Today...

Today I would have been arriving in Addis Ethiopia

Today I would have seen the country my son was born

Today I would have met fellow adoptive families with our agency

Today I would have been anticipating tomorrow

Today I would have been thinking about meeting my son for the first time in 12 hours

Today would have been the last day dreaming about what it feels like to hold Jeremiah...

Instead, TODAY I am in California awaiting the day I can say "TODAY I am going to Ethiopia..."

We aren't leaving tomorrow...

So sad to report we are not leaving tomorrow. The embassy didn't confirm our paperwork. It's so frustrating that all of this was because of one mistake. But God's timing is perfect and if He wanted us on that plane we would have been. We are trusting God in this and praying March 13th will come quickly and that God would protect us and that date to be the day we are united with our boy. Pray with us please... :D

Thank you friends and family!
Becca and family...

Embassy confirmed!

The embassy confirmed our dates!! Yay!

We still need NVC to confirm they have received our paperwork before we can officially go on Saturday to pick up our precious boy!! AHHHH! Yay!

Pray with us that NVC does receive and confirm our paperwork. We believe 100% we will be on that plane but it doesn't hurt to ask for prayers does it?! :D

Thank you all!

Mercy by Casting Crowns...

What an encouragement this song was to me tonight...Our paperwork mess got fixed. Thank you Lord.
(To listen to music below pause music above.)


Lyrics to Casting Crowns "Mercy"
Here I am a sinner
Broken and in need of You
Take my life and wash my fears away
For You are the Great I AM
Rest assured, I feel Your hand
Holding me until the darkness clears
A Father to the fatherless
Redeemer of my soul
My Life is Yours forever
I want the world to know

Your mercy saved me
Mercy made me whole
Your mercy found me
Called me as Your own

Here I stand a child of Yours
Broken and in need of You
Break these chains and wash my guilt away Healer of my brokenness
My weary soul will find its rest
You are my strength, the lifter of my head You’re greater than my yesterdays
You hold me close today
You’re the Lord of my tomorrows
My heart will always say
You’re greater than my yesterdays
You hold me close today
You’re the Lord of my tomorrows
My heart will always say

You called me as Your own
You called me as Your own
Thank You for Your mercy
Thank You for Your mercy

You called me as Your own
Your own

Still don't know when we are traveling...

We were supposed to find out for sure today. Our agency was going to meet with the US Embassy last night while we all slept (daytime in ET) but they couldn't meet for some reason. So tonight while we sleep they will meet with the Embassy for sure ;) and we should REALLY know tomorrow.

Today we also found out that our 171-H form has a typo error on it!!!! We cannot travel until this gets fixed. Will you all pray with us that USCIS will correct this error and electronically file it instead of snail mail? Thank you! It's been a rough morning, but I am resting in God's mercy and grace today. We so don't deserve it but He gives it freely.

Funny side note: After receiving information from other people in our group of different delays (like one an airline strike!?) I felt the need to proclaim God's truths out loud, to proclaim that we are standing firm in God alone and that He is victorious. I didn't think Emmy knew what I was talking about (probably thought her mom had gone crazy!)...but she started chanting "We want eyob, we want eyob, we want eyob!!". I needed a good laugh and I love how sensitive she is to spiritual things. I love her and WE WANT EYOB! :D

We appreciate your prayers!

Isaiah 40:25-31

I was reminded about a few verses in Isaiah 40 recently from a fellow adoptive mom in the waiting. It's funny because Isaiah 40:31 is tattoed on my back...so you'd think it would have been brought to mind. I read all of chapter 40 and here is where God spoke to me.

Isaiah 40:25-31
"To whom will you compare me?
Or who is my equal? says the Holy One.
Lift your eyes and look to the heavens:
Who created all these?
He who brings out the starry host one by one,
and calls them by name. Because of his great
power and mighty strength, not one of them
is missing.
Why do you say, O Jacob, and complain, O Israel,
"my way is hidden from the Lord; my cause is
disregarded by my God"?
Do you not know? have you not heard?
The LORD is everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary and increases
the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the LORD will renew their
strength. The will soar on wings like eagles
they will run and not grown weary,
they will walk and not be faint."

can you relate?

I don't know if any of you can relate to this but at this point of the game it actually feels like someone in our family is missing or is away. However you describe it...it hurts. Although I have never met my sweet boy I miss him so much. Today I am sad...I am praying that God moves...and that we will be traveling Feb. 27th. Your will Father not mine...

We're coming Jeremiah...

Waiting still...

Friends,

God has moved mountains on our behalf and on Jeremiah's behalf. ALL OUR PAPERWORK HAS GONE THROUGH TO ADDIS!! Praise the Lord. Again this should have taken weeks and yet it was done in one day. :D

We did hear today however that the US Embassy hasn't confirmed our appointment times (as a group) in Ethiopia. We can't travel until they do. Monday our agency should hear something from them and they will either confirm or delay our dates. Surprisingly I was ok with this email. Every delay...seriously EVERY delay I have been a wreck. Crying was the least of it. I would be depressed and just all around sad. This time I just laughed. Literally. I don't know if I am naive because God has been moving us along when we should have been left in the dust, but I am trusting and believing we will still travel in February. It seems impossible but I know with God it is possible. Like I've written about before, Charlie has been believing we'd travel in February the whole adoption process and with all the surprising (miraculous more like it!) turn of events it was possible...within our grasp. I am now, finally, on board with him. Like he has been saying all along "I am going to believe it's February until it isn't".

Pray with us in accordance to the will of Christ Jesus our Lord that we will travel Feb. 27th...and if God's will is otherwise we will accept that and pray for strength and hope of a date soon.

Thank you dear friends!
Still waiting...

(Above are some photos I took recently of emmy...enjoy. :D)

Decision made...

(Date night for V-Day...we aren't big celebrators of that "holiday" but thought we should take advantage since we won't be going on any dates alone for awhile.) :D





So the decision was made. Not by me, my husband, nor my mother-in-love...It was made by my mother-in-loves broken bridge. You all are probably wondering what in the world I am talking about. I'll explain...

You see we were certain we wanted to bring Emmy with us to Ethiopia. For so many reasons. We wanted her to experience the culture, the poverty, the joy, the kids, the transition, the "birth room" experience of our 2nd child. We wanted her to witness the joyous day we receive what we have been praying for...I take that back, WHO we were praying for. You see our sweet girl (on her own accord) started praying for a "brother or sister" about 2 years ago. That is a long time considering it is half her life!! It is all coming to fruition now. God has chosen to bless us through adoption and bless us indeed with a brother for Emmy. I want her to see that day!

And she will...just not on "Gotcha Day". She will experience it in a different way and at a different time. This is ok too...It'll be her story of when she met her brother. Maybe next time... :D

You see my mother-in-love was going to come with us to help us with Emmy. Two days ago the bridge in her mouth broke. Not only that but it broke above it too. I don't know all the details but she has to have oral surgery a couple days before we leave. And to top it off...it's all out of pocket. And it's alot of money.

So we will leave Emmy with family and trust our sweet girl to the MIGHTY ONE, while we go get our adorable boy who we've been trusting to the MIGHTY ONE his whole life. And yes, I do know Emmy has been in God's arms her whole life too...it's just I can trick myself into thinking I am the one watching her when really it's her heavenly Father. All this to say it's going to be hard to leave her.
Prayer Requests:
1. Eyob and Emmy's health, comfort, and security. That they both (in very different ways) will be comforted by God and feel safe in their new surroundings.
2. For mommy and daddy's (Becca and Charlie :D) health and safety. That we will be sustained for the weeks to come. We need God's hand in our families lives in the next months to come and really the rest of our lives.
3. That Eyob's grieving (leaving nanny, temporary home, friends, comforts) wouldn't be long and that he would attach to us quickly.
4. That we would be the light of Christ to those around us. That we can love the children and bring HOPE to the kids in the orphanages we visit.
5. Travel safety & that preparations would be smooth and that we would not forget anything!

If anyone wants to donate small inexpensive (or expensive) items please email me or leave a comment. 100 kids at each orphanage. We are hoping to bring soccer balls, footballs, frisbees, jump ropes, chalk, bubbles, stickers, lollipops, diapers, wipes, formula, etc.

Thank you dear friends! We couldn't do this without your support, prayers, and love!

Beal Family
P.S. Maybe God is trying to show me I can go on a mission trip and leave Emmy for that long...although now I will have to leave Jeremiah too. Hmmmm.... :D

To our boy...

KISSES IN THE WIND

I hold you in my heart and touch you in my dreams.
You are here each day with me, at least that's how it seems.

I know you wonder where we are... what's taking us so long.
But remember child, I love you so and God will keep you strong.

Now go outside and feel the breeze and let it touch your skin...
Because tonight, just as always, I blow you kisses in the wind.

May God hold you in His hand until I can be with you.
I promise you, my darling, I'm doing all that I can do.

Very soon, you'll have a family for real, not just pretend.
But for tonight, just as always, I blow you kisses in the wind.

May God wrap you in His arms and hold you very tight.
And let the angels bring the kisses that I send to you each night.

--- Unknown

Our homestudy was approved and our 171-H is on it's way!!!!

Praise the Lord...GOD has done the impossible and in one day immigration recieved our paperwork and updated it the same day! Thank you LORD!

We will be traveling with the Feb. 27th group as long as the US EMBASSY approves our appointments.

Thank you all for your prayers...

Jeremiah has pneumonia and is on antibiotics. Please keep him and the other babies with pneumonia in your prayers. Thank you and we'll keep you posted.

Becca :D

Should every Christian adopt?

THIS IS A POST FROM ANOTHER BLOG (link) THAT I THOUGHT WAS VERY THOUGHT PROVOKING...Just something to think about... :D

A question I get asked a whole heck of a lot...
Do you think it's a mandate for all Christians to adopt?

[I just got asked this question again on Facebook today. Here's my response:]

OOOOH, a question i get asked quite a bit. :) And one that people try to stump me on.

Here's what I say:

Preface: I can't say what every person should or should not do nor will I judge a person who doesn't supposedly "get it." That's wrong...

1) Scripture says that if we see someone in need and we have something that would fill their need yet DO NOT fill it, we do not have the love of God in us. [We have a family; orphans don't; we therefore should share with the orphan what we have that they do not.]

2) Scripture says that we must do to others what we would want done to us (or our own biological kids, for that matter). If we were orphaned, we would want to be adopted. Period. Not just visited or taken care of in a group home. Adopted into a family. And we would want the same for our biological kids.

3) Jesus didn't just come to visit us or care for us in our orphaned state; He came to lay down His life to adopt us. James 1:27 uses the phrase "visit orphans." The word "visit" there is the same word used for when Jesus came to "visit" us. He didn't leave us as orphans; He adopted us. He didn't see us in our orphaned state of despair and say, "Oh, poor things...I wish someone would do something about that." No, He adopted us. Changed our futures; our destinies; our families. We are to follow Him and do as He did.

4) How can we not? How can we look at the children in the world without families and say, 'No, not worth it.'? Our lives are not our own. We are called to pick up our crosses and follow Him. Not our own plans or desires or conveniences. Ain't nothin' about this whole "following Jesus" thing that is supposed to be convenient. Ask Jesus if the Cross was "convenient" or glamorous.

So, should every Christian adopt? Well, I like to turn that question on its head...What is a good reason a Christian SHOULDN'T adopt? Most reasons are self-focused if we are really honest with ourselves.

[Obviously, many people are not "fit" to adopt right now, but that is usually due to our own messes we've made with relationships, finances, life choices, etc, and not something put in our way stopping us from adopting.]

Getting somewhere...

Well today we have some movement in our case. Our social worker is contacting our senator and hoping he can help with our case.

Please pray with us and for our sweet boy today. Pray that our Senator will be able to get USCIS to move on our case. Pray that we will remember who our real HELP is. Our Lord Jesus Christ is our help in our time of need.

Thank you!
Becca

P.S. Below are just a FEW of the verses I found on HELP. :D

Psalm 28:7
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.

Psalm 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

Psalm 40:17
Yet I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; O my God, do not delay.

Psalm 54:4
Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me.

Psalm 146:5
Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God,

Psalm 121:1-3
I lift up my eyes to the hills—
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber.

Hebrews 4:16
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Hebrews 13:6
So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"

Unavailable...

So while I am waiting to hear about our homestudy update being passed and the National Visa Center recieving it I have been slowly collecting Jeremiah's baby bedding. I found a bumper for $8 dollars at Target (with a gift card it was $0) and I've been looking online for the sheet to go with it. I even called Target to ask if it was discontinued or just out of stock. They informed me it was out of stock and would be available in the next week. Well it's been about two weeks now. I go on to the Target site everyday (sometimes twice a day) to see if it's available. It still reads UNAVAILABLE. It's really annoying.
Here is the Bedding...Cute right?!


Well lately I've been feeling overwhelmed and emotional about when we are going to get our boy. I feel like it's kinda like going on the Target website everyday. I check my email...call a few people...and check my email again. Everytime it feels like there is a big UNAVAILABLE sign above little Jeremiah's head. I have never waited for anything this important...I've never waited to love someone like this before. This is the hardest thing I've ever gone through. Everyday I cry when I see his sweet picture...everyday I plead on his behalf to my Lord and Savior...and everyday I wait for an answer. God gently reminds me of two things.
1. Although He cares for my concerns and my heart there are other people going through worse...much worse. Haiti comes to mind, people who have waited longer or had harder situations in adoption.
2. "God is faithful to ALL His promises and loving toward all he has made."
Psalm 146:13b

Still waiting...and as of today in "human terms" it looks like we may not be traveling Feb. 27th. But we know God can make it happen and that He doesn't work in Human terms. :D

Calling all prayer warriors!

If we don't recieve confirmation from the Oregon USCIS office that our file has been approved and sent to the National Visa Center before Feb.17th our travel will be delayed.

Will you pray with us that we won't have to delay our travel dates of Feb. 27th!? Thank you all for your prayers. We can't tell you how much they mean to us and how much we covet them!

Thank you!
We will keep you posted.

Becca :D