Readoption

Orin and I completed Nyah's readoption paperwork yesterday.
It is such a relief to have that done and over with. I
have been putting it off for 7 months now because it
seemed too complicated and I just didn't want to deal with
it. But I am glad we decided to try to do it on our own
instead of using an attorney b/c it really wasn't that bad
(and I had tons of help from a friend). Now we'll have to
wait and see if I filled out the paperwork right. An
Oregon birth certificate should come in the mail in 1-2
months if I did!



Nyah has been so persistent lately in trying out motor
skills tasks. She doesn't give up at a task even when
she isn't successful. She tried to put on Orin's shoes
for 10 minutes the other day! Putting the key in the
gear of her trike was hard but she stayed at it. She
likes a challenge and sure knows how to celebrate when
she masters something!

How Can I Thank You Enough?

The church was neat. The worship is so uninhibited it really is beautiful to experience. I especially love the "call" that they do that is a rapid tongue vibration against the top of the mouth. I was expecting it to be Ethiopian Orthodox because

Ethiopian Protestants aren't as common I was told. At least not in Ethiopia.

But the pastor spoke a beautiful sermon on how it does not matter what church

you attend, but that you believe in God and that He sent his son Jesus Christ to

pay the penalty for our sin.

Our friends bring their 1 yr. old son to be dedicated to God.

Children are a gift from God, the auntie informs me. He gives

them to us and we give them back to Him because they are His.

Yes, I needed to be reminded of this. Sometimes I feel the responsibility of raising

them right and feel all the pressure for how they will turn out. But I can only lead

them down the path of truth and God will keep their hearts.

The pastor takes Dawit (David) in his arms and the congregation

stretches forth their arms toward the boy and pray with him.

Next the pastor invites all the children to the front to pray
a special blessing on them. Marquez and Makaylee were
shy but eventually went to the front. The entire service was in
Amharic so my kids couldn't understand any of it but they knew
it was important because the pastor was speaking the Word of God
so they were quiet and still and made their mommy so proud. I love
how in the Ethiopian culture there is no hurry and the service went
for three hours. Reminds me of how Jesus would speak so long on the
hillsides his disciples would get concerned that the people would get
hungry. And in turn everyone did and went into the church basement for
bread and tea at the end to fellowship with one another.

We get invited back to the house for an Ethiopian feast to celebrate the little man.

And Nyah gets loved on by all who meet her.




Thank you for inviting us to worship with you in your warm and loving church.
Thank you for bringing us into your home and treating us as your honored guests
on your special day with your family.

Family Day

cutie patootie

Nyah loves taking a bath! She never wants to get out, even when the water gets cold.
Her favorite things to do in the bath are poop and drink the water (not in that order).

Makaylee's not so excited about taking a bath with her anymore.

Perfecting the skill of talking on the phone and driving already!

Nyah with Auntie Erica at Hometown Buffet after the funeral. They should have charged us for Nyah...this girl can eat!


Orin's grandfather's funeral was today. It was nice to hear all the stories of how he loved to help others. Also I liked how family commented that they never heard him say anything negative about anyone else- never. Listened to a whistle solo of "Great is Thy Faithfulness" by one of his buddies and a recording of Grandpa singing "Beulah Land". He left such a Godly heritage for his children and grandchildren. I didn't think I was going to cry until Makaylee did. Then she gently stroked my arm, "Don't cry, Mommy, we are going to see him in heaven."

Tomorrow we are going to an Ethiopian church and the service is in Amharic. The Ethiopian family we met in Costco invited us to see their son Dawit (David in English) get dedicated to God. Then we are coming home to have a Leave it To Beaver marathon with Marquez and Makaylee. They love this show! And I love how it models good values for the kids like respecting your parents and telling the truth.

Go Ducks!

Daddy's a big Oregon Ducks fan and was really excited about

watching the Civil War game tonight. He even taught Nyah

to say "Go Ducks!" She unfortunately didn't make it until

the end of the game to see them win. It was a close one.

Sleepover on a school night?

Marquez has a good friend whose family is moving to Brazil this

month to do ministry over there. They are also our neighbors

and have been such a blessing in our lives. I always bring Marquez

and his two buddies home from AWANA and the 3 boys came up

with the idea to have a sleepover after AWANA since it would be

the last time. I agreed, but now the morning after I am wondering

why. It was a school night and they stayed up until 2:30 am. I told

them to go to sleep after Home Alone got over (which would have

been11:30. Orin and I went to sleep and now I am wondering what

they did for 3 hrs. after that- just talking they said! You'd think

they were girls, it cracks me up. One of the greatest gifts in life God

gives us is good friends. Marquez is so sweet, he even let Makaylee

come to his sleepover in her Disney Princess sleeping bag. I thought

she'd be asleep shortly but she wasn't so I had to put her to bed at

10:30pm because she had kindergarten this morning. Hopefully

she isn't too much of a bear.

My new friend Steph whom I've met through adoption blogging
is adopting a baby girl. She has some great T-shirts in
English and Amharic she is selling to raise money for their
Ethiopian adoption. You can check them out in her side
bar at:
http://www.adoptionmission-possible.blogspot.com/

You'll be seeing Makaylee sporting hers soon!

Bittersweet

In loving memory of Orin's grandfather who went home
to be with his Savior. We are sad because we will
miss him but are rejoicing that he is finally home!