braids

Ela got her hair braided!  These were her first set of braids, I have to admit I miss her sweet little curls, but it makes it so much easier for her.
Last week we went over to some Ethiopian friends of ours, Tesfey and Birhane.  Tesfey's father is sick so he was traveling to Mekele (where Joseph's orphanage is)
  Birhane and her friend braided Ela's hair while we were visiting.  They are so hospitable!  People were constantly coming in and out of their home, she would feed each one injera.  They were bringing gifts and money for Tesfey to deliver to their loved ones in Ethiopia.  We  brought a large suitcase filled with donations for the orphanage.  My friend Mary and I were able to give him some presents for our boys, Joseph and Samuel.  It was so fun putting together pictures of our family for Joseph to look at.  The kids made cards for him.
Our oldest son Jonah bought a soccer goal (it folds flat) and soccer ball for the kids.
The kids are awake now, gotta run

Busy Blessed Beautiful Life: Why "there" when there's so much need "here"?

Busy Blessed Beautiful Life: Why "there" when there's so much need "here"?: "My grandmother and I are talking about the gifts. We're talking about how she could mention to her girlfriends that if they'd like to buy a..."

Why shouldn't I adopt?

Instead of asking the question " why should I adopt?"  Maybe it should be why should I not.  Adoption is God's will.  It was his will for us to be adopted into his family, to share an inheritance with his perfect, sacrificial son.  Adoption was plan A from our father in heaven.  Maybe we could assume it is God's will for all Christian families, and begin to pray that he will show us if it is not his will for a family.  It may not be, but maybe he will open up an opportunity to serve one of the 163 million orphans.  That number is equivalent to an entire nation.
I know it is expensive, timely etc...  But, we have seen the Lord provide in amazing ways.   There is so much support out there and resources, so much more than their used to be.
I have had people tell me adoption seems "trendy".   The Lord is at work for the fatherless, we don't have time to sit back and wonder if we should join in on a movement because it is "trendy".

Life is short, don't miss out :)

 The kids spend a lot of time on the trampoline and having bike races.
We were blessed to meet Mia's birth moms brother, Michael.  Mia felt so at home with him, it was so sweet!
We also got to see Mia's birthfather, Michael!

4th of July!

It looks like we won't get a court date for Joseph until the courts reopen late Sept.  We are hoping to travel with our good friends that are adopting Joseph's best friend.

Life has been so busy it's hard to have the time to post anything. We moved about 3 weeks ago! It is such a gift to be so close to family.

After we got settled we received a phone call that my parents house was on fire. My parents had just returned from China and their floors were getting redone. The house was a mess so they decided to stay in a hotel. We are praising the Lord they did, they would not have made it out.
The Lord provided a great rental for them and they are getting settled. They lost everything.
Walking through the house that they lived in for the past 40 years was so strange! I am so thankful that our salvation is secure! Because of Jesus' sacrifice for us we are Eternally safe! Our savior has a home waiting for us in heaven. This has been a reminder to hold loosely to the things of this Earth. My parents have been such an example of this. When they first heard the news last Fri at 5 am, the response was "this is not our true home".

"Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people, from this time forth and for evermore." Psalm 125:1-2