We've been home for only two weeks, and it seems like two months! The distance between us and our boys is feeling deeper every single day. And. I. Don't. Like. It. Most children from our agency are moved to our agency's transition house after they are referred to a family. With our boys, we decided to leave them at their orphanage until we are able to bring them home. It made sense that they stay where they've been (for almost FOUR years) instead of transitioning now, just weeks before we return.
BUT, this means that there isn't a constant flow of families visiting them, and the last family to travel with a child still at their orphanage recently returned home.
That means we have no contact with them until we return! Many people are shocked when I tell them this, assuming we are able to visit via Skype, phone, or email.
Nope. Nada.
And so we are fervently praying for their hearts. That they are being readied to come home, that they fully understand the love we have for them....and that they understand God will be with them WHEREVER they go....
We have managed to be a busy as possible these past two weeks, which has helped the time pass. On August 14th we FINALLY finished Addy's readoption in the US. She is FINALLY a US citizen, and is officially Addy Rose Williams.
I also spent a great deal of time these past two weeks preparing my new classroom! Many people keep saying I'm nuts teaching this year with everything else going on...I see it as a complete blessing! God opened the doors and my heart to quit my previous job and accept the 1st grade position at my children's school (Hope Christian Academy). I'm co-teaching and working just mornings, I have my very own Eli in my class, and I'll be close by D and N when they come home and make adjustments! A blessing indeed---and I've got to say being able to start the day each morning with my kiddos singing praise songs...the BEST!
Today Eli, Ayla and I hopped in the car for our first day....(and in a few weeks there will be FIVE of us loading the car every morning!).
As far as adoption news goes....
WE GOT AN EMAIL EARLY THIS MORNING THAT OUR CASE WAS SUBMITTED TO THE US EMBASSY!!!
This means we are on our final stretch. Our boys are soon going to be home, and we CANNOT wait! Now we wait for news from the embassy as far as our case goes. They will investigate their orphan status, check their medicals, and then tell us they are ready for us to return!!!
The wait isn't over, but we are almost there! Please continue to pray for our family. I shared this photo from one of my devotionals on FB the other day....praying I can continue to lean on Him and remember He has FULL CONTROL!
BUT, this means that there isn't a constant flow of families visiting them, and the last family to travel with a child still at their orphanage recently returned home.
That means we have no contact with them until we return! Many people are shocked when I tell them this, assuming we are able to visit via Skype, phone, or email.
Nope. Nada.
And so we are fervently praying for their hearts. That they are being readied to come home, that they fully understand the love we have for them....and that they understand God will be with them WHEREVER they go....
We have managed to be a busy as possible these past two weeks, which has helped the time pass. On August 14th we FINALLY finished Addy's readoption in the US. She is FINALLY a US citizen, and is officially Addy Rose Williams.
Eli celebrated his 7th birthday, with an Ethiopian party! I'm one of those crazy moms who loves throwing birthday parties. I just love celebrating my childrens' lives and the joy the day brings to each of them. I've got to say, this was my favorite yet! This sweet, compassionate child ASKED ME to be sure his friends knew he did not want gifts this year, but wanted them to bring donations for Detcho and Nahagi's orphanage.
Seriously. How sweet is he?!?!?!?
We also put together a slide show of our trip....Eli stood up so proud, telling his friends all about Ethiopia. He spoke for AN HOUR---to about 15 children and 10 adults! We finished the evening with an Ethiopian dinner with family (doro wot, injera, sega wot,shiro, and lentils). A birthday celebration we'll never forget!
We also put together a slide show of our trip....Eli stood up so proud, telling his friends all about Ethiopia. He spoke for AN HOUR---to about 15 children and 10 adults! We finished the evening with an Ethiopian dinner with family (doro wot, injera, sega wot,shiro, and lentils). A birthday celebration we'll never forget!
Today Eli, Ayla and I hopped in the car for our first day....(and in a few weeks there will be FIVE of us loading the car every morning!).
WE GOT AN EMAIL EARLY THIS MORNING THAT OUR CASE WAS SUBMITTED TO THE US EMBASSY!!!
This means we are on our final stretch. Our boys are soon going to be home, and we CANNOT wait! Now we wait for news from the embassy as far as our case goes. They will investigate their orphan status, check their medicals, and then tell us they are ready for us to return!!!
The wait isn't over, but we are almost there! Please continue to pray for our family. I shared this photo from one of my devotionals on FB the other day....praying I can continue to lean on Him and remember He has FULL CONTROL!
Thank you for your choice to leave your sons at Abenezer while they wait for you to come back....we know for our boys ( although they probably don't realize it) this will be so wonderful!! When we asked who their best friends were, your 2 so a were it! And they have spent so much time together - our boys have been there just over 3.5 years as well! Maybe we will travel at the same time...:)
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