Hello Ethiopia!

We're here! After 20+ hours of airports, flights, and a mini 1 hour layover in Frankfurt, we arrived in Addis late last night. Our travels were hassle free and pretty seamless. Brian and I travel well together, so it was fun. ;) When we stepped out of Addis' airport, Bole, the night air was crisp and fresh. We took some deep breaths and I burst into an inner "I love Africa!"

Our guest house is incredible and the people we've met have been wonderful! No complaints anywhere!!

Today we spent the day going to Ethiopia's National Museum to learn more about our kids' RICH, historic birth country. Brian took lots of pics! We also were toured around town by our translator, Masti, who gave us a great inside look into his country. Brian asked him over lunch where in the world he would like to travel outside of Ethiopia, and he exclaimed, "I love Ethiopia. Why would I want to go anywhere else? Ethiopia is the best!" There's clearly a strong pride in their country. We also got to do a little shopping, including buying some presents for our kids' future milestones in life. Our favorite stop was the ALERT Compound, a leprosy compound started by the Ethiopian government 60 years ago as as way to isolate the disease - and it's people. All the proceeds of the items we purchased goes toward sustaining their way of life in the compound.

We're doing great (I'm physically feeling awesome, too! Thank you.)! Hope to do some more sightseeing tomorrow, awaiting our big day on Monday when we get to meet Lil' A and Baby T. In all, it feels amazing to be here. Something truly comes alive in me when I step foot onto this continent. I can't stop smiling...

All our love from Addis Ababa!

A Million Details. One Purpose.

Since we found out 6 days ago that we'll be leaving for Ethiopia in 2 days, we've been at Mach 2. Immediately 5 pages of lists started forming to get "things-to-do" out of my head and onto a checklist.

"Overwhelmed" doesn't begin to describe how Brian and I have been feeling. Overwhelmed at what we need to do to get on a plane. Overwhelmed to figure out work stuff while we're gone. Overwhelmed at the reality that we'll be holding our babies a couple months sooner than we anticipated. Overwhelmed at how God's re-written systems and policies enabling us and other families to be united with their babies sooner. Ovewhelmed that we might have a Christmas miracle in the form of the kiddos home! Overwhelmed at the prayers, comments, texts, calls, tweets, and messages from people like you exclaiming celebration, hope, prayers, and belief. Overwhelmed at a few incredibly sacrificial gifts allowing us to travel without any debt. Overwhelmed at the manna God's providing us every day. Overwhelmed at ridiculous offers to help us get outta here and get the kids' room ready. Overwhelmed that this is REALLY happening!!!

We are taking off for our trip on Thursday, and if you'd like to pray us through the journey here are a couple ways:

• Our court date on the 10th - pray that all that needs to happen in court on that day would be successful and that'd we'd become Lil' A and Baby T's legal parents that day.
• Bonding with our kids - we get to spend a few hours on a few days with our kids. Pray that God would knit our hearts together and allow that time together to to begin connecting our family together.
• Stayover in Germany - Brian and I have been gifted with a couple days to spend in Germany after Ethiopia. We hope to use those couple days together to celebrate, rest, and process our time in Ethiopia with our kiddos. Pray this time would be well spent, fun, and enlivening as we officially begin our journey as co-parents.
• Smooth Logistics - this isn't the most important thing, but obviously problems with flights, hotels, transportation, language, or courts could be really discouraging and unnecessary in our trip. Pray that satan wouldn't have a foothold in any of that stuff and we could have a smooth trip.
• Health and Rest - I've been fighting a cold for the past several days. Both of us haven't been sleeping well. We've found ourselves wide awake in the middle of the night. Needless to say, we're tired and a little under the weather. Not the best way to start a 24-hour trip to Ethiopia.

We hope to post while we're in Ethiopia. See ya on the flip side! :)

2 Trips :: airline miles?

I've wanted to post this request for a long time, but have honestly been a little hesitant. Mainly because, "generosity" is a gross understatement of how friends and family have supported us financially to bring our babies home! [To be clear, it will end up costing approx $30,000 for the entire adoption]

BOTTOM LINE: it's gonna cost an additional $5000-6000 to travel to Ethiopia since we now have 2 required trips. [See the original post explaining "why" HERE.] The vast majority of that cost is in airline tickets.

I'm wondering if you would pray with us that God would provide the mileage or finances for this 2nd trip? And if you have the means, would you see if God wants to use you to help bring our kiddos home?

We've already had someone offer airline miles for 1 of the trips - amazing! We were/ARE overwhelmed that a couple who we've NEVER MET [I am friends with their kids] have offered their frequent flier miles for 1 trip. It's a regular reminder that God will provide and mobilizes his Body to care for orphans!

If you are interested, please send me an email or Facebook me. Thanks again for your prayers.