love this story

Our dossier is off!!

We have officially accepted a referral of a 11 yr old boy in Ethiopia!  Our dossier should be in Ethiopia in a couple weeks!  Ela gets her cast off in 8 days... she may have to have a short leg cast for 2 more weeks, but she will be able to WALK!  She can't wait.
I have started packing we are moving into a rental for the next year!  It is a huge blessing.  It enables us to pay for our adoption first and we can save up for a down payment.
God is good!

HAPPY EASTER!
Ela is doing great!  She will need to stay off of her foot for 4-6 weeks.  It has been a little difficult getting around but, we are all managing!  She is a very determined little girl, nothing stops her from having a good time!
We are so thankful to have sold our house! Now we just need to finalize where we are moving.  Thanks for all your prayers!

Waiting for Surgery

Ela with her new bunny "Lilly"

We are in the hospital with Ela Faith for her last surgery on her foot.  On the way in she asked Mike if she could listen to that Children of God song, by third day.   So sweet!  Last year around this same time was her first surgery.  So much has changed in a year.  She KNOWS Jesus!  She can speak English and is learning to read.  She has made such an amazing adjustment into our family.  We are so thankful for her life and for the gift she is to our family.
Adoption is a journey!  Worth every penny, doctors appt. etc...
Praising our Father in Heaven for choosing the road of adoption for us.  We are no longer orphans!  Thank you Jesus for your sacrifice, paying our ransom, preparing a place for us in heaven.

"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you."
"Let not your hearts be troubled, Believe in God; believe also in me.  In my Fathers house are many rooms.  If it were not so would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you will be also"
" I am the Way the Truth and the Life,  No one comes to the Father except through ME"
Taken from John 14

Great Quote

This is taken from a book I am reading.. Don't call it a Comeback ( this chapter was written by Justin Taylor) it is so good I had to share! :)

"If we want to see abortion eliminated in America, are we prepared to act in response to an influx of unwanted children?  Are our churches being encouraged to follow the path of " pure religion," which involves visiting orphans in their distress. (James 1:27)?  Are we following in the model of our savior, who rebuked his confused disciples for their wrong view of the kingdom, and who invited the children to come to him (Luke 18:16)?  Are we mimicking the culture in simultaneously making comfort an idol and children an inconvenience?  Or are we actively seeking to cultivate a counterculture where life is prized and treasured, and children-- even those unwanted by others -- are cared for and celebrated?  Let us commit not only to being  "pro-life," but to being  "whole life," working for the good of our neighbors and the dignity of human life in all stages of life, from the womb to the tomb."

Follow my amazing friends family!  They are in China right now adopting their 2 girls.
www.journeytome.com ...  once there you have to look them up under Elaine Grace and Zinnia Joy

I am so bad about updating our blog.  Things are a little busy around here.  We are trying to sell our house and have had about 40 showings since Jan.  The Lord has a plan!
Ela is about to begin a 2 week casting on her foot, this will prepare her for her next surgery on April 21st.  She will need to be off of her foot for about 6 weeks post op.
We are still waiting on our immigration form to come back!!   Ethiopia has slowed down quite a bit.
My heart is all over the place!!  Should we adopt from China while we wait? :)

We are also longing for some Spring here!
Praying for all you friends that are waiting for adoptions to be completed!

" Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!  According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ  from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." 1Pet. 1:3-5