Tickets and JOY!!

WooHoo!  We have our court trip tickets purchased and already know that we are able to visit with our daughters a few times during the trip!  Praise God!  This just seems so amazing to finally be talking court trip plans!  The Ethiopian Team is being very accommodating and more importantly, are working to support our girls in every way!  Love working with Bethany!

And....  Our girls know we are coming!!

We received update videos, pictures and what the girls reactions were to finding out that we are coming!  Their social worker agreed with our idea to show them a calendar with the date circled that we will arrive and have them cross out days until we come!  Again, love working with Bethany, they are great!  This is what "B" and "T's" social worker wrote:

August 24, 2015

The calendar is so much more than a gift for B and T. We have discussed the calendar together and they keep it in their room, next to T's banking bed. October X is circled and T cross out the current day and we count the days together until October X. I have told them that their family will visit them before October X probably over the week end. It is only X days! YAY. They were so excited and very happy. They were curious to know when they will travel with their family and I told them they might have to wait 4-6 weeks after court hearing. I have seen a big smile and relived feeling over their faces. They were shouting, giggling, laughing, hugging and kissing. They were so so happy. B was very happy for the birthday wish and to see you all together blowing out for the candles. I am also happy to see them smiling. 

Amazing!  It feels like we know them and their personalities with how well informed Bethany keeps us.  After watching the 5 videos, both Todd and I said that our daughter (the one who has been struggling with this wait) is back! There is JOY on both of their faces!  As if a huge weight is lifted.  Which it probably is.  Knowing that we are keeping our word, we are real and are REALLY COMING to see them!!  

Birthday & the "Next Step"

Today is "B's" birthday!  The day is here and we celebrate her life from afar!  I thank Jesus for her and for her Ethiopian parents who chose life!  What a gift!  Our little "honey-B" celebrates today and so do we!  Thank you God for taking care of her and loving on her on this special day!

August 14, as I've said before, is my favorite day!  Not only is it my "honey-B's" birthday, it's also the day we went to Ethiopia for our court day (3 years ago) and Kyah became an official Klaasen!  Lots of wonderful things happen on this day!

So, as I stated in my previous post.... "Next step.....Court Date in Ethiopia!!"  
well, guess what!?!  WE GOT OUR COURT DATE!!!

Not sure this has really sunk in yet, but we are thru all processes and have an official date in October to travel for court!  Praise Jesus!!  We feel so amazingly blessed to finally be at this point!  And, although it's a delay due to their rainy season closure, it feels good to be anticipating travel and finally getting to meet our daughters!  WooHoo!!  

Please continue to pray that this continued time of separation is healthy for all of us.  The delays have certainly taken their toll and we ask for prayers for our "honey-B" and "sweet-T" as they process the knowledge of us coming in a couple months and meeting their adoptive mom and dad for the first time.  The anticipation must be overwhelming, I know it is for me just thinking about it!  May God give us all peace throughout the final steps in these adoptions.

FEDERAL APPROVAL!!!!!!!!

I am thrilled to announce that we received our Federal Approval today!! WOOHOO!!  This is huge and we witnessed God moving mountains and parting waters for us today!  Doing the happy-dance tonight!
                    
                           Thank You JESUS!    


Next step.....Court Date in Ethiopia!!  

Asking for peace from Above

Unfortunately we have not gotten our necessary approval needed before courts close for the rainy season.  Disappointing to say the least.  It seems that we continue to get delays in bringing our 2 beautiful Ethiopian girls home.  HOWEVER, delays and disappointment are part of life and, God willing, we will get them home immediately following the court closure! 

Wish I could wrap my arms around my girls and let them know it'll all be OK.  I can't, but God can!  Wish I could assure my girls that they have a family who is trying everything in their power to complete these adoptions.  I'm not there to tell them, but God can send His Holy Spirit to give them peace and hope.  

In the meantime, please pray that all of us feels Gods peace!  I can honestly say that I am feeling that today!  I am sad, but know that God has a magnificent plan to bring them home and in the perfect time!  So, we wait on that perfect time.  Please pray that Todd feels this peace as I do.  This is a difficult place to be, but God lead us on this journey to adopt again, and I know with confidence, that He won't leave us!  He cares deeply about orphaned children as it's mentioned over 40 times in the scriptures!  HE cares about "T" and "B" and will not leave them orphaned and alone.  Praying that both girls feel in their hearts and know in their minds that God is real and He cares for them!  Asking our Lord for peace for all of us as we continue on....

Continuing in faith

Now that I've have a chance to process our negative news yesterday, a verse keeps echoing through my mind.  It's from 1 Thessalonians 5:18, which says:  "In everything give thanks; for this is Gods will for you in Christ Jesus."  I read that verse each time my Mom In Prayer group meets and know God is speaking to me as the Holy Spirit keeps whispering those words.

So today, I choose joy!  I'm looking for the ways that God remains faithful and they are very evident! Not sure why we continue to get delays, but I'm going to give thanks and enjoy the blessings He's granted me right now!

The Bethany Ethiopia team will try to get answers on Monday and appeal.  Only God knows what will happen, but likely we won't travel for court until mid-October.   That being said.....we are gonna pray like crazy that the decision could be changed on Monday!  God is good all the time and all the time God is good!  I can say that with confidence!

Today....I am working on giving thanks in everything, as I try to follow His will.

I have no words....

We got a negative approval.  Nothing short of a miraculous intervention will allow us to travel before rainy season court closure.  

I have no words.  I am numb.  

Review date coming...

Just got an update from our social worker and cases that were scheduled for review this month have been approved (all except 1).  They expect our cases to be reviewed any day, as they are trying to clear their desks prior to court closure.  

Please PRAY that they find our cases thorough, complete, uncomplicated and give them approval!  

I am amazed with all our prayer warriors!  Friends that say they are "praying every time they think of us, which is often", friends that are praying while they are packing for a move, friends that are passing along this prayer request to others, friends that wake in the night and think of our girls and pray.  

THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts! 

  We feel it and better yet, God hears it!!