AUGUST 2012 // vol. 03
NOVEMBER 2012 // vol. 04
It's been a while since our last post! There hasn't been much to report - we've been steadily working on our dossier and grant applications so we can get to the next step in the process: getting on the waiting list!
We do have some news, however: last week we received our official paperwork from the US Government approving us as adoptive parents for an Ethiopian baby boy! Though we expected to be approved, this official letter certainly made it real for us!
We continue to work on our dossier, which is all of the paperwork that we will be sending to the Ethiopian government. We are hoping to have all of this paperwork finished by Christmas. Once that is finished and we have completed our adoption classes, we will be put on the wait list for a child! Wow, it’s so exciting!
Today, I (Gabi) went looking in some old journals to find a specific journal entry where I wrote down a short description of three of my future children. The things I wrote were impressed upon my heart by God…I remember shaking and crying as I wrote these down. Here you will see a glimpse into our little Ethiopian Immanuel. Please pray for him by name! We don’t know who he is or if he’s even born yet, but we love him dearly and are looking forward to all of the miracles that will occur to make this adoption dream come true.
Tuesday, April27, 2010
Immanuel: Dark, smooth, shiny skin. A heart of gold. Eyes full of wonder and curiosity. Destined for greatness.
I love you, Immanuel!!
JULY 2012 // vol. 02
JUNE 2012 // vol. 01
This week concluded the first major step in the adoption process: our home study! Our social worker was great, and we were blessed by her favorable report, which we signed this week. She recommended us for approval to the State and seemed to appreciate our preparation and heart for adoption. Our ‘missions-lifestyle’ goals and plans seemed new to her, but she was intrigued and enjoyed hearing about it and we’re praying it has some impact in her life.
Why Ethiopia? It’s probably the most common question we get when telling people about our decision to adopt. Quick update first: our home study has been approved by the State of Colorado (yay!) and yesterday we went to our first adoptive parents’ class. Much of the focus of the class was about understanding cultural differences, food differences, social differences, prosperity differences, even hair differences. We talked about how do we, as white parents, raise an African child? What questions might that bring?
ADOPTION: OUR JOURNEY
Our adoption journey officially began January 1st, 2012. Enjoying a New Year's Day brunch, we shared our dreams and goals. This is the year, we said, let's bring him home.
Two years later, it's almost time...
$22.5K RAISED $7.5K LEFT
International adoption has long been a dream of ours. We invite you to be a part of the journey. Read about it below, subscribe to our updates, and if you're so inclined, donate online.
DECEMBER 2012 // vol. 05
There is a little boy in Ethiopia, perhaps even now in his mother’s womb, who will be born into a bad situation – either his parents will die or they will be unable to care for him because of poverty or sickness. Perhaps he will be abandoned. But Immanuel the Redeemer has His hand on this boy’s life and he has given Benj and myself the awesome privilege of being his parents.
JANUARY 2013 // vol. 06
Why did you decide to adopt? That's probably the most common question I get when talking to people about our adoption. Everyone from those who "need to know", with good reason - i.e. the Ethiopian government - to strangers and well wishers wants to know, why?
MAY 2013 // vol. 07
The usual I-haven't-blogged-in-a-while excuse goes something like, wow it's been so busy, no time to write, so much to say, etc. etc. This time it's a little more humdrum: not much to report, folks! But that hasn't stopped many from inquiring and reaching out to say, "hope it's going well, let us know if you need anything." And for that, we're grateful. This isn't a road easily traveled alone.
JULY 2013 // vol. 08
We just wanted to take a moment to update you on the progress of our adoption and also to ask for your help. The big news is we are now on the waiting list! This is immensely exciting, and while it’s difficult to say just how long the wait will be, we’re hoping it won’t take long.
OCTOBER 2013 // vol. 09
Happy October! We wanted to take this cool and cloudy fall afternoon to catch you up on our adoption progress. The biggest question we've been getting is, "So when is your little boy coming home?" We'll try to answer that as effectively as possible.
DECEMBER 2013 // vol. 10
Recently I received news that my grandfather has been sick and in the hospital. Later that same day, I got an entirely different phone call. This one brought tidings of NEW life! Benj and I received our referral – which means we now know who our son is and what he looks like!!
FEBRUARY 2014 // vol. 11
My favorite verse in the Bible, for as long as I can remember, has been from Isaiah. “They that wait on the Lord find new strength. They will rise on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.”
Work has been crazy recently. There has been a lot of transition and change and my workload has increased exceptionally. At first, the increase in work caused an increase in my stress levels. I found it hard to step into a new day without anxiety. How am I going to accomplish all that I need to accomplish? seemed to be the nagging question on repeat in the back of my mind.