Waiting, Waiting, Waiting

Right from the first day that we started the adoption process, we were told that when we get done with all the paperwork, the waiting would be the hardest part. We are definitely experiencing that right now! We are currently waiting for our dossier to be sent to Ethiopia so that we can then ultimately get our referrals. So far, our dossier has been at the US Embassy in Washington, DC for almost 2 weeks. We are hoping it will be sent on to Ethiopia this week if it has not already been sent. Please pray that we will have patience and let God work out His timing. We know He already has 2 girls picked out for our family that will be a perfect match for us but we are just ready to find out who they are.

Adoption Resource Foundation Fundraiser

Tonight, I had the privilege of sharing our adoption story briefly with supporters of the Adoption Resource Foundation which is a ministry of Woods Chapel United Methodist Church in Lees' Summit, MO. Today was their annual fundraising golf tournament and since they had provided us some early financial assistance, we were asked to share our story. The hardest part for me was keeping it short because once I get to telling our story, I get more excited and just keep talking. I know that is hard for many of you to believe that I like to talk. Anyway, it was great to meet such a nice group of people who have such a heart for orphans. Thanks to Dave Coffman for extending the invitation to us and for all the work you do for orphans around the world.

Dossier update

Finally we have something new to report.  First, we were waiting while our agency went through our dossier to make sure everything was in order and then we had to wait for the money we sent in to clear the bank.  I just received word from our program director at International Family Services that the money had cleared and our dossier will be sent to the US Embassy in Washington, D.C. on Monday for their approval and then on to Ethiopia!

Please keep our family in your prayers as we inch our way closer to getting our little girls home from Ethiopia.  Also, please pray that we will be able to find the vehicle that God wants us to have to safely transport our expanded family.

God has blessed our lives so much by calling us to adopt.  When we first felt the calling, I (Mike), thought "why us" but now I am so glad that we accepted his challenge and followed the call.  It is amazing how in love we are with our little girls already and we don't have any idea who they are or what they are like but God does!