Bonus!!

Our family coordinator, Duni, emailed yesterday to let us know our dossier had arrived safely in Virginia, AND, that it will be Fed-Ex'd to Ethiopia this Friday!!! Upon arrival in Ethiopia our paperwork will remain with G-man (affectionately), an AWAA staff rep. He keeps all AWAA adoptive family paperwork in a safe until it is requested by the courts (per adoption case). Please pray for Duni, G-man & the transition home staff...they all work tirelessly throughout this entire process!

Milestone!!

We have Fed-Ex'd our dossier to AWAA for final review. Our family coordinator has approved the bulk of our documents, but there's always a chance she could discover a problem once they're actually in her hands. Over the next 10 days she'll review them, as well as have them certified at US & Ethiopian embassies...then off to Ethiopia!

In our application we've requested a healthy infant (0-12 months), of either gender. Currently, families are receiving referrals around 5-6 months after Ethiopia receives their paperwork. If the trend remains consistent, we could possibly receive a pic & bio of our precious child late-July/early-August. :)

This Tuesday night we're headed to Branson to meet with a group of families who have adopted, or are in the process of adopting, from Africa...we've exchanged several emails and we're so excited to meet them!!

Suitcases, pockets and souls poured out

College students rock!!
***update****
This weekend Vince & I traveled to Dallas, TX with a group of students to attend Passion conference. It was an indescribable gathering of worship…Vince & I were richly encouraged and challenged as we hung out with college students who are changing our world! The weekend was especially meaningful to me, in the midst of adopting two precious children, to realize these very students are our children’s future teachers, physicians, coaches, small group leaders and pastors. I praise God for raising up a generation of young adults who love His Word, extend mercy to all and seek justice for the ‘least of these’…

Do Something Now Campaign
What can 6000 college students do in one weekend?

…give over $18,992 to build at least six wells in Africa so people can have clean drinking water
…give $80,040 to take Passion to South Korea fall 2008 (it will be a free event for Korean college students, funded by US college students)
…give 300+ garbage bags full of clothes off their backs (literally) and empty their suitcases to supply a clothing distribution center for the students of Union University (TN) who lost everything last week due to devastating tornadoes
…donate 3700 towels and 17800 pairs of socks to homeless shelters in the Dallas metro area

So we lift up our voices
We open our hands
To cling to the love
That we can't comprehend

Oh, lift up your voices
And lift up Your heads
To sing of the love
That has freed us from sin

He is the One
Who has saved us
He is the One
Who embraced us
He is the One Who has come
And is coming again
He's the remedy
remedy
-david crowder band

Happy Valentine's Day

Wow...not only did my husband leave a trail of rose petals leading from our bedroom to a wonderful cup of coffee he brewed for me this morning...we also received our I-171H today!!! I wasn't expecting it until the end of the month.

We still have a few papers to finalize. Our medical forms have to be re-notarized because the notary's commission expires 5/08 (must be valid for 12 months)...ugh!! And, we're still waiting for family/friends to complete their reference letters. The bulk of the work will be to take the 15+ documents to the local SOS to have each notarized document authenticated (and then make a zillion copies of everything). My goal is to have our dossier completed and in the mail to our agency by the end of next week. WOW! Potentially, our dossier could make it to Ethiopia by the end of Feb...very exciting!

Most importantly: praising God! This is all by Him, through Him & for Him!!

What?? Thunder-ice??

Oh my-- weather in the Ozarks romances us once again. Freezing rain, thunder, lightening...all at the same time...I'm speechless. I'm trapped, too. Our garage door is frozen shut.

Somebody isn't happy...

Preston & Courtney...mucho gracias - sp? :)

“Nothing is really ours until we share it.” - CS Lewis

We cannot put into words how grateful we for you kindness!! Often, we wrestle with our involvement in meeting our Brother’s and Sister’s needs (and even those who don’t know Jesus). Sometimes we feel like we have so little to give, and therefore, give little. But God has been teaching us He doesn’t involve us in His work because of our worth, but because of our willingness. God provides the means, we’re just the vessels! He is using your blessing in our hearts to chisel away the fear and doubt that smother a generous spirit. Thank you for sharing God's passion for the fatherless!

For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills. Psalm 50:10

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17

And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. Acts 2:44-45

Love You!!

Half The Sky

Some of you may be aware of the serious winter weather conditions in China. Many areas are receiving record amounts of snow, which is becoming disasterous. Many cities in China are ill equipped to handle excessive amounts of snow and ice...therefore, travel is almost impossible. Stores/banks are closed and electricty is out in many locations.

These conditions are leaving precious children at many orphanges without elelctricty - which means no heat and no hot water (not to mention scarce amounts of food, baby supplies and even workers).

Half The Sky Foundation is currently collecting donations (primarily monetary) to provide food, diapers, blankets/coats, medicine....China's government is overwhelmed and can do little to help these wellfare insitutions.

Check out http://www.halfthesky.org/ to see how you can help!
Little Mouse Emergency Fund

Movin' Right Along

We mailed our request to revise our I-171H today!

Another AWAA family also had a >1 month turn-around!

Yes, God, I believe you are that good!