Update

It has been several weeks since the last time we have posted anything on our blog.  We often struggle with the fact that writting our thoughts and feelings is not one of our gifts.  We had a friend ask us how things were going on the adoption and mentioned that she has check out blog several times and was disapointed that of the lack of updates.  It was a nice feeling that love ones are checking for updates and walking this journey along with us.

God has reminded us during this journey that we are not alone.  There has been many moments when we have looked at each other and asked "what in the world are we doing?"  It seemed that those are the moments God takes our hand and shows us its going to ok.  He also has many "angels" that He uses. Its the people that we do not know very well at church that make their way to us and out of the blue let us know that they are praying for us. Meeting people at a birthday party that is in their own journey of internationally adopting or even the simple card of encourgement that was out of the blue  We have learned to rely on Him. There have been times when we have started to run our own pace and He seems to have a His way of letting us know He is still in charge.

We are very excited about where we are in the process.  Our homestudy is completed and we thought we were done with our dossier.  We have faxed it to Celebrate Children International. They informed us there were one or two minor pages that needed corrected.  If you could see how large the dossier is, that is not bad at all.  Once we get that corrected it will be ready to be taken to Indy for the beloved golden seal.  Then it gets sent to the Ethiopia Embassy.  (This is Adam typing and I'm sure I'm getting something mixed up).  Once we get our finger prints done and approved we get the referal to see who God has for us.  We are in awe the way that God has helped us through all of this.

We are still working on the finacial aspect of the process.  We continue to sell t-shirts.  We are hoping that sales will pick up once we know who the next member of our family is going to be.  Right now Gabe and Shelley(my brother and sister-in-law) have spotlighted three families, us included. Their site is http://brownstreeintheforest.blogspot.com/2011/01/chip-in-for-love-and-win.html  They are having a drawing for people who "chip-in" to support the families that are being spotlighted.  If you can contribute, that is great.  If you can't, then pray. 

Last but definitely not least, I would like to give credit and thanks to Gabe and Shelley Brown.  They have opened so many eyes in reference to adoption.  I know I may be prejudice because they are family, but it goes so much further then that.  They have helped so many with inpiring words, resources, and encouragement.  God has used them in more ways then they could ever comprehend.  Gabe and Shelley (and the gang)  we love you.