Wow, I can't believe how busy we have been.  I guess it is good because it has kept our minds busy, so we are not sitting around just waiting to leave.  We will be traveling in 2 weeks if all goes well in court.  Vince and I are so excited.  I can't wait to meet my sons.  I love the sound of that.  While I am there, I want to soak up as much as I can.  I pray this experience changes Vince and me.  That we continue to let our minds be shaped with an eternal focus.   I already feel God at work in our hearts.  Almost as if he is saying this is only the beginning.  My heart is so full of love for the people of Ethiopia already.  I think being there will give us an opportunity to see how we can be used further. 
During my prayer time in the morning, I have been praying for Yonas and Yosef's birth mother.  She has been on my mind a lot.  I pray that I get an opportunity to meet her while we are there.  I know that God has placed this on my heart for a reason.  He will reveal to me the purpose as he sees fit.  Feeling an absolute peace in whatever circumstances come our way.  God has been my firm place to stand, and I wouldn't be able to walk this road without my faith.  I know that Vince feels exactly the same.  Can I just say how incredibly blessed I am to have him in my life?  It gives me so much joy to know that the God who plans our steps is also the same God who loves me enough to bless me with more than I ever deserve.  I am eternally grateful for how far he has brought me. 

Well, what have we been up to?  We just returned from a busy couple of days in Maryland/Washington DC.  It was a wonderful opportunity for us.  Vince had to travel there for work, and we tagged along.  We are thankful that his work allows us to do these types of things.   Here are some pictures from our trip. 

This was at the National Museum of Natural History

Arlington Cemetery

Best place by far we have had school

Love these girls!

They did lots of swimming

Our hotel

Last night Vince and I went to the Casting Crowns/The Afters concert.  Thanks to my brother Kyle.  It was an amazing concert.  Casting Crowns always is...It was exactly what I needed to hear, not only in song, but also in the message spoken.  I love how God does that :)
We forgot our camera, but here is  one picture Vince took with his phone.

School is going pretty well, with a few bumps in the road here and there.  It has been hard to get on a routine because of how busy we have been.  I finally accepted that our whole year will probably look like that, even though I am a routine type of girl.  I am thankful for the flexibility in our schooling that allows us to take the necessary breaks while we have so much going on.  I just hope that doesn't mean we are still finishing up our school year in July! Ha!

Thank you so much for those of you who continue to pray for our family.  It means so much to us.   Please pray for our court hearing next week.  This will determine if we can travel in 2 weeks.  Also please pray for us as we prepare to leave.   Abby and Gracie will be well taken care of, but I know that it will be hard to leave them.  I pray that all of the details surrounding our trip would come together. These are just a few things you can pray for specifically. 

Love you all,

Kelli

Today is really just another day at our home.  We finished up school a little over an hour ago.  Things are going really well.  Abby and Gracie are currently playing together.  They have been playing Little House on the Prairie a lot.  One of our favorite shows!  I love to sit and listen to them.  The things they talk about and share.  I wouldn't trade it for anything. 

Yesterday, we finalized our travel arrangements for our first trip.  We will be leaving on October 9th and will be home October 16th.  We also found out a little more about what we will be doing while we are there.  We know that our boys will stay in Nazareth, so we will be staying there for a couple of days.  It will give us more time at the orphanage with them.  As with this whole process, things could always change.  We still have to pass court on September 29th.  Please continue to pray for us! 

Camp out in the backyard

Vince decided since we didn't have time to go camping, we would just set up in the backyard.  The girls loved it.  I slept inside in my warm, comfy bed :)

Putting up the tent

Gracie all dressed up

Messy fingers after roasting marshmallows

Abby and Bella

This was the next morning.

It was cold!

A couple of school pictures

We are currently studying Egypt.

This is our take on a reed boat.

Pyramids

 Kelli

Today was our final yard sale.  We are so happy to have our space back in the garage!  I think it was a great success, and we are glad we decided to have one more.  We are so thankful to everyone who gave us items to sell and everyone who helped.  I couldn't have made it both days without my mom. I don't think she ever stops going!  She has been such a strong support for me.  I am so thankful for her.  Love you Mom!

Last week we were blessed to get some videos of Yonas and Yosef.  What a joy it has been to watch them and see their smiling faces.  We were able to see a little more "personality" than what you get from a picture.  I think all of us are anxious to meet them.  Gracie said she has "butterflies in her belly just like Christmas".  So precious.  We find ourselves talking about how things will be next year at this time.  Wondering if they will be home for Christmas.  We are not getting our hopes up, but that would be the greatest gift for our family.  Sleeping has become difficult for Vince and me.  We find ourselves awake at the craziest times thinking about them.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.  Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-put it into practice.  And the God of peace will be with you.

Philippians 4:8-9

T-Shirt Pictures

Hey, everyone.  If you ordered a t-shirt, or will in the future, please email us a picture of your family wearing them.  If you send us a picture, we would like to post on our blog. 

monksfamily@insightbb.com

Vince

T-SHIRTS

Vince picked up our first order of t-shirts today.  We will be working on delivering to those of you who ordered already.  If you are interested in buying one, just let me know!

Getting organized

Our first set of orders

Our beautiful models

♥ Kelli

I've been wanting to write about something that happened a few weeks ago, but I wanted to wait until I could put it into words that would give it the attention it deserved.  (if that makes any sense) My sweet friend Debbie asked if she could take some coasters and crosses to a family get-together because some of her family were interested in buying some.  I was thrilled of course, but I had no idea the real plan for the evening!  The next day she dropped by to surprise Vince and me.  She had actually planned a bunco to help us raise money for our adoption.  Between money collected from the bunco, selling crosses and coasters, and other donations, she ended up collecting $250 for us!  The detail she put into the evening was incredible.  Each person that came wrote out a special note for us that I will always treasure.  The evening that she brought over the money, I sat on our bed and read through each one.  I was brought to tears at the kind words and prayers that each one expressed.  It is amazing to see how many people God has used in this journey.  Even though I was surprised when she dropped by, I realize how little this surprised me because of who had coordinated it.  She is a giver to so many, and I am thankful to have her in my life. Debbie and her family have been a blessing through this whole process.  Debbie is known for sharing of herself and thinking of others.  Five years ago when we first visited Southeast,she was one of the first friendly faces we ran into.  She instantly reached out to us and invited to be a part of their ABF group.  I look back on those times and realize our paths didn't cross by chance.  God played a part in that meeting. 


From the fullness of this grace we have all received one blessing after another.
John 1:16

Debbie and her husband, Tom

The Finances

It has been awhile since I have posted anything new regarding the fund raising activities.  I wanted to let everyone see how faithful God has been and also communicate the remaining gap that we have in order to bring our boys home.

The total estimate for our adoption is ~$36,000.

We have been blessed with receiving ~$30,000 YTD. 

This is the break down for the $30,000:
$9,000 = Personal funds - our yard sales, selling stuff, and extra money that we can put back each month.
$4,000 = Generous donations from friends/family
$7,000 = Generous loan from parents
$10,000 = Lifesong/Orphan Care Alliance interest free loan

We have enough funding to get us through our first trip in October.  We are still short $6,000, or the amount needed to travel our second trip (maybe November/December) and pay for all 4 plane tickets back home.

Here is how you can help:
1.  Continue to pray.  Pray for the continued safety of our children and the first court date in Sept 29.  Also, please pray for success on a grant application that is pending.
2.  We are still selling t-shirts, drink coasters, and coffee.  If you have friends/family that may be interested in any of these items, please refer them to our site.  All the information is on the side bar.

FYI:
We have sold >140 drink coasters and will be receiving our first t-shirt order of 50 soon!!


Vince

I don't know if I can blame not posting lately on being so busy or just being in a funk.  Not really anything exciting to report.  School is going really good.  I love each day amidst the chaos.  It has been a busy couple of weeks.  I am looking forward to next week. We will be going to the fair Monday and Wednesday. We are all looking forward to it.  It is one of our greatest memories each year as a family.  Abby and Gracie will be performing Wednesday with their square dancing group if anyone happens to be there on that day.

As fast as our days are going by, it seems like September 29th can't get here fast enough!   Each day I spend a lot of time praying and thinking of Yonas and Yosef.  I am so anxious to get my arms around them.  I am reminded of God's faithfulness in this whole process.  Feeling blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful friends and family. 

Here are a couple of pictures from our school days:

Making challah bread for our Sabbath meal

The finished product. 

It didn't look very good, but Abby and Gracie said it was good!

Vince and Abby's finished puzzle

Cuneiform activity we did using sugar cookie dough

Eating the finished product.  Yum!

Kelli

Happy 11th Birthday Abby! 

We love you!

Abby, Griffin, Cassie, & Gracie

Grandpa, Abby & Grandma

Gracie showing off her new bunk bed

Abby

Abby showing off her new shirt Uncle Steven bought her in Kings Island

She loved all of the roller coasters!

Thank you Steven!

First day back to school

August 2, 2010

Vince teaching Abby & Gracie their art lesson

They had to draw a butterfly using only their mouth

Our challah bread cover that Abby & Gracie painted for our Sabbath meal.

This year we are learning about Jewish feasts and celebrating Jewish holidays.

Today Vince and I had our appointment at the travel clinic.  We got all of our vaccines and are ready for travel!  I am so thankful for our health.  I feel like we take for granted how easy it is here in the US to get the medical treatment we need.  How often do we overlook this?  My heart is in Ethiopia; thinking about what Yonas and Yosef are going through.  How have they had to suffer?  I pray that God would continue to give me a desire to help those in need.  I pray that He open my eyes to the world around me.  This life I live is not about me.  How can I be used to glorify the Lord today?

Kelli

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