The Family of SIX!!!!!

Well, were do I start. We, Rich and I, set out on November 19th to Ethiopia to meet the two children our WONDERFUL agency matched to our family. We arrived on Saturday night at like 11:45pm so they had a driver pick us up and bring us to the guest house were we stayed for the week. Sunday morning we woke up and Gail, the women who is in charge of the home were our children are staying, picked us up and brought us to the children's house. WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW ...and many more. We arrived on Sunday early afternoon and could not leave for all the coffee (BUNNA) in Ethiopia.

There is not one child there that we didn't want to bring home. So many had parents and showed us their photo books and we laughed and loved on each and everyone of them. We met children getting ready to move to all different areas of the US and they are happy to say the least.

Our two children...well we were introduced by about 20 kids running through the courtyard screaming, "Mebrate Roba Family, Mebrate Roba Family....!!!!!!!!" It was so cool to see that the books of photos are looked at by everyone. They approached us with hugs and saying Hi mom and dad. That was it, It finally was real. For the longest time I had a photo of them but now a piece of me is in another country waiting for us to come back and bring them home. That sounds so cool...HOME!

I know I can not speak for everybody but if in you heart you feel God calling you to adopt or do something for an orphan...come talk to me. This place was open, friendly, and most of all LOVING! I would not say this will be our only adoption we go through but it will always be our first.

The way I thought Ethiopia would be was dirty and unfriendly. I apologize to Ethiopia. They are all very friendly, caring, and hardworking people. I enjoyed my time there and will be returning soon...many times!

Our adoption is not over. we have to now return for our Embassy date were we will receive their paperwork, passports, and release information from Ethiopia. That is the time we bring them home. So please continue prayer on provision of GODS WILL.

Thank you all so much for all your prayers. I also want to thank the agency we used!!!! they are the best.

So the moment you have all been waiting for....

The time is SO close

Each night I lay in bed thinking...Soon I will hear FOUR voices calling MOM. I can not wait til I can share all my hearts crys with you, whoever you all are. We are getting ready to head out to our destination and appear in court to say "YES! We would love to be there parents" Please pray the judge says "You are accepted!!!" Oh what a joy this hole journey has been, and to think it is not over. I want to say thank you all for your prayers and support during all of these ups and downs.
If ever you think of adopting...DO IT!!!! I believe there are a hole lot of loving and deserving children out there who need a family. And if you are not thinking of adopting then I would say help out someone who is looking to adopt. Raising your children is not easy but you make the money, time, and effort to accomplish it all. But when it comes to adopting raising and extra income to get there is not so easy, and sometimes very scary. It takes a whole body working together to complete any task, so that includes supporting each other when we step out to do something.
Please, I am not asking for me but think in your heart and see if there is something you can do for an orphan, a widow, or a neighbor.
Thanks for reading, have a great week!
Bridget

Simply amazing

As I had told you all our court day was not completed on the day we were assigned. But it was finalized on Wednesday!!!!! WE PASSED!!! It is a go we are defiantly in for the mid November court date that we have to appear in. Rich was so calm on the outside the whole two days of waiting I on the other hand not so much.
Things that crossed my mind were... WHY?, ...Who was more important than I?... and the only thing I could come up with was...God knows. We as a family did complete our fast as planned and felt that someone was in need and we could wait.
Now the wait is over and we are in packing mode. The girls are getting a little sad but happy and so am I. As for Rich well you know he will show his feelings soon, I think?
To night we are off to see my niece in the play "BYE BYE BIRDIE" @ Oak Lawn HS
How fun. I am looking forward to everything that is to come with this adoption and the new children coming home to us. I would like to ask if you may all pray for a smooth transaction for all of us. I think, after watching a few friends bring home children to their families, that it takes allot of Gods will and discernment to get though it all.
Please note those of you who are reading, I thank you. It has been my pleasure (a very dear friends line) to walk you through our life calling. And from the bottom to the top of our hearts we thank you for your prayers.
:) Bridget

What a morning

Dear friends,
Well today was the day of our first court date in the country we are adopting from. They had to close court early and our case was not heard. I do know they will hear our case tomorrow and we will get the news then.
I am pleasantly at peace. I am in complete submission to Gods will for this adoption. Our Pastor gave a sermon an the difference between satans attacks and God tests. I know that God wants all children to have a home so I am in His will. I also know satan wants us to doubt God and His power. I trust that God has this one and I am reallying on His sovereignty.
Thank you all who read, feel free to respond anytime. I do need others to encourage me at times. I am pressing on and moving forward.
We still have our court date that we go to the chosen country. And that is when we meet our children!
Praise Gos for all He has done and is doing.

what a great day!

Well my friends it has been a long time and I have some great news. Today I spent the day with three families. I know it does not sound fun but there was 33 people, 16 of which were adopted. I felt so close to my children yet so far!
I am preparing to leave soon, but first and for most, October 25th is a court date for our children. I am going to ask that you please pray Gods will on that day and that we hear good news soon after.
Also, we are in need of prayer for the upcoming travel dates that we have. I do not want to post any of it due to the fact I am not sure of the guidelines of that form of posting. I am very grateful to all of you who have been standing by us in prayer and support. We are looking forward to sharing more when we are able.
But as for the exciting day. Thank you Shane and Dianna for allowing us to be a part of such a beautiful moment!!!!! Love the girls, oh yea and Alexi too! Good luck with the play...Break a Leg!!!

Good night all
Bridget :)

We Have Our Court Date!!!!!!!!!!

Well my fellow readers. I am so pleased to say WE HAVE A COURT DATE!! And yes we also have internet back. I have waited a whole week to let you know this great information. We, Rich and myself, will be headed to our destination in mid November. I am so excited and very overjoyed with this. I can not begin to tell you how it feels but I can tell you when you give birth to a child the feeling you feel when the child is born and the pressure is gone and you just want to cry...this is the same relief but a totally different JOY!

We have been working toward this moment for ten months and I will let you know now it is worth all the ups and downs. I know God is in control of all that is to happen so I want Him to get the praise and glory, not us. He is the one who has given us the will to do this, the means to do this, and the one who has given us the encouragement to keep going. (Philippians 4)

So those of you who read our blog thank you. And for those of you who have supported us in prayer or any other way...THANK YOU!!!! Now you can see the prayers in action and please continue to read as we pursue His work til it is finished.

I will let you know more as soon as I know more. Thanks for reading!!!

Just saying

If you are looking to support a fine organization I found one. Project Hopeful is their name. I am the first person to admit when I heard about adopting orphans with HIVt I thought WHY?
Well let me tell you why. They are HUMAN, they have a LIFE and moreover they have a CHANCE!! I thought you get this cruel desease and you die. NOT! HIVt is controllable with the right medicines. The children who suffer are normal and some of the most loving kids I have met. No my children I am adopting do not have HIVt and no I am not plugging this for any other reason but I LIKE IT! The people who do the classes are very educational and the women and men who operate the organization are just down to earth.
Please look them up on the web. She makes and sells the coolest jewelry, bags and T-sirts. The profit goes to helping these little angles get a home.
I have been thinking about this all night because I feel God has blessed me with 4 healthy children and we, my family, will do something for these kids when our adoption is complete. I do have to admit this is so heavy on my heart that informing the web was the least I could do.
Thank you for reading...whoever you are.
www.projecthopeful.org