Gotcha Day!

Yesterday was the day we have been waiting for.  Hannah Grace Mokma was welcomed into our arms. It was a great day filled with much anticipation. She was very hesitate when the nannies handed her over to us.  She is at the age where stranger anxiety starts. She fussed and cried but after a little bit she calmed down.  We spent about an hour at Jane's House and then said our "goodbye's" to the nannies. They love those children like their own so it is very hard to say goodbye.  I am so thankful she was loved and cared for so much.  She did Ok in the car, she was wide eyed as she looked all around.  Arriving at Sadula Lodge was went everything went down hill. We got out of the car and the tears came.  She cried all the way up to our room and a good hour after that. It wasn't until I got the blanket we had brought her on our first trip did she calm down and eventually fell asleep in my arms.
I am so thankful for all of you that are praying for us. It is only by those prayers that we had such a  good day today.  She is smiling all the time, talking, laughing and responding to her name Hannah. She has been such a happy content baby. As I type, she is in her crib sleeping. Tonight we pray for restful sleep. She seems to be afraid at night so we pray for peace.

I can not wait to be home with the WHOLE BIG family, so she can meet her sisters, brothers, and extended family and friends. We fly home Thursday evening, so one more full day and then we get to leave with our beautiful little girl.

I just have to say "Thank You" for all of you who came to the Pancake Breakfast. Also to our family that organized it. We are humbled by your generosity.  Words do no express our gratitude for the love, encouragement, prayers, and financial support that was given on our behalf. We serve a great big God that does great big things. Because of you we were able to cover the travel expenses of this trip and a little extra. I don't say much about fiances but I will say this, if God has laid adoption on your heart, PLEASE don't let the money scare you away. It is only by God's provision and His faithfulness that this happened. He is Good!

I give Glory to God for the great things he has done, please ask me some time I would love to share my heart and the story God has written.

Goodnight from Ethiopia!
Sarah

 

Whom Shall I Fear

Many of you may know that I can be somewhat of an anxious person, especially when I have to leave or do something out of my comfort zone.  Going to Ethiopia and leaving my home and 4 children was WAY out of my comfort zone.  In the weeks leading up to our trip I prayed a lot and many people prayed for me that I would have peace and find JOY in what and where we were going.  God heard those prayers and my anxiety was replaced with joy and peace. I LOVED my time in Ethiopia and it was only by God's work that I can say that.

One song that was my theme song in that time and still one of my favorites is "Whom Shall I Fear" by Chris Tomlin. Let me share the words:

You hear when I call

You are my morning song

Though darkness fills the night

It cannot hide the light

Whom shall I fear

You crush the enemy

Underneath my feet

You are my Sword and Shield

Though trouble lingers still

Whom shall I fear

I know Who goes before me

I know Who stands behind

The God of angel armies

Is always by my side

The One who reigns forever

The God of angel armies

I always by my side

 

My strength is in Your name

For you alone can save

You will deliver me

Yours is the victory

 

Whom shall I fear

 

And nothing formed against me shall stand

You hold the whole world in your hands

I'm holding onto your promises

You are faithful

You are faithful

You are faithful

 

The God of angel armies is always by my side

 

Ethiopia Part 2

We have been home for a week now.  I am sorry for the lack of posting.  Life happens and time slips away from me.  

The rest of our trip went very well.  On Monday October 29 we had our court appearance.  That all went very smoothly. We were the 2nd name to be called, they ask you about 6 questions and we were out the door.  Hannah Grace became our "legal" daughter that day.  After court we were able to spend some more time with her at Jane's House. That was a great visit. She was very happy and we got some good pictures of her with big smiles.

On Tuesday we left for our overnight trip to the north.  We drove about 3 hours out of the city to Blue Nile Gorge.  It was a beautiful drive and it was nice to see some of the countryside.  There is a lot of beauty and Ethiopia and we really want Hannah to be able to see that too.

On Wednesday we had to say goodbye for now to sweet Hannah.  It was a difficult time for us.  We spent our time cuddling and praying over her.  As much as we were ready to see our other kids we really struggled leaving her there. I rest in knowing she is well cared for and loved by all those sweet and tender-hearted nannies.

 

 Our last day we had with Hannah

Our first photo together

We look forward to the time when our family is ALL together. We pray soon that we will have her home.

Ethiopia!

The last few days have been amazing.  On Thursday October 26 we meant "Hemen" Hannah Grace for the very first time.  It is hard to put into words what we were feeling.  For so long we dreamed, wondered what that day would look like.  She was laying in her crib smiling up at us.  We picked her up, no tears from her but a look like who in the world are you people. We then got to spend 2 hours with her.  She smiled, talked and cuddled up close with me. She did not seem afraid at all. 

After a bit the older children woke up and we played with them, gave them suckers and balls. They loved it all. They don't have many toys at all, maybe a few balls, bubbles, coloring books. Nothing like our children have. We are blessed!

It is all very overwhelming when you see the poverty.  Boys and girls begging that aren't any older than Megan and Braden, mom's with their children living on the street with absolutely nothing. Sadness all around.

Yesterday we went back to see Hannah again.  It was harder to say goodbye this time.  God has created that bond already. She is ours and I want to protect her and care for her, I want to be the one to tuck her in at night and change her and love her. Also, the reality of this is the life these children have.  There nannies love them and take care of them but it does not compare to the love of a family. I pray soon that all those little ones will be home with their forever families.

Today we went out of the city where Hannah is from. Please take time to thank God for your home, cloths, food in your cupboard, closets full of cloths, wash machines, shoes for your feet, running water, your cars, school for your kids, everything we take for granted. God has richly blessed us. You should have seen the smiles in the street boy's faces when we handed them a sucker!!

We can become so caught up in what we don't have.  I challenge you to focus on what you do have. We have SO MUCH!!! Love your children, your spouses, your friends, and most of all our Heavenly Father.  That is what matters!

We have felt God going before us. He is GOOD! Please pray that tomorrow's court appearance goes well! After that hopefully I can introduce to you Hannah Grace Mokma!!!!

Leaving on a jet plane......

Kevin and I are currently sitting in the Chicago airport waiting to board our plane to go to Ethiopia.  The long awaited day has arrived. We are leaving to meet our little girl that God has perfectly chosen for our family. As I write this I reflect on God's faithfulness.  He has ordained this all and has all the details already worked out.  We have seen and experienced the love and support from so many people over the last several days. He has answered so many prayers from the big to the small.  Let me share a few, our parents have graciously moved into our home to care for the other kids.  Let me tell you this is HUGE for me and the kiddo's, friends have brought meals so they don't have to worry about cooking, we have received two checks that blew us away, it was exactly what we were short for this trip. Hannah's birth mom appeared it court and her testimony was approved. Most importantly, people have been praying us through. I have truly felt the power if prayer.  God has filled me with such joy and peace.  I have felt God holding me through all this.  He is going before me and behind me. What then shall I fear. But that only comes from getting on your knees and others praying.  I aske you please keep those prayers coming, for safety, health, joy, for our kids at home and our parents, and a wonderful time meeting out little girl. God is so good, he's so good to me!

THE CALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Last week Wednesday....September 5, we got the CALL.  I have been thinking about it so much in the last few months and you kind of think it will never happen but then it does and your life will never be the same.

I had to call our caseworker for something so I had left her a voicemail that morning.  She then called back at noon and answered my questions very casually.  She then asked if I had time to talk.  She then went on to tell me that she had a referral for us for a beautiful (pause) 4 month old BABY GIRL.  I could hardly believe it.  I asked her several times if she was serious and she was.  She went on to tell me a whole bunch of information that I didn't have to remember because she would email it to me and also how beautiful she was. We talked a few more minutes and then hung up the phone to get Keagan to school.  Within minutes I received the email.....there in front of me was my beautiful baby girl. I could hardly stand it, she is perfect with the most beautiful big brown eyes and curly hair.  I wanted to just kiss those sweet cheeks. I can not tell you how it felt to see that photo of the child that God picked out for our family....joy, excited, gratitude.

So the details. Her name is Hemen, she was born on May 15, 2012.  We will be changing her name to Hannah Grace. The big question is when do you get to bring her home. Well, we aren't sure yet. The courts are closed until the first of October.  Our case has been submitted to court but our caseworker is not sure if they will process it now or when the courts open so we could travel anywhere from late October to late November and then back about 6 weeks after that to bring her home. We are praying hard that she will be home the end of December.  Christmas would be great!!!

I still can't believe we are at this point. It was a year ago this month that we started the process and here we are with a daughter that soon will be joining her forever family.  I stand amazed at the work God is doing. This is His story and He receives all Glory!

I sometimes find myself a bit overwhelmed and a bit anxious about what is ahead of us but was comforted by these words:
"Fear not, I am with thee; O be not dismayed,
 For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;
 I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
 Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand."   (words from "How Firm a Foundation")

Please pray for.....Sweet Hannah, for her caregivers, for our family, peace for me as we travel because that alone gives me great anxiety:) and quick processing in the courts so we can get her home.

"To God be the Glory great things He has done"

Five

I am happy to share that we are #5 on the wait list.  I received a email this morning from our agency and she shared the news with me. This means we are # 1 for a single infant. What this means is that the four families ahead of us are waiting for 2 or more children and older too.  We are so CLOSE!
I have to admit that the closer we get the harder it becomes to wait! We could get a phone call any day or it could be a month or two.  Not being in control of the situation is very difficult for me, some one that likes to know what and when things are going to happen. God sees the big picture, He already has our brown eyed baby picked out for us.  SO I trust Him, he has not let me down yet!

Over the last few months I have become more and more aware of God's faithfulness.  So often we get so busy with life and the "noise" around us we have trouble seeing God work.  He is and it is evident all around us and in every way.  Sometimes we just have to take the time to see it.  Thank Him for how He is working in your life in big and small ways.  Slow down, turn the "noise" off and be amazed.

"Great is thy Faithfulness, morning by morning new mercies I see"

#14

I have not updated in awhile because there really isn't anything going on in regards to the adoption. When our dossier arrived in Ethiopia in March we were #22 on the waitlist.  The agency sent out monthly numbers this week and we moved to #14. Each month is a little closer. So that is the news on the adoption front. I would make the prediction that mid-late summer we will recieve a referral, but what do I know - God's ways are perfect.

Our dossier has arrived!

I recieved a email this morning stating that our dossier (which is A LOT of papers) arrived safely to Ethiopia.  What does this mean.....we are offically on the wait list.  This is a huge step in the proccess and it feels great to finally be at this point.  No more chasing papers and getting this or that notirized.  We simply wait for God's perfect timing.  We are confident that just the right child will be placed in our arms at  just the right time.

I hope you are all enjoying this beautiful weather, I know our family is!

Waiting.........

Not much has changed on the adoption.  We are making progress. We were able to send in our Immigration paperwork last week Thursday. So now what, we wait to get fingerprinted. Then we wait to get immigration approval. This process is moving a little slower than I had thought - about 6 weeks. 
So in the waiting I have several documents I have to get ready for our dossier. Once we get immigration approval we we can send in our dossier so I want to make sure all our documents are ready to go.


A week or so ago I was completely humbled when I opened the mail.  We received a very generous gift towards our adoption costs. We do not know who the person was but if you are reading this THANK YOU! Thank you for blessing us we are very, very grateful on what you have done on behalf of our family and sweet Baby E!


Just a FYI - I received and email from our agency and the director of the agency is leaving for Ethiopia in February and they are collecting much needed formula for the orphanage's.  If you would like to donate formula please let me know and I can get them to her before she leaves. They would like to fill a couple of suitcases! You can email me at sarahmokma6882@gmail.com if you have any questions.
This is a small way we can be the Hands and Feet of Christ!