Blizzards and Governments.....

They all have something in common.  They can really change life as you know it!  I don't really have any news so I haven't been posting.  I will try to be more consistent.  I should be posting pictures of the two cuties I already have.  They have kept me busy this past month or so and that has been a good diversion from the news I have received about Kidane. 

The Ethiopian agency MOWA (ministry of women's affairs) released a statement to the Ethiopian government that they would be intentionally slowing down the process of approving adoption cases.  Since the announcement was just made this week there are no other specifics, so we don't know how much time frames are changing, we don't really know how this will affect us.  The adoptive parents who have already gone on their first trip are not going to be affected by this statement since they already  have approval thus they went to court.  For the rest of us, this is not looking good.  All we can do is try to wait patiently. 

The good thing about blizzards is they pass quickly.  Government ....well.....

Prayer for my heart.

Haven't felt like posting anything since we heard that Kidane's paperwork is delayed.  I get tired of the same question "Have you heard anything yet?"  NO, I haven't!!!!  I don't want to think about it.  I don't like it when I am not in control.  Hmmm, maybe you can relate.  I just had to remind myself God loves Kidane more than I ever could.  So,  God please keep him safe.  Please bring him home soon.

What we need most is prayers.  I need your prayers so I can be patient and strong while waiting.  Kidane needs your prayers for protection and health.  The agencies need prayers so they can get this paperwork handled. There are millions of orphans who need prayers. Actually, we all need prayers!

Let's just pray that God comes soon!  And while we wait for Him, lets pray that we can do our part to reach out and help each other.  I am thankful to be a part of the family of God.  I gain strength from fellow believers.  I hang onto the hope of a better future.  I believe that one day Kidane will come home and be a part of our family.  For now, he is a part of my heart!   

Bad news and then more bad news.....

Monday night we got an email that informed us of some paperwork that needed to be updated ASAP.  One of the documents in our dossier (packet of adoption papers) was going to expire on Feb. 15 next week.  So we need to get a new document, notarize it, add a cover letter, get that notarized then get it authenticated by the state of North Dakota, then..... well you get the idea.  More paperwork and more fees.  Our first question was is this document holding up the adoption process.  Thankfully, the answer is no.  It is just a formality.  Everything is moving forward as it should.

Then the "more bad news" came today.  Another group of families was given a court date for the middle of March, and we were supposed to be in that group.  We should be going for court with them.  Well, turns out that because Kidane has been in the orphanage for so long his paperwork is not current.  So, he is not eligible to go to court yet until that is completed.  So, when is that going to happen???  Well, we don't know.  It depends on the Ethiopian government agencies.  So, now we really wait.  What we need most is your prayers.  God is ultimately in control and we know He can make this process happen in His timing.  Please pray for Kidane while he is still waiting in the orphanage. 

Sunshine!

Today is a BEAUTIFUL day!  It is 36 degrees outside and SUNNY!  I needed this, in fact, most people around here would agree we all need this.  The cloudy days were beginning to wear us down.  It causes depression; makes people moody & irritable, and the cold weather has given everyone some cabin fever!  When the sun comes out and warms us up we are much nicer!  God is like the sun.  When we have Him in our lives we are much better people!

The closer I get to meeting our son, the more I am aware that I need THE "Son".  I am so unqualified.  I feel like God is giving me a beautiful present.  I can't wait to "unwrap" this present and meet him for the first time.  We have been waiting for a phone call for 3 months,  and still no court date.  For now, the waiting is a good time to spend time in the "Son" so He can make me the parent He wants me to be.

A picture of love....

Today I bought a small puzzle for Kidane to play with on the plane ride home.  Every time I walk by the little boys clothing section I want to pick out something for him.  But I don't buy it.  I want to know what color he likes,  what  style he wants, what kind he likes....  But for now we are still waiting.  

I have been putting together a scrapbook of pictures for Kidane.  We will take it over on our first visit and leave it with him.  I keep thinking of more pictures to add,  his new sisters, his new home, new friends, lots of snow, and pictures of the house, our family eating, our family playing, our family going to church.  Oh so many new things.  I am sure he will feel overwhelmed.  The most important picture I want to give him is one of our hearts.  How do we show him how much we love him in a picture??? 

Time for Celebrating

We did it!  You did it!  We got the news today from Brittany's Hope!  The funds came in!  The matching grant is a reality.  I did my happy dance.  Cassie doesn't like it when I do that.  Funny, when she was little she loved to dance with mommy.  Now she asks me to stop.... Oh how things change as they grow.  But I love every stage!  I can't wait to dance with Kidane. 

The next thing now is to get a court date....

Out of control....

Talked with our social worker today.  Waiting for a court date means waiting, waiting, and more waiting!  She said it looks like we might not get a court date until March!!!!  I pray that we get a date sooner than March!  But God is in control and He knows the end from the beginning.  Again, I am reminded we are not in control and we must learn to trust.  I suppose that is how Kidane will feel when he comes home.  He must learn to trust us, a family he doesn't know.  His life will feel out of control, but in the end he will have a family who loves him.  

Adoption has taught me so much about God.  We have to build that relationship with Him and learn to trust Him; day by day, little by little.  And in the end we will live in Heaven with our forever Father and be a family!!!!!  

Cassie & Carrie are making toddler size quilts to take to Ethiopia with us for the orphanages.  Russell's mom (Grandma Haveman) gave the girls some fabric and it is enough to make 3 quilts!!!  We are going to take two suitcases on our first trip each filled with donations for the orphanage!  I suppose I shouldn't complain about waiting; the girls don't get to meet Kidane until the 2nd trip which is a month after our first trip.