Paperchasing no more!

I have a very exciting announcement!

Our long awaited I-171H came in the mail yesterday afternoon AND, even more exciting, our dossier has been submitted to America World!

As soon as I found the envelope from USCIS in the mailbox, I ran in the house and started checking, double-checking and triple-checking all of the other documents in our dossier. Everything was there. Everything was in order.

So I loaded all three kiddos in the van, along with all of Joshua's baseball gear for practice. We made a quick stop at the bank to have one last form notarized and then we were off to FedEx.

Evan and Olivia sat by my feet playing games while Joshua helped me make three copies of everything. Once the copies were made, I checked everything one last time, filled out the FedEx label and placed it all in a box.

As I walked to the counter to send it off, my eyes filled with tears. I was so excited, so relieved, so grateful. I couldn't believe this day had finally come and I was overwhelmed with emotion.

{Here it is...our dossier. Seven months of hard work, tears and prayer.}

{Misbehaving children at FedEx.}

After everything was sent on its way, we grabbed a quick dinner and took Joshua to baseball practice. It was a wild, exciting evening!

When we finally made it home, I found this on the kitchen counter. A bouquet of flowers and a card from Kyle. The top of the card reads...A New Baby Girl. He gave me similar cards when we were expecting Joshua, Evan and Olivia.

{Melt.My.Heart. I love my man!}

My Week in Review

Amy at Filled with Praise does this cool My Week in Review post every Friday. She shares the high of her week, the low of her week and the lesson she learned. Other bloggers are then invited to link up. So here goes...

{HIGH}

I actually have three highs...

1. This afternoon Kyle came home from a week long business trip. I'm so glad to have my honey home!

2. We received an email from USCIS this afternoon, our application has been processed and approved. Our I-171H is on it's way!

3. Last week I submitted an application to Visiting Orphans for a July mission trip to Ethiopia. The trip was full, so I had to be placed on a waiting list. This afternoon, I received an email from Visiting Orphans...someone else decided not to go and I was first in line to take their place! I'm going to Ethiopia in July!! I'm so excited...and absolutely terrified!

{LOW}

Tuesday night was rough! It was a late night because of Evan's t-ball practice. Since Kyle was out of town, my parents stopped by to give me a break and help out with the kids' bedtime routine. While Evan was in the bathtub, he jumped up and hit his head on the corner of the vanity. It caused a big bump and a little cut right on the top of his head. But you know how even little head wounds bleed and bleed and bleed. It was quite a sight! Blood everywhere...Evan screaming in pain...Joshua crying because he was worried about his little brother...me totally panicking! I'm so glad my parents' were there! Dad finished getting Joshua and Olivia ready for bed while Mom and I took care of Evan. 

{LESSON LEARNED}

Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Hebrews 12:3

Kyle and I have been waiting and waiting for our I-171H...the final document needed to submit our dossier. We expected to receive it 10-14 days after we were fingerprinted. It has now been one month. The unexplained delay has made me frustrated and weary. 

During a quiet moment with the Lord today, I found this verse. It reminded me of how Jesus pursued me...how in the face of persecution, trial and even death he sought to redeem me according to God's plan. He did not grow frustrated and weary. With His focus on His Father, Jesus pressed on...obediently, faithfully, confidently.

If Jesus endured like that for me (and you!), then I must do the same in whatever God has called me to. I must obey Him even when things don't go as I plan. I must have faith that His timing is absolutely perfect. I must place all of my confidence in Him, for He alone is able.

The makings of a very good day...

Here are some things that made this day a very, very good day...

It was warm and sunny. I think spring is here!

Kyle and the boys enjoyed a "boys' day"...full of fishing, playing catch and shooting their very own Red Ryder BB gun. Both Joshua and Evan have declared that today was "the best day".

I cleaned out the fridge.

Olivia had her first play date away from home.

I started studying the book of Isaiah.

After her play date, Olivia and I enjoyed some girl time shopping for summer sandals. I chose something neutral. She chose hot pink with a giant flower. She won.

And I started making summer travel plans. 

Can you guess where I'm going? I'll give you a few hints...

I'll need this...

{source}

Getting to my destination will require a LONG ride in one of these...

{source}

It will be hard, but I'll be leaving these sweet little ones behind...

and spending a lot of time with precious little ones like these...

{source}

I know, I know...my hints practically gave it away!

I'm going on a mission trip to Ethiopia where I'll visit, serve and love orphans!! There are still a few details to be worked out, but I submitted my application today and I'm trusting that God will take care of everything.

And that's all I've got for tonight. I'm going to end this very good day with a very good night's sleep!

Encouraged!

I received an encouraging email from our Family Coordinator at America World this afternoon. It did my heart good!

Here is the body of that email...

We are writing to update you on the current situation in Ethiopia.  While meetings between Ethiopian government officials continue, we have seen positive steps.  Within MOWA, there have been significant and positive personnel changes which have resulted in overall staff turnover and changes in the adoption unit.  This unit is now called the Ministry of Women, Children and Youth Affairs (MOWCYA).  We are hopeful and expectant that the new leadership will not only support processing an adequate number of favorable recommendation letters, but also implement policies that will best serve the children.  Due to the staffing changes, we anticipate much transition over the next few weeks.  However, we expect that once everyone is settled into their new positions, MOWCYA will work to process a higher number of recommendation letters than they currently are able to process.  

We have continued to receive optimistic feedback and have seen how the Ethiopian government is very committed to adoption.  I hope this information is an encouragement to your family.  We will continue to update your family with any confirmed information we receive. 

So many of you have come along side us and joined us in praying for our adoption, our daughter, Ethiopia and the orphans there. Thank you, precious friends and family! God has heard our prayers and He is responding!

Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.

Jeremiah 33:3

In the day of my trouble, I will call to you for you will answer me.

Psalm 86:7

I love the Lord, for he heard my voice;

he heard my cry for mercy.

Because he turned his ear to me,

I will call on him as long as I live.

Psalm 116:1-2

makeover

My blog got a bit of a makeover this weekend!

I loved the way it was (so me!)...I just needed to make some updates to the layout and design.

Becky at Adopt Africa Designs did a great job with the original design, so I had her help me with the changes too. Once again...she did an awesome job! Thank you, Becky!!

So...got a blog? Need a new look? If so, Becky is your girl!

New Friend

{Olivia modeling her new dress with Mrs. S}

Mrs. S will soon celebrate her 101st birthday. After reading our story in the local newspaper, she called me and offered to make a dress for Olivia.

The dress is beautiful! We treasure it...and our precious new friend!

While I'm waiting...

I have cried many tears this morning. Letting go of my own plans...my own timeline...is not easy. It's difficult and painful. 

So as I let go of what I thought I knew, I'm holding on to what I know for sure.

I know...

God called us to adopt a child from Ethiopia.

He is in control.

His timing is perfect.

His word commands me to wait for him.

Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!

Psalm 27:14

And through tearful, tender moments with God today, I'm beginning to see that He has plans for us even as we wait.

The lyrics below share my heart better than anything I could ever write.

While I'm Waiting 

by John Waller

I'm waiting 
I'm waiting on You, Lord 
And I am hopeful 
I'm waiting on You, Lord 
Though it is painful 
But patiently, I will wait 

I will move ahead, bold and confident 
Taking every step in obedience 
While I'm waiting 
I will serve You 
While I'm waiting 
I will worship 
While I'm waiting 
I will not faint 
I'll be running the race 
Even while I wait 

I'm waiting 
I'm waiting on You, Lord 
And I am peaceful 
I'm waiting on You, Lord 
Though it's not easy 
But faithfully, I will wait 
Yes, I will wait 
I will serve You while I'm waiting 
I will worship while I'm waiting 
I will serve You while I'm waiting 
I will worship while I'm waiting 
I will serve you while I'm waiting 
I will worship while I'm waiting on You, Lord

Please, please join us in prayer!

The following alert was posted on the the U.S. Department of State's Intercountry Adoption website today. You can view the site by clicking here.

Government of Ethiopia Plans Major Slow-Down in Adoption Processing

March 9, 2011

Citing the need to work on quality and focus on more important strategic issues, the Government of Ethiopia’s Ministry of Women, Children, and Youth Affairs (MOWCYA)  will reduce to a maximum of five the number of adoption cases it processes per day, effective March 10, 2011.  Under Ethiopian adoption procedures, MOWCYA approves every match between prospective adoptive parents and an Ethiopian child before that case can be forwarded for a court hearing.  The U.S. Embassy is working with Ethiopian government officials and adoption agencies to learn more about this change in procedures.  We will continue to share information as it becomes available.

Given MOWCYA's current caseload, the U.S. Embassy anticipates that this change could result in an overall decline in case processing of some 90 percent.  If this change is implemented as proposed, we expect, that parents who have begun the process of adopting from Ethiopia but have not yet been matched with a child could experience significant delays.  It is not clear if this change in procedures would have any significant impact on cases in which MOWCYA has already approved matches. 

Prospective adoptive parents should remain in close contact with their adoption service provider to obtain updates on individual cases.

I initially learned about these changes last Saturday morning. At that time, it was just a news article. And though there was a lot of chatter about it among different adoption groups, it seemed to be unconfirmed information.

Still...I was heartbroken. 

I cried. I asked God all sorts of questions. And briefly...I doubted. So I asked God to once again give me clear confirmation that this is His plan for our family. He is so good, so patient with me. He answered my prayer and sent His confirmation through the words of another adoptive mother. This is what she wrote to me in an email...

"Remember that God called you to this adoption when He wanted the timing to begin, and He knew all along about this announcement and He sees into the future and knows what He has planned for you. Just remember His heart is for the orphans and He will not let His plans be undone by the enemy...But regardless of when you come home with your child, the timing has been ordained perfectly by Him. It's tough I know, but it's the same timeline God knew when He called you, this isn't a surprise to Him."

If you read my posts from last Friday and yesterday, you know that God has continued to provide that confirmation through His incredible provision.

I have no doubt that this is God's will for our family and that in His perfect timing we will bring our fourth child home from Ethiopia.

In the meantime, will you join us as we pray for the nearly 5 million orphans in Ethiopia...including our precious daughter?

Pray for the Ethiopian government as they work to improve the process within their country.

Pray that this situation be resolved quickly.

Pray for the orphanages and transition homes as they care for the orphans.

Pray for the many, many needs of the orphans.

Pray that the enemy would be silenced as he attempts to frustrate, confuse and hurt adoptive families and children with this information.

Thank you, sweet friends and family! Your prayers and support are greatly appreciated. We are so blessed to walk this journey with you by our side!

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right right hand.

Isaiah 41:10

You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts you.

Isaiah 26:3

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Philippians 4:6

My God is so BIG!

Check this out, y'all!!!

Last Friday I shared some BIG news about how God is totally providing the funds needed for our adoption. (If you missed that post, read it here before going any further in this post.) 

Well...just look what He has done since then!!

As of last Thursday, we had $1835 of the $5650 that we will need upon acceptance of our referral.

As of yesterday afternoon, we had the entire $5650...plus an additional $1800 to put toward our travel expenses.

This morning, we received an email regarding our GO.SEEK.LOVE t-shirt fundraiser. Our total profit for the month of February??? $1024!!!

And then, as I was dropping Olivia off at her class this morning, one of Evan's classmates approached us with a card and a baggy full of money. After hearing about the adoption, she told her mother that she wanted to give us ALL the money in her piggy bank ($24) to help us. We are so blessed by her sweet, generous heart. We are inspired too! That's how we want to give...immediately, generously, faithfully!

There's more...

When I checked the mail this afternoon, I was hoping to find our I-171H from USCIS (the last document needed to submit our dossier). It wasn't there, but guess what I did find? A $1000 check from precious friends!!

So here we are...

Dossier Submission Fees ($7700)-PAID

Referral Acceptance Fees ($5650)-PAID

Travel Expenses...

Fundraisers


Update  Fundraiser Thermometer Here

Isn't that incredible!! Isn't He amazing!! I am so overwhelmed by His provision...I have no words to adequately express the gratitude in my heart!

My God is so big

So strong and so mighty

There's nothing my God cannot do

The mountains are His

The valleys are His

The stars are His handiwork too

My God is so big 

So strong and so mighty

There's nothing my God cannot do

For you!!

For nothing is impossible with God. 

Luke 1:37

Refuge

God is our refuge and strength,

A very present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear,

Even though the earth be removed, 

And though the mountains be

carried into the midst of the sea;

Though its waters roar and be troubled,

Though the mountains shake with its swelling.

Psalm 46:1-3

Extra, Extra...read all about it!

Look who made the front page!

Our family has been blessed with the opportunity to share our adoption story with our community! The local newspaper featured an article about us this week. The writer is actually the pastor of a church in our town, so when I told him that this adoption is a God thing...he got it! He did a wonderful job of telling the story for God's glory! We are so grateful.

And we have more BIG news on the adoption front!

Since we have the funds needed to submit our dossier ($7700), we are now saving for the fees that will be due when we accept our referral ($5650). This will be when the agency sends us information about our daughter and we say, "Yes! That's our girl!".

As of Thursday morning, our savings looked like this...

Fundraisers


Update  Fundraiser Thermometer Here

But Thursday afternoon, it looked like this...

Fundraisers


Update  Fundraiser Thermometer Here

We received four donations to our adoption fund. Together they totaled $1530!!!

Three of the donations came from people that Kyle and I do not even know personally. They heard our story from someone else and gave. Unbelievable! Kyle and I are so grateful, so overwhelmed, so humbled.

When we started the adoption process, we stepped out in faith. We did not have the estimated $30,000 that would be needed. We were beyond scared, but God asked us to obey him despite our fear. Though at times it has been difficult, we have learned to trust Him like never before. God has been so faithful to provide exactly what we need exactly when we need it. We stand amazed!

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. 

Proverbs 3:5

Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the rock eternal.

Isaiah 26:4

Commit your way to the Lord, trust in him and he will do this.

Psalm 37:5

seven

Dear Sweet Joshua,

How blessed I am to be your mommy!

As we celebrate your birthday, I find myself caught between two very different emotions...longing to stop time, to keep you little and longing to see the man that you will become.

I love you! I am proud of you! 

You are smart and funny and handsome as can be. You love to read, build with Legos and play sports. You are kind to others and have compassion for "the least of these". You are full of energy and questions. What I love most about you is your love for Jesus!

He has a plan for you...a plan to bless you and to use you for His kingdom. Follow hard after Him, precious son! Hide His word in your heart and keep His commands. Mommy can't wait to see what He has in store for you!

All my love,

Mommy

 Welcome to the world, precious boy!

You're 1...enjoying your first beach vacation.

 And now you're 2...and a big brother!

Age 3...our Christmas Cowboy! 

4...and a big brother again!

A preschool graduate at age 5!

You're 6...and on a mission for Him!

7 and oh so big!

HaPpY BiRtHdAy!!

{source}

Happy Birthday, Kyle! 

I can't imagine this journey, this life with anyone other than you! 

Thank you for loving us, for providing for us, for following God and for leading us.

You are loved, appreciated and admired.

I hope your birthday...and the entire year ahead...are full of God's greatest blessings!

I love you!

xoxo