Our Son or Daughter could very well come from here!

I had to share this article with you from the BBC for this is a orphanage that our agency works with ...

Ethiopia's adoption dilemma
Mohammed Adow BBC, Addis Ababa
At the Kids Care Orphanage in Addis Ababa, hundreds of newborn babies - some of them only days old - are cared for until people are ready to adopt them.

Ethiopia has some 5m orphans - half of them because of AidsMost of the parents are from abroad. The adoption of Ethiopian children by foreigners has increased sharply in the past few years, with thousands of parents from various parts of the Western world adopting children from this impoverished nation.
Kids Care Orphanage is just one of the numerous orphanages and child care centres in the Ethiopian capital.
Aster Fisseha, who runs the orphanage, says that the children in her care are mostly abandoned children who are found by police patrols in dark alleys, and at times even in toilets.
Aster believes that foster parents from the West prefer Ethiopian children because they are aware of the huge problems in Ethiopia.
She jokingly adds that the good looks of Ethiopians could be another reason why Ethiopian children are preferred.

Slideshow of Baby Blankets

http://www.slide.com/r/TOLAvcmo5j__5zl-tmhq2CUC1igkHun4?previous_view=mscd_embedded_url&view=original

"SINGING" the Good Fight

My Sister in Law and her new husband...well this is their story! May we all go on singing!!

A very good friend of mine, Steve, is a football coach at Vallivue, another high school in the Treasure Valley (we were 1-1 against each other before they moved up into a higher division).
But there is a more important battle occurring in Steve’s life; he lives with a congenital heart condition. That hasn’t slowed him down, or impeded his love of football and coaching. He has had a number of surgeries to repair the defects in his heart, including the placement of a pacemaker; I often joke with him about standing too close to the microwave or the toaster.
Steve got married in December. His wife Monica loves prayer and loves worship. She was honored the other night to be put on the churches worship team. She is concerned, though, about Steve’s heart condition. They pray intently before each of Steve’s doctors’ appointments.
Before Steve's appointments Monica sings over her husband. She worships God in singing before going into the doctor's office. It's a battle, and God inhabits the praises of his people; Praise goes before God's presence.mkm It is for that reason that God told Joshua to march the priests - bearing trumpets - in front of the Ark of the Covenant at Jericho. It is for that reason that Joshua commanded the children to shout (Joshua 6). (The Bible does not say what they shouted). Paul and Silas sang songs of praise in a Roman jail cell before the Holy Spirit blew the doors open (actually shook them off of their foundation). Gideon had his army of 300 men shout when they faced the Midianites; the Midianites ended up fleeing and killing each other in the confusion.
God inhabits the praises of His people. If you’re going into battle - Sing. If you need a miracle - Sing. If you are going to the cardiologist for a congenital heart condition - Sing!
And watch the walls come tumbling down!

A Good Day

So today the Coens and the Harbaughs passed court and officially can plan travel to go get their kiddos! Very excited for them! Check out their blogs (posted on the side) for great photos and congratulate them!
We also had another conference call today that gave us more information to process. You would think we have to much already but there are always questions and well ... we are on the Lord's timing. Just got to remember He know our kids already and has a plan that we just need to follow ... Hmmm, you mean I can't figure out the when on my own? :P
I also just need to post "I love my mother-in-law" here! She has been so supportive and encouraging and helping me to make blankets to sell for fundraising. I am hoping to get these on my blog soon for you all to view (and buy!).

A Meal in Ethiopia

A meal in Ethiopia is an experience. Like any other part of their culture, it is community oriented and relational! And it all revolves around injera. What is injera? It is the sourdough pancake-like bread of Ethiopia. It uses a grain called Tef, which is not found in the United States. Injera serves many purposes….not only is it consumed as part of the meal, it is also a "tablecloth" or plate, and an eating utensil. The injera is spread out on a mesob, a handmade wicker table/tray with a dome cover. The entire mesob of injera is covered with an assortment of individual stews and sauces, which contain meats, vegetables, and lentils (see picture!). Ethiopians are known to prepare the hottest and most peppery food in all of Africa, using what is called Ber-beri spice. To eat, you tear off a piece of injera roll and use it to grab your choice of food (feel free to mix)…then, put it all into your mouth! Everyone eats from the same table. Don't be surprised if the person sitting beside you wants to feed you…this is very cultural. The word belonging to this act is "Enibla" which means "let's eat together." When all the food and injera have been consumed, the meal is over! Of course, then comes coffee…

OH Ya! Coffee ...

An Adoption Journey Home

I just sit and cry ... One Day, Lord, One Day Soon!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LMFqU1WaVE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqELtNLEtTA

Sara Groves

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSdP6PqsbJY

This is absolutely a MUST watch for everyone, even if you are not adopting this is a call to action! I have been very blessed this week to be volunteering with World Vision in our community for the Experience: Aids. This is such an awesome event that takes you through the lives of up to 4 children in Africa who may or may not have AIDS. You get a headset to hear their story, walk thru their lives in a set-up tour (with pictures and items they would use), get tested for AIDS and you will then find out if you are negative or positive! It is only here for 5 days, with this being the only place in Idaho so if at all possible, you must go! It will enlighten you.
I am very excited to be doing this with my husband and family this time as he went through this in St. Louis in July of last year at the Nazarene Youth Conference there. He was also able to hear Princesses Zulu speak and this has been on his heart ever since. It was during that time that he was there that I was able to have 8 of the African Children's Choir girls stay with me (and my 2 younger kids) for 4 days. It is amazing to see how God worked on both of our hearts from thousands of miles apart to be feeling this great pulling from Him! We both believe we will one day be missionaries in Africa. It may be soon and it may be after our kids are more grown or even gone, but somehow, someway, someday ... we will be!