I71H Approval

We received our immigration approval today! So, what that means for us is that we get one more document notarized tomorrow....and I think the paperwork is done for quite some time. More importantly though....what that really means is that we get to get started of having our documents sent to Ethiopia and getting a court date scheduled. It would be a miracle to beat the rainy season....so, our expectations are for October timeframe...but it would be wonderful to go early. We can't wait to let our sweet girl know about her family and the to start sending pics and stuff....but, that all will have to wait till the process moves along further.

We have also been really encouraged by the process that Gladney has been walking us through. They recently launched a program called Pathways, a program designed to help families in the adoption of older children. We've been meeting quite a bit with our case worker, Amy, and really walking through a ton of issues. So thankful that the Lord has provided this resource for us and that we are surrounded by so many people from Gladney and our church body, Watermark, that has a heart for the orphaned and vulnerable children. (www.gladney.org)

Lastly, there has been a ton going on with Kidmia these days. Our new in country direction, Ato Aschalew, has been amazing. The Lord was very gracious in providing someone like Aschalew to lead Kidmia. We are now caring for over 50 kids (25 on site and 25 off site in the community). We also have a friend going over in the next week and will be capturing photos and video for us....can't wait to update everyone. (www.kidmia.org)

Referral!!

Two days ago we received our referral for our daughter! Although still have some paper work due, we have been officially matched to her! So exciting, so many emotions..again! I'm doing a study on Ester,which the timing is amazing! not only was she an orphan who the Lord used big time in spite of her losses (which were many), she also was challenged to step up when a comfortable life would have been much easier! See Ester 4. As I think about the calling to adopt and what I too have wrestled with I love how Beth Moore challenged me through God's word and I pray it would challenge others. It gives me a drive to pray for those who are sitting on the fence with adoption and for those who ignore the calling altogether. She states:

"Sometimes we fear that fighting for what is right will kill us. Then again, it occurs to us that to stand by and do nothing out of self-preservation is to be dead already."

"At some point the hardest times in my life, I have been able to make the more difficult choice out of pure blind-eyed, bent-kneed acceptance that it was somehow part of a greater plan. I was beaten by a conviction that throbbed relentlessly against my strong self-centeredness. As much as my flesh wanted relief, i knew that when all was said and done, I'd sit on that side of glory having much rather fulfilled my calling than served myself all the way to meaninglessness. I had to accept that I was not called to an easy life. I was called to a purposeful life." AMEN!!!!

"Failure to decide brings personal loss and misses the opportunity to fulfill God's purposes. Failure to decide is to decide on failure"..

Now she wasn't talking about Adoption but she was talking about Ester who at a critical moment could sit in her nest of comfort or choose to step out in faith and do something, God's purpose for her, even if she perished. (Even if it didn't turn out the way she hoped)

Sarah

Motherhood

Today I sit here so blessed, beyond anything I EVER thought was possible. Yet I know the best is yet to come. Not here of course, so until then I will seek to live in gratitude and humility for ALL the Lord has done and will continue to do. A common theme in my life is that the Lord has used the most painful of circumstances to mold me, refine me but ultimately giving me the gift of complete abundance and satisfaction. Not from what the world says is satisfactory (smart kids, big home, nice car,etc..)but in peace and unexplainable joy that would seem crazy to those looking in at our life. A peace which only comes from not focusing on the external but the eternal Jesus Christ! John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Do I have it down? NO..It's been a continued to process that I desire to grow daily in the way I live and do. This is where the children come in. God has absolutey used my children to refine me, Yes, I am there for them but to not celebrate that the Lord uses our children to refine us(if we let Him) would be to not reckonize the invisible hand and providence of God. I never knew how selfish I was (outside of marriage) until I had kids. I also never realized how controlling I can be until I get anxious and upset that my kids are'nt doing what I ask of them or teach them. I am so grateful that the Lord has revealed to and grown me (still in training) that my part is to train them in the way they should go, to reproof, discpline, love.... The rest is God's..He knows,He already has their days set and numbered. I may not get the results I desire for them but I can know that I was faithful.

How much pressure I can put on myself that because they are not getting it,or that they have made bad choices that I am failing as a mom. HOGWASH! There has been so much peace in knowing and accepting that my kids are seperate from me. I am responsible to them not for them. They are accountable to making their own choices ( I can't control that) but they cannot control thier consequences. My part is to love them and when they fail to follow through with love and truth, not uuhhhhhhh, you did it again, when will you learn mentality. I'm still learning! I still sin daily! born that way,no way out accept accepting the gift of Christ love! but i know that when I start to get critical of them.. Jesus could write much in the sand. Do i want to force my childrens' hand in obedience or do I want their hearts to be pure! Psalm 51 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

Thank you Caitlin, Carly, Wolasa and Rediet. Caitlin,although it has been so hard at times, God is using you and will continue to mold you through your choices, good or bad. And in His soverenty, HE will use you in the life of others if they allow! What a mighty work he is doing in my heart because you are in my life. You are a joy and have more energy than I can keep up with, your intensity, God will use. Your perserverance that you have learned now is unbelievable. The way you can forgive and ask for forgiveness, most adults cannot do, yet you are learning it now. God will use your compassion for life a long way! Carly, your laugh and wittinesss drive me crazy yet make me laugh all at the same time. Your cautiousness with every situation will far, your fire cracker personality will be used by God for sure! Your affection for us is so rewarding when mamma is exhausted! You are precious!!Wolasa, tender, gentle and a lover!! You taught me so much even before you actually where in my arms. Your are teaching me much now. I love your love for learning and they way you want to help with everything! There are days when i could eat you up!!! Sweet Rediet, you are teaching me much too, the Lord is refining my faith through your abscence. I long for you to be home. I love you kids, happy kids day! because there wouldn't be a mothers' day without you! Proverbs 22:6 Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

Celebrating Wolasa's 4th Birthday.....and Some Fingerprints

We had two great days....we first got to celebrate Wolasa's first birthday with us....his 4th birthday. It was pretty low key on Thursday....he got a power wheels four wheeler (or as Wolasa says "Motocycle" and he had the joy....we'll, we all got the "joy" of dinner and games at Chuck E Cheese Thursday night. We have more fun planned this weekend.

What a joy to get to celebrate our son's birthday.

Today, Sarah and I got to get our CIS fingerprints. Our good friends the Leventhal's also had their fingerprints done today as they move forward with their adoption of their son, Joshua, from China.

Cary

Closer and Closer

Well yesterday we were notified that we are officially approved through gladney! So so excited! we have our fingerprint appt. this week with CIS! I can't believe we are closer. The second time around things are moving alot quicker. We are two months ahead of schedule. Now we fully realize things can slow at any moment but still excited ;) Cary and I went out last night to celebrate our anniversary and his birthday(which is tomorrow). It was so fun to look back and see that it was two years ago on his birthday that we decided to move forward with adoption! and now our precious boy is home and another is on the way. God is so amazing, the last two years have been so exciting and so fulfilling , nervewracking and hard! But I cannot even imagine not doing it and how much we would have missed out on with the Lord, how much I would have missed out on, so many opportunities to love,share, witness, teach, be taught! Can't wait to bring her home. My heart aches for her to be here.
Sarah

Update to Process

Adoption Update ------We received our documents back from FBI today and also received our appointments for fingerprints..........and got word that our homestudy was approved........all today! Our hope is 5 months from now we'll be on our way to bring our daughter home.....If anyone out there is going to Addis anytime in next few months and will be visiting Kechene....please let us know. Once we finally get matched our daughter will finally know what we've been up to these last 7 months since we first met her.....and will love to see/hear how she is doing.

So, are you guys crazy?

I had lunch the other day with a good friend and I was showing him a picture of our daughter that we are in the process of trying to adopt....and the question of "so, are you guys crazy" comes out.

Now...the answer to the question may actually be "yes" ---so, I can't entirely blame him for asking. But, it was rather funny....and then he got a chance to explain a little bit more.

The crazy part is of course the idea of adopting another child....traveling across an ocean to bring another child into our family. The crazy part is adopting a child that is the same age (or near) our oldest daughter. The crazy part is the pure cost of all of this ---today ----and forever more. The crazy part is I know he knows that we know we are far from great parents today.

So ----again - yes, I think we are crazy. I told him that the good news is that I think we can agree on that ---we are crazy. The only thing crazier in my view was us not to adopt her.

God - thank you for this priviledge...hoping for your tender mercies along the way ---but, either way --I know you are right in the middle with us. James 1:27.

Cary