Africa Time

We spent the day laying low waiting to hear if a meeting with the birth mother could be arranged. We got word around noon that we would meet the birth mother today at 3pm. Well 3:00 came and went and a worker from America World came and informed us that the driver that was to pick up the birth mother had shut off his phone, so no meeting today, but we will try again tomorrow or later in the week. She assured us that indeed it would happen. I guess if it's meant to be God will bring it together. This seems to be typical of life in Ethiopia. Things come together in their own time and they really can't be rushed. Our last travel loving referred to it as Africa time.

We are having a little bit of trouble posting on our blog and friend and from our former travel group will be posting for us. Thanks Merica!

Leigh also says:
Hey all, since we're having trouble accessing our blog you will have to use our email to communicate with us. We have a friend posting for us via email but we are unable to read your posts. So if you would like to talk to us email us at lanson31@yahoo.com.

Happy Bithday Abe!!!

Today is Abe's birthday. He's six today and he's in love with all things Star Wars. We had a great Star Wars party before we left complete with a green light saber birthday cake. Abe was excited to have his birthday near Isaac's home coming. It's strange to think today we could be meeting Isaac's birthmother and Abe's birth mother is probably even now wondering about him and what his future holds. We are so grateful to the birth families that now belong to our family. So many often say to us, how can they let go of their children, but I often wonder could I do the same if I were in their position. Would I have that kind of sacrifical love giving up a son or daughter because I know I couldn't provide for his or her basic needs? I am sadden that so many all over the world face this decision everyday. Although we do not know much about any of our children's birth families. We know that many birth families choose to place their children in orphanages in the hopes that their children will have a hope and future beyond anything they would be able to give to their children.
So it's with mixed emotions that we face this day, uncertain what it will bring, but either way it will bring an unimaginable loss to Isaac's mother. We are honored to have him as part of our family and we feel great honor to be called his mom and dad.
Happy Birthday Abraham, we love you and miss, have a good birthday buddy!

We made it!

We made it to Ethiopia! Our flight out of DC was delayed 4 hours, and then we sat on the plane for an hour and a half while the push truck spun its wheel on the ice trying to get our plane away from the terminal. Once we got going, our flight was great--the plane was almost empty so there was plenty of room to lay down and sleep. If you ever get the chance to fly on Ethiopian Airlines I highly recommend it--the service is great! Ethiopia has changed a lot since we were here two years ago. It looks like there has been a lot of economic growth--the constuction sites now have workers and materials on them (last time they were all deserted) and there are bigger and better vehicles in the streets. It's about 9:30AM at home, but it's 5:30PM here which means we'll go to bed at about lunch time. I think it will work out fine as we are both tired from the trip. We're staying in a guest house this time instead of a hotel. It seems like a nice place, and we've already met a couple from Frankfort KY. The weather is nice here--it's been raining some the past few days which is rare. It's about 70 degrees and feels like it's going to rain. Our arrival was much less intimidating this time--it almost felt coming home in a way. We are anxious to meet Isaac, but that isn't scheduled to happen until Monday. We are hoping to meet his birth mother tomorrow, but as far as we know those arrangements have not been finalized yet. I am also hoping to find time to take a trip into the countryside to see some of the surrounding villages and agriculture. Thanks to all who have been praying for us. God truly did move a mountain (of snow in DC) to get us here on time. More to come later...

Ben

so far so good...

It's 3:15AM and our 6:00AM flight isn't cancelled. We're going to head for the airport and see what happens!

Flying Tomorrow?

We're gonna try. Our flight is at 6am tomorrow and it hasn't been cancelled yet, so hopefully God willing we will be on our way bright and early tomorrow. We'll keep you all posted. Thanks for all you prayers. Owen is better and in-country plans are finalized, keep praying for Isaac and our flight plans.

Pray for Isaac

We just got an email from our agency. Isaac has pneumonia. They are treating him with antibiotics and we pray he is better soon. Owen our oldest is also sick with the stomach flu. Our flight got changed this morning due to the bad weather in DC. We are also having a hard time confirming our in-country plans because our agency is also in the DC area and has been closed for the last two days. Long story short the war wages on and we would appreciate your prayers. We know God is faithful and just and he has called us to this task and he will equip us for the task at hand. But as we forge ahead it would be a blessing to know others are petitioning the Lord on our behalf.

Family Dolls

Family dolls you say? What are family dolls? Well let me explain. Our agency has asked traveling families to bring a few items that were needed for the transition home (the place our children live once they have been assigned to their families). One of the items they requested were sets of family dolls so the children could role play with the psychologist what they've been through, and the transitions yet to come. In other words, great toys to help the children deal with what they've been through and what is yet to come. Wonderful I thought I'm going to be sure and take some family dolls, so I check Wal-mart (the go to store for rural southern IN) they've got nothing. So I began the on-line search, they were quite pricey and then add in shipping and they were very expensive, but I really wanted to take family dolls. I thought it's important and key tool to help children transition into their new homes. Monday I set out on a mission to gather a few more items needed for our trip and I decided to go to a neighboring town because I knew they had a store that might have the much coveted family dolls. Well if you know me very well, you know I like a good junk store, so I on the way I stopped at my favorite junk store and what did I find? You guessed it FAMILY DOLLS!!!


Not one set but two, one in black and one in white. Could it get any better you ask? Yes it can! I got them for the low, low price of $12. Now I tell you all this not because it makes a great story even though it does, but I tell you this because I am continual amazed at the working of the Father's hand in every step of our adoption. He knew what those children needed and he provided and I am blessed to be a part of his plan. If you haven't jumped fully into all the God has planned for you, don't wait, I'm sure he has a set of family dolls waiting for you somewhere along the way.

Our travel date is fast approaching. We leave Feb. 10 and return Feb. 20. We plan to post every day while in Ethiopia so tune in to read more about our beautiful new son Isaac and our journey to bring him home and pray for Grandma, Nana, and the two Paps as they wrestle the troops at home! We are so blessed to have a family that embraces adoption and helps us along the way.