Leaving on a jet plane!!

We are off tomorrow morning for Ethiopia! We are so excited and yet sad to leave our girls. Please pray for them as they won't see us for about 12 days. Lila is on steroids for croup (which makes her silly!!) and I am on antibiotics for a bad cold/sinus junk. Pray that I am not in the bathroom during the whole flight :( Thanks so much and we'll try and update you all, but internet connection is s l o w and power outages are regular. WOW! I can't believe it is actually here!!! Love you all!

Praying for Tariku

We just found out late last night, that they moved Tariku yesterday from his first home to the orphanage in Addis, where he will stay for three weeks (when we pick him up). I prayed and thought about what must be going through his mind "Who are these people? Where am I? Where are my mommas (that have been taking care of him)? Why did they let me go? I miss my bed. I miss my friends. When am I going back home?" I just ache for him and wish I could be there now. Can you please pray for his little heart?

Embassy Date!

We finally got an embassy date for March 11. Of course it wasn't as soon as what we were planning, but we SEE God at work in our lives and KNOW we have needed this time to prepare us and grow us so that we can experience all that God has for us in Ethiopia. We leave on Wednesday, March 3rd and arrive late the 4th. Friday we rest, (hopefully see Tariku) and get ready for our long 10 hour car ride to Gimbie. There, we will meet and hold and love on our younger son Chala. Then we will come back and spend three days with Tariku, while we wait for our Embassy Date and his visa to be completed. We leave late Friday night and return Saturday.
Honestly, it was surreal, praying last night with Vince. I knew this date would come, but just kept thinking "when will this come and how will this play out?". It's here!!!
Please pray for Tariku, as he is being moved from the home he's always known, his crib he's always slept in, his mommies that he's always had. It breaks my heart thinking about what he is going through and I am praying for God to PROTECT his little heart and comfort his FEARS. I can't imagine...I wish I could be there now, just holding him, telling him how special and loved he is and that he won't be alone. But I know God is there and he isn't alone and as God had protected him these past 20 months, He will protect him through this transition too.

*"as a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you" Isaiah 66:13
*"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles!" 1 Corinthians 1:3-4

Keeping My Head UP!

We still don't know when we are leaving to get our hands on Tariku. It has been hard waiting...I should be good at it by know, as I am so close to the end of the LONG journey, and yet still, until he is in my arms, my heart is not complete. The agency representing us in ET told us to give them two weeks to let us know our Embassy date--tomorrow it will be four. The Embassy has to have the paperwork 2 weeks prior to the Embassy appointment date (which we have been planning Feb. 25th). So the LAST day to submit our paperwork is this Thurs. Our reserved flights our scheduled for the 17th; just 6 days later. So I find myself looking at my doubts, hopelessness, longings unfulfilled and not wanting to get my hopes up, just to get them trampled on and then trying to look back at God's amazing faithfulness to me, His fulfilled promises, and how He has provided in ways that have just left me undone by His goodness. I think I have stayed in the prior thought patterns the majority of the time, because my back can't bend, I am breaking out (worse than anything I've experienced in adolescence) and I am just weary. I stood in church last Sunday as we sang:

My heart is glad, that you are my Father
Adopted to you, as sons and daughters
And Your love endures, as You said it would
And my heart sings...


Teach me, the sound of Your voice
With the faith to respond, to love you...
Teach me, to follow you close
With the faith you bestow, to love you...


My heart is glad, to serve you as King
Forgive the times, that I am stubborn
With a humble heart, may I come to you
And my heart sings...

I can't get through that first verse without bawling. He is my perfect Father and He loves perfectly. And I thought God has a gift for me, and He will give it to me when He wants to. And when I finally hold Tariku while I sing praises to God (like I have been imagining every Sunday for the past 18 months) I will be blown away again, by God's goodness to me. I'll be updating when I know something. Thanks for loving our family so well through this...

Titus Tariku is Ours!!!!

Can you believe it??!!!!! We got the call this morning at 7:55. Sixteen months ago we got his sweet picture and fell in love. NOW, he is ours!!! I am praising God for His faithfulness to us and for entrusting our sweet little boy to us. I am just amazed!!! Last night I received my Shutterfly order and was looking at the newest pics of Tariku and I just told God how much I missed him and wanted him home.
What is most amazing to me, is that I have been thinking specifically of this Tuesday for many, many weeks now. This day, marks the 7 month mark of the vision (or promise) that God gave to me telling me that we passed court. Out of God's graciousness, he gave me that promise (and I CLUNG to it throughout this LOOONNNGGG wait!) I thought about the number seven in the Bible and how it means completeness, fullness, and perfection. Again, I had pondered this for months, but last night, oddly enough, I didn't even remember what tomorrow was. But God did! And confirmation to my heart that God knew all along and that He again is faithful and will fulfill all of His promises!

I am sooooo excited! WOW! More to come, but right now, I am just soaking in the moment and joy this brings to me!!

UGH!

I knew there was a reason I was dreading today. 5 weeks have past, our boy has grown, since our last court date. One would think things would work out eventually after 2 failed court dates and 15 months from time of referral to get the paperwork and needed things done. Guess it takes us a little longer... Words can not describe how discouraged and empty I feel. I don't know exactly what happened, but Titus' mom did show up, so that wasn't it. We supposedly have a court date in December (late). I hear things are moving where Elias is concerned so that is good. At this point, I struggle with "Is this ever going to happen?" "Did God really call us to this?" "Is this what God has for us?" But I know it will and God is faithful, even when people drop the ball. I know God will bring good out of this and I am confident that God will show us His Goodness and Wisdom when all is said and done. But for now, I am just really exhausted of this whole journey. I honestly want to move my family to Africa and take care of our sons until we can bring them home. Unbelievable.

Court Date #3

On Friday, October 30th I sat with my Bible open and just cried. I asked God "Are you in this? Are you really going to bring this to pass? Can't you at least give me some news? During this adoption process, I have come to dread Fridays. Fridays mean we won't get any more news for at least a few days. At around 3:30 I was entertaining my "no-news" pity-party, since in Ethiopia, courts had been closed for hours and we had already heard from the director--no news for our case. (Some MAJOR good news though--the little boy with the heart problem DID PASS court!!!!) When Vince got home we went out to eat. We came back home that night and Pam had called and emailed us. The guy in Ethiopia had emailed her at 2:30 am ET time and told her that we had a court date. The reason I didn't put this up on the blog yet, was because we didn't have the exact date. Our date is November 30th! I just felt so loved, because I God answered my needy prayer. I am really hoping that they can get Elias' paper work ready and they can hear both of their cases together. Pray for that. One trip would be so much better than two!!
That following Sunday, our minister preached on Exodus 5:22-6:13. Moses asks "O Lord, why have You brought harm to this people? Why did you ever send me?...You have not delivered Your people at all." The Lord then tells him: I have heard the groanings, I will deliver you, I will redeem you, I will take you for my people and you shall know I am the Lord your God.

Found

We just got word that they found Titus' mom. Very good news and I thank God for being gracious to us. Abebe had been "scouring the countryside" with no luck and prayed hard that he would be able to find her. Of course, contrary to what we were thinking, they don't just bring her in court and we pass. Our agency tells the court "we found the mom" and then they will give us a date to bring her in. I told Pam I am thankful, but just feel numb; unable to truly rejoice. I can't presume upon God that this is it anymore. Only He knows when Titus will be ours. Your continued prayers are valued by us more than you know. As I type this, I am having Alex write this week's fighter verse "Do not fear, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and gather you from the west." Isaiah 43:5. It goes on to say "I will say to the north, "Give them up!" and to the south "Do not hold them back! Bring My sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth."
I am truly grateful that God has called us to this. He is giving us TWO of the most amazing gifts ever!!! I am just so humbled and amazed that He wants to give us so much! This journey will all be worth it!

Update on Court

As I was in bed crying this morning, reading the word Haley just happened to bring up a letter from one of her Blast teachers she wanted me to read. The teacher wrote "The Lord your God is with you; He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you; He will quiet you with His love; He will rejoice over you with singing". I read in Psalm 113 "The Lord is high above all nations; His glory is above the Heavens. Who is like our God, Who is enthroned on High, Who humbles himself to behold the things that are in heaven and in the earth? He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heep...He makes the barren woman abide in the house as a joyful mother of children. Praise the LORD!" I prayed specifically that God would "open a window".
Vince called right then and asked how I was doing and said "You didn't get the email? I think God just opened a window!? We just found out we have three days to locate the mother and bring her to court and we can pass." Wild, huh?
Can you please pray that God will help the people who are looking for her and that they would find her? We want our son and brother home. Thank you all for being our prayer warriors---what an amazing blessing to have so many people who will pray for us.
Vince and Julie

We did not pass court. We do not have a new court date and currently our case is closed. We will hopefully have more details this week. Your prayers throughout all of this have been such a blessing and gift to us. Vince is taking the rest of the day off and we are just going to need some time to figure out what this all looks like. Doesn't look good though, but Alex just gave me her Bible with Proverbs 3:5 written down for me to read. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding." It was so sweet today, before we found out, Haley said "Oh! It's court day! Lila, let's pray!" Then she did the same with Alex and me. She wants her brother so bad and all three girls could really use some prayer. . But today was a good reminder of how much of a blessing it is that we know God and our girls love and trust in God. What a gift to see your girls open up the Bible when they get bad news. Pray for God to work mightily on our behalf. I am truly exhausted and emotionally wiped out.

Prayer requests

Here are some specific things to pray for regarding our adoption:

1) They would find Titus' birthmom so she can be at court on Monday. If she isn't, we probably won't pass court this time around and it will have to be rescheduled.
2) That Elias' birthmom will show up at court in the town that he is from. He has to pass court there, so that his paperwork can be transferred to Addis to be heard at the higher court. She didn't show up last week and they have a new court date rescheduled.

There is realistically no chance Elias' case can be heard in Addis the same time as Titus'. I know God is in control and am really trusting in God to work this all out. If Titus passes, it looks like Vince will be taking two trips. Pray that Elias will move through the process fast so that we can pick them up at the same time.
Thanks so much!

A Double Blessing

BIG NEWS!!!! BIG NEWS!!!!
We are expecting again!!! No wonder this adoption has taken so long, because God knew we needed to bring home a brother for Titus! About a month ago, Pam wrote us about some misc. stuff and then P.S. saying "Tell Vince there are lots of baby boys in the orphanage and you are approved up to two! Ha! Ha! That's how much I love Vince." Long before this, we had known that Titus was going to have a brother, but honestly, it was hard even imagining going through this process again, emotionally, monetarily, physically. This is one of the hardest, most consuming things I have ever embarked on in my life. So when I got her email, I got excited. Vince and I prayed about it and I left it up to Vince...Scout's honor! I left the ball in his court and he ended up talking to Pam without me knowing about it. That week, we had a picture of our sweet little 3-4 month old Elias G. We had to wait till his medicals were completed but they were soon finished. He is so beautiful, just like his brother and I can't wait to get my hands on both of them. Pray that we will be able to get Elias' case heard the same time as Tariku's. If he doesn't pass around the same time, Vince will have to go back and get him later. I am trusting God that He knows what is best. I'll be able to post pictures of our boys as soon as they pass court and are legally ours. Oh, what a sweet day of celebration that will be!

Get out of town!!! Hopefully by Christmas at least!

We have a court date!!!! We have a court date!!! We got the call this morning and our 2nd court date is October 26th! All prayers for a successful pass are greatly appreciated!
Last night, I was watching one of Beth Moore's Esther videos. It was the one about waiting and the different reasons why sometimes we wait. It was a tremendous blessing to me and really just spoke total confirmation to me as to what the Lord has been doing in Vince and I's life. She talked about how sometimes the wait has to happen because God has to do something in another person's life before this one thing occurs. That will have to be another story for another time, but it will nonetheless, BLOW your socks off! Another reason is because God wants to use the "wait" time to get closer to you and prepare you for what He has for you by drawing you closer to Him. I have told many friends, how God has truly been faithful to not let this make me anger or bitter, but to use this to actually fall in love with Him more and rest in His timing and not my own. About 4 years ago we lost our close brother-in-Christ, to cancer. It was one of the hardest things I have ever experienced in my life (and I've had a lot), and it took me a good 2 years to trust God and pray my heart out to Him. SO for Him to keep me close to Him throughout all this and to be in love with God, even through the suffering, is only from Him.
I was searching scripture for this one verse last night and couldn't find it and then low and behold there it was. Isaiah 46:11 "Truly I have spoken, truly I will bring it to pass. I have planned it, surely I will do it". I prayed, totally honestly "Lord, I completely trust in your timing. Whatever it is, I will be happy with it. I trust you to bring this to pass and no matter how long, I am okay with it."
I am excited and am really praying this will pass and the other family we have gone through this with will pass too. But even if it doesn't, God has it planned and He will surely do it! The above pictures were taking yesterday before we left for the USCIS office to renew our I-600a, as it was only good for 18 months! We left around 6:15 am and hopefully we will never have to go back to that office again!

Adoption Date--"Just Kiddin'"

Well, what do you know? We just found out that we never really had a court date, even though time and time again we were reassured "Yes, you have a court date, it just needs to be translated." The Wednesday we got the exciting news, I asked "Are they lying to us??" That was the first of many times I asked that as I was becoming more skeptical of this situation. We found out yesterday at church, after our director had returned from Ethiopia. What I do know is 3 months of being an "open case" our case has to be re-submitted to the court. Our case was reapplied in August and I think the person just assumed we'd have a court date by the end of this month. My thoughts: I trust in God and he is and will be faithful to bring this adoption to completion. Our God is a BIG God and I expect to see him do amazingly more than we could ever ask or imagine, and honestly, I am excited! Of course, this is very maddening, but I am keeping my eyes on the author and perfector of my faith and KNOW we will bring Titus home in his perfect timing. Please pray that God will work mightily on our case (and our friends also) and for our friend Eileen Huffman, who is courageously battling breast cancer. You can find her site here: www.caringbridge.org/visit/eileenhuffman

Adoption Date

A lot has happened since I've last blogged. Vince and I went on a non-cruise cruise, got married, and finally, after many months of waiting, received news that we have a court date in October. I will explain the other major events in another post, but I want to focus this one on our adoption. Courts closed on August 21 for rainy season and should open back up the end of September or early October. On the 23rd, I prayed for a miracle; that even though courts were closed, God would still provide. That week we received word that our case was one of three that the courts were still looking at and that we were hoping to get our case heard soon, or at least get a court date when they reopen. Well, things were looking hopeful and then not-so hopeful, as some miscommunication were taking place. Last Sunday night, as I was praying, I just felt that we were going to receive some news on Wednesday. I wasn't about to let my hopes up, and just took it for a possibility, a gentle whisper that I could have mistaken... That Monday, our pregnancy care center director called and asked if she and our good friend could come over and pray for us the next day, as the Lord had been putting it on their hearts. How could I turn that down?! What a gift!

I don't know if I wrote this down or not, but July 22nd, I thought that I might hear something and around noon, I was crying and asking God to tell me if today was the day or not. I opened my Bible and He gave me Habakkuk 2:3 "For the vision is yet for its appointed time;it hastens to the end--it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay." Well, on Tuesday, right before my friends came to pray, I opened my Bible to Psalm 102:13 "It is time to be gracious to her; the appointed time has come". They prayed and blessed me greatly. Honestly, when people spend time praying for you, that is one of the greatest gifts of love I can think of.

The next morning, I got the call that we had a court date for sometime in October. (It is in Ethiopian calendar and needs to be converted to ours). I praise God for providing for us, but I am asking for even a better, sooner date. I pray that God is working in Titus' heart, preparing him for us, that he would somehow KNOW we are his mom and dad and that he is not scared but is at peace.

One other thing that was cool... Last weekend, I was telling Vince that maybe I should have Pam take some clothes of mine when she goes to Ethiopia and put them in the orphanage, so that when I get there, I can put them on, and I will smell familiar. Well, while my friends were praying for me, Barbara said "And Lord, I just pray that you will give Titus Julie's scent. That he would be smelling her now so that he will know that she is his mother." WOW! Whatever this adoption looks like, however it plays out, I know God is working mightily to provide good things and it will be amazing when it comes. I can't wait!!! God is so good! Now I need to get to filling out adoption paperwork (our I-600 was only good for 18 months and we need to renew it :( )

Waiting...

August 31, 2007, the Avila's officially started the adoption process. On September 4th, 2008, we received our referral for our precious, chubby-cheeked, little Tariku. He was three months old and we thought, for sure, we'd have him home by Christmas. Now he is just over 14 months old and we are still waiting for news, a court date or something. Things are moving and people are getting court dates and passing and we are waiting. So I go in phases of strong faith, doubt, anger and sadness. (You can throw in a little bitterness and envy--when I read people's complaints that their court date isn't sooner....they'll have to wait a week). And I know I am probably not even the longest running adoption out there, even though I'm probably close.
My Bible opened to Hebrews 12--the discipline chapter. I taught some of theses scriptures to Alex; but never knew it wasn't talking necessarily strictly discipline, but teaching.
"My son, do not make light of the Lord's teaching (discipline), and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord teaches those he loves...No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful, Later on however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." Encouraging, I know He is working on me, but discouraging, b/c He could work on me FOREVER! I do appreciate prayers for us and our friends, the Scott's, who are going through this too. I know He has promised me that He will bring this to pass and that He will be our son, I am just fatigued and tired of waiting.
Here is more scripture that God has been showing me...
"For the revelation waits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay....but the righteous will live by faith" Hab. 2:3-4
"May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the LORD grant all your requests...Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God" Psalm 20 (all of its good!) And boy, will I EVER! When I get that call saying "You've passed!" I will be praising God all over the place!

There are so many more, but God has been faithful to bless me with His Word and my many, encouraging sisters in Christ. Thank you!

Lila's Prayer

The past few weeks (and months) I have been in the Word and praying a lot. Usually prayer brings me to tears, either sad, longing tears, or overwhelmingly blessed tears. Well, the other day, we were getting ready to eat lunch and Lila prayed, "Father God, Please bring Titus home soon so mamma will put down her Bible and stop crying." I just thought that was so cute! I have got so much to tell you about what God has been showing me, but I will leave you with a verse God showed me after one of my morning prayer-tear fests. Almost word-for-word what I have been praying specifically these past two months.

Psalm 10:17-18

"O Lord, You have heard the desire of the humble. You will strengthen their hearts. You will incline you ear to vindicate the orphan and the oppressed."

By the way, things are moving and I am expectant God is going to do some amazing things soon! Keep praying!

Blessings

"Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 15:5

Remember how I told you how amazing Colorado was and how much God had blessed us during that trip (and that I would fill you in later)? Well, here it goes. We have a numerous amount of friends from college that now live in Colorado. A very special couple to us, Drew and Noelle, moved there after college and we were really hoping to visit them while there. While they were at KU, they went to Grace EPC and Drew and Vince were classmates. When we describe them, it usually consists of: encouragers, full of joy, on fire for Christ, authentic and sincere. We didn't get to spend a lot of time with them while they were at KU, because we had a family and they were very involved in Greek and college life, but we just adored them.
In December, they had called us and said they had some news for us and we quickly asked "Are you pregnant?" (We can't wait for them to have kids!) They said no and that they would just send it in a letter. Well, no letter came, ever. We just thought if it was big enough news, we would have got something, but we were still asking eachother about it every month or so.
Six months later, on our way to Colorado, we called hoping to catch a time we could meet and they were going to be going to Ottawa/Lawrence for a wedding. What timing! So we decided that on our way back we would meet them in Salina, at IHOP for an early morning breakfast. After 6 years, we finally got to see our friends again, and what an encouragement it was to us! They shared with us that Noelle's brother had been adopted and what a huge blessing that was to their family and that her family had started an adoption family foundation...and we were the first recepients of their adoption gift. I can't tell you how much this blessed Vince and I. I cried and they prayed for us and we departed. Some thoughts as I was in the car were: 1) God didn't let them send it in the mail, because we needed this encouragement now, after nearly 2 years of waiting; that God was still providing for us, 2) We needed to bless eachother in person and a letter wouldn't have sufficed and 3) This had to happen before we got Tariku. We were supposed to get him in December and yet, this still hasn't happened. To feel our sisters and brothers in Christ, come alongside us, supporting and praying for us....just overwhelming to me. We felt so loved.

The Vision

I have felt compelled to share this for a few days. I didn't think I would, but this is a huge part of my adoption journey for my son, and if this encourages you and glorifies God, than it is all worth it!

This adoption process has been harder and longer than I could have ever imagined. We started in September 2007, was referred to our son Sept. 4, 2008 and will be blessed to get him home by Sept. of 2009. I have prayed specifically for 2 things throughout these past 2 years: 1) that God would use this adoption to bring me closer to Him (previous loss in my life had really hindered my vulnerability to God) and 2) that I would see God's hand and presence all throughout our adoption. He has, without a doubt, been faithful to answer these two things, and I don't think He is done yet! I have felt and seen God move in numerous ways; through my friends, through prayer, through provision. It has blown me away and brought me back to a place where I just want to be with Him all the time. But my heart has ached deeply for Tariku to be placed in my arms; for this to be brought to completion. I want to kiss his face and feel his embrace so much, tears come to my eyes just thinking about it.
Five Tuesdays ago, Pam called with her weekly update, which is usually nothing, but at least she calls to tell me "no news". I was tired and angry. I kept asking her questions to which she had nothing, and I was sick of this--not her fault, but this was where I was at emotionally and physically. So we hung up and I start cleaning because my friend was coming over. As I was cleaning the downstairs, I stood up, and immediately, a smile came to my face and God gave me a vision that we had received the call that we passed court. I felt a tangible weight of anxiety and uncertainty leave me and this longing that I had for my son was filled--HE WAS MINE! I was filled with peace and I know that in God's calendar, He gave Titus to me that day. Of course, almost six weeks has passed and we are hoping for a court date very soon, but I haven't been going nuts since that day. I am clinging to the promise God gave me that day. It will happen and He will be the One providing our son.
God has been faithful to reveal even more of Himself to me. I was reading yesterday about Abraham and his faith in regards to God giving him a son. Romans 4:20-21 "Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised."

I appreciate prayers on our behalf as we wait for God to bring about what He has given us.

What's Happening in Ethiopia?

So things are going, slowly, but going.


Adoptions of Abandoned Children Halted by Ethiopian Court:
The Ethiopian First Instance Court has temporarily stopped accepting cases involving abandoned children from orphanages in Addis Ababa, citing concern over a recent increase in the number of abandoned children being brought for adoption. The number of abandoned children from orphanages in Addis Ababa has grown dramatically in recent months and Ethiopian authorities have become aware of possible cases of unethical practices associated with some of them.

Currently neither MOWA nor the First Instance Court are accepting any abandonment case from any orphanages in Addis Ababa pending an inquiry.

Our son was not abandoned, but relinquished. This should not affect us, but it has slowed things down. Pray that we get a court date soon, that it passes and that we would become a family soon! Pray for the families who have precious kiddos over there who have been abandoned. I know this is affecting our friends and this is very hard, but Praise God that they trust God's plan! Pray that Ethiopia would get this corrected and that the children would be taken care of. Thanks for walking beside us on our journey. We can't wait to get our hands on him!