Dear Levi and Jesse,
I know you're far away but I feel like you are in America already and in our house. I hope that you like the stuff we sent from here. I miss you lots and I know you can't read this, but there is something I want you little guys to know. I LOVE you very much and that I wish your little faces would pop up in front of me. Your picture is on our refrigerator and I wish you guys would pop out. I miss you very much and I wanted to tell you one last time, I love you.
Love,
Big Sister Kaylee
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Wait
Tanya's sister posted this on her blog and I was so moved, that I thought I would share it here too.
It really hit home with me, and God brought others to my mind as well.
It really hit home with me, and God brought others to my mind as well.
Wait
by Russell Kelfer
Desperately, helplessly, longingly, I cried;
Quietly, patiently, lovingly, God replied.
I pled and I wept for a clue to my fate . . .
And the Master so gently said, “Wait.”
“Wait? you say wait?” my indignant reply.
“Lord, I need answers, I need to know why!
Is your hand shortened? Or have you not heard?
By faith I have asked, and I’m claiming your Word.
“My future and all to which I relate
Hangs in the balance, and you tell me to wait?
I’m needing a ‘yes’, a go-ahead sign,
Or even a ‘no’ to which I can resign.
“You promised, dear Lord, that if we believe,
We need but to ask, and we shall receive.
And Lord I’ve been asking, and this is my cry:
I’m weary of asking! I need a reply.”
Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate,
As my Master replied again, “Wait.”
So I slumped in my chair, defeated and taut,
And grumbled to God, “So, I’m waiting for what?”
He seemed then to kneel, and His eyes met with mine . . .
and He tenderly said, “I could give you a sign.
I could shake the heavens and darken the sun.
I could raise the dead and cause mountains to run.
“I could give all you seek and pleased you would be.
You’d have what you want, but you wouldn’t know Me.
You’d not know the depth of my love for each saint.
You’d not know the power that I give to the faint.
“You’d not learn to see through clouds of despair;
You’d not learn to trust just by knowing I’m there.
You’d not know the joy of resting in Me
When darkness and silence are all you can see.
“You’d never experience the fullness of love
When the peace of My spirit descends like a dove.
You would know that I give, and I save, for a start,
But you’d not know the depth of the beat of My heart.
“The glow of my comfort late into the night,
The faith that I give when you walk without sight.
The depth that’s beyond getting just what you ask
From an infinite God who makes what you have last.
“You’d never know, should your pain quickly flee,
What it means that My grace is sufficient for thee.
Yes, your dearest dreams overnight would come true,
But, oh, the loss, if you missed what I’m doing in you.
“So, be silent, my child, and in time you will see
That the greatest of gifts is to truly know me.
And though oft My answers seem terribly late,
My most precious answer of all is still . . . Wait.”
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Updates on the boys
We have received a tiny weeny piece of medical news on both boys. The care center in Addis sent us updated growth information. Both of the boys seem to be gaining weight. Jesse came into their care weighing 22.3 pounds on March 27, 2007 and on May 1st he weighed 22.9. Not much, but better than losing...... He is also 29 in. tall. Levi came into the center weighing 33 pounds and weighed 34.1 pounds on April 14th. He is 37 inches tall. We were also emailed a milestone report on Levi. It was a sort of checklist. Here are some of the questions they answered.
Does he use eating utensil.........Yes
Does he wash and dry his own face and hands.......Yes
Exibits a sense of humor.........Yes
Understands taking turns.........Yes
Can count 5 objects(not sure in what language?)........Yes
Some of the things they were checking, they weren't able to get an accurate account because of the language barrier. He fluently speaks his tribal language. He is currently learning Amharic (the national language) and English in pre-school. He goes every morning until right after lunch. We were also told that the boys get to spend time together everyday in the afternoon. They do not stay in the same area, so we are thankful the care center lets them be together often. I get choked up thinking of how soothing it must be for both of them to see each other and not feel so alone.
We did find out that our social worker in Minneapolis finally got her travel date to go. She is the one who will be delivering by hand the photo books we made for each of the boys. We put pictures of our immediate family, our house, yard and some rooms in the house. We also sent a digital recorder with our voices on it. We spoke to them, sang to them and each of the kids said a little message. Layne played his guitar while we all sang and Kaylee played her violin. Hopefully these little ones enjoy music. She will leave the states on June 1st and hopefully get some updated pictures of them while she is there. I asked her to hug them for us and tell them we can't wait to come for them.
This leads to what I am struggling the most with..............Not knowing when we will be traveling. I am daily asking God to give me patience in the wait. It is just really hard. We are hoping to hear soon, and in the meantime we are getting many things in order.
Tanya
Does he use eating utensil.........Yes
Does he wash and dry his own face and hands.......Yes
Exibits a sense of humor.........Yes
Understands taking turns.........Yes
Can count 5 objects(not sure in what language?)........Yes
Some of the things they were checking, they weren't able to get an accurate account because of the language barrier. He fluently speaks his tribal language. He is currently learning Amharic (the national language) and English in pre-school. He goes every morning until right after lunch. We were also told that the boys get to spend time together everyday in the afternoon. They do not stay in the same area, so we are thankful the care center lets them be together often. I get choked up thinking of how soothing it must be for both of them to see each other and not feel so alone.
We did find out that our social worker in Minneapolis finally got her travel date to go. She is the one who will be delivering by hand the photo books we made for each of the boys. We put pictures of our immediate family, our house, yard and some rooms in the house. We also sent a digital recorder with our voices on it. We spoke to them, sang to them and each of the kids said a little message. Layne played his guitar while we all sang and Kaylee played her violin. Hopefully these little ones enjoy music. She will leave the states on June 1st and hopefully get some updated pictures of them while she is there. I asked her to hug them for us and tell them we can't wait to come for them.
This leads to what I am struggling the most with..............Not knowing when we will be traveling. I am daily asking God to give me patience in the wait. It is just really hard. We are hoping to hear soon, and in the meantime we are getting many things in order.
Tanya
qoyta
qoyta....that is how you say wait or waiting in Amharic (the Ethiopian Language)
We have been doing lots and lots of stuff around the house during this waiting period.
Here's a brief overview:
Painted both bedrooms
put bunk beds in both rooms (had to assemble them, it wasn't too bad)
Moved furniture around, the girls room has the white stuff now (book/toy shelf and new/used white dresser Tanya found at second-hand shop)
had to get some new mattresses for the beds, but God granted us a great deal at HOM furniture on some clearance mattresses.
moving clothes around, and digging out some of Isaacs old clothes for the boys to wear.
We now have couple extra box springs as it seems you don't need those when you have bunks. I'm not quite sure how to store them or if i even should.
We spoke at Fellowship of Christian Athletes for West High tonight. We haven't been involved with that for about 5 years now and it was really neat. We both shared our testimonies and how God has moved in us, our family and our newest members.
Maybe we can get some pictures of the rooms. The kids love their new beds.
goodnight.
Layne
We have been doing lots and lots of stuff around the house during this waiting period.
Here's a brief overview:
Painted both bedrooms
put bunk beds in both rooms (had to assemble them, it wasn't too bad)
Moved furniture around, the girls room has the white stuff now (book/toy shelf and new/used white dresser Tanya found at second-hand shop)
had to get some new mattresses for the beds, but God granted us a great deal at HOM furniture on some clearance mattresses.
moving clothes around, and digging out some of Isaacs old clothes for the boys to wear.
We now have couple extra box springs as it seems you don't need those when you have bunks. I'm not quite sure how to store them or if i even should.
We spoke at Fellowship of Christian Athletes for West High tonight. We haven't been involved with that for about 5 years now and it was really neat. We both shared our testimonies and how God has moved in us, our family and our newest members.
Maybe we can get some pictures of the rooms. The kids love their new beds.
goodnight.
Layne
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Be Still and Know that I am God
The last few days have been spent painting bedrooms and getting ready for two sets of bunk beds. This leads into an incredible story about how our first set of bunk beds came into our possession.
The first Sunday after hearing about Levi and Jesse, we announced the news in church and displayed their pictures on the screen in the sanctuary. There was a new couple and their family visiting church this day and after listening to our news, they decided they wanted to help in some way.
The next morning, after looking our number up in the phone book, I get a phone call from Tammy and she said she had a question for us. She explained that the Lord was moving her and her husband to call to see if we had a need for any bunk beds?! I about croaked! Instantly, I was so touched at the thoughtfulness of this couple and their willingness to listen to the voice of the Lord, that was prompting them to call.
A little side note..........After hearing about the boys, Layne and I started looking on- line at bunk beds. We had decided that we would like to have the set in the boys room be the kind with a Full bed on the bottom and a twin on the top. This would enable Levi to sleep comfortably with Isaac or for one on us to lay by him if he was scared or sad in the night. Both Levi and Jesse are used to sleeping with others. Families in rural Ethiopia most of the time sleep in one room huts on the dirt floor with siblings or parents close by. So now with this added info, I will continue about the bunk beds.
Anyway, Tammy explained that they did not have a need for these like brand new beds because of a change in their sleeping arrangements. I explained we would want to pay them and she insisted that they wanted to "bless" us with these. She began to describe them to me. She said they were wooden and their was a FULL bed on the bottom and a single on the top. My eyes were moved to tears and instantly my thoughts were filled with reminders of how faithful and gracious our God is. With our finances already stretched beyond our means (but not God's), we were receiving bunk beds nicer than anything we would have been able to afford. God also provided some discounted mattresses from our friend who manages a furniture store in town.
Throughout this adoption I have been very tempted to be anxious about the total lack of finances in our budget to afford to do this. We did not begin this process because we had all the money saved or even an idea of where we would get it. We felt the Lord directing our hearts toward adopting children and caring for orphans. I am typing this and we still have about 7,00o dollars to come up with in order to bring our boys home.
Isn't it funny that because of bunk beds, I was reminded once again of how He provides. As I think and look at these bunk beds in our home, God reminds me of His precious words in Psalms 46:10 "Be still and know that I am God" Ahhhhh...........stillness in the Lord is a much more peaceful place to be, rather than doubting and anxious.
The first Sunday after hearing about Levi and Jesse, we announced the news in church and displayed their pictures on the screen in the sanctuary. There was a new couple and their family visiting church this day and after listening to our news, they decided they wanted to help in some way.
The next morning, after looking our number up in the phone book, I get a phone call from Tammy and she said she had a question for us. She explained that the Lord was moving her and her husband to call to see if we had a need for any bunk beds?! I about croaked! Instantly, I was so touched at the thoughtfulness of this couple and their willingness to listen to the voice of the Lord, that was prompting them to call.
A little side note..........After hearing about the boys, Layne and I started looking on- line at bunk beds. We had decided that we would like to have the set in the boys room be the kind with a Full bed on the bottom and a twin on the top. This would enable Levi to sleep comfortably with Isaac or for one on us to lay by him if he was scared or sad in the night. Both Levi and Jesse are used to sleeping with others. Families in rural Ethiopia most of the time sleep in one room huts on the dirt floor with siblings or parents close by. So now with this added info, I will continue about the bunk beds.
Anyway, Tammy explained that they did not have a need for these like brand new beds because of a change in their sleeping arrangements. I explained we would want to pay them and she insisted that they wanted to "bless" us with these. She began to describe them to me. She said they were wooden and their was a FULL bed on the bottom and a single on the top. My eyes were moved to tears and instantly my thoughts were filled with reminders of how faithful and gracious our God is. With our finances already stretched beyond our means (but not God's), we were receiving bunk beds nicer than anything we would have been able to afford. God also provided some discounted mattresses from our friend who manages a furniture store in town.
Throughout this adoption I have been very tempted to be anxious about the total lack of finances in our budget to afford to do this. We did not begin this process because we had all the money saved or even an idea of where we would get it. We felt the Lord directing our hearts toward adopting children and caring for orphans. I am typing this and we still have about 7,00o dollars to come up with in order to bring our boys home.
Isn't it funny that because of bunk beds, I was reminded once again of how He provides. As I think and look at these bunk beds in our home, God reminds me of His precious words in Psalms 46:10 "Be still and know that I am God" Ahhhhh...........stillness in the Lord is a much more peaceful place to be, rather than doubting and anxious.
Saturday, May 05, 2007
Happy Birthday, Isaac
Isaac will be 6 on May 9th. He had his party today with his little buddies. They had a blast.
The lunch served was Brats on the grill and Doritos, and strawberries, Coke or Root Beer to drink. We had cupcakes next. Right before Isaac blew out his candles, he shouted "I wish my brothers were here!" It was so sweet! It was rainy, so we went up to North Middle School and did games in the gym. That was so fun, they rode scooter boards, played kickball and wiffle ball. Then, they got to break a spongebob Pinata.
Kaylee got to spend most of the day with her best friend and they even went out to supper at a Mexican place.
I'll post some pictures of the party in the near future, gotta hit the hay!
Layne
Monday, April 30, 2007
A gift...
Yesterday was such a gorgeous day, and we had just returned late Saturday night, so we were spending some time working in the yard. I had to mow and there were many other tedious jobs to be done. Isaac was out with me most of the time and it was very hot. 93 degrees is what i heard. Around 7:30ish, it was a little cooler and kids were playing on the swing set. Tanya had cleaned up the grill and we needed a new grill cover and a few other things, so I decided to take the kids and make a little wal-mart run. Isaac was rummaging around in his room and came to me and said, "Dad, can you help me find my billfold? It's really important!" Well, I was wanting to get going and just said "Don't worry about it, it'll turn up, you need to find your flip-flops so we can get going." But what I got was "Dad, I really need to find it, it's really important!" So I helped him find it, while asking what was so important. He said, "I want to give something to mommy and it is REEAAALLY important!"
He found his billfold underneath his bed and proceeded to take out a $50 bill (His Christmas money that he has been hanging onto for something special) "YES!" he pronounced as he left me in the room and made a dead sprint through the house and out the back door for mommy, who was sitting on the back porch, still scrubbing down the grill. When I caught up to him, this is what I heard.
"Momma" he said "I want to give this to you, to bring my brothers home faster." The look on his face was a serious joy like I'd never seen. Tanya just melted and gave him a huge hug and he fell limp in her arms. She grabbed his little face and proceeded to tell him how much his gift means and how much it will help in bringing them home. After the hug, he ran back to his room and grabbed out another $10 (the rest of his Christmas money) and sprinted back to his mommy and said "I just want you to have all my big bills." and he smiled and got another big hug!
I just had to write this story down, because I don't ever want to forget how special it was. The kids are always asking about what time it is in Ethiopia and what Geremu and Habtamu might be doing right now.
The kids read a book today called A Family from Ethiopia that they got at the library. There was a page that talked about how one family had an 8 year old girl, whose primary job in the family was to look after the baby. Kaylee said "Momma, do you think Habtamu will love me, because he's used to having a sister that looks after him?" It is just amazing to hear the questions they ask and comments they make, and so encouraging to hear them pray, at every meal, and bedtime, without fail, for their new brothers.
He found his billfold underneath his bed and proceeded to take out a $50 bill (His Christmas money that he has been hanging onto for something special) "YES!" he pronounced as he left me in the room and made a dead sprint through the house and out the back door for mommy, who was sitting on the back porch, still scrubbing down the grill. When I caught up to him, this is what I heard.
"Momma" he said "I want to give this to you, to bring my brothers home faster." The look on his face was a serious joy like I'd never seen. Tanya just melted and gave him a huge hug and he fell limp in her arms. She grabbed his little face and proceeded to tell him how much his gift means and how much it will help in bringing them home. After the hug, he ran back to his room and grabbed out another $10 (the rest of his Christmas money) and sprinted back to his mommy and said "I just want you to have all my big bills." and he smiled and got another big hug!
I just had to write this story down, because I don't ever want to forget how special it was. The kids are always asking about what time it is in Ethiopia and what Geremu and Habtamu might be doing right now.
The kids read a book today called A Family from Ethiopia that they got at the library. There was a page that talked about how one family had an 8 year old girl, whose primary job in the family was to look after the baby. Kaylee said "Momma, do you think Habtamu will love me, because he's used to having a sister that looks after him?" It is just amazing to hear the questions they ask and comments they make, and so encouraging to hear them pray, at every meal, and bedtime, without fail, for their new brothers.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Map of Care Center
This is really cool.
We just got a newsletter from CHSFS (agency) and it had this satellite photo in it of the care center. If you click on the picture at the right, it will enlarge so you can read where things are. The Care Center is the orphanage, the guest house is where we will stay when we go. The big greenish area just south of the guest house is a Home Depot.
We just got back from Minneapolis. It was so good to see the kids again. the were all bathed and smellin' so sweet and it is late, so they were very snuggly and ready to hit the hay. I'm so glad bopie and bompa kept them up, so we could luv'on 'em!
Many thanks go up to God for the family who were caring for our babies this weekend. Fireman Ed, The Davidsons, Uncle Bob, Aunt Rae and Cuzin' Nate, Memah and Bumpa K.K. and Bopie and Bompa! They had so much fun and it makes the opportunity to go to the conference even sweeter.
2 Thessalonians 1:3
We ought always to give thanks to God for you, family, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.
As our family is growing, our faith is growing abundantly and our love for our family is also increasing. What a great promise and blessing from the Lord!
Agency visit
It was so great to visit the agency today.
The person we talked with is actually going to the care center in Addis in 2 weeks and will be able to hand deliver the stuff we took to her today. We asked her to give them big hugs for us and she said she would give us updates while she's there. That is so exciting and amazing.
We also got to see a video from the care center and footage from the villages in the south. We had a million questions and learned more about what the boys may have experienced up until now.
here's a link to the pictures that are in the baggies we sent: Click Here
The conference is great. We loved hearing Wayne Grudem today and CJ mahaney tonight.
We will be getting audio of everything at the conference and sharing with the Sunday School teachers. It is really good stuff! We are so thankful to our church for sending us.
T went to a really good seminar on new things to add to the sunday school curriculum. I went to a seminar on worship with kids.
Tomorrow after the conference, we are going to try to make it to an Ethiopian market to get some flour called Teff, so Tanya can learn how to make Injera bread.
The person we talked with is actually going to the care center in Addis in 2 weeks and will be able to hand deliver the stuff we took to her today. We asked her to give them big hugs for us and she said she would give us updates while she's there. That is so exciting and amazing.
We also got to see a video from the care center and footage from the villages in the south. We had a million questions and learned more about what the boys may have experienced up until now.
here's a link to the pictures that are in the baggies we sent: Click Here
The conference is great. We loved hearing Wayne Grudem today and CJ mahaney tonight.
We will be getting audio of everything at the conference and sharing with the Sunday School teachers. It is really good stuff! We are so thankful to our church for sending us.
T went to a really good seminar on new things to add to the sunday school curriculum. I went to a seminar on worship with kids.
Tomorrow after the conference, we are going to try to make it to an Ethiopian market to get some flour called Teff, so Tanya can learn how to make Injera bread.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Vaccinated
Tanya and I went together on Monday and got Yellow fever and Hep A shots at the Community Health Center. Neither of us got sick, just a little bit of a sore arm We are in Minneapolis for the Children Desiring God Conference and may get to visit CHSFS on Friday. We are sending pictures and voice recordings of ourselves to Habtamu and Geremu. We get to send a gallon size ziploc to each little guy. There are also little toys and books in there. I can't believe the emotional roller coaster that I feel I've been on. This week has been really strange that way, that I'll be really excited for a time and just enjoying this time in our lives and for our family and then I'll be really sad and wondering about the boys and what their day is like and how they are adjusting to the changes they are experiencing. We pray for them and it is so neat to hear how Kaylee, Isaac and even Erin pray for them. Layne
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Just Another Manic Monday
Monday April 16, 2007 started out as a pretty typical day..........Kiddos to feed, chores to do and supervise, laundry, and school lessons to teach. School was such a priority today that I decided to not even attempt to answer the phone and just let the machine get it. Whew, I had no idea the call I was going to miss around 10:30 am. The Lord was bringing about a moment in time I could only begin to imagine. The call that would change our lives forever and reveal to us the child/ children that would join our family. Oh how I had dreamed of this day, but had not even let myself hope it would really happen until the middle of May. (Ok, maybe it was in the back of my mind quite a bit.......smile)
After teaching Kaylee her lessons and Isaac his math and reading, I decided to check my email. As I opened up my email, I noticed a message from Janette our social worker from Lutheran Family Services in Iowa. She expressed a desire to speak with us. My mind instantly began spinning and wondering, could this be a referral?????? Yes, Lord, please let this be the day. I send the kids outside to play and with shaky hands I dial her number. Busy....... Next my cell phone rings and my sister Lea tries to decipher her older sister's words on the other end. In haste, I promise to call her when I know anything.
All of a sudden my thoughts stop cold turkey. OH no, I think I know what this call is about. The week before I had emailed our worker at Children's Home Society (our adoption agency) to tell her of our desire to change the age limit from 2yrs to 4-5 years for a sibling group. This would make our options even more broad. (infant boy, infant twins, or a sibling group of two with an infant and a sibling up to age 4-5) Surely, Janette is calling because she will have to update our home study yet again. ( We had a typo to correct in Jan) I am sure this has to be the reason for her call. However, I then remembered her message included the statement that she wanted to reach us today. Paper work can always wait, right?! But a referral would definitely warrant a comment like this. My hopes are sky high again.
I dial for the 3rd time and YES! It is ringing........ Now my throat begins to feel thick and my eyes are starting to burn with that "I think I may cry any moment" feeling and my heart is racing. Lord, is this the day? Please let this be the day! Janette answers in her cheerful voice and I immediately identify myself and weakly try to squeak out my question. "Janette, please just tell me yes or no right away. Do you have a referral for us or not. If not I will be fine but I just need to right off the bat." She giggles and says I am taking away her fun. She wanted to begin the conversation by explaining that Children's Home had called her and wanted us to get some more paperwork completed to update our file for an older sibling.
Her next words would cause a flood of tears to burst out and a indescribable sense of joy to overtake my body. She says she does have a referral for our family. As I begin to cry with joy, I quickly call Kaylee, Isaac and Erin in from outside by screaming we have a referral. Come quick and listen. Why I decided to put her on speaker phone is now beyond me. Of course this is the moment Erin begins to whine and complain at Isaac for doing something and he is trying to defend himself. Instantly I turn off the speaker phone and announce it is Iowa Public television time. Yippeeee for the younger two an peace and quiet for Kaylee and I.
Janette first says she has a sibling group. I am sobbing at this point, because all along a desire of my heart was to have a more than one. Kaylee has been praying for two and telling others to pray the same. (smile) Dear Kaylee is crying and giggling at the same time as I scramble for a paper and pencil. Janette assured me that she would forward all this info on email, but for some reason I just kept writing and writing not wanting to miss a detail. The older, Geremu just turned 4 and his baby brother, Habtamu, had just turned one. What happened next totally caught me off guard. I was overcome with a deep sorrow and sadness for the birth family of these precious boys. By giving them up, they hoped to give them life.
Dear precious Father, as I type this memory of this day, I am reminded of the abundant life you give Layne and I as we trust you as our Lord and Savior. Without your grace and leading, we would never have begun this adoption walk on our own. You have blessed us with a renewed faith in the ability to trust in your Sovereignty. You continue to remind us that you will provide the grace we need to get through each new day. In this moment of I am humbled by your power and control over all things. It is evident that You have ordained little Geremu and Habtamu to be a part of our family forever and it is our prayer that we will be able to love them with the love of Christ in hopes that one day they will call you their Lord and Savior. Please grant us the grace to wait patiently for their paperwork to get through the Ethiopian courts. I wonder what they are doing all the way on the other side of the world. My heart aches for them. They have to be missing their family and siblings so much, especially Geremu. Oh how I long to hold them in my arms and pick apart every detail of their faces, and kiss them and become familiar of the smell of their skin. Lord, keep them safe. Provide someone to love them until their mommy and daddy from Iowa can bring them home.
After teaching Kaylee her lessons and Isaac his math and reading, I decided to check my email. As I opened up my email, I noticed a message from Janette our social worker from Lutheran Family Services in Iowa. She expressed a desire to speak with us. My mind instantly began spinning and wondering, could this be a referral?????? Yes, Lord, please let this be the day. I send the kids outside to play and with shaky hands I dial her number. Busy....... Next my cell phone rings and my sister Lea tries to decipher her older sister's words on the other end. In haste, I promise to call her when I know anything.
All of a sudden my thoughts stop cold turkey. OH no, I think I know what this call is about. The week before I had emailed our worker at Children's Home Society (our adoption agency) to tell her of our desire to change the age limit from 2yrs to 4-5 years for a sibling group. This would make our options even more broad. (infant boy, infant twins, or a sibling group of two with an infant and a sibling up to age 4-5) Surely, Janette is calling because she will have to update our home study yet again. ( We had a typo to correct in Jan) I am sure this has to be the reason for her call. However, I then remembered her message included the statement that she wanted to reach us today. Paper work can always wait, right?! But a referral would definitely warrant a comment like this. My hopes are sky high again.
I dial for the 3rd time and YES! It is ringing........ Now my throat begins to feel thick and my eyes are starting to burn with that "I think I may cry any moment" feeling and my heart is racing. Lord, is this the day? Please let this be the day! Janette answers in her cheerful voice and I immediately identify myself and weakly try to squeak out my question. "Janette, please just tell me yes or no right away. Do you have a referral for us or not. If not I will be fine but I just need to right off the bat." She giggles and says I am taking away her fun. She wanted to begin the conversation by explaining that Children's Home had called her and wanted us to get some more paperwork completed to update our file for an older sibling.
Her next words would cause a flood of tears to burst out and a indescribable sense of joy to overtake my body. She says she does have a referral for our family. As I begin to cry with joy, I quickly call Kaylee, Isaac and Erin in from outside by screaming we have a referral. Come quick and listen. Why I decided to put her on speaker phone is now beyond me. Of course this is the moment Erin begins to whine and complain at Isaac for doing something and he is trying to defend himself. Instantly I turn off the speaker phone and announce it is Iowa Public television time. Yippeeee for the younger two an peace and quiet for Kaylee and I.
Janette first says she has a sibling group. I am sobbing at this point, because all along a desire of my heart was to have a more than one. Kaylee has been praying for two and telling others to pray the same. (smile) Dear Kaylee is crying and giggling at the same time as I scramble for a paper and pencil. Janette assured me that she would forward all this info on email, but for some reason I just kept writing and writing not wanting to miss a detail. The older, Geremu just turned 4 and his baby brother, Habtamu, had just turned one. What happened next totally caught me off guard. I was overcome with a deep sorrow and sadness for the birth family of these precious boys. By giving them up, they hoped to give them life.
Dear precious Father, as I type this memory of this day, I am reminded of the abundant life you give Layne and I as we trust you as our Lord and Savior. Without your grace and leading, we would never have begun this adoption walk on our own. You have blessed us with a renewed faith in the ability to trust in your Sovereignty. You continue to remind us that you will provide the grace we need to get through each new day. In this moment of I am humbled by your power and control over all things. It is evident that You have ordained little Geremu and Habtamu to be a part of our family forever and it is our prayer that we will be able to love them with the love of Christ in hopes that one day they will call you their Lord and Savior. Please grant us the grace to wait patiently for their paperwork to get through the Ethiopian courts. I wonder what they are doing all the way on the other side of the world. My heart aches for them. They have to be missing their family and siblings so much, especially Geremu. Oh how I long to hold them in my arms and pick apart every detail of their faces, and kiss them and become familiar of the smell of their skin. Lord, keep them safe. Provide someone to love them until their mommy and daddy from Iowa can bring them home.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Referral, Referral, Referral
It's true!! The news is out! Now it is on the web. We found out April, 16th at around noon.
Two, that's right, 2, brothers. Geremu (GARE-uh-moo) just turned four and Habtamu (OBB-tah-moo) just turned one. They are adorable and we will be posting pictures soon!
So many questions and I don't have many answers, but I know this is all in God's hands!
For example...
All along, Tanya has had on her heart and in her mind a little 4 yr. old boy. I have always been the hold-out. A while back, you may remember we had a little issue with the Immigration services paperwork and God gave us the opportunity and prompted us to change our age range on an older sibling up to 3. A few weeks later, I was at a school working with a teacher and met a little boy and God used him to change my heart to move it up again. That was right before we left for Chicago on Easter wknd. We chatted and prayed about it on the 8hr ride there and the 10 hour ride home. When we returned home, Tanya just emailed the agency to see what it would take to up the age on our paperwork to four. We got some information back and were prayerfully considering it and then WHAM-O, God drops these boys in. His perfect timing and providence at work!
When are we going? (This seems to be the most common question) Could be up 12 weeks before we travel (were hoping for 8 weeks, but would leave tomorrow if we could)
How long will we be gone? Don't know for sure, but we would like to travel to south to meet birth family, so it could be up to 10 days.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
More Pictures from Chicago 07
We had such a great mini-vaca to visit the Taylor's in Chicago. We had a full itinerary, and yet were able to soak up the moments spent with each other and the kids.
Below are some more pics from the trip. To the right is a view from the train on the way into the big city!
Easter Basket hunt!
Easter Morning before Church
Fun at the Farm
Visit the Ramsey's on the way home!
Below are some more pics from the trip. To the right is a view from the train on the way into the big city!
Easter Basket hunt!
Easter Morning before Church
Fun at the Farm
Visit the Ramsey's on the way home!Saturday, April 07, 2007
Monday, April 02, 2007
Preparations
The Bench Seat is almost done. Saturday, my friend who is an industrial arts teacher, built with me this bench seat. The tops are off, being painted in the garage. The top will be hinged so Tanya will have more storage in there. You can also see the vent. I had to bring that through from the wall. This is such a blessing, because it will allow us to have all of our family around the table in the kitchen at the same time! There are room for 6 little bottoms on the benches! I'll post another photo of the finished product.
Friday, March 30, 2007
Windows
Isaac has a new window! (in his mouth) He lost a second tooth. He ran up to me Wed. night at awana with bloody mouth and a big wiggly tooth and said "Dad, I have loose tooth!"
Five minutes later he had yanked it out and was showing his trophy.
He thoundz thweet when he talkthz. The tooth fairy was generous :)
On the adoption front...
Another family through our agency received a referral this week. They were waiting on an infant boy and had been waiting five months. (Their new son is nine months) We have been waiting three and a half months (it will be 4 mos. on Apr. 15th). So we are hopeful that by 5 months we will hear something. We are so thankful for all the prayer and support we have received. Please continue...Our baby is probably born. Join us in praying for him and his birth family and those caring for his needs. (And don't forget the possibility that their could be more than 1 *big smile*) Ta and I both need prayer to fight anxiousness.
Layne
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
God's precision and timing
The last few weeks, we have been battling anxiety and attempting to fight against worry.
When we would pray and ask for peace, He would grant it, but the worry would creep in.
This last weekend, we were graced in a big way by financial gifts from family. Our church also gifted us with enough to completely cover our shots, (a cost we were completely unprepared financially for.)
Today, we received word from Katelyn's Fund that they will be assisting us financially with our adoption! We are so overwhelmed and the words Thank You can hardly cover what we are feeling. This gift will enable us to pay off the outstanding balance (past due) with the adoption agency! We are so in awe God's faithfulness.
We feel so blessed by the financial support of these gifts. We also have felt the power of Christ through the prayer and emotional support of our church, our family and the Katelyn's fund ministry.
Meeting with the people from Katelyn's fund was such a huge encouragement. Rejoice with us in this huge gift and praise God for his never ending faithfulness!
Below is their vision statement from their website:
When we would pray and ask for peace, He would grant it, but the worry would creep in.
This last weekend, we were graced in a big way by financial gifts from family. Our church also gifted us with enough to completely cover our shots, (a cost we were completely unprepared financially for.)
Today, we received word from Katelyn's Fund that they will be assisting us financially with our adoption! We are so overwhelmed and the words Thank You can hardly cover what we are feeling. This gift will enable us to pay off the outstanding balance (past due) with the adoption agency! We are so in awe God's faithfulness.
We feel so blessed by the financial support of these gifts. We also have felt the power of Christ through the prayer and emotional support of our church, our family and the Katelyn's fund ministry.
Meeting with the people from Katelyn's fund was such a huge encouragement. Rejoice with us in this huge gift and praise God for his never ending faithfulness!
Below is their vision statement from their website:
Our vision for this ministry:
To offer financial, emotional, and prayer support to Christian families who are feeling God calling them to adopt. To establish a fund that would assist Christian families in adoption costs. Katelyn's Fund Board would communicate needs to consistory and families would need to share their personal testimony, and have an approved home study. Katelyn's Fund Board would take responsibilities for procedures, establish criteria, and report to consistory and church members. The long term impact of this ministry would not only be saving lives in the literal sense but also eternally. It would be to call other Christian families to consider or to support those adopting. For our church to rise up and proclaim it’s love for those near and far, the same and different, and the unfailing love of our Savior Jesus Christ.
Tanya with her nephew visiting from Illinois this week!
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Happy Birthday, Ta!
I thought i'd get Tanya a balloon for her birthday!
I wish I could give her a ride in it. Look at that green grass!
I wish I could give her a ride in it. Look at that green grass!
Sunday, March 04, 2007
Shootin' for 2
You might think this post is about March Madness. However...it's about a response we recently received from Citizenship and Immigration services.
We have received our i-824 back from Homeland Security. We are now officially allowed by the US government to bring two children back from Ethiopia. This does not mean that we will, it just means that we can. We haven't written about this before, but the story goes like this.
At some point after we had our fingerprinting done (December 27th), we got approval from Citizenship and Immigration services that we had approval to bring 1 child back as a citizen from Ethiopia. We were confused, because our home study clearly stated that we were open to twins, so we started making some phonecalls and emails to make sure this was right. We found that we had a flaw in our home study and needed to have it changed in order to get the ability to have citizenship for 2. long story short... just got the form back last Monday. God was totally ordaining this from the beginning though, because having to change our homestudy allowed us to change our age limits, too. So now we are open to... Up to 36 mos. old as the oldest of a sibling group, or twins.
It was a little frustrating, however, Tanya's sister Lea really put it in perspective recently when she wrote in her blog about the perfect moment in time that God has prepared that we will meet our baby or babies. And even though this seemed like a hold-up, it is really just part of His perfect plan.
L
We have received our i-824 back from Homeland Security. We are now officially allowed by the US government to bring two children back from Ethiopia. This does not mean that we will, it just means that we can. We haven't written about this before, but the story goes like this.
At some point after we had our fingerprinting done (December 27th), we got approval from Citizenship and Immigration services that we had approval to bring 1 child back as a citizen from Ethiopia. We were confused, because our home study clearly stated that we were open to twins, so we started making some phonecalls and emails to make sure this was right. We found that we had a flaw in our home study and needed to have it changed in order to get the ability to have citizenship for 2. long story short... just got the form back last Monday. God was totally ordaining this from the beginning though, because having to change our homestudy allowed us to change our age limits, too. So now we are open to... Up to 36 mos. old as the oldest of a sibling group, or twins.
It was a little frustrating, however, Tanya's sister Lea really put it in perspective recently when she wrote in her blog about the perfect moment in time that God has prepared that we will meet our baby or babies. And even though this seemed like a hold-up, it is really just part of His perfect plan.
L
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Snowy Day
Today, Daddy didn't have to go in to work. Awesome blizzard! Thank God for our warm house!
Anyway, Lego's provided some entertainment and below you can see pictures of the work Isaac and Kaylee did. I'll let you guess whose is whose.
Anyway, Lego's provided some entertainment and below you can see pictures of the work Isaac and Kaylee did. I'll let you guess whose is whose.
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