update!

*if you look really close... the girls are holding a piece of paper with a picture of them on it... and my name on it too! a small connection... so far away.

We received some encouraging news this week.... the girls paperwork is moving along and "almost complete"! Getting news of "progress" is something we have received before and ended it up being nothing so we are taking it all with a grain of salt. Chris and I were actually getting ready to make plans to travel to Ethiopia within the next couple of months and this has helped us decide to put our travel plans on hold. We aren't sure how fast or slow things could progress but knowing how this roller coaster tends to ride we are keeping our seat belts on for now!

Please continue to pray. Pray for all the kids at Bethel Orphanage, for their safety, health and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Just a quick update...we haven't lost hope and still believe that the girls will join our family some day!

my life. changed.

Warner Bros. new horror movie Orphan proclaims that it must be hard to love an adopted child as much as your own. Let me tell you about how an orphan changed my life...

Twenty months ago Chris and I knelt on the floor of our bedroom and wept. We cried out and prayed, asking God if this is what He wanted from us. Adopt? Two!? From Ethiopia?! We wondered what our family would think, our friends, and our church. Two little girls’ faces had stolen our hearts. We prayed and prayed some more, and came to the realization that our family was not complete without them. Money flooded in, miraculously, piles of paperwork though not understandable got filled out, and things just fell into place. We knew this is what was right for our family. God had truly called us to it. Then the clock started to tick. Loudly. And almost two years later here we are. Still waiting, still wishing, hoping and praying. That being said, even though we haven’t met our adopted children our lives have already been forever changed. We haven’t hugged our girls, wiped their tears or heard their laughter. But not a day goes by that we don’t think about what that will be like. Our world has been rocked by the knowledge of the fact that there are over 4 million orphans in Ethiopia, Africa. How can we sit by and not do something? We have no excuse. Not one.



Our journey though, has now turned into something so much deeper than just adoption. In the dark moments of questioning and asking why and why not, our hope remains. When the emails of non-information come and the conversations with our agency that seem to be like a scene from “Groundhog Day”, our faith is strengthened. When we watch and hear of other families bringing home their adoptive children in what seems to be record time, our love grows. What started as a journey to adopt has become a journey to adopt M and G. Their pictures are in frames in the bedroom. Their beds wait empty. The closet is full of dresses, shoes and backpacks picked especially for them. Even two beautiful, handmade wood jewelry boxes wait on the dresser for them. This is about THEM. Our life has been changed for THEM. We won’t give up and we won’t stop praying. No amount of time waiting will force us to forget little M and G. Our lives will never be the same.


...from Tom Davis' blog

...it became apparent to me that this is exactly the opportunity to defend the cause of the orphan. But instead of cursing the darkness, let's put the truth on display.

I want to challenge my readers and friends to write 500 positive blog posts about how an orphan has impacted and changed your life. Post this on your own blog so that when people search for the movie, they are flooded with positive messages about adoption and orphan care.

Just finish this sentence: "Warner Bros. new horror movie Orphan proclaims that it must be hard to love an adopted child as much as your own. Let me tell you about how an orphan changed my life..."

This is the heart of defending orphans. Help push back the darkness and deceit here by holding up as an example the powerful love that adoption and orphan care can unleash.

Here's how you can defend the orphan:

1. Write a "positive protest post" on your blog that references the movie, Orphan.
2. Focus on your orphan care or adoption story that is positive, redeeming, and full of love.
3. Link your post here via a trackback or comment.
4. Send out an e-mail, Facebook message, or tweet to get others to do the same on their blogs.

If you don't have a blog, post your story on the Christian Alliance for Orphans Site.

prepared...or not.

God prepared our hearts and we took the leap of faith...

We prepared our family, by sharing the news and assuring them that this is something we have to do.

We prepared our church and they came along side us, financially and prayerfully.

We prepared our house; painting rooms, setting up bunk beds, rearranging space to make 4 kids fit in our humble abode.

I prepared my mind by reading all the books and made myself aware of some of the negatives of adoption causing me to stand firm in what God has called us to do.

What I wasn't prepared for was still not having two more children in our home...TWO YEARS LATER.

What I wasn't prepared for was being smacked in the face with sadness when I realize that M and G are missing out on another holiday, summer, birthday, etc. with our family.

What I wasn't prepared for was the longing that comes with the knowledge of knowing our family is not complete and two children are missing.

What I wasn't prepared for was wondering if we were really cut out for this.

I pray, I ask why and why not. I wonder constantly WHEN! The one thing I am sure of is that I haven't lost HOPE. Someone asked me today if I was still sure we were supposed to adopt. I know- without a shadow of a doubt that we are. I know that there are two little girls in Ethiopia, Africa waiting for Chris and I to come and get them and become their daddy and mommy. I will wait forever for them. I will pray for them, hope for them and long for them until the Ethiopian government tells me we can't adopt them. Even then, if that day ever comes to pass, M and G will forever be a part of our lives.

We might never know why our adoption story has played out this way. All I can be sure of is how I react and respond. The waiting is hard and frustrating at times but God's Word gives me comfort. "So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."
2 Corinthians 4:16-18

We have no update, we have no news. We are at the mercy of the Ethiopian courts and what they decide, whenever they feel like it I guess. We do get tidbits of information, but at this point, until we get "the call"-- we don't know what to believe.

Praying, hoping, trusting, never giving up!

"Tell my mommy to come soon..."

…M’s words to our friend Lisa who returned from Ethiopia last week. When hope seems to be waning and faith dying, the words of a little girl keep us going.

Over a month has passed since our case was deemed ‘open’. We are still waiting on information in regards to our actual case. Rumor has it that we might be receiving a new court date soon. History has shown us not to get our hopes up about these things. As frustrating as it is to not get any information on WHEN we did receive new pictures and general information about the girls and their lives at Bethel. Many precious images of the girls, jumping rope, hugging, reading letters, singing, climbing the small water tower at the orphanage, and silly smiling faces. They look happy and healthy. We pray for that and to see them so lively in the photos is an answer to prayer. Bethel really is a wonderful place for the children. We look forward to meeting their caregivers and the doctor who runs the orphanage. I often wonder how we can help Bethel once M and G are home with us. I would love to see my church become a life long sponsor or something of that nature. Praying about that one.

Summer has begun, our home school is winding down and I can hear the beach calling our names. Hopefully it won’t be long before M and G can join us down by the waters edge.

Trying to live Romans 12, rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation and constantly in prayer.

my life right now

sleepy morning hugs, soft sweet smelling breath and chubby hands wrapped around my arm. cleaning up after bowls of cheerios, peanut butter sandwiches and sticky juice seems to never end.

wash your hands! brush your teeth! wipe your mouth! I seem to say over and over. curious questions of why? and how? and is it time yet?

patience is a virtue I say, , almost always not having it myself. be kind and love one another seems to be our daily mantra, trying to plant seeds from our Father.

we pray, we read, we create and we learn together. watching your faces as you discover something new is the reward.

picnics in the backyard and caterpillars are the highlights of our day. dirty feet and sticky hands come in to a nice cool bath.

the sun is still up but eyes are heavy and we all share yawns on the couch. wet hair and soft clean skin snuggle up for prayers and bedtime stories.

two brown faces in a distant land are missing from our perfect messy life, but we don't forget them. empty beds waiting to be filled... we all sleep.

wondering if the next day our family will grow.

Update and details

Well, the wait continues.
We did not pass court on Tuesday. After a few phone conversations with our agency director this is the information we have so far:

This isn't the end of the road for us and the girls.

The courts need more accurate information about the girls history. They want to make sure that they have been relinquished/abandoned and that any living family members are aware of their situation. (If they do have living immediate family members i.e. mother, father, older brother, older sister, that can properly care for them, the court sees this as the best living situation for the child- we agree.)

We know that, unfortunately, the girls were brought to Bethel with NO paperwork. There is absolutely no paper trail on their lives.

Finding any living family members could be a long, difficult process.

Our cases have been left OPEN on the court dockets. This means that if our agency can find what the courts are asking for and it satisfies the judge- they will hear our case again and hopefully approve the adoption without have to re-assign us another court date.

If within the next few days our agency can't get the information needed to the courts it is likely that we will be assigned a new court date.

Our agency director seems confident that the girls will come home to us. He has asked us to be patient and know that they are doing everything they can to make this happen. He leaves for Ethiopia next week and says dealing with our cases is a priority.

We asked if this would happen before the next court closures/rainy season (end of summer)and he said that he hopes so. He is hoping and praying that this will all be resolved soon.

A side note to all this is that the kids at Bethel Orphanage, including ours should have never been referred (chosen by families to adopt), in the first place. This is not the fault of our agency - but a third party that was involved in the beginning and is no longer working with us or our agency. It is unfortunate that these children, us and other families are having to endure this long, drawn out waiting time. This is a rare circumstance and we are definitely discouraged that our situation has to unfold like this. BUT... we are believing that there is a reason behind it all. I am holding on the the fact that this is an opportunity for us to focus on God- our obedience to Him - and whatever the outcome, He deserves all the praise, honor and glory.

Although the girls lives seem to be at stake in all this, maybe they're not. All this time could be passing because M has a mother, who is healthy now and is crying out and wondering where her daughter is. And G, has a brother who has made a life for himself and wants to find his baby sister and care for her.
We would obviously be heartbroken if this were the case, but it would be the best case for the girls. They need a family, a home and unconditional love. Not a life in an orphanage.

No matter what- Chris and I know that without a doubt we are supposed to adopt from Ethiopia. Right now we are not giving up on the girls. We are going to continue to pray and believe that they belong in our family.
God has a plan in all this and we are open to whatever it is.

Trusting, waiting, hoping-
Becky

shoes

I have held off on buying much clothing wise for the girls, after learning my lesson when our first court date was postponed. I thought for sure they would be here when it was still chilly out and purchased a few long sleeve/winter type items. Well here we are, end of April with an 80 degree weekend coming up! So much for sweaters!

A while back we received tracings of the girls feet from a family that was able to make it out to the girls orphanage. I have carried the tracings around in my purse just in case the right deal came along to get them some shoes. Today it did!
I found some cute mary jane style Crocs and decided to take a leap of faith. Grace helped me guesstimate the size-- we probably looked like goofs holding up all kinds of shoes to our two pieces of paper. It was fun picking out special shoes for her new sisters, and we actually bought three pairs hoping to get the size right! The thought that the girls have never had a new, pretty pair of shoes really puts the pressure on! Even though Crocs aren't he most glamorous of shoes- they seem to have lots of wiggle room in the sizing- so they will have to do until we get the girls home. I look forward to watching them pick out their very own new pair of shoes, and hopefully it will be soon and we won't be taking UGGS! :)

Don't forget 4/28 @ 4:28!! Keep on praying!

4/28 @ 4:28

Last Sunday our pastor petitioned our church family to pray for us! He thought up this formula for remembering our important day...genius! We had spoke after our April 6th postponement about how we tend to "pray really hard" the day before a big event; that we forget to be as fervent in our prayers ALL THE TIME. For us, the highs and lows get tiring and we tend to try and emotionally detach, forgetting to pray regularly and expectantly.

After this plea- it got me thinking. What do the 4:28's look like in God's word? I looked them up out of curiosity:

Jeremiah 4:28
For this the earth shall mourn and the heavens above be dark; for I have spoken; I have purposed; I have not relented, nor will I turn back.

WOW.

Acts 4:28
...to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place.

DOUBLE WOW.

Although there is no magic in the special number, it helps to keep us in check and has added an excitement and anticipation to our next court date. The verses are also not only good word to meditate on, but an AWESOME reminder of God being in control. We can put our faith and trust in Him and know that whatever happens He's got our back. :)


Another help has been the recent note we received from M:

Hello Mom and Daddy
How are you?
I am very well
I can't wait to see
Your child-
M

"Your child"- this precious young girl who has survived the loss of so much offers herself as our child. We have been praying for the Lord to re-instill in us a passion for this process and for our daughters whom we have never met. This was an answer to prayer. We will not stop praying, petitioning and longing for them like never before. We will not give up.

With a week to go before April 28th- don't forget- 4/28 @ 4:28.

tired

Our april 6th court date never happened. It was rescheduled for april 28th. needless to say - we were very discouraged about the news- hence my lack of posting.

We are in wait mode again, but today we received new pictures of the girls. Getting this set of pictures was bittersweet. Sweet to see their beautiful faces, bitter because they have grown and time is slipping away.

A fellow Hope family just brought home their daughter from Ethiopia and she is from the same orphanage as M and G. We hear that the children are all doing well and are happy. We are glad to hear of this news but pictures show that the time is wearing on them. Many of the children are more disheveled than in past photos. They look tired and dirty.

Folks-- the time is NOW. The time to be in fervent prayer for the orphans of Ethiopia is NOW. The children of Bethel orphanage, along with so many Ethiopian orphans have been through so much pain and sacrifice. Why should they live another day going without the love and protection of a family? I am of course praying specifically for M and G. We want them home. But lets not forget the rest of them.

Looking back

Papa, Meme, Chris, Becky, Gracie and Jack at the Steven Curtis Chapman Concert/Shoahannah's Hope Change for Orphans. March 2008

It's been one year since THIS amazing opportunity.....(click on THIS)I can't believe it.

We're looking back and reminding ourselves today how far the Lord has brought us, the work that He has done in us and anticipating what He has for us in the future.

Only 17 more days until our court date!
We have some specific prayer requests that we would like to ask for...
There is a new TB testing issue that is now a part of the process after the girls pass court. This could potentially add a significant amount of time to our meeting them. It could also only be minor and not add any wait time. If either of them test positive for TB we will expect more waiting. If they test negative things should move along as planned. SO, we are praying that the TB tests are negative! Would you also pray that the timing of everything works out. My brother, Matt, is getting married May 30th, in Austin, TX. It would obviously not be good if we were getting back from Africa or leaving during that week!

We trust in a God who is sovereign above ALL things and holds us in the palm of His hands. Thank you for your prayers! Keep sending them up for our girls! :)

New Court Date

We finally got word of our new court date. April 6. Yup. That's right. 6 weeks. 42 days. The waiting continues. It seemed that we were so close to getting the girls and now they seem so far away again. It's funny how the excitement in this process easily turns into fear. Our first court date was something to look forward to. This second date is one that we almost wish we didn't know about. So many things can go wrong. The anticipation and anxiety of not knowing if we will get to move forward is heart wrenching.

Finding out about our new court date yesterday was hard. We weren't expecting it to be so far away. Especially since it was the courts fault that our first one was just pushed aside. We thought that they would grant some mercy to our older girls waiting one whole year to join our family! But no, we are just another file, sitting in another pile.

Our hearts are broken for the girls. Do they still know that we are coming for them? Do they think we forgot about them? That's what really cuts me to the core.
Honestly, in times like this it makes me question if we are cut out to do this. I get angry asking God, why?! Why is this taking so long!? Are we not the right family for M and G? Is this EVER going to happen? And then- as usual I am brought to my knees. He knows our hearts, He knows that with Him we are cut out to do this. We will continue to walk in Christ, showing His grace, mercy and love daily. We will continue to push through- drawing nearer to Him. And when that day comes, oh what a day it will be. We will REJOICE in our Lord- and know that only because of Him - we will be a family of 6. I can't wait.

After a day of crying, pigging out on some darn good Thai food, and being just plain mad, I have moved on. On to the next phase of waiting.

We are praying for you girls.....mommy and daddy, gracie and jack sure love you and we can't wait to meet you. Please don't lose HOPE.

Prayer Vigil tonight...6:30 pm

Would you please take the time to pray tonight for our adoption process and for the girls? We are joining many families in prayer, across the nation, trusting and believing that God would move mountains and bring our girls home.

I recently found fellow bloggers Sarah and Davis from Much Has Been Given, going through the same trials as us. This idea comes from them and we are joining in prayer...

So here is what I propose. If you too are standing in faith interceding for your children or the children of people you love then let's join forces in prayer this Wednesday. Let us make Wednesday a day of prayer and fasting and ask God to hear the prayers of His people as we cry out to Him for the children of Ethiopia.

"For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them."
Matthew 18:20

Lord, give us the grace to have patience, as you do for us.

yellow

Yesterday, Chris watched the kids so that I could get out and run a few errands and have some time to myself. After my errands I decided to check out the clearance racks at Old Navy to see if I could find anything for the girls. As I meandered through the store I got increasingly frustrated about us not knowing any thing new. Will they be here soon? Will it still be winter? Will it be warm? Long sleeves or short sleeves? Argh! I wish I had the answers! Then right in front of me was the cutest yellow ruffled bathing suit. As I picked it up I thought of my Ethiopian daughters and their beautiful brown skin against that bright shade of yellow. I stood there and cried. Oh, how I long for them.

It's been one week and we still don't have any news. No new court date, no light at the end of the tunnel, nothing. It feels like we are back at the beginning, suspended in time. This is really hard.

Please God, send us news.

it could be worse

A woman and her child at a Red Cross Red Crescent centre in the Wolayita region in the South of Ethiopia.

The Red Cross Red Crescent is treating families of malnourished children as a priority and provides food relief to 40,000 people in southern Ethiopia.

Damot Pulasa and its neighbouring districts in the South of Ethiopia have been severely affected by unusual weather patterns in 2008. The previous year heavy rainfall destroyed crops. 2008 a drought has left people with empty bellies. Ato Mengistu Godana, vice-administrator of Damot Pulasa, says: “This district is usually known for producing surplus crops but this year we are facing an unprecedented drought. All 23 villages in the district are affected. Mothers and children suffer the most.” Photo: Jose Cendon/IFRC (p18269)

We found out on Tuesday that our court date has been postponed, but as you can see our "problems" are nothing compared to the reality that faces many Ethiopians.

The Ministry of Women's Affairs in Ethiopia(they oversee all adoption court cases)moved to a new office space this week, so they decided to not hear any cases. This was hard news to hear, but we are trusting in the Lord's timing and know that He is in control of it all.

At first it wasn't really shocking to get the news because there seems to be no rhyme or reason to the way they do things in Ethiopia in regards to adoptions. But now that the actual day that would have been our court date is upon us, it's really dissappointing. We are all pretty bummed out that things seem to be at a stand still again. Grace has really been struggling with going to bed at night. She says she is lonely in her room and misses her sisters. She just cries and doesn't understand why that can't be here. All we can do is pray.
Hopefully we will get news soon of a new court date.

Please pray with us....

My sweet friend Nancy wants to pray for us every day this week at 8:30 p.m. What a blessing! We are in the final days approaching our court date and all we can do now is pray!
Here is the email she sent to get people prayin! Will you join us?

Hi everyone, I thought I'd send a reminder about the prayer request raised about Chris and Becky's upcoming court date, which is this Friday. I thought it would be a good idea if we could collectively pray for the Vlaming's adoption everyday this week at 8:30 pm. I asked Becky if there were specific areas that she'd like covered in prayer and this is what she said


1 - That the judge and the court would be satisfied with all the administrative details. That all the paperwork would be in proper order. That those who have been working on the paperwork have put it all together properly.


2 - Pray that they would all be mentally and emotionally prepared for the HUGE transition that is taking place in the family. Pray that Chris and Becky would be ready to be parents of four children, pray that Grace and Jack would be prepared to have 2 older sisters. Pray that M and G will also be able to handle the transition as best as they can leaving their home and their country their native language etc. They are leaving all they know. Pray that the Lord will prepare them. Becky's hope is that there will be a Supernatural love and bond among them that is only possible from the Lord.


3 - Pray that whatever the outcome on Friday that they would have a Godly peace that surpasses all understanding. We know God is in control and does all things in His time.


4 - Finally please pray the Lord would provide all the rest of the finances they need for travel expenses and the final agency expenses which amount to approximately $5k.


Brothers and sisters, my prayer is that we can storm the gates of Heaven with our petitions and support them as they go forward in obedience to Christ . Praise be to God who hears and answers the prayers of his people.


By His Grace and for His Glory,
Nancy Myer

We are humbled and so grateful for friends that come along side us during this anxious time. We are literally counting the hours until Friday. Thank you in advance for your prayers!

We will keep you posted!

come on already!

we are in the single digits folks.
Only 9 more days until our court date. and this is what I feel like.





No-- I am not physically pregnant, but after 9 months of physcial pregnancy it is not fun anymore. (that's me at 9 months with jack in the oven!) The "cute" maternity clothes are not so cute. After over one year of waiting for the girls to come home we are so done waiting! My tummy may not be growing, but my heart has been filling and growing with love and it is about to burst!

We have waited so long, and in only 9 more days we will possibly be the parents to two MORE beautiful children. I get butterflies just thinking about it!

We are praying that in 9 days our waiting will end. Only God knows and we are trusting Him. Pray and trust with us.

EEEK! WE ARE SO EXCITED!

three boxes

Grace and Jack snuggling in the coveted "top bunk"!

As we have been nesting in preparation for the girls homecoming I have found myself experiencing waves of emotion. Relief, that we are almost at the end of our long wait. Anxiety, not knowing how they will fit into our family or if they will even like us! Joy, pure raw joy knowing that I will have two more children to love and raise in the way they should go. Sadness, for what they will leave behind. Love, for two precious children who I have never met.

Part of our setting up of the rooms was making a special place for three special boxes. These aren't just any old boxes. These are pretty wooden jewelery boxes, each with their own beautiful song and made with the best kind of love. The love only a grandfather can give.

You see, when I was a bratty teenager (and I was VERY bratty), my dear father made me the most beautiful jewelry chest. All curvy and smooth, velvety on the inside with an inlaid wood design on the top. It is really pretty. At the time I didn't much appreciate it. Now it is a treasured item that always gets a special place on the dresser. I store my most treasured possessions and trinkets in it that have been and will be handed down from generation to generation.

When my little Gracie was born my dad made her a special jewelry box of her own. It too is curvy and velvety on the inside- but has a beautiful inlaid shell on the top and plays a sweet tune when opened. A few weeks ago I was admiring it as I was helping Grace to bed and the thought crossed my mind that M and G will also need a special box to call their own. But it was a fleeting thought and I didn't think much more of it.

Christmas morning arrived and under the tree at my parents house sat two wrapped presents. One for M and one for G. I didn't even think about the jewelry box. I thought it was probably something practical. The girls don't even have shoes for heaven sakes! Chris got to open one and I got to open the other. We tore into them like children and when I realized what they were I just lost it like a baby. Even now as I write my eyes are welling up at the thought of my father creating these beautiful boxes for the granddaughters that he has never met. Not only were there jewelery boxes, but tiny golden cross necklaces waiting inside.(we left those to be unwrapped by the girls!) One box plays "Amazing Grace" and the other "How Great Thou Art". It was the best moment I have had so far through all this waiting. Knowing that it is not just Chris and I that feel love for two girls on the other side of the earth. My family has embraced them as well and is waiting along side us, preparing and longing to love and hold them.

So- the girls room is finished. Walls freshly painted. Bunk beds up. Bedding washed and beds made. Three wooden boxes sit side by side. One is full and already collecting memories. Two are waiting to be filled with love.
Thank you Meme & Papa. We love you.

and the winner is......

Cheryl S. from Arizona!!! Congratulations and THANK YOU!!!

We have spent the past few days making preparations for the girls. Painting, switching rooms, setting up bunk beds, you name it. It feels like we just moved! We are still in the thick of it all but had to hook up the computer to let everyone know who won the Wii! We video taped the exciting moment, and will upload it when we get a bit more settled around here!

Thank you to ALL who donated. We can't thank you enough. It means so much to have friends, family and even strangers come along side us in our effort to bring these girls home. We are so very humbled and grateful.

It is finally January and the countdown is on! 30 more days until the girls become legally ours!!!! We can't believe the time is almost here. Keep on prayin!
Love to all and Happy 2009!