No ridges on my fingerprints...what?

This is the picture of a fingerprint... not my fingerprint, however, because apparently I am missing the ridges that are necessary to properly identify a fingerprint. You may be asking yourself....what does this mean? The one piece of paper that we are waiting for in order to move on with our adoption is from the FBI stating that I have no arrest record. What we got instead, was a piece of paper from the FBI saying that they were unable to identify my fingerprint.

*sense the disappointment

Unfortunately, this is a 2 month process... that I have to do again and again until the FBI will accept my ridgeless fingerprints.

I was devastated! I sat in my room, weeping, thinking that my daughter has to wait at least an additional 2+ months because of this delay.

*insert GOD here

I got a message from my sister today before she knew the situation, it said: Give God Time! "He makes everything beautiful in it's time. " Eccl. 3:11
Trust Him today no matter how it looks. Your due season will come."

My mom sent this verse, "Do not fear, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

I am not sure why this delay has happened, but I am sure that God is in control of it ALL! I trust Him! I am sure that one day we will look back on this situation and it will be clear that this delay was for our greater good.

Praying for Sehin!

I find myself studying the few pictures that we have of Sehin. That's her, in the middle, wearing pink pants and a grey sweater. I love that this picture was not posed... it catches her in a moment of joy.

From what we hear, she enjoys spending time and helping with the younger children. We can imagine her at home with us...maybe playing barbies with Jenna or playing soccer with Kayla. We can't wait to get pictures like this... catching her in a moment of joy... with her new family.

JESUS loves the little children...

I love how Jenna exemplifies Christ-like qualities! She's SO excited for her new sister to come home from Africa.

Home Study

"The adoption home study is a detailed written report of your family compiled and prepared by a social worker. This can take three to six months to finish. The adoption home study requires the prospective adoptive family to gather different documents, answer several questions, and explore their reasons for adopting. Through a series of visits and interviews the social worker can get a complete picture of who you are and what life is like in your family."

We've almost completed our home study. We've met with our social worker three times. We're essentially just waiting to get our FBI fingerprint clearance and then we can proceed on with this process.

This has been a great learning process for me (Amy). I am someone who likes to be on schedule and it has been a time to surrender that desire. I have to know that God is in control of this whole process and His timing is perfect.

*If you are a mom, you would know my heart though; my baby is half-way around the world and I am waiting on paperwork, of all things, to go and bring her home.

"Ye Ganna baal" Christmas Holiday

Christmas is a very important holiday in Ethiopia, since over half of the population is Orthodox Christian. It is celebrated on January 7th.

There are a few key components to Christmas in Ethiopia:

1. Manger scenes always have the 3 maji since it is believed that the king who gave frankincense was King Balthazar of Ethiopia.

2. Frankincense is a part of much of the celebrations.

3. Ethiopians attend a Christian Orthodox church service if there is one nearby.

4. Sing carols and carry candies during and after the service.

5. Eat an Ethiopian meal, usually Doro wat (stew).

6. Play games.


As we approach Christmas in our own home, we pray for of our gift from God about 10,000 miles away.

Sehin wanted to know...

We are blessed to have some contact with the orphanage director in Ethiopia. He lets us know how Sehin is doing. He gives her pictures that we send and she is able to ask some questions about our family.

One of the pictures that we sent was a family Christmas picture. There was snow in the background. Sehin wondered if it was cold here all the time. Oh honey, it can get cold here in Spokane. We wear warmer clothes when it gets cold. It can be so much fun to play in the snow though. Zac, Kayla, Jacob and Jenna like to take the snow and make a ball out of it. You can throw the snowballs at each other.

Sehin asked what we do for a job. She wanted to know how much time she would have to be alone. Oh love, we are both teachers. We work while the children are at school but we get to spend the rest of the time together. You won't have to be alone.

Sehin said, "Mam and Dad, hurry hurry, please come and take me home to America." Oh, sweet daughter, we are coming as fast as we can. We can't wait to take you home and to care for you. We want you to feel safe and loved. We don't want you to have to worry any more. You can trust us. God sent us to be your forever family.

Another way to help...

I got a call from a new friend, Maliaka Hefling, who offered to help us raise money for our adoption fund. She's donating her commission on Scentsy orders to our adoption fund!

I was floored! Not only did she take the time to read about our situation, she felt like she wanted to help and be a part of bringing Sehin home!

If you are looking for some Christmas gifts for family or friends, check out the Scentsy products on her website... it will do MORE good than you know! *Look for Sehin's fundraiser link

https://fragrantoffering.scentsy.us/home