here we go again...

Got two calls from Orchard's today...not a normal occurrence. The first was to let us know we are on the "short list" for Elijah, Isaiah, and Emmanuel. We aren't sure what that means, but hopefully in the next few weeks we will know if we are able pursue adoption for these three cuties. The second was a call to let us know that our license is finally open! Good news. Excited to see what the Lord has planned for our family!

I miss the twins

Life is much more simple without the twinkies here. I can come and go as I please. When I ask people to do something, they mostly obey and I don't have to do much follow up. I can take a shower without someone knocking on the door to tell me something that is super important. I can find a quiet place to read. I can (hopefully I will) organize a room. But I miss those sweet kids. I know they are wrapped in the arms of a GOOD God.

Last night Erin (7) climbed into our bed at 4:30 am...not very typical for her. I asked her if she was okay and what she was thinking about. She said, "I miss the twins, but I am sure they are having fun with their mom." I started to talk to her about it, then realized she just needed a hug. I snuggled with her and we both slept well the rest of the night. 

I asked her about it in the morning and she didn't remember a thing. I am convinced that the Holy Spirit gave her peace in the night. Sure she needed her mama's hugs, but the fact that she could she could say, "I am sure they are having fun with their mom." What a good God we serve. He will protect my babies. Even though there is heartache and struggle- they are able to hear His voice. 

In this world you will have trouble, but take heart I have overcome the world.

Better than

tried Greenfield Village with some of the kiddos today. Josiah had a friend in tow so they were off by themselves. Elli was babysitting. The four of us were getting along okay until both the twins wanted the same seat in the wagon. Fight breaks out. T has major breakdown on the grass, as we watch and wait for his emotions to subside, I say to Emma, "Sorry this is hard." She so sweetly says to me, "not as hard as waiting for him to come to our house." Our easy lives have been turned upside down and this sweet godly girl knows that it is better to have this sweet little gangster in our house than to be able to do whatever we want, whenever we want. I love that little girl.

Lay

the Lord has put a sweet little girl in our lives. A has been with us for almost a month. What a month it has been. In and out of the hospital. Visits to the doctors. Tons of tears. Even more laughs. This sweet girl makes our dinner times so fun. She has a wonderful sense of humor. She has a super mad crush on Scott (he is pretty crazy about her too) She keeps me informed about everything happening in the house. She loves the kids so much and there is lots of giggling in our home. She is a wonderful addition to our family- whether it be for a little bit or forever, we are glad the Lord has given us the opportunity to enjoy and share His love with this little girl.

encouraged

M's grandparents sent us flowers today...it was so encouraging to all of us. We are so happy that he is with loving and kind people.

that's our little Easter garden in the front...not too much grass yet:)

Suffering temporarily robs us of physical and emotional strength. It temporarily robs us of our feeling of closeness to others. It temporarily removes our peace and rest. Suffering temporarily steals our comfort and pleasure. But forever guarantees that all of this is temporary. Eternity tells every child of God that the bulk of our existence will be lived in a place of eternal peace, rest, and joy. - Paul Tripp, Forever

first placement

We had a sweet little baby boy placed with us on Valentines Day until today. It was a great six weeks. We knew from the beginning that he would most likely go stay with his grandparents, but there was a lot of emotion wrapped up in it all anyway. We really love that little guy and are so grateful that God placed in him our home for a bit, but in our hearts forever. Praying that the Lord will bless him tonight in a strange place, but a place where he is loved. So grateful that he is going to be with people that love him.

After we found out that he had to leave, this verse appeared on the white board in Josiah's handwriting.

Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,

my salvation and my God.-- Psalm 43:5

I was surprised to find out that Scott didn't ask him to write it up there. But praise God that Scott has trained Josiah to do that- to use the Word to bless his family during trying times. Such a wonderful encouragement to me today.

Praying that M stays in our hearts and more importantly in our prayers forever.

This has been a bit of an emotional roller coaster for us, but we feel such wonderful peace in the will of the Lord. He has taught me to trust Him like I never have before...I will praise Him, my salvation and my God.

we are on the list

We got our foster care license, now just waiting to see what happens.

another group of doc on their way for approval

our foster care stuff (unfortunately I don't speak social worker ;) is on the way to Lansing. We will hopefully have our foster license soon....excited to see what our faithful God is going to do next. Enjoying this song today...even when we are faithless, You remain faithful...You keep us so we will not fall.

final Homestudy

We had our final home study on December 30. Our paperwork should be sent off to Lansing any day now.

another homestudy

Had our first of two homestudies for foster care on Tuesday the 6th. Our licensing agent was wonderful and didn't mind the couple inches of water on the basement floor :) We have a few things to do before our next visit, but praise the Lord nothing major.

paperwork complete

Paperwork complete. Our second set of paperwork- the first set for Ethiopia was a lot of work. So collecting the stuff for foster care was quick and painless.

Training complete. We finished our 16 hours of mandatory PRIDE training. Again, not very painful.

Now we are waiting for our home study to be set up and completed before we can become licensed foster parents. Praying this too will be a painless process :) We know we need a window installed in the basements, so looking forward to some demolition.

foster care

Since we sent in our paperwork to our agency, a few things have changed. The adoption process in Ethiopia has slowed down to ensure that things are being done ethically...this is a hard thing, but also a good thing...to make sure things are done properly and in order, it may take more time. Also one of the orphanages that works with our agency closed. The agency is expecting the wait to be well over 2 years. We have been praying about how to use the time wisely and we are excited to use this time of waiting to be foster parents. We have our second training on Saturday. Then we have to get the house ready...another home study...then more waiting.

it's official

we are on the wait list. Praise the Lord all our paperwork was in proper order.

it's in the mail

Finally sent in our dossier to our agency in St. Louis:) Lord willing, it will arrive at our agency Saturday and should take about 15 days to get on the waiting list with our agency!! We are super excited!!!

sickies

Got some sick girls over here. Poor Emma has shingles and Erin just can't kick a nasty cold. Unfortunately, I think Elli is starting to get the cold too. As much as I hate them being sick- they are super cute.

tears

I really haven't cried or wigged out too much about the adoption slow down in Ethiopia. I know that God has the hearts of kings in his hands, but tonight as midnight began to roll around my heart became super heavy. Now I don't get the "cry face" like some sweet people I know, but I am having a hard time shaking this heavy feeling. I decided to check the time in Ethiopia...midnight here is 8am there...the new procedures are taking place. Families who have had referrals in hand will wait for court dates. Babies will be in orphanages longer. All is not well in God's creation-it hasn't been for a good 6,000 years. There is a problem. The spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places are working hard to get us to not trust our mighty King. We pray for the truth to come out through this process, we pray that the adoptions that are done in a righteous way will continue to move along quickly. We pray that the name of our LORD will be glorified through our adoption and the adoption process in Ethiopia. We pray for HIS will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.

I don't know for sure that we will bring 2 little Ethiopian boys home. I do know that the Lord has called us to adopt and that he has put Ethiopia on our hearts. I also know that I am learning more and more to walk by faith and not by sight. I am glad we serve such a mighty God.

praying for Ethiopia

this insightful article highlights some things to pray for.

but how cool

is this

trust

in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge HIM and he will direct your paths." Prov 3:5

This article explains why Ethiopia is slowing adoptions down to a snails pace. On the one hand, we are thrilled that they are acting to ensure that every adoption above board. On the other hand, if there is very little movement out of the orphanages, that leaves little room for those who are orphans to find a place of shelter and substance (many of the children being adopted are suffering from malnutrition). On a personal note, an almost 90% reduction is alarming to us when some families have waited 18 month plus when the system was moving along.

Those things weigh on our hearts tonight, but we know we can trust in the HIM who is able to do exceedingly more than we ask or imagine.