In the past couple of days we have kept very busy. Aside from the normal hectic schedule we lead, we've been answering lots of phone calls, emails and knocks on the door. Thank you everyone for all the tears of happiness and congratulation messages you have shared with us. We apologize if we have not yet responded to all the emails and blog comments.
I met with the doctor Thursday morning to have him review the medical information we received. No red flags came up that he could see. So, Friday afternoon we traveled out to Sunrise in North Vancouver to sign the proposal acceptance papers. It was a very happy afternoon.
It is our joy to let you all know that steps will now be taken to officially make MIKIYAS our son. Mikiyas is pronounced Mik-I-yas. It is Ethiopia's version of Michael. So my brother can now smile with glee as his very soon-to-be nephew has a name just like him. Interestingly enough, during one of our pregnancies, Mikiya was a name we had picked out. We didn't actually know it was a name other than in our heads. God is amazing isn't he?!
CAFAC is sending a group of people to Ethiopia on December 10, 2006. We were able to send to CAFAC a small teddy bear, cloth book, disposable camera and little photo album of us for them to give to OUR SON. [Yes, it is weird typing those words. Even weirder saying them out loud!] The foster home will be able to use the disposable camera to take pictures as they remember to. They'll give the camera back to us when we go there in a few months. We can then develop the pictures and see what Mikiyas has been doing from now until then. Also, with the photo album of us, he'll be able to be a little more at ease when we pick him up, recognizing us.
We then did a little shopping after but refrained from buying anything more than a couple of toy cars for Mikiyas. We met up with friends at Fassil and they enjoyed their first Ethiopian meal. It was delicious.
The biggest question now is when do we travel. We have no idea other than within three to six months. The most common time frame is four months. Things have always seemed to move quickly for us in the adoption process. We will continue to pray that God moves through the final stages in His perfect timing.
The second biggest question revolves around Mikiyas' age. Yes, he is a few months older than our original request. However, we look at his face and hear his name and we are filled with love. We are so happy to have him waiting for us. We know that no matter his age, he is perfect for our family. God has chosen us for Mikiyas and Mikiyas for us. We asked God to bless our lives and our home and all our extended family with the perfect child. He has. All glory and thanks are given to Him. We cannot and do not question Him in this decision.
I met with the doctor Thursday morning to have him review the medical information we received. No red flags came up that he could see. So, Friday afternoon we traveled out to Sunrise in North Vancouver to sign the proposal acceptance papers. It was a very happy afternoon.
It is our joy to let you all know that steps will now be taken to officially make MIKIYAS our son. Mikiyas is pronounced Mik-I-yas. It is Ethiopia's version of Michael. So my brother can now smile with glee as his very soon-to-be nephew has a name just like him. Interestingly enough, during one of our pregnancies, Mikiya was a name we had picked out. We didn't actually know it was a name other than in our heads. God is amazing isn't he?!
CAFAC is sending a group of people to Ethiopia on December 10, 2006. We were able to send to CAFAC a small teddy bear, cloth book, disposable camera and little photo album of us for them to give to OUR SON. [Yes, it is weird typing those words. Even weirder saying them out loud!] The foster home will be able to use the disposable camera to take pictures as they remember to. They'll give the camera back to us when we go there in a few months. We can then develop the pictures and see what Mikiyas has been doing from now until then. Also, with the photo album of us, he'll be able to be a little more at ease when we pick him up, recognizing us.
We then did a little shopping after but refrained from buying anything more than a couple of toy cars for Mikiyas. We met up with friends at Fassil and they enjoyed their first Ethiopian meal. It was delicious.
The biggest question now is when do we travel. We have no idea other than within three to six months. The most common time frame is four months. Things have always seemed to move quickly for us in the adoption process. We will continue to pray that God moves through the final stages in His perfect timing.
The second biggest question revolves around Mikiyas' age. Yes, he is a few months older than our original request. However, we look at his face and hear his name and we are filled with love. We are so happy to have him waiting for us. We know that no matter his age, he is perfect for our family. God has chosen us for Mikiyas and Mikiyas for us. We asked God to bless our lives and our home and all our extended family with the perfect child. He has. All glory and thanks are given to Him. We cannot and do not question Him in this decision.
9 comments:
Congratulations! What a thrill and what a great Christmas present! When will you pick him up? Will it be before Christmas?
All the best and we will keep praying.
congratulations, our prayers are you may the next few months fly by!
Lyle and Sheri,
Gramma is going to be the first one to comment on this update. We are so blessed to have another grandchild come into our lives. Mikiyas is truly a gift from God and the time will soon be here when you will pick him up and hold him in your arms.
Bless you, mom and dad H.
Very nicely said Sheri. I am soooo happy for all of us - soooo happy. ...
I'm sooooo happy for you and Lyle, just so happy!
Helen
it's so nice to hear you writing from the other perspective - one who has their referral...LOVE IT!!
Congratulations!
This is my first time commenting on your blog. I have really enjoyed reading your story. My husband and I are just starting the process of adopting and we too are going to adopt from Ethiopia. I am sure we will run into eachother sometime in the Ethopian Vancouver community!
Congratulations, and I hope you travel soon.
Laura H
Congratulations! We stumbled on your blogsite while searching for the lyrics to the Merry Christmas song by Third Day. I clicked away when my husband said, "Who is that? They are adopting from Ethiopia, too!"
I did not notice! What a wonderfully small world! We are adopting two young children (Mulunesh 4 yo girl and her 2 yo brother, Birhanu)from Ethiopia and hope to travel in January. We live in Chicago, IL and are using Christian World Adoption our of North Carolina.
God has done some AMAZING things in our lives as we follow Him through the blessing and miracle we call ADOPTION!!!
We have five birth children from 16 to 2 and, lately, we have been LIVING for every picture, video and FOOT TRACING of our children. It is SUCH a pleasure to be able to send lil care packages with other families...and then to SEE them with what I held in my hands...a whole WORLD AWAY! God is sool.
LOVE your site! I will bookmark it so I can pray for you and celebrate your family!!
With love,
Lori Smith
www.smithquiver.multiply.com
Hello, My name is Juli. We too are adopting from Africa, Sierra Leone. We are here and have been since Sept. After two and a half years of trying to bring on son home, we moved here vowing not to leave with him. I would love to email and chat with you about your experiences. We also have a blog it is thebeautifulfeet.blogspot.com Thank you for your dedication to a child you have not yet met. It is people like you that make a difference in this world.
Juli
Hi, I just found your blog, am reading from the start to now. I always wanted to adopt a child who needs a home. Thank you for writing this blog about the process, showing the love involved.
This story, about the name, was really amazing. That must have been wonderful.
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