We are coming home tonight! We are ready to meet our new family and start a new life! Look at those faces! Precious!
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
New hairdo!
I have so much to write about, but I will just take time to share Eyerusalem and Kalkidan's new hair dos. :)
Monday, June 24, 2013
Embassy, Donations and Swimming
The U.S. Embassy simply required a signature on our paperwork and then our adoption was complete. What a journey! After that important morning stop, we stopped at a local market store to purchase baby formula and diapers.
Next, we went SWIMMING!
It was a great way to bond and have some fun after a long morning.
Thank you to all who donated money to purchase these item.! They are great help to the Transition Home. Ethiopian courts will be close in July and August, so not as many families will be traveling with donations then.
Next, we went SWIMMING!
It was a great way to bond and have some fun after a long morning.
Sunday, June 23, 2013
Back to Ethiopia
Back for our Embassy visit. We gathered up our girls right away and they are staying with us at the Yesabi Guesthouse. They are beautiful.
Monday, June 17, 2013
Why you might be called to adopt
We have met so many amazing people on this adoption journey. Some have blessed us with financial support. Some have ministered to us with prayer and words of encouragement. Some of these amazing people have simply put us in contact with others who have walked this same path and who are now taking their ministry a step further. One of these families is from Bismarck and they are moving to Ethiopia this fall to help with a ministry called Heavenly Hope Ministries. This entry is from their website and reveals the ministry's heart for adoption and orphan care. Visit their website at: Heavenly Hope Ministries
Heavenly Hope Ministries
Why you might be called to adopt
January 24th, 2013 | 
Author:Terina Dutton, co-founder of Heavenly Hope Ministries
Wow is all I can say. When I was living in Africa, we went to an orphanage that absolutely broke my heart. Its amazing how far out of sight, out of mind can really be amongst the comfort , busyness, and bubbles of our lives.
To paint you a picture of this place I want you to imagine your child, your precious baby, lying in a crib, along with almost 40 other babies in the same room, all day, with dirty diapers, diaper rash, and little to no love or affection. I saw babies that weighed less than 6 pounds, babies who laid there for hours on end with a poopie diaper, babies who rocked themselves, and stared into the sky, and just laid in their crib, for most, if not all, day. There were over 20 cribs in the one room, some with two babies per crib, all just laying there. In other parts of the orphanage there was a place for all the special needs babies and children, who also just laid or sat there. Words could never describe the situation. Some smelled of throw up, and another was CHAINED TO A CHAIR the previous visit, according to our friend. Did you read that? Please think about it!! Your child, chained to a chair: WHAT!
As I walked in, I just began to cry, and not just cry, my body began to weep. Inwardly of course, as I didnt want to offend anyone, so I just shook, and jerked with every inward sob. These are Gods children, and as much as I love my own children, and remember how I felt for them when they were first born: so innocent, fragile, and completely helpless; I just felt God speaking to my heart about how much more He loved them and just got the picture of Him WEEPING in heaven. Weeping because He sees them, and they are in serious situations, weeping because there are so many “hands and feet”, HIS hands & feet, that aren’t holding them, and weeping because every day we live our comfortable lives, these babies lay there and cry to almost no ones attention, poop to have no one change their diaper, sit there and stare at the sky, and have little to no hope of any sort of life.
They are sick, throwing up, have horrible diaper rash, and day after day after day, they are still there: unwanted and alone.
I can’t help but question how this can be??? Are there not over 65 MILLION confessing Christians? Does North America not own over half of the entire worlds Christian wealth? Doesn’t Gods word not make it clear that we are to meet the needs of the poor and orphaned? Doesn’t God say He places the “fatherless in families”…Psalms 68:5
Where are his hands and feet? Where is love in action? What is happening!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
It’s comforting to say “we cant help everyone” and that is absolutely true, we can’t. That is one of the things that keeps me from feeling an overwhelming sense of despair far too often. However, we also must be willing to be honest with ourselves and truly think about Gods command to care for the orphan. And in doing so, I think we must ask these questions:
“Would God really say no if I wanted to adopt a child”.
Can we honestly picture this being His answer:
“NO, as a Father who loves them as much as I do, I would prefer them to lay in a crib with no one to hold them all day. I prefer them to grow up with out the love and nurture of a family, without learning about who I am, and getting to see, physically, the spiritual reality of how I have welcomed all my children into my family through adoption. I’d prefer they grow up being raised by the State. I’d prefer they find their food in the trash instead be given a home cooked meal, made with love, from a real physical MOTHER”. I’d prefer there be no one to wipe away their tears, hug them when they fall, support them, discipline them, LOVE THEM.
And even though I have given you a home about 10 times as big as the average size home in a third world country, I understand that you don’t have room. Even though you are in the top 16% in the entire world in wealth if you make over $10,000, I would definitely leave the child to live where those around him/her live on less than $1/ day.
Is this the answer we think that God would give? While I can’t speak for God, I do know His heart, from His word, and His word says He is the “defender of the orphan”.
I understand there are situations which would warrant a family truly not being able to adopt. However, this is the exception, NOT THE RULE! It is far to easy to reason that it is someone else’s job, then to take the responsibility ourselves. That is why our foster care system in America still has kids waiting for a forever family, while statistically, there are 3 churches for every 1 child! That means that literally, if only 1 family, from 1 of the 3 churches adopted out of foster care, THERE WOULDN’T BE A FOSTER CARE SYSTEM!
There are enough families for every orphan. There is. It reminds me of the question:
“I wanted to ask the Lord why He has allowed suffering, orphans, poverty, etc. but I was afraid He would ask me the same question”
God has given the world enough families, and resources to end all of those things, He has just left it up to us to DISTRIBUTE the resources.
Are we?
Christians in America spend:
• $3 billion/ year on bottled water
• $4 billion/ year on cosmetics
• $7 billion on sports events
• $11 billion a year on coffee
• $13 billion a year on pets and diet programs
• $17 billion a year on golf & boating
• $20 billion a year on soft drinks
• $21 billion on cable TV
• $76 billion a year on eating out
Meanwhile, over $2 Billion people live on less than $2 a day!
We have the resources. We have the room. We must use them for what God intended them to be used for.
“I Have been generous to you SO THAT you can be generous to others”.
SO THAT….
Its not just for us, its for others. Maybe we live in the richest country in the world, not because we’re super Christians that deserve more, but maybe its SO THAT we can bless others. I don’t think its a coincidence that God has given us the exact resources that most of the unreached, unchristian world is longing for… SO THAT we can bless them, love them, help them, show them the LOVE and CHARACTER of OUR GREAT GOD!
And just maybe, HE has blessed us with EXTREMELY LARGE HOMES (considering the average size home for a family of 6 in many parts of Africa is 8 x 8ft) SO THAT we can share our room with little children who don’t have a home at all.
Yes, this could be considered a hard read, Yes it could be somewhat convicting. But please don’t let the enemy confuse this. This isn’t condemnation, this isn’t harsh, this is caring for another orphan child as though it were our own, and we would fight to the death to maker sure our child was cared for. We would be…
OFFENSIVE….AGGRESSIVE….CHALLENGING….if that was what it took for our child to have a home.
As parents, if we were getting ready to die, would we accept it if no one would agree to take our kids because of …(you name all the millions of reasons). Would we just accept it? No, we would beg and plead with someone, to take our kids in regardless of whether they felt “called” to care for them or not. They are our kids, and they deserve a family, not a dumpster, not an orphanage, not the cold street. Because we love our kids so much, if we were going to die, we would have every plan set for who would take our kids, and it would come with much thought and prayer. We choose the absolute best for OUR KIDS, and would accept nothing less.
Hasn’t God done the same. He knew He wouldn’t be on this earth physically, EXCEPT THROUGH US, so His plan, out of His great love for His children, was for His family-US-to take them in, and love them, and care for them.
ARE WE?
WE must ask these questions. And we must NOT be offended because even more offensive then these questions is the reality that approximately 20 babies have died of hunger in the time it took someone to read this. Approximately the same amount have become orphans. More than anything, this is what NEEDS TO OFFEND US and then MOVE US TO ACTION!
Please join me in praying and asking God to show ME, YOU, how to respond to His command to care for orphans. After all, it IS REQUIRED of us!
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Embassy Clearance
Yippee! We have US Embassy Clearance and can bring Marenn and Kali home! We have an Embassy appointment on June 24th, so Jay and I will be travelling around the 21st. We have our appointment on Monday morning, then have to wait for travel visas to be issued on Wednesday.
In the meantime, we plan on doing some shopping with our girls, getting their hair done at a local beauty shop, and visiting a ministry called Heavenly Hope Ministries. The Giliss Family from Bismarck will be moving to Addis in September to help with this ministry and we want to go check it out and possibly be a help to them some time in the near future.
Some of my favorite pictures:
In the meantime, we plan on doing some shopping with our girls, getting their hair done at a local beauty shop, and visiting a ministry called Heavenly Hope Ministries. The Giliss Family from Bismarck will be moving to Addis in September to help with this ministry and we want to go check it out and possibly be a help to them some time in the near future.
Some of my favorite pictures:
Friday, May 10, 2013
Back in the States
We are finally back in the states today. After 2 days of traveling, we are currently sitting in the Denver airport waiting for our flight to Rapid City. We were delayed in DC, so we missed our earlier flight to Rapid. Oh well, we are almost there. American soil feels good.
We had to say good-bye to Marenn and Kali in such a hurry yesterday. I just pray that their little minds can comprehend that we are coming back and that we won't leave them. It's crazy how the kids at the Transition Home get used to being left. I guess those that have been there for quite a few months see how the process goes and understand what court is and that families will be back for embassy. They see other families come and go and other children wait. I am thankful for the quiet days we had before more families showed up for their visit. We are now praying that we get submitted to Embassy quickly and we can travel back and bring them home.
God is good.
We had to say good-bye to Marenn and Kali in such a hurry yesterday. I just pray that their little minds can comprehend that we are coming back and that we won't leave them. It's crazy how the kids at the Transition Home get used to being left. I guess those that have been there for quite a few months see how the process goes and understand what court is and that families will be back for embassy. They see other families come and go and other children wait. I am thankful for the quiet days we had before more families showed up for their visit. We are now praying that we get submitted to Embassy quickly and we can travel back and bring them home.
God is good.
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
They are ours!
We passed court! We would like to introduce to you Eyerusalem and Kalkidan Larsen.
Eyerusalem (Marenn)
Kalkidan (Kali)
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Traditional Ethiopian Meal
Last night we went out for a traditional Ethiopian meal with music and dancing. Here are a few pictures to show you what we ate and what the entertainment was like. This was not your typical, soothing dinner music. :)
Everyone enjoyed the food and music, except my Leif. He had Mac/cheese when we returned to the guest house. Traditional Ethiopian food is quite spicy.
Everyone enjoyed the food and music, except my Leif. He had Mac/cheese when we returned to the guest house. Traditional Ethiopian food is quite spicy.
Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa is a city of 5 million people. 5 million people! It is located in the country of Ethiopia, which has a population of 78 million.
As I look out our guest house window, I see rooftops of a variety of homes. Most are simple tin roofed structures with dirt floor yards, tin-fenced walls, pot hole alleys going past. The home directly adjacent to the guest house also contains a very annoying rooster, who crows night and day. Jay would like to buy him and have him for supper. Ha.
The house/yard across the street also has a high tin fenced yard with a gate and a dirt courtyard. The mistress of this home seems to have a boy hired to come and clean the yard every so often, as we have seen him come and gather empty water bottles that have been thrown in her yard. I would say most of the homes we can see are similar to these two yards. But, the crazy thing is that there are also a couple of nicely landscaped homes in the same vicinity. These yards have green grass, lush plants and a stucco-type home. One yard even boasts a nice vehicle and stone driveway.
If you think the driving in Williston is a challenge, you should try driving here. Of course the streets barely fit two vehicles abreast, but there are greater challenges. There are no traffic signals, no stop and go. Pedestrians walk out amongst traffic all the time. Not only are there people to watch for, but also goats, dogs, donkeys. I can hardly believe we have not hit someone or something. I am such a back seat driver that I have had to just close my eyes.
Most of the streets are lined with small shops selling clothing, fruit, water, soda, furniture, and this past Sunday, goats. Yes, Sunday was the Orthodox Christian Church's Easter. This was the day the people broke their 40 day fast and celebrated with the purchase of a goat. Farmers from outside the city brought in their herd and goats were butchered right there in the street. Their hides were lying in a pile for some unknown purpose. These farmers received $100 to $150 US dollars for their goats. The celebrating went on through the night. Everyone was dressed in traditional white Ethiopian dress.
Sounds of Addis: The rooster crowing all night has nothing on the dogs that howl. I don't know what is going on, but the dogs here sound like coyotes. They howl all night long, along with the rooster crowing, the music of some nightclub thumping and some sort of wailing type noise that starts around 4AM, it has been a challenge to get sleep at night. Especially since we are used to our fairly quiet country life.
I would say almost everyone walks in Ethiopia. The city is always moving. Of course, there are several who own vehicles, but most use public transportation or walk. You don't see many fat Ethiopians. They are all lean and slim.
I asked Yonas about the school system here. He said that there are three types of schooling: government schools, public schools, and private schools. The government and public schools are the worst and the private schools the best. But private school is very expensive to attend. He said that students must pass a very difficult test in order to enter the University. Those that don't pass must choose a different path. He said when he went to the University, it was free. Now, you must pay to go. He thinks that about 40-50% of young people go to University.
As I look out our guest house window, I see rooftops of a variety of homes. Most are simple tin roofed structures with dirt floor yards, tin-fenced walls, pot hole alleys going past. The home directly adjacent to the guest house also contains a very annoying rooster, who crows night and day. Jay would like to buy him and have him for supper. Ha.
The house/yard across the street also has a high tin fenced yard with a gate and a dirt courtyard. The mistress of this home seems to have a boy hired to come and clean the yard every so often, as we have seen him come and gather empty water bottles that have been thrown in her yard. I would say most of the homes we can see are similar to these two yards. But, the crazy thing is that there are also a couple of nicely landscaped homes in the same vicinity. These yards have green grass, lush plants and a stucco-type home. One yard even boasts a nice vehicle and stone driveway.
If you think the driving in Williston is a challenge, you should try driving here. Of course the streets barely fit two vehicles abreast, but there are greater challenges. There are no traffic signals, no stop and go. Pedestrians walk out amongst traffic all the time. Not only are there people to watch for, but also goats, dogs, donkeys. I can hardly believe we have not hit someone or something. I am such a back seat driver that I have had to just close my eyes.
Most of the streets are lined with small shops selling clothing, fruit, water, soda, furniture, and this past Sunday, goats. Yes, Sunday was the Orthodox Christian Church's Easter. This was the day the people broke their 40 day fast and celebrated with the purchase of a goat. Farmers from outside the city brought in their herd and goats were butchered right there in the street. Their hides were lying in a pile for some unknown purpose. These farmers received $100 to $150 US dollars for their goats. The celebrating went on through the night. Everyone was dressed in traditional white Ethiopian dress.
Sounds of Addis: The rooster crowing all night has nothing on the dogs that howl. I don't know what is going on, but the dogs here sound like coyotes. They howl all night long, along with the rooster crowing, the music of some nightclub thumping and some sort of wailing type noise that starts around 4AM, it has been a challenge to get sleep at night. Especially since we are used to our fairly quiet country life.
I would say almost everyone walks in Ethiopia. The city is always moving. Of course, there are several who own vehicles, but most use public transportation or walk. You don't see many fat Ethiopians. They are all lean and slim.
I asked Yonas about the school system here. He said that there are three types of schooling: government schools, public schools, and private schools. The government and public schools are the worst and the private schools the best. But private school is very expensive to attend. He said that students must pass a very difficult test in order to enter the University. Those that don't pass must choose a different path. He said when he went to the University, it was free. Now, you must pay to go. He thinks that about 40-50% of young people go to University.
Monday, May 6, 2013
Is this worth it?
Is this worth it? Much to my dismay, these were the words I heard uttered from the mouth of one of my very tired children yesterday morning while waiting for our 13 hour plane ride to end. How could this child of mine think that? And yet, after a grueling two day plane trip across the world, how could I not accept the humanity of this comment. As much as I would like to believe that I have somehow trained my children to be selfless and self-sacrificing, they are still children. How can I possibly expect them to totally understand or embrace what we are doing. And yet, that is what I am asking of this child. I am asking this child to trust me and to trust God.
This is worth it. The six hour car ride is worth it. The grueling plane ride is worth it. The long visa line is worth it. The gathering and shipping of donations is worth it. The missing work, school, athletics, etc. are worth it. Why? It is worth it because every child deserves a family. It is worth it because every child needs to feel loved and cherished. It is worth it because God has said in His word that caring for widows and orphans is worthy. And for our family, caring for widows and orphans means adoption.
So, after our visit with E and K at the Transition Home yesterday, I asked my child if it was worth it. With a big smile, the response was "Absolutely." I believe that God is up to more than just our family adopting these two little girls. He is also interested in molding and shaping the hearts of my children. And whatever God wants to do so that my children's character and lives will reflect more of His, I believe it is worth it.
This is worth it. The six hour car ride is worth it. The grueling plane ride is worth it. The long visa line is worth it. The gathering and shipping of donations is worth it. The missing work, school, athletics, etc. are worth it. Why? It is worth it because every child deserves a family. It is worth it because every child needs to feel loved and cherished. It is worth it because God has said in His word that caring for widows and orphans is worthy. And for our family, caring for widows and orphans means adoption.
So, after our visit with E and K at the Transition Home yesterday, I asked my child if it was worth it. With a big smile, the response was "Absolutely." I believe that God is up to more than just our family adopting these two little girls. He is also interested in molding and shaping the hearts of my children. And whatever God wants to do so that my children's character and lives will reflect more of His, I believe it is worth it.
Sunday, May 5, 2013
We Arrived!
After many flight delays, travel headaches and God bail outs, we finally made it onto our flight to Addis and survived the 13 hour plane ride. What a journey!
We made it through the line for Visas and the wait for baggage and the chaos through customs. Thank goodness it was busy because no one seemed to care about our 9 pieces of luggage going through the scanner. We finally arrived outside and were met by Jonas. He is amazing! We drove right to the Yesabi Guest House, checked in, cleaned up a bit and then we went to meet our girls.
We Meet!
We were the only family there, so we had the whole porch to ourselves. The girls are sooo beautiful...beautiful smiles, beautiful eyes, beautiful faces, beautiful sweet spirits. We are so excited to finally meet them. We are finally able to put our arms around these precious sisters and tell them we love them and that we will be their family. We were only allowed a short time with them today, but tomorrow we will go back and be able to spend more time.
The rest of our week looks like this:
Monday: Transition Home (visit E and K)
Tuesday: Meeting with doctors, visit Transition Home, deliver care packages
Wednesday: Transition Home, Court apt, Traditional Dinner
Thursday: Meeting at Transition Home
Please keep praying for us. Thank you.
We made it through the line for Visas and the wait for baggage and the chaos through customs. Thank goodness it was busy because no one seemed to care about our 9 pieces of luggage going through the scanner. We finally arrived outside and were met by Jonas. He is amazing! We drove right to the Yesabi Guest House, checked in, cleaned up a bit and then we went to meet our girls.
We Meet!
We were the only family there, so we had the whole porch to ourselves. The girls are sooo beautiful...beautiful smiles, beautiful eyes, beautiful faces, beautiful sweet spirits. We are so excited to finally meet them. We are finally able to put our arms around these precious sisters and tell them we love them and that we will be their family. We were only allowed a short time with them today, but tomorrow we will go back and be able to spend more time.
The rest of our week looks like this:
Monday: Transition Home (visit E and K)
Tuesday: Meeting with doctors, visit Transition Home, deliver care packages
Wednesday: Transition Home, Court apt, Traditional Dinner
Thursday: Meeting at Transition Home
Please keep praying for us. Thank you.
Friday, May 3, 2013
Here we go!
We are sitting in the airport in Rapid City waiting to board the first leg of our flight. Already we have felt God's Hand on this trip. Right off, the baggage handler took us under his wing and escorted us up to the United check-in. Of course, through visiting, he found out we were adopting and revealed that he and his wife were foster parents. He was 68 years old with a 7 year old foster daughter. :) Also, as we waited, Jay discovered that he was from Montana, near Plentywood. He even knew some of the same people Jay knows. It's such a small world.
Our check-in took quite awhile. The United agent had a real challenge with her computer and eventually she had to only charge us $25/bag instead of $35/bag. We weren't arguing with her. One of our blue tubs proved to be "suspicious" too. So that was opened and unpacked, checked thoroughly and then re-tied. Apparently, all that toothpaste, hand sanitizer and other medical supplies are suspect.
As we finally cleared through security, we heard that the flight from Rapid to Denver was cancelled because of mechanical. That was the other flight we considered taking. We are so thankful the Lord led us to fly through Chicago.
We should be boarding soon. Here we go!
Our check-in took quite awhile. The United agent had a real challenge with her computer and eventually she had to only charge us $25/bag instead of $35/bag. We weren't arguing with her. One of our blue tubs proved to be "suspicious" too. So that was opened and unpacked, checked thoroughly and then re-tied. Apparently, all that toothpaste, hand sanitizer and other medical supplies are suspect.
As we finally cleared through security, we heard that the flight from Rapid to Denver was cancelled because of mechanical. That was the other flight we considered taking. We are so thankful the Lord led us to fly through Chicago.
We should be boarding soon. Here we go!
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Packing!!
Here are a couple pictures of all the stuff we are bringing to Ethiopia. We are amazed at how much stuff we are bringing and how little of it is for us. All of the tubs, duffel bags, and the two red suitcases contain donations. We have some food interspersed in the red bags, but most of our personal items are in carry-ons. What a job! I have renewed respect for all those who have gone before us. It is quite a task.
Jay has been working like crazy to get started with the seeding/spraying/rock picking. He has managed to put in 350 acres of field peas with the help of a couple guys from our church. We are so blessed to have some amazing guys who are taking time away from their work to help us in the field. We are so blessed to have such good friends!
The next time I post, I hope to have some pictures of our girls. We just received another update from the Transition Home with new pictures. Anxious to put my arms around those little ones! Soon, Soon.
Please pray for a sweet visit.
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Court Date!
Our Court Date is May 8th!
We have been waiting and waiting for this court assignment and now that it has come, my head is spinning.
We had to take a quick trip to Rapid City yesterday to renew our fingerprints for the 2nd time, so we took advantage of the drive to call Golden Rule Travel on the east coast and make flight arrangements. By the end of today we had secured our flight, bought a lap top computer (ours died a couple years ago and don't ask me why we didn't purchase one a couple years ago), and had cancelled all appointments for our week of travel.
God's timing is soo perfect. I am so grateful that Olivia will not have to miss her beloved HS Choir Concert (we are leaving after it) or her first HS Prom or her A.C.T. test or her AP Psychology test. Although she would have gladly given them up to travel to Addis to meet her new sisters, I am thankful that she doesn't have to. Logan takes Algebra I and Science at the Middle School and his teachers have been so accomodating as well. The only event the kids will miss is Band Day. We have all decided that no matter what events would have had to be missed, this trip was more important. All other activities deemed important by our world, definitely pale in comparison to life changing moments such as these.
We will find out the rest of our travel plans by the end of the week and on Monday we have a travel conference call with America World to answer any questions. In the meantime, I will be praying, packing, and praying some more. We are so excited to meet our sweet girls. Soon I will be able to show you their beautiful faces.
Summary of our journey:
DTE: 5-6-11 (time our paperwork made it to Ethiopia)
RR: 12-17-12 (date of our referral for two sweet girls)
MOWCYA: 4-17-13 (date for approval of adoption by Ethiopian Gov't)
CD: 5-8-13 (date of personal court date)
We have been waiting and waiting for this court assignment and now that it has come, my head is spinning.
We had to take a quick trip to Rapid City yesterday to renew our fingerprints for the 2nd time, so we took advantage of the drive to call Golden Rule Travel on the east coast and make flight arrangements. By the end of today we had secured our flight, bought a lap top computer (ours died a couple years ago and don't ask me why we didn't purchase one a couple years ago), and had cancelled all appointments for our week of travel.
God's timing is soo perfect. I am so grateful that Olivia will not have to miss her beloved HS Choir Concert (we are leaving after it) or her first HS Prom or her A.C.T. test or her AP Psychology test. Although she would have gladly given them up to travel to Addis to meet her new sisters, I am thankful that she doesn't have to. Logan takes Algebra I and Science at the Middle School and his teachers have been so accomodating as well. The only event the kids will miss is Band Day. We have all decided that no matter what events would have had to be missed, this trip was more important. All other activities deemed important by our world, definitely pale in comparison to life changing moments such as these.
We will find out the rest of our travel plans by the end of the week and on Monday we have a travel conference call with America World to answer any questions. In the meantime, I will be praying, packing, and praying some more. We are so excited to meet our sweet girls. Soon I will be able to show you their beautiful faces.
Summary of our journey:
DTE: 5-6-11 (time our paperwork made it to Ethiopia)
RR: 12-17-12 (date of our referral for two sweet girls)
MOWCYA: 4-17-13 (date for approval of adoption by Ethiopian Gov't)
CD: 5-8-13 (date of personal court date)
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Recommendation letter
Praise God! We received a positive recommendation letter today from MOWCYA. This brings us one step closer to receiving the personal court date where we will travel to Ethiopia to meet our girls. We are so ready to go. (Well, actually not really. I am in alittle bit of a panic now that it is becoming real. You know what I will be doing this weekend.)
Within the next day or two we will receive our personal court date and will be making plans to travel. I will keep you posted.
Within the next day or two we will receive our personal court date and will be making plans to travel. I will keep you posted.
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
MOWCYA Date!
We just received our MOWCYA/Birth Parent court date for April 17th! This is the date that MOWCYA is subpoened for our recommendation letter, and a birth parent is requested to appear to give their consent for the adoption.
Once our letter of recommendation is written we can be expected to travel within 2 weeks! I have already decided to be partially packed and ready by April 17th...just in case.
We are super excited!
Once our letter of recommendation is written we can be expected to travel within 2 weeks! I have already decided to be partially packed and ready by April 17th...just in case.
We are super excited!
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Devotional
One of the families waiting for court dates sent this devotional to our Ethiopia Yahoo group. It was encouraging to me as I wait.
"...but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31
Ever feel like God signed you up for an intense "wait training" class?
You pray. You ask. You anticipate God's answer, but like an Internet page taking a long time load, you must wait.
And wait.
And wait some more.
I had to wait years before I became pregnant. During that time I attended baby showers while choking back tears.
I had to wait nearly throee years for our too-expensive-for-our-new-financial-situation home to sell. During that time, I pinched pennies and lost sleep.
And I'm still waiting on many prayer requests: for a spiritually lost loved one, a family friend in ICU, a plan for my high school son's future. Waiting, waiting, waiting....
But just as physical weight traing builds strength, so does spiritual "wait training". We are promised this in Isaiah 40:31:
"...but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."
How can waiting renew our strength? After all, doesn't waiting seem to sap our strength as we worry and fret and drum our fingers impatiently? It's exhausting playing the "What if?" game in our minds:
What if this doesn't work out?
What if God's answer is "no"?
What if the thing I fear the most actually happens..what then?
All this worry-laden waiting drains rather than strengthens. How can we turn this around and actually find ourselves renewed?
I have found that to shift my perspective in the waiting times replenishes my strength. I try not to think of those times of seemingly silence from God as waiting in the sense of sitting and anxiously anticipating a response. But as in waiting like a butler, maid or restaurant server.
Those who "wait on the Lord"--as in serve Him, cater to Him, help Him, accomplish His work; those who take His order and bring Him what He wants-they are the ones who renew their strength.
They mount up with wings as eagles.
They walk and do not faint.
As we serve, we become more aware of what the One we are waiting on desires. We become alert, attentive, and in tune with His wishes. We begin to take our eyes off of our problems and fix them on the Lord instead. As we do, we get a glimpse into His heart.
Then, instead of the wait sapping our spiritual strength, it is renewed as we seek to do the Lord's will...to make Him famous...to give Him glory. Even in theose long, hard times of waiting for an answer, we continue to serve Him.
Will you sign up with me for Wait Training 101?
You'lll grow stronger spiriual muscles if you do. But we must commit to this perspective: we won't just "wait on the Lord," we'll wait on Him. Trust me, the tips He leaves are out of this world!
Dear Lord,
Teach me to shif my perspective during those times of waiting and oubt. May I stop fretting and worrying, and busy myself serving You instead.
In Jesus' Name. Amen
"...but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31
Ever feel like God signed you up for an intense "wait training" class?
You pray. You ask. You anticipate God's answer, but like an Internet page taking a long time load, you must wait.
And wait.
And wait some more.
I had to wait years before I became pregnant. During that time I attended baby showers while choking back tears.
I had to wait nearly throee years for our too-expensive-for-our-new-financial-situation home to sell. During that time, I pinched pennies and lost sleep.
And I'm still waiting on many prayer requests: for a spiritually lost loved one, a family friend in ICU, a plan for my high school son's future. Waiting, waiting, waiting....
But just as physical weight traing builds strength, so does spiritual "wait training". We are promised this in Isaiah 40:31:
"...but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."
How can waiting renew our strength? After all, doesn't waiting seem to sap our strength as we worry and fret and drum our fingers impatiently? It's exhausting playing the "What if?" game in our minds:
What if this doesn't work out?
What if God's answer is "no"?
What if the thing I fear the most actually happens..what then?
All this worry-laden waiting drains rather than strengthens. How can we turn this around and actually find ourselves renewed?
I have found that to shift my perspective in the waiting times replenishes my strength. I try not to think of those times of seemingly silence from God as waiting in the sense of sitting and anxiously anticipating a response. But as in waiting like a butler, maid or restaurant server.
Those who "wait on the Lord"--as in serve Him, cater to Him, help Him, accomplish His work; those who take His order and bring Him what He wants-they are the ones who renew their strength.
They mount up with wings as eagles.
They walk and do not faint.
As we serve, we become more aware of what the One we are waiting on desires. We become alert, attentive, and in tune with His wishes. We begin to take our eyes off of our problems and fix them on the Lord instead. As we do, we get a glimpse into His heart.
Then, instead of the wait sapping our spiritual strength, it is renewed as we seek to do the Lord's will...to make Him famous...to give Him glory. Even in theose long, hard times of waiting for an answer, we continue to serve Him.
Will you sign up with me for Wait Training 101?
You'lll grow stronger spiriual muscles if you do. But we must commit to this perspective: we won't just "wait on the Lord," we'll wait on Him. Trust me, the tips He leaves are out of this world!
Dear Lord,
Teach me to shif my perspective during those times of waiting and oubt. May I stop fretting and worrying, and busy myself serving You instead.
In Jesus' Name. Amen
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
News!
A little good news can go a long way in this process called adoption. We received updated pictures and information about our girls today. It was so nice to see their smiling faces. They are so beautiful! I can't wait to share their smiling faces with you.
We are still waiting for a MOWCYA court date and recommendation letter. We are now expecting that court date to be scheduled in March. Then the expectation is to travel 10 days later. I am half afraid to receive the call with the date, knowing that our whole world is going to be turned upside down from that day forward.
Oh, that God would choose me to be a mother again, to two precious girls. My emotions are all over the place when I think about the gravity of our decision to adopt. How could we say yes when our lives were so full and busy; yet how could we say no, when we have room for more. When the Lord of all creation calls you to do something--something so radical that it shakes your whole world upside down--so out of your comfort zone--so completely out of your control; the only choice is to say "Yes!" To say "no" would be to turn down an opportunity for God's glory to be revealed and for God to work in our lives. So, we wait...expecting that God's timing will be perfect.
We are still waiting for a MOWCYA court date and recommendation letter. We are now expecting that court date to be scheduled in March. Then the expectation is to travel 10 days later. I am half afraid to receive the call with the date, knowing that our whole world is going to be turned upside down from that day forward.
Oh, that God would choose me to be a mother again, to two precious girls. My emotions are all over the place when I think about the gravity of our decision to adopt. How could we say yes when our lives were so full and busy; yet how could we say no, when we have room for more. When the Lord of all creation calls you to do something--something so radical that it shakes your whole world upside down--so out of your comfort zone--so completely out of your control; the only choice is to say "Yes!" To say "no" would be to turn down an opportunity for God's glory to be revealed and for God to work in our lives. So, we wait...expecting that God's timing will be perfect.
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Donations
There is a long list of needs for America World's transition homes and local orphanages. As the items below are difficult to purchase in or ship to Ethiopia, America World is thankful for the traveling families who bring donation items.
Current Priority Transition Home Needs:
Crocs for children and nannies
Shoes and clothing (gently used are ok)for children 3-14
Toothpaste
Foam/Rubber (lightweight) soccer/playing balls for toddlers
Diaper cream, specifically with zinc oxide (Destin or Boudreaux's)
Orphanage and Transitional Home General Donation Needs
Clothing and shoes for children ages -14
Warm clothing-sweatshirts, long-sleeved shirts, etc.
Bath towels for children
Antibacterial hand gel (40 oz containers available at WalMart for $5)
Small sized diapers
Baby bottles and nipples
Vitamin D drops
Unscented baby wipes ***unsecnted/sensitive skin wipes are the only type used***
Toothpaste and toothbrushes
Scrubs for Nannies
Crocs for Nannies
General first aid items
Powder-free gloves for nannies and doctors
DVD and VHS children's videos-especially christian videos and ones with singing/dancing
Puzzles for young children
Toy cars for toddler aged children
Iron drops
Diaper rash ointment
Paper towels
Children's notebooks
Medications/Medical Donation Needs (Please check the expiration date to make sure not expired)
Multivitamins: Tri-vi-sol (o-6 months)
Poly-vi-sol (6 months to 2 years)
Chewable mulit-vitamin (2 years to 9 years)
Adult vitamin
Tylenol: Infants, Children, Suppository
Syringes for giving medicines (5mL)
Plastic and Latex diposable gloves
Baby nose saline spray
Neosporin
Motuth and nose masks
Benadryl liquid/elixir
Permetherin for scabies
Lice kits
If anyone would like to donate these items, you can bring them to New Hope Church or contact me and I will meet you. Thanks so much for your support.
Please continue to PRAY for movement within the Ethiopian government and adoption entities. We have seen very little movement and there are many families waiting for court dates, letters of recommendations and referrals.
Current Priority Transition Home Needs:
Crocs for children and nannies
Shoes and clothing (gently used are ok)for children 3-14
Toothpaste
Foam/Rubber (lightweight) soccer/playing balls for toddlers
Diaper cream, specifically with zinc oxide (Destin or Boudreaux's)
Orphanage and Transitional Home General Donation Needs
Clothing and shoes for children ages -14
Warm clothing-sweatshirts, long-sleeved shirts, etc.
Bath towels for children
Antibacterial hand gel (40 oz containers available at WalMart for $5)
Small sized diapers
Baby bottles and nipples
Vitamin D drops
Unscented baby wipes ***unsecnted/sensitive skin wipes are the only type used***
Toothpaste and toothbrushes
Scrubs for Nannies
Crocs for Nannies
General first aid items
Powder-free gloves for nannies and doctors
DVD and VHS children's videos-especially christian videos and ones with singing/dancing
Puzzles for young children
Toy cars for toddler aged children
Iron drops
Diaper rash ointment
Paper towels
Children's notebooks
Medications/Medical Donation Needs (Please check the expiration date to make sure not expired)
Multivitamins: Tri-vi-sol (o-6 months)
Poly-vi-sol (6 months to 2 years)
Chewable mulit-vitamin (2 years to 9 years)
Adult vitamin
Tylenol: Infants, Children, Suppository
Syringes for giving medicines (5mL)
Plastic and Latex diposable gloves
Baby nose saline spray
Neosporin
Motuth and nose masks
Benadryl liquid/elixir
Permetherin for scabies
Lice kits
If anyone would like to donate these items, you can bring them to New Hope Church or contact me and I will meet you. Thanks so much for your support.
Please continue to PRAY for movement within the Ethiopian government and adoption entities. We have seen very little movement and there are many families waiting for court dates, letters of recommendations and referrals.
Monday, January 14, 2013
MOWCYA
We sent our care package with another family last week and yesterday she sent me pictures of the girls opening their care packages. She said that the girls carried their bags around all day showing everyone their photo book. It was so nice to see updated pictures. They are absolutely beautiful girls!
We are currently waiting for a Ministry of Women, Children, and Youth Affairs (MOWCYA) date from the court. These dates are issued sporadically and America World has seen MOWCYA dates being issued ranging from late January to early March. Because of this, it is very difficult to predict when our family's MOWCYA date will occur. We need the recommendation letter from MOWCYA before we are issued a court date. Once this letter is received, we are told we should be prepared to travel about 10 days later.
Prayer requests:
1. Timely MOWCYA date and recommendation letter (we are praying for January, not March) :)
2. Organization on my part to gather donations, prepare for travel.
3. Health and wellness for our family.
4. Provision for our girls at the Transition Home. (I am praying for their emotional, spiritual, and physical well being, as well as protection.)
Once we know we are traveling, I will post our schedule.
Donation list to come. :)
We are currently waiting for a Ministry of Women, Children, and Youth Affairs (MOWCYA) date from the court. These dates are issued sporadically and America World has seen MOWCYA dates being issued ranging from late January to early March. Because of this, it is very difficult to predict when our family's MOWCYA date will occur. We need the recommendation letter from MOWCYA before we are issued a court date. Once this letter is received, we are told we should be prepared to travel about 10 days later.
Prayer requests:
1. Timely MOWCYA date and recommendation letter (we are praying for January, not March) :)
2. Organization on my part to gather donations, prepare for travel.
3. Health and wellness for our family.
4. Provision for our girls at the Transition Home. (I am praying for their emotional, spiritual, and physical well being, as well as protection.)
Once we know we are traveling, I will post our schedule.
Donation list to come. :)
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Waiting and Paperwork
It will be three weeks tomorrow since we received our referral. Since then we have learned that a few of our documents are close to being 2 years old. We will need to update our Financial Statement, Background checks, and Physical Exam forms. We have the first two completed and will have our physicals this week. One more thing to check off the list. :)
We were also able to get a care package sent off to the girls. That was alittle more stressful for me, since the family traveling was leaving on Jan. 5. But I got a small photo book made (Walmart is good for something), a T-shirt, costume jewelry, and a fun play phone sent off 2 day Express Mail to a family who was traveling from Texas. Can't wait to see the pictures they take of our girls opening their package.
Tonight we met with the Haskins family, who brought two children home in August. They gave us all kinds of information on traveling to Addis and what to bring with us. I am so thankful for all the ways God is preparing us for this adoption. He continues to give me peace and affirmation.
We were also able to get a care package sent off to the girls. That was alittle more stressful for me, since the family traveling was leaving on Jan. 5. But I got a small photo book made (Walmart is good for something), a T-shirt, costume jewelry, and a fun play phone sent off 2 day Express Mail to a family who was traveling from Texas. Can't wait to see the pictures they take of our girls opening their package.
Tonight we met with the Haskins family, who brought two children home in August. They gave us all kinds of information on traveling to Addis and what to bring with us. I am so thankful for all the ways God is preparing us for this adoption. He continues to give me peace and affirmation.
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