the library with Beau (age 8).  He asked me, "Mom, how long do we have until Joseph can't be adopted"?  I told him, "Eight months".  He looked at me and between the sobs said, "Mom, I just want my brother to come home".  I think this is a sign that I need to be more careful keeping things even on the home front.  Obviously the kid feels stressed too.  Sweet, sweet Beau. 

It's late and I'm weary.  I can't sleep so I've been sitting on the internet hoping that I will get an e-mail from our lawyer.  The news we heard today isn't great and I sent some specific questions to our lawyer in hopes that we can get some answers.  It's 9:30 AM his time, thus the hope that he could answer my e-mail is keeping me awake.  Hope is not lost, not at all.  God has brought us too far and there is a reason we were assigned this judge.  I'm just waiting to learn why.  I don't know when I'll be leaving.  With most judges I would say I could be in Uganda any day, but with this judge things are very unpredictable.  The airfares are jumping quickly and are up to about $2800.  A week ago they were around $2000.  Joseph starts his second term of boarding school on Monday........................got an e-mail that his money is due and he has to have a bunch of supplies.  I have had no notice of this so tomorrow I will focus on wiring the money and getting him settled.  It will help keep me busy.  I'm doing a bead party for African Promise tomorrow night.  I always enjoy an opportunity to talk about the foundation and raise awareness.  I hope I'm emotionally stable enough to stand up there and talk.  We still haven't told very many people about our adoption and I'm sure my emotions betray me at times and people wander what in the world is going on with me.  Anyway, the fight goes on.  Praying and staying close to the Lord.  He is stretching me and I am learning to rely on Him in ways that I never have.  I am thankful for that.

Our application has been assigned to a judge.  The judge is not the one we were hoping to be assigned to.  I don't know much more than that.  The attorney can't seem to give me any firm answers.  Keep praying.  We need it!