Thursday, May 29, 2008
June 5th!
June 5th is our new court date. The Ministry of Women's Affairs still needs to complete a letter for us. They haven't been able to get it done due to all the power outages. Please pray that the letter will be completed in time and that everything will come together so we can pass court on the 5th. Cat is VERY excited since June 5th is her birthday. Hopefully we'll have good news that day!
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Kit Kat's Graduation Day!
Today was Kit Kat's Graduation Day! She has officially completed preschool and can hardly wait to start Kindergarten. She and her class sang a couple fun songs. Then they joined their families for a fun snack including hamburger cookies (they're really cute!). Afterwards, they were called up front one at a time to be congratulated by their teachers and handed a folder of work they completed this year. 
She's already been asking me to do Kindergarten stuff with her this week and today she wants to work on math. LOL!
She's already been asking me to do Kindergarten stuff with her this week and today she wants to work on math. LOL! Hopefully we can keep up her enthusiasm for school work.
Congratulations Kit Kat!
Happy Birthday MAC
Birthdays aren't celebrated in Ethiopia. Ethiopia also follows a different calendar than we do. (This past September was the new millenium according to their calendar.) For these reasons and more, many orphans birthdates are mere guesses.
We're not sure if MAC's birthday is a guess or if there was an actual record somewhere. His file SAID that his birthday is May 28, 2000. So...until we learn differently, today is MAC's birthday. He's 8 years old today.
He probably doesn't know that his birthday is today. There won't be any birthday celebration. He won't get to choose what he wants for dinner today. He won't get cake or presents. But, he has probably never had these things for his birthday.
On another note, he also won't be reminded that this is the day his Ethiopian mother and he met face to face. The day that he began his first 7 years with her. He won't be reminded that this is his first birthday since she passed away.
We know. And I'm sad for him. I'm sad for her. Everyone who visits Layla comments on how sweet and loving MAC is. He seems to be a truly loving child and I just know in my heart that his Ethiopian mother LOVED him. He was her only child. Probably a picture of the husband she lost 2 1/2 years later. I'm sure that she was devastated to leave him in this world as she passed on.
Dh and I have a will. We've struggled with the thought process of having someone else raise our children. It's not easy. Although we feel blessed that we have so many wonderful, loving family members that would ALL do a great job, no one is us. The thought of not raising your child to adulthood is heartbreaking and sad.
We cannot measure up to MAC's Ethiopian mother or father. We will never be the parents that he first ran to, that he first depended on.
We pray that his heart will be open to us. That he will learn to love us as we already love him. We pray that we can do an accurate job of honoring his Ethiopian mother. That we can help MAC to preserve her memory, to grow into a fine young man that would make her proud.
We may not be there to celebrate his 8th, but there will be many more birthdays to celebrate together. Many more birthdays to carefully tread through as they're sure to remind him of all that he has lost.
We're not sure if MAC's birthday is a guess or if there was an actual record somewhere. His file SAID that his birthday is May 28, 2000. So...until we learn differently, today is MAC's birthday. He's 8 years old today.
He probably doesn't know that his birthday is today. There won't be any birthday celebration. He won't get to choose what he wants for dinner today. He won't get cake or presents. But, he has probably never had these things for his birthday.
On another note, he also won't be reminded that this is the day his Ethiopian mother and he met face to face. The day that he began his first 7 years with her. He won't be reminded that this is his first birthday since she passed away.
We know. And I'm sad for him. I'm sad for her. Everyone who visits Layla comments on how sweet and loving MAC is. He seems to be a truly loving child and I just know in my heart that his Ethiopian mother LOVED him. He was her only child. Probably a picture of the husband she lost 2 1/2 years later. I'm sure that she was devastated to leave him in this world as she passed on.
Dh and I have a will. We've struggled with the thought process of having someone else raise our children. It's not easy. Although we feel blessed that we have so many wonderful, loving family members that would ALL do a great job, no one is us. The thought of not raising your child to adulthood is heartbreaking and sad.
We cannot measure up to MAC's Ethiopian mother or father. We will never be the parents that he first ran to, that he first depended on.
We pray that his heart will be open to us. That he will learn to love us as we already love him. We pray that we can do an accurate job of honoring his Ethiopian mother. That we can help MAC to preserve her memory, to grow into a fine young man that would make her proud.
We may not be there to celebrate his 8th, but there will be many more birthdays to celebrate together. Many more birthdays to carefully tread through as they're sure to remind him of all that he has lost.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Still Waiting for a New Court Date...
Psalm 27:13-14
"I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD."
This note was on our agency yahoo group from the director regarding the status of group G (our group):
Sorry no news today and tomorrow is a holiday in Ethiopia so it is likely to be Thursday before we know more. Thankfully this is the last Ethiopian holiday for awhile.
"I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD."
This note was on our agency yahoo group from the director regarding the status of group G (our group):
Sorry no news today and tomorrow is a holiday in Ethiopia so it is likely to be Thursday before we know more. Thankfully this is the last Ethiopian holiday for awhile.
Monday, May 26, 2008
No Power in Addis Ababa = Postponed Court
We just received this message from the agency director:
Hi Group G folks. I am sorry to have to tell you that the court did not hear any cases today because there was no power. All cases were postponed. Gail didn't know when they would be heard. I am so sorry, we were hoping for good news. Susan or I will let you know when we know more.
Although we're disappointed, we know God's timing is perfect. We're glad that MAC doesn't know when court or embassy dates are happening. He'll know that we're coming soon when he goes for his last medical exam. He doesn't have to face the disappointment of postponed or failed court dates and we're thankful for that!
Hi Group G folks. I am sorry to have to tell you that the court did not hear any cases today because there was no power. All cases were postponed. Gail didn't know when they would be heard. I am so sorry, we were hoping for good news. Susan or I will let you know when we know more.
Although we're disappointed, we know God's timing is perfect. We're glad that MAC doesn't know when court or embassy dates are happening. He'll know that we're coming soon when he goes for his last medical exam. He doesn't have to face the disappointment of postponed or failed court dates and we're thankful for that!
We Are Blessed
This was recently posted on an adoption yahoo group. I'm not sure who the original author is. It's such a great reminder. We are blessed beyond measure.
If you woke up with more health than illness...
you are more blessed than the million who will not survive this week.
If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the lonliness of imprisonment,
the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation...
you are ahead of 500 million people in the world.
If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof over your head, and a place to sleep...
you are richer than 75% of this world.
If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace...
you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy.
If you can read this message, you just recieved a double blessing in that someone was thinking of you, and furthermore, you are more blessed than the over 2 billion people in the world who cannot read at all.
If you woke up with more health than illness...
you are more blessed than the million who will not survive this week.
If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the lonliness of imprisonment,
the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation...
you are ahead of 500 million people in the world.
If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof over your head, and a place to sleep...
you are richer than 75% of this world.
If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace...
you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy.
If you can read this message, you just recieved a double blessing in that someone was thinking of you, and furthermore, you are more blessed than the over 2 billion people in the world who cannot read at all.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Court Is In Session
Well...it's about 11 pm here on the Pacific West coast. It's 9 am in Addis Ababa. Today is our court date!!!
Please pray that ALL of our paperwork is there, complete, accurate, legible, etc., that everyone who needs to be in court shows up and that we find favor with the judge.
Pray also that our visa paperwork arrives quickly in Addis Ababa so that we can get an embassy appointment and bring MAC home.
Thank you!!!
Please pray that ALL of our paperwork is there, complete, accurate, legible, etc., that everyone who needs to be in court shows up and that we find favor with the judge.
Pray also that our visa paperwork arrives quickly in Addis Ababa so that we can get an embassy appointment and bring MAC home.
Thank you!!!
Friday, May 23, 2008
Please Pray for Steven Curtis Chapman and Family
My heart is so sad for the family of Steven Curtis Chapman.
Their 5 year old daughter was struck in their driveway and passed away Wednesday evening. The SUV was being driven by one of their teenage sons who did not see her. It is such a sad and tragic accident.
There's a lovely picture of their family and link to a video of them washing the dishes together at his website: Steven Curtis Chapman
Please keep them in your prayers.
Their 5 year old daughter was struck in their driveway and passed away Wednesday evening. The SUV was being driven by one of their teenage sons who did not see her. It is such a sad and tragic accident.
There's a lovely picture of their family and link to a video of them washing the dishes together at his website: Steven Curtis Chapman
Please keep them in your prayers.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
We're Approved!
We've been anxiously waiting for our I-171H to arrive. This is the document that says we're pre-approved by the United States Center for Immigration Services (USCIS) to bring an orphan into the states.
Last night, when I sent an inquiry to our local USCIS office, I was sent an automatic response with FAQ's on it. This automatic e-mail had me convinced that our approval wouldn't come for another month or two. Needless to say, I was feeling sad about it.
Today, I received an e-mail from a real live person at the USCIS office:
Ryan & Paula~
Your application was approved May 9th and it has been mailed out to you. Thanks.
Yeah!!! It's been approved. Now, we just need the National Visa Center (NVC) to get their copy, process it, and forward it to the US Embassy in Addis Ababa.
Once we pass court AND the Embassy has our paperwork, we can make travel plans. :0)
Last night, when I sent an inquiry to our local USCIS office, I was sent an automatic response with FAQ's on it. This automatic e-mail had me convinced that our approval wouldn't come for another month or two. Needless to say, I was feeling sad about it.
Today, I received an e-mail from a real live person at the USCIS office:
Ryan & Paula~
Your application was approved May 9th and it has been mailed out to you. Thanks.
Yeah!!! It's been approved. Now, we just need the National Visa Center (NVC) to get their copy, process it, and forward it to the US Embassy in Addis Ababa.
Once we pass court AND the Embassy has our paperwork, we can make travel plans. :0)
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Did you notice?
I posted new pics on the side of my blog. As a safety precaution I've chosen not to share our children's names which is why I often refer to them as ds/8, dd/6, dd/5 and MAC. We do however, have love names for each of our children. Love names are fun nick names that we've given each of them. I've already been using MAC's love name on my blog so I decided to go ahead and start referring to our other children by their love names as well. To check out their love names, just look at the pics on the side.
On another note, I hope to regularly post pics and events again soon. Things may be a little crazy for the next couple weeks. In the next two weeks alone we have 2 soccer practices, 1 local parade performance, 1 not so local parade performance, 1 tea party, 1 concert on mother's day, 4 overnight guests that evening, 1 field trip to the Children's museum, 1 birthday party, the last night of Awana to prepare for which includes the Awana store, Awana Sunday to organize & prepare and Awana awards night to put together. This doesn't include our normally scheduled hours of school, extra curriculars, bookkeeping and any other curve balls that life may throw at us.
So, please be patient with me. I *will* get back to my blog eventually and I may even post pics from a few of our events if I can find the time... Right now, I need to go catch some zzz's.
On another note, I hope to regularly post pics and events again soon. Things may be a little crazy for the next couple weeks. In the next two weeks alone we have 2 soccer practices, 1 local parade performance, 1 not so local parade performance, 1 tea party, 1 concert on mother's day, 4 overnight guests that evening, 1 field trip to the Children's museum, 1 birthday party, the last night of Awana to prepare for which includes the Awana store, Awana Sunday to organize & prepare and Awana awards night to put together. This doesn't include our normally scheduled hours of school, extra curriculars, bookkeeping and any other curve balls that life may throw at us.
So, please be patient with me. I *will* get back to my blog eventually and I may even post pics from a few of our events if I can find the time... Right now, I need to go catch some zzz's.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Court Date!!!
We were informed today that our court date in Ethiopia is scheduled for Monday, May 26th!
Please pray that everything would be accurate & complete and that we pass court the first time.
We're also still waiting for our USCIS approval. We need this to get MAC's visa. This could delay us from bringing him home after we pass court. Please pray that it will be a quick and accurate process.
Thanks! We're SO excited!!! MAC's birthday is 5/28 so if we pass court, he will legally be our child for his birthday! :0)
Please pray that everything would be accurate & complete and that we pass court the first time.
We're also still waiting for our USCIS approval. We need this to get MAC's visa. This could delay us from bringing him home after we pass court. Please pray that it will be a quick and accurate process.
Thanks! We're SO excited!!! MAC's birthday is 5/28 so if we pass court, he will legally be our child for his birthday! :0)
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Power Outages
Addis Ababa currently has power outages every third day from 7 am to 9 pm. This has been going on for awhile now. It's not expected to improve until the dams are full again. They are close to the rainy season so the water is coming but it will probably take a couple months to regain full power.
This definitely can slow things down in the adoption process. Although the slow downs are disappointing, we are comfortable while we wait. We have a dry, warm house to spend time in. Clean water at the faucet. A constant supply of electricity.
We have experienced power outages. More than enough during the wind storms last winter. But...we've never had to experience months of mandatory power outages. I can only imagine how frustrating it is. It is surely an inconvience at best for those who live in Addis Ababa.
Lack of power due to lack of water means so much more for those in rural areas of Ethiopia. They need water to grow crops, to water & feed their animals and most importantly, to provide for their families.
As I sit here typing this, I wonder... How many of these people still need to find the living water? Need to discover God's power in their lives? Thankfully, His water, His power never runs out. There is never a need for mandatory outages. He provides an unending supply.
Pray for the people of Ethiopia. Pray that God would provide the rain they need. More importantly, pray that lost people all around the world would find the true source of power through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
This definitely can slow things down in the adoption process. Although the slow downs are disappointing, we are comfortable while we wait. We have a dry, warm house to spend time in. Clean water at the faucet. A constant supply of electricity.
We have experienced power outages. More than enough during the wind storms last winter. But...we've never had to experience months of mandatory power outages. I can only imagine how frustrating it is. It is surely an inconvience at best for those who live in Addis Ababa.
Lack of power due to lack of water means so much more for those in rural areas of Ethiopia. They need water to grow crops, to water & feed their animals and most importantly, to provide for their families.
As I sit here typing this, I wonder... How many of these people still need to find the living water? Need to discover God's power in their lives? Thankfully, His water, His power never runs out. There is never a need for mandatory outages. He provides an unending supply.
Pray for the people of Ethiopia. Pray that God would provide the rain they need. More importantly, pray that lost people all around the world would find the true source of power through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Friday, May 2, 2008
Kasoa Orphanage Update
This post came across this morning from AAI (posted here w/ permission):
Dear AAIEthiopia and AAIGhana friends,
A very huge THANK YOU from AAI for the incredible response to our desire to help the Kasoa Orphanage in Ghana! You will all be happy to know that, because of your generosity, we have raised enough money to provide a borehole/water filters for the orphanage as well as continuing food aid for at least the next nine months. That orphanage has given AAI 15 children to date who will be placed for adoption and we anticipate a growing relationship with Kasoa. It's nice to know that all the children there will be healthier and happier because of our efforts. I hope that Anita will be able to get some more photos soon to share with the AAI yahoo groups but for now we are all set with donations and deeply grateful. One amazing thing about this fundraiser is that we received donations from people we had never heard of. I suspect that's because a number of you put the word out on your wonderful blogs. A number of these new donors indicated that they'd like to get our newsletter and learn more about what AAI is doing. Great!
Sincerely,
Susan Poisson-Dollar
AAI Director of Development
To those of you who got involved through either prayer or donation, Thank You! If you would like to get AAI's monthly newsletter, you can sign up here.
Dear AAIEthiopia and AAIGhana friends,
A very huge THANK YOU from AAI for the incredible response to our desire to help the Kasoa Orphanage in Ghana! You will all be happy to know that, because of your generosity, we have raised enough money to provide a borehole/water filters for the orphanage as well as continuing food aid for at least the next nine months. That orphanage has given AAI 15 children to date who will be placed for adoption and we anticipate a growing relationship with Kasoa. It's nice to know that all the children there will be healthier and happier because of our efforts. I hope that Anita will be able to get some more photos soon to share with the AAI yahoo groups but for now we are all set with donations and deeply grateful. One amazing thing about this fundraiser is that we received donations from people we had never heard of. I suspect that's because a number of you put the word out on your wonderful blogs. A number of these new donors indicated that they'd like to get our newsletter and learn more about what AAI is doing. Great!
Sincerely,
Susan Poisson-Dollar
AAI Director of Development
To those of you who got involved through either prayer or donation, Thank You! If you would like to get AAI's monthly newsletter, you can sign up here.
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