We are so grateful that we have already been to Ethiopia because that helps us know what to expect from the air travel, country, and accomodation side of things. There are many other details to be sorted out and put in place!
We will be leaving DFW on November 5th. We are planning to worship at Beza International Church on Sunday and meet with new friends we made on our last trip. Monday morning, we will drive 12 hours on very bumpy roads to meet Mary-A. It will be 3 days round trip as we have to have her back in Addis two days before court. Our court 'hearing' is on November 12th, and Lord willing, we will officially be her parents when we board the plane that night to return home (we will arrive back at DFW on Nov 13th). You better believe that if we pass court there will be the most beautiful picture of our daughter for you to see!!
I can hardly wait to hold her, love on her and kiss her!! I can't really believe it's happening and so fast!! The holidays are going to be so amazing this year - THANK YOU LORD!! We are still praying to have her home with her forever family by Christmas and for my sister-in-law's wedding. What a time of celebration it will be!!
Specific Prayer Requests:
- safe and healthy travel
- God's guidance and words when meeting her birth mother
- court to go smoothly & that we'll pass
- peace as our family prepares for this transition
- Hannah, Luke, Katy & Emily will be blessed and changed by this journey
- we will be gracious, patient and kind
- God will continue to prepare us to be adoptive parents (for the 1st time) and parents again (for the 5th time)
- speedy Embassy appointment after court (to bring her home)
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Saturday, October 16, 2010
COURT DATE!!!
We got the phone call yesterday afternoon.
We have a NOVEMBER 12TH court date!
We are SO SO SO excited!!
Thank you for praying so faithfully for our family.
God is Good and His timing is perfect!!
We have a NOVEMBER 12TH court date!
We are SO SO SO excited!!
Thank you for praying so faithfully for our family.
God is Good and His timing is perfect!!
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Days 1 & 2 (actually it's only 1/2)
Mission Trip - Day 1
We spent our first day at Kingdom Vision International orphanage. This is the orphanage our dear friends, the Alexanders, got their first little boy from. As our vans drove in, the kids were so excited and swarmed around. They ran up and hugged and kissed us - so so beautiful. There are 85 children at this orphanage from infant to teenager and they were all amazing. After handing out Dum-Dums and bracelets and hugs and kisses, it was time to get down to business. Three dentist examined teeth and I got to work with a sweet friend in what we affectionately refer to as the 'hygiene hut'. I got to learn (and try to say) each child's name and then we gave them each a toothbrush, toothpaste and taught them how to brusha-brusha-brusha. IF they brush their teeth it is done on Weds, but since most of them didn't even know how to hold their toothbrush I doubt it happens too often. Their eyes lit up as if we had handed them a treasure! Some of them even walked around the orphanage brushing their teeth they were so excited. Some of the team painted the hallway and toddler room -- other played games of soccer and chase and others did crafts with the older kids and still others held and rocked babies. There was lots of holding and rocking and yes, I shed a few tears too. My heart hurts for these precious children that are so beautiful and so in need of and deserving of love. And my heart hurts because I know our little girl is so close but so far and I want to be holding her. I want her to know that we are coming for her, I want someone to love on her and hold her until we can get there !! It is a heartache that I can't explain --- I hurt for these children with no one to call mommy and daddy and I hurt for our little girl that doesn't know she has a mommy and daddy!! I hope someone with a child waiting at KVI knows that we loved on them until they can get there just as I pray someone is doing for our baby!!
Well, I got half-way through the first day and I haven't even explained the sheep slaughter on this day or touched on Day 2. We'll pick up at the sheep part tomorrow.
We spent our first day at Kingdom Vision International orphanage. This is the orphanage our dear friends, the Alexanders, got their first little boy from. As our vans drove in, the kids were so excited and swarmed around. They ran up and hugged and kissed us - so so beautiful. There are 85 children at this orphanage from infant to teenager and they were all amazing. After handing out Dum-Dums and bracelets and hugs and kisses, it was time to get down to business. Three dentist examined teeth and I got to work with a sweet friend in what we affectionately refer to as the 'hygiene hut'. I got to learn (and try to say) each child's name and then we gave them each a toothbrush, toothpaste and taught them how to brusha-brusha-brusha. IF they brush their teeth it is done on Weds, but since most of them didn't even know how to hold their toothbrush I doubt it happens too often. Their eyes lit up as if we had handed them a treasure! Some of them even walked around the orphanage brushing their teeth they were so excited. Some of the team painted the hallway and toddler room -- other played games of soccer and chase and others did crafts with the older kids and still others held and rocked babies. There was lots of holding and rocking and yes, I shed a few tears too. My heart hurts for these precious children that are so beautiful and so in need of and deserving of love. And my heart hurts because I know our little girl is so close but so far and I want to be holding her. I want her to know that we are coming for her, I want someone to love on her and hold her until we can get there !! It is a heartache that I can't explain --- I hurt for these children with no one to call mommy and daddy and I hurt for our little girl that doesn't know she has a mommy and daddy!! I hope someone with a child waiting at KVI knows that we loved on them until they can get there just as I pray someone is doing for our baby!!
Well, I got half-way through the first day and I haven't even explained the sheep slaughter on this day or touched on Day 2. We'll pick up at the sheep part tomorrow.
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