PACKING AND MORE PACKING...

Okay, I'm so ready to be DONE packing and get this show on the road! If I have to open one more box of medication or stick one more thing in a baggie, I'm going to keel over and die. AAAHH. I'm over it! Now then, enough complaining. I think it's all packed. We had to omit a few things (like pedialyte - way too heavy) and granola bars (but we're already taking a slew of them) so I feel pretty good about it. I included a picture of our bags. HUGE! Our main concern right now is that our duffle bags will be allowed on Ethiopian airlines. They have a 62" rule (L,W,H combined) and our duffles are slightly over those dimensions. Sean weighed them at work and we managed to get them within the 50 lb mark. Please pray with us that all will go smoothly.

In our duffles, we packed the humanitarian aid items for Gladney (diapers, wipes, bottles, A&D, Purell, couple of new baby outfits), the 75 baggies full of stuffed animals and goodies, about 30 hand-made baby dolls (here's the newest addition from a neighbor), and backpacks full of fun things for our sponsored children.

In our suitcases we packed our clothes as well as clothing for Ava and Malachi, all in vacuum-sealed bags. Those things are so cool! The kids thought it was like a science experiment and were so sad when I had finished. Also, the meds for us and kiddos, and food. 3 families mailed us some small items to take to their babies and we're so happy to deliver them!

Our carry-ons have our important documents, travel pillows, diapers, wipes and toys galore. Unfortunately, Ethiopian airlines also weighs your carry-on, so my idea of stashing all the heavy stuff in those was OUT. But I MUST bring toys for A and M! We can't take them out and about much, so I'm bringing a couple of books, cars, rattles, bubbles, ball, and those cool Baby Einsten flashcards that have mirrors on one side. I think they're the Discover Me cards. So cute!

My Mom comes in today, and our sweet friend who will care for the children is coming as well. I'm in a bit of a funk- I keep looking around at things to do, and my body says "too tired", but my inner strength says "I think I can, I think I can...".

Tomorrow, we'll be heading out of d.c in the evening and all this packing will be a distant memory. Woohoo! I'm bringing some great music on my ipod, and my mom's bringing games on hers, so that should help us pass some time, and I bought the book from the Bottomlys entitled: "Ashes to Africa". I'm really looking forward to reading their story. This is a great time for me to recommend my new favorite cd. It's called "Sing Over Me" and is a mixture of worship/lullabies. I want to listen to it all day everyday. Check it out and see what I mean.

We will try to check in with our babysitter, and if she can find time to post, she'll try to add some updates. There won't be much, because we decided not to take a computer. We'll be sending her a few emails from Sean's Blackberry. I'm planning to journal and when life settles down around here (like next year : ), I'll post about our trip.

Again, thank you for ALL your prayers. The Lord has been so faithful, and we are encouraged by His presence every step of the way.

Oh, one last thing. Everytime we sing this song in church, I have a melt-down when I get to the second verse. Even when I'm on the worship team in front of our church- not pretty. But I love the song. It's by Bob Kauflin and is a Sovereign Grace song. You'll see, when you read the second verse, why it ministers to me so much. This journey has been long, but I knew the Lord's purpose was at work, and His mercy was sufficient...

A DEBTOR TO MERCY ALONE

A debtor to mercy alone

Of covenant mercy I sing

I come with Your righteousness on

My humble offering to bring

The judgments of Your holy law

With me can have nothing to do

My Savior's obedience and blood

Hide all my transgressions

From view

The work which Your goodness began

The arm of Your strength will complete

Your promise is yes and amen

And never was forfeited yet

The future or things that are now

No power below or above

Can make You Your purpose forego

Or sever my soul from Your love

My name from the palms of Your hands

Eternity will not erase

Impressed on Your heart it remains

In marks of indelible grace

Yes I, to the end will endure

Until I bow down at Your throne

Forever and always secure

A debtor to mercy alone

We passed!

My Montage 4/25/09

Court Date- April 27th

Our court date is Monday, which means that we should all go to bed praying Sunday night. There is a 7 hour time difference, so court will be going on while we're sleeping in the wee hours of the morning. We appreciate all your prayers for God to grant us favor.

"Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages..."

We're praying specifically for these things:

1. For the birthmom to show up at the hearing

2. For all of our paperwork to be in order and present

3. For the judge to grant us parental rights

4. Ultimately for God to orchestrate all events and show us His favor

BLESSED

The girls from my care group at church hosted a baby shower for me and it was full of BLESSINGS. They gathered blessings from family members and close friends to compile into a beautiful Blessing Book that is now on my coffee table. To make matters more emotional, they read these blessings aloud during my shower, followed by a prayer time.

Okay, I was a mess. I cried as my grandmother and my mother shared their testimony of adoption. Then a friend started reading a blessing written by my father. I started to melt into a puddle on the floor. This progressed with other readings from siblings, parents, close friends. Wow.

I've know for a long time that God has graciously blessed me with precious family and friends, but this was almost more than I could bear. I am so unworthy of God's goodness toward me. The Blessing Book will be a treasure to me for years to come. It goes so much further than the tangible goods brought to the party.

Don't get me wrong. We needed those baby items, and many were kind enough to bring humanitarian aid items as well. God faithfully provided for our needs. But, again, the Book will continue to bless me and my children for years to come. Thank you to all who were involved. I love you dearly, and thank you for your kind words of love, affirmation, and BLESSING! Here are some pictures.

3 Weeks and Counting!

My cuties!

Oh yah- a man after my own heart!

Grace saved up and bought some new outfits for Felicity off Craig's List. So cute!

In 3 short weeks, we will have our courtdate over in Ethiopia! We are so excited to see what God will do! Please keep praying that we will pass on the first date. We know that God is working on our behalf behind the scenes and that brings us such peace. His will be done!

IF we pass court, we could be travelling 2-4 weeks later. That means we could be travelling next month. Wow! After more than a year of waiting, we are within reach. I see the light at the end of the tunnel. Well, on the one hand it is the end of waiting and on the other hand it is the beginning of a new season. There is MUCH to come. This waiting has just been a small part of our family's journey. We want to get our hands on these little ones and help them feel loved, nurtured, and part of a forever family.

My mom is coming this week and my sweet friends are throwing me a baby shower. I'll share pics soon.

Update on our babies

We received another update yesterday and I just wish I could post the pictures. They are adorable! Malachi's hair is growing and he is just too cute for words. Ava is sleeping in her picture, but just as precious as always. Here is the update :

“M. is a sweet little guy. He loves his roommates and room. He has the most rowdy room we have! He doesn’t really add to the rowdiness, but he does seem to enjoy it. He is a big teddy bear. He likes to sit in my lap or be close to the caregivers. He is doing great. A. is doing wonderfully. Today, when I stopped by she was sleeping, but yesterday I saw her outside with her roommates. The caregivers tell me she is eating and sleeping very well. They also said she is “very vocal”, which I think translates to “she cries if we don’t hold her."

I cannot wait to get my arms around these two. It is hard to explain what it feels like to be so far away from someone you love, but have never met. My love grows for them every day. I find myself talking to their pictures in that wierd baby voice we all get while snuggling little ones. They have become part of our daily conversation, and a part of every prayer. I've pulled out clothes for little man and I stare at the shoes wondering what his chubby little feet will be like. I love hearing that he is a big teddy bear. That just melts my heart. If Ava likes to be held, she'll be in good hands around here. When my friend Becky was here, Grace and Thatcher held Jack all the time. Matter of fact, Thatcher hauled a little rocking chair downstairs and brought his blankie for Jack one evening just before bed. Here's the picture.

In the meantime, we are staying busy. Grace is so creative and is always building something with her brother or for her brother. I can't keep up with all of the creations.
Grace will be testing soon for the IOWA here in VA. This keeps us home-schoolers on our toes, which is always a good thing. I'm a little nervous, but we've worked hard this year and she has "soaked" up so much information. She is thrilled about George Washington and Abraham Lincoln right now. It comes alive to her when we read the stories. I love homeschooling because it leaves plenty of time for all of her creative moments, and she and Thatcher are really becoming good friends. It's such an answer to prayer!

River Dance

A friend of mine was recently in town (love you Becky) and saw Thatcher do his River Dance. She suggested I post a little video of him doing it for all of you. It really is so funny! Every time we turn on music, he does his River Dance and then he and Grace waltz around the room together. We found an African Playground cd which is the background music for his little show. I can't believe this is his last month as a 4 year old. My little buddy is growing up way too fast! I went in to his room the other day and he was hammering a picture of our little man Malachi to the wall with a thumb tack just above his bed. When I chastised him for hammering without my permission, he looked at me with those big blue eyes and said, "I just want to be able to see him Mom." How can you argue with that? So now it's hanging above his bed, not framed, not centered, not planned - but precious, and it is Thatcher's little reminder every night before bed that he has a brother coming.