First Meeting

From Anna, "well, we met our sweet girl for the first time. very overwhelming and precious! She was not a happy camper at first...but after a nap and food....did much better! Pray now that the courts would move quickly and we can hopefully be home soon with our baby girl!"

It was asked on facebook if Lucy is staying with them now. She can't stay with them until some things happen legally. This week they get two more one hour visits with her. Their court date is February 4th. We will know more details then.

There is an investigation going on right now by the Ethiopian government checking in on some of the adoptions that are happening - simply to make sure they are legitimate. However, Lucy won't get to stay with Russ & Anna until this investigation is over. Please be praying that it ends soon.

Also, they can't legally post any photos of Lucy yet. I know we can't wait to see the first picture of the three of them together!

In Ethiopia!

Russ & Anna have safely arrived in Ethiopia! I'm sure their arrival looked slightly different than their departure from the Tupelo airport. They will get to see Lucy for the first time around midnight or 12:30 am central time Sunday night, the 30th. They are 9 hours ahead in Ethiopia. Continue to pray that the investigation gets settled soon, and that the first meeting goes better than they have even dreamed!

It's All Happening

We leave today.

For the past few weeks I've had these tiny blasts of panic. They haven't ever lasted long because almost immediately I've thought of another task that needs to be completed. This paper needs to be signed. This call needs to be made. For work or for the adoption, something always needed to get done. I welcomed the tasks because it made the fear go away.

So last night, when all my tasks were over, I feared the fear. I went to bed thinking I would be in a meltdown by morning. But something happened. I woke up, and felt at peace. Calm. No panic. Just an ease about what God has called us into.

That defines this whole process. It really defines my entire life as a Christ follower. Countless days of fear and panic, followed by calm. The peace comes from understanding that any semblance of control is just an illusion. It's faker than T-Pain's singing voice.

More than any other experience, adoption has showed me that the God I believe in is real. This story is not ours. It's not even Lucy's. It is God's. He is weaving this ravaged world back together. He uses tarnished people.

Every time we have had a roadblock, someone has come in the name of Jesus and helped us navigate it. Paperwork problems? Meet this notary. Money issues? Here's a check. Computer issues? Use mine. Work issues? Take whatever time you need. Scared? Here's a group of people to let you know that what you feel is normal. Here's a group of people who will pray for you.

We thank you all. Family members. Adoption agencies. Friends. Co-Workers. Youth Group Kids(you all know who you are). Caretakers. Coaching programs. Women's groups. Birth mother. There is no way that we can thank you enough. It's not possible. Each of you has played a large part in the life of our daughter. We love you. Our family's faith has been strengthened because of what Christ has done in you. This is a unique adventure that would not happen without you. You're the best.

Lucy's coming home. It's all happening.

See you guys later.

Russ

19

We leave for Ethiopia in 19 hours ......AH!!!!!!!!! I have no expectations for this trip but to see God work. I just had 15 women pray over me and for us....and I know God has big plans.

I am experiencing many emotions but most of all I am excited. Thank you God this day is finally here.

Done

I simply cannot believe we leave for Ethiopia in 2 days!! This does not seem real. The waiting has been so hard and long and now if feels like it went by so fast.

As we have said, we are going to stay in-country between court and embassy which can be anywhere from 3-6 weeks. But, there is a delay right now so our journey is unknown. There are a million different scenarios as to how the next 2 weeks will go. I am ultimately praying that our case is final on February 4th. But, I also know God is calling me to something more. He is calling us to pray for His will and to be content with the way He sees fit to complete this adoption journey. This makes me nervous as I type this but I know God is good and that He has worked out every detail of our adoption the past 2 years.

I believe the complications will be cleared up soon...I am believing GOd can do that. But I am also believing that He knows best and will work everything out to bring this to completion.

My friend gave me the book Calm My Anxious Heart by Linda Dillow. I am only on chapter 2 and it is so great! Here is an excerpt from the book that really spoke to me.

" I need oil," said an ancient monk, so he planted an olive sapling. "Lord," he prayed. "it needs rain that its tender roots may drink and swell. Send gently showers." And the Lord sent gentle showers. "Lord," prayed the monk, "my tree needs sun. Send sun, I pray thee." And the sun shone, gilding the dripping clouds. " Now frost, my Lord, to brace its tissues," cried the monk. And behold, the little tree stood sparkling with frost, but at evening it died.

Then the monk sought the cell of a brother monk, and told his strange experience. "I, too, planted a little tree," he said, "and see! It thrives well. But I entrust my tree to its God. He who made it knows better what it needs than a man like me. I laid no condition. I fixed not ways or means. 'LORD, SEND WHAT IT NEEDS,' I prayed, 'storm or sunshine, wind, rain, or frost. Thou hast made it and Thou dost know."

So, join me in praying for God's will...concerning the timing of our adoption being final, the time we will spend in Ethiopia, and us being able to bring her home! So hard for me to let go...and just trust...with no set way in my head as to how it should go. But I am tired and honestly have no control over this so I am letting go. Can't wait to see how God works.

ps--for you crazies....someone is living at our home while we are gone :)

help needed!

Okay friends that have adopted through Gladney :)

We are trying to finish our training since we leave THURSDAY and I cannot find the link to do our 2 hours of country specific training (Ethiopia part 1 and 2). Can anyone remember or show me how to do this??

THANKS SO MUCH!!!! Getting so excited!

Giving Birth

I saw this video on Kristy's blog...so touching. Makes me so thankful that our sweet baby girl survived and for her first mom.

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I can't wait to be in this country....9 days til we leave!!!!!

Solid Rock

Life is crazy right now. I have a million questions swirling in my head as we prepare to leave for Ethiopia. We leave in a little over 2 weeks.....ah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As we thought about the fact that we would travel twice...once to attend court and once to attend our embassy date...we began to feel that we were to stay in country between the 2 dates. We sought wise counsel, prayed about it, talked to our employers, and the answer was an overwhelming YES that we should stay. Typically the stay would be around 3-6 weeks but there are some delays right now so it is unclear as to how long we will be there.

Questions that run through my head:

How long will we be in Ethiopia, will Russ have to come back before Lucy and I can, what if we don't have enough money to live in two places, what if the delay is LONG, what if the finalization of our adoption is delayed and we have to just visit Lucy at the foster home versus her staying with us, what about my job while I am gone, what are Russ and I going to do with a BABY with no help (aka..mom's to help), I hate to leave our dog for that long (YES, this has crossed my mind...who would have thought I would even think about a dog when I am going to get my child.....I don't even like dogs), what if something bad happens here while we are gone AND THE LIST GOES ON AND ON.

So, now that you got a glimpse into my crazy head.....let me tell you what is keeping me sane.

The fact that I will see our little girl in exactly 3 weeks. God is providing me with a calm and peace. He keeps showing me that staying is the right decision...an adventure that I have always desired. Now that the time for it is here...I get scared but I know I would regret the decision if we chose to come home. Now is the time....everything has fallen into place. We are blessed with AMAZING employers who support our decision....amazing family and friends that are making this happen......we are fully able to go to Ethiopia with the sole purpose of LOVING on our daughter. What a privilege.

While nothing happening right now is bad....I do feel like we are experiencing the torrents of rain and wind that this verse talks about. And honestly, we want to give up. But we know we are anchored.

Matthew 7:24-27

"Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won't collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and ignores it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash."

Everything inside of me just wants to collapse...but I will not. I am holding on and going to enjoy this amazing journey without regret!

Saw this video this morning from Pete Wilson -pastor of Cross Point in Nashville.....

MORE: Series Launch Promo from Cross Point Church on Vimeo.

Love this quote from the video...."The opportunity of a lifetime must be seized in the lifetime of the opportunity. "

And that is just what this journey is....the opportunity of a lifetime.

Melkam Gena!!!

Wishing my sweet baby girl a Merry Christmas! Today Ethiopia celebrates Christmas ! They use the Julian calendar which has them celebrating Christmas January 7th instead of December 25th!

Babe of My Heart has great info on Christmas in Ethiopia so click HERE to read more. We will be making Doro Wat (Ethiopian Stew) to eat today to celebrate:) Less than 3 weeks before we leave!!!!! Time is flying by!!!