Fun, Fun, Fun

Today was the shower for China and Behailu. Matt's secretary, Cindy worked really hard to make it cute. It's hard to do here--there aren't party stores. You have to use a lot of imagination! She did! She used a wagon theme and made a wagon cake as well as as a small wagon to collect cards. She used cute clothes hangers to hang the balloons and lined the table with ducks! There were some great veggies and sandwiches along with some yummy cake and cheesecake. I had a great time catching up with people I don't usually see. As you can see all the little duckies went home very happy.

We're so thankful for our Christian family. You've been so supportive. We couldn't make it without you!

Adoption Update

We have been told that if the mothers do not show up at the next court hearing that they can get a letter from the province where the boys came from clearing them for adoption. My question is how long will that take??? Keep praying that the director finds the mothers soon and that they're willing to travel to Addis Ababa.

The Great Bean Explosion

Now, I've been meaning to do some thorough cleaning in the kitchen for a while--and today I got my chance. I have a trusty old pressure cooker that was my grandma's. I've used it many, many times as refried beans are $5.00 a can here. It's been a great asset--I'm so thankful for it! But today, while cooking a pot of black beans, everything changed. The pressure valve became clogged with a bean skin and the safety valve blew. It was sooooo loud and there was so much pressure it blew the shelf off above it (along with all the spices). All the dishes and wash had to be rewashed. We had to pull out the oven and scrub the floors and the walls. A little overwhelmed I called Matt and he came home around noon and helped wash dishes and watch Ana. 4 hours later I have a VERY clean kitchen and an aching body! Ana just keeps saying "What happened? and so sorry!" Me too!

Chopsticks

These training chopsticks were a gift from Auntie Ivy. Ana took to them right away, probably because she sees us using them frequently. It's great for fine motor skills too! Here, she's moving beads from tray to tray. In a week or so we'll try some food!

Our Weekend

Friday was parent teacher conferences. Matt didn't get home until 9:00--so Ana and I watched Charlotte's Web in three parts. I really liked it. Julia Roberts did a great job as the voice of Charlotte. Saturday morning we went out to get a couple of birthday presents. Matt found a new tie. We ate at McDonalds :( We haven't ate there in a year probably. (That's about as much McDonalds as I can handle.) Later in the afternoon we went to the Wong's. Ana had a swim with Joshua. Ivy had got Ana some practice chopsticks. So, after 9 years in Asia I officially learned how to correctly hold chopsticks. We had a nice dinner and then finished off Michael's birthday cake and Godiva chocolates. Talk about full!!! On Sunday we went to church and had a small birthday party for a boy a month younger than Ana. They brought cute blueberry muffins topped with sesame street characters. They were made out of something like marzipan. Ana downed her while other sweet children loved the characters so much they wouldn't eat it. Then there was a sale at church to help raise funds for the mission trip. Uncle Michael bought Ana more fish balls (she'd had THREE the night before). She's definitely an Asian child :). Then we went out to a restaurant that specializes in roast duck. It was VERY good, but that's not the only thing we had. We also had pork, a nice fish, mushrooms, greens, shark fin soup (which Ana also loved), a pork broth with lotus root, rice, and tea. We didn't even have to eat dinner! We're going out tomorrow night too because our Indian friend is in town. I see a low calorie week coming up thereafter!

Adoption Update

Well, I'd like to have some GOOD news (for once) BUT I don't have any!! That said I'm so thankful for all the prayers that went up for us. I can feel them sustaining me!

Here's what happened... The orphanage director, from where the boys were staying previously, showed up without the mothers. (Both boys have living mothers that could not afford to keep them.) Because of the recent scandal in which a director was thought to have "bought" children, the judge REALLY wants to speak with the mothers. So, the director said she was "sure" she could find them in a month. So, we have yet another court hearing on
NOVEMBER 23.
We've already asked the question, "What if the mothers don't show up again?" Guess, we'll have to wait and see!

Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

I've found this to be TRUE! I'm really NOT anxious. We've been prayed for by students (in Korean), family, supporters, and people we don't even know. It is helping--keep it up and Thank you for praying! It's in God's hands.

Today's the Day!

Today is our court date. Please pray for favor with the judge! We appreciate you thinking of us! We'll hopefully let you know what happened tomorrow!