good news??

There may be good news coming soon about the hold. We've heard this many times before, but this information is more specific and may actually happen. Please pray for the hold to be lifted over the next few days. There are many children being affected by this hold and they deserve to come home to their forever families as soon as possible. I promise I'll update when we hear something. :)

still no news...

Just wanted to let you all know that we haven't heard any news about the hold in the baby's region of Ethiopia. Each week, we hope for good news. We did receive pictures of her in early March and she continues to look good. She is small, but she appears to be healthy and happy. We are starting to see some "personality" in her pictures...so cute. There was a recent announcement that families will have to start travelling twice to Ethiopia...once for court and once for the embassy appointment. We are waiting to hear if that will affect us. It would be another emotional and financial hurdle in this process. It means we would pay for another trip, but the hardest part would be meeting our baby and then having to leave her in Ethiopia for a few more months. We have learned to just "wait and see" what the final decision will be before we react. This adoption process has stretched us more than we ever thought was possible. I feel like I have to choose to trust God minute by minute in this process. The waiting can be so difficult some days. We know once we have her in our arms, it will be worth the wait!! Thank you for your continued prayers....

celebrating with others...

No news for us yet, but I feel like it is coming soon. One reason I can say that is because friends of ours' whose little girl is in the same region just got great news this week. Their daughter was moved to the transition home and soon they will travel to bring her home. I am so happy for them and feel like our good news is coming. It is amazing to see their daughter who is about 8 in pictures looking at pictures of her forever family. It brought tears to my eyes and made my heart so full. I can't imagine what it feels like to feel all alone and then to see a family who is waiting to bring you home and love you unconditionally. It's like God's love for us. He gave up His son for us. If you have ever considered adoption, I urge you to look into it. Don't let busyness, finances or your own control keep you from taking this step of faith. It is life-changing and if God is calling you to do it, He won't let it die. He needs us to care for the needy. I know our baby will change our lives more than we will ever change her's. As I walk through this process, it becomes such a desire of my heart for others to embrace adoption. We'll keep you posted on any news.

the wait continues

I wish I had a wonderful update, but I don't. The region that our baby is in is still "on hold" so please take time this week to pray for that situation. We have seen recent pictures of her and a video. She appears to be developing normally and looks very happy. Most importantly, it is obvious that her nannies love her and are taking great care of her until she can come home to us. We appreciate your continued prayers. The next step for us will be a court date. Once we know that date, I'll do a post so that you can think of us and her on that particular day.

no news...

Still no announcement or news from the area about the orphanges. Keep praying...
Hoping to get some video of our little one soon which will be wonderful.

please pray

Just heard this morning that the officials in our baby's region are making an announcement early next week. They had put adoptions on hold in that region for the past several months. They are going to let the orphanges know if they can proceed with court dates early next week. Please pray for these children and that the decision will be favorable. I hate to think that the children may have to stay in a transition home longer and not be able to go home to their forever families. We did get a weight update on our little one....she is 9.7 pounds at 3 months. Please continue to pray for her health. She seems very healthy....just tiny. She needs our love and formula! Merry Christmas everyone...

REFERRAL!!!!!!!

Finally, after 7 1/2 months, we received a referral on December 1st. She is a beautiful 3 month old little girl. We have waited to do our post until we sent our acceptance papers back to our agency. All five of us are thrilled and can't wait to hold her in our arms. Now...we have to settle on a name for this precious little one. We feel like God has chosen her for our family and we feel so blessed. Thank you for your prayers. Please continue to pray as our agency will go to court for us soon. We will most likely travel in 3-4 months. What a wonderful Christmas present......