Get Away...

We were blessed by many Monday evening as sweet friends graciously took care of our children so we could enjoy a night away (with a complimentary stay I might add!) in the French Quarter of New Orleans... We stayed at the Omni Royal, went swimming in their rooftop pool, went out for Coconut Shrimp & Crawfish/Shrimp Etouffe, and then on to Cafe du Monde for mandatory beignets with Cafe au Laits... Wonderful...

Tuesday morning at 8:00 AM we had our biometric fingerprints done (for our 3rd time in less than 3 years!) to finish the last piece of immigration approval paperwork. If our file is processed timely and makes its way to Addis Ababa, then we should have an embassy appointment in Ethiopia to take Joshua home on July 29th! This would be WONDERFUL! Thank you for your continued prayers!

Introducing...

Our newest addition

Eyasu

This is one of the first pictures (above) we received when we began intently praying and preparing for another little boy. We contacted Celebrate Children International about waiting children in Ethiopia. The program director, Sue, sent us Eyasu's information with a few pictures. He captured our hearts... From what we know, Eyasu was orphaned when his birthparents died of illness when he was one year old. He has no siblings and was temporarily raised by an uncle until he was no longer able to care for him... Then he was taken to an orphanage...

Today, the judge in Ethiopian court granted our petition to adopt Eyasu making him officially our son!!! Tears of joy! Now we eagerly await a travel date to bring him home (which could be as early as July 29th!)! Meanwhile, Eyasu translates to Joshua which means "God saves". So, we will change his name through translation to be Joshua Livingstone Merida (adding on a middle name with a new last name:-).

David Livingstone was a medical missionary and explorer devoted to taking the Gospel to the peoples of Africa. While living, he inspired abolitionists of the slave trade, explorers and missionaries. Livingstone passed away while on his knees praying. His African attendants carried his body back to England, with a note that basically read, "You can have his body, but his heart belongs in Africa!" So they cut out his heart and buried it under a Mvula tree near the spot he died...

Joshua is between the ages of 5 - 7 years old (likely closer to 7)...

Our kids have been praying for him everyday...

We hope to be able to take James with us when we travel... what a special time that will be...

Thank you for your love, encouragement and prayers... we continue to covet your prayers as we wait and make necessary preparations to bring our son, Joshua, home... He has been at the transition home now for a few months (longer than most)... He has seen several children come and go... I asked Sue if he understands we're coming to get him... she said, "He will probably run to you and say 'Take me home!'"... Can't wait to hug you my son, taking you out of the orphan bed and into our family forever!

Happy Father's Day!

"Grandchildren are the crown of the aged and the glory of children is their fathers." Proverbs 17:6

Disney World's Magic Kingdom

Thursday, we headed out for a full day of fabulous fun at Disney's Magic Kingdom... When we drove through the front gate where the pictures of Mickey Mouse & Donald Duck our previously quiet van erupted into cheers, laughter and giggles as the kids pointed with excitement!

(Above: The kids before boarding the ferry to cross over to the Magic Kingdom; Below: Our family on Main Street)

Our sweet friends, the Walkers (Tim, Darla & Owen), joined us for the week... a blessing (in more than one way, including free babysitting so we could attend my alumni luncheon!)...

Posing with Donald Duck...

Cruising the Speedway...

Angela was my chauffeur...

When Victoria saw Snow White she immediately ran up and gave her a huge hug... adorable...

We were drenched by a monsoon of a rain delay...

The kids had a blast at a dance party... in fact, James showed off his break-dancing moves... it was awesome....

Tea Cup twistin'...

A little "horse-riding", as they called it...

We finally saw Mickey Mouse at the evening parade, making the day complete...

What a wonderful, wonderful day...

God in His grace granted us safe & smooth travels home on friday... and now we rest....

Wednesday at SBC 2010

We enjoyed attending a little of the convention today and the SEBTS (my alumni) luncheon. Afterwards, it was pool time, school time and meal time. Now we're trying to prepare ourselves for the big day tomorrow - Disney World Magic Kingdom!

(Above: Victoria & Angela with Owen Walker - precious)

Tuesday at SBC Orlando...

Monday night, after the guys returned from the Pastor's Conference, Darla & I went to our hotel lobby for girl time + chocolate = bliss...

Following breakfast with friends, we wandered around the convention showing the kids the ropes. I had the pleasure of attending the SBC Ministers' Wives luncheon with special guest speaker, Jackie Kendall.... very enjoyable... Tony took the kids with him to the B21 luncheon and panel discussion... they did great...

After lunch we headed down to the convention floor to hear the Great Commission Resurgence Task Force Report and vote accordingly... the kids were fabulously behaved as we spent a couple hours on the floor for the GCR... Below is an action shot of Tony with the guys (including David Platt, Andy Adkison, Tim Walker and Jim Shaddix)...

(Below: Platt, Shaddix and Tony posed for a quick mentor/mentor-ees pic)

Great day... we're exhausted. :)

Day 1 of Convention Week...

We finally made it a little after midnight on Sunday to our hotel in Orlando, FL... We are grateful for God's mercy in keeping us safe during the long day of travel...

On Monday, while the guys participated in the pastor's conference, we girls relaxed at the hotel pool... A day of rest was much needed as we girls are slightly under the weather... however, it was a wonderful day...

For dinner, we connected with our friends, the Woodyards, from Indiana... we ran into a few friends at the restaurant including Tony's mentor, Dr. Shaddix... good times had by all... Here's a few snapshots... Convention begins in the morning....

Home For A Day...

We are home for a day before heading to this:

+ a little of this:

It's nice to be home and have a day of rest. It is much needed. I'm fighting fatigue and a little under the weather... would appreciate your prayers, thank you.

Meanwhile, here are a few 'cell phone snapshots' of the last of our time at camp. The kids had a blast backstage...

We asked them their favorite parts of camp: Their replies, "swimming pool, papa preaching, grandparents visit and of course, dancing on stage!"...

James did a little Ukrainian break-dancing... ha...

The kids loved Rush of Fools... the guys are great, not only musically but personally... grateful for their ministry...

The kids were conked out on the way home... I asked Victoria if she wanted to put her picture of the band in her backpack... "no, I want to hold it"... too cute...

So, today we're chillin' out and missing cousins who are hanging in VA beach today... Aunt Priscilla (my sis) is watching cousin Payton while Aunt Amanda (my sis) & Uncle Josh move into their new house in Newport News - woo hoo! Aren't they cute?