working together

For the adoption Leland and I have been working on a workbook for the past two months. The workbook challenges you to think through adoption from the eyes of the child. It has prompted some great conversations and encouraged us to think about new things.

The book is twenty chapters and it takes us around 45 minutes to finish a chapter. Simple math shows we have spent a lot of time on the book. We have created a routine of going to McDonalds, getting a dollar soda, and finishing about two chapters.

Right now our time of working on the book is come to an end, we have two chapters left. It has been great to turn it into a unique date but we are also excited to almost be done. Finishing the workbook and the revisions are the last things needed for our homestudy. It will be nice to finish one part of the paperwork and focus on the next.

while I was away

I went on a whirl wind tour of the northwest and surprised my sister in Idaho. We went to a family reunion in Montana and afterward spend two days with my parents in Washington. While I was away, a lot of things happened for the adoption, thanks to Leland.

We received the all the documentations for our home study and we passed it on to the social worker. Currently he is working on the home study, so we can move forward.

Things are coming together nicely and it is good reminder that God can take care of things while I am gone.

Ethiopian food

This past weekend Leland and went to the Dallas / Fort Worth area. It was a great opportunity for us to get away and spend time together. We also capitalized on the opportunity to try Ethiopian food.

We enjoyed our experience, since we like trying new things. We had two different meat dishes and vegetable dishes. We also had injera, which is a spongy bread that is used for the plate and utensil. Injera reminds me of a crepe and tastes like a sour dough. Leland really enjoyed the injera and it will be an acquired taste for me (I have never enjoyed sourdough breads). I did love using injera as a utensil.

Next time I have Ethiopian food I will remember to take pictures before the plate is almost finished. I finished plate does help you understand the food, it just shows we liked it. I also look forward to trying to cook dishes.

our life lessons

It amazes me how everyday circumstances can provide life lessons and character development. One of the things I appreciate about God is that He does not waste circumstances in our lives...He will use everything to teach us.

About two weeks ago, my wrist began hurting. I decided it would be best to not paint the chi alpha house and give them a season to rest. A week later, we went to the doctor for some adoption paperwork and I shared with him about the pain. He was quick to diagnosis it as tennis elbow with Leland grinning because he earlier told me it was that. I have started physical therapy and have begun the 6-8 week healing process.

On Sunday, I was praying and asking God to teach me whatever He wants through this process. I have learned that if God wants to teach me I want to learn quickly. Especially if pain is involved. I quickly realized that I was placing value in my ability to work...I need my value to be in Christ (not my daily achievements). I shared with Leland what I was learning and he quickly responded, I need to learn how to serve better.

So, right now we are learning to do less...and learning to serve more.

miracles along the way

On Thursday, I saw God answer a surprising prayer and I want to share. Before I do, I want to give a little background information. Adoption paperwork is different than most things I have worked on. We are currently working on about 10 different things for the dossier and many of them are dependent on different government agencies or people. Adoption teaches me life lesson, that I am not in control.

Thursday morning, I was talking to God about the FBI clearance paperwork. The FBI paperwork takes 6-8 weeks to receive and I have heard of people waiting up to 14 weeks. I started asking God for us to receive it in the mail soon. Then I realized I mailed it in June and it was unrealistic for God to get it to us...so I changed my prayer to, "God can we get it earlier than expected."

I got home and found these envelopes in the mailbox...our FBI clearance. Friday I talked to someone from AGCI (All God's Children International) and she was shocked that we received them so fast. She has never heard of anyone mailing in the fingerprint cards and receiving the paperwork in 3 weeks.

Thank you Jesus.