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!

New Years Eve

It is a rainy, cold dreary day here in Charlotte. But...that does not hold back the good times that the evening will hold. Looking forward to spending time with friends and celebrating Christmas and New Years.

Very thankful for this long break that we have had from school. It is always good to go back to MO and see my family. I was even able to meet up with a high school friend at Panera's and catching up with her.

The offices at Nightlight are going to be closed until the 3rd, so no news. I sent out a care package today to Jamie Hedges and her family to take over to Yosef in January. They will be traveling at the end of the month. I have learned alot from their process.

I pray that this year holds new and exciting adventures for me and my friends. May God's blessings be ever so evident in our daily walk. Let all that we say and do glorify Him, our creator and maker of all things.

Christmas Eve

I am in MO. visiting with mom and family and it is nasty out here. It has been raining all day. We have the forecast of snow for Christmas, but the weather has to get more frightful before that will happen.

I heard news from my agency that Shimeliss is coming home to celebrate the holiday with his family. We were never able to get ahold of him and find out the status on Yoseph. I did receive some more pictures of him these last two weekends. Wow he has grown. I think his eyes are getting bigger with each picture. He turned 8 months old on the 22nd. Doesn't seem like I have been waiting for 7 months to hear something about a court date, but that is the time frame.

HOPE. I keep it at the front of my mind all the time. What are you hoping for this Christmas? May God bless all of you and your families as you spend time focusing on the Savior. Merry Christmas!

What Child is This?

My pastor at Forest Hill has been preaching on this series for the last two weeks. We are talking about God's presence in scripture from the Old to the New Testament. Today was about Shad, Mesh and Abed in the firey furnace. Such a great story of how God was with them in the fire and the testament to staying strong to what you believe and know to be true.

The motivating speech by Mel Gibson in Brave heart was shared during the service. It brought a smile to my face when I thought of my visit with Heather to the William Wallace Monument. Oh how I have grown up since then. :) Once again I am convicted about having courage and standing up for the right thing all the time. As Wallace said "They may take our lives, but they will never take our freedom".

Courage and Hope. My focus for the week has been set.

Update on the adoption front is that three people from my agency have passed court last week and will potentially travel in 6 weeks. There were 42 cases that had paper work problems and over half have been solved. I am in the last half. I do feel encouraged that something is happening in my agency. Mondays are when we usually get updates, so it is always a great way to start out the week.

Better news yet, I received an email from a friend with my agency telling me that there were new pics on snapfish. Yoseph was in about 7 of them. Holy smokes this kid has huge eyes! I got a chance to see him sitting up and playing. He also has a lot of hair on his head. It is always great to see new photos of him.