We're home!

If there is anyone still following our story...sorry I have not posted in so long...maybe I have a good reason??...our little Sunshine is finally home forever and she is truly a blessing!  We arrived home on April 22, 2011...Good Friday!  Praise the Lord!  So we have been home for 5 months and Sunshine keeps me moving.  In fact, she is being my little helper right now!!  :)  I am starting a new blog which I hope to get going in the next few weeks...we have some big news!!

Happy 11 Months

Happy 11 months baby girl. I love you and miss you so much! We are praying we will be able to bring you home soon.

Still waiting......

Psalm 46

God is our refuge and strength,

an ever-present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way

and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,

though its waters roar and foam

and the mountains quake with their surging.       Selah

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,

the holy place where the Most High dwells.

God is within her, she will not fall;

God will help her at break of day.

Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;

he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

The Lord Almighty is with us;

the God of Jacob is our fortress.      Selah

Come and see the works of the Lord,

the desolations he has brought on the earth;

he breaks the bow and shatters the spear,

he burns the shields with fire.

be still, and know that I am God;

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth.

The Lord Almighty is with us;

the God of Jacob is our fortress.    Selah

This is one of God's many promises that I have been clinging to throughout the past year and a half.  Thank you ,God, for being my strength and for providing the peace I need during so many uncertain times in my life.  As we go through the waiting of adoption, as we pray for a dear friend who is fighting cancer, as we struggle with our relationship with our oldest, God is with us...carrying us through most of the time.  He is my strength when I am weak; He is my fortress when I feel the walls crumbling around me.  Thank you, Lord Jesus!

I haven't been on here in such a long time, and there is so much to share. 

First,  we passed court on March 7th!!!  Finally...after 3 tries and 6 weeks after our first court date.  It was on a Monday, so we knew that sometime while we slept on Sunday night, our case would be opened once more in Ethiopia..not sure I slept much that night.  With news that Ethiopia may drastically slow down adoptions, we anxiously waited for our agency to open Monday morning and hopefully have some news.  Thankfully, B called as soon as possible.  Rejoice!  Praise God, we passed! 

Second, more good news came on Tuesday, March 22.  B called to let us know that all our paperwork had been submitted to the US Embassy on Monday.  Wow!  That all happened so quickly, and we felt the we were finally on our way to bringing our little girl home! 

Third,  B called on Wednesday, March 23 to let us know that the US Embassy did not clear us and wants clarification on one of Sunshine's documents and wants to meet with Sunshine's birthmother.  Disappointment and tears soon followed that call....not only for us (another delay, I think we've hit every delay possible) but also for Sunshine, who doesn't need to be in an orphanage any longer (she has been in an orphanage now for at least 9 months), and also for Sunshine's birthmother.  I can't imagine how she must be feeling through all of this.  A meeting with Sunshine's birthmother was scheduled for Monday, March 28th...which was yesterday.  We have prayed that God would protect her heart and provide her with His peace,  that she would be able to travel to the US Embassy quickly and safely, and the Embassy would be able to get all the answers they need to clear our case.

So today I'm praying we hear some good news soon and we'll be able to bring Sunshine home.  I don't have a time line, as I've learned throughout this whole journey that my timeline is not always God's, but I continue to trust Him.  Thank you, Lord, for being with us through it all!



Happy 10 Months Baby Girl!!

Today our little Sunshine is 10 months old!!!  I can't believe it!  It's been almost 5 months since we saw her beautiful little face for the first time.  I love her more and more each day and can't wait until the day we get to bring her home.  Our next court date in on Monday...5 more days.  It's been 6 weeks since we last held her and we are hoping and praying we'll get to go back soon.  There are two other families that we traveled with on our first trip who are also still waiting to pass court to go get their little girls.  Please continue to pray that we all pass!! 

After we didn't pass the second time, I put everything away, all the suitcases, and all our travel things.  It was just too hard to walk by it every day.  As Monday approaches, I'm getting more and more excited.  Last night we picked up the crib that some wonderful friends are loaning to us.  I want so badly to set it up but have decided to wait until Monday....to celebrate our good news...hopefully.  I also got a great package in the mail yesterday.  What do you think???

I can't wait for Sunshine to wear these!!!  Look how long her hair has gotten!!!  I love it!!!

I think she has the most gorgeous hair!!!  A family who just traveled over to meet their little girl for the first time was gracious enough to take a couple of pictures for us.  She has even gotten several teeth since we last saw her.  These pictures have been such a blessing for us.  So thankful for them.
We are so thankful that God has given us this privilege to be Sunshine's parents, and we are also thankful for the prayers of so many friends and family through this whole time.  Thank you!!!

Great job Chesswava!

We were so excited when Chesswava came home from cheer with this on her phone!  This is something she has been working for off and on for the past 3 years!!  She got her round-off, flip-flop, back tuck!  We would sign up for 8 week sessions at the gym when she wasn't too busy and she'd go for an hour a week.  They would look beautiful on the tumble track (which is like a long, narrow trampoline) and then try it on the floor and not get anywhere.  She would get so frustrated.  She has been so busy since the fall that we have not signed up for anymore sessions.  But her cheer coach this last month has been having optional tumbling practices, and Chesswava has been going and she got it!   I asked her last night, so....what was the difference...why did you get it this time.  Her response, "I think it was because I really wanted it this time."  I had to laugh.  This girl says the funniest things sometimes.  Anyway, Great job, Chesswava!

Today I start the process of updating our homestudy and sending a letter to USCIS to get fingerprints done again.  Our homestudy expires in April and fingerprints in May.  I can't say I'm really excited about having to do this...but I know it's worth it in the end.  We are so ready to get Sunshine home and are not willing to take a chance in another delay!

No Matter What

Finding Joy

We found out Friday morning that we did not pass court again. We were rescheduled for March 7th.  Although my heart mourns the fact that we have to wait longer to bring R home and tears still flow unexpectedly,  I have found joy in my Lord and Savior.  I have been so blessed by words of encouragement and have felt prayers of many who have lifted us up.  I have been talking with my Savior and  have been reading and meditating on His Word and have found great peace.

Psalm 46:1-3,7a,10
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and mountains quake with their surging.....The Lord Almighty is with us....Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.

God, You are my strength!  I will not fear the "what ifs" This journey is not about me.  This journey is about bringing glory and honor to You.  Lord, may you be exalted on high in our journey.

Proverbs 3:5,6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

I trust you, Lord! Even when I don't understand!

Matthew 5:4
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Lord, thank you for loving me and carrying me through this hard time.

Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him and who are called according to His purpose.

Father, all your ways are perfect and good.  I know you called us to adopt and You will work everything out for good.

James 1:2-4,12
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perserverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything....Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
Lord, we have faced many trials in the last year and a half, but I will keep my eyes are on you.  I trust you.   My reward is not here.  My reward is eternal life, that I have received through faith in my Lord, Jesus Christ. 

This is only a portion of the comfort I have received from meditating on God's word in the last 3 days, but my hope is that it will provide comfort for others who may be going through a hard time.

May the Lord bless you and keep you;

May the Lord make his face shine upon you

and be gracious to you;

may the Lord turn his face toward you

and give you peace.

                                 Numbers 6: 24-26

 
Thank you for keeping us in your prayers!!!