Back home in MO to visit my family for the holiday. I fly out on Dec 25th to go back to Ethiopia for my embassy. This came to me as a huge surprise. Court was Nov. 30th and now embassy Is Dec 30th. God has it all in His hands. This will be my best Christmas yet. I get to receive my son.

This brings me to the thought of God sending His son to earth and the true love He has for us. I am feeling so overwhelmed with gratitude to so many, but to my heavenly Father the most. It is hard to put in words how I feel about all of this process. All I know is that I have grown in so many ways. I am thankful for the friends I have made and will make in the future because of Yoseph and his friends.

May all of you experience the significance of Christmas this year. Mine is being brought to me in the form of a 20 month old boy. Thank you God for the gift of Your son and mine. Merry Christmas friends!

Sitting in Dulles airport waiting to fly....

So here we are, sitting in DC waiting to board the flight I have been waiting on for 17 months. Yoseph just turned 19 months Sunday and I can hardly wait to see him. I know he won't have the same reaction as I when we meet, and I am trying to prepare myself for that. What will his little personality be like?

Have you ever had to wait for a really long time for something to happen in your life? I would love to know what it is and how you felt when it finally happened. I am so thankful for many things this Thanksgiving season. I guess it all comes down to His Timing in my life. I thankful that God did not give me my way these past two years. If He would have, then I would not have the perfect childcare set up and I wouldn't be traveling over a holiday. It is all working out for my good. I hope and pray the same is true for Yoseph.

I will try to update on the trip, but it might be through facebook. Thank you all for your prayers. I am on my way Lil' Yo!

11 days

My time has come...

Yes people, we are officially waiting for the court date count down. I will be marking my calendar with the big red X's until Nov. 30th. I have a court date for Yoseph!!! It has taken a little more than 15 months to get this assigned, but it is finally here. I had a friend text me that having to wait this long will only make it sweeter in the end. I think he may very well be correct.

I went to Seabrook Island for the weekend with my friend Heather. We both took Monday off so that we could spend all of Sunday on the island with her brother and his wife. It was such a beautiful weekend. I actually wanted to go for a couple of selfish reasons 1) I love the beach and was missing the sun and ocean 2) I was losing my focus on God and needed some serious down time to get back on track. The beach does that for me.

I don't know why, but something about the nature and water always brings me back to my Creator. It allows me to see how He lavishes His love on me to let me experience the buck in the marsh or the dolphin in the ocean. We had a near mishap with a buck this weekend that is a very funny story when told by me and not Heather. Needless to say...it was a time of reflection on what God is doing in my life.

I will have to say that I was giving myself a pity party this week. I was so disappointed when I didn't get a court date this week. I just knew it was going to happen. Again, not my timing, but His.

So as we are leaving the island, my phone rings and I do not recognize the number. I say out loud, "This might be Lisa P. calling me, so I am going to pick it up." (The music was loud and we had the windows down...this is usual protocol for entering and leaving the island) :0) So the music goes down and believe it or not, it was her! With alot of screaming and saying "Are you serious?!" she said those great words YOU HAVE A COURT DATE!!! I have been waiting to hear those words for a looooooooong time.

God is perfect.

Let the Redeemed of the Lord Say So

This is the title of a song we sang a couple of weeks ago when I was helping with worship. It is so good! They sang it again this weekend. It is ringing around in my head as I type. I am redeemed, I am redeemed...So what does it mean? Something that was of no value has now been considered worthy and of value. It has worth. Only through the blood of Jesus Christ are we redeemed. Thank you God for that redemption. It is nothing on my part, but all on yours.
Needless to say, worship was great this weekend. Well done Forest Hill!

Looking forward to hearing some news about a court date. Courts have been open for almost a week now. I have been in touch with my agency and with my contact in Addis Ababa. My friend, Charity, is over there right now with her husband. They get to meet their little girl tomorrow. She is going to take lots of pictures of Yoseph for me. I am so excited about getting to meet him face to face.

God is Perfect!

Playing soccer with his friends...

This was the latest update I received on Yoseph. He is watching tv and playing soccer with his friends. Muluken is on vacay until the 28th, so I won't be getting an update until then from him. I had heard that courts will open on the 21st from my social worker state side. Let's hope I hear something this week.

I have met so many different people through this process! The Roach and Baum family are traveling this weekend to head over to Addis Ababa. They are even on the same flight. Isn't that cool? They just met each other via facebook. Facebook has been a great thing during this adoption process. Never thought I would be so thankful for technology. :)

So I hear that Ethiopia just celebrated a New Year and it is now 2003 over there? Not sure how all of that works out, but very interesting. Happy New Year Yoseph!!!

I can hardly wait to meet you. Travel safe all of my new friends!

What happened to his curls?

Well, here is my latest photo of Yoseph and his new hair cut. He looks like a little boy now. I can't believe how cutting his curls makes him look so much older. Speaking of getting older, he is turning 16months old tomorrow. I can't believe that I have know him for 14 months of his life. I can hardly wait to finally hold him and kiss those beautiful eyes!

I have made a great connection at my orphanage in Addis named Muluken. The Henderson family told me of him and he sent me this photo and Yoseph's diet plan yesterday. I feel extremely blessed to have this connection and the information that was provided through Muluken. Facebook has been our connection. I never thought I would be this happy to be on facebook. :)

Apparently he is smaller than I think he is. They said he is wearing 12 month old clothing. He looks so much bigger in the pictures I have seen in the past. Muluken also told me that I should be getting a court date in Oct. , so keep the prayers coming everyone. I am sorry to not have written earlier. Things have been hectic with school starting this week.

This is going to be a great year in fifth grade at CCS. I love my homeroom and the students that rotate in for math. This group of kids are so kind and sweet to one another. Very grateful for my job and a place to minister to young people. God is perfect...

Summer time and the livin' is easy

I am back down at Seabrook Island with Heather for a week of sun and rest. We celebrated Heather's birthday on Monday by spending the day on the beach, eating seafood for dinner and then a movie at a trendy little theatre on Maybank Highway. All in all, it was a great day. Of course I was waiting to hear something from Lisa all day long.

I have prolonged writing this update, because I wanted to tell the www that I had a court date. Well...not yet. Keeping the faith and not allowing my joy to be stolen. I keep thinking about how God has stretched me in this whole process. I am so ready to get my hands on Yoseph. I do feel like this will all happen in His perfect timing and not in mine. It is hard at times to trust that promise.


When I am down at the island, I often think about my dad. He loved spending time on the river and any time I am near water, I think about him. He was such a wonderful dad. I am so grateful for his example and how he left his imprint on my heart. I will never forget him.

So many things to be thankful for. God is perfect!

Bittersweet

Today is the last day in Rolla with my family. I ride up to St. Louis with my nieces to spend the night and then fly home early in the morning on Tuesday. It has been a wonderful trip to MO. It is always hard to say good bye to mom. The last few days are sad. She hates for me to leave and I dread the good-byes.

I have met up with some great people on this trip. I hope to post some photos when I get home. I traveled with Dana up to Camdenton and met up with Kate, Ben and Lyra Johnson for lunch. Lyra is beautiful and the visit was so good. I learned alot more about the trip and what to expect. Kate and Ben are such great parents. Lyra is in love with them and was a little unsure of me. Great attachment on their part. :)

This past weekend was my 25th High School reunion. I can't believe that I am actually that old. There were not that many people who attended the picnic or dinner, but it was small enough to visit with everyone. My memory was not working so well. There were several girls that I remember hanging out with and it was good to see them and hear their life stories.

Mom and I traveled to Branson the Friday before Father's Day and went to a show up their with my brother, Larry. We spent the night and met up with all of his kids for breakfast. Such a good visit with family. I will have to say this has been one of the most relaxing times in MO. I think I was just ready for some down time. I have certainly received plenty of rest by the pool and at the house.

So today I am hoping to hear an update on a court date. My friend, Shannon, received a court date for the birth mom on July 7th and then one for them on Aug. 3rd. I am so happy for them! Praying that something like that happens for me this week. We usually get updates on Mondays. It has been three weeks since they told me that Yoseph's paper work was completed. Waiting...

"Whose your mama?"

That is right! Yoseph's mom has been found!!! I have had two days of great news. Lisa called yesterday during my smart board training to let me know that they had found her and that it would take 2-3 weeks to get his paperwork fixed.

Then today I received a call around 5:30 from Lisa telling me that Laurie emailed her and said his paperwork was completed! Yes!!!! I have been waiting for this day to come. :) They are now submitting his paperwork for a court date.

It has been a good couple of days for me. I have been slammed beyond measure, but still can't seem to get any sleep. I am certain that I will crash eventually. I could get a court date in the next couple of weeks assigned for him.

I have planned on going to Ethiopia in July and now I may be going over there to get him even before school would start? I know, that is crazy talk, but with God all things are possible.

God is perfect!

Happy Memorial Day!

I am over at SeaBrook Island until Wednesday and summer break has begun! It has been a great weekend on the Island. The weather has been beautiful. It was a little windy today at the beach, but we were able to sit out for about 3 hours. My friends just headed back to Charlotte about an hour ago and I am trying to decide what to do next.

I have found that I often do updates when I am on the island. I think it is because I have plenty of time to think down here. Summer time is good for that. I have been thinking alto about Yoseph and if I should try to travel over in July to see him. I had some great dialogue with a friend this weekend on the beach about the pros and cons. It appears that the pros out weigh the cons.

We are still waiting to hear back from Hope about his paperwork. I feel like if I get over there and they meet me that it could spur on some activity on his case. Does anyone have any insight on this? I am always open to suggestions on what I should be doing next. :)

Well...my running shoes are calling me to get to moving. I will update more later this week.

James 1: 2-3

"Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

This is God's perspective on my life and current situation. I need to keep focusing on the Lord and not my circumstance. I am studying the Armor of God with my life group and this weeks part of the armor is the Shield of Faith. There is so much good stuff in this study.

The world tells us that "Seeing is believing" but God says that "believing is seeing". Genuine faith is born in humility and need, grows by the Word and obedience, and is tested in the crucible of suffering. I am reminded of Jesus' encouragement, "Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed." John 20:29

Thank you God for being the object of my focus during this season in my life. Thank you for pursuing me and wanting a personal relationship. I desire an open heart to know you more and act on my knowledge of your character. Thank you for an eternal perspective to look beyond today's struggles and tomorrow's challenges.

Prayer for this week is to be used in such a way that my students come to know you as their personal Savior if they have not come to this realization at this point in their life. God is Perfect.

Lots of hair...

It has been awhile since I have written. Several things have happened in the last 2 weeks. I was reminded again that I should think about getting a new referral from Hope agency. My person pushed back and we are now trying to get missionaries over in Ethiopia to help with Yosef's paper work. I have asked Lisa to give them my email address, but I have yet to hear from them. I look forward to communicating with them in the near future.

Laurie responded back to Lisa and let her know that Shimiless is going to keep working on Lister's paperwork, but it will take a couple of months. This is a difficult process. Well, why haven't we already started working on this? Ahhhhhh! That's what I am thinking right about now.

My friend is traveling over a week from today to pick up her daughter. That is a huge praise report. I am so happy for them. It appears that movement is happening for families, so that is encouraging.

I saw on a post that the MOWA office has been closed for a couple of weeks now. Wondering if that is true and if there is more than one of those over there. I know that it is election time over there and that time could be dangerous. I hope all goes well for Shannon's trip.

So the picture is Yo's forehead and hair. This kid has some serious hair! It looks like he is working on a uni-brow as well. :) I love this little guy. Looking forward to the day that I get to finally hold him.

God is perfect.

Happy Birthday to you...

Yes, it was Yosef's birthday yesterday. April 22nd, 2010 he turned one year old. I can't believe that he is already that old and still not over here! Yikes, it makes me a little emotional when I think about it. A friend of mine and I celebrated last night with some frozen yogurt from TCBY. That was the best tasting stuff! I have been on a diet for 68 days. No dessert or carbs, so you can imagine how good that tasted.

I hope he had a great first birthday. Did someone love on him and sing to him? Well I know that my family was singing over here in the U.S. My mom and I sang together last night and then my sister left me a message and sang to him on my voice mail. We are a silly family, but fun.

Feeling grateful today. I was scheduled to have jury duty today and when I called last night the message said I was released from my duty. Thank you Charlotte court system! The school year is winding down or up, depending on how you look at things and I did not need to miss any days.

I am thankful for Friday and the weekend ahead. Hoping to hear some news today from Lisa. I guess Hope has moved their office in St. Louis and it has been difficult getting in touch. What's new? Thanking God ahead of time for the police report that has already been written. A friend of mine had reminded me that we should go ahead and believe that God has answered our prayers, instead of pleading for them to be answered. I agree. Thank you God!

God is perfect. :)

Change...

What do you think of when you hear the word "Change"? Is it money in your pocket? Getting into your pjs? New hair color? It is something different for all of us, but boy do I feel it lately. Change is hard. I have felt for about 2 weeks now that many things in my life are a changin' and I don't know the outcome of any of them. I hate the unknown sometimes.

So what did I do? I took a personal day and headed to SeaBrook Island to get away and get focused back on what is important in life. It's the circumstances that matter, but how I react to them that matters. God is in control. If only I could be paid in CHANGE for that line. :)

What have I learned this weekend? I know, do we always have to been learning? I think so. If not, why question things? I am learning to lean on Jesus and not myself for my every day. I know He has a plan and purpose for my life and those involved in it to prosper and be fulfilled to overflowing joy. Keep your eye on the prize is a phrase that has been running through my head lately. The prize can be so many things right now. But ultimately, I believe the prize is knowing God and His character so that others may see Him in me during this time in my life.

This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine. This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine. This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine. Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine...

(This will be one of Yosef's favs when he gets here.)

God is perfect! Tasfa!

Pollen...

Yes, I am blogging about pollen. It is crazy bad out here in Charlotte. Today we were able to get a bit of rain and I have a river running down my driveway that is green and yellow. The kids at school have been messed up all week long. So what do we do tomorrow? We take a field trip to Brattonsville, which is a revolutionary war site in the middle of nowhere. It will be fun, but also full of pollen. Let's just hope that this rain hit Brattonsville.

I am looking forward to an update on Yosef. We need to get a police report written for him. Thank you for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers. So many people are waiting to hear some good news. I can't wait until we all get our kids and can celebrate their homecoming.

God is perfect!

Abandonment Case

Lisa should be back in town from Ethiopia. She did email me a few times while visiting and gave me some updates on Yosef. He is apparently wearing a 24 month old outfit that is a little bit big on him. A little bit? He just turned 11 months last week. Great day! She did say he is having no problem eating. It sounds like he is more like his mother than he knows.

She sent a few photos of him while he was on the potty chair. This is the second time I have seen him on the potty chair. This last time he was on the potty chair, he was holding a baby doll in one hand and a photo book that I sent over in a care package. I sent some pics of me, family and his buddy Lyra. He was looking at the photo of Lyra. I wonder if he remembers her. I look forward to the day that they get to see each other again.

Lisa met with Shimiless on Friday and they called someone and it was determined that his case is going to be turned into an abandonment case now. A Hope staff has to get a police officer to write a report on Yosef and then it can be taken to the MOWA. We should get a court date once this happens. Prayer for a quick report to be written, please. :)

So glad that there is finally movement on his case and we aren't just standing still. I am also happy to hear that Shimiless is over in Ethiopia. Hoping he is making things happen for all of open cases out there with Hope and Nightlight.

God is perfect!

Spring Break...

Spring Break is coming to an end today. It has been so nice to do alot of nothing for the last week. The weather in Charlotte has been great the last couple of days. I have a tulip tree that is in full bloom right in front of my house. I don't think I have ever seen one of these before I moved here. It truly is beautiful. I love the Spring time, but with it comes the pain of allergies. I woke up this morning with a headache and sneezing. Noooooo! Taking some meds asap. Gotta love the South.

Yesterday my girl at Nightlight traveled over to Addis Ababa with a family that is picking up their child. It is my hopes that she can find out what is going on with Yosef's court date. My paper work for the POA arrived on Thursday over there. I am praying that it will bring Yosef to their attention so that he can get a court date. My family all joined together on Sat. morning to pray on his behalf for a court date to be assigned this week. I love my family!

I looked up what Yosef meant in Aharmic (sp?) and it said God is Perfect. So I think my new sign off will be just that. Instead of God is good, God is Perfect!

Interview with God

One of my friends sent this to me the other day in an email. I love the pictures of the sun shining through the clouds and sky. Enjoy! http://www.theinterviewwithgod.com/

Update to the update

Yes, that is what I said. Here is the update to all of my updating. I had my home study visit yesterday and it will be done on Friday. I can then send it to CSI for a renewal of my I 171-H form. If you are in the process of waiting for a court date and are wondering if your immigration paper work is good, you should check! I also need to request for a new set of finger prints to be made.

I emailed Lisa today to see if she had heard from Laurie at the Hope office today. Still no email back. I am really hoping to hear some good news this week. Praying specifically for a court date to be set.

The latest on the court date travel issues is that it has been pushed back to May 8th now. They are hoping to get it pushed back to August. I am finding out that it does not pay to freak out about changes. I know that is easier said then done, but I am holding to this statement.

I am on Spring Break this week. I have loaded up the dog and am down at Seabrook Island for the week. I sat out on the beach for about an hour today and then the clouds persuaded me to go in. I love it down here. The house smells exactly the same when Bonnie was here. It brings back vivid memories of her and the kitchen table when I walk through the back door. Looking forward to hearing what God has for me this week.

God is good!

Homestudy Update

Yes...that is what I said. Time to update my home study. Unbelievable how this all happened. I was reading through someones blog and saw that they had to get re-finger printed and do some other paper work. I thought to myself, I wonder if I need to be concerned with this issue. So, I called Lisa yesterday and found out that my home study is going to run out as of March 29th! Holy Smokes!

I got in touch and after I pay $800 and chase down some paper work and do a home visit I can ask for an extension with the Immigration for free. So here is the question to be asked, "What if I had not read that blog?" If we do get a court date in the next 3-4 weeks and passed, I would have been screwed on the state side. Great Day!!

This is how I am looking at this situation. I am thankful for bloggers and the advice that they are giving out, because they just saved me a whole bunch of potential hassles. Why can't my agency keep me informed on what I should be doing next? Thank God I am aggressive enough to call and ask questions.

Lisa is traveling on March 20th-26th and will be talking with all of the people there that have to do with the court case. I am hoping I get a court date while she is there. I know this is a good thing, but sometimes I wonder if anyone knows what is going on.

Oh God...give me patience. God is good.

Mommy and Uncle in Ethiopia

I sent over a photo book for Yosef about 4 weeks ago. It was so neat to see photos of him looking at the pictures. Here is a picture of me and my brother Larry. We will both be traveling over to get Yosef when the time comes. I wish you could see the look on his face. One day I will be able to show you the whole picture.

He turned 10 months old this past week. The latest news given to me is that all cases that have not received a court date yet will get one in 3-4 weeks. Over a week ago I had to get a new form notarized for three different Power of Attorneys. I hear that the lawyer that was working on the cases had been making some errors. I hope that this fixes the problems. I am still concerned that Yosef's paper work is not fixed. Only God knows when this is going to happen and I am resting in that confidence.

This past week was also my dad's third year anniversary of passing away. It was nice looking back on the memories with him. I miss him terribly, but would not want him back in the condition he was in. I am so thankful for the example that he left me and my family on how to love and treat others. I do not take for granted, the gift of Godly parents. As I get older and my friendship circle broadens I see that not everyone has had this gift. I respect my mom and the courage that she has to live on her own and not give up on life. She lived with dad for almost 65 years I believe. I often wonder when I will stop missing dad. I think the answer is....never.

God is good!

Small World and Chubby Feet

I must have said the phrase "What a small world we live in" a hundred times the other night. My friend Shannon organized a dinner party with other families who are adopting from Ethiopia last night. It was such an enjoyable time. I met some wonderful people and had so much in common with one particular lady. It is amazing how God brings complete strangers into your life who will soon become fast friends.

The night was brought together by a common thread of adopting from Ethiopia and we all walked out having learned just how much we have in common. I think knowing that others are going through the same trials as yourself seems to make it just a little easier to bear it all. I feel so blessed to have met these new friends. Our next meeting will be downtown Charlotte at an Ethiopian restaurant with everyone's family. Should be a lot of fun! Thank you Shannon!

On to chubby feet! Yosef has the cutest little feet. A family in my agency traveled over to get their son over a week ago and they took some great photos of Yosef. It is so hard to just show parts of his body, but I can tell you this much, he looks healthy. They say that he is very happy and the nannies are taking good care of him. It appears that he has two bottom front teeth. My photo album continues to grow.

This week Laurie is traveling over the Ethiopia to help with the paperwork issues. We still have not heard word from Shimiless on how things are going over there. This will be his third week over there. Hoping to receive some good news soon. Thank you for praying for Yosef and his protection. God is good!

9 months

Yes...Yosef turned 9 months old two days ago. I received new pics of him on Snapfish on his b-day. I am so thankful to those who are traveling over there now and taking pictures of him. I have some great expectations for this week. Shimiless is over in ET at this point and I hope to hear good news this week.

I met with my future nanny yesterday and she is a sweetheart! God has His hand in all of this. The story about Yo's arrival and the preparation time is just amazing. Still trusting that He knows what is right and perfect for me and Yosef.

God is good!

Relinquishment Case?

That is what they are saying. Yosef's momma left him at the orphanage and didn't sign the appropriate paper work before she left. She did leave an address and phone number, but no one can seem to reach her. The Social services are involved and have to make the call on if this will become an abandonment case and get filed with the police department.

Time frame? Who knows the answer to that question? Only God knows what will happen next. So please join me in praying for Yosef tonight. Pray for his little mind and body to continue to grow and develop into the loving sweet boy that we have seen so far in pics and the video. Shimiless will travel over there on the 20th and pray that something will be done while he is over there. Let there be resolution to this issue.

Oh God help me to wait and be still to hear Your voice and not my own. He has the perfect plan and we will have an amazing story to share with an active big eyed boy one day. God is good!