1st Posting of Travel Plans

I thought that while I am waiting to travel I would take some time to update you on what we plan to do while in Ethiopia. When we first began this journey we came across a ministry called Drawn from Water. This is a ministry that is working to rescue mingi(cursed) children from culturally mandated infanticide. We have loved hearing what God is doing in through the families that are committed to this purpose. We began supporting them financially and now have the opportunity to share a meal with Levi and his family when we are picking up Noah. I sent an email to Levi asking if there was anything that they needed us to bring with us that would bless them. He explained that since they have grown by another ten children, they have a need for clothing and shoes. I then sent back and asked if there was anything that would bless him and his wife. I was hoping that he would give me an idea of something for them. I have a great desire to honor these two for the sacrifices that they have made for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They are walking out what they believe and that is provoking! So he once again sends back an answer to my question and again the answer is concerning his children. You see they are unable to get ranch dressing in Ethiopia. He wondered if I would bring packets of the dry ranch dressing to mix with mayo for his children. I was undo upon reading the email. I am daily confronted with my selfishness. I daily struggle with dying to myself just to care for the ones right here in my home let alone anyone outside these walls. I began this adoption journey desiring to be more like Christ. I am so grateful for God's mercy and grace that makes that a reality. So as we spend time with Levi and his family, I do hope that we are able to bless them. I also hope that through this visit I am able to come back to the states and reflect more of Christ to those around me. Please read their story and prayerfully consider committing financially to what they are doing for these children. They need 76 people to commit to $25 a month to cover their monthly expenses. As of now I think they still need 31 more people to commit. I can't wait to share more with you when we get home!

Not for the Faint Hearted

I have come to the conclusion that adoption is not for the faint-hearted. It can be quite the emotional rollercoaster. Throughout this process I have been continually challenged to walk this out in a way that honors God. From the beginning I knew that God wanted to grow me in how I respond to life and circumstances. I have really grown in this area but the past several days have been very difficult. Part of the challenge has come from my desire for control. I am in the midst of doing Beth Moore's most recent version of Breaking Free. She uses Isaiah 30:15. In quietness and trust is your strength. The original word for quietness is shaqat meaning "to lie quietly, be undisturbed, to calm." The phrase that concludes this scripture is: "But you would have none of it" I unfortunately can relate to that. My hearts desire is to be totally submitted to God's timing and plan for bringing our son home unfortunately my flesh fights that regularly. So I am making a choice to surrender this to Christ. I think that I might have to do this every minute or so but I am determined to do it with the help of the one who already has won the battle for me!!! Please continue to pray for us and the timing of all of this. Pray that our son would continue to be healthy. Pray that he would know in his heart that a family is here so excited to add him to our craziness!!

Noah knows about Us!

I was so excited to get news this morning from my friend who is in Ethiopia picking up her daughter. Here is what she posted:

Nuguisse-Monica, I fell in love with him! We were so thrilled to be able to give him the gifts from you! We got it all on video. He liked the picture that Faith drew-Sister explained to him who it was from. Then we looked at the photo book and the book with voices. He really liked it. I gave him some hugs and kisses. Then we put the book away and he started to cry...really cry. Sister took him on her lap and he just wanted the book back out!!! It melted my heart, he really liked it and she went through it with him again listening to your voices. He also liked the picture of your dog. He was a little heavier than I thought he would be.

So he knows that we are his family! There have been lots of tears shed today as we celebrate one more milestone on our journey to bring our son home. As soon as I get the video I will post it for all of you to see!

My Montage 2/18/10 at OneTrueMedia.com

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Introducing.......

Noah Nigussie Robinson


Needless to say we are jumping for joy!! God is so good! There are so many thoughts and emotions going through my head right now that I will post at a later date. The next step is to receive confirmation of our embassy date. We are hoping for April 7th. After we receive that we will make final arrangements. The timing is perfect because Faith will be on spring break so she will not miss any school and be able to stay with people instead of finding people to stay at our home.
Thanks again for all of your prayers, financial and emotional support! We never could have walked this journey without you!

2nd Try at Court

While we sleep tonight a judge in Ethiopia will once again be hearing our case! A myriad of thoughts and emotions are happening here in the Robinson house! Please pray that we pass this time. A dear friend of mine is leaving in the morning to go and pick up her daughter. Yea!! She is taking with her a photo album of our home and family. If we pass court she will be able to give this to Noah and let him know that he has a family who loves him dearly! I will post as soon as we hear something. Every day is just one step closer to bringing our boy home.

Next Court Date

I heard from our coordinator this afternoon that they were unable to get the paper that was needed for us to pass court. They hopefully will have it for our court date which is now set for February 17th. I was fine with the news on Monday but today was a different story. I held it together pretty well until I saw a friends Facebook status. She has been advocating for a 2.5 year old boy from Ghana. He actually was on quite a few peoples blogs with people trying to get a family for him. Unfortunately I just found out that he passed away. This news broke me! This past week with Faith being so sick has made me very aware of how much I take simple medical care for granted. When she had a high fever, I had access to clean water, medicine and a doctor's bill that I have insurance to cover. There really was no fear of her dying of dehydration. Right now, that is not the case with my son. He is in an orphanage. He does have access to water and limited medical care but it is nothing like he will have here. This is another part of the surrendering that has to happen in my heart through this adoption. I have to remember whose child he is first. Please continue to pray for us as we walk this journey of faith. Please pray that every piece of paperwork for our court date will be there. As crazy as this sounds, please pray that the judge would be there also. One last thing is please pray for the orphanage where Sampson lived. Please pray for comfort for his caregivers and also all of the children as the mourn the loss of their little friend.

We did not pass......

Well friends we did not pass court today! It was a moment of sadness and then just a reminder that God has orchestrated all of our moments. We found out that our son's birthmother did make it to court today but one paper from the Ministry of Womens Affairs did not. Our facilitator feels hopeful that he will get the paper to court wither Tuesday or Wednesday. Please pray for this to happen. If not, our next court date is the 17th of February. In checking flights, we found out that to travel 2 weeks later causes our tickets to go up $1000. We will let you know as soon as we hear anything.

Court Tomorrow

Tonight as we sleep a judge in Ethiopia will hear our case and decide if we pass court or not. Not passing court does not mean that we can't adopt, it just means another delay in getting our boy home. Court in Ethiopia is nothing like it is here in the states. A number of different things can happen so please just pray that we pass.
Lord willing, if we pass, we will probably be leaving for Ethiopia on the 20th of March and returning on the 27th. Please pray for me in particular concerning the travel end of things. I do not like to fly let alone fly for this long of a period of time. I also have never been gone from Faith for more than 4 days so 7 days sounds so long right now.
Thanks so much for all of your prayers and support! Hopefully tomorrow I will be posting a picture of our boy for the world to see!!

One Week Till Court

We have one more week until our court date! God willing we will pass the first time and then hopefully travel around the 20th of March. Please pray that all of our paperwork would be there and also pray for our son's birthmom. Here is a video to enjoy. It makes me cry every time I watch it.