Introducing Adanu

We are so excited to introduce Adanu (Ah-dawn-oo) to you! I wish I was great with words and I had something amazing to say, but with a huge lump in my throat all I can get out is that I love this boy so much already and God is so good!

Neighbor Referral!

We are so excited to announce that our friends down the street just received a referral for an 11 month old boy from Ethiopia. Now "A" will have a friend near his age from his birth country! CONGRATULATIONS!!!

I love how people post about their nesting experience while waiting for a court date. We have something similar going on around here. It mostly involves silly ways to pass the time. Here is a photo from the other night when Brad helped me color my hair. Yes, I do color my hair everyone! I'm trying to convince Brad to color his for fun. I have never seen Brad with this much hair!

Round Two!

Just got the call with a new court date for this Friday, July 31. I'm excited to see other families have also been moved to that day! I love seeing God answer prayer. My brother preached last night about how to have a more effective prayer life. I am amazed at the timing of this message and am now dedicated to getting more serious about my prayer life! God is mighty and good things will happen this week!

Brad and his brother competed in their triathlon Saturday. Brad finished 51 out of 358 with a time of 1:22:22. Brian finished 69 out of 358 with a time of 1:25:59. Nice job guys. Here is the cheer I heard from the kids: Swim, bike, and run, Daddy's number one! Grandpa bud, age 92, came for the event. It was his first triathlon experienced and he loved it! Maybe he will compete next year!

After the triathlon, we participated in a local parade with our 4-H club. A fun filled weekend.

Court Date Cancelled

When mountains rise before us, we seek the Lord. He will help us overcome this new hurdle.

"Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me" (Jeremiah 32:27)?

We are sad, but know that "A" and all the other children affected by today's cancellations are happy and healthy in the hands of their caregivers. When the time is right, we will bring them home. Until then we ask for prayer for continued health and joy and for new court dates for all.

Triathlons and missionaries

This is a picture of Brian, Brad's brother, (left) and Brad (right) at their last triathlon. They did this as a team. Brian ran, Brad biked and the guy in the middle swam. They took second place. Brian and Brad have become very competitive lately. On July 25, they are competing in a local triathlon. They are in the same heat so it should be exciting. May the best man win! Good luck guys!
We were blessed to have this family stay with us this weekend. They are the Rains family and have been missionaries to Kenya since 1997. They adopted their daughter, Winnie, from Kenya. You can view their blog at sites.google.com/site/mtrainsandfamily to learn more about their mission work and prayer requests. It was so wonderful to visit with people who have lived and served in Africa. They also gave us information about others in our area who have adopted from Ethiopia. Their home church has many adopted children. I'm so excited about the new friends we've made through our adoption.

Adoption Anxiety

Ten days until our court date and I'm beginning to feel a little anxious. I know in my mind that God's way is perfect, but my heart is being stripped and exposed. How is it that I have a son half way around the world and my ability to bring him home is based on a decision to be made in ten days. I feel like I've been waiting for this moment forever and it has only been a few weeks today. Time is standing still. I ache for an update, a little information to give me insight into his personality. I yearn to kiss and hug on him. OK, I'm sappy and whiny. I feel so sad for those families who are affected by MOWA's closing because I know you are all feeling as I do and are now waiting again. This process does get harder as it progresses and I know my faith is growing stronger as I put my trust in God and his plan. How I am feeling reminds we of the verse that talks about how the trying of our faith worketh patience. I am trying to be quiet, to be patient, to take in these glorious moments as I wait to officially become a mom for the fourth time. I am also rejoicing in the blessings God has given our family. I want to thank all my local friends and family who have already contacted us about donating humanitarian items for us to take to Ethiopia. I have had many people ask what they can give. Brad and I are overjoyed with the outpouring of love and support. We so appreciate you all.

I am leaving you with some pictures of the last few weeks.

Our children with their Critchfield cousins.
Brad's foot and ankle after a small bee bite. I am scared of what might happen next time!

Here is the big catch of the day! LOL!

Emma's fish may have been a hair longer!

Niah is always up for a hike in the woods. She loves to discover new things. Robin-don't laugh at the socks and sandals it was so cold the week we camped!

Court Date

Praising the Lord today as we received our court date-July24. My seven year told me that she has been asking for prayer for a court date every Wednesday night in children's prayer meeting. I can't think of a better way to show her how God does answer prayer. Thanks to all who have been praying. Our next prayer request is to pass court, not only for our family, but for all who have upcoming court dates as we near the rainy season.