Wednesday, November 25, 2009

For Thanksgiving

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I share a child's prayer of thanks said at meals in the orphanage in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. It's humbling to understand their thankfulness for what we westerners might find to be so very little. I hope your Thanksgiving tables are bountiful, your circle of friends and family is full of love, and that you work for ways to share that bounty and widen that circle in the coming year.

(Amharic)

Besima ab wold bmenfes-kidus ahadn amlak Amen.

Ig-ze-hab-ehair hoi yehenin megib latu letr-rabu kema-yalkou berakaten ende-miti-seta-chawn-na ber-legha be-Yesus Christos sem Amen.

Yeseru yesetu ejoch yebaracu belegha be-Yesus Christos sem Amen.

(Translation)

In the name of the father, the son, and the holy ghost amen.
Oh God, for those who don't have food, for the starved ones, for the everlasting gift of your son Jesus Christ. Amen.
Bless those who worked and gave their hands to the hungry and starving. In the name of Jesus, amen.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

An Update on Waiting

Ah... still waiting after 10.5 months on the referral waiting list...after 15 months since our initial contact with the adopting agency...waiting....good things come to those who wait?

Talked to our case manager today who said we are likely to receive a referral in March/April (please not as late as May!). And if all goes well, should travel to Ethiopia to finally become parents sometime during May/June/July 2010.

So keep your fingers crossed for us as we hope these timelines don't continue to stretch into the great and endless future...

We are thankful that a big chunk of the wait is behind us, and for our supportive friends and family this Thanksgiving.