One Sought Me

6/18/15 ADOPTION UPDATE! Our agency called to tell us that we have another date in court to review our case!  This court date is for the Federal MOWA (Women's and Children's Services Officials) to present approval (hopefully!! PRAY HARD!) of the recently resubmitted paper.  At the first court review on May 29, one request was made for one updated document.  This document has been updated and turned in.  This court date is to review our case again and be sure all the documents are now approved.  We do not attend court at this date BUT IF all the documents are approved on JULY 8th THEN our date to travel will be chosen on the 8th (and I'll be calling on the 9th to get news!!)   PLEASE be praying BIG TIME for the approval of our case on JULY 8th !  We aren't even going to talk about the alternatives and 'what if's' that could happen because we are believing, trusting, holding on, and ready for these last steps to bring us to our boy! Since E...

After nearly 3 years of being in this adoption process to bring our little boy home, 45 weeks of pictures, ups and downs, pleading prayers, praises, miracles, and sharing our hearts for the orphan care to anyone we meet, we are finally getting to the last STEP !!! Our adoption case goes before the Ethiopian court prior to our arrival in Ethiopia.  At the court date, which was held on May 29th, there was a request for more information.  Yes, updated paperwork.  Thankfully, and truly grateful that the paper has been resubmitted to the courts!!  Now we wait.  Nothing new there right?  Well, we wait for ONE signature, ONE final approval before we get THE CALL to travel and meet our son!!!   At this point we are packing our bags, and on pins in needles awaiting a phone call that could give us approximately 10-15 days notice before we are to be present in the courts in Ethiopia!! PLEASE be praying as we are up against a deadline.  The ONE perso...

Attention prayer warriors!  Please lift up our adoption case today and tonight as we prepare for the first of two court dates!!  This Thursday night (our time) will be morning time on Friday in Ethiopia.  Our case will be presented in court and either passed or requests made for further information.  Of course we are praying to be passed with no further delays or more paperwork requests!  PLEASE be praying as we need the power of God to shine His justice on this case for our dear boy.  God is so good and His timing is perfect!  He will prevail and give His grace!  We thank Him in ADVANCE for all that He has done and IS DOING to prepare the way for Tarik to come home!!! Thank you for praying!!

Praising God for His goodness and grace as we just found out yesterday that the first of two court dates has been set!  This first court date takes place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and involves those who have history with our son's case to testify that he is an orphan and available for adoption.  Todd and I do not travel for this court date.   May 29th is the date for first court, so be praying!!! After this date we will wait for a clearance signature from the officials and then the second court date will be set!!  This is the one where Todd and I get to travel, meet our boy, and claim him as our son!!  It's coming folks!  Please be praying that all goes well and that there are no more unexplained delays in the paperwork chain, courts, etc. etc. of whatever else can happen to delay our case.  God will make a way and prepare the path before us.  Prayers please, and thank you for lifting up our family and our new son as we persevere through this pr...

God is so good!!! Let me tell you a story... We are continuing to raise funds for the adoption as several costs have tumbled in during this extended process for us.  What once was proposed as a 12-18 month journey to adopt has turned into 2.5 years and counting. Updated paper work, fingerprints again, new appointments, mailing documents, etc. Each month we support Tarik's care while he is in the foster home of $350 a month.  With the latest movements in our process too, we have fees associated with those costs that are  $650.  It all is adding up as one month runs into another past our anticipated funds. ( See our 2014 Fundraising Report here .   And our latest needs here. ) Just as I sit down and start to wonder how tight are things going to get, I get an email that another necklace order needs filled. And guess what? It will cover our next fee!  So thankful and once again just in awe of God's provision just when we need it! Then a friend asks to ho...

We are ever so grateful for this Easter season as we reflect on the LOVE that God, our Father, has for us!  So much, He loves us, that He sent His son Jesus to rescue us from sin that separates us from joining with our Father in Heaven.  What a day to rejoice and celebrate the Jesus rose from the grave and conquered sin and death!!  A NEW LIFE given to those who believe so we may spend eternity with our Heavenly Father!  A family united! On the Saturday before Easter Sunday we received a special letter in the mail that moves us forward in our adoption process!  The US Embassy letter that shows our case has been reviewed and passed investigations!!  SUCH. A. Great. DAY!!  We are thrilled and praising our God for making a way for our family to be united and for little Tarik to start his new life as a precious son! Today we mailed out that letter that then gets some run-around here in the states before being sent to Ethiopia.   Next steps, cou...

The kids and I made this painting of Ethiopia's map outline during some of those snow days when we are stuck inside and the paint box just screams to be used!  We designed the inside of the map outline to resemble the country's flag and then the kids put their hand prints all around the picture.  I'd like to think of it as raising our hands to praise God for all that He has done for us and for hearing our prayers during this adoption process!   I cried to the Lord with my voice, and He heard me out of His holy hill.  Psalm 3:4 And call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.  Psalm 50:15 I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.  Psalm 34:4 Blessed be God, who has not turned away my prayer, nor His mercy from me.  Psalm 66:20