pictures!

Home Sweet Home

Well, this is news from a distant country!! While up quite early this morning with Blake and Jonathan who are suffering from nasty head colds, I realized that the blog had never been updated. And then a few hours later, my mother told me that some dear friends had emailed her wondering if we were still stranded in Ethiopia. I am quite sorry for our delinquency, however, it is an indicator of life around here lately. We ended up landing 48 hours later than originally planned, but were just so thankful to finally be home. I felt like kissing the runway in Detroit when we touched down on USA soil. The one huge blessing on our trip home was a youth group from North Carolina who had been in Ethiopia for 2 weeks. They were also stranded for the 2 nights in Addis as well as the night we spent in Frankfurt. They were a great group of young people, and were such a help and encouragement. I don't know what we would have done without them. While in Ethiopia we were unable to access the blog, and we were without electricity over half of our visit, so communication with home was even sketchy. We did take many photos, so I'm sure Jeff will be placing some on the blog.

Life on the homefront has had some great moments, but also many challenging ones. To begin with, we were physically and emotionally exhausted on our return home, and Jeff and I both ended up being under the weather for a few days. The girls in many ways are adjusting well. The communication and eating factors have not been as big of issues as we had anticipated. For that we are thankful. The little boys are proving to be great big brothers, and have introduced the girls to swinging, legos, the sand box, and biking. They have been patient teachers! Both girls have great smiles and giggles and both can be real teases! They will fit in well! We are having major challenges in the area of sleep. When we are able to get this issue resolved, I think we will all have a new outlook on life. Sleeping was not a problem at the guest house in Ethiopia, so it has something to do with the new transition.

We have given the girls some American/family names which we are adding to their given names. The oldest, Selame, is going to be AmySue Selame. We were told that she is 5, and I think that is fairly accurate. Amy is a name we really like, and Sue is after my aunt who passed away when I was only 7. I have such fond and wonderful memories of her. We go back and forth here at home with the names, but when we call her Selame, she always corrects us and says "AmySue." Debritu is going to be AnnaJoyce Debritu. Joyce is Jeff's mother who passed away 2 years ago this coming September, and Anna was Joyce's mother's first name. We were told that Debritu was 3, however, we have a 2 year old on our hands for sure. She is most definitely still a toddler who was given enormous amounts of love, attention, and affection in the toddler room of the orphanage. Both girls have upcoming medical/dental appts which will help us more accurately determine ages.

One major prayer request for next week would be that Erika is needing to be back at school by Wed the 26th. The girls have both really bonded to her, so this is going to be quite devastating to have her leave on Tuesday. Because of the distance, she might not be home until Thanksgiving.

Other news on the home front is that we celebrated Caleb's birthday yesterday. We are very thankful for his 11 years in our family. And also, Stewart will have just about completed his private pilot's license by the time he begins his senior year in high school in a little over a week. Yesterday marked his first cross country solo flight. Life is never dull around here!!

I am going to bring this blog to a close, but be assured that we will post pictures as life returns to normal (whatever that means). AmySue and AnnaJoyce are both going to be huge blessings in our home. We are so thankful for all your prayers and love shown, and we will continue to share the journey with you.

are we there yet?

This morning I was able to contact our travel agent. I learned that my family has confirmed seats on a flight leaving Ethiopia at 2:10am (which is 7:10am EST). Lord willing, we will be picking them up at the aiport tomorrow late afternoon/early evening. Please pray continue to lift them up in prayer. They are exhausted and ready to be home. Thank you for your prayers!

urgent prayer request

This morning my mom called with the news that they are stuck in Ethiopia as their flight home was cancelled due to maintenance issues. We had been eagerly anticipating their arrival home tonight, and this news is quite discouraging! Please keep my family in your prayers. My parents have no idea when they will be able to get a flight home. Currently they are in a hotel waiting to hear from the airlines. I will keep the blog updated...

Erika

news from Ethiopia

My parents have been unable to update the blog more because of internet difficulties, so I thought I would send out a quick update. We have had a little bit of email contact with my parents every day, and it sounds like things are going well! They have had the girls since Sunday, and they are loving them! We are looking forward to hearing all about their time! Here at home things are going well. The boys and I have been getting along, and having fun times with Grandpa and Grandma! Please continue to pray for our family in Ethiopia.

Erika

Are you CRAZY??!!

Are you CRAZY??!!

It was an honest question. Several months ago I had explained to Bill (a coworker) what it was that we were doing. He looked me straight in the eye, shook his head, and asked this penetrating question. I have replayed it often in my mind.

Last night we arrived in Addis Ababa. Door to door, the total travel time was about 27 hours. Everything went smoothly from a travel standpoint, and we were justifiably exhausted. All the way here I kept thinking..."I can't believe this is happening." Our gracious and kind hosts greeted us at the airport, and gave us fresh, new photos of our girls. What a change from the first photos we received! It would appear that Selame and Debritu have blossomed in the last few months at the orphanage. Our already full hearts exploded at the sight of their big, bright brown eyes and huge smiles. Today we are looking forward to attending the international church. After lunch, the plan is to meet our girls--in person--for the first time. The anticipation of this event is beyond explanation.

If this is what it's like to be crazy, count me in!

Jeff

And they're off!

This is Blake, Jonathan, Stewart, and Erika reporting live. Earlier today Dad, Mom, Abigail, and Caleb began their 24-hour trek to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Back on the home front, we are enjoying fun times with Grandpa and Grandma. We plan to keep you updated with the latest news from Africa, so stay tuned!

Flipped...

You've got to be kidding!! Is this really happening?? I must be dreaming!! We're going to Africa!! Next week!! We're going to meet our girls, and we are going to bring them HOME!! I am overwhelmed, and somewhat surprised, with the outrageous stuff going on in my heart. It's hard to explain, but I have flipped. The only explanation for this is...hmmmm...it must be a God thing. I think it happened the moment that I found out that the court hearing went through, and that I became the Daddy. There are just some things that cannot be explained or understood by physics, math, chemistry, or any of our physical senses. My heart is melted at the sight of their glowing eyes and sweet smiles. I can hardly wait to call them by name, and am excited about the thought of giving them new names to go with their Ethiopian ones. For now, though, there is much to do. I must keep focused at work, and I'd like to leave home with things in order as much as possible. So, I keep plugging away, enjoying the anticipation of that first embrace--hoping that I won't scare them! Heidi, you are incredibly beautiful! There is no one else that I would rather take this adventure with! I am crazy about you, and I don't care if my outrageous love for you gets broadcast to the entire planet! Erika, Stew, Abbie, Caleb, Blake, and Jonathan--you guys bring so much meaning, pleasure, joy, and purpose to life. I love being your Daddy. You guys make me feel so young! (Most of the time). Let's go!!!!!!!

"Because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us ALIVE!" Eph. 2.4

We're Traveling!!

Yesterday we received our invitation to travel from the U.S. Embassy in Ethiopia. Our travel dates are for Friday, July 31 and our Embassy date is for the 4th of August. Caleb (10) and Abigail (14) will be traveling with us, while Grandpa and Grandma will be coming to be with the kids at home. We are extremely excited and so thankful that the girls had negative TB tests. Please continue to pray for us as we pack and make final preparations. Thanks!

One Step Closer

I have good news to report. We now have word that the girls each have their Ethiopian birth certificates and passports, and this morning I found out that they were tested for TB yesterday. If those tests are negative, we will be assigned our embassy date. Two days ago we received updated pictures, and the girls look so good. They are both smiling, their hair has grown, and they have filled out with better nutrition. It was wonderful seeing the change and to know that they are thriving. I look forward with great anticipation to the next post being one to announce our travel plans. As soon as we receive our invitation to travel, I will let you know.......

still waiting...

Hello all! This is Erika. I was hoping that this blog post would include pictures of my new sisters, but unfortunately I cannot get the formatting to work. People keep asking when my parents will go to Ethiopia to get the 'girls' and we keep saying that we have no idea! Well, we still have no idea! My mom did find out though that we are waiting for the girls to receive their Ethiopian passport and birth certificate. Once they recieve this paperwork, then an embassy date can be set. And once we know when the embassy date is, then my parents know when they can go!

Meanwhile, we are busy here at home getting ready. Abigail and I have cleaned and reorganized our room. Somehow we are going to fit four girls in that room! There is lots of reorganization and de-junking happening at our house these days. But now we are eager to bring the girls home! Thanks for all your prayers and love towards our family as we continue along this adventure!

But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, "You are my God." My times are
in your hands. (Psalms 31.14-15)

Mother of 8!!!

We are extremely excited to share with you that the girls are now legally ours. All seemed to have gone smoothly in court this past Friday, for which we are so thankful. Thank you for all your prayers. Last night we received word that the U.S. Embassy date will be 3-6 weeks following the court date, and that we will find out 4 days to 2 weeks before we actually travel. For someone who thrives on order and planning, this is called "living life on the edge." Right now our lives are filled with preparations for bringing the girls home (stocking up the freezer, organizing, de-junking, switching bedrooms, figuring out a vehicle that will hold 10, etc.), travel arrangements with tickets that are ultra flexible, making appts with the travel nurse for needed immunizations, and normal activities of daily living. As you can imagine, our days are filled, but we are thrilled to be to this point. As soon as I called Jeff with the court news he said,"Now that they are ours, I just want to jump on a plane and bring the girls home." Please continue to pray for us as we plan without knowing exact details, and we will keep you updated on new developments.

Court Date

It has been painfully quiet as far as news from Ethiopia, but just this week we received word that our court date has been set for Friday, June 19. This was exciting news for us, and one step closer to bringing our precious little girls home. Please be in prayer with us that all would go smoothly in court. In order for this legal transaction to be successful, several factors must occur, all of which are competely out of our control. Just this past week I read a quote by George Mueller, the man of God who cared for over 10,000 orphans in England during the 1800's. He wrote: "Faith doesn't operate in the realm of the possible. There is no glory for God in that which man can do. Faith begins where man's power ends." We are choosing to trust God for what happens on June 19th, as there is absolutely nothing we can do, except pray, and leave the outcome in His Hands. The U.S. Embassy appointment should be approximately 4 weeks following the court date, which means we would travel to Addis Ababa mid-July. I so badly wish to communicate to Selame and Debritu: "I will not leave you as orphans;I will come to you" (John 14: 18). Thanks again for your prayers, and we will continue to keep you posted. Until next time.....

A Journey Begins

Welcome to our family's blog. Our adoption story begins in 1993 when Erika (age 3) asked for a sister of African origin, like the girl in her Bible Study Fellowship class. Jeff and I smiled, but as the years went by, it became apparent that Erika has Africa in her heart. Several years and 4 children later, Jeff entertained the thought of a different kind of adoption as he watched orphans fleeing Afganistan while our armed forces went after Osama Bin Laden. At that time I had just delivered baby #5 (Blake), so this was not on my radar at all. A few years ago, however, the Lord started working on our hearts together through various avenues. The pain of several miscarriages and a trip to Zambia by Jeff, Erika, and Stewart softened our hearts to the plight of orphans and made me realize how much I desired to raise more children. It was soon after their return from Africa that we began to seriously pursue adoption. One of the defining moments for me through the journey occured in February 2008. At that time we were just completing our home-study, and Jeff was in China. It was during his trip that I began having doubts and seriously wondered if this adoption thing was really right for our family. With Jeff being in China, I went to bed alone that night and pleaded with the Lord for guidance. The next morning, as I read Isaiah 43, I felt as though God anchored His direction in my heart with these words:

"Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east, and gather you from the west.... Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth--everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made."

In June 2008 we were approved by Homeland Security to adopt up to 3 siblings. Our paperwork traveled to Ethiopia in July 2008, and we have been waiting ever since. The wait has been difficult, but I have learned much. I have come to realize that waiting is much more than a means to a certain end. In reality, it is learning to live a life of worship and expectation while waiting on God Himself. During this time I have read through Isaiah again, and have come to realize in a much deeper way God's heart for the orphan and fatherless.

On Thursday, April 3o "the phone call" came. Our international case worker eagerly informed me over the phone that 2 little girls had been referred to our family for adoption: Selame (5) and Debritu (3). They had arrived at the orphanage in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on February 16, 2009. That evening we cried tears of joy, felt excitement, and pain as we considered the grief and loss they have experienced in their young lives.

This past Friday (May 9) our official acceptance letter along with a pile of additional paperwork began its journey to Ethiopia. After its arrival a court date should be set in Addis Ababa. We will not need to be present for the court date, but will need to arrive in Ethiopia in time for the scheduled appointment at the U.S. Embassy. If all goes as planned, our travel will take place mid/late June. Thanks for listening to our story, and thank you especially for your prayers. We don't expect this journey to be easy!! Until next time...

"Heal my life and make it clean,
Open up my eyes to the things unseen,
Show me how to love like You have loved me.

Break my heart for what breaks Yours,

Everything I am for Your kingdom's cause,

As I walk from earth into Eternity."