Whenever you experience something significant in life there are people and memories that become extra special. This recent adoption journey is no different. That's why this blog is a "Shout out" - a Shout Out to those who helped us make it through - because without them, we never would have made it!
Shout out #1 - to Vicki's sister Jan and our kids Jon, Anna, Ellie and Joshua. These five people were the best team we could have ever left in charge while we were gone. They rocked it out and kept our home front (and especially Martha) humming right along. Our gratitude runs deep, very deep. We love you all and we're glad to partner with y'all in life!
Shout out #2 - to all of you who donated funds, came to a fund raiser, helped with Martha care while we were gone, brought food for our family, sent a note of encouragement, prayed or a myriad of other things that happened - Thank you! You have no idea how those small acts of kindness put our hearts at peace. The number of details we had to manage was overwhelming and having others take care of some of those details was such a blessing!
Shout out #3 - Fekadu - the best driver in all of Ethiopia (especially because he could scare Dave Jansen while he was in the passenger seat!). Not only did Fekadu get us to Court from the airport in about 20 minutes (amazing in Addis Ababa), he drove us to Embassy, the Birth Certificate Agency, the Passport Tent, a bunch of other places, brought us to great restaurants (and guaranteed they were safe for us Americans), helped interpret, kept the Worship music going in his Van, helped negotiate purchases, but most importantly, he became a friend of ours that we love and highly respect. His story is hard but beautiful and a testimony that God is our Good, Good Father. Fekadu - thanks for your witness and integrity and love for Jesus. You inspire us!
Shout out #4 - to our fellow adoptive parents - you inspire us as well! You have all worked so hard to fight for your children and once they're home, we all know we have to keep fighting - through paperwork, medical appointments, bonding and attachment, a whole host of things. Your love and commitment to your kids, even before meeting them face to face is amazing. And, we know many of you that are home now are weary and in the thick of it, but you just keep on keeping on. It's a beautiful example of Christ's love for us as His children...He never gives up. To meet so many adoptive parents on this journey has been a blessing - and we are grateful for the continued support system you bring to our lives.
Shout out #5 - Ordinary Hero Guest House (www.ohguesthouse.com) We've made 4 trips to Addis Ababa and stayed at 4 different places. This one was our absolute favorite! The place was clean, the rooms were roomy, the eating area provided plenty of room to spread out on couches, play cards/games and just hang out, room outside to play football and soccer, and the staff was so kind and considerate! It was a wonderful place to "land" at the end of each day as this trip was probably the most difficult of all four we've made. Oh, and then there's the view from our room......
Shout out #1 - to Vicki's sister Jan and our kids Jon, Anna, Ellie and Joshua. These five people were the best team we could have ever left in charge while we were gone. They rocked it out and kept our home front (and especially Martha) humming right along. Our gratitude runs deep, very deep. We love you all and we're glad to partner with y'all in life!
Shout out #2 - to all of you who donated funds, came to a fund raiser, helped with Martha care while we were gone, brought food for our family, sent a note of encouragement, prayed or a myriad of other things that happened - Thank you! You have no idea how those small acts of kindness put our hearts at peace. The number of details we had to manage was overwhelming and having others take care of some of those details was such a blessing!
Shout out #3 - Fekadu - the best driver in all of Ethiopia (especially because he could scare Dave Jansen while he was in the passenger seat!). Not only did Fekadu get us to Court from the airport in about 20 minutes (amazing in Addis Ababa), he drove us to Embassy, the Birth Certificate Agency, the Passport Tent, a bunch of other places, brought us to great restaurants (and guaranteed they were safe for us Americans), helped interpret, kept the Worship music going in his Van, helped negotiate purchases, but most importantly, he became a friend of ours that we love and highly respect. His story is hard but beautiful and a testimony that God is our Good, Good Father. Fekadu - thanks for your witness and integrity and love for Jesus. You inspire us!
Shout out #4 - to our fellow adoptive parents - you inspire us as well! You have all worked so hard to fight for your children and once they're home, we all know we have to keep fighting - through paperwork, medical appointments, bonding and attachment, a whole host of things. Your love and commitment to your kids, even before meeting them face to face is amazing. And, we know many of you that are home now are weary and in the thick of it, but you just keep on keeping on. It's a beautiful example of Christ's love for us as His children...He never gives up. To meet so many adoptive parents on this journey has been a blessing - and we are grateful for the continued support system you bring to our lives.
Shout out #5 - Ordinary Hero Guest House (www.ohguesthouse.com) We've made 4 trips to Addis Ababa and stayed at 4 different places. This one was our absolute favorite! The place was clean, the rooms were roomy, the eating area provided plenty of room to spread out on couches, play cards/games and just hang out, room outside to play football and soccer, and the staff was so kind and considerate! It was a wonderful place to "land" at the end of each day as this trip was probably the most difficult of all four we've made. Oh, and then there's the view from our room......
Shout out #6 - Our US Embassy Staff in Addis Ababa. We walked into the Embassy around 1 p.m. on a Wednesday afternoon without an appointment and with plane tickets purchased to fly home that night (loooong story - it'll be shared in a future blog) not knowing if they would be willing to process our paperwork and provide a Visa for Lalli. They were so kind and caring and sent us on our way shortly after 4 p.m. (many times parents are told to return the following day to pick up the Visa). It was a long afternoon of anxious waiting, but they did their very best and granted the Visa. The staff there had heart and compassion and we were so impressed by the way they handled our situation as well as the situation of another family having a very difficult time getting home. They weren't just pushing paperwork, they were caring about kids and families and their kindness does not go unnoticed.
Shout out #7 - To Pamela at Pat Tiberi's office in Worthington, Ohio who made phone calls, emails and connections to help Lalli come home and was an encouragement during every contact we had. And also to other politicians across the nation who were a major force during the Ethiopian Adoption Closure and continue to fight for the families still waiting to bring their children home. There are many....please keep these families in your prayers. We pray those children are all home SOON!
We're sure that we've forgotten many.....because it really does take a village to adopt a child. We thank you Village - you have been amazing and lives have been changed because of you!
