I was at home cleaning the basement of all things. The phone rang. I charged upstairs to get it.
Hello?
Aaron this is K from Children's House. Are you ready to go to Ethiopia? Because you need to go now.
What?
THIS IS FOR REAL!!!!!
You've been praying and we've been praying and now we're going. We have a court date in Ethiopia in a week and a half. We have to fly there in a week. Our brains are overloaded with information and details that need done, and freaking out.
We get to meet our son face to face in a very short time.
We'll obviously let you know what's going on.....when we know more.
God is GOOD!
FOR YOU:
-As we're looking into tickets, and it is crazy!!! They significantly more expensive because they're last minute and because of the time of year. Also....there seems to be few flights coming home. One airline gave us the option to come home in early September because that was the first flight they had openings on......and were kind of shocked we weren't OK spending 3+ weeks in Ethiopia.....which would be nice....but not very practical. HA
-We are stressed. We have lots to do in a very short amount of time. We also don't want to lose our focus.
ANSWERS TO PRAYER:
-We found out yesterday that we have to do an extra piece of paperwork because of some changes that are beyond our control. That single piece of paperwork is going to cost a couple hundred dollars. HOWEVER....yesterday morning someone donated some new appliances to us to sell. Bill taken care of.
-C and T were already going to my parents house to go camping the week that we need to be in Ethiopia. Childcare taken care of.
Friday, August 02, 2013
Saturday, July 20, 2013
Court Update
We told you last week, in our news update, that our paperwork was going to court in Ethiopia this Wednesday.
We'd first like to say thank you for your thoughts and prayers on Wednesday. We've heard from so many of you asking what we know.
On Wednesday the boys and I woke up and went to eat breakfast. I reminded them that the paperwork was going to court today. I also realized that even as we were praying about the paperwork....whatever was going to happen already had happened. With Ethiopia being 7 hours ahead of EST, when we were praying at 9, it was already 4pm there.
So we heard from our agency that it looks like we passed through court. We are another step closer. Unless something was really wrong with our paperwork we were pretty confident that we would pass. We didn't get all excited when we found out.....and then we were reminded that this is a big deal. This is a step closer to bringing our son home. We needed this step to go well. We're still moving in the direction we want.
So what's next?
We're waiting on a letter from WoMA (Ministry of Women's Affairs) telling us when our next court date is. This next court date is when Marjorie and I fly over to physically take our paperwork to Ethiopian court. We need this letter NOW.
The problem is that even when things are running smoothly, WoMA is slow. We've heard that they're particularly slow and backed up right now. So if we're going to get to Ethiopia before courts close, we need a bunch of paperwork (not just our own) to clear through them FAST.
We are being guardedly optimistic that this can happen. We know God has a plan. That may be that we go now. We also know that the way things are working right now, there's a very real chance that we're going to have to wait until October for our first trip.
FOR YOU:
As always, we still need your prayers. Obviously right now we need to hear that we are headed to Ethiopia to meet our son sooner rather than later.
Beyond that obvious prayer, please pray for our hearts. That they wouldn't be hardened to the process and not be cynical from past adoption struggles. That we would continue to be open to what God is speaking into our lives.
Also pray for C and T's hearts and minds in this adjustment. Corban particularly has been having dreams about traveling to Ethiopia right now to pick up his brother. They are excited, but I'm sure they don't fully grasp what changes are going to come to every day life. Pray that their hearts would be molded for their new brother.
We'd first like to say thank you for your thoughts and prayers on Wednesday. We've heard from so many of you asking what we know.
On Wednesday the boys and I woke up and went to eat breakfast. I reminded them that the paperwork was going to court today. I also realized that even as we were praying about the paperwork....whatever was going to happen already had happened. With Ethiopia being 7 hours ahead of EST, when we were praying at 9, it was already 4pm there.
So we heard from our agency that it looks like we passed through court. We are another step closer. Unless something was really wrong with our paperwork we were pretty confident that we would pass. We didn't get all excited when we found out.....and then we were reminded that this is a big deal. This is a step closer to bringing our son home. We needed this step to go well. We're still moving in the direction we want.
So what's next?
We're waiting on a letter from WoMA (Ministry of Women's Affairs) telling us when our next court date is. This next court date is when Marjorie and I fly over to physically take our paperwork to Ethiopian court. We need this letter NOW.
The problem is that even when things are running smoothly, WoMA is slow. We've heard that they're particularly slow and backed up right now. So if we're going to get to Ethiopia before courts close, we need a bunch of paperwork (not just our own) to clear through them FAST.
We are being guardedly optimistic that this can happen. We know God has a plan. That may be that we go now. We also know that the way things are working right now, there's a very real chance that we're going to have to wait until October for our first trip.
FOR YOU:
As always, we still need your prayers. Obviously right now we need to hear that we are headed to Ethiopia to meet our son sooner rather than later.
Beyond that obvious prayer, please pray for our hearts. That they wouldn't be hardened to the process and not be cynical from past adoption struggles. That we would continue to be open to what God is speaking into our lives.
Also pray for C and T's hearts and minds in this adjustment. Corban particularly has been having dreams about traveling to Ethiopia right now to pick up his brother. They are excited, but I'm sure they don't fully grasp what changes are going to come to every day life. Pray that their hearts would be molded for their new brother.
Monday, July 15, 2013
Corban's Gotcha Day
So every year we celebrate our boys Gotcha Day. Different adoptive families celebrate in different ways. We don't give presents. We "do something" together as a family. Usually this has meant a fun relaxing day with some mini-golf and ice cream and a nice dinner. This year we did something different.
(This is kind of in two parts so make sure you follow all the way down.)
So last year my parents were given a gift certificate to the Gateway Clipper fleet in Pittsburgh for a river cruise....for the entire family. It's taken all of us more than a year to coordinate schedules and make it happen. So my parents, my brother and his family, my aunt and uncle, and my roudy brood, set off on one of their boats for lunch and tour up and down the rivers around Pittsburgh.
IT WAS AWESOME. The kids had so much fun on the boat. Corban, our creative one, was a pirate, firing cannons at every water craft out on a gorgeous afternoon. The kids touched every corner of that boat. In fact Marjorie and Tobiah almost were in the control room....that they were suppose to be in.
One thing I learned was that the fountain at the point doesn't use water from any of the three rivers but from an underground glacial aquafer. How cool is that?
Now....my parents are looking for a new home. My dad retired back in January, and their entire married life (39 years) they've lived in a home provided by the church that they've served. So they're looking for their first house. Which means....that this is probably Corban's last Gotcha Day at Grandma and Pa Pa's. This is significant because his very first Gotcha Day was at Grandma and Pa Pa's....so we have some special photos of that first day or so at their house. So we decided to recreate those pictures this weekend (we also did two pictures of Tobiah from when he came....you'll remember that we immediately went to Children's Hospital with him....so we don't have many at my parents house.....we're gonna hold off on Tobiah's pictures till later.)
So below is the original picture, then the new picture. We did our best.
Love you C-digs.
Friday, July 12, 2013
News Update 7/11
Hopefully by now you've read our BIG news from a couple weeks ago. If not, you better start there.
A couple small updates.
1. We just wanted to clarify....yes we do have pictures....no you can't see them.....at least not here. If you see us in person, we'll gladly show you. We're not allowed to put pictures of Elias up here until he's officially ours via paperwork. Please know we're giddy to show you his giant eyes. When we can we will.
2. That being said....if you've already seen a picture of him.....we have new pictures!!! You should ask to see them.
3. In our announcement post we explained that the Ethiopian courts shut down for August and September for rainy season. At the time we were still holding out a little hope that maybe just maybe we could get in before they closed. Then we more realistically realized the time frame doesn't work....we're not going till October. In our e-mail tonight we have this news to share. Our first court date (just paperwork in front of an Ethiopian judge) goes to court July 17 (next Wednesday). Our agency says that "since they've been slow in writing their acceptance letters, it is too optimistic to think you will be able to travel before court closure a few weeks after that....but really one never knows." Well to that I say, "I serve a God who specializes in 'too optimistic'". We know that it's not likely.....BUT.....how awesomely crazy would it be if we had to make a mad dash to Ethiopia in a couple weeks? I'm willing to take on the stress that would come with a whirlwind trip like that!!!
4. We get regular updates on Elias from our agency. He's a little small for his age....but so were both C and T before they came home. So what. They say that he is a delight and plays well with the other kids. He is walking, running, potty training....and is talking....but no one can understand anything he says. That's cute and all....but I want him to be doing those things in my house.
Actions for you:
1. Would you join with us on Wednesday to pray for the court to clear our paperwork? Also that if the follow up is suppose to....it'll be pushed through before courts close. And mostly that we'd have a peace about however that turns out.
2. While interacting with people both in person and online, we've realized that large groups of people haven't heard our news yet. Can you help us with that? Can you spread the word about what's going on with our adoption. God is moving. Things are happening. We begin to see glimpses of light at the end of the tunnel.
As always......thanks for partnering with us in this journey and continuing to pray for us regularly. We feel it and know you are with us. It means the world to us. Thanks.
A couple small updates.
1. We just wanted to clarify....yes we do have pictures....no you can't see them.....at least not here. If you see us in person, we'll gladly show you. We're not allowed to put pictures of Elias up here until he's officially ours via paperwork. Please know we're giddy to show you his giant eyes. When we can we will.
2. That being said....if you've already seen a picture of him.....we have new pictures!!! You should ask to see them.
3. In our announcement post we explained that the Ethiopian courts shut down for August and September for rainy season. At the time we were still holding out a little hope that maybe just maybe we could get in before they closed. Then we more realistically realized the time frame doesn't work....we're not going till October. In our e-mail tonight we have this news to share. Our first court date (just paperwork in front of an Ethiopian judge) goes to court July 17 (next Wednesday). Our agency says that "since they've been slow in writing their acceptance letters, it is too optimistic to think you will be able to travel before court closure a few weeks after that....but really one never knows." Well to that I say, "I serve a God who specializes in 'too optimistic'". We know that it's not likely.....BUT.....how awesomely crazy would it be if we had to make a mad dash to Ethiopia in a couple weeks? I'm willing to take on the stress that would come with a whirlwind trip like that!!!
4. We get regular updates on Elias from our agency. He's a little small for his age....but so were both C and T before they came home. So what. They say that he is a delight and plays well with the other kids. He is walking, running, potty training....and is talking....but no one can understand anything he says. That's cute and all....but I want him to be doing those things in my house.
Actions for you:
1. Would you join with us on Wednesday to pray for the court to clear our paperwork? Also that if the follow up is suppose to....it'll be pushed through before courts close. And mostly that we'd have a peace about however that turns out.
2. While interacting with people both in person and online, we've realized that large groups of people haven't heard our news yet. Can you help us with that? Can you spread the word about what's going on with our adoption. God is moving. Things are happening. We begin to see glimpses of light at the end of the tunnel.
As always......thanks for partnering with us in this journey and continuing to pray for us regularly. We feel it and know you are with us. It means the world to us. Thanks.
Monday, July 01, 2013
T-shirt SALE
Because of the recent news, we want to kick some things into high gear.
As you probably know we've been selling T-shirts to help fund our adoption. We still have a bundle of these. We'd like to have zero. SO....to not only help fund the adoption, but close out our stock of shirts...we're putting them on SALE.
If you are local we're going to drop the cost of a shirt from 20 dollars down to 15 dollars.
If we need to ship you the shirt, we've said 23 dollars would do it. We'll now ship you a shirt for 18 (and that's even with the USPS postal price hike).
Currently we have Youth small, Youth medium, Youth Large, Adult small, Adult medium, Adult Large and Adult X-large.
First come first serve. These are super comfy shirts. All the cool kids are wearing them.
As you probably know we've been selling T-shirts to help fund our adoption. We still have a bundle of these. We'd like to have zero. SO....to not only help fund the adoption, but close out our stock of shirts...we're putting them on SALE.
If you are local we're going to drop the cost of a shirt from 20 dollars down to 15 dollars.
If we need to ship you the shirt, we've said 23 dollars would do it. We'll now ship you a shirt for 18 (and that's even with the USPS postal price hike).
Currently we have Youth small, Youth medium, Youth Large, Adult small, Adult medium, Adult Large and Adult X-large.
First come first serve. These are super comfy shirts. All the cool kids are wearing them.
Friday, June 21, 2013
It's a........
We are very excited to share with you all.....WE HAVE A CHILD!!!!!!
Introducing........drum roll............NOBODY.....Unfortunately we signed a paper legally binding us to what we are and are not allowed to share on the internet until our child is officially ours....which happens after the courts grant our actual adoption in Ethiopia......so we can't post a picture.
Here's what we can tell you.
1. For everyone who have been praying we'd get a girl.....you can start crying. It's a boy!!!!
2. He's 2. He's healthy.
3. He was given an Ethiopian name by his caregivers. Much like both our boys we will be keeping that name as a middle name. We will be calling him Elias ( E-LIE-us).
4. We don't know when we will be able to travel. Rainy season is coming in Ethiopia. The courts shut down for months. Our agency is pushing and we're hoping to get in before courts close. If that doesn't happen, we're waiting until October before our first trip and later before he can come home.
5. What do the boys think? Honestly.....they're really excited it's a boy....and that's about it. It doesn't really impact their world of summer fun right now....so it's gonna take awhile for them to grasp the implications.
We're excited. Lots to think about. More blog posts coming.
Introducing........drum roll............NOBODY.....Unfortunately we signed a paper legally binding us to what we are and are not allowed to share on the internet until our child is officially ours....which happens after the courts grant our actual adoption in Ethiopia......so we can't post a picture.
Here's what we can tell you.
1. For everyone who have been praying we'd get a girl.....you can start crying. It's a boy!!!!
2. He's 2. He's healthy.
3. He was given an Ethiopian name by his caregivers. Much like both our boys we will be keeping that name as a middle name. We will be calling him Elias ( E-LIE-us).
4. We don't know when we will be able to travel. Rainy season is coming in Ethiopia. The courts shut down for months. Our agency is pushing and we're hoping to get in before courts close. If that doesn't happen, we're waiting until October before our first trip and later before he can come home.
5. What do the boys think? Honestly.....they're really excited it's a boy....and that's about it. It doesn't really impact their world of summer fun right now....so it's gonna take awhile for them to grasp the implications.
We're excited. Lots to think about. More blog posts coming.
Sunday, June 09, 2013
Fundraising: Grey Area
Since we don't have anything immediately to update you on as far as a referral (picture and info about our child)...we thought we'd let you know some financial information. Several people have been asking how we're doing. So we'll tell you.
- God has been doing some awesome stuff. Last year at this time we were freaking out when we looked at the "big number" that we had to raise. We knew that we were called to this adoption and that He was going to figure out the money because (as we stated from the beginning) we didn't have it.
If we're really honest....we were also really worried as money really didn't start coming in for a good long time. And then....slowly....bit by bit....people started donating. It's been amazing.
So the question lately has been....how are you doing...or really....how much more do you need?
And the answer is....we don't know. Here's the thing....we're in what I call the grey area. I can tell you that we're close. The problem is that we have two trips to Ethiopia that we have to make. Some of the things associated with travel are flexible in cost. For instance when I checked flight prices 3 months ago and then compared them to flight prices now....they've doubled.....but they'll go back down again in the fall. So depending on when we have to travel, will depend on our total over all expense.
There are also some weird fees and expenses in country that can't ever be accounted for.
So it's hard to say, "this is absolutely what the entire adoption will cost". We do know that we're close though....but we're not definitely there yet. But we have to say, "God is GOOD." We have been blessed over and over and over again by so many people. We say THANK YOU so very much.
So here's where we're at with fundraising: We're not done yet. We still have some more that we KNOW we have to raise. The grey area is what we can't account for.
We want to be completely transparent with money and finances. We're not out to MAKE money on our adoption. So this is our plan. We're going to continue our fundraising for now. If for some reason we complete our adoption and there is any money left over (at the present time that wouldn't happen), we will be donating any excess to Bring Love In.
You might remember that the Benkert's from Bring Love In, were scheduled to stop in Warren last summer when they were in America on leave. They run this awesome program inside Ethiopia. They match orphans with widows and make new FOREVER families. They're fixing the orphan problem INSIDE of Ethiopia. Adoption isn't always the answer. There are other options. We believe highly in what they're doing. So if there is anything left at the end, we want to bless them for what they're doing.
Quick recap:
1. We're not there yet, but we're getting close.
2. We're nearing this grey area of not knowing final cost.
3. If for some reason there is any excess at the end of our adoption we will be donating it to Bring Love In.
Steps for You:
-As always we covet your continued prayer. Pray not just for adoption, but for our family as we deal with the stress that comes from the adoption process. Pray for patience and peace.
-Check out BRING LOVE IN and see why we're choosing to partner with them toward the end of our adoption process.
-We're still fundraising. We're going to drop the price of T-shirts this week. Remember we give you Permission to think outside the box in helping us out or talking about what we're doing.
- God has been doing some awesome stuff. Last year at this time we were freaking out when we looked at the "big number" that we had to raise. We knew that we were called to this adoption and that He was going to figure out the money because (as we stated from the beginning) we didn't have it.
If we're really honest....we were also really worried as money really didn't start coming in for a good long time. And then....slowly....bit by bit....people started donating. It's been amazing.
So the question lately has been....how are you doing...or really....how much more do you need?
And the answer is....we don't know. Here's the thing....we're in what I call the grey area. I can tell you that we're close. The problem is that we have two trips to Ethiopia that we have to make. Some of the things associated with travel are flexible in cost. For instance when I checked flight prices 3 months ago and then compared them to flight prices now....they've doubled.....but they'll go back down again in the fall. So depending on when we have to travel, will depend on our total over all expense.
There are also some weird fees and expenses in country that can't ever be accounted for.
So it's hard to say, "this is absolutely what the entire adoption will cost". We do know that we're close though....but we're not definitely there yet. But we have to say, "God is GOOD." We have been blessed over and over and over again by so many people. We say THANK YOU so very much.
So here's where we're at with fundraising: We're not done yet. We still have some more that we KNOW we have to raise. The grey area is what we can't account for.
We want to be completely transparent with money and finances. We're not out to MAKE money on our adoption. So this is our plan. We're going to continue our fundraising for now. If for some reason we complete our adoption and there is any money left over (at the present time that wouldn't happen), we will be donating any excess to Bring Love In.
You might remember that the Benkert's from Bring Love In, were scheduled to stop in Warren last summer when they were in America on leave. They run this awesome program inside Ethiopia. They match orphans with widows and make new FOREVER families. They're fixing the orphan problem INSIDE of Ethiopia. Adoption isn't always the answer. There are other options. We believe highly in what they're doing. So if there is anything left at the end, we want to bless them for what they're doing.
Quick recap:
1. We're not there yet, but we're getting close.
2. We're nearing this grey area of not knowing final cost.
3. If for some reason there is any excess at the end of our adoption we will be donating it to Bring Love In.
Steps for You:
-As always we covet your continued prayer. Pray not just for adoption, but for our family as we deal with the stress that comes from the adoption process. Pray for patience and peace.
-Check out BRING LOVE IN and see why we're choosing to partner with them toward the end of our adoption process.
-We're still fundraising. We're going to drop the price of T-shirts this week. Remember we give you Permission to think outside the box in helping us out or talking about what we're doing.
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