Tariku

We have been home now 3 weeks. It has been a busy 3 weeks. Tariku is such a great and happy baby. We are so gratful for all your prayers and support.
Gavin and Whitney love Him. They think he takes to may naps and they always want to play with him. He is healthy, doing good and adorable.
I smile at Tariku and he always smiles back. He is so precious and we all love Him so much.

HOME and many miracles

We are home. I know it has been a couple of weeks since I last updated.

I do want to tell a little about our flights. Our travel was hard, and we saw so many miracles.

I will try to be short. But you know me, short is not in my vocabulary.



Flights back to Grand Rapids, MI USA.

Abel picked us up at 7:30pm to go the the airport. We arrived at Addis Ababa airport and we were like the 30th vehicle to get in the parking lot. So many people and cars. Unbelievable. Abel said he has never seen the airport so busy in all his life. We of course took a deep breath and thought I hope we make our flight. The next 4 hours were stressful to say the least.
There was a line to get in the airport that ended in the parking lot. In order to get in, all your luggage has to be scanned and you go through a security check point. (shoes off the whole business). We waited in a not organized line (a group of people pushing to get through). We were a little nervous as they were checking passports and flight itineraries in order to even get in the line to get in the airport. All the info. we had on our new flights we wrote down. Praise God- a miracle me didn't look at our info. just looked at our passports and waved us through. As we climbed the hill to the airport police and security were coming b/c it was starting to get very pushy. We made it just in time. We waited to 8:30pm to even get in the door of the airport.
We went to the Lufthansa ticket counter and I was praying the whole time. Please let us get on. Lord help us get home. They got us checked in and then they said, Do you have a ticket for the baby? This was one problem we had. B/c we switched Airlines we had to get the info. from Kenya air, but they were not even open. So we had to get our of line and go to a window and buy a infant seat. It was suppose to be $200, but it ended up costing us over $500 American dollars. It also took about 45mins. + to get it. They did not take American money so we had to put in on our charge card, and the computers were not working. It was frustrating, as we still had to go through customs yet.
Once we got our ticket we had to go back to Lufthansa line and get our tickets issued. We finally got it. We then went to customs and had to fill out exit forms for every person. (Including Tariku)
He woke up from sleeping and was crying as we were trying to fill out all the paperwork and then had to wait in a lONG line to get through. I felt bad, b/c everyone was looking at us as we are white adopting a baby. Who knows what everyone was thinking. Of course by now we are sweating and just praying that we will make the flight. We finally get through customs and find our gate. And go through security again. UGH.
We make the flight, with not much time to spare.
Tariku slept and woke up fed him, changed him and he went back to sleep again. So this 8 hour flight to Germany was not bad.
Germany Airport was again not a great experience for us.
Landed at 5:30Am. Our flight left Germany at 10:30AM. We thought great, go to the gate take a nap and leave. Ohh no, not how it went.
Well b/c we were on Lufthansa airline we had check in with the Delta Desk for the rest of the flights. The fact that we were switched to Lufthansa was a HUGE MIRACLE. We found out from our travel agent when we got home, that airlines just don't switch you to a different airline. We flew Delta and they have sister companies that we will fly. (such as Kenya air, KLM Etc) Lufthansa is NOT associated with Delta and the whole agency staff said what a miracle. They have never seen Delta do this before. WOW- What a awesome God we serve. Even to have the travel agency say what a miracle (I do not know if they are a christian company).
In Germany airport we went to the delta ticket counter. Which you had to go through immigration. They would not allow Tariku to go through b/c his Visa was only good for USA. So we were again frustrated. So Aaron went through and Tariku and I found some seats and waited. He was fussy and we were low on diapers. He was having blow out diarrhea and we were down to 3 diapers. I finally rocked him to sleep and we waited for 2 hours. Aaron finally returned to say he could not get my ticket b/c he did not have my passport. Uhh- so confusing.
We decided to try to get through security to go to our gate even though I didn't have my ticket. They let me through and then I asked a Delta person if I could get my ticket from her, and she said YES. Praise God. We were stressed at the point.
I thought I better go see if the gift shop has more diapers. They did have a pack of diapers and they were 2 sizes to big but I was desperate. So I went to buy them. The price was in Euro, so I asked how much. They said $96. WHAT? Thankfully he screwed up the exchange rate but for 20 diapers is was still going to be $36 after he figured right. I decided to wait and see if I could come up with something else.
I left the store and turned the corner and a women with twins was walking with a stroller. Her Girls appeared to be about Tariku's age. I stopped her and asked her if she had some extra diapers and if I could I could buy them from her. I told her our situation and she gave me 4 diapers. I thanked her and went to get on our plane.
Well while I was getting diapers, they motioned for everyone to get our of the gate and we had to go through passport checks etc. before boarding.
So we waited in a line for 30mins. and when we finally got our turn they said we did not have enough paperwork for Tariku and put us aside to wait. So we waited and waited. We had a control freak flight attendant. I slowly moved away from her and asked someone else to help us and she did. The freak flight attendant said she was going to have to see our pack of Info. from the US embassy and was going to open it. We were told- Strict instructions that ONLY the US Immigration Officer can open. No one else. So that is why I went to the next person.
She was much nicer and told me that she would not open it, but that they are checking for child trafficking. Oh that made me feel better. So I showed her every piece of paperwork that I had and she went through every paper. This took another 30 mins.
She finally let me go through and we were good to go. They started boarding the plan within mins.
This flight was rough. It was 8.5 hours and Tariku did not want to be held. He struggled and we were so tired and were mentally exhausted.
We landed in Detroit, and we had only 2.5 hour layover. We had to go through Immigration and Customs. The lines were long, and we finally made it to a officer. It took a long time, and then they told us we had to go to the foreign visitor line and go to line 35 the blue line for adoptions. We had less then a hour til our flight left. We were in trouble. We started to stress out again. Tariku was starting to get fussy again too.
We had to wait for 2 families and we waited for a LONG time. God sent a angel to us and we would have missed our flight if it was not for her. I started to pray that God would delay the plane so we would make our flight. We told a Delta flight attendant about our situation. She went and found our luggage and got it on a cart. She said she would wait in line in the customs line for us with our stuff. It was 3:00pm. Once we got through the blue line. We ran to her, and she was right in the front of the line, the customs officer asked us no questions and he said the only thing I have to say, is "Thank you". So nice. We then had to go through security again. It was a long line again, she went in from of the line pushed the people back and said, "get your stuff up here, take off your shoes, hurry." We were so flustered and she pushed us right through. She said I will take care of your luggage, just run. So we ran through the whole Detroit Airport. Praying that we would make our flight. Well we got to the gate, and it was 3:15pm and the flight attendant and the pilot were late and they did not even start boarding the flight!
Praise GOD!!! So we changed Tariku's diaper with the last diaper and wipe and made him a bottle with the last of the formula. We got on the plane after time for us to fee him and for us to go the bathroom. We got in our seat and he pooped again. I was out of diapers. So I asked the flight attendant, "do you by chance have a diaper on board?" I had asked very plane we were on any NO one had any. We were on a little puddle jumper and she said,"Yes I do." I went in the bathroom to change him and the diaper also had a wipe in it. Another Miracle.
We were late to arrive in GR but it made no difference we were so thankful to be on it.
When we landed in GR we had many family and friends waiting for us. It was very exciting and we were so glad to be home.
He is our precious boy, and we are so grateful to have him in our family. We love him so much.
Gavin and Whitney were all over him, and it was a fun time. How I missed them.
Ethiopia was a life changing experience and it was so amazing!!

We got a new flight!

Praise God!! We got a flight!!
We emailed our travel agent and she pulled some major strings for us and she got us a flight tonight.
We are on Lufthansa airlines and we go to Germany, Detroit and then to GR. We arrive at 4:15pm. on Saturday.
Thank you for your prayers. Words can't express how grateful we are. We feel so stranded here, without our Bethany Staff escorting us- Bethany has been AWESOME. In fact, Abel is picking us up here from the Hotel- another answer to prayer!
We now get to fly on the same flight as another adoption family from Bethany!
Praise God!

Yeah!

A answer to prayer, he pooped!

I do not know how he can't go, b/c his poop is runny. In fact, I changed him, and then he pooped again. Since it is runny it went on his clothes. We are thankful, for now he is good.

He is very happy right now, the devil was trying to get to us thats for sure.

We are waiting to hear when we can go to the airport again.

Flights Delayed-Major problems

We are frusterated. Went to check in and then they said the flight was delayed b/c of a sick Pilot. uhhh
We were suppose to fly out today at 2:20pm now we are scheduled to fly out to Nairobi, Kenya at 10pm. B/c of this we will miss everyone of our connecting flights.

They put us up in a hotel, but it was a pain to get here and Tariku is having problems pooping. So he has been crying. He finally fell asleep, but please pray that he poops so our travel goes well.

We need your prayers. We contacted our travel agent to see if she could find us some connecting flights, we hope and pray that we find flights so we can get back on Saturday.

Sounds like we might have to stay at another hotel in Kenya- b/c the next flight out of Kenya is Saturday morning. We will see what we can find.

Ethiopian Airport had NO flights going out in the afternoon. Its so weird- either early afternoon or late night. There is not a single flight til tonight.

Not to complain as this email I am sure sounds like it, but my left shoulder and back area is hurting. I brought icy hot, so I am applying that like crazy, but it feel like maybe a pinched nerve, or a huge knot in my shoulder blade. It has been hurting for 3 days now. With this stess we have now, it is not fun.

Please pray that we get connecting flights, and Tariku poops and for us to feel well.

We will keep you posted as internet is available.

Travels

Well today was busy. Its amazing how busy it is. I said to Aaron today, "my dad would love this. He likes to see a lot and be busy when he travels". We left this morning at 8:30am and we went to see Yesalem Minch Orphanage. I told you about Birktukan earlier this week, but she started this orphanage b/c God gave her the ability to love kids, and the be a visionary for the children of Ethiopia. She started it 9 years ago. They have different locations and there offices are very near to our guest house. They have houses all over Addis and surrounding cities with moms who care for children. 720 kids right now. It is such a huge mission. I know we did not stay here by accident. She said, "God gave me the vision, and I choose to follow him and he continues to show me more ways to support the ministry. She started a feeding program, makes jewelry to raise money, (I bought some) makes tea and coffee, spices and sell them, has this guest house and 30 % of her money she makes goes to Yasalem Minch. If fact she takes no salary at the orphanage it is all volunteer, and her husband and her run it.
Amazing- God wanted us to see this i know.
Then we went to Mt. Entoto and looked at the overlook. It is 3200 meters above sea level. Addis Ababa is 6,000 feet about sea level. Such a beautiful country.
We then went up higher and saw the first church in Addis and went through the museum.
We picked up the other families, we went everywhere with 6 families all through Bethany. We all adopted boys. Can you believe that? Ranging in age from 4 months - 3 years old.
Went to the Bethany office and picked up all the paper work, and visas to take our children home to the USA.
We went to Lunch after that. It is hard to travel and eat at restaurants with this many people. It always takes us many hours. It was late and everyone is tired and all the kids were fussy and many of the families we traveled with are sick. Praise God we are good. Please pray for us as we travel home for safety, for Tariku to do good, and for us to continue to feel good.
We then dropped off the other families and went to the guest house. It was 4:30pm by the time we got home. A long day and Tariku had only short naps. He struggles on these days. We are ready to come home. The ground is all tile and he wants to play and he only has limited space. Also when you change diapers, no changing tables, on the floor in the bathrooms. (They are not always very clean ). He also struggles b/c he is not used to being held all day. He I am sure, was on the floor or in his crib often and we have to hold all day when we are gone. He really need to be on the floor playing throughout the day. This is a hard fact to understand for us.
Tariku is such a happy baby, but he is having a hard time pooping. We don't know his schedule how often they feed him, or with what they fed him. So he is on Enfamil the formula I brought and seems to have a hard time pooping. So he was a little fuzzy. I rubbed his tummy and he calmed down. Hard to watch and we just want to be home with him. So much easier. He has only drank from a cup so bottles took some getting used to. They told us to only feel him with a cup, but this is not ideal as we are in a van on bumpy roads that are not always paved. Hard to feed out of a cup. He has transitioned well. Pray for his tummy please.
This morning he was dress and we were heading down to breakfast, and he had a blow out all the way up his back. So in the tub he went. It was in his hair and everywhere. Burtikan has a lady she pays to do some laundry if we need it, so I asked if she could get his clothes clean. So we don't bring poopy clothes home.
Packed tonight and will leave at 8:30am tomorrow and so we can shop and then go to the airport.
We are excited to come home, it was a awesome trip but ready to come home.
Pray for us as we travel and as of now our plane will land in GR at 1:40 pm. on Saturday.
Will keep you posted if anything changes.
Thank you and God bless you all

Tariku's Birth Mom

Well today was amazing!! We left this morning at 6:30am. We drove out of Addis and got to the countryside. So it was not what I was expecting. Southern Ethiopia is mountainess and lush and beautiful. We saw so many huts, rivers, children, awesome trees that you only see in movies (the ones that are flat on top, Like a bonzi tree), mountains and it is beautiful. I was expecting dry, desolate and a barren land. I was told northern Ethiopia is like this.
We drove 270 KM and we got into Mussie Orphanage in Hosanna. Mussie has 8 different locations in Ethiopia. I was confused for so long when they said the moved him to Mussie when we was already at Mussie. It all makes sense once you get here. Once we arrived at the orphanage we got out went to the bathroom in a hole, and sat down and waited for Tariku's birth mom. She arrived within a minute and we hugged her. She hugged us, and the tradition is hug and kiss one cheek, kiss other cheek, kiss other cheek, kiss other cheek. Of course we had a language barrier and it was more than we thought. She is from so far south that she speaks another language then Amharic. She came up from Durame which is 270 miles south of Hosanna. We were thankful b./c we are already back- the same day!!!
We did not want to be gone from Tariku for very long. We sat down and we talked for a long time. We asked a question and Blen our social worker here in Ethiopia came and she translated in Amharic to another person who translated to her in her language. (I have her language written down but I dont remember it)
It was a lot of translating before we got any answers. I had tears in my eyes the whole time. She is a beautiful young girl. She is 14, and comes from a very poor area and couldn't care for him. We asked many questions and we video taped the whole thing. She was so happy to met us, and she was so honored and joyed that we wanted to meet her. She was happy to hear that we are keeping his name. It was a very emotional day, I cried as we talked b/c Tariku will have pictures of his mom, video of his mom and know she loved him so much that she gave him to a orphanage knowing she could not care for him. What a gift for us and for him as he gets older. It was amazing time. Words can't express how neat and touching it was.
We got a assessment with pics when we got to Ethiopia and we gave her the pictures for her to keep. She held those papers so tight with a smile on her face. She was so happy to see how healthy he was, as he was very malnurished when she brought him in. We also had our guest house host- Burtikan get us a bible and we gave her that. She was so happy. She held the things tight that we gave her.
She also is a christian and so joyed to see that Tariku was in a christian home. She asked if we would tell him about her, and we said,"yes, absolutely."
Aaron prayed over her and we put our hands on her. Before she left, she hugged us, and kissed us, and kissed our hands. I can't even say how we felt. I had to keep it together, but I could have cried the whole time. She was very quiet and I held it together, but still had many tears.
We also got to tour the orphanage and see what room he was in at this orphanage. We gave gifts to the orphanage. It was such a amazing experience.
We had lunch and headed back. We loved having Blen as our translator and traveling all day with her.
Tonight we are going to a traditional dinner, I think its watching them dance too. We will see- sounds like fun!!
Thank you for your prayers- today was one of the best things we have done so far, except for getting Tariku of course.

Tariku's size

Thank you for all your support.
Many of you have asked me for Tariku's size.
He is definantly growing and he is so healthy!! Yeah- we are so happy to see how good he is.
Right now we brought 3-6 month clothes and they fit him well. So I would guess within the next month or 2 he will be in the next size. 6-9 months.
He is in diaper size 2 and they fit good.
He is looks good and I know he weights more than 13 pounds. So good to see.
This post is specifically for those who asked, Thank you so much for caring!!

Tariku

Well we lose power every night, so its hard to update.
We had a good night with Tariku- he is such a good boy. He slept til 3:30 am and then went right to sleep and slept til 7am.
We forgot all the noises they make- we did not sleep well, but it was worth it.
Gave Tariku a bath this morning and he did great- the bath is not the best tub, but thats ok.
Today we had our embassy appt. today and its offical! We got there early 12:30pm our appt was at 2:30pm to beat all the others and it worked great. We were with 5 other families and it took to 3:00pm til we were all done.
It went great- thank you for your prayers.
We went to a store and bought diapers for one of the orphanages and the bank to exchange money into birr. (Ethiopian money)
Today we found out that we get to go to Durame- South Ethiopia and go to see the orphanage that Tariku came from and meet his mom. We are so grateful!
Please pray for us as we travel. It is about 300KM and a drive out into the country.
We may not be able to update again, b/c we may have to sleepover in Durame. So many questions and we know no answers.
Will update more later.

Ethiopia!

Hi all-
We are hear in Ethiopia! Our flight was good and we made it through customs and getting our visa with no problems. Bethany Staff was waiting for us as we left the airport. We got into our taxi and off we went. The city is very poor, similar to Port-a-Prince, Haiti. We saw on our way to our guest house- a vulture sitting on the road (what a HUGE bird) and donkeys and goats walking the streets.
Abel is our Bethany tour guide who will bring us to every stop we go to. He said b/c it is sunday the Bethany Chr. Services are closed, and so are the orphanages. So we can't get Tariku today. We leave tomorrow morning 8:30 am to get him! I can't wait. We had not idea what today was going to look like. We are just so grateful to have gotten here. We can wait 12 more hours to see our precious boy!
Our guest house is off the main drag so it is quiet and very nice. Birtukan runs the guest house and she is such a sweet women. We got out of the car and she said bless you and kissed and hugged us. She has a very special story about her life. When she was 10 years old she was a sponsor child for World vision and got help til she graduated from high school. It changed her life and she join the staff of World Vision and now she has a feeding program that feeds hundreds of kids a week, and she has a guest house to help the orphans. WOW- we picked a great place to stay.
When we got to the guest house, I took a 2 minute shower and then we left for church. Because today is sunday we went to Birtukan's church, and we couldn't understand anything, but it was awesome.
Praise God for the people here and for their passion for Jesus.
When we got back from church we had a Ethiopian Traditional meal. She has been preparing it for 2 days. We had Enjera bread, which you lay out first and then use your hands to eat! You add the cabbage, and chicken and egg (whole) and beets and the you tear off the Enjera Bread and eat it.
So the Enjera Bread is your fork.
After lunch Birtukan made coffee, she roast green bean over a little stove until they brown. It is quite and process and it smells so good. We talked and visited while it was being made, and then we all had a cup. For those of you who know me well, know I do not like coffee. I tried it and yes, I still don't like coffee. Aaron finished my cup for me. Thank goodness. It is so bitter, not my favorite.
We went to our room and unpacked and took a nap. We thought if we slept on the plane we would be good to go, but man that was not the case.
After a good rest, we came to talk to some of the familes who are also staying here at the morning coffee guesthouse and get on the internet.
They have dial up so very slow, I will try to update as much as possible.
We have a busy day tomorrow, pray for good rest and a awesome day as we get ready to see our little boy!

We made it to Dubai

We are in Dubai. Went from GR to Altanta to Dubai.
Our flight was 14 hours and 11 minutes to get here. WOW- that is the longest flight I have ever been on. 3 meals later we landed in Dubai. My feet were numb and sleeping did not come easy. We had some turbulance when I was trying to sleep and they had the stewardest's take their seats. I was a rough ride, and this maybe why it was hard for me to sleep. Trying to unwind.
We took a interesting flight by air, we went near London and Paris, over much of Europe, Turkey,Iraq and Suadi Araba. On the seat they have a tv screen that tells us our speed, flight patterns, time and of course movies,shows and music to listen to. We definantly watched our fair share of movies.
So we went through customs here in Dubai, and collected our baggage and had to go outside and walk to a different building to go back into the airport. The weather outside is 86 degrees. So we can offically say we were in Dubai!
We went to check in after scanning all of our luggage and Ethiopian Air is not open yet. We have about 4 hours to wait. So the nap I was hoping to have in the airport is not going to happen. We found a food court and found comfy chairs!!! Oh yeah- So we are chillin in these til we can check in.
When we arrive in Ethiopia it will be 7:25AM . So we will not be sleeping for a while. Hopefully we can sleep on the next plane and in the airport a little before our flight leaves.
Currently in Dubai it is 10:20pm on Saturday.
Oh yeah- all of our luggage came too!!
Our journey to get our precious boy continues. I will continue to update as we get to Ethiopia.
Please pray for us as we go into a busy day with not much sleep.
We are so excited to see Tariku.
Love you all

Leaving tomorrow

Well the day is right around the corner and we are ready to leave. We thought you would like to see how excited the kids are to have Tariku home with them. watch these videos

The waiting

We are doing good. Thank you for your prayers, Satan will not get us down. Please continue to pray for us as we wait on the Lord and as we wait longer to travel. Our airfare is booked for Friday, April 23. Our travel agent looked for more flights today, but everything in the world (literally-if traveling internationally) is full. If it is God's will let us find something else. Of course, we really want to get there sooner, but at least we have something scheduled.
Pray we have enough time to get the papers ready and figured out before our embassy date, April 27.
God is faithful, and has guided us this far, he will continue to show us the way.
Thank you again for your prayers, we can feel them.

Volcanic Ashes

After we booked our airfare we heard about the volcano errupting in Iceland. We didn't think anything of it, as it is far away from Paris.
On Saturday, as the news and all headlines were about the volcano errupting I knew that our flight may be in danger. I confidently know that God is bigger than anything of this world and if he wants us to go to Uganda and Ethiopia He will make a way.
I felt that our flight was going to happen. Noon on Saturday heard that Paris Airport was closed due to volcanic ash and so was almost all airports in Europe. We sent our prayer requests to family and friends praying for God to make a way, and that if we are suppose to go that he changes the winds and we get to go.
Saturday night I spent much time on the phone with Delta trying to figure out what to do, because our flight was not cancelled yet and everything was booked solid they told me they could not do much.
So we prayed for God to make a way. I know he holds us and he love Tariku, and we wait for his timing. Sure seemed like we already have waited a long enough time, but God is molding us more and more. So we go to him for strength and asking for peace and wisdom.

I was thinking my "labor pains" were going to be much easier that with my other kids. Wow, was I wrong. Tariku is so special to us, and I love him so much and I have not even held him or kissed him or even seen him yet. God has placed him in our lives and we are grateful.

Today(Sunday) set my alarm early and had great devotion time and prayer time with God. I finished the autobiography of George Muller what a amazing book. Life changing, and a huge faith builder. (I would strongly recommend you read it). The last 2 chapters were about a new building they built to house orphans and the boiler went out. It was in England anda storm with bitter north winds came in, and he prayed that God would change the winds to come from the South during the time they fixed it. The day they needed it to; the winds changed. WOW- yesterday I was praying for changing of the wind for the volcanic ash to go away. I prayed and felt that God was going to allow us to fly. Paris Airport was closed, but planning on reopening Monday morning at 6:00am. Our flight was to fly in at 11:00am. I prayed for God to allow us to fly if it was his will.
Before we left for church I checked our flight and it did not show that is was cancelled.

Aaron preached and worship was so good. What a great way to start a trip! Praising Him, and singing to our amazing God.
At the end of the service Ethan (our worship leader) called Aaron and I forward and our friends and church family laid hands on us and prayed. What a surprise, but we felt so loved and knew we had such great family supporting us. After many tears and hugs, we left church to eat lunch pack the last few things, and head to the airport.
We checked the flight statis before we left and it was showing it was still on.
Our dear friend Dede picked us up and brought us to the airport. As we checked in we found out that our flight was canceled to Paris. The only thing they could do was to call Delta and try to reschedule. It was hard to swallow, but knowing God holds us still. So grateful for Dede, when we got in the van to go home, she prayed and we cried and just praised God for always caring for us and directing us.
When we got home, Whitney and Gavin were very confused. Whitney looked like she was going to cry. She said, Where is Tariku?" It was probably the hardest part of the day, seeing my kids hurt and not understanding what is happening. They were all prepared for what was to come, who was watching them and the fun things planned while we were gone.
Whitney face broke my heart. I pray that Whitney and Gavin have a good week and they understand why we can't fly at this time.
We called Delta and after much time they found a flight for us. At first they were saying it might be 2 weeks out before we could get a flight. They found a flight for us that leaves on Friday and goes to atlanta, Dubai and then Ethiopia. We booked it.
It is cutting our trip very short and very close to our embassy date, but I think it will work.
We are going to check with our travel agent tomorrow to see if she can find anything and change our return flight. We are currently still going through Amsterdam and I don't think this is a good idea. Will keep posting more as we find it out.

Please continue to pray for us, Gavin and Whitney, and for our baby Tariku.
We know God has done many miracles so far, and I know He will continue to reveal his plan and show us more.

We got a embassy date

Praise God!
Got a call from our Social worker on Wednesday night (April 14) that we got our embassy date for April 27.
I was jumping for joy! I had prayed that God was going to give us a embassy date in April and he gave it to us!! So much to do, so little time.
We were so excited and started very fast to plan our trip and travel. On friday, April 16 we booked our airfare and emailed Tim and Angie to see if it still worked to visit them in Uganda.
We worked everything out and our plan was to travel to Uganda and then to Ethiopia.
Our flight plans were to leave out of Grand Rapids, Saturday April 18, fly to Detroit, to Paris, Nairobi to Entebbe, Uganda. Arriving in Uganda at 9:30am on Tuesday April 20.

Saturday, my mother in law watched our kids so we could pack and get everything ready we needed. We have been praying for so long we are so excited to get Tariku. Whitney is so anxious to get him too. She always is thinking of him.

6 Month Update and waiting for Embassy Date

We are still praising God for all the miracles he has performed!
Now we wait again for a Embassy date. This will be our travel to Ethiopia.
I am starting to go a little crazy. I am so anxious to go and get him.
What we are waiting for before we can get a Embassy date is writing up the court papers that we passed the courtdate, MOWA paperwork, getting a new birth certificate issued, and then getting a passport (all for Tariku all done in Ethiopia). After all that is done, then we get our Embassy date and can travel.
This week Tuesday we got another update! Thank you Jesus!!
His 6 month update is improving so much.
He weighs 13.66 pounds and is 25 inches tall.
His fine motor and gross motor skills are improving. He is playing with toys, plays with his toes and is starting to vocalize when he is hungry.
Please pray that we travel in April. How we would love to go and get him. It is possible for us to get a Embassy date at the end of April. We are hoping to travel to Uganda as well and visit Tim and Angie. If we don't get our travel date in April we might not be able to travel to Uganda due to Tim and Angie's schedule.
All in God's hands. I lay it at his feet and know he will reveal His plan to us.

Court date

After the excitement for getting our referral, we wanted our court date and hoped to get it quick so we could travel. As you can imagine it was not the way we wanted it. We had to wait for what seemed like forever to even get the date scheduled. It was over 2 months after we got our referral. (Referral on Jan. 5 and Court date Mar. 22 )
After getting the 4 month update on Tariku and finding out that he was sick was by far the hardest part of this whole adoption process so far. I just wanted to hold him and kiss him and be with him. My heart broke and I wanted information about my precious son. As you can imagine I was on the phone with my social worker at Bethany and bugging her for information. Is he OK, can you expedite our paperwork so we can travel and get him. So many questions I had almost NO answers. Waiting for the referral (14 months) I did fine, but now that I have his picture in my hands I want to Go NOW.
But we need to wait. God is teaching us so much during this process. I know he has everything planned out.
So I prayed.
In the time we waited for March 22 to come we got another update on Tariku with MORE pictures and more Information on his health. He gained weight and is doing so much better. What a miracle!!!
He weighs 13 pounds and is 23.3 inches tall, at 5 months old. He started rolling over, and lifting his head, and started sucking his thumb. They moved him to a transition home in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The orphanage he is at is Help for the needy, Mussie Orphanage. I think the care his is getting is so much better and the pictures we have he is playing on the floor and not in his bed. So thankful to see this. I thank God everyday when I look at his beautiful face. (I wish I could post all the pictures of him, but due to laws I can't.)
As the date of the Court date started to get close, we asked everyone we knew to pray. Our church, family, friends and neighbors. I started to read George Muller's autobiography and I have learned to pray that God Will answer our prayer and to pray in advance for his answer to prayer. So I knew that God would have us past our courtdate. The courtdate is in Ethiopia.
About 1-2 weeks before our courtdate the country of Ethiopia changed there rules. They stated that as of April 12, 2010 if you did not pass your courtdate you now have to travel for the courtdate. As of now, we don't have to, we travel one time and that is to bring him home.
We also found out the his mom had to testify in court on March 22. Tariku's mom is 14 years old and has to travel 4-6 hours to get the the Addis Ababa. WOW, how is this going to happen? Will she go? How will she get there? Will she emotionally be able to hand it? So many obstacles in the way, but only our God can trump it all.
We brought all our request to God and knew he would allow us pass.
On March 22- at 10:00am our time (5:00pm in Ethiopia) we got the email that we PASSED!!!!
PRAISE GOD!!!!
He is amazing, and I cried with tears of Joy!!

Update on Tariku

Well I have been bad at updating. So much going on in our lives.
Since the last post much has happened. In February we got a update on Tariku (4 month update) and he was hospitalized for severe dehydration and diarrhea. He also lost weight and he looke sick in his pictures. It took a few weeks to find out if he was back at the orphanage or still at the hospital. We still have not much information about it, but he was put on antibiotics and he is growing! So that is a HUGE answer to prayer for us. Developementally he is improving and he is SO cute. Gavin and Whitney are so excited to hold him and be a big brother and sister to him.
They have been helping me get the baby toys, and books out. We also washed all the baby boy clothes. Gavin gave up his room for Tariku, and he moved downstairs to his NEW room. The transition went great, and he could not be more proud to give up his room for his new baby brother. So now I can say Tariku's room is ready for him!
At Tariku's 4 month update he weighs 11.28 pounds and is 22.04 inches tall.

Cute stories from Gavin and Whitney

Well we showed Gavin and Whitney the picture of Tariku and they said, "Awe- he is a cutie pie."
Gavin said," Yes- a brother, boys rule, and girls droul."

Tonight after dinner the kids wanted to pray for our new baby. So Whitney started to pray and she thanked God for him, and for how cute he is, and the Gavin said,"oh Whitney I have a good one- Lord put an angel around Tariku and his crib." How cute is that to have a prayer time with your kids who are grateful for a precious new baby!
God is so GOOD.

Big News! A new Baby Boy!!

Today we recieved a phone call telling us that we have a new baby! We finally got our referral, after 14 months of waiting we have a baby BOY!!
He is 3 months old and his name is Tariku Gebre. His mom is 14 years old and could not care for him. So she brought him to the orphanage. Prayer for her as well and she has much to deal with. I pray God will give her peace during this time in her life.
His birthday is Sept. 18, 2009
On Dec. 17 they weighed him and he wieghts 11lbs. 4 oz. and he is 22" long.
He is very healthy! Praise God!!!

We are excited and are anxious to hold him!