Four years ago today the Lord began to stir in my heart the idea of adoption. I felt very afraid and unsure about what that would look like in my “comfortable” life with older kids. Keith Harmon preached a sermon one Sunday talking about when God calls you to something you just have to jump off the diving board. So, that Sunday we decided to jump. It has been a LONG emotional process but we finally can see the end ahead. I have not been good at blogging these past 4 years but I can’t miss this opportunity to give God the glory for all He has done. So, I will start today at the beginning of our journey to Ethiopia to finally meet our precious son.
A week ago today, Clint received a call from our adoption agency. We were so excited to get the news, yet frantic at the same time. Our adoption agency, Gladney Center for Adoption, called to let us know the Ethiopian court scheduled our court day for Thursday, May 8th, and we needed to be in Addis Ababa no later than Tuesday, May 6th.
It has been amazing to watch the Lord provide the perfect flight, accommodations and the ideal timing for my Dad to be in Arkansas to stay with Chandler and Shelby. Every step along the way we see God’s perfect timing, provision and love. What is he calling you to in your life? If He calls you He will provide all that you need.
On Monday afternoon, we boarded a flight to Chicago. From Chicago, we flew to Frankfurt Germany, and from Frankfurt we flew into Addis Ababa. The entire trip from beginning to end took us 26 hours.
Leaving for Ethiopia at XNA airport
On the plane headed to Frankfurt, Germany
Addis airport
In the car in Ethiopia
We got to our guest house, the Bethel Guest House in Addis Ababa, around 10 pm. Great room and great accommodations! We are so excited that tomorrow (Wednesday) we get to see our boy, Jaden Biyagegn Smith for the first time. This is the little boy that we have prayed for over the last 4 years as we have waited. This is the little boy that will forever be in our family. We cannot wait!!
A couple things to note:
• The kids and Dad Dad will not be surprised by this, but Ashley slept the entire way here on our flights. I guess she was catching on her sleep over the past weeks.
• We had to stop in Saudi Arabi for some people to deplane and to refuel … a little scary! Saudi Arabian officers came on the plane looking for open containers of alcohol and dirty magazines. They are both against the law in Saudi Arabi. Of course, we had nothing to fear, but it was just a little creepy.
• There is a call to prayer for Muslims from 3 am – 5 am and ear-plugs do not block the sound out.
Thank you all for your prayers, texts, emails, messages, support and love! We have such an awesome church and body of believers that are surrounding us.
We feel your prayers!
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