We received a phone call just before noon today telling us our court date is July 15!!!  After we pass court (and the kids are ours in the eyes of the Ethiopian government), they’ll schedule an appointment with the US embassy in Addis Ababa.  The earliest possibility is August 18, but we won’t know until after we pass court.  Please pray for: 1) we pass court on the 15th of July, and 2) expedited embassy appointment.

Praise God - we’re still waiting, but it’s a new phase of waiting!!!

We just got home from a fantastic afternoon/evening event hosted by a family that recently adopted a boy from Ethiopia.  There were many families in various stages of the adoption process (including several who already had their kids with them).  It was so nice to discuss our stories, and how God called each of the couples/families into adopting Ethiopian children.  And, of course, playing with and holding these precious children was the highlight.

We finally met the Kerrigans, whose blog we’ve been following.  We enjoyed meeting Caleb and Eli after months of praying for their arrival home! 

Thank you to the Markquarts for hosting.  We had a great time.

Our nephew’s daughter, Jaidyn, turned two this past week.  We enjoyed getting together with them and celebrating the birthday.  Click on the picture of Jaidyn to see more.

Second grade pirates

Friday was the last day of school.  Sary-Jo took a bunch of pictures, but we don’t have parental permission to post good pictures of the kids.  However, we’re going to include a group photo of her second-grade pirates and some pictures of friends she works with.  Her good friend and prayer partner Holly is moving to Thailand where she will teach next year.  Sary-Jo will miss her tremendously.

Lauren

Our niece, Lauren, had her 9th grade dance Wednesday night.  Before the dance, Sary-Jo went over and took some pictures.  Lauren looked great and we hear she had a great time.  Lauren and Alyssa both received end of the year awards at their schools.  We’re very proud of them!! Click the picture to see a slideshow.

Since it’s been two weeks since we told you we’d have a court date “this week” we thought we should provide an update.  Unfortunately, there’s been a delay in assigning our court date.  We don’t know precisely why (”we’re working with a newer orphanage” is the explanation given) and we don’t know how long to expect the delay to be. 

We appreciate those of you who have asked about an update (and, in case you’re concerned, we do NOT mind fielding the questions).  We also continue to covet your prayers.  We’ve acknowledged from the start that the timing is in God’s hands.  Since that’s true, we’re not worried about this but we are excited to get the boys home.  And, like most people, we prefer to know how to plan so we would like to know the court date. 

That’s all we know for now.  When we get our court date, we will:

1. Call Sarah, Kyle and Janel
2. Post the court date on this website
3. Make other family calls

So… check back daily!

On Sunday, June 7, Christian and Nicole exchanged vows in a beautiful outdoor setting.  We’ve posted a few pictures.  Click on the one shown to see more.

David Thorpe

Our dear friend and brother in Christ, David Thorpe, went home to the Lord Wednesday morning, only a couple of weeks before his 56th birthday.  He died unexpectedly when his heart suddenly failed him and, over the course of several hours, even the paddles didn’t help. 
David was in our home group that meets regularly for fellowship and prayer and we worked together supporting the marriage ministry both in marriage classes and as marriage mentors.  Though we had only known David (and Madaline) for a few years, it seems like much longer.  We have discussed this phenomenon with them in the past - how we all feel like we’ve been friends for decades rather than just a few years.  I suspect many people feel that way about them because they are so genuine.  We know very few people without pretenses - those people are a joy to get to know and they challenge us to be bold in our walk.  David was not a complicated man.  He had a heart that reflected God’s character.  He loved Jesus.  His humility, sincere love and selfless service to others were inspiring.  David loved his beloved wife Madaline and precious adult daughters Noelle and Courtney.  He adored his three grandchildren and had an especially sweet relationship with Jonathan because he lived nearby.  We loved David’s laughter and kind spirit.  He will be deeply missed.
David and Madaline had an amazing testimony.  During their 35 year marriage they encountered an unbelievable number of very painful trials, yet their faith in a sovereign God and their obedience was their focus – a compelling example and inspiration to others.  Despite much opposition, David did not hold a grudge against anyone.   He merely wished that others would know he held no animosity or ill-will toward them.  He wanted them to know the truth, but recognized that they were not likely to ever do so.
Life is precious.  No matter how long we live, compared to eternity, it is short.  We rejoice in the knowledge that David not only believed in the one true God of the Bible, but he walked the talk.  His life was an example to many.  Because he placed his trust in Christ, he truly is in a “better” place.  Those of us that choose God’s way will also share in the joy of being in the presence of God – rather than separated from Him – forever. 
Our hearts are heavy today because we have parted company with a very dear one, but we praise God for His provision and that David accepted God’s gift of eternal life and lived with that blessed assurance.  It is our heartfelt prayer that you too realize your need for God and choose life today!  Tomorrow may be too late.

We were notified this morning (Monday, June 1) that we will learn our court date this week!!!  Our file has been opened in the Ethiopian courts and they are scheduling it even now.  Praise God and please continue to pray that He will work out the details.  With all the variables (Randy’s job, Sary-Jo’s school schedule, final training, school for the boys, Sarah’s and Janel’s schedule, and more), we are so grateful that God not only knows what will be best for us, but He is also in control!

Of course, we’d prefer an early court date.  So if that is not what He has in store for us, please pray that we will recognize His hand and be grateful in all circumstances.  But we are anxious!!!  We want to bring our boys home ASAP.

For those not totally familiar with the process… after we pass court (which should not be a problem, but one never knows), our agency will make an appointment for us with the US embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.  We will travel there for the embassy appointment and come home with the boys.  Then we can post some pictures of our complete family!

May 31 was the “First Annual Ethiopia Night” at Bonney Lake Community Church and we were invited to attend.  The pastor, Jeff Butler, had traveled to Ethiopia with the team from Adoption Ministry (our agency).  The purpose of the evening was to share what God is doing through the ministry and to encourage support through travel, giving, adoption and/or prayer.  We were totally blessed by our time there and moved to tears more than once.

At one point, Pastor Jeff shared about seeing the orphanage director (Tezera) praising God because she was learning that two orphan boys were receiving a new family.  He showed a picture of Tezera that was taken at that moment.  The picture and his description of it were very moving and, to top it off, he was describing the moment that Tezera and our boys were learning that they’re going to be part of our family.  It was pointless to try to maintain composure.