8 hours

Ethiopia is 8 hours ahead of Michigan time.  I, well we, are constantly thinking 8 hours ahead and what time of day it is in Addis Ababa.  We get wonderfully detailed reports on both girls, so are aware of each days schedules.  We know what time they typically wake up, leave for school, eat their meals, have free time, go to sleep, etc, etc...it's so fun to think about where they are in their days!  The reports also say they like going to church, when they can find someone to bring them.  I will bring you morning and night every Sunday baby girls!!  
As I write this update, it's almost 5 am on Monday morning for our girlies (see what I mean, always thinking 8 hours ahead!) hoping they are both soundly sleeping, with the promise of breakfast in a few hours, then a full day of school. Homework, dinner, chores, free time and their beds await them after school.
8 hours ahead, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia await our 2 new loves.  We need to get them home and knock out this 8 hours between us!  
Also, on a much brighter and warmer note, Addis Ababa is 78 degrees ....I'm pretty sure we should get a travel date soon!!!

PEACE

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4: 5-6

Proud momma

Thinking of the big ways I've been blessed and at the top are, in no particular order;

Jesse Christian!  My sweet Jesse just turned 13 last week, yes I have 3 teens living under the roof!  He, like most teens, asked for cash for his big day.  However, when I asked him what he was thinking of doing with his money, his response was not what I was thinking I'd hear.  He planned to put his b-day $ together with the money he had been saving and pick out gifts in our World Vision catalog!  I just finished helping him order:  2 goats, 13 small farm animals, care for 2 orphans, $400 worth of medicine and vaccinations.  Proud momma moment watching him get excited to give rather than receive!

Jordan Jacklin!  She is now officially in remission!  Horray and what a wonderful blessing it is to know her levels are normal and I don't feel like I need to bubble-wrap her before she drives out the drive way!  I'm so proud of how she handled her many lab draws, dr appointments, hospitalizations, etc, etc... She never wavered knowing that God was always in control of what was to happen to her.  Amazing!  She has kept up with all her school work, which includes classes at GVSU and being on the Deans List! She always sees the brighter side of things and she is a constant reminder to me of Gods goodness.

Solomon Lee!  My non-stop-talking, duct-tape loving, always doing a craft-3rd grader!  He is so quick witted and uses such big words I sometimes stop and look at him remembering that he's only in the 3rd grade! We totally picked the right name for him!  Wise Solomon.  LOL!  Solomon actually means peaceful, which we thought was appropriate for our 4th child.  :) Solomon has recently talked about making his profession of faith in Jesus Christ!!  Nothing could make this momma more proud.

Gabriel Todd!  Many don't know that he's completed his course at MSU and is now a working man!  Can't believe my baby is almost 20 and working full time!  His commencement is next month and can't wait to see him walk across that stage!  His degree is in Dairy Management and he's got a job working with Todd at the dairy he manages.  They work well together and Todd is amazed at all he's learned.  Amazingly, when we went to MSU to help him pack, Todd walked in and announced that the room Gabe was in, had been Todd's when Todd was at MSU!  He also noted not a lot had been changed.  Lol.

Kyah Gracelin Marie!  Our sweet little 3 1/2 year old is growing and is so smart. I know everyone says that about their child, but she really hasn't missed a beat!   She learned how to zip zippers this week and is so proud.  :) She dresses herself now, which usually includes something pink and something that zips, along with boots.  Loves playing baby dolls and tells Todd and they are his granddaughters!  Lol!  I'm getting better and quicker at putting twists and beads in her hair.  She loves shaking her head and hearing the beads clink together.

Can't wait to share stories about "T" and "B" some day.  Anxious to know all about them!!!

I want to begin this entry with a huge thank you to all of you who have been praying for our girls and these adoptions!  We are so blessed and feel the support.  Thanks to those of you who take time and care enough to ask us how we are doing...especially since the response you get might not make you feel comfortable.  Adoption is tough.  Adoption is amazing.  Adoption is needed.

Because of situations and changes in processes, our girls cases are stuck.  In fact, we went backwards a bit.  Frustrating to say the least!  We know that "T's" case is waiting for a letter of approval and had been told that "B's" case was approved and find out that's not true.  "B's" case is in need of, in my opinion, a ridiculous old orphanage transfer request.  It's from a very long time ago and has absolutely nothing to do with her orphan status.  But, none the less, is needed.  So guess what!?!  We get to wait some more!  I'm trying hard to see some purpose as to why this is all happening and all I can come up with at this point is that God is not done working here.

Unfortunately, our girls cases aren't the only ones stuck.  Many are and I feel their pain as well.  I ask for prayers in softening the hearts of those in authority to write these approval letters and for the signatures required....and in a timely manner!!!!

I need to refocus often these days and remember that this is not about me.  Oh, that's so hard to do!  I'm human and most of all a momma!  I want my girls home!  It's hard to explain the complete love I have for 2 children that I've never even met.  I feel like they are a part of me and our family feels  incomplete.  There's an unrest all the time.  Always a feeling that our "someone's" are missing, even though we've never experienced life with them.  

Most of all I fear for our daughters.  How are they dealing with us not coming for them?  We get updates every other month and that's how often they hear from us.  We have 3 videos waiting for their social worker to show them right now.  They are of the 7 of us and a little greeting and individuals of Todd and I showing them snow.  :) They haven't had any updates from us since the end of November, since that's the last time their social worker did their assessments.  That's a huge amount of time for a child!  I'm going to fight and see if this time frame between communications can be shortened.  I just don't want them to feel that we aren't coming for them or have changed our minds.  You know how children interpret and think things are different than what they really are.  Both have experienced much and they don't need more to try to handle.

I will try to update more regularly, even if there's nothing much to share.  :) Thanks again for your support, it truly means so much!!

For my birthday last February, just before being matched with "T" and "B", Todd gave me this "WAITING" Africa necklace as a gift.  Love it and wear it always, knowing that our newest loves remain WAITING.

Lots has happened and nothing at all....

If you're in the "adoption world" or know anything about it at all, this statement makes perfect sense.

Thanks so much to all of you who have been praying our daughters home!  For all of you who are brave enough and care enough to ask us how things are going, we thank you.  It means the world to us to have support and "power-prayers" backing us up!

Our girls cases were submitted and were denied on December 3.  They are now requiring more documentation and approvals.  Truthfully, I don't understand it all.  We are told that they want to exhaust every effort to keep children in country.  I get that!  In a perfect world, that would be best for all.  Now, Bethany in Ethiopia, has obtained the necessary papers to prove this and have resubmitted again.  Currently, we are waiting approval and then can proceed with a court date.  This could be weeks or we may get to travel soon.  Looking at this as a huge adventure!  LOL!  It's super exciting actually!  Just wish it would happen!!

We are trying to be positive and keep our chins up, but this is tough.  When I see my amazing husband just aching and anguishing that his daughters are "stuck", it's painful for me.  I keep busy getting their room prepared and dreaming of the trip that will bring us to them.  I'm getting our "donation suit case" ready and have connected with a local group who makes washable feminine hygiene products.  We are purchasing many packages of these to donate while there.  Trying, trying to keep my mind from racing into the "what if's" and "why's" and focusing on the reason we are doing what we are doing.....

"In adoption, we engage a child's broken situation, form a new present reality for them and write a future story of hope for their life.  That's exactly what Jesus did for us."
quote from All IN Orphan Care

One more step before we can get a court date set.  Yes, we were through all the processes, however, things changed earlier this month and now the Bethany Ethiopian team is scrambling to retrieve the original documents on all papers instead of photo copies. All these, we are told, will be collected and presented to the appropriate people on December 3rd.

OK, our prayer is that all the papers are in fact the correct ones and that it's a simple approval.  We ask God to soften the hearts of those who have authority over the girls cases.  We pray we will hear the results from this soon after and that we are cleared to get a court date set up!

Courts will close in January for a few weeks and if we don't get a court date set before closure, it will be delayed for weeks. 

On a much brighter note.....we got an update on our 2 beautiful girls this afternoon!  Our family recorded a video of all of us explaining who we are and a little greeting for them.  Their social worker showed them the video and while they watched it, they were being recorded for us to see their reactions!  It is priceless!!  Oh my!  They are so sweet and keep asking when we are coming.

Dear Lord,

You alone are in control!  Our hope and faith are in You and we know you can move mountains and care about these girls.  If it be Your will, we ask that you allow the process to be approved soon and allow us to travel before court closure.  Love and watch over these 2 darlings and bring us to them soon.  Amen.