I'm Leaving On A Jet Plane!!!

Monday, December 26, 2011 No comments
First I want to thank everyone who voted for me! I didn't win but I am totally okay with that. God knew who needed to win that money :) It meant so much to me to have so many people supporting me and voting! Ya'll rock!!

Over the last couple of weeks I have been acting like a super physco crazy lady, lol calling Lesley more often then usual (everyday, lol) asking her if she had heard anything about my court date! She had told me it usually took 3-4 weeks from the time your case gets filed and I was on week 5 and still hadn't heard anything! With the Christmas holiday coming up I was secretly praying for my Christmas miracle. You see I got a new job that I am starting on January 9th and I didn't exactly tell them that I was in the process of adopting. They didn't ask, I didn't tell :) I just prayed that the Lord would allow me to travel for court before I started orientation! I didn't want the interviewer to assume I couldn't handle the job just because I am adopting. This job is bringing so many wonderful benefits for both me and my boys and I am just so thankful the Lord has provided it.

Anywhoo! Last week I started getting nervous. The closer the end of the year got the more nervous I got about my new job and traveling for court. Some people were telling me I needed to go ahead and let the cat out of the bag so to speak and tell my new employer about my adoption but I just couldn't. I knew God would work it out, he always does. You see over the last 14 months God has ALWAYS provided, just in HIS timing. Along the way I have learned I just have to remain faithful and not question Him!! Something that trust me has come with time on my part, lol I was not always good at that. While at work last Thursday I got a text from Lesley asking me if I was at work. Seeing as I knew Lesley was in Canada visiting family for Christmas I thought this must be something adoption related! So I texted her back and told her yes but that I could talk. A few seconds later she called. (from the same number I had seen on my caller ID earlier but had ignored because I didn't recognize it, lol) When I answered she said "I need you to be sitting down when I tell you this" Okay not the best thing to hear when you are wanting good news. She didn't even tell me to sit down when she gave me my referral, LOL She went on to say "There was a mix up with your paperwork and well can you be in Ethiopia in 10 days!!" WHAT!!! Seriously?!?! The tears were rolling and I was shaking!! I couldn't believe it!! I had my court date!! January 3rd!! Even as I type this I am still in shock, LOL

After talking for a few more minutes I got off the phone with Lesley and immediately called my other friend who is also named Lesli, lol and who will be going with me on the trip!! She is the sweetest person and seriously deserves the award for most amazing friend ever for agreeing to come along with me!! Seriously over the last few days she has helped me so much in preparing for our trip. So I was super excited to tell her the news but of course I called her and she didn't answer, LOL So I called and called and called some more, Ha!! Finally she called me back and when I got her on the phone I asked her if she had plans for New Years and with a little hesitation she said "No, why?" To which I said "Do you want to ring in the new year with me in Ethiopia!!" I think she said Shut Up a few times after that and then we were both just screaming!!

Next was to tell my mom and sister :) My mom has a doctor's appointment on the 3rd that my sister had said she would take her to. So I had decided I was going to use that to help me tell them. I walked in my house and everyone was in the livingroom. My sister still says she can not believe I was able to keep a straight face for so long. I started talking to them about the day and then looked at my sister and said "You did say you could take mom to the doctor on the 3rd right?" She of course looked at me like I had two heads and said "yeah why" and I got a HUGE smile on my face and yelled "Because I will be in Ethiopia for my court date!!!!" My mom and sister both screamed and jumped up. It was GREAT!!! I only wish I could have gotten a picture of their faces :)

So, Lesli and I are set to leave for Ethiopia this Friday and just to throw in yet ANOTHER God planned detail.........We get back on Friday the 6th leaving me the weekend to recover before starting my new job on the 9th!!!! What an amazing God we serve!!!! I think I have been feeling about every emotion there is these last few days!!! I am beyond excited but also nervous and anxious. Noah is NOT excited :( He is not happy I am leaving him to go and in his own words he told "I want to go and see him and touch him myself" We had a couple of big meltdowns on Friday and Saturday when I tried to leave to do some last minute shopping, but he is doing better and we are talking a lot about Mommy to going to Ethiopia and how I will only be gone for a week. I told him when I get home I will have LOTS of pictures and video of his little brother. He doesn't know it but I am also planning on leaving a little envelope for everyday that I am gone with a little note from me and a little surprise for him. If only he knew and understood how incredibly hard it will be fore me to leave him for a full week!!! God give me the strength :) I just can not wait to have both my boys together under one roof!!

I have some specific prayer request if you would like to be praying this week and next~


  • Please pray for safe travels for both Lesli and I (Have I mentioned I have NEVER flown!! So if you could pray for my sanity as well that would be great :)

  • Pray for Noah! That he would be okay while I am gone and that the week doesn't drag for him!!

  • Pray for Isaiah, that his little heart would be open to all my love that I can't wait to shower him with

  • Pray that my MOWA letter is there when I go to court and that things go smoothly and that I pass court!!!

  • Pray for the possible meeting I will have with Isaiah's birth mother. Pray that the Lord will give me the words to say to her and that she will know and see how much love I have for her son and how thankful I am to her for such a gift

  • Pray for my mom and sister who will be taking care of Noah while I am gone.

  • Pray that my eyes and heart would be open to all that the Lord wants to show me while in Ethiopia. I have tried to prepare myself for what I will experience but I honestly don't think I can

  • Continue to pray for all the orphans in the world who don't have a forever family. Pray that the Lord would continue to pierce hearts of others and break their hearts for what breaks His!!

Thank you so much for your prayers!! You have no idea how much they mean to me!! I am going to try and update the blog while I am in Ethiopia. Internet is not the greatest from what I have been told, but I'm going to try :)


Praying this time next week I have passed court and can finally show ya'll my precious little boy!! My gift from God!!

PLEASE VOTE!!!

Wednesday, December 7, 2011 5 comments
Recently I found out I was chosen as one of ten families to have a chance at winning a $2,000 grant toward my adoption through The Angel Foundation!!! To win I need people to go to the link and VOTE!! The first family to get 100% of their votes wins the grant!! It takes only seconds to go to the link and vote!! I am currently in 4th place with 8.07% First place is currently at 40.96%!!! You can vote once from any computer or phone!! This grant would be such a huge blessing as I continue to pray that the Lord allows me to travel this month to meet my sweet Isaiah!! PLEASE VOTE and Re-Post on your blog, twitter, Facebook or mass e-mail!!! Just click on "Elliott, A Brother For Noah" You can vote by clicking on this link http://angelfoundationforkids.wordpress.com/voting-page/

THANK YOU in advance!! The Lord continues to provide in HIS way and I know even if I don't win this grant he WILL provide the funds to allow me to travel and finally have my sweet boy in my arms!!!

Where God Guides, He Provides!!

Sunday, November 27, 2011 1 comment
From the very start of my adoption journey I have always prayed God's name would be glorified! I wanted people to see HIM in every detail, big and small!! Adopting from Ethiopia as a single mom would not be possible if not for God's Grace!! I was blown away recently with how God brought me my referral of my sweet Isaiah. To go from what some would call zero hope in adopting and then 5 days later being able to see my sweet boy's face!! What a blessing!! There is another part of the story that I have been wanting to share.

Once I received my refferal I knew I would have a short time to get the money together for my referral fee. Through the kindness of others I had already been blessed with $2,400! I needed $5,600 more to be able to officially accept my referral. After talking to Lesley we both decided that because of the uncertaintity in Ethiopia with single mother adoptions it would be better to not ask for a extension as some families sometimes can, which meant I had 10-14 days to come up with the money or I took a chance on losing my referral. I had no idea how I was going to come up with the money. My human brain could not wrap my head around how in the world God was going to do it BUT in my heart I knew God WOULD provide.

The following Wednesday while at work I received $600 in donations from three different people!! God was already providing for the remainder I needed to accept my referral! That night I came home to an e-mail from a woman I only knew through e-mail. She had been very kind and had donated an item for my giveaway. I had e-mailed her the day I got my referral to thank her for her donation and to tell her I had gotten my referral. She had e-mailed me that Wednesday to check in and see how my fundraising was going. She said she and her husband had been praying for me and that they wanted to help. She has asked me to let her know how much I still needed for my referral fee. I smiled when I read her e-mail. A complete stranger who only knew me through e-mails wanted to help me. How sweet of her! I e-mailed her back that evening, thanking her for her generous heart. Not only had she donated something for my giveaway but she was now wanting to help me even more. Below is the e-mail I received from her the following morning.

Sarah,

Love your heart and your faith is inspiring. I'll put a check for $5000.00 in the mail today. ; )

It's unusual for us to have this kind of money to donate, but a few months ago we recieved a blessing and wanted to creatively give back to God. We've been 'sitting' on this money for three months now, just praying for direction on how God would have us use it. When you wrote me and told me the amount you needed, I thought it odd (in a cool, God-kind of way), because that's the exact amount we had. I continued to think and pray about the idea. Last night I told my husband about it and he immediately agreed that giving you this money is the right thing for us to do. I'm so excited for you and for the journey you are on. I'll continue to pray for you and that God will continue to make himslef known through you and your boys. :)

I still get tears in my eyes just reading these words again. How AWESOME is our God!!! I was and continue to be overwhelmed and humbled that God chose my boys and I to be a part of such an amazing story of God's Provision, Grace, Faith and Obediance!!! In just 9 days I went from being told that I may not be able to adopt from Ethiopia, to getting my referral and then getting ALL the money I needed to accept my referral!!! Can I get an AMEN and Praise the Lord Almighty!!! My sweet Brother and Sister in Christ will never know how much their gift means to me!! Isaiah will always know about the Angels who helped bring him home to his forever family!!I thank God for them and their giving hearts!! I pray God's blessings on their family!! I hope I am one day able to travel to their state and introduce them to my sweet boy once he gets home!!

I am so thankful that my prayers are continuing to be answered! God's Mighty name continues to be Glorified!! People who don't know the Lord are hearing this story and are now starting to become more interested in hearing about Him!! Praise Jesus!! People who have fealt the Lord calling them to adopt but were unsure due to the financial part are now stepping out in Faith believing that "Where God Guides, He Provides" I don't know why God chose me, but I will always be thankful he did! Not only has my Faith grown but so many other's have as well.

“You are my servant…in whom I will show my glory.” Isaiah 49:3

Getting My Referral

Saturday, November 12, 2011 1 comment
Yes, I know my blog title has changed :) The minute I saw my precious little boy's face last Saturday I knew he didn't look like a Silas. The name didn't fit his beautiful face. Noah and I have spent the last week talking about the perfect name and yesterday we finally decided on Isaiah. There is scripture from the book of Isaiah that I have always loved and especially going through this adoption journey, it has been a source of comfort.

Isaiah 40:31 "But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint"

God is writing such an amazing story of Provision, Grace, Faith and Obediance through my adoption. Although I am not the best at blogging sometimes (or a lot of the time, lol) I am so thankful to have this blog to use as a journal. I have literally been blown away and incredibally humbled this past week. God's POWER has been shown in BIG ways just this past week and I can't wait to share with ya'll as soon as I am able!!

As ya'll might remember Monday October 31st I met with my the Ethiopian Director at my agency where I was informed that Ethiopia was in fact closing adoptions to single mothers but nobody was sure of the timeline as to when it would all happen. The decision was made to continue to move forward with my adoption. As easy as it would have been to just stop and give up, I couldn't do that. I felt with every bit of my heart that my little boy was in Ethiopia and I needed to get him home!! I had sent out a mass text message asking all my friends to pray that God would allow my adoption to continue and that I would be able to bring my little boy home wherever he was. That night my good friend Lesley (who is also the Ethiopian Director) texted me to ask me what was the absolute age range I was open to. I had originally thought that the best fit for our little family would be an older child, like 3-5, but I told Lesley I didn't want to box God in on what he had planned for us. So I told her I was open to a little boy from birth-5yr old. I didn't want what I thought was best, but what God knew was best for us.

Wednesday night I had also asked my Adoption Bible Study class to pray for me and for my adoption. It is such a blessing being a part of a group of ladies who have all gone through adoption and understand ALL the emotions that come with this amazing journey! It turns out God was hearing all the prayers and he was hard at work molding and shaping every detail that would lead up to getting my referral. It turns out Lesley got the news of my referral on Thursday!!! Just 3 days after telling me she wasn't sure what the future held for my adoption!!!

It has been an ongoing joke that Lesley would be unable to really surprise me with my referral because unlike most people adopting, I don't get excited and jumpy when Lesley's name pops up on my caller ID because we are good friends and we talk often. Boy was I wrong :) Lesley sent me a text message Thursday night asking me what I was doing on Saturday. She said her hubby was working all weekend and she wanted to come over and see my new house. We moved back in August but with work, school and kids I haven't had the opportunity to really have anyone over. At first I wasn't sure because I had to work Saturday but Lesley was persistent :) and assured me they weren't going to stay long. Trust me it wasn't that I didn't want her and her sweet boys to come over, but I was working my 3rd Saturday in a row and I never know if I am actually going to get to leave on time. So after all that we agreed that I would text her when I was almost home and they would head over.

I had been home about 10 minutes and was in my basement when I heard Lesley hollering for me from upstairs. I made my way upstairs and as I reached the top I also saw my other friend Brittney standing around the corner by my front door. I began to get a little confused and even said to Brittney "What are you doing here? I didn't invite you over, LOL" She totally knew I was joking. Although I found it a little odd she was there, it wasn't too weird since we are all friends and Brittney and I live on the same street. I still hadn't caught on. I should mention Brittney also works for my adoption agency :) and it turns out Lesley and Brittney wanted to give me my referral together. So they had planned to have Lesley tell me she was coming over and then she would stop and pick up Brit and bring her along.

Lesley and Brittney were standing there smiling and I think I had a huge look of confusion on my face when all of a sudden Lesley said something like "So I'm a horrible lier" and then turned this piece of paper around that had my sweet boy's pictures on them!!!! I immediately lost it and started crying like a big baby. I had waited so long to see his face and less then a week ago I wasn't even sure if that would happen!! Everyone was crying and so excited, poor Noah he didn't understand completely what was going on. About 10 minutes after getting it I called for him to come over to me and I showed him the picture again and asked him if he knew who this was. He shook his head no, and I told him it was the picture he had been praying and asking for. The picture of his little brother. He immediately got the biggest smile on his face and just stared at it :) I am so thankful to have such wonderful friends who made sure to surprise me with my referral. I seriously had no clue what was going on!! Definitely something I will never forget :)

Orphan Sunday Giveaway!!

Sunday, November 6, 2011 2 comments
So today was just wonderful :) Noah and I along with my mom, sister, niece and nephews all wore our adoption shirts in support of Orphan Sunday. While I loved being able to bring awareness today, it is sad that we need an actual day to open the eyes of people all over the world about the orphan crisis. Seriously, why can't this be an everyday thing?!?! My nephew actually had a lady stop him in Wal-Mart who asked him what his shirt said and what it was for :) Loved seeing him quickly inform her about orphan care and my adoption!! I can't tell you how special it was to wear them now having my referral. My precious boy was Chosen by the Father to join our family and just looking at his little face makes it so amazingly real and I just can not wait to get him home!!! This was Noah and I before we left for church this morning.



So thanks to LOTS of amazingly sweet people who were gracious enough to donate some things, I have a great little basket of goodies I am giving away! You will find out the details of how to enter at the end of this post. So without further adu let's see what you have the chance to win!!


Crystal @ http://www.thecanvasheart.com/ designed this beautiful canvas for the giveaway. I love how she used neutral colors so that it could go with any decor :) It is a 8x10 canvas with Psalm 86:11 written on it


I have gotten to know Carolyn Twietmeyer over the last couple of months through Facebook and she is just an awesome lady!! She is the founder and executive director of Project Hopeful, an organization that is educating, encouraging and enabling families to adopt and advocate for children with HIV/AIDS. You can read more about Carolyn and the how you can get involved with PH at http://www.projecthopeful.org/ Carolyn was so nice to donate one of these awesome necklaces for the giveaway. I am putting mine on my Christmas list :)


I have been reading Angie Smith's blog for a few years now. It was seriously a God thing that brought me to her blog and I am so thankful for it because over the last few years Angie's words have encouraged me, ministered to me and inspired me through some tough times and good times :) Angie has written two books. Both of which are amazingly good! I am so happy to have both of her books included in the giveaway, one of which is a signed copy :) I can guarantee you will gain a ton from both of her books!! She is a true woman of faith!!



I "met" Kelly through the adoption community and Facebook :) She and her family are adopting from China and to help raise money they have an awesome store where they sell everything from shirts, to jewelry to cups and even car decals. I LOVE their products and was so happy when Kelly sent me a cup to include in the giveaway!! Be sure and check out their online store for more awesome products at http://www.gotloveadopt.com/


Gwen and Suzanne are two moms who love orphans! They met six years ago as they were both going through their first adoptions (one domestic and one international) … Thirteen kids and seven adoptions later, they are bound together through faith and mission. they love “doing life together” and accepting the call to speak up for orphans everywhere. They want to help as many people as possible to see the 147 million orphans as scripture calls them, “…those who have no voice.” They want you to see YOUR PART in helping change the life of an orphan. Could it be adoption, sponsoring a child, volunteering for orphan care ministry, rocking babies at an orphanage, financially supporting someone adopting, or buying these products? I LOVE my 147 gear and I know you will too!! I have two shirts both XL in size that Gwen and Suzanne donated for the giveaway :) The dark grey one is a long sleeved one and the pink one is short sleeved.



Kara over at http://www.papersunday.com/ has so kindly offered one of her beautiful personalized journals of your choosing!! There are LOTS of different styles to choose from and who wouldn't love a journal that is personalized with your name, included in scripture on each page!! I will be adding this to my Christmas list as well :)

I have been blessed to hear Liz Curtis Higgs speaks twice over the last couple of years. She is such a funny lady, with a gift of speaking God's word in a way that you can always relate to. I have the Rise and Shine book and it is wonderful. I loved reading her daily devotionals and I am sure you will too!!


Kim is a fellow adoptive mommy :) She and her husband have two sweet little girls and are in the process of adopting two little girls from Ethiopia. I have enjoyed getting to know her through blogging. To raise money for their adoption, Kim and her husband are selling ornaments like the one below. Are they not neat! I love them! Kim was kind enough to send me one to include in the giveaway. You can check out Kim's blog and learn more about their adoption journey at http://alittleloveinyourheart.blogspot.com/


My sweet friend Lindsay who sells Thirty One has given me a super cute lunch tote for the winner!! I love the polka dots :)



How to Enter:
(Pay via Paypal on the left sidebar)
Shipping will be free to the winner.


$10 for one entry
$20 for two entries
$30 for five entries
$50 for fifteen entries

Free entry (after paying for at least one entry) for one blog post! (comment here to let me know you posted)


You can also get 3 entries if you purchase a shirt. You can order through paypal, just be sure to include the size you will need and include $2 for shipping :)


The giveaway will go until November 18th at midnight!! I will choose the winner on Saturday November 19th :) So get your entries in now!! I don't know about you but I would love to get my hands on ALL of that stuff!!



Yikes! Three things I almost forgot about! An awesome personalized shirt from
http://pitterpatterart.wordpress.com/ Laura has been so kind to offer a personalize tee to the winner. I love her African shirts and will definitely be ordering some matching shirts for my two boys!!

A sweet lady who I have become the quite the fan of on Facebook :) donated a personalized wubbie and key fob!! She has TONS of different designs and you can personalize them for a boy or girl!! I am definitely going to be ordering a wubbie for my sweet boy to take to him on my first trip!! You can "like" her page at https://www.facebook.com/#!/craftypolkadot




































A Day I WIll Never Forget!!!!

Saturday, November 5, 2011 1 comment
Today is a day I will never forget. Why you ask?!?!?! BECAUSE...............................................













I GOT MY REFERRAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have gotten to stare at the sweet, precious face of my son ALL DAY!!!!! He is 5 months old, has the sweetest smile that melts this momma's heart and has the biggest most beautiful brown eyes I have ever seen!!!!! I have spent the day crying tears of JOY and being on cloud nine at God's POWER!!!!! There is so much to type about the awesome way I found out and what's next but right now I am going to take advantage of the extra hour of sleep I can get and go to bed :) PLEASE be praying that God will again MOVE MOUNTAINS and provide the funds I will need in just 10 SHORT days to officially accept my referral. I need $5,500!!!! If you have a heart for orphan care and feel lead to donate you can do so by clicking on the button in the top left hand corner. Be sure and check back tomorrow for an announcement about a BIG GIVEAWAY I am hosting to raise money!!!

Off to pray over my sweet boy's face before bed :)

A Year Later & BIG Prayer Request!!

Tuesday, November 1, 2011 1 comment
Today marks a year since I started on this amazing journey called adoption. This last year has been full of every emotion there is as well as many many tears and prayers for a sweet little boy half way across the world waiting on his mommy to come get him!! When I started on this journey I thought I had a pretty good idea as to what the timeline would look like. I just knew 9 months into it I would have a referral and then 3 months later I would be traveling to meet my son. Ha, if only I knew then what I know now!! With that said I honestly never thought a year later I would still be waiting on a referral, but I know God's timing is perfect as he has shown me so many times. Over the last 12 months God's provision for this adoption has been been made so clear and I am so thankful that He is control and not my type A control freak self :)

The Lord has used this last year to grow my faith, teach me more about obedience and what it means to truly be still and wait on Him! There have been days where I have cried and pleaded with the Lord over this adoption, then there have been days where no matter what obstacles I have come up against I have been at peace knowing the Lord already knows when my sweet boy will join my family. He counts the hairs on his head, he knows his laugh, his smile, he comforts him at night, he keeps him safe and he WILL bring him home to his mommy and big brother who talk about him daily, pray for him every night and who love him with all our hearts!!

This all brings me to a huge prayer request. Sunday night I got a text from my good friend Lesley who works for my adoption agency. She wanted to know if I could come by the office on Monday morning to talk. I was tempted to freak out and call her immediately to find out what was going on but I felt the Lord telling me "calm down, I am already there" So I chose to just wait and talk to her in the morning. What she told me the next morning was definitely not what I wanted to hear!

Ethiopia is closing adoptions to single mothers. My heart sank! What did this mean?? I didn't cry, I didn't freak out, but on the inside my heart and mind were racing. Thankfully Lesley is awesome at giving me all the information available and making sure I have a clear understanding of every detail. Plus she is great at holding me accountable and reminding me that the Lord is in ultimate control. So what does this mean for my journey to bring Silas home??

As of right now there is not a definite date as to when adoptions will be stopped for single moms. Currently my dossier is #14 on the waiting list. As it stands right now I am going to continue on this journey in hopes that I will be able to finish this journey with bringing home my little boy!! There are LOTS of tiny details but honestly I don't feel comfortable sharing every little detail on the internet :) I hope ya'll understand!! I would be humbled if you would commit to joining me in praying for my adoption! I know that no matter how big the bumps are that I hit in this journey they are nothing compared to the God we serve who can move mountains!! I am believing that this is just another way God is going to be glorified as his power, grace and mercy are poured out over this adoption!!

I was telling my friend today it would be so easy for me to just give up and quit but the ache that I have felt in my heart since yesterday and the tears I cried as I thought of that precious little boy waiting for me, those keep me going, keep me fighting to bring my son home where he belongs!! At night I watch as Noah prays for his brother, asking God to keep him safe until he comes home. So much love in his heart for his little brother. I long for the day they are together, learning from eachother and playing together! I will not stop until he is home!!

"God will never give you more then you can handle? God will give us more then we can handle, because then we surrender to him and he takes over, proving himself by doing the impossible in our lives! All of this life requires more of him and less of me!" I am praying and clinging to Christ tonight and in the nights to come when I feel like the world is against me! Lord Jesus help me to always remember no matter who is against me YOU are for me and YOU are bigger then anything of the world!!

If you would like to join me in praying, there are some specific prayer request you can be praying for~


  • Pray that I will be able to finish my journey to bring Silas home

  • Pray that the updated paperwork I am waiting on comes soon and I am able to get everything in order for my referral

  • Pray the the Lord will continue to provide financially, specifically the $5,700 that I still need for my referral fee.

  • Pray that God will watch over Silas, keep him safe, healthy and comforted until the day he is in my arms forever

  • Pray that Ethiopia will allow the single mothers already in process to finish their adoptions and bring their children home

  • Pray that God will continue to be glorified through my adoption

  • Pray that I will stay focused on the Lord and continue to be obedient in all circumstances.

Thank you in advance for your prayers and support! I don't know what the future holds for my adoption but I do know that the Lord is already there and has every detail worked out!! The new song by Casting Crowns "Already There" ministers to my heart and I find myself listening to it daily :) I hope you enjoy listening to it as much as I do!!

Fall Fun & The Challange

Wednesday, October 26, 2011 No comments
Happy Fall Ya'll :) Noah and I just got home from our church's fall festival and let me just say it was a lot of fun!! Between candy, games, eating Chick-Fil-A, getting his hair sprayed red and blue and jumping in the bouncies my son is worn out and fast asleep as I type :) He had so much fun! The best part though was seeing SO MANY people from our community there with their families. It is a great outreach and I am hoping that many seeds were planted tonight in the hearts of those who may not know the Lord.

November 6th is Orphan Sunday and my friends Natalie and JT have challenged everyone to take a stand for the orphans all around the world and instead of wearing your Sunday best to church that day wear an adoption shirt advocating and being the voice for all the orphans in the world. Noah and I will be wearing our shirts as well as Noah's Grammy, Aunt and cousins!! If you would like to join us in supporting adoption both domestic and international and you need a shirt, I would be happy to sell ya one of mine or if you don't like mine I can point in the direction of many to choose from. Just e-mail me at ethiopiaminusone@gmail.com I urge you to take a stand for the fatherless. Even if your church doesn't have a big adoption ministry, pray about how God may use you to not only be a voice for the orphans but also how you may be the hands and feet of Christ in opening the eyes and hearts of your church body to the orphan crisis that is happening ALL over the world!!

Also be sure and check out Natalie and JT's blog for a really neat giveaway they have going on right now in support of their 2nd adoption from Ethiopia!! They brought home their son Tedi last year and let me just tell ya that kid is something else. Such an awesome little guy! He was definitely perfectly and wonderfully made to join Nat and JT's family and I can't wait to watch God mold their sweet family into a family of 4 with their next child. Speaking of giveaways.......

Be sure and check my blog on November 6th Orphan Sunday for a BIG GIVEAWAY ANNOUNCEMENT!!!! I am one determined momma working hard to raise money for my referral fee and let's just say you won't want to miss this!!! There will be something for everyone :) So be sure and keep watching and tell your friends!!!

While We Keep Waiting.........

Friday, October 14, 2011 2 comments
So today marks 4 months since my dossier arrived in Ethiopia!! The average wait time for a referral is 3-6 months from the time your dossier arrives in country, SO you can imagine how hard it is for me not to hope that sooner rather then later I will be getting "the call" I have been waiting for the last few months! I am STILL trying to fundraise. As of today I have raised a little over $2,300 toward the $8,000 I will need upon receiving my referral. As HARD as it is at times not to let the world into my head and allow the negativity to cause me doubt I know that God WILL provide!! There have been many times of the last year when I have wondered where in the world the money will come from. For every questionable thought the Lord has always blown me away with his Grace and Mercy on my adoption.

So we continue to wait and while we wait we are keeping busy :) I am FINALLY done organizing the new house! I feel so blessed that God gave us this house. It is perfect for us and I could not be happier every day I pull into the driveway. Noah LOVES the yard and the fact he finally has a place to ride his motorcycle. Here is he sporting his newest 147 million orphans shirt. Love it!

For those of you who have or are adopting you know that by the time your child is home you have a new wardrobe of adoption shirts :) Here is my little man sporting a fellow adoptive family's shirt. The Wallace's are adopting from Ethiopia as well. You can read about them here

A must in my new house was my devotional corner. A place where I can go to be alone with the Lord or to spend time reading one of my many books on topics from parenting to being content with this season of life I am in as a single momma. I LOVE my little corner :) It also makes for a great place to snuggle with a certain little boy while reading bedtime stories.

Noah and I are blessed with an amazing church that I thank God for leading us to. I have met wonderful people and Noah has made lots of friends since we started going there earlier this year. Being surrounded by a body of believers has always been very important to me. I pray that God would lead us to where he would have to go and I am so thankful he did! Our church has a huge adoption ministry and it is always so much fun to go to church on Sundays or Wednesdays and see so many children from all over the world in one building! A little glimpse as to what Heaven will look like :) This past Sunday my ABF class had a family cook out which happen to be hosted by a good friend of mine and her hubby who also live on my street. Noah just LOVES their little girl Grace and I think the feeling is mutual, LOL These two are just precious. I see them being good friends as they grow up. We had a great time spending time with everyone and the kids had a blast riding on Grace's jeep and Noah's motorcycle that he drove down there (and I pushed home since the battery died as soon as we hit the sidewalk, Ha)

Noah above giving Grace a ride in her jeep, and below doing the same for her sweet little sister Avery. These girls are just so sweet. They have a little brother who came home from Ethiopia a little over a year ago but he was too busy playing for me to get a picture :) Trust me he is a little cutie! I can't wait for Silas to get home and have lots of playdates since they should be close in age.











I'm finally doing it!!

Monday, October 10, 2011 No comments
Well I finally did it! After a year of wanting to sell shirts to support my adoption but never having the money to pre-order them I am finally able to do it!! How you may ask? By the gracious giving of my wonderful mother who has offered to pay to pre-order the shirts!! I tell ya I am one blessed gal :) SO.........let me introduce you to the shirt I am selling. Please know the shirts are going to be short sleeved and not long. The front of them will say Chosen with a little red heart over the spot where Ethiopia is and the back will say 147 MILLION ORPHANS MINUS ONE as well as have scripture on below it. I am in love with the design and it could not speak any clearly on how I feel God has chosen Silas to be in our family before I even knew I would be on this adoption journey!!


So how can you order? Easy! Simply click on the pay pal donate button and specify in the message part how many shirts and what sizes. Each shirt is $22 and yes I will ship them to you!! I am so excited and can not wait to get them in!! I would love it if you purchase one to take a picture of yourself wearing it so I can make a scrapbook for Silas to see when he comes home of all the wonderful people who prayed for him and supported the journey to bring him home!! If you have any questions feel free to e-mail me at ethiopiaminusone@gmail.com

Thank you in advance for your support and prayers!! This adoption process has definitely been a journey of emotions and my friends said it best last week at church when she said "If I were you I would be scared of what God has in store for you" (meaning lots of blessings) because there has been a lot of negativity and bumps thrown at me over the last couple of months! No matter what though I pray God's name continues to be glorified for all he is doing!!

Hope you have a blessed week!!

At His Feet

Saturday, October 8, 2011 No comments
"But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed" Luke 5:16

This is exactly what I have been doing the last few weeks. I wish I had the words to tell you what has been going on, but the truth is a time came where all the raw emotions of this adoption journey came out, judgement was placed by people who don't even know me, words were said that hurt, and I found myself at the lowest place I have ever been since starting this adoption journey almost a year ago...........it was then that I found myself at the Father's feet, surrendering all the hurt, pain, fear and worry to him!! To say the last few weeks have been amazing would be an understatement!! To withdraw myself from all the business of the world and just find comfort and solace in the Almighty Father who is the same yesterday and today, has been amazing. These last few weeks have been filled with prayer (LOTS of it) and scripture reading and just spending time with the one who created me, the one who knows my hopes and dreams. It's funny how the devil uses our insecurities against us, but when we make the decision to stop allowing him to have control, God is able to do wonderful things. I allowed Satan control for too long over my insecurities. While I am still a work in progress and I pray daily that my strength comes from HIM, I know that my future is bright and that there will be a day that I am standing in Ethiopia, preparing to meet my son and by God's Grace there will soon be a day where I have him home and in my arms forever. Until that day I will keep my eyes focused on the ONE who matters most, the one who pierced my heart for the orphans and adoption years ago and not the people of this world who want to tear me down.

Heavenly Father, I pray tonight that you continue to give me strength to walk this journey with your eyes, seeing past the hurt through to the person and instead of allowing their comments to control me, I pray I take that time and opportunity to pray for them. Praying that they too will have a heart for your children all over the world. May we all see past what the world says and thinks and see solely with your eyes and your heart. Watch over Silas Father, keep him safe until he is in my arms forever.

Praying Silas Home!!!

Monday, September 19, 2011 No comments
For those of you who have adopted or are in the process you know fundraising can get hard!! You feel like you are always asking the same people to do this, buy this and so forth and so on. SO when I read about a friend who got a great deal on some bracelets to raise money for her domestic adoption I thought I would look into it.

I am so excited to tell ya'll about these neat red (one of the colors of the Ethiopian flag!) stretch bracelets that I am selling for ONLY $5.00!!!!!!! Seriously who doesn't have $5?? On one side of the bracelet it says Praying Silas Home and on the other side it says James 1:27 These bracelets can be used for not only raising money for Silas but also to raise awareness to the orphan crisis as well as spreading the gospel. Who wouldn't love it if someone ask you what does James 1:27 mean?!?!

I would LOVE to sell every single bracelet I have (all 400 of them!!) because friends that means 400 more people would be praying for my sweet boy and the other 147 million orphans in the world!!! SO who wants one?!?!

Ordering is EASY!! Simply click on the donate button, put in your amount to donate and the number of bracelets you want along with your shipping address. I do ask that you include $1 for shipping please. If you have ANY questions please e-mail me at ethiopiaminusone@gmail.com

Thanks in advance for your support and prayers!! I can't wait to tell Silas all the stories of how God worked in getting him home to his forever family!!











Sweet Reminders In Scripture

Tuesday, September 13, 2011 No comments
I sometimes laugh at myself for even having a blog. Not only because I am at times one of the most random blog posters (is that even correct English, lol) but also because I feel like I never have the words to express what it is going on through my head and my heart. I guess that is why at least 2-3 times a week I sign on with every intention of writing a post, only to sign off without every actually doing it. When I started this blog it was really just to keep a timeline of the adoption for myself, but now almost a year later I see that through this blog I have "met" some wonderful people who have come alongside me in this journey and encouraged me in ways only God knew I needed.

For anyone who has or is adopting you know that with every step forward, there at times can be 10 steps back!! Over the last 2 weeks I have been getting knocked down more then I have been stepping forward. Yesterday marked 3 months since my dossier arrived in Ethiopia!! From the beginning I knew it would take 3-6 from arrival date to receive a referral. So needless to say I have been getting a little excited. Last week I found out that it is now looking like it will be closer to the full 6 months before I get to see that precious face!! While I know this entire adoption is in God's hands and that just as he says he makes everything beautiful in his timing, I was disappointed to know I may not see that face until closer to the end of the year. Of course I already have one super cute face I get to see, kiss and love on everyday :) Seriously, it that kid cute or what! He is so excited about getting to finally see a picture of his brother. To hear him pray for Silas every night and to see him find old toys that he no longer plays with and immediately tell me we need to save those for Silas just melts my heart.


Last night during my bible study my friend shared a verse with the class. "Do not grow weary in well doing, for you will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time" Gal 6:9 Those words spoke so deep in my heart. The last few weeks have been a struggle for me in different areas, and it was a beautiful reminder of God's many promises to us. The neatest thing was I received a e-mail from another friend today who quoted that exact same scripture to me!! Can we say God is speaking!!

Those words bring such peace to me, for I know that all the stress and struggle now will bring my little boy home in the Lord's timing. I am so thankful that I am surrounded by believers who encourage me, support me, pray for me and love through all the ups and downs of adoption. Some I have never met, others I have known a short time but yet each and every one of you have touched my life in ways that I will always remember and never let go of.

The Lord tends to give me beautiful reminders that he is near, he is watching over Silas and he is leading this adoption every step of the way, until the day Silas is in my arms forever. Take a look at this picture I snapped with my IPhone on the way home from one of my Both Hands meetings. Such a small glimpse into what awaits us all who put our faith and trust in Jesus!!









Adoption and Faith

Sunday, September 11, 2011 1 comment
Having a blog not only means you open up parts of your life for all to see but you also have the opportunity to meet wonderful ladies through other blogs. Some who God truly uses to minister to your heart through their lives and experiences. That is what happened when I came across Danielle's blog months ago. Her words spoke so deeply to me, encouraging me on my adoption journey. Recently I have had so many emotions going through my mind and heart that I simply have not had the words. I decided to reach out to Danielle and ask her if she would do a guest post on my blog. I didn't give her much detail, just that I would love for her to do a post on adoption and faith. What she has written below is beautiful and I hope will touch your heart as it has mine.

Right now I am sitting here watching two beautiful, sweet, intelligent, God loving young ladies fold their laundry.

Last night they slept over their best friends' house.

This past month, they started their third year of school (second and a half...to be exact).

This summer they traveled with us to El Paso to visit my in-laws.

This past spring break they came with us to visit my home town, NYC...and ate their weight in pizza.

This past Christmas, they squealed with joy as they opened their new skateboards sent by Abuelitos.

In September of last year, they were both baptized, by their amazing father.

Last summer they went to Charleston with their Abuelitos for 4 days.

In May and June of 2010, they had birthday parties with friends from school....over 20 friends each that is!

In January of 2010 they saw snow for the first time.

In December of 2009, they celebrated their first Christmas...complete with red and yellow flamed guitars.

In October of 2009 they met their cousins, and their Tio and Tia for the first time.

In September of 2009 they boarded a plane...a plane that would take them to a whole new world, a whole new family, and a whole new life.


That day on that plane...they had no idea what had transpired for months before.

Three different court dates, countless moments of heartbreak...and countless moments of rejoicing. Hours of prayers, from hundreds of people....thousands of dollars given and borrowed. Three showers, and one beautiful room. A mamma's doubts..... and a father's frustration. Feelings of complete helplessness, and despair. Great hope at the ring of every phone. So many tears, both happy and sad. So much confusion. So much faith being built, in both us and them.

They had no idea then, and maybe they will never fully understand. But that time in my life is marked by the deepest need for God I have ever experienced. It wasn't the desperate crisis type of need that is really potent, but often quite short. It was a daily, aching in the pit of my stomach that lasted for two years until we were able to bring them home. It was a daily communication with the Father whom I had questioned at every turn. It was a daily fight for my faith...one I couldn't win, but that He won for me.

My prayer for Sarah and all those out there in that phase of their lives, is that God would daily increase their faith in Him. That He would use this time in their lives as a marker of his faithfulness and grace. That He would redeem the broken pieces of their belief, and draw them closer to Him.

Danielle is a child of God, the wife of an amazing man, the mother of two sweet young ladies from Ethiopia, the friend of some God loving women, a sister, a teacher, a wanna-be writer, a lover of Coke, Carrie Underwood, House, David Cook, The Voice, Starbucks and a woman in the process of sanctification, covered in grace, and saved by the work of Jesus Christ. You can read more from her family, faith and day to day life at This Life I Live.

9-11-01

Ten years ago I sat in shock and cried for those who lost loved one, those who lost their lives and for our country that lost so much on that horrible day. Now ten years later I am still heart broken for the thousands of lives that were lost and affected by the evil acts that touched our country that day. Even now ten years later, there are no words!! Just prayers for the thousands who lost their lives and their families. May we never forget!!

Loving this adoption shirt!!!

Thursday, August 25, 2011 No comments
So anyone who has or is adopting knows that once you start the adoption process, your wardrobe suddenly becomes more about adoption t-shirts then anything else, LOL

I LOVE getting new adoption shirts, not only because they're awesome, but because I can help support another family trying to bring their child/children home forever!! You HAVE to check out Kim's blog!! She and her sweet family are fundraising to bring home not one but two little girls from Ethiopia. They are selling these awesome shirts, and can I just say I LOVE them!! I just finished ordering one for myself :) and I can't wait to get it.


Kim is also hosting an awesome giveaway, so be sure and check out her blog!! All kinds of neat things going on :) I am secretly hoping I win the necklace she is giving away!! I just love it.

Hope ya'll are having a great week. I have the next 4 days off, so here is hoping I can find my way through the tons of boxes sitting in my house since we moved!!


Changes Everywhere!!

Sunday, August 21, 2011 1 comment
There has been so much going on with us the last few weeks!! The biggest being that God has blessed us with the perfect home and Noah and I could not be any more excited!! Of course with getting a house comes LOTS of packing, moving, unpacking, painting, organizing and purging the TONS of stuff that I now know we have and really don't need.

For those who actually read this blog I shall return soon, I promise :) I honestly miss blogging but seriously have not had ANY time to do anything lately. I would love to ask that you join me in prayer about an opportunity that God has recently placed in my lap. I can't go into a lot of details right now, but let's just say this opportunity would take A LOT of stress off my shoulders concerning some things I have recently been dealing with. FYI This surprisingly is not adoption related, LOL

Until next time~




Amazed

Sunday, July 31, 2011 No comments
I have been meaning to post an update for the last couple of weeks but here lately life is beyond busy and there just has not been the time! God is doing amazing things in my life right now and I have just been sitting in his presence in amazement at how merciful he is!! He continues to show me he will ALWAYS provide my needs and desires of my heart in his perfect timing. For the last few years on January 1st I have always written my hopes and dreams for the year in my prayer journal. I enjoy going back over that list at the end of the year and seeing how God has worked in my life. A few nights ago I read over my list for this year and was humbled at the reminder of how God has blessed me this year!! I am so thankful for the Lord's provision in my life.

I am currently still fundraising to raise money for my referral fee that will be due upon getting a referral. As of last week I had raised $2,000 through donations!!! Praise God!!! Only $6,000 left to raise. My fundraiser at Applebee's last Saturday went great. It was a wonderful time of yummy pancakes and fellowship with great friends!!! I am so thankful for my sister who manned the kitchen, getting the plates ready to go and running the dishwasher and my niece and nephew who helped serve all morning as well as busted the tables for me, allowing my to greet everyone and thank them for coming. Then there is my other nephew and my mom who stood outside on the side of the road in the HOT heat holding a sign for cars passing by to see. They were all so dedicated in helping that morning be a success. It brings me such joy to see how much love there is waiting for Silas!!

TOMORROW I am having another fundraiser that I am so excited about!!! The Chick-Fil-A in my city has been so gracious to offer to host a fundraiser to help with my adoption cost. Tomorrow ALL DAY you can go by Chick-Fil-A and present a coupon with your order and 20% of your total will go towards my adoption!!! How awesome is that!!! I am praying it is a great turn out!! Luckily I am only working 4 hours tomorrow, so I plan on spending some time there tomorrow afternoon greeting and thanking those who stop by. I hope to see a lot of familiar faces there!! I will be sure to post an update with how it goes :)

Miscellany Monday

Monday, July 18, 2011 No comments
I have been thinking about Silas A LOT lately!! Dreaming about him, praying for him and thinking about the day he is home forever!! Last week I spoke with Lifesong to get an update on my fundraising account and I got some news the brought me to tears!!! There was a donation made to my account for $1,000!!! I was overwhelmed by the gracious giving of that special person and rejoicing and praising the amazing God we serve who not only placed adoption on my heart but also placed orphan care on that person's heart!! I can't wait to tell Silas about all the people who helped bring him home!! For those of you who feel lead to make a tax deductible donation, there is a button on the left hand side of my blog.

This Saturday I am having a pancake breakfast fundraiser to help raise money for my adoption. From 8-10 you can come join us for yummy pancakes and a great time of fellowship!! Minimum $5 donation at the door. Noah told me tonight that he didn't know if he could eat any of the pancakes because they weren't going to have any chocolate chips in them :) Silly boy of mine!

I crossed over to the dark side and thanks to some Target gift cards I now own a Keurig :) I must admit I am slightly obsessed, LOL Even Noah is lovin the hot chocolate!!




I can't believe I am admitting this, but this week my sister and I will be revisiting our youth and are going to see New Kids On The Block and The Backstreet Boys!!! Yes I think we are a little crazy :) Now I just need to crimp my hair, tight roll my jeans and tie my shirt on the side, LOL


Hope ya'll are having a great start to your week and staying cool :)








A Brother's Love

Sunday, July 3, 2011 1 comment
Unless you know me personally you probably don't know exactly what stirred my heart to start praying about starting the adoption process. Last summer pretty much out of the blue Noah started asking me when he was going to have a little brother? My initial response was simply "When God brings Mommy a husband" So every night after that Noah started praying for a little brother. It amazed me to listen to him praying with such confidence that he knew if he prayed God would answer his prayers. How many times do we as adults pray, but sometimes in the back of our minds have doubt that God will really answer?

The next couple of months after that were when God really started speaking to me through sermons at church, scripture, friends, blogs and even strangers to grow the seed that he had first planted. I will always be so thankful to have such an amazing little boy who knew what he wanted and knew to start praying for it. I have watched Noah's heart grow with love for a little brother that he doesn't even know yet. He gets so excited when we take our trips to the airport to help welcome home another child to their forever family, reminding me that someday soon his little brother will be coming home on an airplane :) He is always quick to point out little boy clothes in stores, telling me we need to get those clothes for Silas and even points out certain toys that he says we need to get him. When I ordered his bunk beds he was quick to tell me that he would need to sleep on the top bunk because Silas would be too little and he didn't want him to get hurt! Melt my heart, he is already looking out for his little brother and he isn't even here yet.

Through this adoption journey Noah has watched me fundraise and fill out applications for grants. While he doesn't fully understand what it all means, he knows that we need money to bring Silas home. One night I was sitting on the couch doing some adoption stuff and Noah came out asking me if I had any tickets? In Noah's language that means receipts. I wasn't really sure why he wanted them, but I went along with it and dug some old receipts out of my purse and gave them to him, then he went on to ask his Grammy and Aunt. By this point I was very curious as to what he was doing, so I just kept watching him. After he had gathered all of his tickets he placed them in an empty tub, then proceeded to get his markers and start writing on the side of it. Below is a picture of the finished product.


I seriously almost lost it when I realized what he was doing. In Noah's 6yr old brain whenever there are receipts involved so is money. He believed that the more receipts he gathered, the more money he would have for Silas. I was speechless. I sat there thinking how blessed I am to have a son who has such an amazing heart for his little brother and how he wants to do whatever he can to help bring him home!! To date that tub is overflowing with Noah's "tickets" and just this afternoon during our trip to Sams Club he was quick to grab the receipt from the door greater and inform me he has another ticket for Silas!!

There are so many things I am anxiously looking forward to in the coming months! Getting a referral, seeing that precious face that I have dreamed about for months, getting to meet my little boy for the first time, seeing his birth country and soaking in as much as I can about his culture BUT the one thing I can't wait to see is the moment my two boys meet each other for the first time and Noah finally gets to have his little brother home forever!!

How Can You Help?!?!

Saturday, July 2, 2011 No comments
A couple of weeks ago I found out that not only was I approved for the Both Hands Project through Lifesong but that I was also approved for a fund raising account. For those of you who don't know what that is, it is an account that Lifesong sets up for you so that those who feel lead to support your adoption financially can do so by making a tax deductible donation to Lifesong. All funds raised go directly toward your adoption expenses. Please take a minute to read my support letter on how you can be a part of this amazing God lead journey to bring Silas home to his forever family!!

"God Has Written Adoption On My Heart"
Since I was a teenager I have always known I would adopt after being told I would never have children due to a medical condition. Then God blew me away when I unexpectedly got pregnant and had my little miracle man Noah. Life was crazy and I was enjoying being Mommy to my little guy. Having never forgotten about the child I knew I would adopt once day I placed adoption in the back of my mind, but never did it leave my heart. God used many different people through the years to grow this seed that he had first placed, and it was through Noah that he confirmed now was the time to start the process. Last October after much prayer I started the process to bring home Noah's little brother from Ethiopia!! Currently my dossier is in Ethiopia and I am now waiting for my official referral of the precious little boy God has chosen to join our family, who will be named Silas!!

"How God Has Already Provided"
I could write pages and pages on how God has shown his faithfulness during this journey. Time and time again he has used Brothers and Sisters in Christ to come alongside me and bless me with words of encouragement, prayers and financial funding. Some of these people are those I know well and some are those I don't know at all but who believe in adoption! I fully believe that God has called me to adopt and therefor trust that he will continue to provide as he has so graciously done.

"Joining My Journey"
I am solely dependent on the Lord to provide funding for my adoption. While has placed adoption on my heart, I also believe he has placed orphan care on the hearts of others and will continue to use others to help bring Silas home. If you or someone you know may be interested in helping bring Silas home please prayerfully consider joining my journey. What an honor and blessing it will be to one day share with Silas the details of this journey and how the Lord used so many people to help bring him home to his forever family!

Will you please consider making a tax deductible donation to help pay the remaining adoption expenses to help bring Silas home? If you would like to be a part of bringing Silas home please make your check payable to Lifesong and mail them to:
Lifesong For Orphans
PO Box 40/202 N.Ford Street
Gridley, IL 61744
In the memo section of your check please write:preference Elliott #2084 adoption

Lifesong is a trusted organization administering the funds on Silas's behalf and will pay adoption expenses out of funds received. Funds need to be received by August 1, 2011
*Note: In following IRS guidelines, your donation is to the named non-profit organization.

Thank you for investing in the Kingdom through prayer and finances. It will be an investment with an eternal return~ Matthew 6:20

Please continue to pray for Silas as well as his anxious momma and big brother! Noah and I love you and thank you for your love, support and prayers!!

For online donations go to http://www.lifesongfororphans.org/donations.html
Don't forget to put preference Elliott #2084 in the purpose box after you click donate


Has It Really Been A Month?!?!

Tuesday, June 28, 2011 No comments
I sat down to blog tonight and realized it has been over a month since I last blogged!! Crazy :) Just goes to show how CRAZY our summer has been!! As crazy as it sounds, I am STILL adjusting to working full time 4-5 days a week. At my last job I only worked 2-3 days a week with longer hours, which allowed me to have more days off during the week. Leaving time to get errands run. Now I am lucky to get everything done on my one day off. I am definitely not complaining though, because ya'll don't know how BLESSED I feel to have been given this great opportunity doing what I love, working with a great group of people who are all believers and having a 9-5 job :)

SO!! What has been going on with us?!?! Noah has been enjoying his summer swimming, playing outside, going for ice cream and all the other fun stuff you get to do when your grammy is the one who watches you while Mommy is at work :) Last Friday I was off so we went to see Cars 2!! It was really cute. There were a couple of parts I thought were just a little too violent, but that could be just me being anal :) All in all it is definitely a movie we will be buying when it comes out on DVD. Noah really enjoyed it and I am sure he will be requesting a Cars 2 themed birthday party next year, LOL

Did I mention MY DOSSIER IS IN ETHIOPIA!!!!! It arrived there on June 13th!! So I am officially waiting for a referral!! While I am anxious to see the precious little face of the little boy that God has chosen to join our family, I know that God's timing is perfect and I need to continue to be still :) Three days before my dossier arrived in ET I found out I was approved for the Both Hands project through Lifesong. You can read about it here It is a great way to serve a widow in your community while working to bring your child home!!

There are so many things going on right now with mine and Noah's lives!! I am at a point where I am in what feels like constant prayer :) Seriously, everytime I get one of my big items marked off my list of life happenings, something else takes it's place! One of these days, life will calm down, Ha! Hope all is well with ya'll and you're enjoying your summer!

My Little Graduate!!

Friday, May 27, 2011 No comments
Last night my baby boy graduated Kindergarten!! I am so proud of him and ALL he has accomplished this year. This past school year has been a little rough on my little guy and his momma!! Noah's school has a very high standard of learning, which is great and is one of the reasons I chose to send him there BUT for a little guy who was used to going to preschool only 1/2 the day 4 days a week and spending a lot of his time at "school" playing this first year of real school was a HUGE culture shock for him!! I will never forget the night we went to meet his teacher and see his classroom he looked at me when we walked in and asked "Where the toys were" We have had out FAIR share of ups and downs this past school year and through it all my little man has persevered :) I could not be any prouder of how hard he has worked and how much he has grown this past school year.

I sat in the sanctuary last night just staring at him, remembering the day he was born and how the first words I heard when I woke up in recovery from an emergency C-section were "your baby is sick, he has a hole in his heart, he will need open heart surgery, he has cerebral palsy and we don't think he will make the trip to the Children's Hospital" To look at this precious miracle standing on the stage with his big dimple smile staring down at me, I sat there praising God for his life and thanking him for this wonderful gift of being his mommy!! I knew the night Noah was born God had big things in store for him and I am so happy I have a front row seat in watching those plans unfold.

Heavenly Father,
I pray Noah continues to grow in the Grace and Knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. May he always shine his light for you and tell those around him of the Love Jesus has for his children.

For Your Entertainment, A Bullet Update.......

Wednesday, May 18, 2011 1 comment


  • I have been keeping myself busy the last couple of weeks, trying not to think about where my dossier currently is and when it will finally make it Ethiopia?!?!






  • I found out yesterday that my Lifesong application has been given to a coordinator to begin the process of having it read through, so the decision can be made as to what I will be approved for? I am praying specifically for two things, but I of course appreciate any prayers that are said on my behalf. I hope to know something in the next few weeks.


  • I have been getting more and more orders for my coasters!! Praise the Lord!! Just another reminder that HE is in control and HE will continue to provide for this journey HE called me to and placed on my heart years ago


  • Noah is exactly one week away from graduation Kindergarten!!! Seriously my son is growing up way too fast for this momma!! He is getting so excited about summer break and I am looking forward to having every Friday off with him :) I have LOTS of fun ideas and short trips planned for us this summer. There is a great Children's Museum about 3 hours away from us that I plan on taking him to and of course Noah can not wait for the pool to open!!


  • I started a new summer bible study at church this week and I am SO excited about how God will use this to grow in my walk with the Lord. The study is all about how to study God's word, which is something I have always been interested in. I am toying with the idea of posting weekly updates on what I am learning, because let's face it, the more we know about how to truly study God's word, the clearer he can speak to us through scripture. I would love to know if any of you are interested in a weekly post like that?


  • A sweet friend of mine went home to be with the Lord very unexpectedly last Friday. She leaves behind a husband and little boy who is 2. I sat in shock when I found out on Saturday. I had just been texting back and forth with her a few days prior and just like that she was gone! While I know she is with her King, I am sad for her family who is left here without her. Such a hard reminder that we never know when the Lord will call us home. One thing I learned from her was to not stress about things in life, because God will always work things out, just as he tells us in his word. Romans 8:28 spoke to me a lot over this past weekend while I struggled to understand why her son will have to grow up without his mommy. While my friendship with her was short, she touched my life in many ways and gave me life lessons that I will always carry with me. I am blessed to have known her.


  • I have been going back and forth about a blog post that a few people have been encouraging me to write lately. Mainly for those in the adoption community, to help encourage those who may have found or currently find themselves in a situation as I was in last year when I announced that I was adopting. Please pray that I will have peace about my decision as to write it or not.


  • I am getting re-baptised in a few weeks!! More details on that later :) Just pray!! This is huge and a little overwhelming for me!!


That's all for now :) Midnight is drawing near and my alarm will be going off before I know it. Thank goodness tomorrow is Friday!!! Thank you to those of you who have ordered coasters!! I wish I could personally thank each of you!! Your support is a huge blessing to my adoption journey to bring my little guy home to his forever family!!


What We Do While My Dossier Is Traveling The World

Wednesday, May 11, 2011 No comments

It has only been a week and already Noah is asking me when we are going to get a picture of his baby brother :) Other big news, yesterday I mailed off my application to Lifesong For Orphans. I am praying that I get approved for both an interest free loan and approval for the Both Hands project that you can learn about here

I would love it if you would join me in praying that there is a quick turn around for my Lifesong application as well as my dossier. Last I heard it was in Utah being authenticated and it's next stop should be DC :) One step closer to getting to Ethiopia!! There are no words for the many different emotions I have been experiencing lately!!

Happy Wednesday :)

Guess What?!?!

Sunday, May 8, 2011 No comments
I can't believe I haven't blogged in a couple of weeks!! I have been meaning to post an update but between work, getting Noah ready to graduate kindergarten :) and taking care of other stuff I just have not been able to find time to sit down and blog!! There has been a little something taking up all my free time but I would not have it any other way because...................................


That's right!!!!!! My dossier is officially on it's way to Ethiopia!!!!! Praise God and his faithfulness!!!!! God has overwhelmed me these last couple of weeks on just how much his hand is in this adoption!!!!

Last Saturday I had my first yard sale fundraiser and let me tell you God blew me away with how he provided for this adoption. I made almost $500 and I have so much left over from all the donations I got that I am having another yard sale this Saturday!!! I am so thankful for wonderful friends, some who I have only known a couple of months who were so generous in giving donations.

I love watching at all the ways God continues to show his presence through out this journey. Last Sunday at church a sweet elderly lady who I don't know, walked up to me and took my hand and told me she heard I was adoption and she wanted to bless me. After she walked away I looked in my hand and she had placed $60 in my hand!! What may have seemed like a small gift to her was such a huge blessing to me. Of course those who know me, you know I broke down in tears :) I tell ya, all you have to do is mention the word adoption to me these days and I get tears in my eyes!! Such a humbling experience, to be chosen by God to go on this journey that will bring Noah and I together with his little brother and my little boy!!!

With my dossier on it's way to Ethiopia, I am now becoming a crazy lady trying to work on raising the funds that will be needed at the time of my referral. I am still selling coasters, just click on the button on the left or feel free to e-mail me at ethiopiaminueone@gmail.com and I have a couple of other ideas running wild in my head and we'll see how they pan out :)

Thank you all for your prayers and support!! You will never know how much they mean to me!!