Whew! We are OFFICIALLY off bed rest!

We have passed Ethiopian courts!!!
That means we now have custody of a couple of precious little children - our children - half way around the world! Still seems bizarre. Now all we have to do is do the physical job of going and getting our little ones. We do not know exactly when we go - but we are going - I am so excited and a little anxious - so much to do now and a lot to plan for - we do expect to travel somewhere near the last week of August of the first week of September. There are several other families adopting and making arrangements and this has to all be coordinated. I can't keep the moment out of my mind of the first time I get to see and hold our precious little kids - I have informed Morgan that she will be in charge of the crying one! When one has traveled so far and put so much thought and effort in an endevor, it is hard to comprehend just how to state how I feel at this moment - but the feelings are one of excitement, joy and relief. Praise God and glory to Him!!! We covet your prayers for the next few weeks for our new children, that all things and activities will fall into place and the trip will go as smooth as possible. Well I gotta get to packin and we will certainly be in touch...

Amaseganalou - Chow (Thank You - goodbye)

Big Dad -

What's up!

Well as we are waiting we are finding it hard to celebrate openly our new arrivals. This is because we are choosing to be tight lipped in front of our foster daughters so as not to make them feel bad. However they were visiting a friend yesterday so we were free to talk about names. (Still working on naming our little girl) We were able pack the diaper bag Gary and Morgan will take over. Look through all the clothes we have and try to decide what will work and what will not. It is so fun to look at all the little outfits that very soon will be on our new son and daughter. We are so grateful to ethiopia for sending pitures so often. Wonderful to be able to "see" them. Next we will clean out the closet where we keep diapers/wipes, baby gates ,booster seats ect. It is evident we will need to get a LOT more diapers and wipes. Maggie is not at all interested in potty training. I was thinking I could wait till next summer and do all four at once. Think that will work??? Hmmm anyway now we just wait until July 30th. Pray we pass court get a travel date so we can purchase those plane tickets. Sixteen days is not a long set back in the big picture. If we pass on the 30th still less time then a normal pregnancy and remember no stretch marks on the outside with this adoption :) However there is much change that occurs on the inside. Do I get an Amen from those that know what I am talking about. Oh to be stretched on the inside God's timing is perfect and that makes it easier to breath each day.
Have a blessed day everyone.
Tiffany

News!!

Well we have been having VBS this week so this am a couple of times I bummed off their computer to check and at 11:30 I saw a email from our agency. It said NEW COURT 30,July. That's it.
Court in Ethiopia closes Aug. 6th for a month or two. So we need to pass court on the 30th. There is much we do not know about his process so we will patiently wait trusting God with our children and this process he has asked us to be a part of.
Your prayers for the health of our newest additions would be appreciated.
Tiffany

Almost......

Well it is almost here, the court date day..... although it is not like if we pass Gary and Morgan will just hop in a plane that day and take off knowing in only two days we will have a much better idea of our time frame does help the energy level in our home. Last week we received updated pictures and medical info on both children. That was very nice. They are growing. Henry has a bit of a crossed eye and an eye infection so I am especially anxious to get him home and get his needs tended to. Our little girl who remains unnamed looks great. Yesterday Gary was nice and took the majority of kids out of the house for about oh 6 hours that allowed the big kids and I to do one of my favorite past times... clean, clean oh clean. Yes the wood is polished for the first time in two years..I even managed to get the vacuum upstairs. We also took advantage of the quiet time and sorted through all of the donations for the orphanage. We have had lots of great donations. We filled one suitcase three to go. There is some strategy to getting as much as you can in each suitcase and make it weigh the magic 50 pounds. We have a friend that donated a ton of new sleepers Morgan made the comment that it will be neat to possibly see a picture of a future child being adopted from Ethiopia wearing one of those sleepers... Thank you all for your continues prayers and excitement for us. We cannot wait to get them home.
We will update Tuesday and let you know if we are on our way to get our little cuties. As well by Wed we should be able to "legally" properly introduce them to you and show you their pictures. Perhaps our little girl will be officially named by then. Oh I hope.... (wonder if anyone has every been divorced over naming a child?)
Blessings, Tiffany

Who has a court date???

WE DO!!!! ~yes~ this it probably the most exciting news since the INS approval... The court date is July 14Th. (nice Birthday present for me) if all goes well we will pass court that day. At that point in the eyes of Ethiopia those little cuties are all ours... just residing in Addis. I am not for sure how the next step goes, however I figure shortly after that we will be given a travel date... then WHAM OOOO. The nesting energy will be just seeping out of me. So in short.. not to much longer. If all goes well it will have taken less time then a normal pregnancy.. with Bonus...No stretch marks. :)
I do have a prayer request, at this time we have a sibling set of foster daughters. Great girls.. they need a forever home. Please pray along side us for Gods perfect timing for all involved in this. For our kids in Ethiopia, and our foster daughters that God would make it very known who their forever family is supposed to be. They are really lovely girls. However they like all children need a forever home to call their own.

Blessings, Tiffany

What do you know?

This is the most common question we are being asked right now. The answer is we are waiting on a court date at this time. We do not have to be there for court... we have people you know!!
For court all you can do is pray everyone that was supposed to get their paperwork turned in did and that is was all done correctly. Please God.... Once approved a travel date will be issued and well the rest of the story will be lived out one day at a time.
Thank you to all who are praying and rejoicing along with us each step forward we take. We look fwd to getting Henry home. We look fwd to bringing our little unnamed girl home as well. Gary and I are having a difficult time coming up with a name we both agree on. :)
Have a Christ filled week everyone.
Tiffany

What are you known for?

Yesterday on Kansas news there was the telling of yet another murder. Why is this "one" murder gaining such attention. The man murdered was somewhat known, not only in Kansas but across the nation. Some say he was known for his compassion. Some say he was known for how much he "helped" others .... But mostly he was known for his work, everyday he got up out of bed went to work thinking he was going to help others... who were those others? Well women over the years these women add up to hundreds and thousands of pregnant women. Wow someone to help pregnant women.. what a nice man??!!?? His job was one that most would not do as a matter a fact one of the comments made on the news was how he was one of the only people who did such work in our nation. If you hear all this about the murdered man your initial emotional reaction may be one of sorrow. Mine well I have not fully decided how I feel about this murder. The man I am writing about is George Tiller ...known to many as "Tiller the baby Killer" He was a 67 year old many with a wife and two daughters. In 1973 he opened a clinic to perform abortions and is best known by many as the man that helps women by performing late term abortions...... After that statement I hope you heart turns to sorrow for the hundreds and thousands of babies he kept from having life on this beautiful Earth. Also there should be much sorry for his wife and daughters. One of the real shockers is that this man was shot in his Church.. yes I said church......It amazes me to think that almost all my life.. I was born in 1970.. every work day this man got up and killed babies.... the first thing I thought as I turned and looked at my beautiful Maggie and Peter is oh soon they will have more friends like them. Just think of all the women who had prepared themselves to go to Tiller this week and have their babies aborted. So does that statement make Tillers death a reason to celebrate? That at least some if not many will have their babies because they are so far in their pregnancy's that they will not be able to find anyone to "help them". Praise God for this. Two things were commented to me yesterday that I would like to share. One it was said that if a gunman had taken out Hitler that man would have been called a hero... is abortion not a war? The other was this.... Do you think Tiller had to walk past the estimated 60,000 babies he had killed as he walked to judgement? Oh that thought alone sends chills down my arms and causes me to immediately make sure I am in check with my God. I am sure it is clear...we are a Pro-Life family......not for our Glory but for HIS....
May we all hold not only those who loved Tiller up in prayer, but we MUST remember all the women who "were" on his books to be "helped" by this man....
So What are you known for???
Tiffany
Planned parent hood as assured the public that they will keep their clinics open to "help" those who Tiller was not able ....... May God open the eyes to all who desire to do this work.

The Third Trimester has begun!!

Well we have arrived. As of May 18Th, we are in the third trimester of our paper pregnancy. I must say the emotion sickness has been very real with this pregnancy, but what do you expect with paper baby twins. On May 18Th at about 2:30 in the afternoon it came. Our second referral. What this means is that the picture (which I can't show you) and the information for our second child just showed up on the computer. No fan-fair, just a note saying see attached, and let us know if you will accept this referral. Well attached was a picture a beautiful little girl in a purple dress, she is laying in a bouncy seat on a coordinating purple blanket. She looks as though she is a good eater (squeezable cheeks) and is growing well.For sure it was an exciting day/week in our household. (We would have posted earlier however posting from our home computer is not possible I am at a friends now.) Anyway we now wait (hopefully not long) for a court date. If we pass on the first try, then it is only weeks until our new little ones come home. Just FYI as soon as we pass court we can post the pictures of both little ones. Who because of age/development will basically be twins. Maggie was especially excited to see the picture of her new little sister, she kept patting herself saying mine, mine, aggie's.......:) Hope she is just as happy when our unnamed little one is sitting in the living room with her.
Never know.....We do give praise to God and thanks to those who have prayed for this to be a speedy process. Although I am not nervous, I would really like to get Henry home to a Cardiologist that I know to take a look at his heart. That said he does receive medical care and meds for his heart issue in Ethiopia. We receive regular updated pictures and medical info on him and for that I am grateful. Again all Praise to God.
We are looking fwd to spending the next couple months getting all the rooms, closets ect organized and ready for our new additions... we have also bought a couple matching dress's for Maggie and her little sister.... very fun!!!!
Again thanks for your prayers we will let you know when we have a court date.

Waiting and more waiting

No real news to report... so I'll keep it short for this week. Just sittin twriling our thumbs keeping in touch with our worker - who is suppose to be in Ethiopia at this writing. Maybe he'll get things rolling a little faster - it is certainly out of our control.
One major request however - Just pray for our family and our african children earnestly and often. Henry especially needs to be here as soon as possible. We know God answers - may the glory be all his. Thank You

Big Dad

Under Attack!

When one is walking through life trying to walk hand-in-hand with Christ and listening and doing his will, I am pretty sure Satan is not happy about this situation. And so it is with our mission and family. As this blog tries to convey, our mission is very clear according to scriptures and God speaking to our hearts. We have felt and witnessed forces which have and are trying to pull apart our convictions through unforeseen delays and selfishness. Our goal is to bring back an identified little boy who needs a heart surgery as well as a second unidentified child. The second child was not suppose to delay this endeavor according to our expert - yet it has - and the delay may be one of several months - not in the best interest of our #1 child and certainly not what we expected. We have to be politically correct during this situation as not to put off those who have more work to be done for our mission. Being politically correct is not my best thing - but I'm working on that too.
We are also being challenged within our family and are going to work through our individual situations to bring resolution to any ongoing issues which should make us stronger in the long run. Alright somebody out there is praying for patience for us - please identify yourself and stop it! We just have to remind ourselves that God is in control and his plans are perfect every time - period!

G9

EECA Conference

It was our uncommon pleasure to praise, worship, fellowship and break bread (injera) with the wonderful people attending the Ethiopian Evangelical Christians Association in Olathe Kansas last Saturday night. We were warmly greeted by pastor Gizaw who organized this fundraiser. Tiffany and myself attended with Morgan, Timothy, and Christy. It was 4 hours of blessings through music, preaching, and fellowship. We were all blessed to hear pastor Bark tell of his visions and many stories of his many many years as a missionary to the Ethiopian people. It was very insightful to hear how he viewed the Ethiopian immigrant's mission was to minister and lead the American people back to Christ. He also encouraged the young folks and their parents to have a heart and mission to the unreached people of the rugged southwest part of Ethiopia.
We were honored to have a wonderful couple who both were physicians to share our table with, as well as a young business analyst from Iowa. The conversations were wonderful and insightful. The warmth of these folks was beautiful to witness. Many hugs and kisses were shared despite the dredded swine flu just lurking around the corner - at least according to the news and our gov't.. I am not much of a touchy feeley guy and this is hard for me to get use to - but I'm working on it. What a better world it would be if we could greet each other more affectionately and with more love and care.
The best part - well you know me - was the food! It was great! Very Very interesting selection of various stews and cassarole type food eaten with a spongy brown flat bread called injera... as mentioned before in this blog - with no utinsils and eaten with the right hand only. There was a very spicy chicken that had just the right amount of heat with a bounty of flavor - MMMmmmmm.
The dissapointing part of the evening for Tiffany and myself was the absence of my friend and co-worker John Gross. John was "enjoying" or enduring an outpatient procedure of which he has some really cool, yet gross pictures of his insides. He will be fine but was missed Saturday night. John and I have worked at the same large manufacturing facility for many years yet we never have known of each other until recently. John is an amazing man, although he may deny it. I could go on and on about his ministry but instead I will encourage you to mentally and visually taste his ministry at his website: HouseOfFriends.org John is an excellent example of the average person doing great great things through the strength of Christ in his life and works. The organization John heads up ministers to the poor, orphaned and widowed in the US as well as in Africa. John has also written a book "The River Runs Down", which addresses world missions and Christ's work - I have not yet read it because my wife and daughter have stole it and have both read it before me! Now that ain't right.

G9

Is there a right adoption?

After having a chat with a dear friend of mine yesterday. Some questions were posed and really the title of this post should be "The value of a Human ". Our family has done foster care for seven years. (rookies we are) My dear friend well in excess of 25 I am not sure of the exact number of years. They have done a wonderful work in the lives of so, so many children.
Foster care is what has opened our eyes to the fact that there are children in need. Before that we for whatever reason were just unaware. I knew there were bad ladies that could come take you from your home but that is all I knew. Foster care also opened our eyes to the many children out there with Special needs. Thus softening our hearts allowing God to lead us to our little ones with DS and off to Ethiopia where we will expand our family. :)
Anyway during this conversation with my friend we discussed as I do with many people during a discussion on International adoption, of course the cost. This is a question that very few seem to ask when you are adopting from the foster care system where there really is no cost. Nor do I remember really ever being asked when we adopted our two little ones through Domestic adoption. Where there certainly was cost involved. No not as much as with International adoption but certainly the process was not free.
However when it comes to International adoption cost is certainly at the front of the conversation field. The how's and whys are so often overlooked due to the fact that many are blinded by the yes very large cost associated with the International adoption.
The question was asked could better good be done with the amount of money being spent on the "International adoption"? If the money that would have been spent on the adoption were donated to the orphanage could more children be served. So basically this brings us to the question, Is there a dollar value to a child's life/freedom? Do we "cap" this value at any point? If so what is that point? Why do so many choose to go the International route when there are so many children in our own country that need homes? Why don't more people get involved in doing Foster care? Especially when it is said, someone correct me - is it 1% or 7% --- of all those who "claim" to be Christians would just adopt one child, we could clear the "Child in need of home" section of the paper! But again it brings us to the question Is there a value to one life? ..........................

I have posed that question " Is there a value to one life?" to all of my children. My 16year old daughter without hesitation answered, "obviously God believes a life is worth the death of his own son". Well said my Morgan.

I believe for those of us who feel they have truly been called by God to adopt be it through the Foster care system, Domestic or Internationally the barriers don't matter. The cost, the time, well when the child God ordained before the world began to be yours is in your arms. The labor pains however you got them all fade away.

Ever just expect your child to obey you without question just because you know. you know better than your child? Well don't you think God knows better then we? Sometimes logic must be tossed and Faith must take over. The decesion to adopt obviously lies between your family and the Lord. It should not be guided by the opinions of others. Trust in the Lord and lean not on your own understandings.......................................
May Christ guide your steps today and every day.
Tiffany

Forgivness, Mercy and Song

Penn View Bible Institute and the lesson on forgivness.
Last night the kids and I attended a musical performance. The college students of Penn View Bible Institute came to little Ol Ottawa Ks to help me personally Praise God in a couple of ways.
First was in song/music. Oh they did a fabulous job. They sang praises to God and testified to their own faith in God between songs. Phil gave his testimony of where he came from and what plans God has in store for his life. You are going to be a great Pastor Phil. They really ministered to our family.
Second was the act of forgiveness and mercy a particular girl so kindly showed to me. I did not get her name but when we left the church last night I did it... I backed into her car... yes good job Tiffany.. now it is not easy to praise God for this kind of thing... so I went and got a trusted man I know since my hubby was not there. When the owner of the car came out she just chuckled... I guess my trusted man's brother had already backed into her earlier... poor girl.. Well some guys removed her car from my van. I was getting my information for her and what does she say.. don't worry about it. Well you know I am thinking oh the insurance higher premiums.. ect, ect, ect.. and she says no worries. I could not apologize enough.. they just kept saying stuff happens.
So whoever you are Thank you for your show of Forgiveness and Mercy.

If anyone ever See's a poster for Penn View Choir go you will be ministered to for sure. I know for us it was a wonderful way to start the Easter weekend.
Oh my husband does not know yet, so please let me tell him:)
Happy Good Friday everyone, Jesus Loves You,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Tiffany

Just for you.......

This past week I have been listening to a song by Nicole Nordman I believe it is titled "Why". The song starts with a little girl telling about she and her father riding horses and after a little while they hear it... they hear the noise of Jesus carrying the cross up the hill, the screaming and cursing, the spiting on the only perfect person that has ever walked the earth. Her father tells her to go inside that it is going to get stormy. However her curiosity gets the better of her and she goes out anyway. She has to find out what is going on so she followed a crowd of people to a hill where she new men had been killed. She thinks to herself there is that man that my Dad said" he loved" she sees her dad and says Daddy "why" are they screaming, why are their face beaming, why are they casting their lots for his robe, oh that crown of thorns hurts him more then he shows... she says Daddy you said he is stronger then all of their lies..... Why does everyone want him to die?... Well the song goes on and Jesus then tells his father in heaven, he though he could handle the cross of that size then he asks his father "Why does everyone want me to die??? The God speaks and tells his son I hear them screaming and I to am watching the faces of the enemy Beaming, but soon I will clothe you in robes of my own, I know it hurts you much more then you know..but in this dark hour I must do nothing.. I hear your unbearable cry.......Then states "The power of your blood destroys all of their lies soon you'll see past their unmerciful eyes.... look there below see the child... trembling by her fathers side?? Then he tells him Why... he says She is why you must die.............
Oh that song gets me every time... remember YOU are why he died. Yes you no matter where you are in life,,,no matter what you have done in your past or what you are doing right now. That only perfect man carried that cross for you, he chose to bear the weight of all of our sins. He chose it.... that was his gift to you to me, all Jesus would like in return is to have a personal relationship with you. If you choose to except this gift you will never be sorry, you will never be alone you will always have a friend in Jesus.
If you would like to ask Jesus Christ to be your personal savior all you have to do is ask him to come into your life, it's that simple.. really, He loves you, I am praying you accept his gift today,
For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whoever believes in him should not parish but will have eternal life
John 3:16

So Honored !

Last Sunday we were honored to be invited to attend an adoption support group at WoodsChappel church in Lee's Summit Missouri to give our testimony regarding our call to adopt. Dave Coffman leads these efforts to support the cause for adoption. We listened to some wonderful success experiences as well as challenges we all face in the process of bringing orphans into our lives. It was a real honor to share our calling and what we know to be the will of God for our lives and our world. We were given a couple of hand-made quilts made by a group in the church for our new kids. What a wonderful gesture - it touches our hearts to know of others support for our quest.

WoodsChappel church is able to give to, and support adoptive families through a single fundraising event - a golf tournment held June 15, 2009. This is fantastic event which raises much needed funds to be able to help families like us. Thank You ! Thank You! Thank You!

Big Dad

One more small step in our LARGE quest taken...

The dossier is finished and delivered!!! A dossier is a large bundle of paperwork (2"thick) which consists of every imaginable type of personal document, letters, forms, applications, histories, and even pictures which identifies who we are and our ability to adopt from the great country of Ethiopia. Each one of these documents are notarized and certified by the Secretary of State from which the document originates. Each official certification is verified by the respective Governor of that state. I think it would be less trouble to have Tiffany's hysterectomy reversed!

While making copies of our dossier, I found a certified cover sheet which had the wrong notary listed. AND it of course was attached to the most important document - our home study... So I took off work a half day to take the whole dossier to Topeka and have the Secretary of State re-certify our home study's notary and then to FedEx it overnight to Portland Oregon to our agency. At this time our dossier is in the hands of the Ethiopian authorities in Washington who will translate it into their language - Amharic - they will then authernicate the same documents we just had certified and send it to Ethiopia the Ethiopian Government will then either grant us two young lives or deny us our little children. Our agency has 'people' working on our behalf.

And now we wait, and wait, and wait...

Big Dad

Second Trimester of our Paper Pregnancy has begun!

They came back, my fingerprints which is what we have been waiting for. Yes!!! We could not even understand why they were taking so long. So what's next. Well the Home study becomes "officially" complete and we now have copies, yes official notarized copies. Those of you who adopt understand. Nothing, really nothing happens until you have this step totally completed. So what does that mean? It means we are in our Second Paper Trimester! Yeah and Praise the Lord. So what next well the humorous part is more fingerprints. This time Gary, Samantha (because she is 18) and I all headed off to our not so local INS office. No biggie bring piles of paperwork and wait. Then go back to get your super duper cool digital fingerprints done. After the nice guy did my prints repeatedly he finally said that he needed to do a copy in ink also so that when my digitalis were rejected the would have the ink to check them with. Turns out I have a slightly scarred pinkie... all my hard work in life just holding up our adoption.
So now we wait, wait for our INS approval. That is when the real fun begins. I can't wait until that approval comes. When that comes you rush to the bank, make sure everything is there and notarized. Then up to Topeka, over to down town Mo. All of your Ks, documents have to be certified in Ks. Any birth certificates from Mo. must be certified in Mo. Thankfully there is an office downtown. I thought I would have to go all the way to the Mo. Capital to get them certified. Whew. Saved a day of driving. Then overnight them to the Ethiopian Embassy in Washington then.. Wait. However at that point it is almost like waiting for labor. Hopefully nesting will begin at that point. I can't wait for nesting. So much adrenalin so much organizing getting done... whew love that!
Thanks for following along with us on our African Adventure, what an adventure it is...................
Tiffany

What NO Fork??????

Well the oppertuntiy comes but once a year. The oppertunity for we the parents to go out together, no children. Yes 24 hours of alone. Thanks to our local Down Syndrome Guild and the planning of a yearly Mind your Marriage conference,that this year lasted a whole two hours... Don't tell our babysitters though. We need the extra 22 hours to discuss what we learned at the confrence. You all understand right??So I only had two things on my wish list this year.. first eat authetic Ethiopian food. What do you know there was a lovely restraunt called the Blue Nile Cafe only moments from our hotel. Problem Gary did not really want to travel by car. We had the priveledge of this year staying at the Westin Crown Center and there are lots of great places to eat that you can walk to without having to ever go outside. I was supportive I assured him (as I called the front desk to get directions) that we could go anywhere for dinner he wanted. So after the nice lady gave me directions we jumped in the car (alone) and took the five minute drive to the Blue Nile Cafe located at City Market. It was just a little place it filled up quickly on a Saturday night which was nice because that gave us a chance to watch other people eat before we gave it a go. We had a waitress who is Native Ethiopian. This was great she was able to explain everything wonderfully to us. She even took the time to answer questions that had nothing to do with food. Very helpful Ethiopian food and education. We had the Sample Platter which consisted of 8 different vegetarian entrees and one each of chicken, beef and lamb. All served on top of Injera a soft, spongy, national bread made from teff and wheat flour. Ehtiopian food is traditionally served in communal platter and eaten using injera bread instead of utensils. Yes we ate with our fingers... sorta. You tear off some injera (with your right hand only) then kind of pinch the bread around the food and eat. The injera has sort of a sour dough taste but not to much. I don't care for sourdough and I liked it. We bought some extra and I made fake Ethiopian food for the kids the next night they all took a shot at eating with injera instead of forks.
At the Blue Nile the uniform shirt has a fork with a red circle and a line through the fork.It was a really neat experiance and really great food. We now know Gary and Morgan will not starve.The owner of the restraunt Daniel also a Native Ethiopian must have just known we were going to adopt. He asked if we had a baby picked out and told us about his trip back from Ethiopia last month. He said the plane was half full of babies (children) coming back with their new Mom's and Dad's. He sure helped us to feel good about our choice. Some have asked if we knew how the people of Ethiopia felt about white Americans coming over and adopting their children. Daniel said it was an honorable thing for us to do. Although God is all the reasurance we need. It was nice to have him to valadate our choice. If you have time be brave and try the Blue Nile Cafe. www.bluenilekc.com/reviews.html
Oh what was the second thing I wanted to do... having this oppertunity to not have to feed anyone else take anyone to the potty, or change a diaper during a meal...all alone with my husband.. for our one overnight a year... you guesed it.............. SLEEP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for joining us on our adventure.
Tiffany

Why Why Why??? or Are you crazy?

It was the year 1999 and I was single and minding my own business - living the life of a 30 something bachelor - when in walked the love of my life... Tiffany. My how life can change! Fast forward 9 years and seven kids later and WHAM! Look at who I am now... Living on a ranch in the beautiful countryside with more animals than I want to count on the outside, seven children on the inside, and knowing God has even more blessings for me yet! After having no biological kids of my own, It was a 'fun challenge' living and establishing a nuclear family with Tiffany and her 3 GREAT kids at the beginning of our marriage. Then God began making us 'aware' of a serious problem in our community. Hundreds of kids in our state had no family to call their own. Our hearts went out to them. It seemed a perfect fit for putting action to our faith. Our faith in God is made complete by what we do.
At first we brought in kids at a safe level - through our state foster care system - no real commitment and we get to positively influence some kids lives that need to be shown a little love. God's will - a good feeling. 1John 2:17 says "The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever."

Next we sense Gods hand in the decision to adopt of a couple of our little blessings (#4 &#5) whose parent could not take on their responsibility. I feel we can make a positive difference in these lives and in our world that will last much more than my lifetime - creating a legacy which glorifies God. James 1:27 states "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."

THEN came #6 Maggie - a beautiful little girl with Down syndrome. Maggie makes those people around her better people - she is now 3 and we are so blessed to have her in our home. People ask "how can you do this?" and our answer is "How can we not". The Lord has made us so vividly aware of the desperate needs of children of this country and in this world. See Proverbs 31:8 ""Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,
for the rights of all who are destitute."

After Maggie, came #7 PJ. PJ also has an extra 21st chromosome or Down Syndrome. He is the cutest little boy who is quite the lover. He loves to go to therapy and enjoys the love and attention he receives wherever he goes. I can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for him.
James 1:22"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says."
So now on to Africa to bring in one (or two) young children to allow them to grow in the fertile soil of our home and country. We have been blessed with a wonderful loving environment to raise kids up to their greatest potential. So so many need a stable, safe home with a loving family. 1John 3:17 says "If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?"

Our family has chosen this path which at times is not an easy one. We have of course denied ourselves some of the selfish pleasures of living in America. We have instead chosen to give our time and resources to the mission... For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' Matthew 25:35-40.

So I hope to have given you the answer to 'Why?' . Am I crazy? Well in the eyes of the world - of course I am. And at times I reevaluate our mission with God's will. I try not to worry knowing that is not of God. Philippians 4:6 says " Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
I would not trade that selfish single life for the one I have for anything in this world. I want others to join us. Please consider adoption. There are 120,000 adoption eligible kids in America that desperately need a loving home. There are 4,500,000 orphans in the one country of Ethiopia.
Focus not on the things of this world (career, cars, vacations, homes, sports, hobbies, TV, education, 401k, etc., etc., etc.) But set your mind on the things above - What would Jesus have you do? The harvest is great yet the workers are few... Come join with us in this field - Please support us. These rewards will not perish! Please pray for us - hard and often!

Big Dad

Step one Complete????

The First Step... What is the first step? The first step is what some refer to as your first trimester "First Paper Trimester" of our adoption pregnancy. Yes I am tankin on the pounds . Pounds of paperwork that is. The first step consists of writing and then telling your life story to the Social worker of your choice .We chose the lovely Rachel Crews. We worked with her when we were blessed with Maggie. She is great. Step ones means you will need to gather birth and marriage certificates. Figure out a budget and your net worth.(nice economy to be doing that) Get all the Dr's to quickly fill out physical forms for everyone.The best thing was we can now say that we have seen the inside holding cells of our local police dept. Not because we were arrested but because this is where they do the fingerprinting necessary for international adoption. So yes Gary, Samantha and I are all "IN THE SYSTEM". Last week we thought all right we are done with step one the Homestudy is complete. So off to INS approval we think. But NO Tiffany's fingerprints were rejected. Was this because she has a record? Had she been living a lie. NO it's becaue in our fine little town the guy doing the fingerprionts also is a public school bus driver and was in a hurry. So again we are waiting. .So although we have made many trips to Rachels home to drop off paperwork so as not to waist even one hour. Here we are waiting. We hear this is the name of the game. Hurry up and wait. Hurry up and wait. A game many of you will certainly understand when I say Tiffany does not hurry up and wait very well. Surely God has a reason for this and in time we will understand.

So praying that this week we will advance on in our paper pregnancy.

Why adopt from Ethiopia?

Why adopt from Ethiopia?
Probably the most compelling reason we chose to adopt from Ethiopia is that we ran across these statistics from another blog and were just utterly broken for these children. Read the list below and just let their situation sink in....and then pray for this country and all the little ones who are precious in His sight but are having unbelievable times surviving.
1. One in ten children die before their first birthday.
2. One in six children die before their fifth birthday.
3. 44% of the population of Ethiopia is under 15 years old
4. 60% of children in Ethiopia are stunted because of malnutrition.
5. The median age in Ethiopia is 17.8 years.
6. 1.5 million people are infected with AIDS (6th highest in the world).
7. 720,000 children have been orphaned by AIDS alone, and there are 4.6 million orphans in Ethiopia.
8.Per capita, Ethiopia receives less aid than any country in Africa.
9. In the 90s the population (3%) grew faster than food production (2.2%).
10. Drought struck the country from 2000-2002 (first year no crops, second year no seeds, third year no animals).
11. Half the children in Ethiopia will never attend school.
12. 88% will never attend secondary school.
13. Coffee prices (Ethiopia’s only major export) fell 40-60% from 1998-2002.
14. Ethiopia’s doctor to children ratio is 1 to 24,000.
15. In 1993, after 30 long years of war, Eritrea broke from Ethiopia and became an independent nation leaving Ethiopia landlocked without any major seafaring ports.


The above infromation was Stolen from the adoption blog of our "followers "Mike and Sandy Mayfield who have also been called by God to adopt a child or children from Ehtiopia as well.
Yet we agree wholeheartedly with the words they have written and we add Jerimiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper and not harm you. ....
Perhaps you are a part of Gods plan to prosper one of the little ones in Ethiopia.....Either through prayer, through financial help or perhaps God is also calling you to go to Ethiopia and give even one a forever familiy.

Myths and Truths of Down Syndrome

TRUTH!!!
85-9o% of babies diagnosed with Down Syndrome while still in the womb are ABORTED!

Myth: Down Syndrome is a rare genetic disorder.
Truth: One in every 800 to 1,000 birth is a child with Down Syndrome condition. This figure represents approximately 5,000 births per year.

Myth: Most children with Down Syndrome are born to older parents.
Truth: 80% of children with Down Syndrome are born to women under 35 years of age. However, as the age of the parents increases, so does the incidence of births of children with Down Syndrome condition.

Myth: Children with Down Syndrome are severely retarded.
Truth: Children with Down Syndrome have an I.Q that falls between the mild to moderately retarded range. Children with Down Syndrome can be educated. However, educators and researchers have not been able to verify and document the full educational potential of Down Syndrome children.

Myth: Most people with Down Syndrome are institutionalized.
Truth: In recent years, Down Syndrome children are seen in the public together with the families, going about their educational, social and recreational activities. Some adults with Down Syndrome have also seen to work in café and fast food chains.

M yth:Adult with Syndrome are unemployable.
Truth: As society’s acceptance and understanding towards adults with Down Syndrome children increases, businesses around the world are employing young adults with Down Syndrome for a variety of positions.

Myth: Adults with Down Syndrome are unable to form close interpersonal relationship leading to marriage.
Truth: Many adults with Down Syndrome are able to socialize and form ongoing relationship such as courtship and marriage. Although women with Down Syndrome can have children, but the chances of getting a Down Syndrome child is 50%.

Myth: People with Down Syndrome condition can never be cured.
Truth: As the medical research advances, it was identified that the gene on chromosome 21 is responsible for Down Syndrome. Scientists believe that there is a possibility in the future to improve, correct and prevent the varies problems related to Down Syndrome.

Garrett

Christy

Peter James

Here is PJ playing 'peek-a boo'

Maggie Sunshine

Squishy Face!!!

Our Family as we are

Here is a pic of our beautiful family. Somehow our favorite photographer - Brandi - through the magic of digital manipulation, got all of us not only to smile but to look at the camera at once - it makes Tiffany cry...

Here We Gooooooo !

December 14, 2008 was anything but a typical Sunday...

It was the date I had given my family as to my answer to the BIG question... To go or not to go? After much prayer, consideration, and searching God's will, well the answer was clear. "Lets go get him".
"Him" was a little one year boy in Africa - Ethiopia that is, which somehow has survived with a heart defect and an extra 21st chromosome otherwise known as Down Syndrome. We have already been blessed with 2 kids with the very special chromosome (Maggie and PJ). He has yet to be 'officially' named - but I am leaning toward "Spud" - my wife winces at that. We have started climbing the mountain of paperwork and have even submitted our fingerprints to our local police department - very entertaining. We are all very excited to get on with this life adventure. I must admit I am confident of our direction, yet a little anxious also. We have adopted from of our state foster care system, and even an out-of-state adoption. Africa is certainly a little bigger trip full of more uncertainties and questions.

So we begin our quest for "Spud" and are so very excited for our days ahead - I hope you enjoy our story - hopefully one with a happy ending.

Gary (Big Dad)