Bird's Words: June 2009

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

DESTINATION: ELLIE UPDATE

WE HAVE A COURT DATE!

Thursday, June 18th

yes, that's next week~

We are so excited by this news! Our agency director contacted us via email yesterday to share this with us. To say that we are stunned is an understatement. I had actually prepared myself for the October dates! ha!

Please begin to pray with us that we will pass court the first time around. If this happens, we could have our girl home very soon!

WOO HOO!!!

I'll be sure to keep you posted...

Friday, June 5, 2009

Finally, some news..

I have just received word that Ellie was moved to the Transition House in Addis! We have prayed diligently for this to happen, so we are thrilled beyond measure, to say the least.

I have to give a hug thanks to a girl named Elle that is traveling with our agency director in Ethiopia right now. Elle is a teenager and apparently, she has one heck of a heart for God and for children in need. Her mom sent me a message that Elle was with our Ellie when she moved from her orphanage, gave her a bath and has her smelling good now. And Elle is even sleeping with Ellie while she's there with her! I can't tell you how much it means to me to know that someone there is taking a special interest and has fallen in love with my little girl! Elle- I will never be able to repay you for the peace that you helped to restore in my heart, just by knowing you are loving on our Ellie! I pray that God blesses you mightily for your work with His children there.

Still no court date, but we do know that everything was submitted in order to get a date. So, we wait, but with renewed hope, I must say.

Thank you for continuing to pray with us. Because of those prayers, our girl is in a new home with nannies that will love all over her, clean water, a bath and a precious girl loving her too!

Oh, and by the way... she loved the stuffed monkey we sent to her! Whew... thank goodness. We didn't want a repeat of the doll that she hated that we sent! hah!

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Celebrating my Guys!

June 1st was a big day in our home! Not only was it Jeff's 41st birthday, but it was also Bryan's 8th grade graduation.

We had a small party for Jeff on Saturday with his mom, sister and family. Good food, good times, good Rummy playing (I now am owner of the coveted mouse).

Jeff, It's an honor to grow older (I didn't say old yet!) with you. You are my best friend, my soul mate, my love, my life here on earth. I love celebrating you! I love that we've spent all of these years making memories together, and this weekend, we've added more. I hope that you had a wonderful day, and I am praying this year that God continues to protect you, strengthen you and grow you. I'm more and more proud of the man you are every day. I love you!

Notice the cake is half gone already. He couldn't resist and neither could Jim! This was Jeff's only request for his birthday.. his mom's German Chocolate Cake!

Dang.. he gets better lookin' every day! Happy Birthday Hon!

Next, there was Bryan's 8th grade graduation. I can't begin to tell you how wild it is to think that we have a high schooler now. Are we really old enough for this? In all seriousness, this was a fantastic ceremony, and I couldn't be more proud of Bryan.

Bryan, I want you to know that I love you so much. I am so proud of you. You've worked hard, especially in the past few weeks, and I am so proud of that! I am proud of the man you are growing into, and I am honored that God chose me to be your mom. I can't imagine a son better designed for this family than you! You are my miracle man, and I love you! I cannot believe you are going to high school in the fall, but I would never want to keep you from all that God intends for you to become. I pray that you are rooted in His word, grounded in your faith, confident of His grace in your life, and always a young man of integrity. Congrats to you!! I love ya!