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!

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!

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!