Estes TRIBE

survived week one...

2010-01-26T07:17:00.001-08:00

Our first week home was very challenging. David and I are learning to be parents while managing jet-lag and speaking two different languages. We have visited our local "Chick-fil-a" playground frequently. I'm getting sick of chicken strips, but enjoy the moments of laughter as the boys climb up and down the slide.

Wednesday night we took the boys to our worship rehearsal. They really love music!

I think the guitar is their favorite, but Daddy had them playing piano by his side. It was such a precious sight to watch them playing music with their Daddy. It was definitely a joyful noise.

On Thursday we introduced the boys to New York City. So much for keeping their world small. They loved the bus ride into Port Authority. David met up with my Dad and they

both took the boys to a motorcycle exhibition. I enjoyed a kid free lunch and some shopping with my Mom. It was a wonderful day for all!

We appreciate your continued prayers as we learn how to cultivate these precious gifts from God! We need more strength than we have ever needed before. Our respect for other parents grows daily.

This is truly a great adventure!!!

(my boys dreaming of the open road;-)

THE MIRACLES

2010-01-21T07:22:00.001-08:00

Our first family photo may just look like 4 happy people that don't really resemble each other all that much - and on the surface that's all it really is...

But the truth of what you're seeing is much more than that.

OK, now is the time for the disclaimer... I am about to indulge in the bloggers greatest sin -

"TMI" (too much information). God has been so good to us and has given us so many infallible proofs that He is in our midst, that we just have to stop and recount as much of it as we can remember. Future blogs will disclose the challenges of International travel - jetlag - language barriers - the horrors of the unprepared first-time parents... etc.

But THIS entry is all about MIRACLES. Not what we asked for - but better than we had hoped (with apologies to Lynette Lewis;-)

We started trying to conceive in 1997. We were both healthy, both young, and both busy. We just figured "it would happen" when God was ready for it to happen. Career changes, promotions, exotic vacations, and all the stuff that a childless couple enjoys were just part of our lives. We didn't really feel the emptiness - we just knew that we were called to be parents. Then 2001 happened. We were called to leave our careers and re-enter full-time vocational ministry (that was pretty traumatic - but in a sense it was the greatest adventure of our lives up to that point). We reasoned that we had not conceived because God knew how hard it would be to travel in our old green van and raise missionary support for 8 months, and that was why we didn't have a baby yet. Four years later we reasoned that He had delayed our miracle because of the trials and tribulations of another new Church-plant in Philadelphia. Then, we decided that the almost-free IVF clinical trial that we qualified for was probably parent of God's plan for us to reach other people in our process. Even after our subsequent miscarriage we saw God's hand at work in the timing - but we didn't have children yet.

Then came the email on July 1, 2009 where t

he photo of waiting children at an orphanage in Ethiopia popped up on our screen.

All the time we were going through our stuff, asking God hard questions, asking ourselves hard questions, trying to persevere, giving up a little, reclaiming our position in faith, waiting again... ANOTHER set of miracles was taking place on the other side of the world.

A mother with eight children, living in a tribal village many miles from a settled town loses her husband unexpectedly to disease. She reasons in her heart that her two youngest children will not survive the hardships and challenges of life in their village, so she sets out on a journey of faith - to deliver her 2 precious young children to strangers - all the while praying that God would establish their way and protect them. Somehow, and we will never know exactly how, they find their way to a National Orphanage who turns them over to Hannah's Hope, where our friend Kelly Putty snapped their photo, which made its way to our desktop a few days later.

Their intake photos show two very sad-looking kids who seem lost. A month later Kelly took the photos of two kids who were adjusting well and full of life.

On that day in July when we saw their picture, one of our closest friends was also opening her email and seeing a photo of ANOTHER little boy who's story is even more extreme and challenging than ours. The picture of the BEST-FRIEND of our oldest boy was moving the heart of our friend a few hundred miles from us - and unbeknownst to either of us, we both began the application process that day!

Once we found-out about each-other, naturally we started comparing notes, and racing to see who could get finished with each hurdle faster than the other;-) We also began to pray earnestly asking God to allow us to travel together to get our boys. The Adoption Agency (All God's Children, Inc.) warned us that this was highly unlikely and would take a MIRACLE (duh...).

The "pins and needles" that we all experienced throughout December would take too much time to write - but suffice it to say that at times we were hoping against all hope that we would get to travel together. The good news is that we DID travel together - on the same planes - and stayed in the same hotel - just 2-doors down from each other! We took meals together, had our kids play together, and shared the joy of the kids' first airplane ride together!

Our little guys are adjusting to their new home, new time zone, and new language - but just as we (and many of you) prayed, our bond with them was almost instantaneous! It feels like we've been together forever. THIS IS THE BIGGEST MIRACLE OF ALL!

Nesting & Packing

2010-01-04T06:02:00.000-08:00

We are leaving this week, January 7th to travel to Ethiopia to get our boys! I haven't been able to sleep at night. My mind is racing with our list of things to do and imaging what our first encounter with our sons will be like.

Their bedroom is ready with cute bunk beds. Their little winter coats are hanging on low hooks by the front door and the bathroom is stocked with bubble bath.

I'm actually looking forward to little finger prints on our stainless steel fridge. I'm sure I will get over that quickly, but we have waited so long to be tripping over toys and wiping up spills that I'm even excited about that.

We will be flying out of JFK in New York with our friends from Nashville, to Dubai. After a one-night layover we will fly to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. On Sunday will we go to Hannah's Hope Orphanage, meet our sons, and take them back to the hotel with us! On Monday we will have our U.S. Embassy Appointment to get all the official paperwork done.

Please keep us in your prayers. We are praying for safe travel, for all paperwork & visas to go smoothly, and an INSTANT divine connection with these boys.

Court Date

2009-12-14T08:17:00.000-08:00

Today is our Ethiopian Court Date. We found out the night before Thanksgiving that December 14th was our day. I can hardly function as we await the results. Once we are approved we will be given an estimated travel date. It's all just TOO exciting!!!

Time seems to move faster around the Holidays, which is a blessing because waiting is so hard.

Last month my friends and sisters (who are also my friends) gathered in Nashville, TN to celebrate our adoption. It was amazing to be in a room with so many friends who have adopted or are in the process. If you are reading this blog, watch-out, this heart of adoption is contagious!!!

Here is a photo of two of my best friends. Missy (on my left) is also adopting a boy from the same orphanage in Ethiopia. We are praying that we will be able to travel to Ethiopia together to bring our sons home. Tina (on the right) is my friend who send the original email with the boys' photo that captured our hearts. Life is so much richer when sharing it with friends like these!

That's all for now - we now will wait anywhere from a day to a month for the news of our approval and estimated travel dates... we will keep you posted as soon as we hear any updates.

Handmade African Necklaces Make GREAT GIFTS!

2009-11-04T12:34:00.000-08:00

These beautiful handmade necklaces come in three styles. "Style A" (pictured above LEFT)is a long necklace (or could be used as a bracelet) of colorful beads. It's approximately 48" in length, and it's one of those pieces that people always ask about. "Style B" (picture RIGHT) is the Metal Medallion (approx. 18-20"). "Style C" (pictured RIGHT - below) is similar to Style B, but is a handcrafted and hand-painted wooden medallion.

All 3 styles are available for $20 each, plus $5 shipping and handling. The same "Buy Now" link can be used that we set-up for T-SHIRTS - just please specify which Style Necklace you would like - OR what size T-SHIRT you want.

Again, Thank You so much for helping us bring our boys home, and for being a part of our miracle!

Wall of Faith

2009-10-16T04:54:00.000-07:00

The last weekend in September was a special time for me as I co-hosted an annual women's conference in New York City called PureLife with Lynette Lewis. This was our seventh year producing the event together. My emotions were running high as I reflected on the conference last year which was only three weeks after my miscarriage.

Sorrow may last for the night, but joy comes in the morning!!!

It was such a joy to share the news of our adoption with the hundreds of women in attendance. The celebration was so sweet. It was fun to see all the beautiful ladies wearing our t-shirts to help support us to bring our boys home.

We took a moment at the Saturday morning session to write a statement of faith on a fabric covered wall that lined the front of the stage. I asked my mother to write my declaration for me. It was simply the word "Mommy." I can't wait to hear those words!

Our home study has been completed, so we are one step closer to our life changing voyage to Ethiopia.

waiting

2009-09-21T08:38:00.000-07:00

There hasn’t been much to write about this past week. We are waiting for the first draft of our Home Study report. The visits went really well. The hardest part of the Home Study was to make sure that our social worker understood when David was joking. He made me nervous a couple of times, but I laughed extra loud to make sure she knew he was kidding. Fourteen years of marriage and I still laugh at all (well most) of his jokes.

We expect to have the report at the end of this week. It will then be sent to our agency in Oregon for final adjustments. Daily I am reminded of the bible verse in Philippians 4:6

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

While I’m praying that God will enable us to bring our boys home as soon as possible, I’m so thankful for Hannah’s Hope. As far as orphanages go, this place really loves-on the children and provides a wonderful environment for them to grow as they wait for their forever family.

Below is a link to a video on Hannah’s Hope.

**warning – the shoe part made me cry**

http://www.allgodschildren.org/ethiopia_hh.html

T-SHIRTS

2009-09-02T10:16:00.001-07:00

Our dear friend Tanner Rollins designed this AMAZING shirt to help us raise funds for our Adoption and Travel. This shirt is a very high quality 100% pre-shrunk cotton, and the design is stunning. I'm really impressed by Tanner's artistry, and also by the overwhelming number of friends who agreed to buy one, even before we finished it.

Want to help us, AND wear the coolest shirt you've ever seen at the same time?

Here's the deal - Shirts are $20 if you pick them up, $25 if I ship them.

Send an email to notdave.david@gmail.com with your SIZE and address, I'll send you back a paypal invoice. Then I'll ship the shirt!

SIZES AVAILABLE:

Unisex/Men's S, M, L, XL and

Fashion Cut S, M, L, XL {Fashion Cut tends to run smaller & more girly}

THANK YOU FOR HELPING US WITH OUR ADOPTION!!!!

{PS - you're going to look SO HOT in this shirt!}

Steps Forward

2009-08-25T08:02:00.000-07:00

It has taken us several weeks to find a Notary Public who's commission is good for a year or-more, to meet us at our Doctor's office. After multiple phone calls to "mobile" notaries without success, we discovered that a friend from Church is a Notary! What a blessing! Today we are finally getting our "medical forms" checked off the list. Thank you Keller family!!!

This Thursday is our first Home Study visit. We aren't sure what to expect, but I can't wait to get started. The paper work required before they would meet with us took over a month to gather. Clearance letters from every state we have lived in since the age of 18 was a major pain, considering how much we have moved. Well... it's also been a while since we were 18.

This is a great week of moving closer to our boys coming home. We received a call that Chernet, the oldest, had chicken pox. It was going around the orphanage. It made my desire to be mothering him and caring for him so very real. They assured me that he is being well taken care of and everyone encouraged me that it's a good thing that he has gotten the chicken pox over with.

Now we're off to the Doctor's office, then the Police Station (more about that later). Thanks for riding this roller coaster with us!

Going “Green”

2009-08-14T08:52:00.000-07:00

The adoption process has brought attention to the fact that my “Green” card needs to be renewed. You wouldn’t believe (unless you-too are an “alien”) what kind of intimidating and oppressive atmosphere they create at the USCIS Office (a.k.a. “Immigration”). While at the immigration office I met a lady who overheard me mentioning that I was in the process of an International adoption. She shared with me that she recently adopted a 4-year-old special-needs boy from China. She gushed as she talked about her son stating, ”This is the best thing my Husband and I have ever done.” Her child has Cerebral Palsy.

Her next statement was, “I have learned so much about what it means to be adopted by God.” Wow. The more I’ve thought about her statement the more God has shown me that He loves us just as we are. He adopted us with all our imperfections. He takes full responsibility for our care. He gladly becomes our source for all of our needs, both spiritual, as well as natural. His grace and His love give us hope for a future, just like this little boy from China!

I’m thankful to God for the divine appointment of meeting this woman while standing in line at the Immigration office. She was from Belfast, Northern Ireland, which is where most of my extended family lives. It was such an encouragement to me (and a really-cool “small-world” moment…) as we continue on this adventure of bringing our boys home.

2009-08-08T04:52:00.000-07:00

It’s a small world after all

This week I received “royal” mail. I opened the package with great expectation to discover it was certified copies of my birth certificate that I had ordered from England. Getting copies of a birth certificate sounds like an easy request, but not when one of you was born in England and the other was born in Japan.

David’s parents were serving in the military when he was born, so he entered the world in Fukuoka, Japan. The two of us now live in the birthplace of America, Philadelphia, and are adopting two sons from Ethiopia.

Our lives are like the ride at DisneyWorld with the beautiful dolls singing in their native tongue, “It’s a small world after all”. I was going to try and write it in French, but all I’ve got is “ Un petit”.

I’m so thankful to call the Creator of the Universe, “Abba Father”. Nothing is impossible for Him. He brought David and I together from two different parts of the world and now he is connecting us with our sons. He’s got the whole world in His hands!!!

fingerprints

2009-07-30T06:38:00.000-07:00

Part of the adoption paperwork is fingerprinting. I was so nervous getting my fingerprints taken. The woman kept telling me to relax, which didn’t help. I told her I’ve watched too many CSI episodes.

It still amazes me that God has given each of us a unique set of fingerprints, even identical twins! Our fingerprints are a small physical example of how He has stamped a unique identity and destiny on each and every life.

David and I can’t wait to begin discovering the talents and passions of Chernet & Misganaw. We are so excited about cultivating the seeds of destiny that God has planted in their hearts. We are praying daily for their emotions, their minds, and even their names – which we are trusting God to reveal.

Our fingerprint reports came back clean. I knew I had no reason to be nervous. Still I’m thankful that even if I had sordid past, in Christ, my record would be clean!

a picture says a thousand words

2009-07-16T06:52:00.000-07:00

Has an image ever turned your world around?

On July 1st our lives were forever changed by an attachment to an email from a friend of mine. The photo was taken by our friend, Kelly Putty at an orphanage in Ethiopia. She is a professional photographer using her gift to help find forever families for the children in the waiting program at Hannah's Hope.

Words can't describe the emotions that ran through me when I first saw their little faces. I couldn't contain the tears as I tried to tell David to come and look at my computer. He pointed to the very children I was moved by and said "Let's get them".

Two weeks later our dining room table is covered with paper work. We have been approved by the Adoption Agency to pursue the adoption of these two precious brothers. We are discovering daily all that we need to learn about adoption and parenting, but we are not alone.

One of our dearest friends in Nashville received the same email and are adopting one of the other boys from Kelly's photos.

We are overjoyed to be walking through this process with such amazing family and friends!