See ya...

Suite cases are packed, cooler is stocked, tank is topped off and the open road lies before us. After much anticipation and planning, we are finally ready for our family road trip. Wish me stamina and sanity whilst keeping us in your prayers as the first leg of the journey is me solo with the kids. Two destinations mark our map as we begin by making our way to Virginia to visit baby Juddah. This stop, in and of itself, is like a dream come true for me and a memory that I pray will remain with the kids forever. Our second stop is none other than the most magical place on earth, Walt Disney World! To say that we are excited to wander about carefree surrounded by joyful entertainment would be a grand understatement. So without further adieu, we're off... See ya.

Tattooed Again

I've heard that once you get a tattoo it can become somewhat of an addiction. I didn't believe it. Then last summer I inked myself thrice and AJ was soon to follow. This past weekend as we were out and about a new design entered my mind and a day later AJ was again under the needle. Where bare skin once gleamed, seven stars now dominate. Symbolic of the seven stars in the book of Revelation and the pending seven members of our family which will be completed upon the twins arrival. In all honesty, I can't say that this is the last of our tattoo parlor ventures because for lack of all sensibility, I fear that we may have a slight addiction.

"Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches." Revelation 1:19-20

The seven churches are ONE church in seven periods of time just like there is one Holy Spirit with his complete symbolism of seven. Seven =completeness. (http://sabbathsermons.com/2010/07/03/what-are-the-seven-stars-of-revelation)

Catching a Leprechaun

 

We didn't actually catch a leprechaun but Etienne is positive that he heard him scurrying through his room during the night. The Oreo cookies left to lure him into the trap were eaten, therefore we're confident that he must have been there. Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Hot off the Press

It actually happened...

Thirteen Months Waiting

I don't know if this is close to the end wherein we will be holding our little ones or if this is the end. My heart hurts and I am tired. I am striving to rest upon the Lord who can move mountains and who hears my prayerful pleas. I am not okay... I am confused.... I am concerned... I want our family to include the twins. Please pray for the children of Ethiopia and the families who desire nothing more than to love them.

Focusing My Focus

I am beginning to loose focus on what I want. For so many months, expressed in countless posts, I have longingly ached for our twins wanting them now rather than later. My heart yearns for them and I still pray constantly that I will be given the opportunity and blessing to be their mom, however, I've finally realized that that this is not my decision to make.  I can't compel it happen no matter how quickly and efficiently I complete my paperwork or regardless of how many forums I study. It's ultimately not decided by the Ethiopian government or our agency. It has nothing to do with man and everything to do with God.

This journey has been nothing short of unexpected and as the future of Ethiopian adoptions 'seems' unsteady, I have to trust that God knows what He is doing and that He will multiply our family according to His unfailing plan. Emotionally I am spent, but spiritually I am filled by a faith that although not always easy or comfortable, provides a steady branch to balance me during times of unrest. 

"Your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones be lost." (Matthew 18:14)

Please join our family in prayer as we petition God to do His will and for us to follow without fight.

Prayer and Fast

"Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my sighing. Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray. In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation."

PSALM 5: 1-3

"I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord. "

PSALM 40 1-3

Prayer and Fast

Lord Jesus, I fall at your feet in prayer and petition for the little ones that have yet to rest in my arms. In your name I raise the situation affecting us, along with so many families to Heaven. At your gate we storm together asking you to move the mountain between us and our lonely ones. We pray for resolve, ask you to change us into the individuals you need us to be during this time, and trust in your ever encompassing love to unify our faith. Praising your name and faithfully believing that we will soon be with our babies according to your will. 

"You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever." PSALM 30:11-12

Here is an email from a fellow adoptive mum reaching out to all of us to pray our babies home... Please join us as we celebrate God's grace and power to overcome any obstacle:

Hi Ladies,

I have been a wreck today! As I have been crying out to my sweet Jesus I heard Him say it is time for us to fast and pray. I am asking you to join me on Friday in a 24 hour fast. I will eat dinner on Thursday night, and not eat again until dinner on Friday night. We need to storm the gates of heaven with our prayers and petitions and praises for our lonely ones! Because He has promised that He sets the LONELY in families! Lets pray our babies home! -Lyndsay Boulton

"The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace." PSALM 29:11