Keepin' It Real....

May has been a long month. I guess I did skip right over our 22 months and we are a week out from 23 months.  Today was the first referral in over a month and it was also the first referral for a family that was behind us on the list. (It was a boy referral and the  family had waited 22 months.)  I sure am hoping that there aren't too many referrals behind us....cause that is kind of a poopy feeling.  (Hence the title "Keepin' It Real").  So we remain at #10.

Here is some good news:  the process after referral seems to be moving along quicker.  Of course this can be one of the major variables.  The normal process is birth parent interview, then usually court date would be scheduled 4 weeks after (if everything was in place and the birth parent interview went well).......but I know of 3 families who had a birth parent interview and then were needing to be in Ethiopia within 5-10 days!!!!  {That is NOT much notice, people!}  But that is also so exciting because if we "hypothetically" get a referral at the beginning of June and have our birth parent interview 4-5 weeks later, that means if things move as quickly as they have been we could be in Africa at the end of July!!  THIS IS OUR PRAYER!  Please continue to pray on Chloe's behalf.

We have A LOT going on with our family. Baseball, baseball rain outs, rescheduled baseball and throw in some dance recitals, bible bowl trips, church camp, prepping for VBS (oh yeah, I am interim elementary children't minister for the summer!), swim lessons coming up, etc. So the business of summer will surely be a good distraction and keep me focused instead of a blubbering mess for whatever stage I'm in.  I now have a 5th grader, 2nd grader, and a Kindergartner.  Say WHAT???!!!

                    

We had a wonderful 3rd Annual Love 2 Run 4 Love on Mother's Day weekend.   Due to some amazing sponsors (especially jacobyco---who donated the tshirts), we made about $4200.  Three different families will benefit from this and 5 different orphans (The Kramel's, The Douglas', and us).  My friend, Dianna Kramel celebrated her first official Mother's Day (although in her heart she's been a mama for a long time).   God provided a gorgeous day with wonderful weather and amazing friends and supporters.  So grateful to each and everyone of you! 

 



I have been reminded in May to take nothing for granted, to hug your loved ones often, to say "I love you!" when telling your kiddos good bye, and that we must continue to pray.  I've attended 3 funerals in May (well one is this weekend--but he went to Jesus in May).  One was after a long battle of illness, one was a shock even in the midst of a continued storm (thinking things were turning around for the better) and one was so tragic there was no way you could even imagine it coming, ranging from a 77 year old to a 2 year old.  {Sidenote:  I was blessed to see the 2 year old's celebration of life memorial service via a live stream---which was just so moving.  Blessed by this family's testimony and faithfulness in the midst of brokenness and I haven't even met them in 'real' life. If possible, please watch this small segment where the pastor shares some thoughts on adoption, both literally and our adoption into Christ's family.  It is worth the watch!}  The entire service is long as you might expect so you can just skip to 1:19:20 or so and find it. His entire message starts around 1:10:10.  Click HERE to watch.

Ethiopian princess.

 

My jr high and high school BFF, Christy got to meet up at Nick's wedding.  :)





My best friend and I on a much needed R&R in downtown
 New Haven, MO on the river.  I highly recommend it!
Thanks Missy for loving on our kiddos!

But I have also had a few praises this month after praying for years for some of them.  We were able to witness 2 weddings (one renewal).  Chris got to be a groomsmen for a dear, dear friend who now works with some of our closest, bestest friends (a bit jealous, but trying to get over it and yes I know 'bestest' is not a word).  The three funerals were all people who loved Christ and are with the angels in heaven.  One family is on their way to Ghana right now to meet their 3 children and stand in court to say "yes" to being their forever family after 1 1/2 years of waiting.  Already mentioned my friend Dianna, who the day after Mother's Day learned about the day she would meet her son and has already been to Ethiopia and back, passed court and is waiting to go back to get her sweet son {seriously, people the lashes on this boy are breathtaking!}, one of my best friends that I have been praying for the last 5-6 years recieved a good prognosis on her reoccuring brain tumor.  It is so good for the heart when you see prayers answered, even after such long waits.  It reminds me of 1 Peter 4: 12-13 from the Message: "Friends, when life gets really difficult don't jump to the conclusion that God isn't on the job---instead be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced.  This is a spiritual refining process with glory just around the corner."  It is good to see God's answers.  It is good to see growth during the refining process (even though we don't like it) and I KNOW that God is on the job.  He always has been.  I'm just waiting to turn the corner!

Braxton Hicks.....

I have never fully been in labor until after already being at the hospital.  Eden was two days overdue and I went in because I had a high leak and then went into labor after much walking in the hospital that day.  Eli was induced on his due date and by noon we all figured out we weren't getting anywhere and with his estimated weight we ended up having a c-section.  Tobe was a repeated c-section a week before his due date. So I never had the contractions or the false labor or the "should we go to the hospital now?" feeling.  I never even had serious braxton hicks contractions.

Well leave it to the non-pregnancy to have my first braxton hicks (metaphorically speaking).  Anyways, the two real life friend couples that we have visited with got their referral when they were #13.  Did I mention WE are #13?  I also know that after the most recent referrals we may be at #1 or #2 for a toddler.  Just can't really know for sure, several people in front of us want sibling groups or an infant baby.   So it literally could be any day, but it also could be several months.  (Of course, that is making it very different from a pregnancy b/c there is no official due date in sight----I posted about our "expectancy" a long time ago HERE). 

So I am super excited and yet super crazy all at the same time.  I had several daydream scenarios today playing out in my head about how it could/would go down {today, mind you}.  And yet it did not.  I'm afraid I could have these scenarios daily....so I NEED prayer.

I really have no clue how to stop my brain....besides my friends covering me in prayer.  I can't imagine doing this for several months.  So here are a few specific prayer requests:

1.  Continue to pray for our hearts, minds, and patience as we continue to wait for our referral day and see her sweet face for the first time.  (From any day to still several months)

2.  Pray for a QUICK referral.  Ethiopia courts close from mid August thru October due to rainy season. In essence, the court process just stops.  Referrals can still be made and those that made it to court can still be processed on thru embassy....SO my prayer is that if a referral is coming soon that it would come in time that we could make it to court at beginning of August.  (this would be somewhat miraculous at this point---to put things in perspective our friends who got their referral on Feb. 27th probably will go to court at the beginning to mid June---so we are running out of time).  The downfall???  Well it just means when we do get that referral we will have a 2 month longer wait period before we ever get to see her in person because court at the earliest will be late October.

3.  Continue to pray for our hearts, minds, and patience as we continue to wait for our referral day and see her sweet face for the first time. (From any day to still several months)  {Oh wait, I already said that didn't I?  :)  Well I truly mean it.)

Thank you for following along on our journey. 

21 Month Waitaversary

We have reached 21 Months.....

We have REACHED 21 Months......

We have reached 21 MONTHS.......

WE have reached 21 Months.......

We HAVE reached 21 Months......

I guess any way you say it---it means the same thing.  We are still waiting.  The last family that moved us up to #14 was actually #11 on the list.  So I am having heart palpitations these days.  :)
Of course the good kind.  So please pray.  It can literally be any day to still several months away.  It would be miraculous to not have a post with 22 months???  Am I right???

One reason is because on May 11th--(Saturday before Mother's Day) we are having our 3rd Annual Love 2 Run 4 Love....I would love to show her picture off.  (Cause unfortunately all you non-local peeps that are following our story will not get to see her picture till after our first trip to Africa and we pass court). 

So if you are in the Franklin County area at all please come join us for this 5K run/walk....It will benefit TWO sweet Ethiopians.....(us and the Krammel family).  Message me for a registration form.  Deadline for our fun t-shirt is April 25th!!! So sign up today. 

Dear Precious Daughter,

We are waiting for you.  We cannot wait until God puts you in our lap and we get to see your face.  We are praying for your health, your caregivers, your country, and your birth family.  Your brothers and sister are praying for you too.  They cannot wait to add you to our crazy family.  You are worth the wait---we already know that.  God has big plans for your life and I cannot wait to see how you are going to bloom.   His love is amazing and I can't quite understand how He loves you more than we do.....but He DOES!!!!

Love,
Your Mommy-to-Be

March Madness according to the Strickland's

March was a busy month in our household......

Chris' bracket is falling apart and I'm  not holding out for a big win there---

(other than that  there is nothing about basketball in this post (sorry))

 

March 17th---Eden Dawn turned 10 years old!!! Can you even believe it?

She got her big girl Bible and some yummy Los Cabos on her bday

 as well as a 9 other crazy girls at our house for a sleepover (on the 15th).

   I'm on the Board of Directors for Hannah's Refuge---a non-profit long term safe house for women and children.  We held our first trivia night and it was a huge success....but with a late night (Eden helped sell bake goods) here and the night before---I began to be sleep deprived.  :)  For more information on Hannah's Refuge go HERE.

 

March 24th  Palm Sunday, Winter Storm Virgil came by and dropped the biggest snow fall in years to the STL (10+ inches)---so it was a snow day for us. Sunday church was cancelled and then no school on Monday.  (Welcome Spring???)  We opted for mini-snow people rather than one big snowman. 

March 26th--Chris and I celebrated 14 years of marriage.  I love the man more every year.  He is so good for me and to me (and our growing family)

 

Speaking of growing family.....March 28th there was a referral (Big Woohoo right here!) which made our new number #15.  Even more exciting than that, were hints that we might be higher up the list for a toddler than we thought.  Bottom line:  Any day, week, or month is still an option to see her face.  (Others have made it to month 26 and we will be 21 months waiting in 1 week!)

 

March 31st---He IS Risen!!!  Celebrated Resurrection Sunday at FCC.  I love my family and our church family.  Do pray that Eden will fit this dress made by my friend Cynthia Frame because we have a matching outfit for Chloe. :/ (Insert Wes King's song:  "We Thought You'd Be Here By Now")

My kids make me smile!!!

Truth is.....

     So I've never been the best meditator, but this adoption process has had me chewing on some different verses and scriptures the last year (or two).  I like chewing on a piece of scripture and coming back to it again and again and seeing that it rings true.  There are days where I can be so encouraged and on cloud nine one day thinking things are moving along quite nicely----the next week thinking "uh....it is so slow".....and discouraged. 
    I know everything is in His perfect timing--but it is hard to live by that rule.  Even tonight Chris mentioned a wedding he may do in December.  I asked if he mentioned Africa---ugh....did I really say that....surely she will be home way before December??? 

    Anyways, back to Truth.  Truth is.........

The Lord will fight for you, you need only to be still.  Exodus 14:14

5 Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. 6 He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. 7 My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.8 Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.   Psalm 62:5-8

²⁸ “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”  Matthew 11:28

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1

^12-13 Friends, when life gets really difficult, don’t jump to the conclusion that God isn’t on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner........So if you find life difficult because you’re doing what God said, take it in stride. Trust him. He knows what he’s doing, and he’ll keep on doing it.
 1 Peter 4:12-13,19

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways ackowledge Him, and he will make your paths straight.  Proverbs 3:5

³ Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. ⁴ For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love ⁵ he^[b] predestined us for adoption to sonship^[c] through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— ⁶ to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.  Ephesians 1:3-6

So we can say with confidence, "The LORD is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?" Hebrews 13:6

    "How great is the Love the Father has lavished on us, that we should
be called children of God. And that is what we are!" 1 John 3:1

¹ In you, Lord my God,
I put my trust.

² I trust in you;
do not let me be put to shame,
nor let my enemies triumph over me.
³ No one who hopes in you
will ever be put to shame,
but shame will come on those
who are treacherous without cause.

⁴ Show me your ways, Lord,
teach me your paths.
⁵ Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.
⁶ Remember, Lord, your great mercy and love,
for they are from of old.
⁷ Do not remember the sins of my youth
and my rebellious ways;
according to your love remember me,
for you, Lord, are good.     Psalm 25

 

The Truth is....God is good.  God is faithful. God is loving and worth our trust.  He brings hope. He brings rest. He is our refuge and mighty rock. He builds my character. He is guiding.   He is working.  He is fighting. He is salvation.  He alone.

 

What verses have you been meditating on?  Care to share?