How's This For a Nice Kick in the Pants?

We received this email from our adoption agency. I hope that we will have our son home before August. But I guess if I trust that the Lord is guiding this process, then He knows best.

"The Court in Ethiopia is closed between August and October. Families should expect the time between referral and travel to increase during that time."

On a side note that is really, REALLY cool (but has nothing to do with the adoption), we finished doing the 30 Hour Famine today. We have 15 kids raise money this year. We are currently over $11,000! Are you kidding me? Since 2002, our kids have raised over $33,000 for World Vision! Pretty cool stuff! We continue to be one of World Vision's leading fundraisers! God is so good in providing for those in need!

Well, I also just got home from taking 21 people to the Toby Mac, Jeremy Camp, Matthew West concert at the iWireless Center. I'm so tired, time for bed! Good night all. Love you!

Okay, Now Reality Sets In

Kathee called me at work today and was all excited. She said that FedEx had just dropped off the stroller we had registered for at Target a few months back. We already had the car seat as my brother Aaron and sister-in-law Jenn had given us their old one. So we registered for a stroller that would also house the car seat! It came unexpectedly as a gift from some people at church and was delivered to the house. It sure brightened Kathee's (and my) day when it arrived.
As we sat looking at it tonight, reality set in for me. I had visions of having it in the trunk of the car all the time and actually using it... walking around the mall on my day off, taking walks around the block and to the park. I am not sure why it set in tonight, and couldn't really tell you why the stoller did it (as if the repainting of the bedroom-- more on that when we get it finished, the numerous things we already have and have already received didn't hint at the huge addition coming our way). But I gotta say, I'm really excited about this. How fun.
Oh, and this is super-cool! One of my yomi friends (as youth ministry majors at Bethel College were called when I attended) from college was on Deal or No Deal tonight. During one of the short interview times with Howie Mandel, Katie shared that she and her husband would like to adopt a child with the money she received from the game (she shared that the little she makes as a children's pastor and at the children's hospital wouldn't cover a house addition and the cost of adoption). The deal she took was for $449,000 (she actually had the case with $1,000,000). So I think she'll now be able to expand their house to expand their family and do it through adoption! Pretty cool I think!
Well, that's it for tonight, thanks for reading!

Kelty for Kids Backpack

After looking for the past 6-12 months or more at these backpacks that carry kids, we found the one while in Minnesota last week at REI. We have been looking at Scheels in Iowa City every time we go to the Coral Ridge Mall. All they have is the next size down. The one we purchased comes with a sun and rain hood (that's what was holding us up from buying one at Scheels). We thought this would be a good purchase for camping and hiking trips, but also thought it made a lot of sense to have one in Ethiopia and moving through airports. We just hope he's big enough to ride in it at placement. However, how cool would it be if he were too young to fit in it?! Wow! Now there's a cool thought. Anyway, with the money church gave me for pastor's appreciation month in October and another money gift, we purchased this backpack, and received about 50 cents back. I am super-excited to put it in to use! Oh yeah, if you didn't notice, when you set it down, the back legs automatically kick out so it stands by itself. Pretty cool I think!

The official word: $3K

The letter did in fact come through, and we did in fact, receive a $3,000 scholarship from Shoahannah's Hope. As is their policy, they will hold on to the money and then send it to our adoption agency just prior to our traveling to Ethiopia. That money will go towards any outstanding balance we have or will be reimbursed to us if everything has been paid in full. Either way, what a blessing. As once the little guy gets home we'll have lots of doctors appointments and probably medicines for things unseen in most American children, whatever money we may/do receive back will be put right into getting him healthy and whole!
Also on the radar. We are in the process of filling out more scholarship applications, so your prayers for those will be greatly appreciated.
And, this past weekend Rhonda and Julie (and Julie's daughter Sydney and husband Jim) began work on the baby's room. They have the ceiling and walls painted and done. All they have left to do is finish the windows and some other stuff (the other stuff is stuff I don't know what else they are doing).
That's it for now. No word on a referral yet. I keep dreaming that the referral comes in February, so that's not really helping much on the patience front.