Ethiopia Days 1 and 2

Yes...I am about 2 months late on this BUT I wanted to share some about our trip to Ethiopia. Some things I include will probably be boring to most of you BUT I am hoping those that are traveling to Addis for the first time might find it helpful. The Gladney staff do a wonderful job hosting you, but you have lots of free time. Their itinerary was great! But just wanted to share the things we did :)

When we left January 27, we were not sure how long we were going to be gone. Our hope and prayer was that we would stay long enough to bring our daughter home. Plans did not go as such....and we definitely didn't think we would be home this long without going back to get her BUT we are trusting in God's plan.



We arrived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Saturday night, January 29, 2011. As the plane touched down, we were SO EXCITED to be in our daughter's country. We were nervous because we were praying for a miracle, that things would move so that we could bring our daughter home this trip BUT also knowing that we might have to come home and make another trip. As the plane landed, they were playing Van Morrison (my man)...which made landing even more enjoyable. Once arriving, we had to stand in a long line to get our visas. We asked for a 90 day visa but they would only give us a 30 day one. After getting that we went out front to meet our driver Yoftahe. He was WONDERFUL!! We cannot say enough great things about him!




We then headed down Bole Road to our Bjoe's Guesthouse. WE LOVE BJOE!!!! Genet and the ladies are wonderful! We highly recommend it to anyone staying in Addis ;)



We went to sleep knowing that we were in the same city as our daughter. What a great feeling!

We woke Sunday morning to a great breakfast and then spent some time getting to know the other people staying at Bejoe, all of which were Gladney families. We then took a drive out of the city to Desta Mendes. SUCH A BEAUTIFUL DRIVE.





We thoroughly enjoyed our lunch at Juniper Cafe. The chicken pie was great and we LOVED the peaceful atmosphere---which was very different than being in the city.

Next, we toured the National Museum of Ethiopia. The museum was okay....we had an EXCELLENT tour guide but I couldn't quite understand him :) Supposedly the LUCY skeleton was supposed to be there but it is touring the United States right now.




The rest of the day consisted of macchiato's from Kaldis (YUMMO) and dinner from Island Breeze. We had hamburgers (I didn't love) BUT we do love this restaurant. We ate there several times and really liked it each time. The owner married a girl from the states so the food is very American.

After dinner we headed back to the guesthouse for some rest. We would meet our daughter for the first time the next morning. We were very anxious, nervous, and excited. We could not believe the sweet little girl we had seen through pictures for the past 4 1/2 months would soon be right before our very eyes.

Help our friends!!!

Hey everyone! Just wanted to let you all know about 2 different adoption fundraisers that are currently going on!! We are very passionate about these since so many people have supported us! The financial task of adoption can be daunting at first BUT God can and will provide.



Thursday night (March 24) eat at CHICK-FIL-A if you live in Tupelo or Oxford!!! A portion of the money will go to help our friend's THE THOMPSON'S with their adoption. Just remember to mention their name when you check out. You can go to the Chick-fil-a in Oxford from 5-9 and the one in Tupelo (outside the mall) from 4-7.



These are our friends Adam and Andrea. They are currently holding a photo contest. Click HERE to find out more details. Basically, they have a photo album HERE on Facebook. You look at the pics, taking note of the number by each one. You then go to their website HERE, click the DONATE button, put in the amount ($1 per vote OR MORE :) ) Be careful to make sure you put the number of the picture you are voting for in the special instructions box.

We love these friends and know that God will provide their every need. Simply because He has for us.

Lovin' Much

Last weekend I got to have breakfast with Alison... a sweet friend that is adopting from Ethiopia. We spent over two hours at Chick-fil-a while her kids played on the playground. They were so precious!!! I am so thankful to have been able to talk face-to-face with someone who is going through and experiencing what we are right now. So thankful for that time!

I also wanted to tell you about a giveaway that she is doing. Click HERE to read about her AMAZING giveaway (that I am a little partial to :) )



Hope everyone had a great Monday!!!

How are You?

January 27th was a Thursday. After saying goodbye to friends, and praying with mountains of people, we boarded a plane. It was to be a long trip, possibly two months, but we would return with our adopted daughter. There was a chance we would have to return without her. There was a chance we would have to make two trips. That didn't matter. We were sure that God would provide us a way to come home with her. It was his calling for the Polsgrove family.

It didn't work out that way. Most of you know, so I'll spare you the details. The bottom line is, due to some issues beyond our control, we're still waiting. When we came home, we thought we would only be home for three or four weeks before we returned. It's been over a month and even though we hear rumors, there's no way for us to know when we will be going back to get her.

People have been great. They've been encouraging and loving and supportive through every step. Joys and pains have all been shared with our friends and family. The one question we seem to get all the time is "How are you"? That's a hard question to answer. The most common response is "we're okay", which is actually probably a lie. I guess the answer is "most of the time we're great, but other times it feels like being kicked in the chest repeatedly."

I've gone through a wide range of emotions since we got home. Sad to leave her. Glad to be in a familiar place. Confused why we're delayed. Thankful for what we have.

The truth is, we stepped out in faith asking God to do something that was highly improbable if not impossible. He didn't do what we thought he would. In fact, on the surface it seems he didn't do anything. I thought that would rock my faith. I even thought it might make me doubt if he was even real. That hasn't happened. This has really opened up the most honest conversations I've had with God in my entire life, and I've been more assured of his presence because of it.

I am absolutely confused. I am fine one second, impatient the next. There are even times of searing anger towards him. I've been so angry that I wondered if other christian's opinions of me would change if they knew about it. All these things have resulted in me having honest conversations with God. I've been able to celebrate when he moves in other areas of my life, and man he has moved in other areas of my life.

The last time I posted, I was excited about going to get the baby girl. I also said that any semblance of control is an illusion. I had no idea how true that statement was. Although it's been painful, I wouldn't have it any other way. I know how much I screw up things when I start to take the reigns. God will bring her home to be with us, I have no doubt. With each conversation and question and prayer, God is asking me to lean on him more, rely on his grace, breathe deep while he does the work.

This is a hard thing, but if I'm going to say "Jesus is the most important thing in my life", I need to mean it. If it's not put to the test once in a while, I can't really mean it. So I'll wait. It's not always easy, but I have a feeling it's going to be worth it.

Russ

Habakkuk

I have no words right now to describe the ache that is in my heart for my sweet baby girl. Many changes are being talked about for Ethiopian adoptions ...many of which we really do not know the extent of. For a few days I was glued to the Internet believing EVERYTHING I read. I now CHOOSE not to cling to every word that someone writes about what is going on in Ethiopia. I would love to hear positive news but right now things are in limbo. Right now God's answer to me is to not worry about what is possible for humans but REMEMBER what is possible for Him. These verses spoke to me:

“Look at the nations and watch— and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe,
even if you were told. " Habakkuk 1:5

"For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay." Habakkuk 2:3

"LORD, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, LORD. Repeat them in our day, in our time make them known;
in wrath remember mercy." Habakkuk 3:2

"Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights." Habakkuk 3:17-19

Hope you all have a great weekend.

A long week

What a week!!! Many of you have heard of some recent changes concerning adoption that MIGHT take place in Ethiopia. Essentially, to reduce unethical practices and corruption in Ethiopian adoption, MOWA (a committee in Ethiopia that approves adoptions) has decided to significantly reduce the number of adoptions that take place each day...effective March 10th.

We do not know how this will affect our adoption...most likely it won't affect much except maybe the length of the wait. We shall see. Please pray for the children in Ethiopia. Adoption is in no way the perfect solution to 5 million orphans in that country but it does help. Reducing the number of adoptions will increase the length and number of kids that are in orphanages...which breaks my heart! But I believe the governments heart is for the children and so I am praying they come up with a solution that will ultimately help all the children.

My heart is broken about what all of this means for the children in Ethiopia, for how it will affect our adoption, and for all of the families that are waiting on their children to come home. While my heart is crushed, I am hopeful in God's plan. I believe He is just setting the scene to do something UNBELIEVABLE. I dreamed a couple of nights ago that I was speaking (which is HI-LARIOUS considering I just don't do that) to a group of people and I told bullet-point after bullet-point of disheartening things that happened in our adoption. Investigations, number of adoptions reduced, etc. The list went on and on. But then at the end I said
"BUT THEN GOD..." That's right BUT THEN GOD. I distinctly remember seeing the dot dot dot. I don't know what the dot dot dot is or how God will do it but I know that God is preparing something amazing. Clinging to His promises that He will work ALL for GOOD.

While I have dealt with bitterness, uncertainty, anger, and brokenheartedness, God has met me each time. He knows my desire is for her to come home quickly but I have reached a point that even with all of the uncertainty, I rest that this is the story He planned and if He planned it...I don't even wish to change it. I simply cannot wait to see His plan unfold. I wanted the story to be over when we traveled to Ethiopia to pick her up several weeks ago. As good as that story would have been, God is writing a better story, one that I couldn't have written even if I had tried.

Please take a minute to sign this petition that will go to the Prime Minister of Ethiopia. Click HERE to link to it :) Thanks for loving us.

***UPDATED- I just read where they hope to have 250,000 signatures to send by Saturday and right now they only have 10,000. Please send this via email, twitter, and facebook to all you know.

Congrats Amy and Patrick!

There were not many couples adopting (that we knew personally) when we began our adoption process. We have been so blessed to see adoption be placed on many couples hearts. Amy and Patrick started the process about the same time we did. After numerous people told us that we should be friends...we finally had lunch! I cannot tell you how thankful I am to have Amy as a friend. We have been able to support each other during each phase of the process. We (along with our daughters) will always have such a special bond.

They left this week to get their sweet daughter Evelyn (4 months older than Lucy) from South Korea. As their Gotcha Day pics uploaded on the screen this morning, tears fell from my cheeks. I am so thankful and so excited for them. People have asked me if it is hard to see them get their daughter when we are still waiting. And to be honest, the answer is yes. But God is so faithful and I know He will bring to completion what He started. I have experienced such differing emotions....sadness at the fact that we are waiting but INCREDIBLE joy for this sweet family. We love them so much and know Evelyn and Lucy will be great friends!

Another family that we are close to is adopting sweet Sara Ruth (2 months older than Lucy) from China. We cannot wait to get all three of these sweet girls home. One from South Korea. One from China. One from Ethiopia. All Girls. All within 4 months of each other. So thankful for these friendships!

Click HERE and head on over to Amy and Patrick's blog to see their precious photos and congratulate them!!! We are so excited for Amy and Patrick and cannot wait to be at the airport when they come home!!!!!!!!

In the desert

Adoption is hard. Waiting is difficult. Seeing your child and then leaving them for an undetermined amount of time is excruciating. But I believe that she is ours. Not because I created this story but because I FIRMLY believe God did. And if He wrote it then I can trust Him to bring it to completion. I LOVE the lyrics to this song. While we sang them last night I could see myself in each verse. In the desert, the trials, the battle and the harvest.

Also, click HERE to read what Jamie Ivey has to say about meeting your children and then having to leave them. OH, how I needed this TODAY! Tough day....so thankful God used her in this exact moment. She said it beautifully. Thanks Jamie!!!!


The Desert Song by Hillsong

This is my prayer in the desert
When all that's within me feels dry
This is my prayer in my hunger and need
My God is the God who provides

This is my prayer in the fire
In weakness, or trial, or pain
There is a faith proved of more worth than gold
So refine me Lord through the flame

I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon formed against me shall remain
I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and He is here

This is my prayer in the battle
When triumph is still on it's way
I am a conquerer and co-heir with Christ
So firm on His promise I'll stand

I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon formed against me shall remain
I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and He is here

All of my life in every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship

I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon formed against me shall remain
I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and He is here

This is my prayer in the harvest
Where favour and providence flow
I know I'm filled to be emptied again
The seed I've recieved I will sow

Amsterdam

Hey Friends! I am going to try and re-cap our days in Ethiopia. I will do a post a day, sharing pics and entries from my journal for that day....sorry if this is boring...just want to have a record of our time :)

January 29, 2011

We spent a day in Amsterdam on our way to Addis Ababa. In my journal I had written these highlights of Amsterdam.

- Small hotel room- 2 twin beds pushed together

- frites with cheese ( Cheese sauce was NASTY)

-canal tour- being so sleepy I could barely keep my eyes open

- Rembrandt museum - prodigal son drawings

- scones and coffee at cafe

- going to lobby for Internet to email to let everyone know we had made it

- being so excited but so nervous about arriving in Ethiopia

- sitting in the oldest pub in Holland- with an overwhelming awareness of being gone- the unknown we were about to experience

CHEESE...... my favorite food!!!

Rembrandt Museum

We had a wonderful day and night in Amsterdam. But the entire time I was so aware of the fact that this was not a normal vacation. Our purpose was different. We would meet our daughter in 2 days. We didn't know how long we would be in Ethiopia. The details of our journey were unknown. We prayed for a miracle...that God would move our case quickly so that we could take placement of our daughter in Ethiopia.

****Happy 8th month anniversary to our sweet daughter. We never dreamed we would be apart from you when you turned this age but we will be together soon. We love you!!!

longing

We have been home almost a week....and we are missing our sweet girl! We will eventually blog about our time in Ethiopia....this week we have been battling jet-lag! Getting on the plane in Ethiopia without her was so hard. But, we know she is in good hands....hoping the day we go back to get her will be very soon.