praying scripture

This is the scripture that the Lord has given me for our children who are in Ethiopia...I pray this over them a lot...

The Lord will guide you always;

He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land

and will strengthen your frame.

You will be like a well-watered garden,

like a spring whose waters never fail.

Isaiah 58:11

this brings tears every single time...

Sometimes I can't help but sit at the computer and click through the albums of pictures from the care centers...we have received some pictures that I treasure immeasurably. This picture is from the newest batch of pictures that our friends Neil and Autumn took for us while they were in Addis bringing home their precious baby girl. You might remember them as the couple who stopped through Rome, touring a bit on their way to Addis. They graciously offered to take a package to our waiting children and this picture is of Autumn talking to our (hopefully) son about our picture. Now, I don't know exactly what she was saying and I'm pretty sure he wasn't understanding since he speaks Amharic, but that makes no difference to me, because there she is, pointing out our picture, and specifically in this moment, MY picture... My (hopefully) son is looking at a photo of his family, his momma, for the first time... and right now I can't keep back the tears... tears of joy, tenderness, frustration, anticipation... I pray that God gives him hope through this package--hope for his coming love, acceptance, safety, care, stability, belonging...hope for his coming FAMILY.

How I long for the day that I no longer have to type "(hopefully)"!!!!

Please continue to pray for us to receive a court date soon!!!

something we've been waiting to see...

I know it's a small picture but I wanted to share...yep...he can grin!!!!!

New bits and pieces...

The beautiful eyes of our (hopefully) daughter. Please continue to pray for her. We have yet to see her smile in any of the pictures. She seems to have attached to one of the nannies which is very good...but she still very much needs your prayers. Please pray that she will continue to grow healthy and strong. That her heart will begin to heal, even now, and that she will find peace and comfort in this transition and in her grief...pray that the Lord will be preparing her heart for us.
This is our (hopefully) son. We caught a hint of a smile in one of the pictures, while he was coloring. He looks SOOO much better than the first pictures we received of him. He seems so much more healthy, so much better rested, and a bit less unsure of himself since the last batch of pictures. Please continue to pray for him. Pray that his heart will be softened to us already, that the Lord will comfort him in his grief and confusion, and that he will continue to grow strong and healthy.

expanding slowly in a small space...

we will put a small mattress down here and some comfy pillows since we took the table and chairs out...and that lamp on the floor will be a great under-the-bed-hidey-hole reading light!!
AND we have a bench at the table so there's plenty of room for all!!!! Come on COURT DATE!!!

celebration gelato in the park...

WISH YOU WERE HERE!!!

sending our love...

WE WANT YOU!!!

signing our referral acceptance...

out of order, blogger...go figure...