Name Game

The Name Game.......So that's what Joel and I have been doing for the last few days. We have always struggled with naming our children and this adoption is no exception. While we have decided that we will "probably" give our children new first names and keep their Ethiopian name as their middle name.....we have not decided on these names. The "probably"--- is mentioned because if our children's given Ethiopian names are easy to enunciate and spell- we will proudly keep their given name from Ethiopia. But, in our culture and society, we don't want our children to always be in the spot light because their name is so incredibily different than their peers names, but we do want to honor and remember their Ethiopian names, so we'll use them as their middle names.

So---- we don't have a referral yet and we don't know what gender children we are going to adopt. This makes naming even more challenging-- so we're just really trying to come up with some good ideas for all gender combinations just in case. We do want to give our children their names before we bring them home so that we can specifically pray for them by name and begin introducing them to our 2 1/2 year old so that he can start to associate with the children--- he's just too young to understand "adoption"-- but he will be able to look at a picture of these 2 children and understand their names and become familiar with them as a part of our family discussions and prayers. So----- here are a few of our favorite names.......
might I also mention that we do take into account the meanings of names and think they are important.....

For 2 girls----- Emma(one who heals) and Ella(light)
For 1 girl and 1 boy--- Sarah (princess) and Samuel (name of God)
For 2 boys---- Joshua (whom God has saved) and Justin (the just)

We also like these names......Jordan (decending), Grace (the graceful), Meagan (the strong), Ava (lovely bird), Grant (great), Spencer (giver of provisions),
Isabella using nickname of Bella(consecrated to God).

We would LOVE some input so if you have some great names and want to play the name game with us, feel free to comment on this post and give us some new ideas!!! We need as much help as we can get!!!

"A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches and loving favor more than gold and silver." Proverbs 22:1

Blessings,
AMY

Quiet days, Quite days.

The last few days have been quiet days on the adoption front. Not much information to pass along or share yet......we are just waiting for a referral and praying for those sweet, innocent, scared and lonely children that have no family to call their own today. We are praying and waiting. God knows the right timing, God knows the children, God knows our family and our strengths, weaknesses, and our abilities.
God knows.
I'm really TRYING not to worry about the details, just trying to TRUST God with all that I am. But, in my effort to be transparent in this blog, I will admit again that this has been super hard for me. God has shown me that my walk with Him needs some growing in the trust department. There are moments every day when fear grips me and I have a dialog similar to this one in my head--- "I am crazy.....WE are crazy.....why do I think I can handle any more on my plate right now, especially two emotionally needy children. Everyone else thinks we are crazy to adopt right now, too......How will we do this? What if we FAIL at parenting these children and our family crumbles because of the additional stress?? What if there is not enough of me to go around! What are we doing? Etc, Etc, Etc....."

But......when I stop my rambling, whining and put a kibosh on my personal little anxiety attack--and when I re-focus on God, and not on myself...... I have peace and I KNOW THIS IS EXACTLY WHERE GOD WANTS US TO BE AND WE ARE DOING WHAT HE HAS CALLED US TO DO RIGHT NOW. God knows and will give us the strength and endurance to run this race. God brought us to this place, no doubt. We know that God called us to adoption and to fulfill this purpose right now, we know this for sure.

What I doubt is my ability- what I fear is failure and what people think of me. But, I believe God's Word. In His Holy Word, He tells me that I don't have to do this.....GOD will do it THROUGH me. I know that God does not give us a spirit of FEAR, but of love and sound mind.......I know that I can do ALL things through Christ Jesus who strengthens me...... Who can be against me, if God is on my side???
THESE ARE GOD'S TRUTHS......the little ramblings in my mind, are attacks by my flesh and they are lies and they are NOT from God. God is TRUTH.

So, this is my prayer request today--- please pray that we are strengthened, encouraged, and steadfast and unwavering in our adoption journey. Please pray that God's TRUTHS are our compass and guiding light. Pray that we trust Him and have faith that He will work out the little details!!

So, while the last few days have been quiet days on the adoption front, they have also been "quite" the days for me, emotionally and spiritually. It's an adoption journey from above, for sure.....I can feel the growth pains and spiritual stretching!!! :)

Hope your Sunday has been blessed--- AMY

Dossier On It's Way To Ethiopia

Got the call today from BFAS, that after some minor hold ups with expiration dates on some agency paperwork, the newly dated agency paperwork has arrived and our dossier is now moving, really on it's way to Ethiopia. We are still officially waiting as of 12-19-08, but our completed dossier, with all the appropriate authentications and apostles, etc. is now on it's way to the birth country of our children.

I've had a roller coaster day today. The emotions that come with an adoption are much more intense than I ever expected. There is the sense of knowing that what and where we are is the perfect place in God's perfect plan and those are such peaceful, powerful moments. And then...... there's the sense of an overwhelming urge to totally be in control of paperwork and processes that are totally out of my control so that I can hurry up and help and love and protect and nurture and mother these 2 children that so desperately need a mother!!! Frustration develops at this place and I realize that these feelings are worldly, and exhibit a very human lapse in my faith and trust in God's provision, God's protection, God's timing, and God's Divine plan for our lives. I am humbled by my weaknesses and thankful that God knows my struggles and is so gracious and loving to me, in spite of my shortcomings.

Please pray that we are strong enough to wait for the Lord. Please pray that we are able to more fully trust in God's perfect plan, His perfect timing, and His provision for us and for all of our children. God knows.

My favorite scriptures that I repeat to myself daily to keep my life in focus when I'm feeling like I need to control things......

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and in all your ways acknowledge Him and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6

A Blessed Day

After a very busy but good Monday, here are some of the small moments that happened today that I am thankful for......

1)The kids worked hard on all their schoolwork.

2)During Jackson's language arts this morning, he said, "Wow Mom--- I love looking things up in the dictionary with you-- this is fun!" aaaahhhhh-- a great homeschool mom moment!!!

3)Madilyn told me "goodnight" and said "I Love You" in Amharic at bedtime. They are so excited about adopting from Ethiopia. So sweet.

4)Joel found out today that when we travel to Ethiopia, the Army allows 21 days of "non-chargeable" leave for an adoption. YEEHAW!! Free days off for him to travel for the adoption.....YEA!! God is good.

5)While I was cooking dinner tonight, Joel Daniel played legos in the floor for 45 minutes straight, alone. It was so peaceful and nice!! Several months ago, I was dreaming of him playing independently and quietly for only 10 minutes-- he's rounding that toddler corner!!

6) I caught up on all my laundry today. Whew. That was big.

7) When we walking next door to Bible study this evening, Hannah ran down the stairs, out into the 20 degree coldness in her PJ's just to give me a kiss and say she loves me. aaaahhhhh....they are such treasures!

8) We got word today that we are OFFICIALLY waiting for a referral as of 12-19-08.

9) I read 3 chapters in a fun-read for myself tonight. Nice.

10) The kids are in bed..... and sleeping. :)

Psalm 40:16 " May all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, "The Lord is Great!"

Blessings,
Amy

Happy 2009

Well---we're home. We've unpacked all the suitcases and gifts, gone grocery shopping, and are truly settled again. That was a lot of work!!!

We had a nice visit to Texas and got to spend good time with our families. The kids did great on the 9 hour drive both to and from there and overall it was lots of fun. We were all sick part of the time, but we still enjoyed being there. We did not get to make all the connections and visit with our extended families as much as we had planned since we got sick- but we did get to see everyone at least once over the break!! We were actually all exhausted by the end of our 2 week trip and I welcomed 2009 in my PJ's, being cozy and comfortable at home. We drove back to Kansas on New Year's Day.

I am constantly amazed that the time has flown by so quickly and 2008 is now gone. It was a year full of changes, growth, and pleasant memories for us. We've been so blessed and looking back, I realize that we are not grateful enough for the goodness God has lavished on us over the past year. Don't get me wrong here, we are thankful for the blessings God has given us, but I know we become complacent to the good things and take it for granted that it will always be "good". Over the holiday break in Texas, I had a huge reminder of the evidence that I take good things for granted every day. Our family was struck by a stomach flu. UUUGGGGHHHH!! Yuck! No fun! Terrible! Did I mention, my FAMILY was struck....not just one or two of us-- it swept it's way through (no pun intended :)) ALL of us, for the last 7 days. We quarantined ourselves from our families, bleached, sanitized, changed bedding, and cleaned like crazy---but this bug still managed to hit some of our extended family members too-(Sorry Angela, Amberly, Katie, Braden, London, Dawson :() But-- this little illness was a good reminder to me that my health, feeling great every day is taken for granted. I felt so rotten when I was sick. I was weak, exhausted and just felt terrible. I need to be continually thankful for all good things- my health and my families' health included at the top of that list!! :)

On the adoption front-- all is going fine. Our completed dossier was sent to our agency on December 15 and we applied for advance visa's with CIS and got our fingerprinting on that day also. We were told that the CIS approval letter would take 60-90 days to get back, but we were pleased to find the very non-descript, plain envelope with the approval letter in our mail stack when we returned. Apparently, it was processed in 4 days. Wow!!

Our dossier has NOT made it to Ethiopia yet-- our agency says it will hopefully be sent this next week. They had some expiration date issues on their agency paperwork and had to get those things resolved before they could send our documents. I'm so glad they caught those expiration date problems and let us know about the hold up. We will be officially waiting for a referral when our documents arrive in Ethiopia and they project a max wait of 1-2 months for a referral. Don't worry- we'll keep you posted!!

In the meantime, please pray for the 2 specific children God has planned to join our family. I'm praying that God comforts them in such a time of turmoil, confusion and loss. That God protects them from any harm and that God provides for their physical needs to be met until He places them in our home. I'm also praying that once they join our home- they will be receptive to our family, they'll accept our love, heal emotionally from the losses and hurts they've endured in their pasts, and adjust to all the changes with resilience. Please join me in praying for them also.

I've been pondering these words of Jesus this morning--

"When you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just." Luke 14:13-14

"For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." John 3:17

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven." Matthew 6: 19-20

Blessings-- AMY

I'll be HOME for Christmas!!

We're driving to Texas this afternoon. The suburban is packed out....loaded down.... gased up......ready to roll....all we lack, is buckling in the kiddos!! YEA!!! The kids have been counting down for DAYS and now by the hour!! They are so excited, even if it does mean a 9 hour drive in the car!! They love being with our families in Texas and I am so thankful for those strong relationships even though we live far away. It is an answer to prayers for me. I've always worried that our kids wouldn't have "roots", a place to call "home", strong extended family relationships-- since we move so often with the Army and live so far away. But..... God has given them a strong sense of belonging in Texas and --Pickton, Texas is where they will tell you they are "from". They can't wait to spend time with the extended family.....and they know every single person by name and that is amazing because we have a HUGE extended family!! I'm once again-- thankful that God has blessed us in this way. He's so good, all the time.

The last few days have been cold and icy here and today it is going to be 75 in TEXAS!!! I can't wait for some of that "warmer" winter weather!! It will be so nice to watch our car thermometer rise as we drive south!! YEA!!

On the adoption front== all is going well. Our completed dossier was sent to BFAS on Monday 12/15/08. They received it on Tuesday 12/16/08, and it's going to be state autheniticated today 12/19/08. They told me via telephone that it will hopefully be authenticated in Washington DC on Tuesday of next week and be on it's way to Ethiopia before Christmas day. YEA!! We will be officially waiting for a referral when the paperwork is in Ethiopia. It could be 1-2 months, it could be sooner but no matter what......I'm confident that God's in control. I've done the paperwork that I can control and the rest is out of my hands and I trust God's in the middle of these plans and the process. Right now-- we're feeling patient. Next week or month--- tune back in because I may be going crazy with anticipation!! Adoption is actually a very emotional journey.....elating, exciting, draining and overwhelming at the same time!! I never knew what waiting families went through to adopt!!

My quiet time this morning refected on these scriptures.... 1 John 3:1-3
"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when He appears, we shall see Him as He is. Everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure."

Well--- I am going to close and finish getting ready to leave for a few weeks. Although Joel thinks I'm a little OCD, I have to get the house totally clean before I leave.... I hate coming home to a mess!! haha!!


Merry Christmas to you all......
Blessings, AMY

Baby, It's Cold Outside

So last night I was both a worry wart and a prayer warrior all in one. The "cold front" moved into Kansas yesterday afternoon with meteorologist promises of freezing rain, an ice storm, and single digit temperatures for the next 4 days. Well--- today for us, is an important day so this weather was stressing me out. Since last week, we have been scheduled to go pick up our finalized approved homestudy document from the homestudy agency (a one hour drive from our home) at 1130 today. At 230 this afternoon, we also have an appointment at the US immigrations office for our fingerprinting for our I-600A, which is dependent on having the homestudy in our hands (and this is an hour away, the OTHER direction, too). SO--- this weather was impending doom for me since it was going to be bad weather until Friday, which is when we are scheduled to leave town for a two week holiday in Texas. So I prayed and worried and prayed and worried. I was so worried that if we don't get this done on Monday=== it probably won't happen before Christmas. I prayed that the Lord would hold off the weather, or at least the ice- until after our appointments this afternoon if it was His will for us to get our paperwork to the agency before Christmas. Well- It got down to 4 degrees in the night and it did snow some--- but there was no ice and no road closures this morning. I just called our agency to make sure they were in the office today in spite of the cold weather and when the sweet receptionist answered the phone, I nearly started crying!! Thank you LORD for being faithful to us yet again on this journey. You keep showing yourself to me in both big and small ways. By the way--- guess what the weather forecast is for tonight?? 70 % chance of snow and ice mix with high temperature of 9 degrees and low of 2. :) Isn't that awesome?? God held the worst of this storm off until tonight- I am sure. :)

The scripture truths that I am pondering for today:

Exodus 14:13 "Moses told the people, "Don't be afraid. Just stand where you are and watch the Lord rescue you."

Ephesians 1:10 " This is his plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ- everything in heaven and on earth."

Psalm 9:1 "I will thank you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done."

Hope your day is blessed. I'm going to bundle up, load my kiddos in the car and go pick up our homestudy now!!
--AMY