Watch this video! I am planning on getting this book.
Reckless Faith - Beth Guckenberger - Beth's Story
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
We have been keeping a secret! We did not want to spill the beans on our Blog site until we told our family. We are attempting to adopt a second little boy from Ethiopia. It is still not final because he has some unknown health issues we are trying to sort out. I have been drawn to this little guy since we decided to adopt Gabriel but I knew Darren would think I was crazy. About two weeks ago I approached Darren and said I think we need to adopt another little boy. Of course, he did think I was crazy, at first! His response was if God provides the finances than we will consider it. Well, he should know that you should never set a challenge before God or me. That Sunday I approached our class at church with our desire to adopt this little guy and the need for the finances. Needless to say God worked miracles last week and provided us with the amount necessary to pay the adoption fees and his travel cost. There are so many stories to tell.... Eli who I think is 4 years old told his mom that he would do extra chores to earn money to help baby Jacob come home. A dear friend was out running errands one day and she came by with a check and said God just told me I needed to come give this to you. Many, many stories of friends stepping out of their comfort zone to help this little guy come home.
Update on Gabriel:
Saturday we received a video of Gabriel from last month. He seemed to be very attached to his caregiver and was not very excited about these strangers touching him. The director said he cries alot and had a fever recently. He was only brought to the orphanage about 1 week before the video was taken so I am sure he is still grieving his mother.
Update on Jacob:
We do not have a confirmed, written diagnosis but was told by the physician who originally saw Jacob that the only test that showed any problems was the CAT Scan. The CAT scan showed a tumor on his brain. He is supposed to be seeing a Neurologist today and we hope to get a confirmed diagnosis and prognosis today or tomorrow. He is a very sick little boy. By the way he is eight months old.
Update on Gabriel:
Saturday we received a video of Gabriel from last month. He seemed to be very attached to his caregiver and was not very excited about these strangers touching him. The director said he cries alot and had a fever recently. He was only brought to the orphanage about 1 week before the video was taken so I am sure he is still grieving his mother.
Update on Jacob:
We do not have a confirmed, written diagnosis but was told by the physician who originally saw Jacob that the only test that showed any problems was the CAT Scan. The CAT scan showed a tumor on his brain. He is supposed to be seeing a Neurologist today and we hope to get a confirmed diagnosis and prognosis today or tomorrow. He is a very sick little boy. By the way he is eight months old.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
We are very excited to report that our Dossier went to Ethiopia last week. It will now go through translation and authentication in Ethiopia. Next step is to request a court date. It sounds like it is taking about 6 weeks to get a court date. About a week after our court date we should be getting our travel dates.
Today we received a video from our adoption agency. A video that had the most beautiful face on it, our son. Yes, last month when CCI's director went to Ethiopia she took video of each child. Gabriel was sad and seemed to be quite attached to his caretaker. He did not like to be touched by the visitors. The orphanage director said that he cries frequently and recently had a fever. I can't wait to hold him and comfort him. I have a feeling his transition is going to be much more difficult than Faith.
In other news everything is well in the Maas household. It has been nice this week so we have been able to spend a lot of time outdoors, in fact, I already have a sunburn. I don't think there is anything else to report. Hope to have more news soon!
Today we received a video from our adoption agency. A video that had the most beautiful face on it, our son. Yes, last month when CCI's director went to Ethiopia she took video of each child. Gabriel was sad and seemed to be quite attached to his caretaker. He did not like to be touched by the visitors. The orphanage director said that he cries frequently and recently had a fever. I can't wait to hold him and comfort him. I have a feeling his transition is going to be much more difficult than Faith.
In other news everything is well in the Maas household. It has been nice this week so we have been able to spend a lot of time outdoors, in fact, I already have a sunburn. I don't think there is anything else to report. Hope to have more news soon!
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Monday, April 7, 2008
The last week has been very busy. I think we finally have our dossier ready to send to the courier in Washington for authentication. It has taken much longer than I had wished. I continue to hang on by reminding myself that God's timing is perfect. On a positive note we received new pictures of Gabriel. The director of our adoption agency traveled to Ethiopia and hand delivered packages to the waiting children. I cannot speak highly enough about our adoption agency, Celebrate Children, International. The director has a genuine love for the children and the adoptive families.
On the home front, Faith experienced the sandbox for the first time. At first she was not sure about it and would not sit down. That did not last long! By the time I brought her in for the night she had sand from head to toe.
I want to share with you something my six year old daughter did yesterday. As I was doing adoption paperwork last night I was a bit frustrated about finances. My heart so desires to adopt two children from Ethiopia but the finances just aren't there. So my beautiful daughter came out with her money bank and emptied it into a Ziploc. She said, "Here mom you can have my money so that Gabriel can come home sooner". Miranda has such a soft heart for others. Every night when she says her prayers she prays for all the kids who don't have a mommy and daddy. Oh the things we could learn from our children and their child-like faith.
On the home front, Faith experienced the sandbox for the first time. At first she was not sure about it and would not sit down. That did not last long! By the time I brought her in for the night she had sand from head to toe.
I want to share with you something my six year old daughter did yesterday. As I was doing adoption paperwork last night I was a bit frustrated about finances. My heart so desires to adopt two children from Ethiopia but the finances just aren't there. So my beautiful daughter came out with her money bank and emptied it into a Ziploc. She said, "Here mom you can have my money so that Gabriel can come home sooner". Miranda has such a soft heart for others. Every night when she says her prayers she prays for all the kids who don't have a mommy and daddy. Oh the things we could learn from our children and their child-like faith.
We pray that all the children around the world who do not have a mommy and daddy have good rest and good dreams. We pray that God would put His hand of protection around them and give them peace as they rest.
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