Ode to Merri Fam

We just found out our favorite cafe will be closed for the next 6 months. It was to be our first stop in Addis. This pix is of Teddy, from what I understand, an anonymous adoptive parent has paid for him to attend college! He was working at Merri Fam, and was paid $15 U.S. a month, room and board. He worked 15 hour days, and ad one day off a month. He ALWAYS had a smile on his face, it was unbelievable! Lance and Teddy even tried to get the Seahawk playoff game at 1AM one morning, to no avail. This is where Sami ordered his first "double Macchiato". He barely talked for 10 days, but he got that out OK. A child after my own heart. :))

Tsion at School......

Every week I get an update from her teacher. These are snippets from the last few weeks, and it just cracks me up! So here they are, if I lose the "updates", (which is VERY likely) may they be forever etched in stone on blogger.

"I enjoy her adorable personality, she is really working hard every day."

"Tsion is an ANGEL (her emphasis) at school. She is REALLY (hers) a hard worker and sweet friend every day."

"Thank you for sending me an angel everyday."

We feel so blessed to have a teacher who really loves her and enjoys her as much as we do!!

This picture is from Addis, it sums up her personality. ;)))

Keepers of the Lost Ark

Here is a great article on the Ark of the Covenant from the Smithsonian magazine. I love this story! We have also read the Sign and the Seal which is another author's journey to find the Ark. We were able to see a replica on Entoto Mountian when we were there. The monks were burning incense and singing, and we were given a tour of the church, for a nominal fee. :) 10 times more for the "ferenge" (foreigner) in our group. We were not allowed pictures of the replica, but here are a couple pix from the church. One day we hope to make it to Aksum!

Thoughts from Zach......

Today we were riding in the car, listening to the local Christian music station, Zach says, "Mom, it's really weird. When I listen to music over and over, I learn and memorize the song. Later, when I know the song I listen to the words." Such a smart child, how many times have we heard kids say "I don't listen to the words, I just like the beat." I hope he remembers that when he is 15!

Black Friday

Lance and I spent some time shopping on Black Friday. Our big purchase was a set of red luggage for $50! Travelling with 2 extra kids is another 4 bags of stuff to bring to Addis. We will do some packing in Rubbermaid tubs, and hopefully now we wil have enough luggage. We will be the family checking in at 3:30 AM with 12 (or more) 50 lb. bags too check, and lugging everyones carry-on plus "purse". Any volunteers to help?! :)

Later that day we headed to play putt-putt despite the 40 degree temp, then onto the tree lighting in Seattle. The city has heard alot of flack about their "Charlie Brown" tree this year, and the grumbling last night was heard all around me! Pathetic what people can complain about. We literally ran into some friends from Pouslbo in Pacific Place, so the boys had a break from the family routine for a bit. We ended the day with dinner at Johnny Rocket, because Gordon Biersch had a 3 hour wait.

Happy Thanksgiving/Christmas!

Klopps!

New doll clothes!

Soccer trading cards

decorating the tree

Turning on the lights!

Since we will be gone for Christmas, we decorated Lance's parents tree and celebrated Christmas early. The kids enjoyed their gifts, and made cookies, candy and watched Christmas movies!

Cinderella by Steven Curtis Chapman

We have a Cinderella!!

Happy Adoption Day!

Referral Photo 10/19/06

Disney 9/7/07

Happy Adoption Day!

Doctors, Shots and ETH Family

Sami and Tsions family, Grandparents, Uncle, and Dad in S and T's home. Yes, their Dad is about 6'7.

Sami and Tsion had a Dr. appt last week to make sure they are all up to date on their shots before we head to Addis. Sami had also been complaining about his whole body hurting I which I just roll my eyes (I am so compassionate ;)) He wanted me to tell the Dr, and when I did, she pointed at his growth chart and said no wonder!! He has grown 3", and about 17 lbs (he weighs 63, only 2lbs away from Zach!) Tsion has grown 4.5" and about 6 lbs! When I looked at their intake report from last September, it was shocking to see that Sami weighed 44 lbs, which is what Tsion weighs now. I asked Dr. Bledsoe if she has had any adoptive kiddos return to the birth country so soon after their adoption and her answer was "no, I can't wait to hear how it goes." :) Guess we will be writing the book on returning to your birth family! If you do not know, Sami and Tsion's father is living, as well as grandparents and cousins. If you are familiar with Addis, they live around the corner from the National Museum, and we have even seen their neighborhood on google earth!

Sami did have a great 1 hour conversation with his family last week, and told them we were coming. Peter (YL) has seen them since and said they were so excited. His Dad asked Sami if he wanted him to paint the house for him, so that will be fun to see. We also made the mistake (live and learn) about asking if there was something he wanted from the kids for Christmas. Now, in asking that, I would expect an answer of a need, something for the village, or pictures. Do you know what the answer was? A mobile camera.

Another Busy Saturday

We spent the day "on the other side" today. When we say that, it means we have to take the ferry (or drive 2+ hours) to get to the Seattle area. Zach had a soccer game, in the POURING rain. I have to admit, it was only the second rainy game of the year, which has to be some sort of record. However, I do not want to count my chickens before they hatch, as out last game of the year is December 15. Here is a shoutout for LAVA buns! They kept us toasty warm today. :) Zach's team won, 4-0 and are currently in 1st place in their division. Zach scored a goal today, which was fun cuz normally he plays defense!

Snuggled up to watch the game!

Tsion lucked out as her grandma took her to Disney Princess on Ice, so she missed out having FUN at the field. Then she got home, and had a package from her other gma that completed the princess day. I think she learned these poses at the show today. I have to say, love the braids. I love her hair down, and it is pretty easy to comb and to do pig tails, but this is SO MUCH easier!! We are going on day 10, and it is still cute. Thanks to my girlfriends teenager who had the patience of a saint for this job!

CYM

This video is from Summer 2007. One of the places we will spend some time this December. Thanks to Nicole Jones for sending this to me....She spent time on a mission trip to Addis this summer. Thanks also to Travis Nelson for making this awesome video!

Entry from Zach

Zach wrote this in his journal last week.....

"IF I HAD $1,000,000.....

What would I do with one million dollars?
I would buy plane tickets to Ethiopia,
help my mom and dad get 3 more kids from Ethiopia
and get lots of corkies (bottlecaps).
I would save up for computer home school college."

African Children's Choir

We watched the African Childrens Choir last week. Sami and Tsion loved it, although she fell asleep thru the last couple songs! During the performance, each child introduced themselves, and said what they wanted to be when they grew up. Everyone one echoed what the kids in the U.S would say. Teachers, Doctors, Nurses, Pastors, Pilots etc....It was so wonderful to hear what they dreamed to doing in the future. We bought a CD with one song on it that we have listened to about a hundred times. It has a couple interviews weaved thru, but here are the lyrics.....

"I have a dream that I will be someone,
you can call on, when the darkness falls,
that I will be strong for you.

I have a dream that you will see me,
Shining brightly like a thousand stars,
that I will go for you....

I may seem small with no hope at all
But this heart of mine still dares to dream,
It may look unwise, this holds onto life,
But I am still hopeful for so many things.

Because I am standing tall,
when I am on your shoulders,
the stars don't seem so far at all
with you it seems I could be
Someone who could be there for you too.

I have a dream that, I'll be a teacher, maybe a husband,
and a father too, I dream for two......

And one day maybe, I will be famous
You'll see my name where the heroes lie
I can only try for you....

I am a dreamer."

I was so impressed with ACC's vision to these kids in their country, giving them the ability to help others, and to fulfill thier dreams! One girl wants to be a pastor in Africa, and one wants to be a teacher in Uganda where "it is hot, they have nice plants and the people are friendly." :) ACC has 7,000 kids in this program in Africa.

Phrases to Ponder Before you Buy a Rodent.......

Remember, this entered into my house not as a pet, but a Young Life "prop". Zach enjoyed holding him (he was only allowed to hold him in the tub).....but one flip from "Sparky" (he has two names) into the tub ended that bonding experience. Now he runs for his life to hide in the tube when we open then cage. Here are a couple conversations we had in our house last week.....

Me: "I think the hamster may need some food."
Lance: "I haven't heard him lately......"
Zach: "I wish we never got a hamster."

Monday, cleaning the cage before club......

Josh: "I never wanted a hamster, I am not cleaning that cage......" The saga continues........

37 More Days!

We leave in 37 days, this picture is for my Mom. :) This is my Ethiopia pile. The kids know where to put stuff when I say "This goes in the pile!" I have 4 suitcases already packed of clothing, shoes, art and school supplies etc.......Next it will be dentist and Dr. donations. My girlfriend doesn't think I am sleeping well at night due to this pile, so we are moving it to her "outbuilding" after we clean out the garage sale. It WILL be organized and we will fill about 20 suitcases/boxes. We are hoping to pack our stuff in a carry ons, and our family will check in 12 50# suitcases/boxes. With 4 of her kids going, they can pack 8 more! :)

Never Underestimate A Garage Sale!

Even in the Fall! We collected donations for a garage sale to raise $$ for 10 of us to go to Addis. We made $2200 in two weekends, and $400 on donations that we sold on Ebay! We had doughnuts donated from a local bakery and educated a a lot of people on Young Life and Ethiopia. BUT, we are very tired.....and will not think about doing another sale for a long time. :)

I Would Gather Children......

Some would gather money,
Along the path of life,
Some would gather roses,
And rest from worldly strife;
But, I would gather children
From among the thorns of sin,
I would seek a gorgeous curl,
And a freckled, toothless grin.
For money cannot enter
In that land of endless day,
And roses that are gathered
Soon will wilt along the way.
But, Oh, the laughing children,
As I cross the sunset sea,
And the gates swing wide to heaven
I can take them in with me.
-unknown

Stealing Blog Material

If you want a good look at Ethiopia, check out this BLOG. My blogger friend, she know who she is... ;) pointed it out. I love all her posts about her trip, but "Blessed Nation" really stood out. Here is part of her post....

"I have grown up hearing that the United States is blessed because in our early roots, we are a Christian nation. Ethiopia's roots are the same, only older. From Jewish to Christian, this is a country founded on faith in God. So, why is she not blessed the way we are blessed? I question now, is blessing equal to financial success? Are we somehow better than the people here so God chooses to give to us? Often when I walk here, I think it must be so much like walking in the context of Biblical times. The culture is emotional, and respect for proper heirarchy considered very important. I can imagine two women fighting over a child, and one woman agreeing the child should be split. I can see why goats and sheep need to be separated, because they look alike. I can picture shaking the dust of a town from your feet, or washing someone's feet out of love for them.........."

You have to check her blog out to read the rest. :)

Young Life Addis Update

Hello Family! God is so good!
We had wonderful movement at club. As you prayed God brought 366 kids to club. Melish, Helen and Redet were there too (Sami and Tsion's cousins). We feel his presence there among us and we had no enough room and many kids were stood by the windows outside. I shared about leper guy from the Bible and it was the right time to share it with them. They were quiet and exciting to hear His word and give authority from the Bible. I am so proud of volunteer leaders that they could available for His work. Now I need your prayer for women leaders. My plane for this year is having 5 to 7 more girl’s leader and please includes this in your prayers. The harvest is plentiful. God given us a great opportunity to reach many kids for this year because the students are there the whole day at school, no shift so it is great opportunity for us tomeet them even the whole day. We asked by many kids to teach them about Jesus more and more, individually as well as in group. So we are going to start this next week. We have 10 volunteer leaders and each leader will have 12 kids for 6 months teaching and 12 kidsfor another 6 months, so at the end of the year we planned to have 240 kids who are invited Jesus in their life and have strong relationship with Him. We believe that God can do this with His simple servants. Those who accepted Christ at camp helping us a lot. How wonderful to keep busy for His Kingdom work.

Blessings, Peter

Thanks BI Soccer Club!

Today we picked up soccer balls and 24 jerseys that BIYSC donated for our trip! Now we need more suitcases. :)

Pumpkins....Better Late than Never!

Soccer Saturday

Zach heading the ball, wouldv'e been better going the right direction. ;) Zach's team won 11-0. Ouch. The coach finally started a 3 pass rule before a shot to try and cushion the blow. It takes the fun out of a game to win by so much!
Josh's team after a 1-0 win!

Sami's team tied, 1-1 after a tough game!

Sami and his friend Minte