Another picture of Amira (just came in)

Wow, what a smile. I think this is the first picture ever where she has such a big smile. I am so so blessed beyond my wildest dreams. Hopefully one day I can add B, but for now I had to crop my precious son out. My B looks so macho in this picture like with his chest out saying "yeah I am her big brother" I think the picture is to die for once I can add him in. Enjoy.

Emails from very special friends

Wow, so happy to have gotten these emails but how much longer must my heart bleed. All I can dream about is holding them forever and ever and ever and ever. Just embracing their hugs for the very first time, sitting on my knees and holding them until it turns dark outside. But in the mean time I am so thankful to these dear friends like Crystal and Marissa's husband who took the time to love on my kids. BTW, my husband loves Crystal's girls that she is picking up at this moment.

************** Thanks Marissa (John met my kids just Sunday)
My husband visited KM while we were sleeping last night and sent home these pictures. He said that Biruk and Hiwot are just the most beautiful and sweet little children. He just fell in love with them! He's got more photos and I'll get them to you when he gets home. I just thought I'd send these along because I know I loved it when I'd get pictures that were just a few hours old. :)
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************* Thanks Crystal (she met my kids Tuesday, just hours ago)
I got to meet your kids yesterday!! They are so sweet. The sister is much more kind then I was told!! Your little one loved my husband. They love his facial hair! They climb on him the whole time. I want to stick them in my suit case and take them home. They are so beautiful. B even spoke a little English. Love ya- Crystal
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World Aids Day

Front of shirt (They sell them at the Gap in the store and on line)

back of shirt

World Aids day is December 1. It's pretty amazing how all these people come together all over the world for Aids. Click here to get to the site. This December marks 20 years.

Satan's Deadly Devices

Sorry, the pictures meant to be on the bottom. This is what I found when I experienced the peace of nature. This morning was a little foggy but yesterday was a beautiful day. Please scroll down the pics and read below.

As I decided to fast mainly for my friend on Thursday from Friday to Sunday, little did I know that I desperately needed to do it for myself also. My hubby helped by keeping the kids so I could be secluded and outside at nature where I needed to be.

Instead of acting meek when I got the news Friday morning about my son, I felt sorry for myself and became deflated in an instant. It hurt so badly I wanted to puke. It felt like my breath was sucked out of me. It wasn't just an easy fix but it was shocking more than anything.

Which brings me to my Title above. Little did I know how Satan can still get to me when it comes to "Adoption". I have learned since I have been a Christ Follower to fight that nasty little serpent pretty good and not let him enter my soul easily but on Friday satan put me in an emotional tailspin like I haven't experienced since I lost my son in Guatemala. He got a foothold of me. Once again I found myself Disappointed, Discouraged, Dejected and finally in Dispair. This is called the warfare of the evil one. Usually I fight with one of the four "D"'s but rarely all 4 together.

Nobody is in control. Not the agency, not the orphanage, nobody. The only one here in control is my GOD and obviously for reasons to glorify him, not me or anyone else in their pity, he will hand over Amira and "B" to me when it is His timing alone. I just have to get that in my fat head.

Granted, that doesn't mean that I am going to let the agency step all over me and just take advantage of me. In many ways this is still inexcuseable and doesn't make much sense. I am eventually going to get Amira if they wouldn't be able to find his dad and I am sure the agency will agree with me but I now know that I have to wait a little longer until God leads the way to let something glorious happen.

God left me with these verses to hold on to this weekend:

Is 26: 3-4 You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal

Rom 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will.

1 Peter 5:10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, form and steadfast.

Sad News for Today

Have a seat and understand this craziness of my adoption THIS TIME AROUND.

I found out today that apparently my son has 2 living parents. I was told in the beginning that his parents are deceased. So when I found out there was not just one but two parents, I was pretty shocked. Not that he had parents but that I didn't know.

Someone at the orphanage is working on finding the dad so he can come to court and do his thing. I just hope they find him quickly. Apparently his mom already appeared at the first hearing so she doesn’t have to come back again. His mom re-married and that is probably why they need the dad's signature.

I just have no clue why this weird stuff is happening. All along as I thought before Hiwot wouldn’t make it it rather became an unfolding drama story with Biruk.

I desperately need your prayers that they may find his dad!!! Nothing else to report, just really badly in shock over 2 parents being alive suddenly and me thinking a signature was missing and being assured it was an easy fix.

My friend Lisa had a very similar problem with a parent being alive suddenly.
Would you please also pray for her? She had her third hearing but now her file is missing by MOWA so she too needs a miracle.

Thanks for checking my blog but especially to those special people that leave comments.

No Court News

I have heard nothing yet. I have sat obsessively in front of the computer for almost 2 hours with 2 pots of coffee. I have to go to work now. I am hoping to hear something today but I cannot update this blog until I come home from work tonight.

Thanks for all your prayers.

Court today

For those of you who are anxiously waiting with me, Biruk's case was not heard today. Judge ran out of time. It will be heard tomorrow.

Just wanted to let you know.

Fresh off the Printer - Amira Hiwot Hill

Happy 20th Birthday Danica

My precious baby girl turned 20 today. Where did the time go?

Danica is my precious baby girl that I love so deeply I couldn’t imagine life without. She inherited both of Kevin and my personalities which makes her very unique. She is a total people’s person and gets along with everyone, doesn’t give a care what people think about her (Kevin) and she also is very headstrong and feisty (me).

She just has brought so much joy to Kevin’s and my life. When she was younger up till about 15 she was a true momma’s girl and after she got her license she has this amazing bond with her daddy pretty much telling him everything. I think that she doesn’t tell me that much anymore because I have my Christian values especially about marriage and purity. I think they also get along so well because they have such a passion for fast exotic cars and motorcycles! Yeap that would be my daughter.

She doesn’t have a care in the world what people think about her and bless her for that. How many women can say that about themselves? She doesn’t wear make up and wears sweats to her classes at college. That is why I LOVE THE FIRST PICTURE BELOW. That is my true Danica the way she looks always. Just herself.

She has NEVER (I am not joking) giving me any trouble where I would lose sleep over. I could go on and on but this young lady is really, really special to me. I am so very proud of her.

If you click on my labels to the right by Danica you can see more pics of her.

The pics below were just taken in Ocotber. I love the very first one because its the real Danica. No make up, nothing. Her friend at college took the first set of pics and I think she did a great job. For some reason they went to a grave yard. I don't know why. So that is why I didn't publish the other ones.

Danica's Pics

Danica's 4th Birthday

Graduation 2007

Graduation 2007

PRO LIFE

Sometimes (I really should more often) visit Courtney's blog at Storing up Treasures in Heaven here (please click on that read and watch the video) and right there with my dear friend Carolyn, she has got to be one of the boldest ladies out there. I just love, love, love both of these women. So many times, Courtney reads my mind (I am sure many other women agree) and speaks boldly about the TRUTH. Thank God I have already voted but I wished I had this post a little earlier just to prove where I am coming from. I am not too good at researching or get into political debates about all of this.

I will not be deceived by this future president. I don't care what other people think but I am a Christian and I am backing up the bible 100% when it comes to abortion, gay issues and other issues. Just not acceptable. Yes, we are "not" supposed to stand in front of abortion clinics and throw up signs that say "I hate you, or you murderer", or stand in front of churches when gay people get married; we are commanded to love ALL PEOPLE. I WILL JUST NOT SUPPORT ANY OF THIS. Just like it says in the bible things must be fulfilled for Jesus' return and I am sure that this presidential craziness is one of the things that needs to be fulfilled.

Wow and I just found this on Amy's blog. I am glad Amy's blog is not private at the moment so people have a chance to read this incredible woman's blog. She comes up with even different issues of "WHAT ARE WE COMPLAINING ABOUT". I love when people are just backing things up so greatly which I don't have the tools to do at the moment.

AMEN TO PRO LIFE FROM THE MOMENT THE BABY IS CONCEIVED. Oh one more thing Obama had the nerves to say in this video is that "I have 2 daughters and if they make a mistake I don't want them to be punished". Wow, like it is a punishment to have a baby. My view on this is that if you wanna be out there having sex at the tender age of 14, you better pay the price!

You say You are a Christian?

This message below was in my inbox today and I needed to read that and I am sure many other ladies feel the same at times. My pastor talks about this behavior often how we can't be like the world and just constantly complaining about the bad times. We want to be where other people look at us and "want what we have". For myself, these last two weeks have been so hard and it reminded me that I need to quit being so sad and show joy like the happy Andrea that everyone knows because the Lord is #1 in my life above and beyond anything else and I am not showing him that right now. BTW, that would be my husband. He smiles and is joyful ALL the time.

PSALM 126:3
“You say you’re a Christian? Please let your face know!” I laughed when I read this on a church sign while driving home from the grocery store. Although meant to be humorous, the saying packs a powerful message for us. Does our joy in the Lord, show on our faces? When unbelievers are around us, do they want what we have? Can they see our joy? Do we have thankful and grateful attitudes, or do we whine and complain about everything?
I used to be a chronic complainer. I often found myself joining in when my friends and family complained about everything from the weather to the high cost of prices at the grocery store. I realized that studying God’s Word that ungratefulness has no part in a Christian’s life. It’s hard to be joyful while complaining about things. Likewise, I am learning that it’s hard to complain while praising the Lord and being joyful!We have so much to be thankful and joyful about! Regardless of our circumstances, the fact that we are saved by grace alone should be enough to fill us with joy. Add to that all of God’s great promises and His blessings and provision for us. He has done great things for us and we should be filled with joy, simple because we belong to Him!

My Zambia Pals

Tonight my utmost love and happiness goes out to Joy for passing her court date the first time on two unrelated children. Joy who stood by me endlessly from going to Zambia to Liberia to Ethiopia has been nothing but the sweetest treasure God could have ever put in my life. We stood by each other like soldiers from last July when we set up for a wild goose chase to adopt our children from Zambia. Yes Joy, you are quiet the soldier, bringing home 2 little ones and giving birth in January to your little precious boy.... You are a treasure in my life.

And Crystal there is you my friend. here You held out the longest hanging on to Zambia and look at you now... You get to travel to ET very soon getting your two special girls. Your unsurpassed faithfulness that God will provide has blown me out of the water many times.

And last but not least Chris who I found back again through Joy's blog. I think Chris was "the ringleader" and not wasting her time on holding on to the Zambia program knowing they would play a bunch of games with us. So she jumped into the Ethiopia program giving us all hope to finally bring a child home. Chris your ever beautiful chunky little Ava that I want to bite every time I look at her picture, you have no idea how much joy your baby pictures have brought to me these last 2 months especially these last 3 weeks. Words cannot describe. You too have been a great support.

So Zambia pals, hopefully by Christmas, just hopefully, we can ALL celebrate of having our Ethipian babies home once and for all. You guys have no idea how much each of you mean to me.

My Princess (A Love Letter from the King)

You are a radiant beauty of art-hand carved by Me. I have given you beautiful lips to speak words of life, beautiful eyes to see Me in everything, beautiful hands to help those in need, and a beautiful face to reflect My love to the world. I will work wonders that will radiate true beauty from within. And when my work is completed, your character will show off My craftsmanship, and your beauty marks will be remembered by all that were loved by you.

Love, Your King

Amira's chosen Birthday is August 26

(Mother Teresa)