Reason to Sing part 2

I just found this post that I wrote last month while we were in Ethiopia.

I'm writing this from Addis Ababa.  Marjorie and I are sitting in the living room of our guesthouse reading books.  It's quiet.  She asked me to put some music on while we read.  So I did.

First we listened to a Waterdeep album and then I switched it to All Sons and Daughters.  I could sing every lyric on this album....and usually do....but tonight it was just light background sound to read by....and my book is good enough that I was able to block it out.

Then I finished a chapter and wanted to see if the Internet was actually going to work tonight or not.  Do you know what song was playing?  "Reason to Sing".  And do you know what part of that song it was on?  The bridge.  About a year ago I blogged about his song.  Particularly the bridge.  We were frustrated with paperwork and fundraising.

The bridge goes like this:

"If there be a victory, will you sing it over me now?

Your peace is the melody.  Will you sing it over me now?"

So in our frustration we were singing that out.  "God remind us you're in control here and know what's happening down here.

Back to today....almost a year later....I got to meet my son for the first time today.  He is gorgeous to me.  I am overcome with emotion.

The journey is not over.  We leave soon and E stays here.  We have to leave our son behind....but knowing that hopefully in a few months we come back here to bring him home forever.  God doesn't EVER need to prove himself to me....but days like today make me know without a shadow of a doubt that God is real, and that his plan for my life is amazingly complex and wonderful.

At the very end of the song the lyrics go like this:

" I need a reason to sing

I need a reason to sing

I need to know that you're still holding the whole world in Your hand.

That is a reason to sing"

The whole world in your hands.....from little old Warren PA to Addis Ababa Ethiopia.  This is a reason to sing.

Coin Jewelry Fundraiser

As we've shared with you previously, we're still in need of funding our second trip to Ethiopia to bring E home.  We are still selling our T-shirts (hurry sizes are now limited and when they're gone, they're gone). As you can see from our new thermometer graph (right toolbar) we're just shy of 500 dollars toward our goal.  We need to get moving on this though.

So we introduce to you our new fundraiser.  We are now selling some Ethiopian coin jewelry.  We currently have 4 different items for purchase.  Note that each item has a minimum suggested donation.  Also, if you have donated to our adoption since we've returned from Ethiopia (you know who you are) contact us right away with the item you want and we'll get it out to you.

Before we get to the good stuff we wanted to point out that on each of the coins is the Lion of Judah.  Ethiopia has a long rich history.  Part of that history is Biblical.  The Queen of Sheba goes to King Solomon's court because she heard how wise he is.  He then gives her "all her desire, whatever she asked".  Ethiopian tradition is that the Queen took the Ark of the Covenant back to Ethiopia where it remains to this day.  Also that the Queen fell in love with Solomon and that she had a child by him and thus the royal blood line, the Lion of Judah, was passed down through Ethiopia.

We like the Lion side best, but we've pictured each jewelery piece with the alternate side, should you like that as well.

You should also know that the Ethiopian currency is the Birr.  Currently the Birr is 18.9 to the US dollar.

2 single necklace sets and 2 necklace and earring combos.

We start out with a 1 Birr coin necklace.  Lion of Judah on one side, scales on the other.  (for our Canadian family and friends this is just a tiny bit smaller than a Tooney).  It's a bit larger than a US quarter.   Suggested minimum donation $8

 Next we have a 10 sentum (cent) coin.  Lion on one side, Mountain Nyala on the other side.  A little larger than the size of a US nickel.  Suggested minimum donation $8.

Next we have a package set.  You get a 50 sentum (cent) coin necklace (lion on one side, victory party over emperor in 1974...about the size of a US quarter) AND a pair of 25 sentum ear rings (lion on one side and two workers celebrating....about the size of a US nickel).  Suggested minimum donation $15

Finally we have another package for you.  The necklace is the same necklace we started with...the 1 Birr coin (lion on one side, scales on the other).  The ear rings are 5 sentum coins (about the size of a US penny).  The lion hangs outward with a soldier on the alternate side.  Suggested minimum donation $15.

As with any donations to our adoption, you can use the Paypal Donate button in the left column.  You can also make checks payable to Aaron Reinard  12 Central Ave. Warren PA  16365.


We have plenty of the 1 Birr necklaces.  Everything else is limited quantities and when they're gone, they're gone.  Christmas is coming.  These would look lovely in a stocking. 

Minor News Update 9/20

NOTE:  We have a new fundraiser that we're going to introduce VERY soon (maybe even tonight)....and it's cool.  So you're going to want to check back in on the blog soon.

Relax, we still don't know when we're going. 

HOWEVER....we got something awesome today....actually minutes ago...and we wanted to tell you.

E has a passport!!!!!  That's a really good thing.  We're one small step closer.

What happens next?  Monday morning has a physical for his visa application.  That'll take a couple days.  Then the following Tuesday all his stuff goes to Embassy.

One step closer to bringing E home!!!!!!

Finances: Bring E home

From day one of this adoption journey (and blog) we have said that this is crazy.  We didn't and don't have the money for this adoption....yet we felt clearly that God was saying "go for it, I'm gonna take care of it."  Up to this point that has been 100% true.

We have yet to come to a point in this journey where we didn't have money to pay the next bill.

Last summer we were very worried because funds just weren't coming in....and then it just happened.  Little by little.  Bit by bit (a few bits were pretty big) money came in.

We can only say PRAISE GOD!!!!  and also Thank you for being part as well.

In our attempt to remain transparent with the financing of this adoption we felt like we needed to let you know where we're at.

We had the money to pay for our plane tickets for our first trip to Ethiopia......just.  Because we had to travel in summer prices were up.  Because we had to travel last minute, prices were up.  Because there is conflict throughout the Middle East prices were up...unless we wanted to fly into Cairo right as it erupted.  So we were able to buy our tickets with only a few hundred dollars to spare......which then went to pay for room, board, and transportation to go see our son.

Early on in our adoption, someone close to us set aside some money for "a trip" to Ethiopia.  That money hasn't been touched.  We know that we have that money to pay for part of our flights.  However, we also know that that won't cover the entire trip.

So where does that leave us?
-We're guessing that we need to raise around $2,000 to cover the remaining expenses of bringing E home.

-There are still T-shirts available.  They're "on sale" now for 15 dollars local and 18 dollars shipped in the US and Canada (youth sizes S, M and L;  adult size S, M, and XL....sorry out of L)

-We have another very cool fundraiser that we hope to unveil to you in the next week.  It's going to be sweet.  Christmas is coming and you'll want to pick this up.

-Would you consider helping us bring E home?  As we said early on, a very little bit goes a long way.  If 200 people give only 5 dollars we're half way there.  Would consider a one time donation...however large or small that is?

To do so you can donate online via our paypal donation button in the right column.
You can also send checks to
 Aaron Reinard
12 Central Ave.
Warren PA  16365

 -Please please please continue to keep our whole family in your prayers.  Obviously Marjorie and I are anxious to bring E home, but so are Corban and Tobiah.  The waiting is weighing on our whole family.