Mathew 18:5

"And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me." Mathew 18:5

Sunday, January 19, 2014

WAITING.....


Most of you know that there have been some scary things happening with Ethiopian adoption right now. I will do a recap. The Friday before New Year’s Eve we received an email from AGCI briefly stating that adoptions in Ethiopia may be closing for outside of the country adoptions. Therefore the fate of thousands of orphans is unknown. There was supposed to have been a meeting about this in ten days. Well that meeting never happened. I’m not sure how this will all end, and if that meeting will come later. What I do know is that I am ready and willing, if I have to fight to bring K home.  As of now AGCI has been very positive about K coming home and has given me hope again. As of right now there are 6 families waiting to travel for 1st trip and 3 families waiting for their 2nd trip. Wait times between court and embassy have been around 2 months. We are part of the new PAIR process so it could take us longer. AGCI is still trying to figure this process out right along beside us. They are saying it could take up to 4 to 7 months. Let’s pray that it doesn’t take that long. I’m going to pray that God moves mountains to get K and all the special kids at HH home soon.

I know it’s easy to get frustrated and caught up in the wait time. However, I know I should try to maintain as normal as a routine as possible. This is extremely hard for me. I have to tell you, I had a breakdown when we received that email, and K getting home is all I can think about. I feel I am overwhelmed and consumed with the mission of getting my son home. That is the first thing I think about when I wake up and the last thing I think about going to bed. The wait and the not knowing is extremely hard. This is where faith comes in. God, I do have faith that you will bring our son home and this is all part of your plan. I had a dear friend tell me that it is special in God’s eyes to be called to wait. She said to be called to wait is like serving our God. Helping and encouraging others who have also been called to wait. As I write this with a smile because that is exactly what is happening.  I am not the only momma in this wait for her child or children.  I have been praying and saying words of encouragement daily. Waiting also has brought me closer to God, for I have found myself praying a lot more. I have confessed my struggles to God and have been seeking grace of our God who has called me to wait. I have now rethought the meaning of waiting, and feel God is using the waiting in my life as a call to action to bring me closer to him.
I will close this blog with letting everyone know that we did receive our contracts from Ethiopia. One step closer!!!!!!!.... THANK YOU ALL for prayers and support to bring our special son K home!!!!!!

Melkam Gena!


January 7, 2014 is my son’s Christmas in Ethiopia. Melkam  Gena ( means Merry Christmas in Amharic). We are extremely proud of our son’s Ethiopian heritage and would like to keep it dear to him when he comes home also. We decided to celebrate his holiday with him. I am a part of a special AGCI Ethiopia group on Facebook and some of these special mothers gave me some great ideas and recipes to help us celebrate. We ate by candle light, had some delicious Ethiopian food. I made Wat,Ethiopian honey bread  (“Yermarina Yewotet Dabo”)  and of course popcorn, a favorite by my kiddos. The girls loved wearing their scarves.  Here are some pics of our dinner.  
 



 

CHRISTMAS!


It has been awhile since my last post. Therefore I’m going to do three different posts tonight. I am writing about our journey to K and someday I would like to make my journal into a book for him. During this journey to him, I have written about milestones and detours, as well as love, hope, and most of all faith. Writing this journal has made me think about what he is going to think when he reads this? Should I hide my fears and anxiety I have written about when unexpected things happen along the way? But hiding fears and feelings and putting up fronts, defeats the purpose of a journal, which is most effective when it’s honest.  

I would like share our Christmas with you K! We can’t wait for Christmas time next year when you’re in all the pictures with your brother and sisters. We made a video for you but we can’t post it on the blog. The song in the video states it is Christmas time and you’re not home. We can’t wait to sing the part that says its Christmas time and now you’re home.


December 25, 2013
 

Lily, Kaitlynn, Gabe, and K's stockings.

Your stocking is the only one left hanging, but next year there will be none!

Your big sister is opening up your stocking this year.



 

 
 

The shirt you will wear when we bring you home to America.






The presents Santa left for you.


 


Merry Christmas K! We love you!