Loaves and Fishes

I have been joyfully pondering the success of our tea fundraiser...all that keeps coming to my brain is loaves and fishes. I am telling you, God's word is so true, and His principles are still the same today as yesterday! He gave a friend the idea for this tea, and He blessed her obedience. He took $25 from four of my dear friends and multiplied it!!! He took the work of my friends/neighbors/coworkers and blessed it! He took an afternoon of fellowship and hard work, and He made it a JOY filled time. He allowed me to serve my sweet, generous friends who are supporting our adoption! Thanks so much to everyone who had a hand in this day: Carrie, for opening your home and for your beautiful prayer and warm hospitality; Brooke,Carrie,and Tracey for working your fingers to the bone makin' those sandwiches; for Cissie, Susan and Kayleigh for baking those delicious cakes; and to every single person who has supported us with your prayers, donations, and love. I am blessed beyond measure!!!! We sat down after cleaning up, exhausted, yet beaming from ear to ear. As we began to open the envelopes, you cannot imagine the tears and laughter that were flowing! Well, if you know me at all, you probably can imagine it, but just multiply that by a few degrees! Jesus always takes what we give Him and multiplies it!!! It is a win-win with Him!!!!

I have to share about some of the day's sweetest gifts. They came from kiddos! Kiddos who emptied their piggybanks and gave all that they had to bring our Kami home! I am so honored to have friends in my life who are raising kids who get it! This is not about me or Kami or our fundraising effort. This is about kids who know how to love and to give better than me. They are like the widow who gave her last coins, and they did it cheerfully! My heart is exploding with love and admiration for these little ones. I feel overwhelmed to think about Kami already having such dear friends.

just sayin'....loaves and fishes....give Him something, and stand back to see what you end up collecting at the end! God is SOOOOOO SWEET and GOOD!

Well, Bless My Socks Off!

We have had our socks blessed off! We were blown away this weekend, as God continues to show His love through the generosity of others! To all of our friends and family who have prayed, donated money, donated clothes, etc.--THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF OUR HEARTS.

Our big push now is to raise money to go towards Ethiopian fees included in our adoption expenses. I was waivering a bit in my faith, and worry was setting in on Saturday, but God, of course, had sweet gifts and plans to ease my mind and put my attitude back in perspective. I don't know where all of the funds will come from. My flesh would like to plan it all out and find a solution for every detail. God is reminding me of something very important: HE IS SOVEREIGN AND IN CONTROL OF ALL!

Today, I have felt an especially strong sense of missing Kami. It is hard to make that make sense... She hasn't ever physically been with me, except for our brief meeting in January. But, I want her here so badly. I can almost feel her on my hip. It is like my hip is aching to hold her. Crazy sounding, I know, but true!

I am also wondering what our second meeting will be like? I CANNOT wait to hold her again! I cannot wait to be back in Ethiopia, taking in all the sights, sounds, and smells. I am, however, dreading the long flights and the jet lag. It will all be worth it though!

Our court date is now only 20 days away! That is less than three weeks. This has all moved so swiftly. Please be praying for all paperwork to make it to our file before the courtdate.

Our first official fundraiser is now only a week and a half away. We still have plenty of room for more! Won't you consider coming and bringing a friend for tea? April 24th from 11-1 or from 2:30-4:30, you can attend a tea with your family or friends and support bringing Kami home too! If you are interested or know of someone who might be, message me. Reservations are a must. I am more than happy to send you a flyer with the details!

Court date!!!!!

Seriously, I just went back and re-read the email...I am still in a little disbelief! I have been laughing and crying and my fingers are flying as fast as they can type... WE HAVE A COURT DATE!!!! I mean, I haven't even made my blog all pretty yet! That is okay, pretty blogs can wait, let's get that baby girl home!!!!! I also found out that Kami weighs 9.6 kg, which is about 21 pounds. I can't wait to squeeze all 21 pounds of her!

Spring Has Sprung

I love Spring. My sinuses, they are not feeling the love, but I do love the changes that Spring brings...the hope. I love Spring Break too! This year, we had an especially good Spring Break.

We were all (minus Kami) able to go to Jacksonville to visit my mom for Spring Break. It was wonderful to have a quiet, relaxing week with my husband and kids and to spend time with my family! Kami was not physically present, but she was close in our thoughts and hearts! We were able to travel to the Orlando area where our adoption agency, Celebrate Children International, is located. It was neat to have a face to face visit with the people who are helping our family to grow. What a special treat it was to hear from Sue, the agency director, about her interactions and impressions of Kami from her last two visits to Ethiopia! We are told that she is very social! Hmmm... do you think that sounds like anyone you know? :) She loves to dress up. We viewed some especially adorable and hilarious pictures of her wearing a hat, large sunglasses, and a purple necklace. The girl knows how to work it!!! Sounds like her big sister! Sue also told us that Ms. Kami is very smart. While Sue was there, she sat each of the children in a plastic chair to take pictures. A few days after this, she returned to the house. When Kami saw her, she went and got the plastic chair! What a smart girl!!!! I know a boy who loves to pose for pictures too! It is amazing to see how much of a "McKibben" that Kami is already! We also we able to see pictures of Kami with her birth father the day that she arrived at the orphanage. I am so thankful to have these. I know that it will be very special for her to have such pieces of her past.

Our first fundraiser is right around the corner, on April 24th--a Tea. If you would like details about this special event, leave me a comment and I will get back to you right away!