Happy Daughter Day!

One year ago...
~ you were an orphan

~you had no clothes of your own

~your name was Kedest X

~ you were unsure of your next meal

~ you didn't know how to play with friends

~ your eyes were filled with uncertainty

~ you had no idea how awesome a big brother could be

~ you were waiting for Mommy & Daddy

Today...
~ you are an orphan NO MORE

~ your favorite thing is to choose which dress and shoes you'll wear for the day

~ your name is Ellie Kedest Prosser, meaning "shining light" (Ellie) and "holy" (Kedest)

~ you love to eat, and you are learning to trust there will always be plenty for you

~ you spend your days with friends, laughing and having fun.. like a little girl should!

~ your eyes are filled with wonder and excitement

~ you think your big brother hung the moon~

~ you have a Mommy & Daddy at your side always and forever

On July 2, 2009, the Ethiopian courts declared that Kedest X was ours. She has had 365 days of being Ellie Kedest Prosser, and we've had that long of calling her ours. It's a beautiful thing, and we can't say thanks to the Lord enough for entrusting her to us. We have had 365 days of being oh so grateful for the sacrificial love of Ellie's birth mother, Tigist, whom we will forever love and cherish. My heart has been torn for 365 days with the love of this precious girl and the knowing that her birth mom will never have the joy of knowing her like I do. I am simply not worthy of this gift.

So, on this day, we give thanks to the Father of all, who created this child and formed her in her birth mother's womb, then lovingly placed her in our arms. Praise be to God alone!


Psalm 68:6- God sets the lonely in families.

INTRODUCING....

Ellie Kedest Prosser!!


(Didn't I tell you she was beautiful?!)

We could not be more thankful to God for allowing us to have her in our family.
And many thanks to all of you who have prayed with us and for us (and her) throughout this long process.

More to come....for now, we're just celebrating our daughter!

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!