Personal Stuff
The Rundown (4.20.2010)
Been a long time since we did a “Rundown” blog post … but let me just say it is GREAT TO BACK in AMERICA and at ROCK BRIDGE!!! I can’t wait to preach again this week!!
Being a parent is awesome, challenging, exciting, and a sacred stewardship from God!
“I will praise the Lord no matter what happens. I will constantly speak of His glories and grace.” {Psalm 34:1}
Ethiopia Update #4: HOME!
We’ve been home for a few days now and things are good … very good. Hearing our toddler say “Dad-dy” & “Mom-my” with his little accent is awesome! The kiddos seem to be adjusting well to their new home. We’ve got some medical appointments over the next week dealing with everything from teeth to nutrition.
The trip home was exhausting: 24 hours on planes and in airports with a 3-year old and infant … not the greatest experience but one we’ll definitely remember. Neither of us slept much at all. We are still playing catch-up while trying to keep up with our boys 
Some random stuff:
- We are very grateful for America.
- The Ethiopian people are amazing: humble, kind, & affectionate.
- Ethiopian coffee = very, very strong.
- Jet lag stinks.
- Parenting is awesome.
- It is amazing how much Eyasu (toddler) is understanding us.
- We cannot begin to thank everyone for all the kindness, support, gifts, and prayers!!
- I am more convinced than ever of the sovereignty of God. His hand at times was hard to see but in hindsight His presence and plan were woven throughout the entire adoption process and our journey to Ethiopia.
Ethiopia Update #3
We have had full custody of the boys since Saturday afternoon. It has been exciting to see them start to bond with us and start acting like “typical” children–laughing, playing, crying, feeling “safe” with mom & dad, and yes, testing their boundaries.
We are tired and ready to be back in America … so thankful for the USA!! Today we took a trip to the American Embassy (awesome!) to get the boys’ visas. All went well except the web server to D.C. is down … so no visas unless it comes back up. We need those visas in order to fly out tomorrow night — praying the server to be restored!!
Thanks for the prayers and support. We’ll probably lay low for several days when we return … overcoming jet lag, establishing a routine, getting rested and rejuvenated are the immediate goals. We heard Easter services went well … so thankful for our amazing staff and volunteers that make Rock Bridge happen through the Holy Spirit week in and week out. God bless!
P.S.–On a personal note, seeing Beth as a mother makes me love and respect her even more!! She is amazing with the boys!!
Ethiopia Update #2
We traveled to Awassa, a town 250 km to the South of Addis Ababa. The orphanage where our boys were first cared for is located there. The trip was a 5 hour drive through various towns and rural areas of the country. We were never bored because of what we saw: beautiful country but devastating poverty … very hard to process.
The boys’ orphanage is run by Christians of great faith. We were welcomed with a traditional coffee ceremony and the director prayed for us and the children. We were thanked numerous times as we toured the simple yet clean facility. We were able to see Abreham’s crib and Eyasu’s bed (he slept on a top bunk) and meet the nannies who cared for them.
Then we met their father … a moment that we will always cherish … God’s hand was there in a way that we still cannot fathom … all we know is that it was nothing short of a miracle.
We arrived back in Addis Ababa today and tonight we are going to a traditional Ethiopian dance performance.
We also learned that we will take full custody of our boys tomorrow– GREAT news on Good Friday. The first morning we will wake up with our boys will be Easter Sunday … this celebration will be extra special.
A few prayer requests:
- Taking full custody of the boys tomorrow.
- We are very tired … between jet lag, traveling the past 2 days, hard beds, and all of the emotions we are experiencing … we need a good night’s rest!
- For Eyasu & Abreham as they enter our family.
- For Easter services at RBCC … we are praying from the other side of the world!
Legally Parents!!!
Our adoption agency just called … our court case was heard on Tuesday and we passed!!!!!!!!!!!!
We are now the legal parents of Eyasu-3 years, (uh-ya-sue) and Abreham-5 months!!!!!
Adoption Update
We received news today that our court case was once again not heard as scheduled. Apparently, the government agency in charge of the adoption process in Ethiopia had other priorities that day and so court cases were postponed until later dates. At this time we do not know when our case will be rescheduled.
This news is of course very disappointing as we felt like the light at the end of a year+ long tunnel was approaching. While we know the theological answers (ie. God is in control, In God’s time, etc. etc.) for this situation, the emotional ones are harder to swallow. But we press on, praying all the more fervently for this process that God began in our hearts to be completed, knowing that He finishes what He starts (Phil. 1:6).
Beth & I continue to be overwhelmed by the prayers, support, and encouragement!! Thanks so much and we can only ask that you continue to pray with us, for us and for these two brothers.
“He is father to the fatherless … He sets the lonely in families.” Psalm 68:5, 6
Adoption Update: Court Delay
Right now we have been told by our adoption agency that our court date is being delayed until Feb. 22nd.
As we have learned this is all part of the journey of adoption … a journey God is using greatly in our lives and in the end we know it will be worth the wait!!
Thanks so much for everyone’s prayers and encouragement!!
Some specific ways to pray:
- For the children
- For the court process to go smoothly
- For Beth & I: peace that passes understanding!!
I Get Into Trouble When …
“There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.” –Proverbs 14:12
“The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.” –Proverbs 27:12
I did a little self-evaluation today, trying to be prudent and see how and when I get myself into trouble. Very humbling exercise but hopefully it will prevent some suffering.
Here’s what I came up with … I get into trouble (mental, spiritual, relational, etc.) when …
- I forget God’s Word is powerful, sufficient, and true.
- I try to impress people.
- I try to prove myself to people.
- I let my emotions overrule my beliefs.
- I act like it all depends on me.
- I talk too much.
- I try to do important things or have meaningful conversations when I am hungry, angry, or tired.
- I am not still before God.
Adoption News: A Court Date!!
Today another milestone in our adoption journey was reached — we have our court date!! Our scheduled date is February 10th. This is sooner than we anticipated
The purpose of court is for an Ethiopian judge to verify everything regarding the adoption process — paperwork, reasons for adoption, our qualifications to be adoptive parents, ethics, etc. etc. If all the criteria are met and the judge is satisfied, then we are declared the legal parents of these two brothers!!
However, we keep reminding ourselves that lots of things can hinder the court’s verdict, everything from bad weather to incorrect paperwork. So we are praying for a smooth process … and that we “pass” court on the first round.
Once we pass court, we are expecting to travel to pick them up within 4-6 weeks. This means that if everything goes “smoothly” we could the boys home by the end of March!!
Thanks so much for the continued prayers and encouragement!