tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19627004740472202652024-02-20T10:12:13.114-08:00Our Adoption Journey To You We are a family of five from a small town in northwest Ohio, pursuing God's calling to adopt. This is our international adoption journey, which we expect to take us all the way to Ethiopia. But only He knows for sure what is in store. We welcome you to follow our story.Val Steyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15428379201345567833noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1962700474047220265.post-87620276989314190142019-05-17T11:14:00.002-07:002019-05-17T11:20:04.103-07:00Chosen Vessel<div class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sf ui display"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".sfuidisplay";">So it’s been quite some time since I blogged, <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>2 years to be exact. Our family has grown so much, being a momma of 7 has kept me very busy. </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".sfuidisplay";">I found myself struggling a couple of months ago. I reached out to a my dear friend Saige for advice. She gave me the best advice, “ start writing again Val, that is your happy place.” So here we are. </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".sfuidisplay";">I have decided to write about my son Asnake.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".sfuidisplay";">I asked Asnake if I could share some things about him. He did give me permission to share.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".sfuidisplay";">My son’s story is his story to tell. I will not write or speak about anything that is very personal to him. </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".sfuidisplay";">Asnake has been home almost 2 years. To say he is thriving is an understatement. He is excelling at school, track, soccer, friends, being a big brother and younger brother. ( Side note: also excelling at loving his momma :) </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".sfuidisplay";">He fits in our family like he has always been here. </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".sfuidisplay";">We are beyond blessed to call him our son.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".sfuidisplay";"> In this post I wanted to take a moment to recognize and shout to the world about my son’s faithfulness. Asnake and his sister remained orphans in an orphanage for 7 years. They became teenagers in an orphanage. You all know the fears and the emotions of being a teenager, now multiply that by 20, living in an orphanage.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".sfuidisplay";">My son suffered TRAUMA. Enough trauma to break any “strong” child or even adult. </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".sfuidisplay";">When <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I sit back and think about the trauma he had to go through, I sob! A couple weeks ago I found myself hiding in my basement with my husband, crying for my son. </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".sfuidisplay";">I got a good cry out, Dried my tears and walked back up the steps with a “broken” smile on my face. I can’t imagine how many of those cries he has had. I had my husband to cry to, he cried alone. </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".sfuidisplay";">But he will tell you he was NOT alone. He had God by his side. </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".sfuidisplay";">Asnake read the Bible everyday and prayed to his Father. He asked his Father to protect his sister and him. He asked for a family everyday. Asnake said to me, </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".sfuidisplay";">“ Mom , it was so hard to watch everyone get a family, even the kids who didn’t pray or even believe in God. Mom, I would get so mad at God and tell him, I’m done! But that did not last long, I was to scared to be mad at God. I would tell God I’m sorry and went back to praying!</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".sfuidisplay";">Mom, I would pray in the bathroom because it was the only place to be alone with God.”</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".sfuidisplay";">These are my son’s words. My son, a teenage boy, in the middle of the most violent storm you can be in, but he was faithful. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Did you read that?!?!?.. TEENAGE BOY IN A HORRIBLE STORM REMAINS FAITHFUL!</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".sfuidisplay";">The kind of faith <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>that brings me to my knees. </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".sfuidisplay";">Satan attacked my child but he did not defeat him.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".sfuidisplay";">Satan wants you to hide from God and deceive God. God wants you to come to him with every honest, painful detail and that’s just what my son did.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".sfuidisplay";">I am having a hard time with this though. I just keep thinking this: Trust in a God who could have prevented the pain, trust in a system that was supposed to defend him but it didn’t, and the pain and trauma runs much deeper. </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".sfuidisplay";">Being his momma, I want answers! My heart will forever hurt for him. WHY GOD!!!! I have been reading the Bible searching for any answer. </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".sfuidisplay";">In the Bible I have read some ugly, awful stories about traumatic experiences among God’s faithful ones. God didn’t intervene to prevent the abuse. God didn’t micromanage the suffering, or give the victims a clean and quick “recovery story.” And yet He still put them on stage in his redemptive story. I have to believe these stories I have read are a lot like my son’s story. Asnake has an amazing redemption story, all for God’s glory. </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".sfuidisplay";">Our storms might look different in this life, but they all offer the opportunity to change us, forever. And God can take what seems tragic and devastating to turn it around for good. </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".sfuidisplay";">God already knew what Asnake was made of, but perhaps He wanted Asnake to learn what he was made of. I think we would all agree that we learn more from our tough times than from our easy times. </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".sfuidisplay";">We are often “taught” Jesus will make the pain go away. Sometimes He does in this life, sometimes He doesn’t. But it is important to know that trauma is not a life sentence. It’s not something that has to control us forever. No trauma is bigger than God. </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".sfuidisplay";">I know God remembers the evil that caused my son’s pain . One day, he will bring all of it into the light with crystal clarity and perfect justice.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".sfuidisplay";">We know that God loves His children. We know that part of His plan is to allow evil to exist in the world. We know that if we’re still alive, we have work to accomplish. We know that the Savior suffered, not only for our sins, but also for our pains and suffering, and we know that one day He will conquer the evil one, answer all our questions, and bless us. </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".sfuidisplay";">Asnake is my son, my hero, he is light!</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".sfuidisplay";">He is strong! He is faithful! I’m honored and blessed to watch his redemption story and anyone who knows him is blessed by him also. </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".sfuidisplay";">I’m so happy we said yes, when we saw Asnake and Bizuye’s faces. When we saw their faces they had been waiting 5 years for a family, and with a lot of fight it took 2 years after we said yes to get them home. We are sooooo grateful God has blessed us with them. God knew while you were waiting, you had a really crazy momma from Van Wert, Ohio who was coming to your country to fight for you! </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".sfuidisplay";">I’m so honored to watch my son live out his purpose for God’s glory. NOTHING CAN STOP HIM! </span><br />
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".sfuidisplay";">These are some of my sons's journal while he was waiting for a family:</span><br />
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The process is done...ADOPTED this day!!</div>
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Val Steyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15428379201345567833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1962700474047220265.post-8112535590821793612017-08-12T08:51:00.001-07:002017-08-12T08:51:38.385-07:00OUR GOD, MIRACLE WORKER<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;">Salem from Addis Ababa, as many of you know Nick is here. On August 3, he boarded a plane because I told him to book a flight on faith alone. He landed Friday August 4. While he was in the air God knew all the answers. God knew he was going to break all chains and move that mountain. That morning </span><span style="color: #454545; font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;">at 5 am</span><span style="color: #454545; font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;"> I got down on my knees in prayer. God heard our prayers and he knows our heart. Nick met his children that morning not knowing that God's miracle was already happening. </span><br />
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We got the phone call 2 hours after my husband landed. God moved that mountain! He preformed a miracle right before our eyes. At 3:00 We took full custody of our children.</div>
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With God's grace and hundreds of faithful believers praying, we did it! The staff here at AA never gave up. My thanks and gratitude goes out to my agency and the staff at MOWA. I will be forever in debt to them, because of them my children are coming home. The enemy can NOT stand against God's will for our children. </div>
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Our children have been with us in the hotel. They have been so wonderful. Polite, kind, loving and very shy, is how I would describe them. Sleeping next to them every night has been a dream of mine for 2 1/2 years. Sleeping without fear and not being scared has been a dream of theirs for 5 1/2 years. They never have to sleep alone and scared ever again. I keep thinking, "Am I dreaming? Is this really real?"</div>
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Well, it is real! God is real! God is faithful! Our story alone proves this.</div>
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Tonight my husband will leave to go back to America. I have to wait until their passports are printed and then medical. After medical I will go to the US Embassy for their visa's. My husband can't stay, he has to get back to work ( financially we made this choice) and take care of our children back home. Their 1st day of school is Tuesday. I'm sad I will miss their 1st day of school for the 1st time ever. I am glad their daddy can be there though. I booked a flight for Friday night. We will land in Columbus around 5pm. Please pray that their medical goes good so we can be cleared to come home. Please pray for me as I bring two children home who barely speak English. This is not a straight through flight. I will be flying to Germany, then Chicago and then Columbus. Pray that customs goes well for us. Why, am I nervous? I just spent 8 weeks in Ethiopia by myself? Ha! Btw I love Ethiopia, the culture and the the people here. I will be so sad leaving here. I will be leaving a piece of my heart here. I will be back though and I can't wait. 9 weeks without seeing my children, I'm weepy just thinking about the airport reunion. I'm sure seeing my kids standing there with my husband will make me buckle to my knees. They will meet their brother and sister for the 1st time and see their mommy for the 1st time in 9 weeks. Anyone who wants to come to the airport to watch this miracle happen is more than welcome to be there. Ahhhhhhhhhhh WE ARE COMING HOME!!!</div>
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P.S. If you are at the homecoming, I would ask you not to post any pictures of the reunion until I post. I have decided not to post any pictures of my kids until our family is all together. With Asnake and Bizuye's permission. </div>
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God is good!! God is faithful! God is a way maker! God is a miracle worker! God is a promise keeper. ALL THE GLORY TO GOD! </div>
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Val Steyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15428379201345567833noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1962700474047220265.post-44420647338042330832017-07-28T00:25:00.000-07:002017-07-28T00:25:15.083-07:00 I know your Able and I know you can JESUS!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Salem, everyone from Ethiopia. I have been here for a very long time. In this <br />post I wanted to share about how much I have felt God here and seen God here. <br />Being away from my family back in America has been so hard. Especially hard <br />since it's summer break. I have been here the entire summer. I have not seen <br />them swim in the pool or go to the zoo. I have missed almost all my Kuchman and <br />Gabe's baseball games. I have cried myself to sleep many nights . Every morning <br />around 5 am I get a FaceTime call from Lily. You see, Lily can't fall asleep <br />without her mommy. I sleep with her every night ( yes, don't Judge ha)! Lily is <br />my child that is an emotional child. I'm her safe zone. She has learned to be <br />comforted by FaceTiming me to fall asleep. She lays her head down while I watch <br />her sleep. She goes right to sleep knowing that her mommy is watching her. Even <br />if I'm a across the ocean. <br />You see in this time being here for so long, I have taken comfort like Lily does <br />with her mommy. I know Jesus is watching over me. He is by my side helping me <br />get through these trials. I'm honored to have Him in my corner. <br />You can not be in Ethiopia without seeing Jesus. He walks these streets with all <br />the kind hearted Ethiopian people. I have been told by many Ethiopians that I am <br />one of them. I am family. I miss my family back home but so many people here <br />filled the void. The Brooklyn Hotel owners and staff have made me feel <br />completely like family . They call me ETHIOPIAN ha! <br />They cry with me and pray with me. They are family. I will never forget how much <br />they have helped me get through this hard time. They even invited me to an <br />orthodox ceremony, where we shared bread and water together. A woman handed me a <br />glass of water, I drank the entire glass and handed it back to the woman because <br />she was waiting for the glass back. You see, I came in late to the ceremony and <br />she handed this glass of water to me right away. Little did I know that she <br />passed that same glass around to all 80 -100 people in the room and it came from <br />a bowl and pitcher. When I realized that, I thought to my self, OH NOOOOOOO, I <br />just drank an entire glass of tap water, aka parasite water. Instantly my face <br />got red and I started to freak out. You all remember how sick I was when I came <br />here in March when I brushed my teeth with the water. <br />So after the ceremony I told the owner of the hotel, Brook, about my worries <br />over the water. He said so calmly, "It's okay, it's holy water! You will be <br />fine!" I walked alway thinking, ya right! <br />He was right, it was holy water, and I'm just fine. You see with God's blessing <br />on things, everything good comes from it! <br />This is a good reminder for me as life is often filled with uncertainty. I was <br />so uncertain about this water and actually about staying In ETHIOPIA by myself. <br />I have things in my life which I fear will never change or come to an end. There <br />are other things which keep me up at night, wondering what will happen and when. <br />The unpredictability of life can keep me on edge, feeling anxious, and fearful. <br />With this adoption unpredictable is an understatement. I have never cried so <br />much in my life, but I have also never prayed so much in my life. Being here in <br />Ethiopia, I have become a lot closer to the Lord. I have learned to trust Him <br />fully. In the middle of a problem, it is easy to lose sight of God’s <br />faithfulness and His goodness. We often find ourselves focusing on our problems <br />when we are in them and we often forget everything else. But God has a purpose <br />in the struggle, and He is faithful, no matter what. I have seen that during my <br />time here. <br /> Being here is not cheap and not working is a problem. I have stressed over <br />money but God has been faithful. He has laid it on my friend's heart to help us. <br />I'm overwhelmed and humbled by all your donations. I will be forever grateful. <br />Thank you from all of us! <br />God never said that life would be easy but we need to remember that He is <br />faithful, He is good and He keeps His promises: “Be strong and courageous. Do <br />not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you <br />wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9) <br />We still need lots of prayers . There are only 2 court dates left ( next Tuesday <br />and Thursday) because of rainy season and then court is closed until October! <br />Please pray that God makes a way and moves that mountain. He can break all <br />chains. <br />
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I walk to this church on top of the mountain everyday. It's an Orthodox Church and absolutely beautiful!<br />
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Orthodox ceremony with my good friend Anne and her adorable daughter.</div>
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The bridge I walk over everyday</div>
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<br />Val Steyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15428379201345567833noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1962700474047220265.post-78808694553752049812017-07-06T19:11:00.000-07:002017-07-06T19:11:17.721-07:00IN OUR BONDAGE HE IS OUR FREEDOM Salem from Ethiopia! I arrived in Ethiopia on June 16th. On my daughter's <br />birthday. I surprised them. The video will have you all in tears. I can't wait <br />to show it to my close friends and family. B went running to me and A stood up <br />and started clapping his hands. I was a mess, well we all were. I got her a cake <br />and we had a huge celebration. The nannies had the room all decorated. This was <br />her 1st birthday celebration ever. This was a day I'll never forget. <br /> <br />Many of you know that I did not get on my return flight on my birthday. I <br />cancelled my flight and I have no idea when I will come home. I will be home <br />when God moves this mountain and breaks all chains so that our children can come <br />home. <br />This is the hardest thing I have ever done. I miss my family back home. It's so <br />hard when you have two families across the world from another. I miss Kuchman <br />saying " mom can you oil me up?" I miss sleeping with my baby girl. I miss <br />Gabe's baseball games and him saying " mom come in my room and talk to me!" I <br />miss Kaitlynn's clumsiness and the things that come out of her mouth, that Nick <br />and I look at each other and laugh about. Haha , sorry Kait! I miss hearing my <br />husband's truck pull in after he gets off work. I miss him hugging me and <br />telling me it's going to be okay when I fall apart. Falling apart has been a <br />daily thing here for me. <br />I have sobbed and pleaded in front of so many strangers. A taxi driver even <br />picked me up drove me around and prayed for me because I was crying so hard <br />while walking by myself on the streets of Ethiopia. <br />God has given me so much courage. I walk to see my kids everyday. I'm very <br />comfortable here. I walk to get groceries by myself. I walk up to a church to <br />pray often. I love Ethiopia and the people here. I have even got to wash some <br />hair at the barber shop here. They love when I come and hang out. Oh how I miss <br />doing hair. I did give B her 1st haircut. <br />My dear friend Kelli took me on a weekend trip out of the city. I'm so grateful <br />she did this for me. The country side is absolutely breathtaking. I will post <br />when I get home. Africa is amazing. I fed a wild monkey out of the palm of my <br />hand. Ummmmmm ya, I don't think brave is a good word for that, I'm thinking <br />crazy is better. I rode in a boat to see the hippos and I may or may not have <br />freaked out when the boat got a little to close for comfort for me. Haha! <br />Of course I'm still the thrifty Val. I wash my clothes in the sink with a bar of <br />soap. My friend Kelli just gave me some laundry detergent so I don't have to <br />wash with the bar of soap anymore haha! I keep sniffing my clothes now. I eat in <br />my room most days. Ramen noodles and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches is what <br />I live off of. Oh I long for a home cooked meal. <br /> <br />When I told my son I was leaving on my birthday he cried. That moment I knew I <br />could not leave them. My 1st thought was how in the world can I stay here? How <br />can my husband manage 2 jobs and taking care of the children? Well he's rocking <br />it. He's amazing and strong. All of you know by now we have no family to help <br />us. I'm in awe at the help we have with just friends. We never even have to ask. <br />You guys just show up with meals and texts saying how can I help? Last weekend <br />Nick texted me saying Kait has to work Sunday so I'm going to have to take the <br />day off from work. I freaked out and said you have to save those days for when <br />it's time to come here. A couple hours later he texted me and said Kristen is <br />taking gabe to his game and the little ones are going with Kristen's parents for <br />the day. Then all the kids are eating supper and spending the night at Linda's. I'm in tears and <br />amazing by all of you. I'm so grateful! <br />Thank you all from the bottom of my heart. <br /> <br />I can not give any details about our case. We would just like to ask all of you <br />for prayers. We firmly believe in the power of prayer. Everyday I write a <br />different prayer out for our children. We sit and hold hands with their special <br />momma( nanny). I say the prayers line by line and she translates for me. One day <br />I asked A what he wanted to do for the day. His answer was " pray mom!" I'm a <br />lucky momma to have kids who believe in, and love our Lord and Savior! I have had so <br />many families come up to me to say they have fallen in love with your kids, and <br />because of them we would be open to adopting an older child. My kids are a <br />reflection of Jesus! They are so sweet and kind. <br />We will wait on the Lord at this point. Waiting is so hard for me. I think in <br />this 2 1/2 year journey I'm getting better at waiting. Just a teeny bit better. <br />I'm asking God to meet me where I'm at spirituality and take any doubts or fears <br />from me. <br />I'm asking God to allow me to be brave, when my mind is clouded. I know our <br />Lord's mighty hand protects us and delivers us. <br />I will praise our Lord in good times and bad times. I see God working in <br />Ethiopia. I know He has performed many miracles. I know He hears ours cries. He <br />alone is the all powerful and merciful God. <br />Our seasons change but our God stays the same. We know He will make a way. We <br />know He holds all the answers. In our bondage, He is our freedom. In our <br />weakness, He is the power! We know He is faithful. We know He will break all <br />chains. He will lift Satan's hand off our paperwork. He will perform a miracle! <br />We trust in Him! <br />Thank you all for praying for my family. For my kids and I in Ethiopia and <br />my husband and kids who miss me so much back home. I can't wait to share with <br />you all, God's miracle! Our children A and B! <br />
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<br />Val Steyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15428379201345567833noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1962700474047220265.post-84664403622619815272017-06-05T03:55:00.001-07:002017-06-05T03:55:52.632-07:00HE CAN MOVE THE MOUNTAIN!<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;">We have been waiting 26 months for our children to come home. Most of you know that on April 21st, the Prime Minister of Ethiopia instituted an indefinite suspension on international Adoptions from Ethiopia. We still don't know why he has done this. He did not state a reason. This suspension has affected over 200 American families. We are one of those families. My entire family has been broken hearted over this. We are fighting and will never give up. They are our children and we will someday be all together as a family. We contacted our congressmen. Bob Latta's office has been wonderful. The State Department is working for all families waiting to bring their babies home. I posted on my Facebook and asked you all to sign a petition to help bring these children home. I was overwhelmed by the response. My family feels so loved by all of you. Thank you for taking time out of your day to sign and share my post. </span><br />
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I went by myself to meet my beautiful children in March. I can't even find words to describe this meeting. It was by far breathtaking. Praise the lord a sweet momma captured it on video so my husband and children could see it. Most of my close friends and family have seen this video. I was asked to be the guest speaker at the YWCA for the Tribute to Women of Achievement. During my speech I showed the video of meeting my children, the video included meeting Kuchman for the 1st time also. I don't think there was a dry eye in the place. Everyone who has watched it cries. Watching God's miracles is very emotional and joyful. My children welcomed me with open arms and if you could only see the hug. My son was even rubbing my back because, well I was sobbing. I spent 2 weeks with them, 4 hours a day. I got to know them very well. They are the kindest, sweetest children. My son carried my book bag every day to the car when it was time for me to leave. My daughter would hold my hand everywhere we would go. We played uno, soccer and hop scotch daily. They even taught me a lot of their language so I could better communicate with them. I surprisingly learned fast. They laughed at me all the time because it just didn't sound right with my American accent.</div>
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We bonded! They called me mom! When I left them we were all sobbing. My daughter got physically sick. I told them I would be back soon. I am their HOPE! They have been in the orphanage 5 years. They are not orphans, they have a family who loves them and will fight for them.</div>
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With all that said, I'm heading back to Ethiopia in 9 days. I'm going alone again. I am not scared. God will be with me just like he was in my 1st trip. I felt him the entire time I was there. He put fear behind me. He sent an angel for me by the name of Victor before I even got on the plane. My husband was in tears when I told him about Victor. You see, my husband prayed that God would send someone to help me. When I left my husband at the Columbus airport I was a mess. I can't imagine how he felt leaving me like that. God answered his prayers. God also had a sweet angel waiting for me in Ethiopia. I didn't know it but he set it all up. I met a woman named Allison at my hotel. Allison was in the process of adopting a sweet little boy. We were with the same agency and our kids are in the same foster home. She became my Rock and even took care of me when I got sick. That's a new level of being scared. Sick in another country by yourself. Allison gave me comfort and calmed me down when I couldn't calm myself. She sat on my bed and took care of me. I will be forever grateful for this woman. She and her husband are now home, and praise the lord their son is home with them. They were able to come home before the April 21st suspension. </div>
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My plane will leave June 15th and I will arrive on June 16th. June 16th is a special day, it's my daughter birthday. I will land at 7am on her birthday. They do not know I'm coming. I'm going to surprise them on B's bday. This will be the 1st time she has celebrated her birthday. This will be a day to remember. I will be there another two weeks. While I'm there I'll will talk to them and see if they understand why they are not coming home yet. I will let them know we will never give up. We will be a family. Even if it takes my entire family moving to Ethiopia. Yes, you read that right. We will move there if that's the only option we have to be a family. </div>
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With that said, I want to take a minute to tell you about my incredible husband. This man supported me when I left for my 1st trip. He held the fort down. You all know we don't have much family. My mom got sick while I was in Ethiopia so Nick was on his own. While in Ethiopia I realized friends are family. You all stepped up, made meals, picked kids up from practices, and even texted Nick asking to pick up the kids just to give him a break. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart. I love you all. </div>
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My husband while holding the fort down was worried about his wife in a foreign country. He missed me so much as I did him. We are each other best friends. We have never been away from each other this long. With that said Someone had to hold the fort down here. With not much family we can't ask our friends to take care of our kids for two weeks and Kait is in school. It's not fair to her to leave her with 3 very busy kids in sports and school. So only one could go. My selfless husband told me to go. I will be forever grateful for that. He's stepping back and letting me bond with our children. It's a long story but when we adopted Kuchman, it took Kuchman a long time to love me or even want anything to do with me. Nick was the hero and really all he wanted. That happens a lot with adoption, the men become the hero( the preferred parent). I read about it and even took classes on it. I thought I was prepared if it was to happen. Well I wasn't. It broke my heart and I cried myself to sleep many nights. Kuchman came around about 6 months after being home. He now is my sidekick. He loves his mommy with all his heart. </div>
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So my amazing husband who wants to meet his children so bad is letting me go by myself once again so I can bond more with them. If that's isn't LOVE I don't know what is!</div>
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I am reminded of Christ's love through the love my husband has for me. His love is unconditional, selfless, and forgiving. I'm so blessed to have someone who can hold me, guide me, comfort me and support me with every crazy idea I come up with. I firmly believe that our common love for Christ has kept us together and growing stronger. Through all of our pain and heartbreak after receiving the news about our Adoption on April 21st, my husband stayed faithful. While his broken wife was a mess and was doubting. I remember one night I looked over at him in bed ( he had the iPad) I said what are you looking up? He replied I'm looking for a job in Ethiopia. That is FAITHFUL! The devil will not win! We are not on his side! We are faithful to our God just like God is to us. He didn't bring us this far to give up. So I will board that plane in 9 days. I will get off that plane and I will squeeze my girl on her birthday and squeeze my son also. They will see momma came back and will not give up. </div>
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While in county I will go to meetings at the US embassy to find out any new information on the suspension. We are praying for a miracle While I'm there. God can move this mountain. I will be leaving Ethiopia on the night of my birthday. So I will get to spend my entire birthday with my children. That's a great birthday. The only thing that can top that present is if they lift the suspension and my children will get the okay to come home. Please pray for that miracle. Please pray for my incredible husband as he works full time ( 2 jobs) and takes care of 4 children while his wife is gone. Im so blessed to call this man my husband. Thank you Nick, I love you ALWAYS!<br />
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Val Steyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15428379201345567833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1962700474047220265.post-35255232091020937182017-01-30T20:50:00.001-08:002017-01-30T21:03:15.757-08:00ADOPTION FUNDRAISERWe have been waiting almost 21 months to bring our children home. Friday we didn't get the news we were hoping for on our case. Just another bump In the road. It will now be longer before they come home. I have decided I cannot wait any longer to meet them. They have been without a family for 5 years, and it is time they meet their momma. I am planning a trip to Ethiopia. I am hoping to leave the second week of February, as long as everything plays out. I will be there to meet my children and see what I need to do to get them home. I could use some prayers, I am going by myself, mostly because of the money. I have never travelled anywhere by myself. I know God will be with me, and I just need to lean on him and cast my fears behind me. I am selling tshirts to fundraise for our adoption.<br />
3/4 sleeve baseball tee with elbow patches for women $25<br />
Unisex tshirts $15<br />
Sizes XS to XL in baseball tee for women (these run one size small)<br />
Sizes S to 5X in tshirts (youth sizes also available in this shirt)<br />
Anything 2X and up is $2 extra<br />
Colors will be gray with black sleeves. The elbow patches will gray not black like the picture.<br />
The last day of this sale will be February 14th. PM me or comment below on how many you would like and sizes. Payment will be through PayPal button on the right. I will ship all out of town shirts. Please pm me your address.<br />
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Val Steyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15428379201345567833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1962700474047220265.post-75284556221580204702016-09-24T19:28:00.001-07:002016-09-24T19:28:08.693-07:00Waiting.....<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;">I know it's been so long since I have wrote here. I don't even know where to start. Everyone has been asking when are the kids coming home. Sadly I wish I could give you all an answer. I wish I knew when our children will be home. This is what I do know. We are done with all paperwork( except for updates) and our dossier is in Ethiopia. Birth mom had court on August 3rd. Courts in Ethiopia closed 2 days after her court date. Courts close for rainy season every year. They are closed this year </span><span style="color: #454545; font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;">from August 5th through October 1st.</span><span style="color: #454545; font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;"> At this point we are waiting for federal MOWA to sign. When this happens we will receive a court date soon after. I will most likely stay over in Ethiopia after court by myself. Nick will fly home and I will stay with the kids until we have their visa's. I'll need prayer for this, I'm a momma that was to scared to fly to Atlanta for C4C . So I found someone to drive me (a complete stranger), who IS now one of my best friends. Anyway prayers would be great when we get the call. </span><br />
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We have been waiting 18 months since referral to bring them home. They have been waiting to come home 3 years before our referral. Add 18 more months on that wait y'all! Our children have been waiting almost 5 years for a family. That breaks my heart into a million pieces. I don't know anyone who likes to wait. Do you? I can't even stand to wait in line at a store. Can you image what it's like for them waking up everyday praying that today is the day their family will come? I just can't even handle thinking about that. </div>
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Waiting is hard work and at times it can even test our faith. It's especially difficult when you have no idea how long you will be waiting and it is totally out of your control. </div>
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The wait has tempted me to be impatient, discouraged, to worry and to even wonder if God really cares.</div>
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I confessed this to a Client one day and she said this" let's look at this wait as God teaching you patience." My response to her was "ummmmmmmmm PATIENCE, what's that? Do you know my family? The Steyers? </div>
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I have been thinking about what she said ever since she left my shop. It seems to me patience involves some kind of waiting, whether it's waiting in a long line at the store or waiting for my children to come home. So I pray and lay my request before him. I see now that God is teaching me patience , ( that I never thought I could be taught) it's by faith that I wait and watch in anticipation of God's good work. Im going to put my hope into him. I will try so hard to wait patiently and trustingly, I will choose to honor God in this wait. I believe in the power of prayer so right now I'm asking everyone of you who read my blog to pray our kids home. </div>
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Val Steyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15428379201345567833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1962700474047220265.post-24679641880255331762015-12-27T19:50:00.003-08:002015-12-27T20:18:19.152-08:00Merry Christmas! Jesus Is Born!<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This past week I have had this question pop in my mind. What
is the true meaning of Christmas? We prepare for months for this day. We all go
out buy presents, buy groceries, clean the house, get our hair cut and on and
on. So I sit here staring at my laptop thinking, is it the gifts under the
tree, the cards in the mail, and the big dinner on the table with family? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t believe Christmas is about any of
those things. Don’t get me wrong presents and being with my family eating
dinner is great. I love watching my children open their presents. With all the
joy and fun watching them dig into their gifts we also, as parents, remind
our children what Christmas is all about. It’s not about anything I mentioned
earlier. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Christmas is about our savior being born to save us all from
our sin. Without Jesus we would all die in our sins. This birth was the birth
of the most unique person in our history. This was the birth of our God. Our God
took on human flesh and became man. This blows my mind; God did not save us by
reaching down from heaven in an objective way. He became human just like us to
save us. He had feelings just like us, the feelings of happy and sad. He was
human! Can you wrap your mind around this? The unapproachable God became approachable
and contactable that day. God became man, experiencing everything of human
life. Our God loves us that much that he became human, suffered and died on the
cross for our sins, so that we may have eternal life with him in heaven. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We do have one very special God, who loves us so
much that he was born for us and died for us. That my friends is what Christmas
is about! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Here are some pictures of our Christmas. Next year we will
have two more sweet loves to share our Christmas with. This momma is ready to
love on them. I will update soon. Right now all paperwork is done and we are waiting
on our dossier to be authenticated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Praying
our kiddos home.</span><br />
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Reading the Christmas story from the Bible</div>
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Val Steyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15428379201345567833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1962700474047220265.post-5485811639510219412015-05-25T19:50:00.003-07:002015-05-25T19:50:35.839-07:00GOD'S CALLING
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">God has called us to adopt again. Before I tell you our unique
journey to our children, I would like to address the question that I have been
asked. Why are you adopting again? Most likely my response will not satisfy
everyone. For whatever answer we give there could be a “not so positive “ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>counter response. Adoption is not for
everyone. We are all called to do things. Some are called to live in another country
to serve God. Others are called to preach and share the good news of Jesus. We believe
we are called to adopt children around the world. I feel it’s our purpose. This
is what I believe, if your passion is consistent with God’s will then pursue
it! We believe that God is calling us to care for his children. This is
something we CAN do! Adopting doesn’t make us a Hero or a better Christian. Adoption
for us, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>is exactly what God has <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>called us to do and we are exactly where god
wants us to be. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Here’s our story. On April 7<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> a beautiful adoptive
momma posted in a private adoption group. She posted and asked for a special
prayer request. She stated in her post that she adopted three children from ET.
Her oldest boy had one concern when they brought him home. He wanted to find a
family for is friend. She told him that they would do everything they could do and
would always maintain contact with his friend no matter what happened. They
prayed and shared. They sent letters and packages to these kids. Yes kids,
brother and sister. She wanted them both to know they are loved and not
forgotten. Her, and her family, wanted their son’s heart to know he has done
all he can for his friend. So they were advocating for these precious children,
and even developed a grant to be given to the family who adopts them. I read
this post and almost fell apart. I thought to myself, I have to help these kids
find a home. I private messaged her at 8:42 that same night. It went something
like this, “I just adopted a little boy 9 months ago from ET. At this point we cannot
afford to adopt again, but I will do everything I can do to find them a home. I
own a salon, and am going to an orphan conference on Friday. I will advocate my
heart out for them. My mission is to find them a family.” My last sentence to
her was, “They have my heart.” I prayed for these two daily. I carried their pictures
everywhere with me and I had no luck finding a family for them. April 20<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>
I texted her again asking if she found a family, and she said no. So we went on
and kept praying and hoping for them. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">May 3<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">rd</span></sup> God made it very clear to Nick and I that
it was ok to stop trying to find a family for them. He told us that they were
our children. He dropped us to our knees and we gave up all fears and control. May
4<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> I reached out to this momma to let her know that God spoke to us
and let us know that they are ours. No more trying to find a family. Their family
is right here, in Van Wert Ohio. That day was very emotional for Cheryl and I.
God answered our prayers. Not only our prayers. But the prayers of the child
who was adopted and had one dream. That dream was for his best friend and his
sister to have a family. All because of an amazing, kind mother, who loved her
son so much, and wanted his dreams to come true, we have a son and daughter
waiting for us in ET. For that we will be forever grateful. Friday May 15<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>
we received our official referral for our children at 1:30. Praise the lord! Orphan
no more “E” and “B”! Three years is way too long to wait, mommy and daddy are
coming. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">All of our kids are so excited about their new brother and
sister. To hear Kuchman pray for them to come home is overwhelming. Just a year
ago we were praying for him to come home. God writes the most beautiful
stories. Thank you for reading about this amazing journey to our children we
are blessed to have you follow along. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
Val Steyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15428379201345567833noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1962700474047220265.post-15547242522143437252015-02-01T20:04:00.000-08:002015-02-01T20:04:17.285-08:00SEASONS CHANGE
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Just as the earth goes through seasons, so does a family. As
our children grow older, our leaves start to change. We have had a lot of
firsts going on in our family lately. I thought I would share. Lily had her
first basketball game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her sister is the
coach for her team. How sweet is that? Watching Lily play makes us smile from
ear to ear. She plays exactly like her sister did at her age. Very aggressive,
gives 100% and even has time to stop and pick her wedge. HA! Seeing this sisterhood
bond just melts my heart!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We had our first real snow fall. Kuchman loved it! He built his
first snowman. Dad got the gator out and Kuchman had his first adventure with
being pulled in the snow! His little face was frozen, but refused to come in!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">On Martin Luther King Day we all took the day off and went
to the Children’s Museum in Indy as a family in honor of Martin Luther King. My
son has rights because of him and I will be forever grateful. From the abolitionist,
to the civil rights activist, to the mother who simply wants to raise her son
to have a great life without judgment because of his skin color. Dr. King’s
legacy, our legacy, must never be forgotten or diminished. To do so undermines
and weakens the very foundation on which we stand. One nation, equal, united
and free. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kuchman and Lily got to go on
stage and hit a drum with some gentleman playing African music. This momma was
shocked my shy little boy went right up there. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sure having his big sister right beside
him gave him some courage.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">And my last picture says it all. We are very
blessed. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span>Val Steyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15428379201345567833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1962700474047220265.post-90941574153879035522015-01-20T19:56:00.001-08:002015-01-20T19:56:41.390-08:00MELKAM GANNA 2015!
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Back to blogging, it has been a busy start to 2015. I just
wanted to post some things we have been doing around here recently. I promise I
will blog about meeting our son for the first time soon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We celebrated Ethiopian Christmas together as a family. We
want to help K maintain his culture and have a sense of pride for his birth
country. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>MELKAM
GANNA! (Merry Christmas)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ethiopia is one of the oldest countries in Africa and one of
the very few where the ancient Julian calendar is still followed. That is why
Christmas is celebrated on the 7<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> of January. This holiday is
referred to as ‘Ye Ganna Bal’ which means “the birth of Christ”. On this day
most people wear a traditional garment called a shamma. Most people go to
church and choirs sing on this day. The early Ganna mass starts at 4am. It is
also tradition that one of the Wise Man who came to visit Jesus came from
Ethiopia. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Traditional Christmas foods in Ethiopia include,
wat, which is a spicy stew that contains meat, veggies and sometimes eggs. Wat is
eaten with injera, a flatbread. They use no silverware, you use the injera to
scoop up your food. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I made beef wat and
chicken wat. I aslo made Fasolia, which is bean, carrots and onions sautéed in Ethiopian
sauce. I did buy the injera from an Ethiopian restaurant, momma cannot master
that. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My kitchen smelled delicious. I have
to tell you the smell reminded me of Ethiopia. K kept asking me when it is done
mommy. It smells yummy but the true test was if my Ethiopian child liked it. We
wore the traditional Ethiopian outfits and decorated the table with all of our Ethiopia
treasures. We could all tell that K felt very special that day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One more thing, K loved his mommy’s
cooking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He gobbled it right up and so
did all the other kids. I love how my kids love their brother’s birth country.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span>Val Steyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15428379201345567833noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1962700474047220265.post-74364106684122590272014-11-02T19:45:00.002-08:002014-11-02T19:45:43.209-08:00ORPHAN SUNDAY<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m back to blogging. Honestly I sat in front of the laptop
blankly staring. I feel like I’m unprepared on what to write. My last post was
May. I stopped writing in my blog for selfish reasons. I have come to realize
that this blog is not for me. This blog is for my son and all the orphans
worldwide. With that said I’m back.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I promise I will go back and finish my journey to my son
starting with the 1<sup>st</sup> time we met him. Today I wanted to write about
Orphan Sunday.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
November 2<sup>nd</sup> is Orphan Sunday. Today is a day to
focus and pray for orphans. Today is a day to advocate on behalf of those who
have no voice. It is estimated there are between 143 million and 210 million
orphans worldwide. Every day 5,760 more children become orphans. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Today as I write this with a lump in my throat, because four
months ago my son was an orphan.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Today I pray boldly for the fatherless. I ask the Lord to
protect them and care for them and keep them safe.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Today I pray for the health of orphans around the world. I’m
asking the Lord to provide them with medications and treatment for the simple
things that are unnecessary killing these children, like unclean water,
malaria, AIDS, and malnutrition.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today we had a fest to celebrate my son’s homecoming and
orphan Sunday.<o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Our son is the most beautiful gift from GOD! We are
so thankful he is home. We can’t imagine life without him. We are humble and grateful
that God put adoption and the love for orphans in our hearts. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
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Cuteness before church today.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>Val Steyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15428379201345567833noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1962700474047220265.post-60090360829132459102014-05-28T19:05:00.002-07:002014-05-28T19:54:26.970-07:00ON OUR WAY!May 5, 2014<br />
I woke up Sunday morning to the sound of my mom moaning in the bathroom. The 1st thing I thought was, oh no she is sick. My mom needs a surgery and was suppose to have this surgery on Monday the 5th. I called my mom and asked her if she could reschedule the surgery because I needed her to watch my kids. I have major anxiety when it comes to my kids. I felt like I could not get on that plane and fly half way across the world not knowing if they are ok. I feel safe when my mom is there with them. It's so hard to have children across the world from each other.<br />
When my mom came out of the restroom I asked her if she was ok? She said yes. I knew otherwise. I could see the pain in her face. This saddened me. I then laid in my bed and cried listening to her reading a book to Lily. I could hear the pain in her voice. I lost it, I felt so guilty that my mom needed a surgery and I asked her to reschedule and now she is protecting me from my anxiety.<br />
<br />
I think I cried all day long and we had to leave that night to head to the airport. I reached out to my special friends who are in the adoption process right along with me. They immediately started praying, sending bible verses and started speaking to me. They were praying for healing for my mom and healing for my anxiety. Let me tell y'all I felt their prayers. I was able to get up pack and feel a sense of peace.<br />
As I'm writing this on the plane I pray that God has his hands laid on my mom.<br />
<br />
We were able to leave at 11:30pm to head to Indy. It was a very hard goodbye. My middle boy took it the hardest. I prayed for peace in his heart that God would be with him and let him know that mommy and daddy will be just fine.<br />
We arrived at Indy about 3:00 in the morning. We checked our bags in and waited for our flight at 5:45 to DC. I was still feeling calm at this point. The plane arrived and we flew to DC. We landed about 7:15 and I called my kids. To say good bye again and I love them. Lily and Kait sounded good and Gabe sounded a little better( I could tell that he was still a little upset). We had a 4 hour layover. So Nick and I walked around in the meantime. The entire time I was texting kait.<br />
We grabbed a bite to eat and checked in. Looking at the airplane with Ethiopian Air down the side hit me like a brick. I started to shake. I couldn't believe in just 1 hour I would be boarding this flight that would take me across the world to see my son.<br />
We were getting ready to board and about four policemen wheel this man in in a wheelchair. The man starts screaming and yelling saying he needs his meds and that he was not getting on the plane. This man was going crazy. I mean CRAZY! I then start to feel my BP going up, hives on my neck and face. I started to freak out . I went from being so happy to scared all in about 5 sec. The devil was trying to take my glory and joy once again. He doesn't want me to meet my son and he will do anything to stop it. I texted my friend Heidi and was telling her what was going on. Heidi sent me this text "the devil is trying all he can. Too bad your joy is unshakeable, you serve a God that is above ALL things. You are protected. Confident hope!" I can't tell you I wasn't freaking out still but I also felt a sense of peace. They then took the man away. We then went to our seats and I thanked Heidi and The Lord.<br />
It was now almost 8:00 and we would be landing around midnight in Addis Ababa. I would be holding my child in around five hours. I could not believe this. God is so good. I slept about five hours and Nick really didn't sleep at all. I prayed he wouldn't crash when we got there. Because of the time difference it would be about 6:30 am . So we would be up the entire day again.<br />
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Val Steyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15428379201345567833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1962700474047220265.post-77447963600818124762014-05-02T21:12:00.000-07:002014-05-02T21:12:18.631-07:00K HERE WE COME!!
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Good news ya’ll! First of all we received our pair letter on
Friday the 25<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>. Happy news! Nick and I rushed it off the Caring
Hands right away. Where they hand deliver it to the State Dept., where it will be
authenticated. Then it goes to the Ethiopian Embassy in DC. Then it goes to our
caseworker and then to ET. Today was a hard day today, so I asked Nick to check
on our letter. My arms were aching to hold my son. Well right after he called
Caring Hands Nick got a phone call from Julie (our caseworker), she says that
we have AP court date in ET, it is May 8<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>. Nick then calls me, and I
almost hit the floor. I just cried and cried in my friend/ client’s arms. Nick
booked our flight right away and we have to leave tomorrow night now. One day
to pack y’all! I’m so good with that! As I’m crying I realize that we have no luggage.
So I vented about it in the shop. As I’m venting my client’s mom happened to
walk in the shop to give her daughter mail and she heard me talking about it. She
ran home and brought back her luggage for us. Praise the Lord! Thank you Karen
(who owns the yummy and wonderful Rocky Top here in town and is also my daughter’s
boss). Thank you so much Karen!!!! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We would love prayers from all of you. My mom was supposed
to have surgery Monday but canceled to stay with my kids. Please pray she stays
healthy while we are gone. She is weak and needs the surgery but she knows I can’t
leave without her here. She is coming, so I can be at peace now. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Thank you Jesus!!! K, mom and dad are coming we will meet
you in just a few days!!!! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Val Steyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15428379201345567833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1962700474047220265.post-70400678089254755932014-04-13T20:08:00.000-07:002014-04-13T20:11:01.362-07:00LET'S HELP HANNAH'S HOPE<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tonight as I type this, I can’t tell you how emotional I am
at this point. Tuesday K’s dad has his court date and I have praying and
begging the Lord to somehow get him there. I am extremely anxious and have felt
the anxiety take me over. I know y’all are praying so hard for BP to make it
there, and I just know God hears your prayers. I had a mental break down when
BP didn’t show on April 1<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup>. When I crashed I reached out to
adoptive momma friends and they picked me right off the floor with their
prayers and kind words. I cried out to God and asked for help. I know that God
is eager to help me. He loves me so much and doesn’t want me to go through
these trials alone. I did feel comfort in knowing that God has this. Please pray
that K’s daddy makes it there on Tuesday the 15<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>. We so badly want
to meet our son. Please also pray for K’s daddy this will be an emotional day for
him. I pray God will give him peace and comfort.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">On another note Hannah’s Hope needs donations for the children
there. That is the transition home where K is living. I am so grateful for HH. They
have taken care of my child and many others. Many of these children are very
sick when they enter the gates. The special mothers there help get these
children healthy again, K being one of them. I am asking every one of you who
read my blog and are following this journey to my son, if you could please
donate one thing? I promise I’m not asking for much. We all can afford one
bottle of baby shampoo or a packet of wipes or diapers. I’m begging y’all
please help HH out. I will be taking these donations with me. Remember if BP
makes it to court we may be leaving at the end of the month. It would be
amazing if Nick and I had way too many bags to take with us filled with
donations for ET. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Here is a list of the needs at HH<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Baby oil/lotion</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Baby shampoo</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Baby socks</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Baby washcloths</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wipes</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Diapers</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Baby clothes</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Baby PJ’S</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Towels for babies </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hair oil for toddlers </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Shampoo</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lotion</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Towels foe toddlers </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">PJ’s 4t-12 youth</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Clothes and shoes for older kids …. Ages 4-13</span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">One more note, I received a present for K in the
mail from my dear friend Erica and I wanted to share. Love her! Here are the
pics: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br />Val Steyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15428379201345567833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1962700474047220265.post-27895444560974978062014-04-04T19:08:00.003-07:002014-04-04T19:23:25.235-07:00FAITH<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’m saddened to tell all of you that K’s daddy didn’t make
it to court on April 1<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup>. This day was very emotional for me. All morning
I felt sick from anxiety. Then I got the call from Julie my caseworker that he didn’t
make it. I got off the phone and finished my cut and color. After my client
left I crumbled and I yelled WHY God? I could not stop crying and asking why? I
was truly a mess! Then something (God) told me to reach out to a friend Heidi who
is waiting to bring her beautiful baby girl home from ET also. After reaching
out to her she sent me this message “God will redeem this. He will. Satan does
not win. He cannot take your joy. Your confident hope has DEEP roots in Jesus,
we won’t be shaken. Jesus has this. He does. He will do it. He will reach down
and work a mighty miracle to bring your boy home where he belongs.” This message
literally picked me up off the floor. I will be forever grateful. Not only did
she send me that, she also sent me some amazing bible verses that have helped
her on her journey to her daughter, of whom she has waited 3 years for. She also
contacted her mother and she started praying for me also. These are women I have
never met, now</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> praying to our Savior, for myself and K. I felt those prayers in
my heart that day. Those prayers got me through and I was able to finish my day
at the salon without having another total melt down. The power of friends that
God has connected through adoption is pretty amazing. A bond that cannot be
broken for sure!</span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So I need to tell the next step. K’s daddy has been rescheduled
for court again on April 15<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th. </span></sup>He also has embassy on the 16<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>.
This is good folks because he won’t have to travel twice. Remember he had the
embassy date on the 16<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> anyways? So he would have had to travel
twice if he would have made it to the April 1<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup> date. And remember
it takes 2 ½ days to get there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My photo
album and letter for K’s dad is there in Ethiopia and he will receive it on the
16<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>. Please Pray K’s dad makes it there on the 15th. Please pray
for comfort for him and K that day. If he doesn’t make it there I am not 100%
sure what will happen. Will they file a police report which will take longer
for K to come home? Will they just go with the first paperwork that K’s dad
signed when he relinquished K? I don’t know? At this point I’m praying and
believing in the Lord that this is all in his plans. I’m hoping and praying
that in God’s plans K’s daddy will be there on the 15<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> and our Lord
will be there with his hand on K’s daddy’s shoulder as he reads my letter and
signs that paper. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">On a HAPPY note Heidi, (my
friend) who I mentioned earlier, well her BP did show up to her court that day!
WAHOO! Let me tell you she has the cutest most precious baby girl. God is
moving mountains to bring her home. This is Heidi’s first child and she is just
an itty bitty baby. So if God continues to move mountains to bring her baby
home, Heidi will not miss out on to many first’s with her baby girl! Let’s <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>pray ya all! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Val Steyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15428379201345567833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1962700474047220265.post-74568752876178343662014-03-28T19:56:00.001-07:002014-03-28T19:56:43.861-07:00COURT DATE ISSUED...BITTER SWEET...
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yesterday March 27<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>, we received another phone
call from AGCI. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Julie informed us that
she had more great news for us. Here it is, Drum Roll please……….. We have birth
parent court date April 1<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup>!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yes you just read that right! Tuesday K’s daddy should be in Addis Ababa
for his court date. This is the day that he will have the final choice to relinquish
K. This is the day that my heart will be truly broken for K and his daddy. K’s
daddy will also get the choice this day to spend time with K and say goodbye to
him. I can’t imagine the hurt and pain they both will feel. As K’s mommy I want
to so bad hold him and comfort him as his daddy leaves. I can’t be there and it
kills me! However I am finding peace that our heavenly Father will be there to
comfort K and his daddy. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Please! Please! Pray for K and his daddy on Tuesday April 1<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Please pray that they find his daddy and he can make it to
the court date. If he does not make it there it will cause major delays in our
case. If he does make it, our case should go fast. This weekend I am getting my
list for packing. EEEEEEK! Also I made a mistake on how long it takes to get
there from where BP is coming from. It’s not 10 hours its 2 ½ days!!!!!... That
is a long trip!</span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Begging for prayers! Right now! I will be so worried until Tuesday
when I know whether he made it there. Also if he does make it there he will
need all your prayers for peace in his heart. K is going to also need prayers. It
will be so hard to see his daddy for the 1<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup> time in a while and to
have to say goodbye. My heart is so heavy right now. I want to scoop K up and
hold him and comfort him. I also want to give his daddy a big huge hug. We need
all the prayers we can get at this time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Val Steyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15428379201345567833noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1962700474047220265.post-16673846257828028442014-03-26T20:04:00.003-07:002014-03-26T20:04:57.393-07:00MOVING FORWARD!
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So my last update said, ”Come on pair letter.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well its coming soon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have news! Our caseworker called us today
to tell us that we have birth parent embassy date is April 16<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>.
This is an interview with the BP necessary to verify the facts presented in the
adoption case. They want to make sure that everything is legal and also to make
sure that BP understands everything that is happening with K. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After this interview our pair letter will be
here one week later! I broke out into a happy dance! Our case is moving. From
this point forward, if all goes well, it will be moving fast. I have heard of
some cases that after the birth parent embassy date, they were leaving for Ethiopia
within 11 days. Oh my, folks I’m crying and laughing at the same time. I’m
scared and excited. There are so many emotions going on here. I cannot wait to
get on that airplane that reads Ethiopian Air! I cannot wait to hold, love,
smell, and play with my son. I cannot wait to walk through those big gates. I have
no idea how I’m going to sleep until then. I’m packing my bags and I’ll be
ready for the call to leave any day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">On another note, I wrote K’s birth father a letter. By far
the hardest letter I have ever had to write. How do tell a father who had to
relinquish his son that your heart aches for him. How do you thank a father who
has been through so much heartache for giving you a son? How do you let him
know how humble and grateful you are for his sacrifice out of love? HOW? HOW?
HOW?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I humbly wrote this letter with
tears in my eyes the entire time. I will always respect and love K’s father and
K will always know about him. So, as I’m so happy today, I am reminded about
the loss that K’s dad is going to feel when he sits at the Embassy on April 16<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>.
This is the date that he will know he has another family coming for him and that
he may never see him again. Oh my heart is breaking for him. I did promise him
that his son will be loved so much by our family (including all of you)! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">PLEASE pray for K’s daddy that God will wrap his arms around
him and give him comfort and peace! Please pray he also makes it to the Embassy
safely. It’s almost a 10 hour drive from where he lives. The roads are not good
either. It will be a long bumpy ride. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Thank you all for your support! We love you all!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Val Steyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15428379201345567833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1962700474047220265.post-55829634896274276292014-03-01T20:30:00.001-08:002014-03-01T20:30:27.341-08:00Come on PAIR Letter!
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So, I don’t have much to share about when Nick and I will be
traveling to meet our son. We are in what is called a PAIR process and we are
waiting on a PAIR letter. This process is very new and became effective
September 1, 2013. PAIR stands for Pre - Adoption Immigration Review. This
process will protect adoptive parents and also protect the adopted child and
promote the best interests of the child. This PAIR letter is a pre-approval letter.
The process can take 4-7 months. We are praying it doesn’t take that long. We have
been assigned an officer to our case, which we can contact to see where our
PAIR letter is and just get an update. Nick has spoken with her and he says she
is very nice. We are going to email her on Monday to check on it. We sent our
PAIR paperwork the 1<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup> week of January. So it has been 2months
already. I can’t explain how much I think of K and worry about K daily. I have
to admit I worry so much about this adoption and I just want K home. My arm
literally aches to hold him. Every time my family sits down to eat dinner together
I see that empty chair and my heart aches. We put his bed up in his room with
his big brother and let me tell you seeing his bed with his new matching
comforter just like his big brother’s kills me. I picture myself lying down in
his bed with him rubbing his back until he falls asleep. Oh my heart, please
everyone pray that God moves mountains to get K home soon. I know I do not have
control over this, God does. I have read that “waiting for” is an active
display of faith in God during tough situations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Kaitlynn and I were in Columbus last month for
her Government class and we decided to check out an Ethiopian restaurant. We are
trying to learn as much as we can about K’s culture. Let me tell you we love his
culture and food. Yummy!!! Kait and I shared a sampler platter. The meat was
lamb. It was so good! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Ethiopia they
don’t eat with utensils. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They eat with
injera, (like pancake bread) you tear a piece off and dip and scoop the food up
with it. Its takes a little bit to get used to but Kait and I figured it out. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span>Val Steyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15428379201345567833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1962700474047220265.post-51631664613841249472014-01-19T20:40:00.001-08:002014-01-19T20:40:21.089-08:00WAITING.....
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">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. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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 1<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup> trip and 3 families waiting for their 2<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">nd</span></sup>
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.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">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. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am not the only momma in this wait for her
child or children. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">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!!!!!! </span>Val Steyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15428379201345567833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1962700474047220265.post-44581844017060070402014-01-19T19:12:00.001-08:002014-01-19T19:12:28.734-08:00Melkam Gena!
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">January 7, 2014 is my son’s Christmas in Ethiopia. Melkam<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(“Yermarina Yewotet Dabo”) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and of course popcorn, a favorite by my
kiddos. The girls loved wearing their scarves. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here are some pics of our dinner. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC8vhzBC1nwUZgnv0PQLZOuFbGu2fOWGd49q8qdw-4DAx-4WkP5rsvGtFL8Z4HzjJOFcoGV2zJBvzXavKWDdxaFZSy3jHoWMlaW-P3w39FolsV0JGdEVou14upEX-M39p94YeKqyH1c-GN/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC8vhzBC1nwUZgnv0PQLZOuFbGu2fOWGd49q8qdw-4DAx-4WkP5rsvGtFL8Z4HzjJOFcoGV2zJBvzXavKWDdxaFZSy3jHoWMlaW-P3w39FolsV0JGdEVou14upEX-M39p94YeKqyH1c-GN/s1600/013.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
Val Steyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15428379201345567833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1962700474047220265.post-4946789673159446852014-01-19T18:41:00.001-08:002014-01-19T18:42:16.037-08:00CHRISTMAS!<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">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. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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December 25, 2013</div>
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Lily, Kaitlynn, Gabe, and K's stockings.</div>
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Your stocking is the only one left hanging, but next year there will be none!</div>
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Your big sister is opening up your stocking this year.</div>
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The shirt you will wear when we bring you home to America.</div>
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The presents Santa left for you.</div>
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Merry Christmas K! We love you!</div>
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Val Steyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15428379201345567833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1962700474047220265.post-76251691598734592202013-12-14T21:11:00.002-08:002013-12-14T21:11:57.620-08:00SURRENDER
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has been ten days since our family got the
great news that we had a son who is, in Ethiopia. I am the happiest momma in
world at this point. Nick and I have been preparing ourselves for a long wait,
at least a full year, or two, on the wait list. We waited only two months to
the day. I have many things going on in my head at this point. I am so
overwhelmed with joy and happiness that I can’t image anything at all bringing
me down. I have always, my entire life, been a believer in God, but I have to
confess I have a hard time with trusting in Him and giving up control to Him.
Nick and I have joined a small group with our church and I had confessed to all
of them that I have issues with giving up control to God, and that I truly
would like to work on that. I have to tell you all that I love our God, but I am
a bit of a control freak. Everyday I struggle with submitting myself to the Lord’s
will for my life. I trusted God enough to get me to heaven, but not enough to be
the person He created me to be. Fortunately, through my small group and prayer
I began to grow weary of trying to manage and control my own life (it wasn’t
working for me). I was actually relieved to hand it over to God. Let me tell
you when I did, I experienced overwhelming joy and love. I have to tell all of
you I have been trying to control this journey to our son the entire time and
when I decided to surrender this journey to our heavenly Father, He showed us His
plan. Let me tell you I love His plan. He gave us a beautiful son. We all love
him so much. The wait for our court date is going to be very hard but I am at
ease knowing God is in control.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">If any of you are in a similar place today, I urge you to
not wait another moment. Surrender all that you have and all that you are to
the Lord and see where He takes you. I have shared where He is taking me, and I
can’t wait to see what else He has in store for me! “No eye has seen, no ear
has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him”
(1Corinthians 2:9 NIV)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Val Steyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15428379201345567833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1962700474047220265.post-73014132566045955742013-12-09T03:06:00.000-08:002013-12-09T03:06:13.879-08:00REFERRAL CALL... IT’S A BOY!!!!!!!!!
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">O
boy big news everyone!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last Wednesday
Dec.4th at 2:00, my husband got the phone call. Referral call!!!!!! Nick was at
work at the farm, and I was at the shop getting ready to walk out the door.
Nick called me about 2:15 and the first thing he said was how are you feeling?
Well I have to tell ya’ll, I have been feeling a bit sick for a little while,
and that day was a bad day for me not feeling good at all. Then Nick asked me
if I was sitting down? My heart stopped then! Somehow I just knew he was going
to tell me we got the referral call. Nick proceeded to tell me about a little
boy who just turned 5 the end of November. Nick kept talking with info about
our precious boy and I could only think about thanking God, as tears rolled
down my face. Nick then told me Julie is going to call us at 3:00 and we both
need to be there to learn all the info we can about our son, and see his
precious face! The face that I have been praying for, I finally get to see. All
I could think was, is this real? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Well
3:00 came Julie called and it is really real. We have a son in Ethiopia waiting
for us to bring him home. I hope you are smiling just as big as I am as I type
this. Julie gave us a lot of info on our son and I can tell you my little guy
has been through so much. It truly breaks my heart. For a moment, I felt
ashamed at feeling so much joy, and he has going through so much pain and confusion.
It was so bittersweet. I don’t know how else to describe it. Across the world
in Africa, a family experienced loss and pain. We got a son. It doesn’t seem fair,
but then, it is all in God’s plan and “ K “ will have a forever family now. We
are so ready to love him, comfort him, and give him a forever home. I tell you
at the end she asked us if we were ready to see him( if she sends the pics 1<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup>
a lot of parents can’t focus on all the info she needs to get through)I told
her we are so ready to see his pic. So I called the kiddos downstairs and told
them that they have a brother and asked if they would like to see him? They all
got huge smiles on their faces and nodded their heads yes. So Julie who is on
speaker phone sent the pics through email. EEEEEEEK! There he was our son who
we have already had in our hearts, there on our computer screen. I started
crying so hard that I think it scared Lily. She just stood there and stared at
me. Gabe kept hugging me. Awe, my kids wanted to comfort their momma. After they
realized it was happy tears, big smiles came across all of their faces. They
were so excited to see their brother. They all kept saying he’s so cute. Let me
tell you cute is not the only word for him. He is perfect and adorable. Wait
until you all see my little guy’s cheeks! You will fall apart! We love him so
much and can’t wait to get him home. God is so good! Praise the Lord! Thank you
God for the best Christmas present a momma could ever get. Thank all for your
support and prayers we love you all! We can’t wait to share our little guy with
you all!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">At
this point we have all the paperwork done, getting them notarized tomorrow, and
sent out! Then Julie will tell us our next step. I will fill you all in when we
know the time we will be flying to Ethiopia to meet our son. Remember we will
be making two trips before we can bring him home forever. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">One
more note sorry I cannot post any pics of “ K.” It is illegal to post pics of
orphans. If I do post any pics, my son will have a heart over his face to hide
his identity. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>JOHN 14:18 I will not leave you as orphans; I
will come to you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Val Steyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15428379201345567833noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1962700474047220265.post-32148676264693183702013-11-30T18:00:00.001-08:002013-11-30T18:00:42.124-08:00ALWAYS THANKFUL<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5n6fCNfL3IApeqtjuZA2K0JS_q6NlFEer1bOM0igI8icZFBh4PXiyyn_V4ALHwQxxN5xR9jTHP-YzqRdGCJWXE7DlaT78XtXQr3qU1f72owa7LgRwEImJiNFBHUAX9B67vLH0k3sCo8e9/s1600/105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5n6fCNfL3IApeqtjuZA2K0JS_q6NlFEer1bOM0igI8icZFBh4PXiyyn_V4ALHwQxxN5xR9jTHP-YzqRdGCJWXE7DlaT78XtXQr3qU1f72owa7LgRwEImJiNFBHUAX9B67vLH0k3sCo8e9/s320/105.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Salem all blog readers, yesterday was Thanksgiving. I’m
looking back and reminding myself of all that I’m thankful for. This is the
time of year that it’s easy to forget about the heartache we all have experienced
in life. It’s great to be able to dedicate time and really appreciate how lucky
we are (even if we think we aren’t). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here are some of the things I’m thankful for:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">An always faithful and loving God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Three incredibly loving, caring, and smart kids
that are my life and breath.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">An amazing husband who deeply loves us and is
deeply concerned with the well-being of our family. He is completely my world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our church LifeHouse, of which has led all of us
to a deeper relationship with God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">5.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">My job as a stylist, I have seen God in more
ways that I can count through my job, my clients are not just clients they are
family.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">6.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">My husband’s job at the Fire Dept. and especially
his job at Pond Seed (I know Nick has seen God’s work through that job).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">My family and friends who have been so supportive
through our adoption process.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">8.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our health even though I have been through some
ups and downs this year. I have amazing doctors getting me back on track.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">9.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">My very special friends that I have met through
AGCI Facebook group.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">10.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">One of those very special friends I have gotten
to speak with is T & A’s mom (they are my prayer buddies I wrote about in
one of my earlier posts. If you haven’t read it please go back and read it. I promise
once you read it and then get to know that I’m in contact with their amazing
mom, the hair on the back of your neck will stand up. Oh and by the way T &
A’s momma and I have so much in common, we share the same birthday (GOOSEBUMBS
if you read my earlier post, Prayer Buddies), we have the same pic of her
children on our wall, her father owns his own hair salon, we both love and
adore her children, and on and on. God is so good. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her children
will be coming home real soon to such an amazing family!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>YAY!!!!!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">11.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For Erica and my special orphan V who has opened
my heart to adoption. Without you two I don’t know if I would be on this
amazing journey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Love you both
dearly!!!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">12.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For my adoption agency, AGCI, whose staff has
guided us through every step.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">13.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For our
child(ren)’s birthmother, for she had the courage and the strength to bring our
precious child(ren) into the world. She will always hold a special place in my
heart. No matter what the circumstances were, she chose life for her little one,
our child(ren).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">14.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ethiopia, where are child(ren) will be when we
first hold them in our arms. From what I have read and heard it is truly an
amazing place. We can’t wait to experience all of it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">15.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hannah’s Hope, the transition home of where our
child(ren) will be until we get them home. The special mothers who take such
good care and love our children while they wait for their parents. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">16.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Last
but not least we just got our Favorable Determination Letter, which means we
are approved by immigration!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another
step closer to our child(ren)!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>YAY!!!!!!!!!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<br />Val Steyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15428379201345567833noreply@blogger.com0