I got a call this morning from our adoption coordinator letting us know that we passed court--and our newest court date wasn't even until tomorrow! I'm happy and relieved. Now we can move on to waiting for our Embassy date. It will take about 3 weeks to get the kids' new birth certificates and our adoption decree. Then there are some other things that needs to happen (our agency does these things)--get H & M's passports, medical appointments, gather additional documents required by Embassy...once all of that is done and the Embassy reviews all of our documents they will either request more information or give us approval to travel to pick up Hawi & Misikir. I don't have a good guess as to how long all of this will take (it's been taking longer now due to some recent changes in Ethiopia). I'm hoping to travel by the end of April--and sooner would be an unexpected blessing.
Also, today is Preston's 11th birthday. What a great day!
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Monday, February 7, 2011
Court on Friday
I'm feeling good about our court date this coming Friday. Of course, I don't know the future, but I am hopeful that we will pass this time.
My oldest is turning 11 on Thursday. Time goes so fast. I still feel much like I did 11 years ago, but time has moved on. I'm excited to watch each of my kids get older. I loved having babies, but I think I enjoy older children even more. I love the things we can do together--especially when we can do those things without hauling around diaper bags, strollers, pack & plays, booster seats, car seats (this list can go on and on and on). So, I'm excited for Preston to turn 11. He's a great kid and I love him!
My oldest is turning 11 on Thursday. Time goes so fast. I still feel much like I did 11 years ago, but time has moved on. I'm excited to watch each of my kids get older. I loved having babies, but I think I enjoy older children even more. I love the things we can do together--especially when we can do those things without hauling around diaper bags, strollers, pack & plays, booster seats, car seats (this list can go on and on and on). So, I'm excited for Preston to turn 11. He's a great kid and I love him!
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Thursday, January 27, 2011
New Court Date
I was just informed that we have a new court date--February 11th. It's a bummer that its over 2 weeks away, but I'm also relieved that I won't be constantly hoping the phone will ring with news. So, the wait continues. Hopefully our new documents will arrive in plenty of time before the 11th and we'll pass this time.
No New News
We haven't heard anything about passing court yet. I was told that we have MOWA approval (I'm not sure how they can know that) and all that needs to happen is that approval letter needs to get to the judge and we'll pass court (if I'm understanding correctly). I'll believe it once it happens. I did not expect that we would have issues with our MOWA letter, so this journey has been a little more difficult than I had anticipated. Once we do pass court, then we move onto waiting for an Embassy date, which is taking longer than usual now, too. Still praying for everything to work out the best way possible.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Aaron's travel journal--part 6 (the last entry)
Part 6 of Aaron's travel journal (the last entry)...
January 1, 2011, Kronenwetter, Wisconsin
Our luggage came on the last day we were in Ethiopia. We were able to deliver all 9 crates of donations--clothes, bedding, art supplies, medical supplies and more. What a relief.
When saying goodbye to Misikir and Hawi, Misikir said, "I love you." That was my favorite moment in Ethiopia. I got to talk with him more through a translator. He's excited about fishing and snowboarding--oh, and driving. Hawi continues to be a bit more guarded, and that's still okay.
We started home late Wednesday night (Dec. 29). Finally got to see the Frankfurt airport (infamous as it is after shutting down last week). What a drag. Inefficient and unfriendly. I was glad to fly into Chicago. Home at last. Almost.
Flights to Central Wisconsin were being canceled due to some bad weather. Instead of waiting all day (about a 6 hour layover) to find out if ours would be canceled, we took a bus to Madison, where Jean [Michelle's mom] and Tom [Aaron's dad] picked us up and drove us home. What a relief.
The last two days have been healthy "recovery" time. I put together three short music videos of our adventures. I'll share them with the church tomorrow. I also have the task of sharing a message, ideally something tied to our adventures in Ethiopia.
As I have thought about what to share, I keep coming back to the disparity between USA and Ethiopia. We have high luxury and immediate access to basically whatever we want. People in Ethiopia are much more limited. Yet, when I think about our driver and friend, G., seeing how we live, I'm afraid it would ruin him. I'm afraid he would see the entitlements we live with, and begin to feel dissatisfied with his life. That would be tragic.
Part of the importance of staying focused on Christ (and G. is a Christian) is that He keeps us grounded, whether we are entitled Americans suffering through low water pressure and lost luggage in Ethiopia, or we're Ethiopians struggling with a desire to live like the people in Hollywood movies.
For now, I am grateful to God for bed and my family. It's good to be home.
January 1, 2011, Kronenwetter, Wisconsin
Our luggage came on the last day we were in Ethiopia. We were able to deliver all 9 crates of donations--clothes, bedding, art supplies, medical supplies and more. What a relief.
When saying goodbye to Misikir and Hawi, Misikir said, "I love you." That was my favorite moment in Ethiopia. I got to talk with him more through a translator. He's excited about fishing and snowboarding--oh, and driving. Hawi continues to be a bit more guarded, and that's still okay.
We started home late Wednesday night (Dec. 29). Finally got to see the Frankfurt airport (infamous as it is after shutting down last week). What a drag. Inefficient and unfriendly. I was glad to fly into Chicago. Home at last. Almost.
Flights to Central Wisconsin were being canceled due to some bad weather. Instead of waiting all day (about a 6 hour layover) to find out if ours would be canceled, we took a bus to Madison, where Jean [Michelle's mom] and Tom [Aaron's dad] picked us up and drove us home. What a relief.
The last two days have been healthy "recovery" time. I put together three short music videos of our adventures. I'll share them with the church tomorrow. I also have the task of sharing a message, ideally something tied to our adventures in Ethiopia.
As I have thought about what to share, I keep coming back to the disparity between USA and Ethiopia. We have high luxury and immediate access to basically whatever we want. People in Ethiopia are much more limited. Yet, when I think about our driver and friend, G., seeing how we live, I'm afraid it would ruin him. I'm afraid he would see the entitlements we live with, and begin to feel dissatisfied with his life. That would be tragic.
Part of the importance of staying focused on Christ (and G. is a Christian) is that He keeps us grounded, whether we are entitled Americans suffering through low water pressure and lost luggage in Ethiopia, or we're Ethiopians struggling with a desire to live like the people in Hollywood movies.
Philippians 4:10-13
How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned about me, but you didn't have a chance to help me. Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or with empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength. --PaulEvery situation has its challenges. We learned through our temporary situation in Ethiopia. Misikir and Hawi will have a lot to learn from their upcoming (more permanent) situation in USA. May Christ give us all the strength to be content and effective for His purposes.
For now, I am grateful to God for bed and my family. It's good to be home.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Aaron's travel journal--part 5
Part 5 of Aaron's travel journal...
December 26, 2010, 7:36pm, Addis Ababa
Instead of writing yesterday, I treated myself to some reading Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book. A little Christmas gift to myself.
Had another good day (or couple of hours anyway) with Hawi & Misikir. Hawi clearly has a tight relationship with two other girls in particular--T and B.
Misikir is one of a few older boys, and seems to be well-liked. He was disappointed to tell me that the second bird died; the first of two died two days ago.
We gave all five of our kids Christmas gifts yesterday. (Sophie was sick, so she received hers before we left for the orphanage.) The girls got matching butterfly necklaces, Misikir and Isaiah got matching hemp-braided necklaces, and Preston (who isn't a necklace guy) got a tin of mints from Hard Rock Orlando. He shared the mints. The Ethiopian kids found them to be too strong. Hawi spat hers into her hand and threw it on the ground.
On Christmas night we ate at Hi-Met Cafe. They were playing Christmas music. One of the great moments of the trip was sitting there with my family enjoying a meal that was mixed up in half a dozen ways (I blame the language barrier, but I think we may just have a bad waitress), and hearing "I'll be Home for Christmas." What a weird Christmas.
I didn't sleep well last night. Maybe that is why I found myself feeling less "up" today. The dogs bark all night long. I think they must serve some purpose--security, pest control or carrion clean-up. Whatever their purpose, these sort-of-stray dogs are widespread and nocturnal. It just turned 8:00pm, and I hear the first barks beginning. They will continue through 9:00am. That's getting old.
I got out of bed this morning in my "down" mood, dogs barking and religious chants blaring over loudspeakers to the neighborhood. I pulled aside the curtain of our room, and suddenly Ethiopia had lost much of its charm for me. The dirt road in front of our guest house is strewn with rubble and litter. We are separated from the road by a wall with electric fencing at the top. Our neighbors use razor wire (a wise choice considering the rolling blackouts). People, old cars, stray dogs and livestock intermingle along the street. Every 75 yards there is an aged tarp that signifies a shop. Every shop sells the same things--drinks, candies and convenience items. What I mean when I say "shop" is a counter you walk up to and tell someone what you want from their 6-foot by 6-foot closet. I am not a part of this community, but I also feel less like a tourist now. I walk down the street with my eyes low. Maybe I'm tired. Maybe I'm homesick. Maybe I'm sick of wondering where our stupid luggage is.
Many of our friends went home last night. We met some new friends and had a good visit with Misikir and Hawi today. We visited Intoto Mountain and did some shopping along the streets. Another early night.
I'm going to read The Jungle Book and continue hoping that each car I hear outside is the one that will bring our luggage.
P.S. I have had some moments of "extra instruction" with Preston, Isaiah and Sophie, but their resilience to the challenges here is amazing. They are doing great, and I'm proud of them.
December 26, 2010, 7:36pm, Addis Ababa
Instead of writing yesterday, I treated myself to some reading Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book. A little Christmas gift to myself.
Had another good day (or couple of hours anyway) with Hawi & Misikir. Hawi clearly has a tight relationship with two other girls in particular--T and B.
Misikir is one of a few older boys, and seems to be well-liked. He was disappointed to tell me that the second bird died; the first of two died two days ago.
We gave all five of our kids Christmas gifts yesterday. (Sophie was sick, so she received hers before we left for the orphanage.) The girls got matching butterfly necklaces, Misikir and Isaiah got matching hemp-braided necklaces, and Preston (who isn't a necklace guy) got a tin of mints from Hard Rock Orlando. He shared the mints. The Ethiopian kids found them to be too strong. Hawi spat hers into her hand and threw it on the ground.
On Christmas night we ate at Hi-Met Cafe. They were playing Christmas music. One of the great moments of the trip was sitting there with my family enjoying a meal that was mixed up in half a dozen ways (I blame the language barrier, but I think we may just have a bad waitress), and hearing "I'll be Home for Christmas." What a weird Christmas.
I didn't sleep well last night. Maybe that is why I found myself feeling less "up" today. The dogs bark all night long. I think they must serve some purpose--security, pest control or carrion clean-up. Whatever their purpose, these sort-of-stray dogs are widespread and nocturnal. It just turned 8:00pm, and I hear the first barks beginning. They will continue through 9:00am. That's getting old.
I got out of bed this morning in my "down" mood, dogs barking and religious chants blaring over loudspeakers to the neighborhood. I pulled aside the curtain of our room, and suddenly Ethiopia had lost much of its charm for me. The dirt road in front of our guest house is strewn with rubble and litter. We are separated from the road by a wall with electric fencing at the top. Our neighbors use razor wire (a wise choice considering the rolling blackouts). People, old cars, stray dogs and livestock intermingle along the street. Every 75 yards there is an aged tarp that signifies a shop. Every shop sells the same things--drinks, candies and convenience items. What I mean when I say "shop" is a counter you walk up to and tell someone what you want from their 6-foot by 6-foot closet. I am not a part of this community, but I also feel less like a tourist now. I walk down the street with my eyes low. Maybe I'm tired. Maybe I'm homesick. Maybe I'm sick of wondering where our stupid luggage is.
Many of our friends went home last night. We met some new friends and had a good visit with Misikir and Hawi today. We visited Intoto Mountain and did some shopping along the streets. Another early night.
I'm going to read The Jungle Book and continue hoping that each car I hear outside is the one that will bring our luggage.
P.S. I have had some moments of "extra instruction" with Preston, Isaiah and Sophie, but their resilience to the challenges here is amazing. They are doing great, and I'm proud of them.
Mistake--didn't pass court
My adoption coordinator called today to let me know that someone in Ethiopia made a mistake when notifying them of who passed court last week--we in fact did not pass court, two other children did. I'm feeling very sad right now. I know that this is just a set-back and that H & M will eventually be ours, but it's hard to have to wait longer. So, we are still waiting for that missing MOWA (Ministry of Woman's Affairs) letter. Plus, in the past week Ethiopia has changed their policy (like they seem to do all of the time) and everyone who has not passed court yet (even those of us who already had at least one court date) will now need to send additional paperwork (the I-171H which is a document issued to us by the US government stating that we are approved to "furnish proper care to orphans") in order to finally receive the MOWA letter. This paperwork must be notarized locally, certified by our state and authenticated in Washington D.C. Really? That just seems nuts. Once all of the proper certificates and signatures are finally on that letter it needs to be sent to Ethiopia--to MOWA. How much time is that going to take? We've already seen that they aren't very prompt at issuing our letter--how long until they put our new documents with our current documents?
We'll, I guess I'm hoping for a miracle. I would love if we passed on Monday and they didn't require us to send the I-171H.
God is always good. God has a plan. God is sad when we are sad. God rejoices in Hawi & Misikir finding a new family. God's timing, not mine.
We'll, I guess I'm hoping for a miracle. I would love if we passed on Monday and they didn't require us to send the I-171H.
God is always good. God has a plan. God is sad when we are sad. God rejoices in Hawi & Misikir finding a new family. God's timing, not mine.
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