We made it

We've been in Addis Ababa for four full days now.  We are loving every minute and the afternoons we have with Lilia Yabsira at the Transition Home are precious beyond words.  I thought I'd just get on blogger and see if I could post, now that I now I can, we will try and unload parts of our travel journal we've been keeping.  We'll have to wait on pictures until we get back to the states though.  Ethiopia is a beautiful place and we are so thankful to be here.  We'll check in again soon!

The bags are packed...

and we leave tomorrow!!!!  It's hard to believe this two-year wild ride is coming to an end...and a beginning.  In less than three days, we will hold our baby girl who we have been waiting for, longing for, and praying for.  It's been a complete whirlwind of buying ticket, packing, organizing, cleaning, and joy the last few days but we are ready (almost).  Emma is coming with us, as well as Brendan's parents and my parents.  Thanks to all of you who have been a constant support to us with your prayers, encouragement, and help, we could not do this without you!  Thank you to my family who has helped us pack, clean, fed us, and hung out with Emma so we could get ready.  Thank you to our friends who are house sitting while we are gone.  Thank you to our church community for freeing Brendan to go with such enthusiasm and blessing (and helping carry the load while the music pastor is gone). We are pretty exhausted from all the preparations but very excited to be with Lilia!  We will be back on the 29th.  I will update the blog while we are in Addis Ababa if we are able.  We are coming baby girl!!!!

Shout for Joy!

We serve a faithful God.  We got the call today saying we are cleared to go pick up Lilia!!!!!!  We are thrilled and have been crying tears of joy.  We leave Sunday and will be in Ethiopia for almost two weeks.  I truly believe God responded out of the prayers lifted up for our daughter and moved this mountain- even after we were told it was not likely!  We are so thankful and have so much to do.  Alleluia, our daughter is coming home!

**The above pic is Lilia a few weeks ago- she's up to 12 lbs!

Prayers Needed

Please pray for us and for Lilia. Brendan spoke with the Africa Program director from our agency today. They still have nothing new from the Embassy about Lilia's investigation. The Embassy has been in contact with them, continuing to investigate Lilia's case, but still has not cleared her for a visa. They are aiming for 8 weeks, which we are sitting at 8 weeks into the investigation, but they are under no obligation to finish at a certain point. They have said there are no red flags in Lilia's case but it is just taking longer because she is from a smaller orphanage. Please pray for us and Lilia. Our hearts are so heavy and weary. We just want to be with our little girl. We need God to move this mountain. Be our sustainer Lord Jesus and hold and strengthen Lilia's little heart.