One Year Ago
One year ago today we met our sweet Havyn Marete in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Our little girl is a gift from God. Her smile and laugh captured us from our first meeting with her, and we are grateful that we see that sweet smile and hear that precious laugh every day.
Here are some pictures from our first meeting with Havyn.
Five Years Ago
Five years ago today we went to court in Russia to adopt Jachin & Josiah. We were under the impression that court was merely a formality, but quickly found out differently. On June 7, 2007, we began the fight for our boy's lives. We went to court again on June 12th, and again on June 19th, the fourth time on June 21st, and then had our fifth and final court hearing on June 27th. I have to say that this was the most difficult time of my life. Not knowing whether or not we would be able to bring our boys home was heartwrenching. However, it was also a time when Greg and I were on our faces before the Lord. He was our only hope. He was the boy's only hope. Many times it looked as if we would have to leave Russia without Jachin & Josiah and never see them again. The thought of them staying in the orphanage, without their family who loved them, tore me to pieces. We prayed and cried and pleaded with God for them during the 3 1/2 weeks of court. Many other people were praying as well. We knew that only God could perform this miracle, and that if they were to be our sons, it would only be because of God's sovereign hand. We continue to marvel and praise God for our sons!
Here they are five years ago.
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| Jachin |
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| Josiah |
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| We went to see them for a quick visit after our fifth court hearing. What joy we had when the judge finally approved the adoption! Unfortunately, since we had stayed almost 4 weeks in Russia, our visas were expiring. So, we had to leave the boys again to come back to the States and renew our visas. Our sons left the orphanage forever on July 9th, 2007  Jachin and Josiah came home on July 20th, 2007 |
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| On the airplane. |
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| Our friend, Monica, made a sign and put balloons on our mailbox. |
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| You can't imagine the relief when we finally pulled into our driveway with our sons! Praise the Lord!
Praise, O servants of the Lord,
Praise the name of the Lord! Blessed be the name of the Lord From this time forth and forevermore! From the rising of the sun to its going down The Lord’s name is to be praised. It is good to look back. It is good to remember. It is good to continue to give God the glory for all that He has done! We praise you, Father, for these precious children whom You have entrusted to us! That was then and Here they are now! Josiah, Jachin and Havyn, my precious gifts from God!     |
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