Psalm 37:7

"Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him."

As we watch God work out every detail of this adoption, our faith is growing. We found out yesterday that it would be less expensive and less hassle in the long run if Tim and I both travel to Ethiopia for the first trip. It doesn't matter so much for the 2nd trip except with three children it would just be harder if one parent were traveling alone. So we've made the decision to both go both times. I'm a little (well okay, maybe a lot!) relieved that Tim will be with me. We also found out that our first trip could happen in July as the agency we are working with in Ethiopia isn't waiting for our approval for 3 (rather than 2) to come in. If it's not in by our second trip we could be delayed but that shouldn't happen. If we don't get a court date for July, we would have to wait until at least September as the Ethiopian court system closes for the month of August. So that's our prayer now, that we could get a date and go before August. We trust God's timing and know that if we don't get to make our first trip until September, it is for a good reason. We keep looking at the pictures of our children, however, and want to bring them home as soon as possible, so we'll continue to ask God to give us a court date in July.

Psalm 52:8-9 "I trust in the lovingkindness of God forever and ever. I will give You thanks forever, because You have done it. And I will wait on Your name for it is good in the presence of Your godly ones."

Answered Prayer

Psalm 140:12-13 "I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted and justice for the poor. Surely the righteous will give thanks to Your name; The upright will dwell in Your presence."

Today we are thanking God for answering a specific prayer from yesterday. It had to do with our home study being amended to approve us for 3 children rather than 2. Initially we were told it would be no problem to change the number, however, a few days ago we received an email that explained how our home needed to be inspected again so our case worker could make the determination that we were fit to handle one more child. She had already determined 2 were fine, but one more apparently made a big difference. This questioning caused a bit of stress as we wondered if we would actually be denied this opportunity to adopt Chernet, Mulunesh and Woubet.

In obedience to Scripture, we "casted our burden upon the LORD who never allows the righteous to be shaken" Psalm 55:22, and asked Him to remove this whole scenario of another home visit. He did just that (and more!) After speaking with our adoption agency yesterday afternoon, the president of our home study agency wrote us a letter of apology. It seemed they had us confused with another family with a different home. Once the head of our agency read to them the description of our home from our home study document, they agreed to amend our approval for 3 children rather than 2 without needing a home visit.

Psalm 71:14-16 "But as for me, I will hope continually, and will praise You yet more and more. My mouth shall tell of Your righteousness and of Your salvation all day long; For I do not know the sum of them. I will come with the mighty deeds of the LORD God; I will make mention of Your righteousness, Yours alone."

The two big questions we are being asked now are: "When do you get to bring them home?" and "Is it costing more with three?" The short answers are we're not sure and yes. Once our approval for 3 is final and birth certificates are secured in Ethiopia for our new children, we will apply for a court date. We are guessing that would take a minimum of 6 weeks. That means it could be as early as 6 weeks I (Alicia) travel to Ethiopia for the court date (1st trip). Eight weeks later both Tim and I would return for the Embassy date and then bring our children home. Yes, it is costing more money, but God has provided what we've needed up to this point and we are continuing to trust that He will work that out as well.

Thank you all for your prayers and encouraging words of support! It's what motivates us to continue on this path.

3 x 2 = 6

Psalm 94:19 says, "When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your consolations delight my soul."

We are so happy to announce that God has revealed His plan to multiply our family. We received a referral Thursday afternoon and were surprised that it wasn't one child or even two but THREE! It's hard to put into words the joy we are all experiencing at the thought of being able to bring home these 3 precious children. Chernet is (about) 7 and a boy, Mulunesh is (about) 4 and a girl, and Woubet is (about 2) and a girl. Their ages and genders are a perfect match for Tommy (10), Victor (8), and Vanessa (almost 5).

Our heads are spinning as we try to comprehend what this will look like for our family. Focusing on the unknown, however, can become overwhelming, so we are just continuing to do what God has been preparing us to do through the waiting and that is trust that He has it all covered. As a reminder of this, Psalm 94:19 will remain on our refrigerator next to the pictures of these gifts God is giving us.

Tommy's reaction was, "SWEET!". Victor wants to know when we can go get them. Vanessa's first question was, "Do I get to be in charge of the girls?"

Please pray that our process to court and then to bring them home will be quick and without any hurdles. We will post pictures once they are officially Rowes.

Psalm 139:7 "Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?"

Jeremiah 23:23 "'Am I a God who is near,' declares the LORD, "And not a God far off?'"

Psalm 23:1-3 "The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me like down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake."

Job 22:21-30 "Yield now and be at peace with Him; Thereby good will come to you. Please receive instruction from His mouth and establish His words in your heart...For then you will delight in the Almighty and lift up your face to God. You will pray to Him and He will hear you and you will pay your vows. You will also decree a thing and it will be established for you; And light will shine on our ways."

We wait

After celebrating Victor's 5th Gotcha Day last October, we knew it was time for us to adopt again. On November 27th we mailed in the homestudy application. On April 26th we completed our part of the paperwork process by turning in the documents to be mailed to Ethiopia. Now we wait. Our referral should come any day.

We are so anxious and can hardly stand this waiting to find out who God has chosen for our family. Scripture consistently tells us, however, to trust that He has it under control, "How blessed is the man who has made the LORD his trust, and has not turned to the proud, nor to those who lapse into falsehood. Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders which You have done, and Your thoughts toward us; there is none to compare with You. If I would declare and speak of them, they would be too numerous to count." Psalm 40:4-5. We want to continue to be blessed like this, so we wait. We are praying for God to choose- boy? girl? one? two? We trust He knows better than we do who is to be in our family. After all, He's gotten three right so far! So we wait.