Ethiopia: Day 1 of 9. July 31st

OK, well on day 1 we actually were not yet in Ethiopia.  But as I am wanting to share details of our trip I feel like I can't leave out day 1.

Day 1 is when we left Missouri.  Sure we only made it to DC, but we were starting on our adventure.  Is this really happening?  We've been waiting for 2.5 years and now we are on our way !!!  Pinch me.  Lots of emotions running through me.  Will we like our guest house?  Will they have electricity?  Does our luggage weigh too much?  What did I forget to pack? 

Also we left Missouri and our 3 big kids were still there.  So blessed to have the Gerdel family (truly our family) take care of my babies.  I wouldn't have it any other way---well except for maybe their doting grandparents :)  (which plan to on trip 2).  I knew we were going to be away from them for what seemed like a long while and that was going to be hard.

Day 1: Sitting at STL airport ready to board for DC!

This post (as we headed to DC) is to simply say THANK YOU.  Thank you to those that have gotten us here.  These past 2 years, you've encouraged, supported, financed, helped, baked, ran,  bought, donated, prayed, and encouraged some more.  The time had finally come.    We do have one adoptive friend who at one point said we should have called our 5K, C.H.L.O.E's run (or fund)....CHLOE standing for  the Church Helping Love Others for Eternity!!!  What a great reminder of when we give, tell, offer hope, encourage we are making an eternal difference.  Not only is Chloe receiving her forever family....she has the opportunity to receive Jesus as Lord & Savior and to have a new family for all eternity (and that does mean most of YOU will be her family)!

So to all of you thankyou....But on the 31st special thanks to Missy and Andrew who love my kids like their own, Jessica and Ryan who sacrificially kept our dog (huge sacrifice of yard and perhaps of non-scratched legs), Tyann Marcink and Amy Lanemann for watching our kids when Missy couldn't, Mark and Becky Baxa, Dr. Turner, and everyone else sending up prayers on our behalf as we headed off to meet our daughter!!!

We're on our way, Chloe!

Are you a Piece to the Puzzle?

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

UPDATE: We ended up selling 2 puzzles---470 pieces and then some.  God is so faithful through His people.  It's like each of you joined to share a small kiss with our Chloe.  I can't wait to post pics of the finished project.  We are blessed!

Are YOU a Piece to the Puzzle? 

Paypal Donation Button on right sidebar.   ----------------------------------------------------------->

So here is the deal.  Chris and I have been contemplating on whether or not to do this---but we need to have one last "hoorah" so to speak in our fundraising efforts.  Besides our Love 2 Run 4 Love (in which we have split the proceeds with a different family the past 2 years) we have not had a fundraiser since Jan. 2012 (Coffee for Chloe)---basically because we thought we were doing really well and were in the sit & wait game.  But because of the miraculous speed from referral to court and the 1 week notice to fly out and perhaps the busy flying season into Ethiopia our plane tickets were quite a bit more pricey than we expected.  They have gone down a bit since then, but none the less we find ourselves short for Trip #2, where we will officially BRING CHLOE HOME!  :)

This is where YOU come in.  Are you our final piece to the puzzle?  Our FINAL fundraiser?  Chris and I each have almost 1000 friends on Facebook, 500 of those are mutual friends.  Now I know MANY of you have already given to our cause.  You've run the race, you've bought items in our Labor of Love auction, or you donated items into the auction, you've drank coffee, you've generously given, and perhaps you ran again....This post is not for you.   But there are many of you who have followed our story, "liked" our pictures, loved us from afar, prayed for us and rejoiced as we posted the news of our newest daughter......but perhaps have not been able to give---this post IS for you.  The old adage "every little bit counts" is going to be true for this last hoorah.

We are going to sell pieces to a puzzle.  Each puzzle piece is only $5.  There are only 300 puzzle pieces.  So the first 300 friends to respond will have the opportunity to be a part of the bigger picture.  Piece by Piece.  We've seen it happen before....every person doing their small part....being part of the body, the church....to share God's love in a BIG way.  That's the big picture.




The puzzle is titled "African Friends".  Although the only animals Chris and
I saw were a plethora of goats, donkeys, bulls, dogs, and one camel.  :)

Then we will write your name on the back of the puzzle piece.  Once the puzzle is complete we will frame it in a dual glass frame---so that Chloe will be able to see who all have had a part in bringing her home to her forever family.  Since the beginning of this journey, we have repeatedly seen God's people help in mighty ways.

Side Note:  Not that anyone is giving for recognition, but if you've given in any way to our adoption process, we have you written down and you are etched in our hearts.  Just because you don't have a puzzle piece,

 does not mean you aren't listed as a generous donor in our adoption book.  :)

Thank you in advance for being the church!  For doing your part! 

26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 1 Corinthians 12:26-27

HOW IT WORKS:

1.  Decide how many pieces you want to buy.     1 Puzzle Piece=$5

2. If you have a Paypal account, you can transfer money between Family & Friends at NO cost.  Just login to your paypal account hit the "send money" tab and send To: tee.time4me@yahoo.com, plus leave a comment below, saying you did so OR you can "Donate" using the button on the sidebar--but small fees are associated with each donation, so we won't get the full $5....In that case please give at least $7 for each piece. 

3.  You can also mail a check to our home address, if you'd rather not go the PayPal route. 

Strickland Family: 210 Wenona Dr., Washington, MO 63090.  Again, please leave a comment if you plan on doing this.

4.  Then we will update periodically, piece by piece, and watch the puzzle come together. 

So comment below and let us know if YOU are a piece of our family puzzle!

(interested to see who races to be the first 300 and how fast we can sell out this puzzle)

16 comments:

1. 
   AnonymousAugust 21, 2013 at 12:19 AM

   God Bless!

   Reply
2. 
   RayLynn CarrAugust 21, 2013 at 7:46 AM

   The Carr family will purchase 8 pieces. God bless your family and this journey you are taking together! I will be mailing a check.

   Reply
3. 
   anxiously hopefulAugust 21, 2013 at 8:45 AM

   The Jennings family is purchasing 6 pieces. The check is in the mail!

   Reply
4. 
   Donna SteersAugust 21, 2013 at 1:54 PM

   I just bought 5 puzzle pieces :) <3

   Reply
5. 
   Tony & Denise GregorAugust 21, 2013 at 2:16 PM

   God Bless your family. We just sent a Pay Pal payment. Let us know if you don't get it. We are praying for you.
   The Gregors

   Reply
6. 
   AnonymousAugust 21, 2013 at 2:37 PM

   Praying and praising God for Cloe and your family!
   Ten puzzle pieces please....
   Our check will follow.

   Reply
   Replies

   
   AmberAugust 21, 2013 at 2:57 PM
   Thank you so much... Unfortunately I forgot if you post as "anonymous"---I need your name. :) 
   Reply
7. 
   genilynAugust 21, 2013 at 2:55 PM

   2 pieces from the McCaffreys are headed your way via paypal.

   Reply
8. 
   JenAugust 21, 2013 at 4:57 PM

   The Chases are in for five pieces! I'll send the money via PayPal now. :)

   Reply
9. 
   KarlAugust 22, 2013 at 2:11 PM

   We'll send a check for 4 pieces!
   Karl, Casey and Dante

   Reply
10. 
    JennyAugust 22, 2013 at 10:42 PM

    Just bought five pieces! Love from, Bob, Jenny, Otto, Future Baby Moore & Future Baby Eckerman!

    Reply
11. 
    JaneAugust 26, 2013 at 12:53 PM

    Hi, I just bought 4 puzzle pieces. Paid with Paypal just now.
    The Holestines

    Reply
12. 
    cmorrellAugust 26, 2013 at 4:26 PM

    The Morrells are buying 4 pieces! So excited for you and such a creative idea!!! - Carrie, Greg, Emma and Claire

    Reply
13. 
    AlanaAugust 28, 2013 at 10:46 AM

    I just donated via paypal! Love you guys! Alana

    Reply
14. 
    Jen RawsonAugust 29, 2013 at 10:44 PM

    Love you guys.
    Ken and Jen Rawson

    Reply
15. 
    chuck &amp; kimSeptember 5, 2013 at 12:58 AM

    We just sent our donation through Paypal...let me know if you don't get it.
    
    love, hugs, and continued prayers
    chuck & kim

A piece of my heart is so far away.....

Where do we even begin?  I will update with some daily Ethiopia journaling soon (maybe in a week or so once school starts).  We have one full week before school, which includes school shopping (since we have been preoccupied), a little boy turning 8 years old---(I guess that is not so little) :(, and another little boy starting Kindergarten.  agh!!!  (Let the water works begin!)  Today has been such a blessed day (albeit a little tiring) to be reunited with our 3 big kids and love on them.  9 days is a long time to be away.  Tobe said, "I was starting to forget this place."  (our house!)

Meanwhile, a piece of our heart is in Ethiopia.  This part of the wait is supposedly the hardest.  I don't know that yet, I am sure it will be.  I am still suffering from jetlag (i.e. it is 5:30 am and I'm up--which NEVER happens).  But I do know that she is so loved where she is at and is being taken care of until we return and that makes it easier.  Also, knowing I have LOTS to do in the next 5-8 weeks like all things mentioned in paragraph 1, as well as bedroom remodel of the "sisters" room, and sadly me being one more year closer to 40!  I am to the point that I am forgetting what age I am.  LOL!

Some people are still confused.  Chloe is not home.  This process is long and hard.  Every country, every program a bit different with lots of processes and bureacacy.  And it is ever changing.  It has changed multiple times while we've been in the process, and is about to change again (thanking God we beat that deadline).  Chloe is a Strickland according to Ethiopia.  But now we must wait for the US Embassy to say "come back-- she is cleared to immigrate into the USA".  So we wait.....this can be anywhere from 5-10 weeks.  Hopefully shorter. 



So pray as we wait (our final wait!!!)  to go back.......and I promise to post some of our Ethiopian adventures soon-----as most of you know....we have "some".