Unexpected Delays, Unwavering Love: Caleb’s Adoption Update

It has been two months since we brought Caleb home on December 13, and what a joyful, love-filled whirlwind it has been! From his tiny giggles and first words to his wobbly first steps, every day has been a gift. Our home is now filled with the delightful chaos of toddlerhood, and we couldn’t be more grateful. Despite the unexpected delays in getting him home, Caleb is settling in beautifully. It already feels like he has been part of our family forever.

When we first welcomed him home, social welfare told us he would stay with us under supervision for 90 days. After that, we could apply to the court to finalize the adoption. With that in mind, we mapped out a clear timeline. We counted down the days until we could take the next step. But as it turns out, things are never quite that simple.

The countdown hasn’t started yet…unexpected delays!

Last week, I stopped by the social welfare office to check in and ask when we could expect a home visit. That’s when I received the shocking news: our 90-day countdown hadn’t actually started yet! Apparently, social welfare is waiting for an official letter from Headquarters with something called the “Effective Date of Notice.” Only when that letter arrives will our official waiting period begin.

We were stunned. All this time, we thought we were nearing the end of this process, but in reality the clock hasn’t even started ticking. This was a hard pill to swallow, but we know that God’s timing is never late. Caleb is already our son in every way that matters, and no bureaucratic delay can change that.

Once the 90 days begin and end, we can take the next steps. We’ll submit our petition to the court, and then we wait again—for the court to assign a judge, set a court date, and hold our hearing. The timeline is unpredictable according to our lawyer. The court might assign a judge in a couple of weeks, or it could take longer. When we finally get a court date, it could be anywhere from one to three months later. And even on the day of the hearing, we won’t know for sure if the judge will give a ruling immediately or take time to deliberate.

Waiting with confidence

So here we are, still waiting—but not without hope. We know God is in control of all these unexpected delays, and He has already brought us this far. For now, we just thank God that Caleb is home with us and we treasure every moment together as a family.

Thank you all for your love, prayers, and support. Your encouragement means the world to us as we walk this journey of faith and patience. We’ll keep you posted on any updates, and in the meantime, if any of you have walked this road before, we’d love to hear your stories. Let’s encourage one another as we trust in His perfect plan!