It's hard waiting...

It's been really hard waiting. Praying and waiting...trying to pass time. Emmy has been praying much more for "a baby" and she has been communicating in her own way it's hard for her to wait...she just wants "a baby" now (me too!).

Well today a big package came and Charlie said very excitedly "Emmy help me open this...it's a surprise for Momma." I didn't know what it was but I knew Charlie was making the package more exciting for Emmy because he is a good Dad and knew she'd have fun opening it and playing with it's contents. Well Emmy proceeded to say "Is our baby in there?!". As Charlie and I tried to contain our laughter we noticed that she was genuinely hoping our baby was indeed in this box that the UPS guy brought. It was so sweet, cute, sad, and hilarious. We talked to her and let her know that she would know when the baby was coming. :D

I write this story so you can know how to pray for us. It's so difficult knowing our sweet baby is so far away and that we can't bring him/her home for awhile. It's going to be a long journey still and that is hard to deal with. We need prayer for patience and for trust in God's unfolding plan. Pray for Emmy's sweet little heart to see God's faithfulness and goodness at the tender age of four years old. Thank you so much for your prayers. We couldn't get through this without them!! :D

Blessings...

I have to believe...

(This song was posted on a blog I follow...I needed to post it here. What a great reminder in the midst of these crazy transitions in our lives. There is alot going on. All of which are unknowns...to us that is, not to God.) :D

I have to believe, He sees my darkness
I have to believe, He knows my pain
I have to lift up, my hands to Worship
Worship His name

I have to declare, that He is my refuge
I have to deny, that I am alone
I have to lift up, my eyes to the mountains, thats where my help, it comes from

He said that He’s forever faithful
He said that He’s forever true
He said that He can move mountains
If He can move mountains
He can move my mountain, He can move your mountain too

I have to stand tall, when the wind blows me over
I have to stand strong, when i’m weak and afraid
I have to grab hold, a hold of the garments, the garments of praise

He said that He’s forever faithful (oh i know it)
He said that He’s forever true
He said that He can move mountains
If He can move mountains
He can move my mountain, He can move your mountain too

I have to sing praise, when the hour is midnight
He unlocks these chains, that bind up my soul
my sin and my shame He has forgiven, and made me whole

He’s got everything under control
I have to believe

Lord I believe, help my unbelief
I have to believe in you
I have to believe

DTE 8/7/09

Our dossier was recieved by our family coordinator and she said everything looked good!! Yay! We don't have to do anything else before it's authenticated and mailed to Ethiopia. They will mail our papers to Ethiopia on 8/7/09. This is our DTE (date to ethiopia) and they use this date to determine our family waiting number. We have a number but they don't share it with us for confidentiality purposes. I don't exactly know why but our DTE is what we base our wait time on. So by 1/7/09 we could possibly have a referral. It could also be as late as 4/7/09. We are just praying that the child God has for our family would be healthy and safe. That God would work in the hearts of the judge to look favorably on our papers and that we can bring our child home soon. I didn't know how I would feel during this time but I can tell you I am more anxious than I was while expecting Emmy.

It's funny how we can fool ourselves into thinking we are in control and that although I trusted God with Emmy I really felt like I was somewhat in control because I had her with me at all times...in my belly. ;D My second child I don't have with me at all. Not even in the same state, let alone same country. He/She is pretty much as far away as you could get from another person. Are you sensing what I am going to say next?! {grin}

God is teaching me (us) to trust, TRUST in Him and His goodness. He was watching over Emmy and protecting her from unknowns and He is watching and protecting our sweet Ethiopian prince or princess from unknowns...and I (we) need to rest in that. And I do!! Most of the time :D

If you want to know how you can pray for us over the next 5-8 months (could be longer I guess...) I will write our prayer requests for you. Thank you so much for all your support. We appreciate you!

1. Pray for peace. Trust that God is taking care of every detail.
2. Pray for finances...we are joining a fundraiser soon where you can purchase YUMMY coffee straight from Ethiopia (Coffee's home country) and proceeds will go directly to our adoption. Details to follow! :D
3. Pray for wisdom as to where God wants us to land (live!). We've been praying now for approximately 3 years as to where God wants us to live. Pray for clarity.
4. Most importantly pray for our future child & emmy. Pray for our newest to be in the hands of God and to be healthy and safe. Pray God would comfort him/her and all the orphans of the world. Pray for Emmy to continue in her knowledge of Him and to enjoy getting to know the Father.

Thank you!! :D