Here we go again!

In just a few hours we will be on our way to Ethiopia for the 3rd time in 14 months! Whooo Hoooo! All frustration and sadness is behind us and we are positively EXCITED to be able to be on our way again! It has been the craziest week EVER but one that we are certain has been in God's plan the entire time.

Lord willing, in a few days if we pass court, I can take the hearts off their faces!!!

Preparing for this trip has been nothing short of amazing. Remember that a week ago we were not planning to come to Ethiopia. We really thought we were safe in assuming that we weren't going to have to come for court. We thought we'd hear confirmation on Monday morning so we'd have at least a week's notice. Tuesday came around, then Wednesday...Thursday... and by Friday morning we were stressing out just a bit. They told us we might hear on Saturday or possibly Tuesday(as in today!) if they ever talked with the judge, since he hadn't yet. Well, a decision had to be made and so Friday morning we just went for it, booked flights and made sure that they were refundable! This was the beginning of a very full weekend. I don't know anyone who has  decided to go to Africa, booked flights, and then got on a plane 4 days later- it is insane! But the amazing part is that once we said yes, God has shown us over and over that HE is in control and that HE blesses His people!

There have been so many "God moments" this past year, that I have a hard time keeping up with all He is doing. (good thing I have the blog huh?! :) I know I have said this over and over, but it is incredible to be a part of the miracles He is doing and I just have to share or I'll burst!

I woke up on Sunday morning to yet another email from the staff lady in Ethiopia. It said that since we were now traveling to Ethiopia, we needed to bring a few notarized documents as well as the $ for N and M's visas which is $404 x 2 = $808! Seriously? We had signed a contract back in March that stated this $ was to be paid to the embassy on our last trip- not the court trip- and that they would notify us of any changes. So, does one business day count as enough notice to come up with another $800 cash?! Yikes. She also told us that there would be some documents for us to sign when we got there. Soooo, tell me this: if we hadn't traveled HOW was all this going to get to Ethiopia by the end of this week??? I asked her that and her reply was that they would have let us know eventually and we could have sent it to our U.S. agency who then would have sent it to their office in Ethiopia. OK. So obviously nothing is urgent when it comes to this adoption... this next step is something that could only take 4 or 5 weeks but I think they quote families double that because they are not in any hurry! So, needless to say we feel that if we would have stayed and not hand delivered all of this to the staff, we would probably be looking at another several weeks of delay. Now I know that a few weeks may not seem like a big deal to you, but when you have waited as long as we have, this mama does not want to be a part of any more delays- whether it be days weeks or months!

So, all morning we were a little worried trying to figure out how in the world we were going to come up with even more money for those visas and I just kept praying that God would provide and give us peace about the situation. And oh my how faithful He is! That afternoon a friend who I really don't know super well called me and said that God had put our family on her and her husband's hearts and they wanted to know how they could help us. I mentioned to her about the email that had come that morning and that we were still needing to figure out how to take care of it by the next day. She immediately said that they wanted to cover it. I was like NO- that is waaaay too much $$ and you can't do that. She insisted that it was exactly what they wanted to do and asked me to let them do this. She said that adoption is something that is close to their hearts, but they are not in a place to do that right now, so they wanted to bless us instead! WOW! Talk about speechless, humbled, amazed by God! I just cried and praised God for HIS faithfulness.

This is just one story of the dozens and dozens we have of God's amazing provision each step of the way. This weekend I put a last minute shout out on facebook that we were taking some clothes for the kids at the orphanage, and within a few hours I had enough to fill 2 huge suitcases! WOW! Another friend was scheduled for family pictures this weekend along with several others and I had to cancel on them. It was hard to say no, because not only do I love to do it, but I also knew that all the $ that I make for pictures for a purpose goes directly to our adoption expenses and not only did we have this trip to pay for but now we will go again for the 4th and final trip hopefully in only a month or two. So I was shocked when I went to get the mail yesterday and found a check from this family that was incredibly generous. A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. I mean, who are we that we get to experience this blessing over and over?! It is so very humbling and incredible and I give all the GLORY and PRAISE to our LORD!!! He delights in blessing His children and we have seen that so many times. We are so thankful and grateful.

To those of you who have been praying for our family... it is because of you that we are here on this journey today. We do not forget how many obstacles and trials we have already overcome, but it is only because of the faithful prayers of the saints that God has given us the victory. YOU are N and M's family too! My heart is just going to explode with gratefulness to God and is people right now. We love you all so much.

Ok, so the next time I post we will be in Ethiopia! Hoping for better internet than last time, but it is never certain so we will just go with the flow! :) We have a very special surprise for N and M when we get there and I can't wait to tell you what it is. But sorry- you can't find out until they do! :) We will only be in country for 3 days, but we know they will be blessed, amazing days and we are just thrilled that we get to go again!!!

Love you all!!! Keep praying!

But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 

1 Corinthians 15:57