Ethiopia Squared

It's kinda funny [in a dark, twisted way] because just this morning I was talking with my brother about how okay we are right now in this waiting process. In fact, I told him that out of the past nearly 3 years of trying to start a family, I've never been so content or "okay" as I've been this past month. So, it's "funny" that we received some unfavorable news today.

The Ethiopian government announced today that all prospective adoptive parents must travel twice to Ethiopia: 1st time for the 1st court date + 2nd time to finalize their Ethiopian adoption allowing us to bring them home. Gratefully, this is not a surprise to us. CWA informed us over a month ago that this was a possibility because of 41-to-date prospective parents who've rejected their approved children upon picking them up in Ethiopia!!! I can appreciate Ethiopia's protection over their children, but it sucks for us!

A barrage of emotions and thoughts about this news...and subsequent prayer requests:

• This change is a test - another stretching - of my faith and trust in our Sovereign God. I'm so much stronger than I was a year ago, but obviously still have some room to grow!
• In my friend/boss' words today, this will enable Brian and I to see Ethiopia twice - to absorb, observe, taste, smell our babies' birth country. That will prove invaluable I'm sure as we raise them to love their history, birth country, and culture.
  
• The additional expense for this 2nd trip sucks! I'm figuring it will end up costing an additional $4000-5000.
• Bright Spot: because of the domino effect of this change, our kiddos will be U.S. citizens upon entering the country, instead of having to do another process.
  
• The hardest thing for this momma is that we hold our babies, kiss them, and fall in love with them only to leave the country without them. I can't imagine that 30-hour plane trip home. Not to mention how that would affect our babies' emotional well-being to have us come and go...

That's all we know for now. Our case manager will let us know of more details specific to our case, but for now that's the skinny.

At the end of the day, the truth is they are worth it!! Our babies are worth every hassle, change of plans, false start, dollar spent, interruption, tear, moments of frustration, and immeasurable confusion. They are worth it. So we will continue to wait. And pray. And hope.

My prayer tonight [stolen from another adoptive momma's blog]...

PHILIPPIANS 4:8-9, "Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies ."

Prayer for Orphans

My mom sent me this passage from Psalm 71. I had to read it at 2 different times because of the tears. May this Psalm be a prayer over our babies today and the 143 million orphans globally...

Psalm 71:1-8

O Lord, I have come to you for protection; don’t let me be disgraced.
Save me and rescue me, for you do what is right. Turn your ear to listen to me, and set me free.
Be my rock of safety where I can always hide. Give the order to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.
My God, rescue me from the power of the wicked, from the clutches of cruel oppressors.
O Lord, you alone are my hope. I’ve trusted you, O Lord, from childhood.
Yes, you have been with me from birth; from my mother’s womb you have cared for me. No wonder I am always praising you!
My life is an example to many, because you have been my strength and protection.
That is why I can never stop praising you; I declare your glory all day long.

Gobena Coffee

I love me some coffee. I'm now french pressing my coffee on a daily basis and starting my days on the couch reading and sipping hot coffee. But I've found a new way to enjoy coffee and change the world - Gobena Coffee.

I randomly found this organization/company only later to discover they are from the super small Midwestern town that my entire extended family is from. Amazing how God works!!
Here's their story:

In the summer of 2007, we traveled to Ethiopia to adopt our little girl, Eva. When we were there, the contrast in cultures was amazing. Most Ethiopians were not wealthy, but were rich in their sense of community and closeness of their relationships.

Gobena, was 71 years old, when he found a baby girl placed in the yard near his home. "Because she is God's soul," Gobena and his wife, Mulunesh, took care of the baby girl for 20 days. Then they placed her for adoption to be in a family who can take care of her long-term. This little girl is now a permanent part of our family. She is truly a blessing from God, and always will be a reminder that there is always hope, as long as there are people who care enough.

Their sense of community and caring for others has inspired us to start this ministry where 100% of the net profits are reinvested in the lives of orphan children throughout the world. Each time you purchase a bag of coffee, you are providing hope and life to children who do not have parents caring for them.

So, invite some friends over for some coffee and feel good about the fact you're making a difference by choosing Gobena Coffee.

In addition to experiencing the finest and freshest coffee, with each order placed, you are helping children throughout the world. 100% of the profits are being reinvested in the lives of orphan children through charity programs.

This is a great Christmas gift idea for the coffee lovers in your life!!!