We are so excited to know that a family in our church has begun the process to adopt Jemal and Martu. Please join with me in prayer that things go smoothly and they are able to bring the children back soon. We can't wait to see them.
As for us, we will continue to pray for God's direction when the time comes that we will no longer be "on hold". We both feel that adoption is still in our future.

Update

We received news today that the adoption committee met and decided that we would be placed "on hold" until 6 months after the baby arrives. Because we already have 2 children and 1 on the way, they felt this would be to much for us at one time. That means that the children will be available for a referral to anyone else. While this is not very surprising news, it is difficult to hear. The Lord has given us peace in knowing that He is in control and knows exactly where these children will be placed. Please continue to pray for them and us as we go through this process. Phil.4:13 " Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path."

Prayer Request

I recently found out that Reuben and I are expecting another child (biologically). We are very excited and a little overwhelmed at the timing of things. However, we know that it is in the Lord's hands and are resting in that. Having said that. I contacted out adoption agency to ask about vaccinations and timing with the pregnancy and travel. They replied back stating that:

It is CWA policy to have parents who become pregnant during the process to go on "hold" status until the new child is 6 months old, then resume back on a decision by our Case Review Committee. In your case this issue will have to go for case review, because of the number of children you have, plus the additional referred children, birth order considerations, etc. I will bring your case to the committee, but that will not be until we return after January 4.

What is your expected delivery date? That will of course have an effect on the case timing as well.

If you do go on hold, it will be necessary to release the Kedir siblings to another adoptive family. I will be in touch with you after the holidays, so we can discuss the next steps to take. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news right before Christmas, but we do carefully examine all the effects an adoption can have, and try to act in the best interests of the Ethiopian children but also of their adoptive parents here... we don't want to put an undue burden on any family, and try to make the best decisions we can in each case.

If you have any other information that might be relevant to the decision, please let me know, and of course I'd like you to stay in contact even if your case does go on hold, so that I will know how you are doing.

Along with this, my husband broke a bone in his foot and sprained his ankle. He will be in a boot for 5 more weeks and then they will take x-rays to see if it has healed. Also, my oldest son, Brayden has a heart murmur that has been there since infancy and has remained. It seems innocent, but the doctor wants to make sure is not serious. So, we go this next week to a cardiologist for an echo.

We are asking for prayer for peace and that the decision that is made will benefit all those involved.
"I cast all my cares upon Him, for He cares for us"

Home study

Well, we finished up our last interview today with the home study specialist. They say it will take approx. 1 month to finalize everything. We have out last bit of training to finish up and more paperwork and forms to fill out. Exciting!

Home Study

On Monday we had our home study individual interviews which went quite well. The specialist asked how soon we would like to finish it up and we said asap. We do our final interview this coming Monday morning. Wooohooo! One more thing accomplished. We are about finished with the documents for the dossier. Now onto more training and more forms. We want to bring these children home as soon as we can.

We received good news from our agency newsletter last week. It looks as though the investigations have concluded and children can begin moving again within the next couple of weeks. Praise the Lord! Thanks for all of the prayers!
I had the privilege of sharing our story with the church I grew up in over Thanksgiving. What a joy to be able to share what the Lord has been doing in our lives. It's all for Him.

We have had a few updates in the last couple of weeks. I emailed the agency to check on Jemal and Martu as well as the situation in the area we are adopting from.

Jemal seems to be doing well, he has good attachment with the other children at the orphanage. They also said that he is eager to move on to his family:) They said he is polite and kind as well as open and communicative.

Martu is still in another area and when she was last seen by a doctor she was being treated for a herpetic lesion on her breast and chest area as well as some wheezing. They said she is now in better condition. They are asking for more in formation about the lesion.

I have heard that things “look positive”, but nothing definitive right now. There is certainly a lot of hope and staff in Ethiopia seems encouraged. They want to take things slowly, to not push officials at all, so we’re just looking to them for any reports as things happen. I think the officials had good things to say about CCCE, the organization they partner with there, and might start allowing children to be adopted again. So, that’s all I know right now. It seems encouraging, but there is nothing specific to report right now. Please keep praying!

We are working on our paperwork for the Dossier as well as our Home study. It is keeping us quite busy having to get everything notarized.

Praise the Lord for good reports!