Update!

We were thrilled this morning to receive an update on our little guy!  He is so incredibly cute- like, I can't even explain it.  He's smiling and you can tell he's laughing...oh, how sweet.  He hasn't gained much weight but he looks well so, we're content with that.  We can't share his picture so, if you live nearby be sure to stop us.  We're now armed with even more pictures : )  Still no news on the court date.  Typically, we won't hear about that for a couple more weeks at the earliest. 
Please continue to pray for Kaleb- may he continue to grow and develop well; that the caregivers' days go smoothly; and for the people working in the Ethiopian court system- may their work be efficient and highly productive.   God knows our days...He knows the day in which we'll have the honor of meeting our little guy in person.  Oh, our hearts can't wait but we will wait to see how God has our path laid out.  Today, though- we're just thrilled to see a sparkle in those little brown eyes and a big toothless grin!!! 
Thanks for the prayers, they are so greatly appreciated!!  God Bless : )

Submit(ted)

Submit. To give over or yield to the power or authority of another. Today we received an answer to prayer… we have learned that our paperwork has been submitted to court! Thank You, Jesus : )
Today, I was surprised to hear of our court submission. But, God wasn’t. Nothing surprises Him because He is the author of our timelines. The Ethiopian courts will close by the 2nd week of August and will remain closed for 6 weeks. By anyone’s standards, it would take a miracle for us to receive a court date prior to the court closure. We are preparing for an early fall court date- most likely after September. But (there’s always a ‘but’ you know)….we serve a Big and Mighty God!
Please join us in praying for our court date. Pray for all the people working on our case. May their time working be productive and efficient. That any obstacles, distractions and challenges be averted before they even realize it.
Today, we are firmly and confidently submitting our court date to God. He already knows the exact day and time in which we’ll meet our sweet little boy. God knows and has always known exactly what our ‘timeline’ will look like.
Our paperwork was submitted to the Ethiopian court last Friday and today we’re submitting our court date to God’s timing. Submit. To give over or yield to the power or authority of another. We’re yielding this one to God.

A month already...

Its hard to believe that its been a month since that incredible Friday afternoon in which we learned of our sweet little Kaleb!  I can truly say that this past month has moved right along with lots of projects and things going on.  We' ve had tons of fun sharing our picture with friends and family within the area.  Sweet baby boy, there are so many people praying for you and talking to God about getting you home as quickly as possible! 

This past month has been filled with lots of 'projects' as well...The garden fence is built, the garden is planted and...things are even growing : )   This is an accomplishment especially since we got 9.5 inches of rain within 10 days.  Since then, we've had over 2 more inches all within about 3 weeks of time.  I could never make it in Seattle!!  The peonies and daisies are just begging for sunshine. 

And, we've been enjoying our newest visitor at what we call the 'Roth B&B'!  Auntie Ashley is staying with us as she studies for her NCLEX nursing exam.  Its been great having her!  As bizarre as it sounds, the job market for nursing positions is incredibly competitive.  Many, many of her classmates have not been able to find a job- the market is simply saturated and hospitals are cutting back due to funding cuts.  However, it was incredibly fun last week when she got 'the call' with a job offer!!  The good news is she'll be in-state even if it is on the opposite side of state so hopefully, we'll still get to see her lots : )  I found this sweet little onsie...couldn't resist!!  We're pretty sure our little brown eyed boy will be able to work his wonders in ensuring she makes frequent trips west river : )

In adoption news....we're still waiting to hear that we've been submitted to court.  Currently, paperwork is being gathered in paperwork related to the birthfamily and other documents to complete the legal aspect of adopting our little guy.  Once all that has been gathered, our file will be 'submitted to court'.  A few weeks to a month after being submitted, we'll hear when our court date is.  Right now, we're thinking of summer as our 'preparation time'; fall will be traveling and winter will hopefully involve all of us being home together!  Please pray that our paperwork comes together quickly and that any obstacles on the Ethiopian side can be overcame quickly through God's grace. 

Good Things...

"The Lord is good to those who wait for Him." 

Lamentations 3:25

The old phrase/Bible verse 'good things come to those who wait' seems to be an unintended slogan for what at times can feel like large parts of my life sometimes.  Ahh, but the cool thing about God is that- if you stick with Him long enough, it always turns out with a happy ending.  Like any good story, there are normally some twists and turns along the way but you end up in an even better place than you thought possible. 

Today is the anniversary of one of God's greatest 'happy endings' (well in my opinion anyways)- our 2nd wedding anniversary.  Yup, that's us- we've made it all the way to the big #2.  Oh, what a blessing its been these past two years. 

Often times, our adoption reminds me of my life before meeting Wes and being 'matched' by God.  The season of life before meeting was long; often very, very quiet and in reality no one but me and God really knew the journey of those days.  It involved lots of conversations with God about timing, waiting, hoping, fearing it would never happen and lots of unknowns.  Each time I tripped by a distraction of the heart- God refined me where I needed to be.  Where He wanted me to be.  Which I would respond back to Him with the grumblings of my heart then gratitude for His protection and guidance. 

And, then, suddenly out of the blue- there was my answer.  It was like God said 'Alright, here's your good thing you've been waiting for".  There was Wes.  Suprise, suprise- God only does perfect!! : ) 

Two years ago today, we gathered together in my little hometown country church where it all came together.  It was a beautiful and blessed day.  One of my favorite moments (there of lots, like any wedding day) was sitting at the piano, with my dress flowing all down and around us, with Wes at my side turning the pages.  Together, with the people we loved, we sang out love songs to Jesus.  And, it was sweet and precious and good.   The Lord really is good to those who wait for Him! 

Our journey to little Kaleb has felt long; often very, very quiet and in reality no one but us and God have really known the details of our journey.  Today, marks our 10 month mark since our paperwork was sent to Ethiopia.  The Lord has been good to us in revealing our little guy to us this past month.  I just keep praying for all those still waiting and the list that just seems to be getting longer and longer and longer. 

Tonight, after our dinner date to Applebees, I was sitting in our hammock while Wes was in the yard.  The birds were chirping, a sliver of a silver moon was above and the leaves above barely caught a breeze.  We're so blessed.  Oh, God just match all those babies quickly so they too can experience their 'good thing' which He's got all planned out for them. 

P.S.  Happy Anniversary to my #1 page turner : ) Love you lots!