Christmas in Ethiopia

Yep!!  The title of this blog post says it all.  We will be spending Christmas in Ethiopia.  We got the official word today that our court date is December 27.  Sue (our agency director) emailed very early this morning and said that she thought that might be our court date and wondered how we felt about traveling during the Christmas holiday - realizing that it may be difficult for some families.   BUT, our family said, "bring it on!"  So a couple hours later we got the "it's a go" email and it became official.   All of a sudden it seems like December is really close -- there is SO much to do.

But let me share something with you -- there is a little voice that keeps reminding me that this is where we were with our little guy from Russia when everything fell apart.  We were just waiting for that call to go get him but when the call came, they said he had been taken in by a Russian family, instead of saying that he was ours to bring home.  We had his picture all over the house -- we were praying for him every day -- he had a name -- we thought he was ours.  The reason we were able to move along quickly with this paperwork process is because of the two failed attempts prior to this one.  We lost two children and a chunk of money.  I wouldn't choose to get ahead of the paperwork game that way.  It hurts.  So, just being honest,  I am fighting that "something could happen to this one, too" feeling.  BUT, a stronger voice is saying, "Trust ME" and I will choose to do that!   A daily choice.   I do really believe this is going to happen, I'm just saying that sometimes those doubts creep in because of past experiences.  Have I said that adoption isn't for the faint of heart.  (;   You have to trust God -- I don't know how you do it otherwise.

So - like I said, there is a lot to do.  We have two bedrooms that we have to re-do (bunk beds!), we have a storage unit we have to clean out and a garage sale to have, and a bigger kitchen table to buy.  We have a fundraiser on Nov. 13th that we're a part of (www.facebook.com/fundraiserforadoptingmiracles?ref=ts) and then a wonderful Thanksgiving with my family, including my sister Jenni's family -- they are missionaries home on furlough (so excited to have them here this year!!).

On another note, we have had precious friends donate generously to our expenses -- it is so humbling and we are beyond grateful.  Adoption is just expensive, no way around it.  Adopting three is super expensive.  We are so thankful for everyone who is helping us bring the kiddos home!!   We still have about $20,000 to raise.   There is a two trip travel requirement which shoots the travel cost up -- but we are trusting that we will have all the funding we need when the time comes for us to go bring them home!  We are going to send out a letter with donation information -- but I do want to say here that if you want to donate to the fund, it can be tax deductible, which may come in really handy for you right now.  Just comment or email me for more info on that if you're interested.  And thank you in advance!!

My friend, Gina, is going to Ethiopia in two weeks and her son is in the same orphanage as our kids.  He is the cutest thing ever.  Gina actually went to the orphanage on a mission trip -- she has spent time with our twins and actually took some of the first video of them that we saw (Bennet wasn't there yet so she didn't meet her).    She is going to love on them for us and also get their measurements so we know what size clothes to get for them.  God has brought amazing new friends into my life through this adoption journey.   I love the fact that our older kids have been playing with her little guy and that they will now live just 20 minutes from each other in Tennessee.   Such a God thing!

Ok -- kind of a mish-mosh of thoughts on this post.  Thanks for taking the time to read it.