Monday, September 12, 2011

The caniferous tree!

On Saturday I got to visit the place where Loza was found! It was at a hospital in the heart of the city. She was found under a caniferous tree wrapped in a white cloth. The tree was the most beautiful things I have ever seen. It was exactly how I pictured it. A huge African tree with grass underneath it. The hospital is gated and very well protected by guards. Lozas mom definitely went to lengths to make sure she was safe and protected! As I was standing there holding Loza my heart broke in two. One side was filled with gratefulness that God brought Loza to us and the future that she will now have, but the other part of my heart broke into many pieces thinking about the ache in Lozas moms heart that she will feel everyday for the rest of her life. Just thinking about the last hug, kiss, that her birth mom took before she laid her on the ground and walked away! I really feel someday I will meet Lozas mom in heaven and get to know her, she must be an amazing person...because Loza is sooo amazing! I kept thinking of a verse in the bible "blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out it's roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for it's leaves remain green, and it is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit"

The crazy thing is that we went to church the next morning and that was the scripture verse the pastor taught on...and the title of the service was..."living like a tree" isn't that crazy? God is just so big! He has orchestrated every single little detail of this whole adoption! Sometimes the seeds that God plants in your heart are scary and often a step of faith to carry out, but wow how rewarding when you have enough blind faith to take a step out of the boat and trust that Gods will for my life will shine through and be way more rewarding than you could ever imagine!

Wow, what a journey...I will never forget my time in ethiopia! It holds a special place in my heart!

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Ode to Loza!

I'm sorry I have not written a lot. Truthfully when I get Loza to sleep I am sleeping as well! Everything in Ethiopia is going good. It is the rainy season and boy does it rain! Today my mom, Loza and I stared out the window while it poured outside. Our poor guard outside was soaked! Loza is amazing! She has the funniest personality. I think that it has taken a week for her to come outside of her shell, but she finally has. She is hilarious! She babbles all the time and everywhere we go people stop to talk to her! I know I'm biased, but she is seriously the cutest baby ever! I can say that she is very bonded with me which is a relief! I was worried for so long about that, but not to worry. God is so faithful to come through. Even if she is across the room she will lock eyes with me and just start laughing! I keep holding her and saying, mommy and daddy love Loza! She just laughs and looks at me! This morning laying in her crib she started saying mommy and daddy....it was so awesome!

My mom and I have ventured all over the city. We went to entoto palace, the kings palace at the university, all the markets, and even made it to church on Sunday. The church we attended was awesome! There were people from all over the world there! We are hoping to be able to go next Sunday as well! It is still so heartbreaking to see how much poverty is here. Your heart is just always crying inside for these people! It is very overwhelming! I'm not going to lie. I have made a very long list of things I will never take advantage of again! Example: washer and dryer, milk, clean air....the list goes on and on!

I am looking forward to next week! Monday is new years day here, so there are tons of festivities going on! Our driver Yosef is going to take us to his house and let us celebrate with his family. He did mention something about chicken...I just hope it is dead before we get there! Tuesday we have our embassy appointment and Wednesday we have the big coffee ceremony at Lozas orphanage. It is there official way of saying goodbye to someone they love!

Everyday I am learning something new about myself. Up until I was a mom I thought I was patient! Not so much! When it is 4am and you are changing the grossest smelling diaper ever...that is when I have felt the most humble! God has given me a person to protect, love, encourage! Wow, what a responsibility! I can't wait to get home and share it all with my better half. It's so hard to be so far away from my favorite person! Soon my love I will be home!

Until next time...thank you for all your prayers! We will be home soon!

Friday, September 2, 2011

We are cleared!

Yesterday we got the call we have been waiting for! We got cleared by the US Embassy in Ethiopia! Yeah! Now our next step was to request an appointment when we get interviewed and then they make the visa for Loza! Unfortunately they told us today that they do not have an opening until september 13th. So, I requested that they ask again for anything earlier! We will see what happens. I guess at the latest we will be home Thursday night the 15th. I will keep everyone posted when we hear! Everything is going well here. My mom and I have done a ton of stuff around town! Loza is a great baby and I am starting to learn her schedule! I just can't wait to bring her home and start our life together! Pray for us all. We have been here a week, but it feels much longer! I pray to give us patience to last another week! I know the end is in sight! Thank you for all being so supportive. Love you so much!

Monday, August 29, 2011

Having faith to jump out of the boat!

So, here I am in Ethiopia again! I have to say the more I am around these amazing Ethiopian people the bigger my heart grows. I have learned what true beauty is, and that is something I will never forget! My mom and I picked up Loza yesterday from the orphanage and stayed for hours playing with all the kids. I love these kids so much. I hope that someday we can be reunited again in heaven, because my heart breaks every time I have to say goodbye. They have definitely stolen a little piece of my heart!

Loza is amazing! It was very hard to take her from the orphanage because she is so bonded with the nannies. The nannies are amazing and love her so much! They all kiss her and said goodbye thousands of times. My heart broke because I can't imagine taking care of a baby for 8 months and then one day she is gone!I owe them so much!

I have a new respect for mothers because it is so much work taking care of a baby, especially in a third world country. But everytime Loza smiles at me I feel one step closer to bonding. I did have a huge moment last night. I went into the other room to grab a diaper and Loza started to cry and I ran back in the room with tears in my eyes because it was the first time i felt that we were bonded! I am totally in love with her and the more I get to know her and her sweet spirit, the bigger my heart grows. I can't wait for everyone to meet her!

So God has really been teaching me to have faith, blind faith. We came early to Ethiopia before our case has been cleared by the embassy! So, my mind was filled with doubts the whole flight here. I was reading and the story of Peter walking on water and it hit me like a ton of bricks! God said...you of little faith, why do you doubt me? I was very humbled and had to apologize for my horrible faith factor. So, with all that said. I am having faith that the embassy will clear our case this week and we will be able to bring Loza home next week!

Thank you for all the support and prayers! It is felt all the way across the world! Here is praying for good news tomorrow!

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

An Orphan Prayer...must read!

An Orphan's Prayer
I am waiting...somewhere far...far...away on the other side of the world. I may not know who you are or what you look like, but some how deep in my heart I know you are out there. That one day you will come and find me. It's a long journey,and it takes a lot of time... I wish it could be easier. But I know that the ones who come for me will not count the cost. They will only see the joy of finding me. For now I abide in the fields of the fatherless. Day by day wondering why I was born here and not somewhere else? Asking....why my life couldn't have been different.
It is so lonely...Even though I am surrounded by hundreds of other children, I know something is missing... I know in my heart I need a place to call home. My arms long to be wrapped in a father's embrace..I long to be saved by a mother's love...
Gazing out the orphanage window I offer a prayer of hope,"Oh, God, please help them come quickly." Even as I lay there in the darkness each night somehow I feel assured, that no matter how lost I appear I am not alone,
Holy hands guard my steps, sacred fingers wipe my tears, touching my lonely heart. The one who made me, the God that knew me before I was born, hears me every time I call. He whispers his promises in my ear. I listen with hope to His voice.
But what I worry about most is that no one wants to look for me. The fields are vast and there are so many scattered all over the earth. I wonder how one little child, so lost can be found?
Yet he calms my heart and assures me,that He will find you. That he will make sure that you hear His voice clearly. He has promised me that He will make a way through the fields. That he will personally cut a path,and lead you right to my orphanage door.
My prayer is... When he speaks... Please don't forget to listen... When he calls don't be too afraid to go. For I am waiting somewhere, far,...far...away, on the other side of the world... TO COME HOME.


 Thank you to my friend Kristen for posting this on her blog.



Friday, August 19, 2011

Loza...here we come!

I heard great news today! The document that we have been waiting for the past weeks was obtained today! Praise God! My mom and I are flying to Ethiopia next Friday august 26th! Our case will be resubmitted on Monday. Thank you for all your prayers...they have been heard. Now I am running around crazy trying to get everything ready! Your prayers for safe travel would be greatly appreciated! Love you all!

Monday, August 15, 2011

Prayer Please!!




Hello all of our friends and family! Well, I promised I would write with an update when I received one. The US embassy has requested more information. Our agency is currently trying to obtain some additional information to proceed with our case. All of this is very typical for adoptions, but obviously it is very hard to wait when we want Loza home with us so bad! If everyone could pray very specifically for the paperwork to be obtained and processed in the next week that would be so great! We serve a HUGE God and I know that He has a plan for Loza and knows when we will bring her home! We are so blessed to have such an amazing baby in our lives! I will let you know of any updates when we receive them!