Saturday, July 28, 2007

Introducing...???

Yes, it's true, we have a baby! His name is Besufeked (meaning "God's will") and he is 9 months old. We will make his given name his middle name; the first name is still being hotly contested... For now, let's call him Agent X Besufeked Gehman or Jason Bourne Besufeked Gehman.

We have been waiting all summer for that phone call from our agency case worker, and yet we were still caught by surprise when it happened. Last Friday while Allyson and I were in Boston for a wedding, we got a call from a number we didn't recognize and she almost didn't answer it. She did pick up, though, and heard our case worker on the other end--it turns out she was calling from her cell phone on her day off, which is why we didn't recognize the number.

Now, it just so happened that our luggage had been lost on the way to Boston. And it just so happened that we were renting an apartment rather than staying in a hotel (great way to save $, by the way, plus flexible check-out time), so we couldn't leave the apartment or we'd miss the couriers delivering the luggage. And it just so happened that our friend staying with us had his laptop AND that the apartment had Wi-Fi. I could sum this up more succinctly by just saying, "Through providential circumstances..." but in retrospect, it's encouraging to see how much lined up for us to be introduced to our baby at that moment.

After hearing all about him and finishing the phone call with the case worker, it took us all of 20 minutes to e-mail her back saying that we accept him. We were thrilled! But it was also a little surreal, since we were in Boston and really couldn't start doing a bunch of preparatory stuff. So we just decided to wait, enjoy the time with friends and then hit the ground running when we got back.

Of course, we didn't know if we would hit the ground running or wait 2 more months. Because it's late July, it was unclear whether we would be able to travel before the courts shut down for their rainy season/new year festivities. If we couldn't get to Ethiopia before mid-August, it probably would be October before we could travel. That would quite the letdown, to have to wait 2 more months. Our case worker would get back to us soon on this.

It wasn't until two days ago that she called us back, saying that they had secured a court date for our baby on July 30th! Assuming that court date goes as planned, we will be traveling around Aug 8-10--talk about hair being on fire!

We are definitely running now...

A huge thanks to all of you who have posted congratulatory comments and have cared enough to follow our story. Many of you are walking the same path we are (further ahead or behind) and we look forward to hearing your stories unfold.

Results of the first name contest will be announced shortly...

One note--if you leave a comment, let us know how we can contact you if you want to hear from us!

13 comments:

Renee said...

WOW- a July 30th court date! That is amazing! I'm so excited for you guys! We're also adopting from Ethiopia with Gladney- we're just waitng for our CIS approval. Congratulations again- he is so adorable!
Renee
www.wewillbringthemhome.blogspot.com

Brandy said...

His given name says it all... it is truely God's will!! (Especially with that court date!!) We are getting ready to submit our application to Children's Hope International to adopt from Vietnam. Once things get rolling I will keep our blog updated. Thanks for all the updates... I check several times a week!! Good Luck and God Bless!

Anonymous said...

I just wanted to say congrats on your new baby boy!! I am waiting on a referral right now as well. I think you all live in Texas, not sure where but I am in Tulsa...not too far from parts of Texas:-) I can't wait to hear about your travels and bringing your son home. I hope all is going well with the planning...they didn't give you much time now did they:-)

Jocelyn
caringbridge.org/visit/babygirlbrody
jocbro@cox.net

The Raymers. said...

I have been folowing your story for awhile now. I think you have the best referral blog to date! We are hoping to adopt from Ethiopia and we will be sending in our application to America World Adoption Agency in the next week or two. Congrats on your little one!
Dottie Raymer
dottieraymer@yahoo.com
http://raymersadoption.blogspot.com

The Raymers. said...

OOPS! I really do know how to spell following!

Anonymous said...

He is beautiful! Congratulations, and God's best blessings to you all. We hope we get to meet him someday soon. And, yes, he does look remarkably like you both.:)
The Cowden's
robertcowden@cox.net

Miles of Lief said...

Hey Christian and Ally-
Thanks for sharing the greatest of the latest! What AWESOME news. Praise the Lord!
Ally, I loved your pig tail braids in the previous posting and that posting in general! :)
Love,
Issy

Lori said...

This is so awesome, you guys. I'm so glad that you got your court date before they shut down for those two months. I was just talking with Mary at Gladney about how hard that would be for a family to have received their referral and not be able to travel. Love, love, love the July 25 posting! You guys are as hilarious as the photo you were sent of your son! :)

Karen said...

Congratulations on your beautiful boy and on getting a court date before the shut down! I've enjoyed following your journey, and am very much looking forward to seeing pics of you with your little babe!

Anonymous said...

Congrats to you both! I am so happy to hear that it will be in August! Good luck with everything and can't wait to see more pictures!
-Celesta Garcia (remember me... the old Watauga MS nurse?)
celesta_b@hotmail.com

Jill said...

We have lots of plans. Joshua is already making a place in his fort for this little guy. We are so happy for you... for us.

We are rejoicing with you!

Love,
Jill

walternatives said...

Congratulations, new parents!

Laurzie said...

Congratulations!!! We are in the process of adopting from Ethiopia, too, so we share in your joy!
Blessings,
Laurie & Michael