We received our court date yesterday!!!  They are doing things a little differently now in Ethiopia, so we will have our first court date September 29th.  We will not be there for that one.  If we pass court then, we will have our second court date on October 13th.  We are so excited!  That means that if all goes smoothly on the 29th, we will see Yonas and Yosef in October!  As I said in my last post, please continue to pray for our court date.  That all would go smoothly for us. 

Many blessings,
Kelli

This week is flying by.  Jury duty is going okay.  I haven't been selected for a case yet, but I still have a week and a half left.  We were able to leave early today.  There is nothing new to really talk about, so it seems I am just rambling. :)

We just put in our first order for our t-shirts.  Thanks to everyone who has already ordered one.  I will be in touch with each of you to deliver them once they come in. 

Thank you to all our family and friends who continue to support us in this journey.  I know we have said it many times, but we are in awe of what God is doing.  He has blessed us beyond anything we deserve.  We humbly ask for you to remember us in your prayers if you will.  We are waiting on a court date now.  Currently our prayer would be that we pass court.  That means that Yonas and Yosef will officially be our children! 
Another specific prayer that I have been praying is for Yonas and Yosef's protection.  It has been difficult to look into their cute little faces and know that we still have several weeks before we will be bringing them home.  I pray for God to keep them healthy.  That he begin to prepare their little hearts for our family as we do the same.  I know that HE is in control.  It gives me great peace to know that God already has the details worked out.

May you each have a wonderful Wednesday!

Kelli

 Good morning! 

I am not going to pretend this week has been an easy one. In fact, it has been pretty difficult.  A lot going on.  July 14th was the day we decided that we would have to cancel the golf scramble.  I know that God is leading the way, but my heart hurts for Vince.  I just want to thank everyone that has supported us.  We have been encouraged by so many friends and family.  I know that God is placing people in our path to give us those boosts to keep going. 

With the scramble behind us, we are just focusing on our children.  Yesterday we were blessed to receive 2 more pictures of Yonas and Yosef.  They are just precious.  I can't wait to hold them in my arms.  Waiting can be hard, but God has given us so much peace.  I can't describe the confirmation I get each day-whether in something I read or and email, etc.
 
Monday I start Jury duty.  I am not really looking forward to spending my time there.  Monday is also our fingerprinting appointment.  The next couple of weeks will be very busy for us.

After looking at the calendar, I have decided to start school August 2nd.  I think this will help us to not fall too far behind with taking so much time off when we travel and after we return.home. 

Dropping Gracie off at camp last Sunday

I pray that the following scriptures will encourage you in your faith.  They are some that I have been reading and living this week.  God's word is full of treasures that fill me up.  We are reminded just how much God loves us.

Matthew 6:33  

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.

Job 9:10 

He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted.

2 Corinthians 4:18 

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.  For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

1 Timothy 6:11

But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness.  Fight the good fight of faith.

If you will, please continue to pray for our family. 

Here's to wishing everyone a blessed weekend!

Kelli

One last thing,  we are now selling our adoption t-shirts if anyone is interested.  We will be placing an order this week.  The information is to the right.

BLESSINGS CONTINUE TO FLOW

With the recent support of family and the $10,000 interest free loan we just received today from Orphan Care Alliance, via Lifesong, we now are able to pay for our remaining adoption fees and our first trip expenses to Ethiopia!!!!

We will still need to raise money for our second trip expenses to pick up our boys.

I have said it before, and I will say it again, God has always provided at the exact moment that we needed it.

Ways that you can continue to support us:
1.  Continue to pray.
2.  We are now selling T-Shirts ($15 each).  See side bar.
3.  We are still selling drink coasters ($5 each).

Soli Deo Gloria,

Vince

4th of July Weekend

Although we are tired, we have had a great weekend.  It was a joy to have a long weekend with my family.  Getting our referral Saturday night blew us away.  We are thrilled to have pictures, and we know that God is preparing us for the months to come.  They are beautiful children.  I know that they will fit in to our family perfectly.  God is so good. 
The news of our referral came while we were at the airport celebrating Tedi's homecoming.  I talked about this in one of my posts last week.  You can get to their blog here: http://5millionminus1.blogspot.com/ .
  I can't put into words what it felt like to see JT, Natalie and Tedi coming down the walkway towards all of their family and friends.  It was a wonderful feeling to see the smiles on their faces.  I couldn't keep my tears from falling.  A few minutes later I am on the phone talking to Susan, from our agency.  She shared the wonderful news about our referral.  I know I must have looked like I was losing it in the airport!  Vince and I were overwhelmed by the feeling of happiness in our hearts.  For me, it was the same feeling I had when I found out I was pregnant.  To think that God would bless us with 2 precious boys is beyond anything I could ever have dreamed or imagined.  Abby and Gracie have also been so excited with the news. 
I would ask for continued prayers for us.  We are now working on gathering our next fee to formally accept our referral.  On paper, it seems impossible for us to do, but I am trusting that the Lord will provide.  He has thus far in the process. 
Philippians 4:19 And my God will meet all our needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

 Friday night was a great time at Ormsby Heights Freedom Celebration.  Here are some pictures from the evening.

Walking the flood wall to get there

Gracie enjoying a snow cone

Waiting for the fireworks

Andrew, Evan and Dylan enjoying the night

Shannon, Debbie, Jaime, Heather, me, & Melissa

Good times

Sunday was a lot of fun as well.  We did a lot of swimming.  Later that evening Vince made a bonfire, and we made smores and roasted hot dogs.  There were fireworks all over.   They were going off from every direction of our house. 

Vince took the girls up on our roof to watch all the fireworks.

Strike a pose

Blackened marshmallow...Yum!

Yesterday we spent the day at Vince's parents.  Phil grilled pork chops, and we swam most of the day. Unfortunately I forgot my camera, so I don't have any pictures to post.  Lots of fun times though!

 

Many blessings,

Kelli

T-SHIRTS FOR SALE!!!!

We are now beginning to sell t-shirts to help continue raising funds for our adoption.  I would like to first thank my good friend, Jason Burnett, for his collaborative effort on the design.  He developed the African children silhouette which became the central feature of our design.  Please see the pictures in the side bar for what the t-shirts will look like.

The shirts will be $15 each and can be ordered in the following styles/sizes:
Men's:  S, M, L, XL, XXL
Women's: S, M, L, XL
Children's: Youth S, Youth M

Please email us at monksfamily@insightbb.com for your order.  We will collect t-shirt orders for ~1 month before placing the order.  So you may pay up front, or wait until we have your shirts.

Vince

Referral!

I don't have much time tonight to write, but I had to update to say that WE GOT OUR REFERRAL!  I am so overcome with emotion.  They are just precious.  Two boys, ages 6 and 4.  We couldn't be any happier.  I will take some time later to give some details.  Please keep praying for us! 

~Kelli

We are looking forward to the fabulous holiday weekend ahead.  Tonight is a big celebration at a church right down the street from us.  It is always a great time.  Lots of food, fellowship and fireworks.  It is one of the highlights of the year for us.  We don't really have any plans for the rest of the weekend.  Probably some much needed rest.  Vince has been working so hard this week on our bathroom.  He needs some down time. 
Saturday we will be going to the airport to welcome home JT and Tedi.  I have been so excited about Natalie getting to meet her son for the first time.  I know I will be a ball of emotions when I see them together.  You can read all about it on their blog here:
                                             http://5millionminus1.blogspot.com/

Last night was a difficult time for us, especially Gracie.  We discovered that Rosie, her hamster, was not doing so well.  She couldn't move one of her back legs, and she was not acting her normal self.  Once Vince and I looked her over, we realized that she didn't have that much longer.  Vince told Gracie to just spend the evening holding her.  My heart broke watching her cuddle this hamster that has been part of our family for 2 1/2 years now.  Gracie got to spend about an hour with her before she died.  I know for most people it is difficult to understand the hurt from losing a hamster, but for Gracie it is so much more.  She has such a heart for animals; especially her pets.  We spent some time in prayer just asking God to help her to understand death and feel comfort in his arms.  That is something that I struggle with at times.  Later that evening, I could feel her sadness.  As I was watching her, she said, "At least Rosie isn't in any pain anymore."  Oh how I wish I could take her pain away. 

Gracie and Rosie

We don't have any news about our referral, but we are optimistic that it will be soon.  I am trusting God's timing.  I know that He will provide.  The following verse is one that I have been clinging to this week.  I know that mine and Vince's strength comes only from our Lord.

...but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
~Isaiah 40:31