Ethiopia Trip 1 Day 4

Today was our last day in Ethiopia. We got up for our last breakfast in our hotel. We ate and then Luther came back to the room and got sick. We think it was something he ate the day before. He didn't want to miss a day with the girls so he rested a bit. He took some nausea medicin. He decided that he could go and just take it easy. We then left on the bus for Hannah's Hope for the last visit. I could not believe that I would be getting on a plane and leaving my girls in Ethiopia. I decided I would not think about the leaving and just enjoy hugging and kissing on them for this last day. We drove up and pulled in. Emma B was playing and ran to the van with a huge smile on her face. We couldn't get out fast enough. Emma Bwas in the van as soon as the door opened. She jumped on Luther and hugged him as tight as she could before he could get out of the van. Then she did the same to me as Esther K was hugging Luther. It was so great to feel how happy they were to see us. It is so hard to explain how we have connected in just these four short days. It is evident that God prepared their hearts and answered my prayers. I know we will be going through transitions and struggles on this journey but this sure is a beautiful beginning. The rest of our day was spent playing, hugging, talking, and laughing together.  Luther rested on the couch but was able to still spend quality time with the girls. They were both so sweet to him.

We came back to the hotel around 4:30pm. We finished packing, took showers, ate supper, and rested before going to the airport. We flew out about 10:55 pm. I really felt a saddness as our plane took off and I knew that Ester K and Emma B were going to be a world away. I do know from my days at Hannah's Hope that my girls will be loved and taken care of while they are there. The mama in me justs wants them home with me. I am praying boldly that we will get our Embassy appointment very soon. My girls know that we are not there and I want to get them home, but I know that the Lord knows the plan and I am trusting him through this next step of our journey.

Ethiopia Trip 1 Day 3



Leaving our hotel to go to court to adopt our girls

 

We are the proud parents of Ester K and Emma B

We went to court this morning (April 25, 2012). Esther K and Emma B are official our daughters. We are so excited but in our eyes they have been our daugthers since March 9th (our referral day). We were in love with them before we came but I can say that we are even more in love with them now. After court we were able to get some lunch and we picked up a few pieces of artwork at a gallary connected to the restaurant. Afterwards we were able to go to Hannah's Hope. It was not on our schedule to go today but we could not imagine going a day with out seeing our girls.  So we asked Almaz if we could skip the shopping on the schedule to be with our girls. I am so glad we did. They were so excited when we arrived. They screamed and ran up to us and gave us big hugs and kisses. It was wonderful to know they were happy to see us. We got to stay about 4 hours. Emma B. crawled up in my lap and fell asleep. It was another precious time I will not forget. Luther and Esther K drew and played on the ipod touch. After Emma B woke up we ate a snack and colored. We then played with some of the other kids as they were taking turns getting their baths and pjs on. All of the children are so wonderful. It is amazing to see each of them and how God created them. I feel so blessed to be able to say that I know each one of them. They all have definetly impacted my life.

Me and Almaz (She runs Hannah's Hope)-
She is a great lady and loves the children.
I am so glad we got to spend time with her.

Esther K drawing while Emma B slept

Emma B taking a nap on mommy

Ethiopia Trip 1 Day 2

We had a great day. We went to see the girls. They were so happy to see us. Both of them ran up to us. We picked them up and they gave us really big hugs. We spent time playing, jumping rope, & coloring. Emma and daddy kicked the soccer ball around and acted silly. I pushed Esther on the swing. Then we jumped rope with all of the older kids. They are all so amazing. It is so great to see them laugh and smile. The special mothers take such good care of them. I know they are sad to see them go because they really do love them. It is comforting to know they are in such good hands while we have to be away from them. It rained a little off and on throughout the day. The temperture was amazing. I could not have asked God to give us a better day. Around nap time Emma got upset. She let me take her, hold her, & she laid over on me and fell asleep. It was probably the most precious part of the day. Once she woke up she just wanted to lay on me and was so relaxed. We know she has been struggling with everything so this was such a wonderful thing to happen. We are so in love with them. After we left Hannah's Hope we went shopping with the Conroy family. They are also here adopting a daughter from Hannah's Hope.We were able to buy some traditional clothing for all 4 of our girls. Finally we returned to the hotel and ate supper. God continues to show us He is present in each step of this journey.

On our way to Hannah's Hope to see the girls

Daddy and Emma B playing

Playing on the ipad and ipod touch

Our First Meeting

Today has been such a blessing. We were picked up at the hotel at 9:30 am by our driver Wass. He drove us to Hannah's Hope. We entered the gates & Tsigie led us to where the older children were playing. Our time together was great. The girls are more beautiful in person than in their pics. We spent time alone playing, coloring, and getting to know each other. After a while we played with all of the older kids, ate lunch with them, and played some more. Both girls made it clear to the others that we were their mommy and daddy. They loved the camera and the iPod touch. Emma B would hold up the camera see me in the preview pane & say "mommy mommy". She would try to take a pic & show me but she couldn't figure out that she needed to push harder to actually take the picture. She also enjoyed coloring. I would draw something & she would color itin. Esther K was a great photographer. She really enjoyed playing Angry Birds. She also enjoyed drawing pictures. Both girls really enjoyed listening to music & dancing. The leaving was very emotional & difficult today. Esther K did ok but I could see a change in her expressions. We hugged & kissed. I told them we loved them & kept telling them that we will return tomorrow. Emma B just broke my heart when we had to go. She just cried & cried as we drove off. We knew that at 4 years old she would have a harder time grasping us returning. Please continue to pay for all of us. We can't wait to spend time with them tomorrow.

A journey through 4 contients in 28 hours!

Well we arrived at our hotel in addis ababa @1:10 am Ethiopian time. We traveled through North America, Europe, Asia, and now we are in Aficia all to see the girls God has blessed our family with. I would have never imagined I could add this to the things I had done in my life. Let alone adopting two girls from another country. Wow wow wow! That is all I can say as I write this post. In just a few hours Luther & I will get in a car & we will be driven to Hannah's Hope where our two girls are living. We will meet them for the very first time. I can not even put into words how I feel knowing that tomorrow is the beginning of a new chapter in our family. Thank you just doesn't even begin to be enough to say to all of you that have & continue to support us. I will continue to post as internet allows ths week.

Here We Go!

We are getting ready to board the plane for our first of 3 flights. I am overwelmed with excitement and joy. I can't believe this day is here. God has been so visible in my life since we began this journey back in October. I never thought I would get to meet the children God wanted to place in our family this soon. Esther & Emma one day you will read this & I want you to know that daddy & I have chosen both of you to be our daughters. I can not wait to see you & show you how much we love & care for you. Always know that I love you!!

One More Week!

I can't contain my excitement!! One week from today- at this time -we will be heading to the airport in Nashville. We will get on a plane and start our long flight to see our beautiful girls in Ethiopia. I have so many emotions as I write this morning. I think about the fact that God spoke to Luther and I six months ago about taking this journey. Little did we know that at the same exact time our sweet girls were being dropped off in the orphanage by their uncle because their mother was to ill to care for them--BUT God knew. During this time, God was wrecking mine & Luther's hearts and pointing us towards Hannah's Hope & Ethiopia God was moving in our girls lives to get them to Hannah's Hope. God was working out the paperwork over 400 miles away and journeying our agencies people to that exact place to locate OUR girls & bring them to Hannah's Hope. Again we didn't know-BUT God did. To some this may seem like a coincidence but I know that God has been instrumental in bringing both Our girls & us to this exact place and time. Even when we didn't see his hand he was moving in every little part of thier journey and ours. So here we are, a week before we leave on a plane to see the two most beautiful Ethiopian girls in the world. Did I imagine God would place me here? No, but I am so glad he did. Even though I do not know how they will react or feel when I see their sweet faces, I know my God has a plan. Even though I do not know what our journey will be like down the road, I know my God has a plan. I am so thankful that this world does not just happen by accident, BUT that my God has a plan.

Thankful this Easter!

I saw this and it sums up so much for me today! I am so glad God sent his Son & that he rose again!!


“I will not leave you as orphans… I will come to you.”
John 14:18

Dear Lord,

Thank You, our Father on this Easter Day
For the love that you shared, the gift that you gave.

We really don’t know what we would have done,
If you hadn’t planned Easter and sent us “Your Son.”

In the fields of despair we all would have stayed,
Lost and alone…and, oh so afraid.

Helpless and hungry, begging for bread,
Longing for love, so weak and distressed.

Thank you for hearing each “orphan prayer” said,
For the promises you whispered, the hope that you sent.

On this Easter morning we rejoice and we pray,
For the families you sent us, and the ones on their way.

For those who give care and bestow gifts of love,
For others who come to help and share hugs!

Our Father in Heaven we ask in your name,
Please watch over the orphans needing help and who wait.

Please fill up their hearts with Your Hope and Your Strength,
Bless all your orphaned children on This Holy Easter Day.

Rejoicing Together This Day!

With Love,
Your Children...
...who are orphan’s no more!

-J Beazely

I have come so they can have Life.
I want them to have it in the fullest possible way.
John 10:10 (NIRV)