Check it out

If you haven't taken the opportunity to look at other blogs on my website you NEED to check out "A bushel and a peck" blog spot! It is truly inspiring and will bring tears to your eyes. Watch the you tube on the right side of the page. My heart is so filled with love for these children of Ethiopia.

Moving up...

Two weeks ago 3 infant boys were referred at our agency! What does that mean for us? We have moved up on the list (actually by four spots). I didn't know where we were on the list before the referrals and I don't know where I am now but.... we have moved up! I am trusting that everything will happen in God's timing so do I really need to know what "number" I am?

Faith

Well, I am posting this weekend instead of last weekend because I am sane again! If you would like details you will need to talk with my husband, but it wasn't pretty. :) To say the least, the adoption process can be difficult at times.
When I was "down" I started reading a new Karen Kingsbury book, she is a great Christian author. In the book she referred to Phillippians 4 over and over and over again. I started to think, should I be reading that verse and the answer was clearly YES I should! Read on...

Phillippians 4:4-9 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me - put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Wow Lord, you couldn't have been more clear. So now instead of worrying about the adoption and feeling anxious about not knowing I take a deep breath, pray and put God into practice. Needless to say, I had a great week!

Second Verse Same as the First!

This week we did get an update from our adoption agency. The referrals that they talked about the end of August have not come through yet. They are HOPING to give referrals before October. We are not sure if we will get a referral in this group anymore.
On a lighter note, Gavin loves school!!! It is keeping us very busy. I also start float building for homecoming this week so that will be fun too! The busier I am the less I have time to think about the "wait" or check the internet:) Have a great week everyone!

Just Waiting (again)

A lot is changing in the past month, BUT I don't have a lot to report on the adoption front! I know that our agency is working hard in a new area in Ethiopia to establish trust and build a relationship with the people to help the referral process (referral is when a person gets matched with a child). At this point the referrals having been happening in small groups every couple of months. The courts are still closed until October, but people can still get referrals during this time. I think the most difficult part is that Gavin prays for him every night and then asks, "Mom when is my brother coming home? I really miss him!" It is amazing how much we already love him and haven't even seen him or know him yet. We continue to trust that timing is in God's hand, but trust me it is extremely difficult!

One thing I did want to share is a web site for Ethiopian calendars. The calendar has pictures of children and the country along with Ethiopian holidays and writing. The best part is that the donation for the calendar goes directly to help Ethiopian children! The website is: www.shuruba.com/ethiopia.htm Check it out!

Gavin has started school. He attends all day. In the morning he is at a kindergarten extension program called K+ and in the afternoon he is at kindergarten. So far he has met a lot of new friends and loves his teachers. Of course, the best part of school is lunch, recess and the bus ride! I really have to work hard to get any information about what they "learned".

I have also started school which has come as a great release because I am very busy. I know that I will be holding our little baby some time this school year, which seems to be a short amount of time (great advice from a friend of mine, thanks Julie)! Brandon is also starting to slow down his season in the golf business so we have a lot more time together as a family which is nice.

Thanks for all the support and prayers we are so blessed to have such wonderful family and friends. Keep praying for that referral!!:)

Summer Update

I cannot believe it is August!!!! It is at this point during the summer that I try to figure out what I have been doing all summer. Personally, I am taking a class that has kept me busy writing papers. Gavin and I have been having a lot of fun too. I am going to try my first hand at posting some pictures below. As for the adoption, we had a very successful garage sale last week. It is so wonderful to continue to see God's hand working! We haven't had any referrals from our agency in a while, I am hoping to hear an update soon. The courts in Ethiopia will be closing on August 7 and re-open in October. We could still get a referral during this time, but could not move forward with court processing. I am praying that we will get a referral during the court closure. Please pray with me that this will happen.

Enjoy the pictures!!:)

Gavin's newly added tree house, thank you Gary!!

Gavin at the Hershey store in Chicago, boy did he get a lot of candy from turning that wheel!
Africa exhibit at Brookefield zoo. Does his baby brother live in one of these?

Learned to ride a two wheel bike, I was so proud and so sad at the same time! He is growing up fast.
Look carefully, can you see the little baby chick? This was the first time chicks were born at our house! I had already bought babies, but had five born from this hen. We will have lots of eggs next summer.
Oops, I don't know how to flip the picture. This is our first Zucchini of the year (should have picked it sooner). The garden has been growing wonderfully!

10 year anniversary!

Brandon and I celebrated our 10 year anniversary on June 27. We went out for a nice dinner together and he totally surprised me with an anniversary band! The best part was that he said that given a choice he would marry me and do everything all over again, what a guy! :) We then went with Gavin to Chicago and Brookefield Zoo for the weekend. It was a wonderful time that we enjoyed together as a family. I must admit though, I do get a little antsy about this waiting..... I would really like to add our new little guy sooner rather then later:) The courts in Ethiopia will be closing August 8 for the rainy season, but it seems the families that did get referrals (about 6 of them) made the courts before they close and could travel by the end of August, what great news for all those children.