Miracle of Adoption

12 month giveaway

2011-12-12T22:21:00.001-08:00

Laura is amazing at what she does! She is SO creative. Don't know what I am talking about?! Go to www.pitterpatterart.wordpress.com. I wish I was half as talented as she is. I love every piece!! :)). She is doing a giveaway every month they wait for their referral for their new son! Check out her site. I am really hoping I win!

PS. Sorry I've been MIA. Will return soon with pics of our newest addition, Levi Steven. :))

Our Day in Court

2011-07-03T22:22:00.000-07:00

By Charlie Beal
I always thought my first time sitting at the lawyers table in a courtroom would be much different. You see, I wasn’t exactly the model high-schooler. I wasn’t a terrible kid, but like many teenagers these days, I got caught up in the excitement (and stupidity) of underage drinking, partying, and basically doing a bunch of stuff I shouldn’t have. I’m sure I did a few illegal things back in the day, so I always thought my first time in court would be a terrible and humbling experience, filled with tears and remorse.

Although, I didn’t have it totally correct, my first time in a courtroom was, in fact, a terribly humbling experience. Today, surrounded by family (a handful of our many supportive prayer warriors), my wife, daughter, son and I sat and listened as a judge declared that Jeremiah is ours for all intensive purposes, “as if born to us.” The tears of remorse I thought I’d cry were replaced with joyful slowly moving ones as the judge spoke.

With Jeremiah sitting on my lap, happily playing with Lightning McQueen and Francesco Bernoulli, I listened to the judge use words like, “authority”, “judgment”, and “decree.” These words are common in a courtroom and while they might not bring to mind anything significant to others, they definitely caught my attention.

Those words spoken by the judge reminded me of our Heavenly Father. How we are adopted through the brutal death of Jesus…how we can live in hope and love…and how one day we will stand in front of God on our day of judgment.

You see, from the Mt. Everest of paperwork…to the incredible financial cost…to the excruciating waiting period, the entire adoption process was tough and at times seemed like there would be no end. But there was an end…a glorious end! Today was a day of celebration, but one thing stuck out to me…we didn’t have to die for Jeremiah to bring him into our family. All the work, time, and money spent on bringing Jeremiah home by far pales in comparison to what Jesus did to bring us into His family. Our Savior lived a perfect life, was brutally beaten, and paid the ultimate price, so we could be adopted into the family of Christ.

Today, we stood in front of the judge without fear, knowing we had done everything right to bring Jeremiah home and into our family. One day we’ll stand before God and Jesus will be right beside us knowing He did everything right to bring us home and into His family.

Life throws us all kinds of curveballs; full of discouragement, sin, and pain, but because of Jesus, there too will be a glorious end.
Humbled by His love, grace, sacrifice and forgiveness, I thank Jesus for today…for using Jeremiah to remind me of my own adoption and how I’m forever His.

We've been busy...

2011-06-29T17:10:00.001-07:00

So we haven't been around lately because...

We've been busy. Everyone says that but really we have been!! :-)

A few updates

1. We are pregnant. Since we've been blog absent for so long I am now 32 weeks. We weren't expecting this to happen so soon but we are excited!

2. We found out the two boys that we were praying about and for have a family!!!! We couldn't pursue adopting them because we found out we were pregnant. It was bittersweet but we knew God had a plan. Obviously those sweet boys were meant to be with another family.

3. Jeremiah is talking NON STOP! It is so cute. We just love hearing him mimic and talk in sentences. Hearing car, car, car, truck, truck, truck...BIG TRUCK, BIG TRUCK, BIG TRUCK over and over in the car can get annoying though. ;-)

4. Emmy has lost two teeth now! She is swimming like a pro and is an amazing sister.

5. We are LOVING summer! We are soaking it up, going to the pool everyday!

6. We are still praying about God's plan for our fourth child. We believe God wants us to adopt again. Both Charlie and I feel passionately about this. We are praying for God's leading!

7. I am on the Board of Directors for our Agency in my state of Oregon. I am excited for this opportunity!

8. We just went to court for Jeremiah's adoption ceremony. It was such a special day!! Charlie wrote about it so I will post that next.

Well that is all the updates I can think of...Blessings!!

He giveth more grace by Annie J. Flint

2011-02-06T20:17:00.000-08:00

He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength as our labors increase;
To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials He multiplies peace.

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father’s full giving is only begun.

Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision,
Our God ever yearns His resources to share;
Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing;
The Father both thee and thy load will upbear.

His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-24T22:26:00.000-08:00

"For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6

Are we adopting again?!

2010-12-13T09:31:00.000-08:00

By Charlie Beal

My Life is Not My Own
Go ahead and say it with me, “My life is not my own.” It sounds pretty powerful, doesn’t it? For me, saying these words is exhilarating. It gives me visions of being the selfless person I’ve always wanted to be…a life-changer, and somewhat of a hero. It makes my chest puff out, my muscles feel a little bigger, and my self-esteem sky rocket. But in truth, when I stop and really think about what these words mean, my selfish side takes over. The initial joy and motivation the words bring is almost instantly gone when I think of reality of what my life would be if I truly lived by those words. Visions of me never getting time to go on a date with my wife, never getting time to myself, or never getting to take a guys golf trip, are all that fill my mind. The new truck I want, the Hawaiian vacation, the country club membership…all gone.

If you have kids, you probably understand that really, your life is already not fully your own. From the moment you wake up to the time you go to bed, you basically exist to meet their needs and keep them safe. Whether you go to work to make money to support them or make meals, bath them, and comfort them, your every day goal is to take care of them first and yourself second.

Why is this subject even on my mind these days? Well, I’ll try to give you the short version. As you may know, we adopted our sweet boy, Jeremiah, from Ethiopia in March of this year. The night before we left for Ethiopia, I had a dream we would meet our next child on our trip. In the dream, I was hanging out and playing soccer with a boy at an orphanage. At the end of our time together, I told the boy, “If you’re here a year from now, I’ll come back for you.” It was a very vivid dream, but was quickly forgotten when we arrived in Ethiopia because of the hectic first few days we had there. The first day we met our son, the second we actually got to take him with us, the third we went shopping, and the fourth day we visited a few orphanages.

At the second orphanage we visited that day, we blew up balloons and played with many kids. After a few minutes of playing, a 5 year-old boy walked up to me, said something in Amharic, grabbed my hand and led me into the orphanage. Inside, he very proudly showed me his bed and took me back to the classroom where he pointed to English letters and pronounced them as best he could. After getting through about half the alphabet, he grabbed my hand again and led me outside, where he quickly pulled out a soccer ball and kicked it toward me. Like a ton of bricks, memories of my dream hit me at full force. While continuing to kick the ball back and forth and acting like a fool to keep him laughing, all I could think was, “Is this our next child? Is God really doing what I think He’s doing right now?” After a few more minutes of me flopping around like a rag-doll and letting him score goals on me, he suddenly stopped, staring at me intently, and let out a loud karate, “Waaaaa” while striking a Bruce Lee-stance. (Funny, as our 5 year-old daughter was in the “karate” stage.) I thought, “He’s happy, he’s goofy…sounds like a Beal to me.”

A few days later, we saw the boy at the Transitional Home after his doctor check-up and I was fortunate enough to get to play with him a little more before we headed back to the hotel. Before leaving, however, we let a representative from our agency know that, “if he is still on the Waiting Child list in six-months, we would like more information on him.” Long-story-short, he is still on the list and (SURPRISE!!!) he has an older brother…and (SURPRISE-PART DEUX) they both have medical conditions.

After finding out about the brother and the medical conditions, I thought, “We probably don’t have the money to support two more kids, let alone kids with medical conditions.” Plus, I’ve always heard you shouldn’t adopt a child older than your current oldest child. Apparently, it can screw up the dynamic of the “birth order.” With all those reasons, I quickly dismissed the idea of adopting these boys, while Becca continued to bring them up to me. I felt bad, but I’m the man in the relationship. I’m supposed to be the logical one and not do things which could “harm” our family’s future (ie…put us into debt, etc…). Well, after a few months now, Becca hasn’t stop bringing them up to me and to top it off, one night Emmy prayed, “And God if you want these boys in our family, we’ll say yes.” (Picture my jaw hitting the floor and tear-ducts going into full production.) The innocent faith of a 5 year-old can really put things into perspective for a logical-thinking grown-up. Becca and I just looked at each other and agreed we should look into it further.

So here we are, trying to imagine life with 4 kids, a mortgage payment, a school loan payment (which acts like a mortgage payment), day-to-day expenses, all while hearing in the back of our hearts and minds, “My life is not my own.” Those words never ring so true than when I imagine if something happened to Becca and I, and our children were left with no one to love them, care for them, read to them, or hold them. I would want someone to take them in, no matter the cost or hardship their new parents may face. When I think of our children alone, the conviction can’t be any greater. My life is not my own.

Imagine if Jesus decided on the cross, “Nope. I really would like to help you guys out, but this whole thing is putting a lot of stress on me. I mean, let’s be honest, you’re asking a lot of me.” Fortunately, He stayed the course and showed, in the truest sense of the words, “My life is not my own.” So, why shouldn’t we?

Please pray with us as we lay our future in front of God…pray for our hearts and minds…for wisdom and peace with whatever God holds for us. Most importantly, please pray for these two boys…that God would provide a loving family for both of them, whether it’s us or some other family. We serve a mighty God who knows our hearts, knows what we can handle, and knows how to provide in all things.

I’ll close with this…Jesus has prepared an amazing banquet for all who come to Him and there is ALWAYS room for more at His table. Last time I counted (and here’s when I faint), there are 8 chairs at the Beal dining room table. Please pray.

One year ago today...

2010-12-02T20:24:00.000-08:00

One year ago today I was working in Emmy's class

One year ago today I didn't have my cell phone with me which was and is a normal occurence

One year ago today I didn't expect to get a call about you

One year ago today I thought we'd have to wait at least another month to hear your name, see your picture, and learn everything about you

One year ago today Daddy was FREAKING out because he got "the call" and couldn't get a hold of me for about 2 hrs.

One year ago today I was helping a classroom full of preschoolers glue, cut, write, color, share, and get a snack.

One year ago today Daddy was mad at me for not having my phone attached to my body. See we had made a deal neither of us could look at your picture without the other.

One year ago today when Daddy called and told me we got "the call" I didn't believe him.

One year ago today I started crying when I realized it was true.

One year ago today I drove too fast to get home so I could see you for the first time.

One year ago today my hands were shaking as I opened the file with your picture.

One year ago today we saw your beautiful face.

One year ago today we fell in love with you.

One year ago today we prayed for you with your beautiful face in our minds and heart.

One year ago today I felt so happy that I finally got to see you!

We love you Jeremiah Eyob...

First picture we saw of you!

Orphan Sunday

2010-11-07T11:00:00.001-08:00

"Not flesh of my flesh nor bone of my bone, But still miraculously my own, never forget for a single moment, you didn't grow under my heart but in it...."

We put this quote on our announcements for Jeremiah's arrival. I love it. It describes perfectly the way we feel about Miah. I can honestly say after almost 8 months with him that he is my child. He is my own. Some people will say "...and Emmy is your own?" after saying we adopted Jeremiah. I know adoptive parents can get offended easily and really it's just because their/our hearts are sensitive to this subject at times. I don't get offended because they are using improper "adoption" lingo...I know they mean no harm. They are not aware of how those words can hurt a child. I truly have prayed I wouldn't be so sensitive to those comments because I don't want Jeremiah to become sensitive to them. However I also know I have to correct them in a non defensive way for Jeremiah. I never want him to feel he isn't mine. I never want him to feel like Emmy is my own and Jeremiah is my adopted son. No...they are both my own but came about differently. He IS my son.

I just find myself looking at him wondering how in the world he is here...how he came from Ethiopia...and how it just feels so natural and right that he is my son!! It's all so miraculous and amazing!

God is so good. God has adopted us into His family. When Adam and Eve sinned They alienated themselves from God. They became spirital orphans. The only solution was to restore them (and us too!) back to God. Well no longer are we orphans. We turned from Him yes, then crucified His son yes, but this was His plan to bring us back to relationshiop with Him. He paid a price, a big price....His son dying in our place that we might have a home with our Father again. We have all the rights, inheritance and blessings. We are no longer Orphans...we are loved and we are cherished and we are HOME with Christ Jesus our Lord and SAVIOR! All we have to do is believe...

If you haven't prayed for these children please do today. These 147 million children around the world that have no family. I can't imagine. Pray about how God wants us to help...How God is calling you to help. It could be as simple as sponsoring a child or being a big brother or sister for these types of programs. Or it could be opening your heart and home to a child.

This is a great website to find out more!
http://www.showhope.org/

Psalms 10:14 But you, O God, do see trouble and grief;
you consider it to take it in hand. The victim commits himself
to you; you are the helper of the fatherless.

Psalms 68:5 A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows,
is God in his holy dwelling.

Isaiah 1:17 learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the
oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case
of the widow.

Psalm 82:3 Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause
of the poor and the oppressed.

James 1:27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and
faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their
distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

THANK YOU LORD FOR CARING FOR OUR JEREMIAH!

Adoption is much more than...

2010-10-27T11:41:00.001-07:00

Go to this blog and read this post...it is exactly how I feel but could not explain it any better. Adoption is much more than doing "good", being like the stars, following a popular trend. It is a God given desire...with ALOT of prayer by the birth mom and adoptive mom God works miracles.

http://weloveourlucy.blogspot.com/2010/10/post-one-on-returning-to-ethiopia.html

Adoption Journey at OneTrueMedia.com

2010-09-17T08:12:00.001-07:00

Our journey to Jeremiah...we had him 6 months as of yesterday!! We love you son! :D

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Oh the joys...

2010-09-04T15:51:00.000-07:00

My blog was just published on Adoption Experiences website. Their link is on the right of this page. It will be neat to have more people read the blog and hopefully be encouraged in their own walk with adoption.

So one of the things we got to experience when adopting Jeremiah was giardia. A parasite. It's taken a couple treatments and a couple months for us to finally EVICT this stinkin' bug. And by the way, it IS stinky!! Whew!

Although we rid ourselves of the "stink bug" we are now dealing with some effects of a possible dairy allergy. This is hard because Jeremiah LOVES dairy. Milk isn't his favorite but cheese, cottage cheese, yogurt. This is going to be tough. We'll get through it and hopefully his tummy will feel better after we figure out what is wrong. He sure doesn't like most of the foods I am giving him. :/

Other than that we are just enjoying our last days of summer. It's been beautiful here other than a few summer thunder storms. Hope you all enjoy your last days of summer as well!! :D

Below are a few pictures I took recently...I love my kids. :)

Fever...

2010-08-08T00:22:00.000-07:00

I've got a fever. It's called baby fever...and I have it BAD!

I know what you are thinking "she is crazy! She just got a baby 5 months ago!" Well you are right...I am crazy!

I have hard days, good days, sleepy days. But all these days are so fun and filled with so much joy! I would love to have a full house. I just love hearing Emmy in Miah's room in the morning. They laugh, yell, and just giggle till I can't stand it and have to join the fun. It is so sweet...I am getting ready to add another. Whether another bio or through adoption we'll be praying about it and let God figure that out. ;)

Daddy however isn't ready...he is enjoying Miah and Emmy too but thinking more level headed than me. Tends to be what men do, right?

I am also itching to start an orphan ministry at our church. I am really praying about this. This would be a big step and I want it to be ALL God. I don't want to try and make this happen. I want God to make it happen so it will grow, flourish and impact people to love orphans. I am just really ready to advocate in a big way for orphans. However God wants to use me. So I am praying and waiting on Him in this too.

So we wait...we pray...and we wait some more. Sound familar?? Story of our lives, right?! Waiting, trusting, praying, and waiting some more. Although it can be difficult to wait, waiting always leads to something beautiful...

Emmy's 5th Birthday

2010-07-29T22:59:00.001-07:00

Can't believe Emmy is 5 years old now...July 7th was the beautiful day our sweet girl turned 5. Charlie and I were just looking at pictures of Emmy at 2 1/2 years old and were just in awe. How does it go that fast? Really how does time go so slow at times and yet at other times it goes so unbelievably fast?

I remember being pregnant and friends, family, strangers would all tell me to take each day in, and really appreciate every moment with Emmy. I can honestly say I did. I really feel I appreciated and loved every moment with Emmy. I didn't have a hard pregnancy, and I adjusted pretty well to becoming a Mom. Some have a really hard time with their first...I however had a great time and wasn't stressed. I really enjoyed her. I still do!

Everyone knows I want to adopt again but I hope to again enjoy the miracle of birth too! It's a beautiful gift. I feel very blessed having been apart of both giving birth and adopting. Not everyone gets to experience both.

Emmy is a beautiful gift. She is a wonderful big sister, has so much love to give, is sweet, strong, caring, smart, silly, and loves to share JESUS with anyone!
Love you baby girl!

It's time for changes...

2010-07-26T11:41:00.000-07:00

I know it's not January 1st where most people start their New Year's Resolution, but for me today I am going to start changing some things. First I decided to change my blogs template. It needed a change. It needed to freshen up a bit... :)

This is how I am feeling in a lot of areas right now. Having two kids is much harder than I thought it would be. Those of you with three, four or more are probably laughing about now. Don't get me wrong, I am one of those people that wants to have a house full of kids but for some reason adding Jeremiah has been hard. Perhaps all the transitions have made it much harder. Let's see we moved to Oregon (first big move EVER for both of us), we added to our family through adoption, bought a house and moved yet again all in 8 months. Hmmm...Just writing that out makes me realize even more how crazy our life has been!! :D

So it's time to stop whining,

time to pick up my boots and get movin'. Enough lazy mornings, no more excuses, I have to get organized and start making each day count. Alright maybe I will allow one or two lazy mornings. ;)

I want to be used by the Lord...I want to see my days have purpose and although I know there is purpose in laundry, cleaning, meals, and wiping poopy bottoms
I want to know I accomplished more than that. I want to know I helped a stranger, encouraged a friend, and had time with my Savior each day.

So today I am eager to be used by God...I know I can't do it all

and I WILL fail in my attempt at becoming the World's Best Mom, Friend, Wife, Sister, Daughter, Servant, and well...Human! :)
However I know that if I choose to give Jesus my days I will be used by Him.

John 15:5;13-17
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other."

I do so love taking care of my family...that is my biggest job and I love it! :D
Fourth of July pictures below...

Jeremiah can say...

2010-07-02T23:30:00.000-07:00

Mama
Dada
Tries to say Emmy, but comes out "Mammy, mamma, emma." Always different. ;D
Nana (Banana is his fav food!)
Ball (sort of bah)
Bye Bye (Bah Bah)
Nigh Nigh (Night Night...his blankie is Nigh Nigh also)
Mo (More)
Baby (Bebe)

Jeremiah is such a funny little boy. He sighs when we sigh, He kisses on demand (Yum!), He has caught onto the game "I'm gonna getcha...I'm gonna getcha." and he crawls as fast as he can giggling. It's the best. :)

He screams ALL the time...Happy, sad, mad...it doesn't matter. He just likes screaming. He throws toys all the time too. That is real fun in the supermarket. He poops all the time too! Ewww...stinky.

Jeremiah is pulling himself up on everything now. He is getting really strong. He is doing new tricks all the time...climbing up stairs, opening cabinets and emptying them too, and basically getting into everything.

He is a typical 14 month old and I love it. The screaming I could do without though!! :D I love him so much and I see my love growing more and more everyday. We are so blessed to see all these "firsts".

Pictures speak a thousand words...

2010-06-10T22:29:00.001-07:00

Does anyone read this blog anymore?!

2010-05-28T21:51:00.000-07:00

I am sure not too many people do since I am seriously failing to keep this blog up and running. It's been a big transition going from one to two. I am hoping it's my hardest transition!! :D

Tonight I felt like I needed to write. I wanted to tell everyone about Jeremiah. I want to say how much we've grown as a family. We loved Jeremiah before we got him. I can say I truly did. When I first saw him it was LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT!! I couldn't believe we had him in our arms...it was pure joy. When we got home it got hard though. I can't explain it...post adoption depression? Jetlag? Transition from a fairly independent 4 year old to a 10 month old baby requiring constant attention? Trying to figure out said 10 month old baby...why does he throw up all his food? Blow outs, crying, clingy, trying to do everything the "right" way for an adopted child, give Emmy attention, feel guilty for Emmy not getting attention, feel guilty letting Jeremiah cry for 10 seconds, etc. It was a rough few weeks.

We have really gotten in a groove now though. I don't believe in jinks' so I won't knock on wood. :D I know we'll still have our moments (with two you have those moments) but really I feel like our family has grown close in the past few weeks. I can say how much more my love has grown for Jeremiah. Although adopting is so different than having a biological child in so many ways it is also the same. I loved Emmy so much more at 6 months than I did at 3 months. Again much more at 3 years than at one year. My love for her just continued to grow...I can already tell it's the same with Jeremiah. We as parents love our children the more we get to know them...the more we pray for them...the more we allow God to work in us and through us to these little ones He put in our lives and hearts.

I was thinking about this because of how much my love has grown for Jeremiah. Everyday I learn more about our little boy and think about the life he had before us. The trials he endured at such a young age...and the trials he will endure later too. Rocking him to sleep tonight I was so caught off guard by my emotions...thinking he had never been rocked to sleep the way I rock him...that he probably never had someone sing to him the way I sing to him...that he didn't have someone love him the way I love him. It broke my heart thinking my son missed out on this. Then it broke my heart even more knowing so many are missing out on these moments.

Oh Lord, arise, defend the fatherless. Let them feel your lovingkindness!!

We know God calls us to love and care for orphans. God calls each of us to that in different ways. If we feel the Lord nudging us toward adoption and we are scared that is normal. In fact I don't know one person who hasn't been scared to adopt. We just need to trust that if God is leading us to adoption to then follow Him and trust. We love the children He has entrusted to us...We love them because love is a choice...an action...not a feeling. The feelings come after obedience. Pray and when you know God is saying "yes...I have a child for you through adoption." Pray some more...and trust. He has an amazing blessing for you...He wants to grow you...stretch you...bless you! We are blessed, and in love with our boy. :D

1st Birthday and Mother's Day

2010-05-10T22:20:00.000-07:00

We celebrated Jeremiah's 1st birthday May 7th. We choose May 7th with the help of our physician. Jeremiah was most likely born before this day...we just can't know for sure. It really doesn't matter though because God knows.

It may be hard for him later in life to know he doesn't know his actual birthday. I know the date and time Emmy was born. I know all the details...I am sad I don't know these things for Jeremiah. So I was thinking about all of this Sunday and I realized how special it is that he has a secret with God. No one on earth knows the day or the time Jeremiah was born except his birth mom or dad whom we will never know until we pass through this life onto the next. But God knows...That is Jeremiah's little secret with God. Although it will be hard for him I want him to know how special it is that He and God have a secret together. A secret that Jeremiah will know one day...

Two days later I celebrated Mother's Day. My first Mother's Day as a mom to TWO children. A dream of mine that has come true. I always wanted alot of kids and never knew how they would all come to be...slowly I am finding out. I just couldn't help but think of Jeremiah's birthmom. I am sure every Birthday, Mother's Day, Graduation Days, etc. I will think of her and pray for her. My prayer is always that she will come to know the Lord if she doesn't already. I also always pray for comfort, and peace for her to know Jeremiah is safe and with a family who loves him as their own. Thank you for giving him LIFE.

We are praying about adopting again. This time an older child. A child who most likely would not be "chosen" because they have extra "baggage". Although my heart is already on board I am also mentally preparing/praying about this because I know how selfish I am!! :D I know it would be a challenge in so many ways...I know I would be blessed to be apart of it all...but that selfishness just resides in me. I am praying alot about this.

Biological or adopted; we are just excited to see our family unfold. We are so blessed to have Jeremiah and Emmy. To have more would just let our cup overflow!!

We love you Emmy and Jeremiah!
Momma

A new normal...

2010-05-01T23:15:00.000-07:00

It's so fun watching these two interact. I love it!! I was finishing dinner and Emmy was pretending to be a Teranadon (sp) dinosaur from a show she likes watching and I noticed Jeremiah was copying her laughing, and smiling. I had to catch it on film. But of course when the camera comes out they don't "perform" as they were, but he still did some of what he was doing. I love our new normal. Enjoy...

Alone...

2010-04-29T19:18:00.001-07:00

I will be alone for 7 days with two sick kids...not to mention I am starting to feel sick. I am popping pills like crazy hoping/praying I will not get sick. Charlie has a tradeshow for work. We hate it when he is gone!! We will miss you daddy!

We had Jeremiah's first birthday on Sunday. What a blessed day it was. We choose May 7th to be his birthday. With some help from our Doctor this is the day we will celebrate his life. But the biggest day we will celebrate is the day he was in our arms forever. His gotcha day March 16th 2010! This day we will PARTAY! :D

Enjoy pics from his birthday party and some random pictures I thought you'd enjoy.

One month...

2010-04-16T08:53:00.000-07:00

One month "gotcha" day. One month ago today we "gotcha" FOREVER! :D

We are having a blast with our little man. He is crawling on hands and knees now. His leg strength is much better. He refers to us now as mama and dada! :D
He is eating amazingly and in two weeks he gained a pound and a half. He is really teething now...maybe he'll have teeth for his first birthday!?

He is really bonded to us and loves Emmy. She can sometimes bug him but what big sister doesn't?! (hehehe)

We are just so blessed to have him in our lives. We love you little man!!

One month ago today...

2010-04-15T08:00:00.000-07:00

One month ago today I held you for the first time...
One month ago today my dream was fulfilled...
One month ago today we saw the face up close we'd seen in a dozen pictures...
One month ago today I got to whisper I am your mommy and I love you...
one month ago today I became a mommy to two children...
One month ago today I kissed your lips (FINALLY!)...
One month ago today I couldn't believe it was all coming true...

It seems like you've been with us much longer...it is all so natural and we are so blessed to be your family. Thank you Jesus for this precious gift. Tomorrow is our one month "gotcha day". The day we "gotcha" forever!! :D

2010-04-14T23:13:00.000-07:00

We started praying for our next child months ago...Through those months God has led us to pray for an older child. Our hearts are wide open. We'll see what God does. :D

This poem was on a friends blog. I needed to post it. It speaks volumes to us.

The Waiting Child
by Debbie Bodie

I saw you meet your child today
You kissed your baby joyfully
And as you walked away with her
I played pretend you'd chosen me.

I'm happy for the baby, yet
Inside I'm aching miserably
I want to plead as you go by,
"Does no-one want a child of three?"

I saw you meet your child today
In love with her before you met
And as I watched you take her out
I knew it wasn't my turn yet.

I recognize you from last year!
I knew I'd seen your face before!
But you came for a second babe.
Does no-one want a child of four?

I saw you meet your child today
But this time there was something new
A nurse came in and took MY hand
And then she gave my hand to you.

Can this be true? I'm almost six!
And there are infants here you see?
But then you kissed me and I knew
The child you chose this time was me.

2010-04-02T21:12:00.000-07:00

Couldn't help but copy this from another blog...it's speaks volumes for what today says for us believers.

How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure.

How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory.

Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,
Call out among the scoffers.

It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished.

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection.

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom.

Two weeks...

2010-03-31T10:15:00.001-07:00

We've had our boy for two weeks now!! It seems like he has been with us forever. It doesn't seem like that short of a time because he has adjusted so well and has been bonding amazingly.

In two weeks these are some things we've figured out about Jeremiah. Some things that have changed too.

1. He holds our fingers, hands while we give him a bottle now
2. Makes eye contact now while drinking a bottle
3. Can hold his weight on his legs now when he couldn't before
4. Takes a pacifer (makes naps much easier!)
5. Eats a variety of foods now and ALOT of it!
6. Talks a lot now and babbles all the time
7. Is less clingy than when we first got home
8. Has a parasite! Ugh.
9. Has shown us his *nasty* side...when he gets mad watch out!! Throws his head back and kicks his legs like he is a toddler throwing a temper tantrum!! :D
10. Sleeps through the night
11. Dropped two feedings
12. Makes us laugh REALLY hard...Especially Emmy. She thinks he is SO funny.
13. Had his first doctor appt. and the Doctor thinks he is about 10 months. He is in the 5th percentile for weight. Feeding him lots of GOOD fatty foods. :D
14. Makes everyone smile
15. LOVES PLAYING WITH BALLS!!

We love you baby boy and are so blessed to be your family!! :D

Jeremiah in pictures...

2010-03-26T15:43:00.000-07:00

We are blessed. :D

Ethiopia in a few pictures...

2010-03-24T06:03:00.000-07:00

The pics are backwards so start from the bottom to see the first time we met our little guy!

Fwd: We met our son!!!!!!

2010-03-15T22:28:00.001-07:00

Our son is amazing and silly...he is the life of the Transition Home so the doctor tells us! All the nannies and staff were making him laugh and smile. What a blessing our sweet boy is to us! Excuse me as this post is coming to you in pure exhaustion. 3 days with about 9 hours of sleep doesn't sit well with me!! This will be short but hopefully sweet...Praying the pictures come through.

We drove through the 'infamous" gate of the TH and saw the stairs where we had seen so many other families meet their children. My heart was racing and I felt nauseous. Really I did...I was nervous. They informed us right before they brought him out that he was sleeping and they were going to wake him up. He came out sad but put his little head on my chest. Tears were coming of course...Our boy was finally in our arms. Thank you Jesus...

He had a hard time going back to sleep but finally did after maybe 10 minutes or so. He slept on me (yay!) for about 45 minutes or so. When he woke up he was a little scared and unsure. We got a few half smiles out of him. But then we walked into the doctors office to talk about his file and medical records. He lit up!! Smiled at the doctor and the nannies...he was throwing his head back in laughter and just being plain silly!! We loved it! It showed us his personality...it will probably take awhile till he feels completely comfortable with us but after seeing people he knew he was much more comfortable with us holding him.

WE ARE SOOOOOOOOOOOO IN LOVE WITH HIM!! And tomorrow is our "Gotcha Day"...we take him in our arms for good!

We would appreciate your prayers for sleep! For Jeremiah to trust us and God to comfort his little grieving heart. For the Embassy Appt. which is long and important as we get his visa there! And for us just to adjust as a family.

Ethiopia is so beautiful and a country with such rich culture. We went to a resturant where precious people performed music and dancing. We got so choked up thinking about Jeremiah not fully knowing his culture and being taken out of it. We know it is better than him being raised in an institution of course but I was still sad. We are going to try to really embrace the Ethiopian culture in our family. We want him to know what Ethiopia is about and to be proud he was born there.

Love to you all!

Charlie's turn to post...

2010-03-14T20:58:00.001-07:00

It's early. Your momma is sleeping, along with everyone else in our hotel. It seems the only living creatures who are still awake are the (guesstimate) 5,000 dogs that have been barking outside our room all night and the man playing his flute, singing either in praise to his god or just singing randomly at five in the morning. What ever his reason for singing, I'm glad I'm awake to hear its. It's beautiful. It reminds me of where I am. It's Monday, March 15th and I'm in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on the day I will finally meet my son in person. Not see you in someone else's arms in videos or pictures, but in my arms. Flesh on flesh, I will feel you breath, smell your hair, dry your tears, and hopefully make you smile.

As I sit here staring out at the Ethiopian sky, I can't help but reflect on the past 16 months. It was December 4th, 2008 and after attending an adoption seminar and praying about adoption for weeks, your mom and I felt God leading us to go get our second child from another country. The next 16 months were filled with prayer, mounds of paperwork, fingerprinting, meetings with social workers, and the toughest part...having patience, while having to answer question after question about when we were going to get our child. I don't blame people for asking. They genuinely care and want to know, but having to answer the question again and again without showing the true emotions your mom and I were feeling, was almost too much. But that brings us back to today. It brings me back to why today is so amazing. It brings me back to why our God is so incredible, so faithful, so merciful, and so loving. It brings me back to why every single part, high and low, of the last 16 months was so incredibly worth it. It also brings me back to the day your sister was born.

I remember being in the delivery room with your momma. We had waited the normal 9 months of pregnancy, plus the two and a half weeks she was overdue, plus the 53 hours of labor, before we could finally see Emmy's sweet face. I can't explain the moment any better that to tell you that I balled uncontrolably when I saw her. I'm not talking just a few tears. I'm talking about body shaking, headache inducing, doctor, nurse, and mommy staring at me with their jaws on the floor, crying. (I know, I know...your Dad could lose "Man Points" for admitting that last fact, but I assure you, it's ok for men to cry...uhh, sometimes.) You see, I had no idea the emotions I had running through me before seeing your sister in person. No amount of preparation or research could have prepared for such an incredibly awesome event.

That brings me back to today. I'm not exactly sure of what my reaction will be when I see you, but have to warn you, it might be the same as it was when I first saw your sister. You see, while the details involving how we received our first child and second child differ greatly, the emotions and questions running through my mind are exactly the same. Questions like: How can a sinner like me, be so amazingly blessed with another incredible child? How is it that I, really still a child in many ways, have been given the responsibility to raise yet another child? How will I be the best father and give this child everything he needs? These are all humbling questions, which all have one common answer...God. I will place you before the Lord every morning and every night and not try to screw up too much in between. I will do my best to make decisions for your benefit and growth and not for mine. I can assure you, I will not be the best father ever. I will not make the right decision every time. I will not always have the perfect response to stress and conflict, but I can assure you, Jeremiah Eyob, that I will love you every day of my life. That means if you get in trouble at school, wreck the car, say something hurtful, or any other "offense", I will love you. Absolutely nothing will ever change that.

The sun is rising now. I don't know exactly what today holds. I'm not sure of what your reaction will be when I hold you. Will you cry, pull away from me and reach back for your nanny, or (my personal favorite) will you snuggle into my chest and know that I am your father? I don't know and to be honest, don't really care. Today is only the start for us, my boy. The one thing I am sure of and am now being overwhelmed with emotion about, is that my God, Jesus Christ, has given me a son and today I will see him. I love you Jeremiah and thank you Jesus.

P.S. I just got off the phone with your sister and she is freaking out. She can't wait to meet you.

We are HERE!!

2010-03-14T13:42:00.001-07:00

We are in Ethiopia and tomorrow we meet our son! We are freaking out!! This is such a surreal and amazing moment in our lives. We are so excited and anxious to meet him. Pray for sleep filled nights before he comes to stay at the hotel with us. The plane ride didn't offer us much sleep. ;)

Emmy we love you and miss you so SO much. We wish you could be here with us sweetie. But we will get your brother ready to meet you...we'll try to send pictures and video too! We can't wait to see you sweetie and have lots of FUN with Auntie Rachel and family!! :D

YAY!!

It's here!!

2010-03-11T13:06:00.000-08:00

We leave in 2 days!! We are so excited and thrilled to be at this stage and to bring our boy home. We are humbly asking you to cover us in prayer this next week. We leave Saturday morning the 13th at 7:55am and arrive on Sunday the 14th in Ethiopia at 7:50pm (8:50am PST). We will be in Ethiopia till Friday the 19th at 10pm (11am PST) and arrive at LAX on Saturday the 20th at 3:21pm.

Prayer requests:
1. Safe travel there, in country, back to US and flying home to OR too.
2. Safety and comfort for Charlie, Becca, Jeremiah and Emmy. Emmy will stay in the US with family so please pray for her and us as we miss eachother.
3. For Jeremiah as his world is going to change alot. Attachment to be smooth and quick.
4. Pray for all legistics to go smooth and fall into place.
5. Pray for our Embassy appointment on Wednesday morning (Tuesday night PST). This is the final step to OFFICIALLY taking Jeremiah home!! We get his Visa this day...Pray everything goes smooth and that there are no hiccups! :D
6. Pray for the flight home with Jeremiah...24 hours on a plane with our little man! Oh pray!! Ha! :D

Thank you all for your prayers and words of encouragement...We can't wait to show him off to you all!

Becca ;D

New pictures...

2010-03-08T08:43:00.000-08:00

We got our new pictures today!! I am so excited and so thankful for Kristi taking pictures for us at the last minute. Since we didn't go this last week with them they were so kind to take pictures and video for us!(We haven't received the video yet but we'll try to post it if we can!)

We have 4 MORE DAYS TILL WE LEAVE!! I cannot believe it! It's been a long journey and it's coming to a close and then we'll start a new one! :D

6 Days!!

2010-03-06T21:13:00.000-08:00

I can't believe it's only 6 days till we leave for Ethiopia. We are packed and ready to roll. We know this week will fly by but as of now it's slowly creeping by. We can't wait to hold our son and be a blessing to him in his life (we feel so inadequate!). Only by God's mercy, grace and love will we be a blessing to him. But he, on the other hand, will be a HUGE blessing to us. I know everytime I look at him I will thank the Lord for bringing him into our lives and praise him for not letting us miss out on this amazing gift. We could have missed it...thank you Lord we didn't!! :D

We love you Jeremiah Eyob!
Mommy, Daddy, and sister Emmy. ;)

A friend took pictures of our boy!! :D

2010-03-02T17:21:00.000-08:00

Our dear friend whom we have been in contact with through our agency took pictures and video of our sweet boy since we couldn't be in this travel group to pick him up. She was so sweet to do this while she could have been sleeping...Thank you KRISTI! :D

"I met Jeremiah today!!! Believe it or not, they brought out the wrong child first after we had taken all pics & video. Then the coordinator said- oops wrong child.!! So I waited until they brought out your precious son. He is tiny- with small facial features....very cute boy!! He had a 6-9 mth outfit and soft baby shoes. He didn't want to stand on my lap, so don't think he was used to standing up. He had the chicken pox at some point and has lots of marks all over his body from it. Not scars, but lots of marks esp. on his face. I'm sure they'll fade in time. He must love his nanny because he was scared of me and kept wanting to cry. Got lots of pics and video for you!! Miss you-Kristi"

So excited to hold him and see him for myself!! Praying for the transition as it seems like he is attached to his nanny. This is a good thing though! The first couple days may be hard for us...but we are praying he will attach quickly to us! :D

Pray with us for sweet little Jeremiah and this new transition he will experience. For Charlie Emmy and I too. This is going to be a big change...A good, big change! :D

Test Post

2010-03-01T22:14:00.001-08:00

Testing Testing One Two Three!

(Testing to see if we can post to our blog while in Ethiopia) :D

Today...

2010-02-28T12:41:00.000-08:00

Today I would have been arriving in Addis Ethiopia

Today I would have seen the country my son was born

Today I would have met fellow adoptive families with our agency

Today I would have been anticipating tomorrow

Today I would have been thinking about meeting my son for the first time in 12 hours

Today would have been the last day dreaming about what it feels like to hold Jeremiah...

Instead, TODAY I am in California awaiting the day I can say "TODAY I am going to Ethiopia..."

We aren't leaving tomorrow...

2010-02-26T15:53:00.001-08:00

So sad to report we are not leaving tomorrow. The embassy didn't confirm our paperwork. It's so frustrating that all of this was because of one mistake. But God's timing is perfect and if He wanted us on that plane we would have been. We are trusting God in this and praying March 13th will come quickly and that God would protect us and that date to be the day we are united with our boy. Pray with us please... :D

Thank you friends and family!
Becca and family...

Embassy confirmed!

2010-02-23T10:51:00.001-08:00

The embassy confirmed our dates!! Yay!

We still need NVC to confirm they have received our paperwork before we can officially go on Saturday to pick up our precious boy!! AHHHH! Yay!

Pray with us that NVC does receive and confirm our paperwork. We believe 100% we will be on that plane but it doesn't hurt to ask for prayers does it?! :D

Thank you all!

Mercy by Casting Crowns...

2010-02-22T21:25:00.001-08:00

What an encouragement this song was to me tonight...Our paperwork mess got fixed. Thank you Lord.
(To listen to music below pause music above.)

Lyrics to Casting Crowns "Mercy"
Here I am a sinner
Broken and in need of You
Take my life and wash my fears away
For You are the Great I AM
Rest assured, I feel Your hand
Holding me until the darkness clears
A Father to the fatherless
Redeemer of my soul
My Life is Yours forever
I want the world to know

Your mercy saved me
Mercy made me whole
Your mercy found me
Called me as Your own

Here I stand a child of Yours
Broken and in need of You
Break these chains and wash my guilt away Healer of my brokenness
My weary soul will find its rest
You are my strength, the lifter of my head You’re greater than my yesterdays
You hold me close today
You’re the Lord of my tomorrows
My heart will always say
You’re greater than my yesterdays
You hold me close today
You’re the Lord of my tomorrows
My heart will always say

You called me as Your own
You called me as Your own
Thank You for Your mercy
Thank You for Your mercy

You called me as Your own
Your own

Still don't know when we are traveling...

2010-02-22T12:31:00.001-08:00

We were supposed to find out for sure today. Our agency was going to meet with the US Embassy last night while we all slept (daytime in ET) but they couldn't meet for some reason. So tonight while we sleep they will meet with the Embassy for sure ;) and we should REALLY know tomorrow.

Today we also found out that our 171-H form has a typo error on it!!!! We cannot travel until this gets fixed. Will you all pray with us that USCIS will correct this error and electronically file it instead of snail mail? Thank you! It's been a rough morning, but I am resting in God's mercy and grace today. We so don't deserve it but He gives it freely.

Funny side note: After receiving information from other people in our group of different delays (like one an airline strike!?) I felt the need to proclaim God's truths out loud, to proclaim that we are standing firm in God alone and that He is victorious. I didn't think Emmy knew what I was talking about (probably thought her mom had gone crazy!)...but she started chanting "We want eyob, we want eyob, we want eyob!!". I needed a good laugh and I love how sensitive she is to spiritual things. I love her and WE WANT EYOB! :D

We appreciate your prayers!

Isaiah 40:25-31

2010-02-20T21:12:00.000-08:00

I was reminded about a few verses in Isaiah 40 recently from a fellow adoptive mom in the waiting. It's funny because Isaiah 40:31 is tattoed on my back...so you'd think it would have been brought to mind. I read all of chapter 40 and here is where God spoke to me.

Isaiah 40:25-31
"To whom will you compare me?
Or who is my equal? says the Holy One.
Lift your eyes and look to the heavens:
Who created all these?
He who brings out the starry host one by one,
and calls them by name. Because of his great
power and mighty strength, not one of them
is missing.
Why do you say, O Jacob, and complain, O Israel,
"my way is hidden from the Lord; my cause is
disregarded by my God"?
Do you not know? have you not heard?
The LORD is everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary and increases
the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the LORD will renew their
strength. The will soar on wings like eagles
they will run and not grown weary,
they will walk and not be faint."

can you relate?

2010-02-20T10:44:00.001-08:00

I don't know if any of you can relate to this but at this point of the game it actually feels like someone in our family is missing or is away. However you describe it...it hurts. Although I have never met my sweet boy I miss him so much. Today I am sad...I am praying that God moves...and that we will be traveling Feb. 27th. Your will Father not mine...

We're coming Jeremiah...

Waiting still...

2010-02-19T13:41:00.001-08:00

Friends,

God has moved mountains on our behalf and on Jeremiah's behalf. ALL OUR PAPERWORK HAS GONE THROUGH TO ADDIS!! Praise the Lord. Again this should have taken weeks and yet it was done in one day. :D

We did hear today however that the US Embassy hasn't confirmed our appointment times (as a group) in Ethiopia. We can't travel until they do. Monday our agency should hear something from them and they will either confirm or delay our dates. Surprisingly I was ok with this email. Every delay...seriously EVERY delay I have been a wreck. Crying was the least of it. I would be depressed and just all around sad. This time I just laughed. Literally. I don't know if I am naive because God has been moving us along when we should have been left in the dust, but I am trusting and believing we will still travel in February. It seems impossible but I know with God it is possible. Like I've written about before, Charlie has been believing we'd travel in February the whole adoption process and with all the surprising (miraculous more like it!) turn of events it was possible...within our grasp. I am now, finally, on board with him. Like he has been saying all along "I am going to believe it's February until it isn't".

Pray with us in accordance to the will of Christ Jesus our Lord that we will travel Feb. 27th...and if God's will is otherwise we will accept that and pray for strength and hope of a date soon.

Thank you dear friends!
Still waiting...

(Above are some photos I took recently of emmy...enjoy. :D)

Decision made...

2010-02-15T23:08:00.000-08:00

(Date night for V-Day...we aren't big celebrators of that "holiday" but thought we should take advantage since we won't be going on any dates alone for awhile.) :D

So the decision was made. Not by me, my husband, nor my mother-in-love...It was made by my mother-in-loves broken bridge. You all are probably wondering what in the world I am talking about. I'll explain...

You see we were certain we wanted to bring Emmy with us to Ethiopia. For so many reasons. We wanted her to experience the culture, the poverty, the joy, the kids, the transition, the "birth room" experience of our 2nd child. We wanted her to witness the joyous day we receive what we have been praying for...I take that back, WHO we were praying for. You see our sweet girl (on her own accord) started praying for a "brother or sister" about 2 years ago. That is a long time considering it is half her life!! It is all coming to fruition now. God has chosen to bless us through adoption and bless us indeed with a brother for Emmy. I want her to see that day!

And she will...just not on "Gotcha Day". She will experience it in a different way and at a different time. This is ok too...It'll be her story of when she met her brother. Maybe next time... :D

You see my mother-in-love was going to come with us to help us with Emmy. Two days ago the bridge in her mouth broke. Not only that but it broke above it too. I don't know all the details but she has to have oral surgery a couple days before we leave. And to top it off...it's all out of pocket. And it's alot of money.

So we will leave Emmy with family and trust our sweet girl to the MIGHTY ONE, while we go get our adorable boy who we've been trusting to the MIGHTY ONE his whole life. And yes, I do know Emmy has been in God's arms her whole life too...it's just I can trick myself into thinking I am the one watching her when really it's her heavenly Father. All this to say it's going to be hard to leave her.
Prayer Requests:
1. Eyob and Emmy's health, comfort, and security. That they both (in very different ways) will be comforted by God and feel safe in their new surroundings.
2. For mommy and daddy's (Becca and Charlie :D) health and safety. That we will be sustained for the weeks to come. We need God's hand in our families lives in the next months to come and really the rest of our lives.
3. That Eyob's grieving (leaving nanny, temporary home, friends, comforts) wouldn't be long and that he would attach to us quickly.
4. That we would be the light of Christ to those around us. That we can love the children and bring HOPE to the kids in the orphanages we visit.
5. Travel safety & that preparations would be smooth and that we would not forget anything!

If anyone wants to donate small inexpensive (or expensive) items please email me or leave a comment. 100 kids at each orphanage. We are hoping to bring soccer balls, footballs, frisbees, jump ropes, chalk, bubbles, stickers, lollipops, diapers, wipes, formula, etc.

Thank you dear friends! We couldn't do this without your support, prayers, and love!

Beal Family
P.S. Maybe God is trying to show me I can go on a mission trip and leave Emmy for that long...although now I will have to leave Jeremiah too. Hmmmm.... :D

To our boy...

2010-02-13T12:40:00.000-08:00

KISSES IN THE WIND

I hold you in my heart and touch you in my dreams.
You are here each day with me, at least that's how it seems.

I know you wonder where we are... what's taking us so long.
But remember child, I love you so and God will keep you strong.

Now go outside and feel the breeze and let it touch your skin...
Because tonight, just as always, I blow you kisses in the wind.

May God hold you in His hand until I can be with you.
I promise you, my darling, I'm doing all that I can do.

Very soon, you'll have a family for real, not just pretend.
But for tonight, just as always, I blow you kisses in the wind.

May God wrap you in His arms and hold you very tight.
And let the angels bring the kisses that I send to you each night.

--- Unknown

Our homestudy was approved and our 171-H is on it's way!!!!

2010-02-11T19:25:00.000-08:00

Praise the Lord...GOD has done the impossible and in one day immigration recieved our paperwork and updated it the same day! Thank you LORD!

We will be traveling with the Feb. 27th group as long as the US EMBASSY approves our appointments.

Thank you all for your prayers...

Jeremiah has pneumonia and is on antibiotics. Please keep him and the other babies with pneumonia in your prayers. Thank you and we'll keep you posted.

Becca :D

Should every Christian adopt?

2010-02-10T20:24:00.001-08:00

THIS IS A POST FROM ANOTHER BLOG (link) THAT I THOUGHT WAS VERY THOUGHT PROVOKING...Just something to think about... :D

A question I get asked a whole heck of a lot...
Do you think it's a mandate for all Christians to adopt?

[I just got asked this question again on Facebook today. Here's my response:]

OOOOH, a question i get asked quite a bit. :) And one that people try to stump me on.

Here's what I say:

Preface: I can't say what every person should or should not do nor will I judge a person who doesn't supposedly "get it." That's wrong...

1) Scripture says that if we see someone in need and we have something that would fill their need yet DO NOT fill it, we do not have the love of God in us. [We have a family; orphans don't; we therefore should share with the orphan what we have that they do not.]

2) Scripture says that we must do to others what we would want done to us (or our own biological kids, for that matter). If we were orphaned, we would want to be adopted. Period. Not just visited or taken care of in a group home. Adopted into a family. And we would want the same for our biological kids.

3) Jesus didn't just come to visit us or care for us in our orphaned state; He came to lay down His life to adopt us. James 1:27 uses the phrase "visit orphans." The word "visit" there is the same word used for when Jesus came to "visit" us. He didn't leave us as orphans; He adopted us. He didn't see us in our orphaned state of despair and say, "Oh, poor things...I wish someone would do something about that." No, He adopted us. Changed our futures; our destinies; our families. We are to follow Him and do as He did.

4) How can we not? How can we look at the children in the world without families and say, 'No, not worth it.'? Our lives are not our own. We are called to pick up our crosses and follow Him. Not our own plans or desires or conveniences. Ain't nothin' about this whole "following Jesus" thing that is supposed to be convenient. Ask Jesus if the Cross was "convenient" or glamorous.

So, should every Christian adopt? Well, I like to turn that question on its head...What is a good reason a Christian SHOULDN'T adopt? Most reasons are self-focused if we are really honest with ourselves.

[Obviously, many people are not "fit" to adopt right now, but that is usually due to our own messes we've made with relationships, finances, life choices, etc, and not something put in our way stopping us from adopting.]

Getting somewhere...

2010-02-09T08:19:00.001-08:00

Well today we have some movement in our case. Our social worker is contacting our senator and hoping he can help with our case.

Please pray with us and for our sweet boy today. Pray that our Senator will be able to get USCIS to move on our case. Pray that we will remember who our real HELP is. Our Lord Jesus Christ is our help in our time of need.

Thank you!
Becca

P.S. Below are just a FEW of the verses I found on HELP. :D

Psalm 28:7
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.

Psalm 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

Psalm 40:17
Yet I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; O my God, do not delay.

Psalm 54:4
Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me.

Psalm 146:5
Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God,

Psalm 121:1-3
I lift up my eyes to the hills—
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber.

Hebrews 4:16
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Hebrews 13:6
So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"

Unavailable...

2010-02-02T14:53:00.000-08:00

So while I am waiting to hear about our homestudy update being passed and the National Visa Center recieving it I have been slowly collecting Jeremiah's baby bedding. I found a bumper for $8 dollars at Target (with a gift card it was $0) and I've been looking online for the sheet to go with it. I even called Target to ask if it was discontinued or just out of stock. They informed me it was out of stock and would be available in the next week. Well it's been about two weeks now. I go on to the Target site everyday (sometimes twice a day) to see if it's available. It still reads UNAVAILABLE. It's really annoying.
Here is the Bedding...Cute right?!

Well lately I've been feeling overwhelmed and emotional about when we are going to get our boy. I feel like it's kinda like going on the Target website everyday. I check my email...call a few people...and check my email again. Everytime it feels like there is a big UNAVAILABLE sign above little Jeremiah's head. I have never waited for anything this important...I've never waited to love someone like this before. This is the hardest thing I've ever gone through. Everyday I cry when I see his sweet picture...everyday I plead on his behalf to my Lord and Savior...and everyday I wait for an answer. God gently reminds me of two things.
1. Although He cares for my concerns and my heart there are other people going through worse...much worse. Haiti comes to mind, people who have waited longer or had harder situations in adoption.
2. "God is faithful to ALL His promises and loving toward all he has made."
Psalm 146:13b

Still waiting...and as of today in "human terms" it looks like we may not be traveling Feb. 27th. But we know God can make it happen and that He doesn't work in Human terms. :D

Calling all prayer warriors!

2010-02-01T14:29:00.000-08:00

If we don't recieve confirmation from the Oregon USCIS office that our file has been approved and sent to the National Visa Center before Feb.17th our travel will be delayed.

Will you pray with us that we won't have to delay our travel dates of Feb. 27th!? Thank you all for your prayers. We can't tell you how much they mean to us and how much we covet them!

Thank you!
We will keep you posted.

Becca :D

Benidiction

2010-01-29T06:59:00.000-08:00

Here is a benidiction I found...that I love.

A Franciscan Benidiction: "May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half truths, and superficial relationships, so that you may live deep within your heart. May God bless you with an anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that you may work for justice, freedom, and peace. May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation, and war, so that you can reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain into joy. And may God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in this world, so that you can do what others claim cannot be done."

May we all be foolish enough to believe that we CAN make a difference in this world, so that we can do what others claim cannot be done!

CHANGE THE WORLD FOR ONE...You haven't changed the world, but you have changed their world. Pray about adopting, pray about sponsoring an orphan, pray about visiting orphans, pray about being an Ordinary Hero. http://www.ordinaryhero.org/Home.html
Find out how you can be an Ordinary Hero at the blog above. :D

God Bless YOU!

2010-01-27T12:01:00.000-08:00

Here is the new information we got on Jeremiah!! Yay! He has gained weight and his new pictures are ADORABLE! It (kinda) relieves me knowing he is happy and healthy. :D Enjoy!

Name: Eyob Beal
Measurements: Taken on: January 25,2006 Weight: 16 pounds Height: 69 cm Head Circumference: 44 cm
Eating/Health: He eats cereals, fruits, pastini( a type of pasta specially prepared for babies) ,vegetables, …in addition to formula. He has been healthy.
Development/Physical: He rolls over. He sits without support.
Personality/Other Comments: He is happy and content. He makes funny faces :D He likes toys especially small size balls.
Questions
1. What do Eyob's favorite Nannies say about him, his habits, and personality?
The nannies say that Eyob is a happy baby, he is easy going and doesn’t cry unless he is hungry, or have a wet diaper or other kids touch his toy.
2. How does he respond to older children?
He is friendly if they play with him.
3. Does Eyob sleep well? :D
Yes, he sleeps well.
4. How often does Eyob eat?
He takes formula 7 times per day and solid food 3 times per day.
5. What milestones has he hit? Sitting? Holds head up, etc?
He can sit, hold his head and chest up while on tummy, he can reach out and grasp toys.

Still need prayer...

2010-01-24T21:09:00.000-08:00

Quick update...

This week we should:
1. Get more information on our sweet boy! Find out his likes/dislikes, favorite toy, schedule, growth, and much more! Yay!
2. Have our care package go with a dear AWAA family to our sweet boy.
3. Find out if immigration (USCIS) is going to let our homestudy update go through. Please pray with us about this. We want to hold our boy ASAP!
4. Start travel plans. :D

Will you pray with us about all this? Will you consider donating? We are planning on bringing donations for the orphanage...formula, diapers, wipes, clothes, money, etc. Pray about it and let us know! :D

Thank you dear friends.
Love,
The Beals

Introducing Jeremiah

2010-01-20T12:56:00.001-08:00

Here he is...this is the first picture we saw of our smiley little boy. :D

These are the other pictures we saw of him the day we accepted his referral...how could we not with that beautiful smile and eyes!! It also helped that we fell in love with him immediately and we had such a peace about God choosing him for us! :D

His Ethiopian name is EYOB which is JOB in english. Job means persecuted. Well we are changing his name to Jeremiah which means BELOVED; THE LORD WILL EXALT. Indeed Lord you have loved him from the beginning of time. We will keep Eyob as his middle name. We are coming for you our beloved.

Jeremiah 1:5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
before you were born I set you apart;
I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."

Sweet Jeremiah

2010-01-19T17:07:00.000-08:00

Sweet boy...Tonight is a big night. At about 8pm our case, your case, will go before a judge in Ethiopia. Assuming logistics are all in order he will decide to pass us and allow us to come get you soon or deny us and we'll have another court date in a couple weeks which will delay us getting to hold you.

We are fasting, praying, reading God's word, and praying some more. We are anxiously waiting to hear the decision. I am so full of emotions I almost feel overwhelmed by them...by the intensity of them. I love you so much. I don't know how you like to be held, or what your favorite toy is or what makes you laugh...but I love you!! I have never doubted I could love a child I did not birth but I have to say I am surprised by the intensity of my love for you...without seeing you yet! I knew once I saw you and held you I would grow to love you but my love for you grew when we started this process.

It really is so much like carrying a child in your womb. Your sister Emmy was a surprise to us. We thought we would do the "5 year" plan. Didn't work out. I was 8 weeks pregnant on our first anniversary! What a unexpected BLESSING she is! At first I was nervous though...my love for her was so small. Boy did it grow! Just like with you...when we turned in the paperwork for you and rushed around getting everything done my love was there...but small.

I started feeling Emmy kick inside me...it was amazing. Every kick, and every movement or picture (ultrasound) I got I grew to love her more and more. Jeremiah...it is the same with you, except with more intensity. Every email I got from our coordinator, or every letter I got my love grew. Pregnant or paper pregnant it really doesn't matter...there are ups and downs and really all we want is that beautiful baby to show his/her face. We got our referral call and I was freaking out! I saw your picture (much clearer than an ultrasound) and my love grew by the thousands!

When Emmy came into this world it was a miracle! It was a beautiful miracle...And I know when I hold you and you come into MY world it will also be a miracle. Your life is a miracle. God's hand has been on your life in so many ways that we will share with you when you are older. For now sweet child...just know that I love you. Mommy loves you and am going CRAZY thinking we may meet you in a couple weeks! :D

"Not flesh of my flesh nor bone of my bone, but still miraculously my own. Just remember, Jeremiah, you didn't grown under my heart but in it!"

We COVET your prayers...

2010-01-16T22:23:00.000-08:00

Our court date is Jan. 20th in Ethiopia. Tuesday January 19th at about 8-9pm our time a judge will review our case and decide to pass us or not. We are asking for your prayers. Pray with us first for our sweet little boy...God protect, provide, and grow our sweet Jeremiah. Will you also pray with us that we pass court this Tuesday in the middle of the night?
The statistics are 60% of cases pass the first time. We know our God is bigger than those stats. Will you pray with us that we will pass the first time!? We pray that the desires of our hearts are in line with God's will.

Assuming we pass...we will be traveling 4-5 weeks later to pick up our sweet boy! :D

We Praise the LORD our GOD not because of circumstances but because HE IS GOOD and HE IS GOD!

When things don't go my way...

2010-01-01T18:13:00.000-08:00

I don't know why these things happen...

We had a care package sent to a family traveling to our son's orphanage. In it was toy, a photo album of Charlie Emmy and I, one of emmy's blankies when she was a baby that we slept with that smelled like us...and a photo consent form that allows the family bringing our care package to take pictures of our boy.

Well it didn't show up to the house. The family didn't get it. It's frustrating...

Pray with us we pass court on Jan. 20th....we are ready to see our boy! Will you also pray that the package will show up?! Thank you!

Beals

COURT DATE!!

2009-12-28T10:16:00.000-08:00

Our court date is January 20th! Yay!

Please be praying we pass court the first time...that we can travel in Febuary, and that our little boy is safe and comforted by our BIG GOD!

Thank you prayer warriors!

We are in Sunny California!!

2009-12-20T19:51:00.000-08:00

It's been awhile since I've written...We've been planning for our month long trip to California. It's really difficult to pack for a trip that is a full 4 weeks. We had to pack bills for our trip which was really wierd...we turned our water off and put a hold on our utilities like cable, trash and phone. It is an odd thing leaving home for a month. Although I was (and am) really excited to see faces I haven't seen in awhile I was also sad to leave a place I have grown to like, perhaps even love...Our new home.

While we are here in California I am going not going to worry about blogging...I will still pop in to update everyone on any news we get regarding our little boy but other than that I am going to enjoy my family, friends, and the precious season of Christmas.

I pray all of you have a wonderful Christmas full of Joy, Peace and Love.
MERRY CHRISTMAS! :D

Becca

Pitterpatter Art...

2009-12-10T07:46:00.000-08:00

Pitterpatter Art found me and I love it!! I found this amazing blog
http://pitterpatterart.wordpress.com and I just love all of the awesome creative stuff Laura makes. I just recently purchased a "Big Sister" shirt for Emmy and a Africa shirt for myself. I found an awesome Africa shirt for Charlie too. She has so many other things I want too like a great canvas of the names of Jesus. It's beautiful. That is going to have to wait till after the adoption is complete.

So go check it out...great stocking stuffers (shirts) and other great gift ideas! :D

Have a great day!

We got our REFERRAL!!

2009-12-07T11:05:00.001-08:00

I would also like to announce that we recieved a referral for a beautiful baby boy who is about 7 months. We accepted his referral and can't wait to hold him.
Praise be to GOD!! :D

Stay tuned for more information and prayers. We need them desperately!!

Psalm 10:14

2009-12-07T10:31:00.000-08:00

"Lord, why are you so far away?
Why do you hide when there is trouble?
Proudly the wicked chase down those who suffer.
The wicked set traps to catch them.
They brag about the things they want.
They bless the greedy but hate the Lord.
The wicked people are too proud.
They do not look for God.
There is no room for God in their thoughts.
They always succeed.
They are far from keeping your laws.
They make fun of their enemies.
They say to themselves, "Nothing bad will ever happen to me.
I will never be ruined."
Their mouths are full of curses, lies and threats.
They use their tongues for sin and evil.
They hide near the villages.
They look for innocent people to kill.
They watch in secret for the helpless.
They wait in hiding like a lion.
They wait to catch poor people.
They catch the poor in nets.
The poor are thrown down and crushed.
They are defeated because the others are stronger.
The wicked think, "God has forgotten us.
He doesn't see what is happening."
Lord rise up and punish the wicked.
Don't forget those who need help.
Why do wicked people hate God?
They say to themselves, "God won't punish us."
Lord, surely you see these cruel and evil things.
Look at them and do something.
People in trouble look to you for help.
You are the one who helps the orphans.
Break the power of wicked men.
Punish them for the evil they have done.
The Lord is King forever and ever.
Remove from your land those nations that do not worship you.
Lord, you have heard what the poor people want.
Do what they ask. Listen to them.
Protect the orphans. Put an end to suffering.
Then they will no longer be afraid of evil people."

I just finished this book today. It was heart wrenchingly sad and yet somehow full of hope. If you start this book please finish it as hard as it is. It will bring you some peace. This book tells a story...below you can watch a trailer that will explain a little more. I highly recommend this book. But expect a change in the way you think, pray, and live.

2009-11-29T18:46:00.000-08:00

We're going crazy here at the Beal house!! We're going crazy because we can't believe that we could get a call with a referral so soon! I know what you are thinking..."Slow down Becca, it could be a month or more. Take it slow and don't get ahead of yourself." I understand what you are saying and I know you're trying to save me from anxious feelings and heartache if it doesn't come soon...but I just keep thinking there is a CHANCE it could be soon!! AHHHHHH!!!!! We're so excited!

All this to say I feel a little like this...

CRAZY EXCITED TO SEE OUR BABIES SWEET FACE!! :D

We'll to pass time I will update you on some things we've been up to. We've been exploring Bend quite a bit since being here. We've had two friends visit and we are really loving our new home and city. Below are pictures from the past week. We have a snow storm in our backyard, ice skating for the first time, couch sports, and pictures from Traditions at Sunriver Resort where we got to ride a horse sled, drink yummy hot chocolate, see Santa, and do fun crafts and face painting.

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving and we can't wait to update you when we get a referral!! It will be an amazing day...then we wait for our court date and approval.

Thanks for your prayers!
Beal Family :D

P.S. We have our homestudy update Saturday December 5th. Will you pray with us that our background check goes through smoothly and quickly? We really don't want any delays! Thanks!

ON DECK!!

2009-11-19T09:52:00.001-08:00

We got our "ON DECK" email which basically lets us know we are expected to get a referral soon!! It could be one month to three months. It's kind of a long range to be waiting for "THE CALL" but this is the next step and we couldn't be more excited!!

Please pray with us that we will recieve a court date soon after and that we will pass court the 1st time. 60% of people pass the first time. 40% need a second court date. This could all postpone traveling to pick up our baby. We'd appreciate your prayers.

Most important we ask for your prayers for our family. Baby, Emmy, Charlie and I...

For God's comfort, love, and grace to fall on our sweet child waiting for his/her forever family. For our child's family...peace and comfort to FALL ON THEM.

For our family to be at peace with God's timing and with His sovereign plan in all things.

We are excited at this new place we are at in the adoption...we want to rejoice in all things!! Thanks be to God the Father for this beautiful gift!! :D

Update on our projected referral time...

2009-11-16T14:52:00.000-08:00

I checked our agency's blog today and learned that the wait time for a referral is now at 4-6 months. This is 1-3 months SHORTER than it was previously. We are excited about possibly getting a referral in DECEMBER!! Crazy...but it could also be Febuary. We'll wait and pray and see. :D

We still have to update our homestudy which is happening in early December so hopefully nothing will be postponed or delayed. Our agency has confirmed our adoption will not be delayed because of our moving but I am still anxious about everything falling into place. I know even set backs will play into the child God has destined for us...trying to remember this if there are delays. :D

I would like to ask for your prayers. Would you pray that we would be prepared to see our child? We will recieve a picture and a page or two of information with our referral packet. Within 48 hours we need to accept or pass on this referral. We want to hear God's voice...we want the child HE has ordained for us. Please pray with us that we will know if we should accept or pass on this first referral. When we see that little face (or faces) we would hear God's voice, not ours. Thank you so much.

Once we accept a referral we then are issued a court date (in Ethiopia). Once we are issued this court date we will then need to wait to hear if we PASSED court or not. In the case that we PASS court the first time (only some 60% pass the first time) we will then fly to Ethiopia in a week or so.

If we do not pass court we will wait for our new court date and wait to see if we pass then. This process can go on as long as it needs until the judge is satisfied with our paperwork. Please also pray with us that we will indeed pass court the FIRST time. I can't imagine having this picture of our child and knowing He/She is around the globe just waiting for us to take them home!! My heart breaks just thinking about it. I know God is sovereign and continue to pray my head and heart would agree in this and rest in it. :D

Thank you again for your prayers!!
Love the Beal family.

How rich are we?!

2009-11-15T21:09:00.001-08:00

Grieving losses to come...

2009-11-10T22:05:00.000-08:00

As I've written before I've always wanted to adopt. Since I was young. I am so blessed to be in the process and thank God for choosing us to be parents to this little one coming our way. It's been an amazing process, and an amazingly DIFFICULT process. There are so many emotions that overwhelm me at times. The past month have been rather uneventful (with adoption news) as I (we) were simply focused on all the details that go into moving out of state. That alone is difficult and a process but add to that all the emotions of moving away and it gets even harder. Now throw a double scoop of adopting an orphan in one of the poorest countries in the world and you have one emotional person.

God is preparing me for this sweet child to come into my (our) life. It is good...but it's hard.

I LOVED being pregnant. I loved it!! I loved feeling Emmy inside me...moving, kicking, living in me. It was amazing. Although I had a hard labor, in a sense, I loved that too. Minutes after giving birth I knew why people do it over and over again. Looking at Emmy's newness was beautiful. Her skin, eyes, hair, lips, every part of her was perfect and new. I instantly was close to her and connected. She had been with me for months. Although it was all still strange to me I was close to her. She knew my sounds, my body, my heart...she knew me.

Tonight I realized I was sad. I didn't really know why and then it hit me. As I looked at pictures of Emmy from birth on I realized I am grieving all the things I will miss with my second child. I will miss not carrying him in my womb...feeling the kicks. I will miss seeing her first breath. I will miss some of his firsts. She will not know me as mommy right away. To him I will be just another caregiver. I will look at him or her as daughter or son and he or she will look at me as a stranger...a foreigner with a foreign tongue. I will have to teach him to trust me instead of it being automatic at birth. I will have to work at comforting her. I will not know which ways he likes being held...or how she likes to eat.

I am also grieving the loss of a child for a mother far away. I am so blessed to be a mother...so blessed to raise Emmy. I can't imagine carrying her for those months and then her not being in my life. I can't imagine having to make a choice that involves losing a child. I don't know if my second child's family is ill, is in prison, is alone, or too young to take care of our little one. But whatever the reason I am grieving for them. I am praying that they would know that Jesus is their savior...that He alone can save them and bring salvation. I pray for them often...that God would comfort them.

Although I am grieving I am also rejoicing. I am rejoicing in that God choose us to be parents to our little orphan. Our little orphan who will be an orphan no more. Who will have a FOREVER family...who will have a last name! Who will have a mommy, daddy and sister who love him. We have prayed for them(Lots of prayers). We have waited for him. We have grieved over her. And how we long to hold him or her.

I also realized I WILL experience firsts...someone may have experienced it with them before us, but it doesn't matter because to us it will be the first laugh, smile, or crawl. It will be the first bottle, food, or bath. To us these will all be firsts. As Charlie put it..."It will be different but in the same familiar way." Simple statement but so true.

Although I am grieving losses I am rejoicing in the recieving of this precious child!! :D

2009-11-07T08:19:00.001-08:00

Frosty...

2009-11-04T20:15:00.000-08:00

It's getting Frosty here in Bend Oregon...this is what I woke up to this morning.

Definitely not used to seeing frost on my house or our bbq! :D It was all over the walkway and our car. We had to chip the ice off our car windows. All this to say we are still adjusting. :D

This next picture is of Emmy in her new school uniform. She is in Pre K this year and is loving it. I am all for uniforms but I was uninformed of the uniforms until the day before! So I was caught off guard and scrambled trying to find some. Mondays and Fridays they wear regular uniforms but on Wednesdays they have chapel and wear their chapel uniforms which is shown below. It is so cute! She was being silly so I couldn't get a good picture of her but you can see the cuteness still!

If you all could continue praying for us with the new transitions and with adoption. The soonest we could receive a referral is in two months (could be sooner but most likely not). It could also be another four months. We are so excited to see a picture and hear our son or daughter's name and story! I can't contain myself some days. I want to just see our child now!! :D

It's a different feeling than when I was pregnant. I was anxious to see what Emmy looked like but I also was nervous about giving birth. I knew within a week or two of my due date I would see her sweet face. It was hard but nothing like this. I have no idea when I will get a call and have a sweet picture and a story waiting in my inbox. Crazy right?!

I feel like all the hard labor (paperwork) with the adoption is done and now I wait...which is hard but not in the same way. It's more helpless than difficult. I feel helpless. I feel out of control. I feel uninformed. In the end this sweet child we are waiting for will be ours (God's), and I will one day feel a sense of "ownership", but as of now I feel like an outsider, helpless and unsure of anything regarding OUR child. It's an odd feeling that I can't quite explain. But I know once I see our child and know he/she is mine, the peace and closure will come. Maybe not right away but I will feel like "mommy" to our 2nd child one day soon...I will have all the responsibilities, rights, blessings, privileges, and FUN I do with Emmy. I can't wait!!

So will you pray with us? For us? For our child? Pray for the waiting children around the world...waiting for a forever family to love them as their own!! :D

Thank you!

Happy Halloween!

2009-10-31T21:55:00.001-07:00

We spent our first Halloween in Bend Oregon (of course) now that we are living here. It was a great night. We've been in town a total of 7 days and have been invited to two events at my sister's friends houses. We've met alot of people and have enjoyed our time getting to know our new surroundings and our new neighbors! Our second day here our daughter climbed under our backyard fence to play with our two neighbor girls!! It was a hilarious sight and something we were looking forward to Emmy having. A fun childhood full of neighborhood friends, and kid friendly neighbors.

As I started saying tonight was Halloween. Emmy had a great time trick or treating and although it was cold...pretty stinkin' cold, we all had fun drinking our soup/wine/coffee/etc. while watching all the kids trampling along in their costume. We really are enjoying it here in Oregon and slowly getting used to the idea this is our new home. We still are missing so much about So. California, most of all our families and friends we left...but we know we will stay close to them.

Well enjoy the pictures and we wish you a HAPPY HALLOWEEN! :D

Next week we'll have more on the adoption...we have to update our homestudy now that we are here in Oregon. More to come!

It's been awhile...

2009-10-28T10:50:00.000-07:00

Sorry it's been so long since my last post!! We've had a lot going on. We have moved to Bend, OR since my last post. It's been such a weird reality to try and grasp. All my "things" and my family are with me in our new house but it still feels like vacation. It's really a strange new feeling. I've moved to a different house but never to a new town. I've always lived 20 minutes from Long Beach, CA and I've always still had the same friends...I've made new friends along the way but still always had the old ones.

Moving from your hometown is so different as those of you know who have experienced that. I don't know my surroundings, and I don't know many people. The stores are different, the weather, the people, the norms, and the dress codes even! :D Everything is so new. With the weird and hard realization of all the new and strange adjustments surrounding us comes a wonderful sense of new also.

For those of you who don't know we just came out of a long three years of my husband going to school full time and working full time. When he finished we had hopes of doing so many things. We had hopes of changing bad habits, and changing certain norms we had developed. For us I could see how that would have been hard to change our normal routine in our hometown. With this move to Oregon we have a new fresh start. We both have such strong desires to stop certain bad habits, or to start great new ones like learning to play the guitar, reading more books, start new ministries. We've already seen a fresh new start at the church we are going to attend. We are new to everyone here and there are no expectations on us! :D
It's a great feeling, but also an uncomfortable one. We love our life in Southern California and will miss it dearly!

We are just thankful for this new, fresh start and look on life. We pray during the waiting stage of the adoption that we would let God work in us for the better. To mold us and shape us to grow closer to the woman and man God wants us to be!! (And little girl He wants EMMY to be!)

Thank you all for your prayers! :D

Love the Beals

Wating children...

2009-10-02T21:43:00.001-07:00

Most of you have asked us where we are at now...well we are officially waiting. What's that?! What'd you say?! What do we do while waiting? Well we, um...well see we just...it's easy cuz we can, ummm....I don't know actually. What do we do while waiting?

We've been praying and we've been praying some more. Yep and still a little more praying. :D

During the waiting period we recieve "waiting child" referrals. It's a list of children that are just "waiting" for someone to adopt them. These sweet faces are waiting for a forever family. A family to open their arms and hearts to love them. Most of these children have a disease...HIV perhaps, TB, or Hepatitus. Some of them are waiting simply because they are older and most people pick the babies. Some might have deformities. Whatever the reason...they too are waiting. We have a lot in common.

I pray for these children...we pray. We pray for God to speak into our hearts if one of these children are supposed to be ours. We pray for God's comfort. We pray for families to come forward...and if it's us that we would come forward. But most of all we pray for their salvation. Their little precious lives to collide with God Almighty...and that they would accept His gift of salvation. That they would have an eternal Father.

It's been extremely hard for me to be faced with these children and not cry everytime I see their faces. For me not to be mad at anyone I can blame for letting this happen. I feel helpless when I (we) have so much at our disposal and could help in so many ways...but I don't know where to start but to support orphan ministries, pray, and pray some more. My heart is heavy for these children. For the 147 MILLION CHILDREN who are orphans. It's an overwhelming thought...it's a staggering number.

But God is bigger than that number...so much bigger. He is caring for these children. He loves them.

I can continue to pray and ask God how He wants me to help. I can continue to pray for these children. I can continue to encourage others to step out in faith and ask God how they can make a difference in these children's lives. I can Trust God is Sovereign and is moving mountains in these children's lives. Trust...

Will you pray with me for these children?

Blessings to you my friends! :D

Coffee Fundraiser

2009-09-12T11:02:00.000-07:00

Hi friends! All of you have supported us and loved us through this journey. We thank God for you so much. God works in mighty ways and He has provided everything we've needed for this adoption to come to fruition. With many of you supporting us financially, God providing more work for Charlie, and with us cutting back majorly on our finances, God has provided more than HALF of the cost of the adoption. Remember in the beginning we only had the application fee and start up fee. Not even 10% of the cost of the entire adoption! :D God is good.

Since we still have to raise about 20% of the total cost, we have signed up with this amazing organization called JUST LOVE COFFEE ROASTERS. We will soon have a webpage where you can buy coffee, shirts, hats, coffee mugs, etc. and the proceeds will go toward our adoption fund set up by JUST LOVE. We have set a goal to raise $4000.00.
The coffee is from Ethiopia (coffees birthplace) among other regions. So you know it's going to be good coffee!! :D The other part of their organization is that they are fair trade certified. Fair trade aims to help producers in developing countries and promote sustainability. The idea is to help them move towards economic self-sucfficiency and stability in these developing countries.
www.justlovecoffee.com
The founder of JUST LOVE is Rob Webb and here is his story...

"Rob Webb knows coffee. When Rob was two years old, his father started Webb’s Coffee Service, which blossomed into a full-blown refreshment service supplying businesses in Nashville, TN and the surrounding areas, and is now run by Rob.

Rob Webb knows the adoption process. In the summer of 2008, Rob and his wife Emily were called to adopt from Ethiopia. After much prayer and discussion with their first two children they started their adoption journey in August 2008. During the flurry of paperwork and preparation, Rob & Emily read books not only on adoption in general, but specifically on Ethiopia. Learning that Ethiopia is the birthplace of coffee caught Rob’s attention, and after reading about the living conditions and wages of the average coffee farmer, he was compelled to take action. What developed through his reading and his trip to Ethiopia to unite with his daughters was a realization that he could combine his expertise and longstanding desire to roast his own coffees with his desire to help others. Just Love Coffee Roasters was born! Roasting Fair Trade Specialty coffees, Just Love uses proceeds to help an Ethiopian orphanage and families adopting not just from Ethiopia, but from anywhere in the world."

When our webpage is up and running we will give you the information. If you love coffee (or can find something for you other than coffee and or a gift for others) and want to support us this is an opportunity for us both. If you enjoy the coffee and support the cause tell others about our webpage and help us spread the word.

Thank you!

Moving?!

2009-09-08T13:28:00.000-07:00

Emmy's first day of Preschool. Such a big girl!
At a her cousins birthday party.

Some of you may have heard that we (The Beals) are moving. Well it's true. We are "planning" on moving October 27th. It's soon...truely a bittersweet time for us. We have been praying for 3 years that God would show us where He wants us to "Land". Well this summer God moved...He opened a few doors for us to move to Bend, OR. Charlie will be able to keep his job which is huge...the adoption will not be affected which was our main concern...we will be able to live a simpler lifestyle...we will be able to save more money...and since we LOVE Oregon and all it has to offer we are excited to raise our children in a place like Bend.

Will you join us in prayer for this major transition in our lives?

We are also praying that God would open doors and open our hearts to possibly adopting an older child as well as a baby. We are considering a child Emmy's same age or a little younger. Will you pray with us as we decipher what God's plan is for our family. We want to help take care of the ophans...we want to provide a family for a child most people pass on...we have enough love for an older child...BUT is this God's perfect plan for our family? Is this Him putting this desire in our hearts or is it Charlie and I just feeling sad/guilty for these sweet children who need a home? God does not need us...He makes things happen. These children will not be without love and without a home. God WILL move. We don't want to get in His way. Pray with us God would direct and guide us in this decision. Thank you prayer warriors!!

We will keep you updated...

It's hard waiting...

2009-08-22T15:22:00.000-07:00

It's been really hard waiting. Praying and waiting...trying to pass time. Emmy has been praying much more for "a baby" and she has been communicating in her own way it's hard for her to wait...she just wants "a baby" now (me too!).

Well today a big package came and Charlie said very excitedly "Emmy help me open this...it's a surprise for Momma." I didn't know what it was but I knew Charlie was making the package more exciting for Emmy because he is a good Dad and knew she'd have fun opening it and playing with it's contents. Well Emmy proceeded to say "Is our baby in there?!". As Charlie and I tried to contain our laughter we noticed that she was genuinely hoping our baby was indeed in this box that the UPS guy brought. It was so sweet, cute, sad, and hilarious. We talked to her and let her know that she would know when the baby was coming. :D

I write this story so you can know how to pray for us. It's so difficult knowing our sweet baby is so far away and that we can't bring him/her home for awhile. It's going to be a long journey still and that is hard to deal with. We need prayer for patience and for trust in God's unfolding plan. Pray for Emmy's sweet little heart to see God's faithfulness and goodness at the tender age of four years old. Thank you so much for your prayers. We couldn't get through this without them!! :D

Blessings...

I have to believe...

2009-08-20T22:10:00.000-07:00

(This song was posted on a blog I follow...I needed to post it here. What a great reminder in the midst of these crazy transitions in our lives. There is alot going on. All of which are unknowns...to us that is, not to God.) :D

I have to believe, He sees my darkness
I have to believe, He knows my pain
I have to lift up, my hands to Worship
Worship His name

I have to declare, that He is my refuge
I have to deny, that I am alone
I have to lift up, my eyes to the mountains, thats where my help, it comes from

He said that He’s forever faithful
He said that He’s forever true
He said that He can move mountains
If He can move mountains
He can move my mountain, He can move your mountain too

I have to stand tall, when the wind blows me over
I have to stand strong, when i’m weak and afraid
I have to grab hold, a hold of the garments, the garments of praise

He said that He’s forever faithful (oh i know it)
He said that He’s forever true
He said that He can move mountains
If He can move mountains
He can move my mountain, He can move your mountain too

I have to sing praise, when the hour is midnight
He unlocks these chains, that bind up my soul
my sin and my shame He has forgiven, and made me whole

He’s got everything under control
I have to believe

Lord I believe, help my unbelief
I have to believe in you
I have to believe

2009-08-07T09:44:00.001-07:00

DTE 8/7/09

2009-08-03T15:29:00.000-07:00

Our dossier was recieved by our family coordinator and she said everything looked good!! Yay! We don't have to do anything else before it's authenticated and mailed to Ethiopia. They will mail our papers to Ethiopia on 8/7/09. This is our DTE (date to ethiopia) and they use this date to determine our family waiting number. We have a number but they don't share it with us for confidentiality purposes. I don't exactly know why but our DTE is what we base our wait time on. So by 1/7/09 we could possibly have a referral. It could also be as late as 4/7/09. We are just praying that the child God has for our family would be healthy and safe. That God would work in the hearts of the judge to look favorably on our papers and that we can bring our child home soon. I didn't know how I would feel during this time but I can tell you I am more anxious than I was while expecting Emmy.

It's funny how we can fool ourselves into thinking we are in control and that although I trusted God with Emmy I really felt like I was somewhat in control because I had her with me at all times...in my belly. ;D My second child I don't have with me at all. Not even in the same state, let alone same country. He/She is pretty much as far away as you could get from another person. Are you sensing what I am going to say next?! {grin}

God is teaching me (us) to trust, TRUST in Him and His goodness. He was watching over Emmy and protecting her from unknowns and He is watching and protecting our sweet Ethiopian prince or princess from unknowns...and I (we) need to rest in that. And I do!! Most of the time :D

If you want to know how you can pray for us over the next 5-8 months (could be longer I guess...) I will write our prayer requests for you. Thank you so much for all your support. We appreciate you!

1. Pray for peace. Trust that God is taking care of every detail.
2. Pray for finances...we are joining a fundraiser soon where you can purchase YUMMY coffee straight from Ethiopia (Coffee's home country) and proceeds will go directly to our adoption. Details to follow! :D
3. Pray for wisdom as to where God wants us to land (live!). We've been praying now for approximately 3 years as to where God wants us to live. Pray for clarity.
4. Most importantly pray for our future child & emmy. Pray for our newest to be in the hands of God and to be healthy and safe. Pray God would comfort him/her and all the orphans of the world. Pray for Emmy to continue in her knowledge of Him and to enjoy getting to know the Father.

Thank you!! :D

We've been approved!!

2009-07-30T14:35:00.000-07:00

We have been approved and have recieved our 171-H form in the mail today!! I am so excited. We just need to mail our Dossier to Virgina tomorrow or Monday and we will offically be waiting (expecting!). Thank you all so so much for your faithful prayers, we could not be more excited! God is good...the theme for my life! :D

My friend just had a baby and gave me an announcement and the verse she used was,

"The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy." Psalm 126:3

I am praising God with this verse today...He has done great things for us and we are filled with JOY!

May your week/weekend be filled with God's joy...

God is yet again faithful...

2009-07-20T19:01:00.000-07:00

I know I already mentioned "the BIG deal" but I need to elaborate...
God is so faithful to provide. Charlie got the BIG deal we'd been praying about. The commission from this deal will pay for more than half the adoption!!!! We have yet to get a deal even a 1/8 this big in the 7 years Charlie has worked at Containment Corporation and now we get it??!! Why do I continue to worry, doubt and fret? I know God has shown us that He wants us to adopt...why do I worry? He will provide for the journeys He takes us on. It's as simple as that.

I also checked our agencies blog and the wait time for a referral is now 6-8 months for a boy and 9-11 months for a girl. This is about a three to four month LESS wait. This could change at anytime but that is the current trend. I can't wait to meet this little one God has placed in our hearts and lives!

God also provided this chapter in Psalms for us to rest in...God is good. :D

Psalm 146

"Praise the Lord,
Praise the Lord O my soul
I will praise the Lord all my life
I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.

Do not put your trust in princes,
in mortal men, who cannot save.
When their spirit deparst they return to the ground;
on that very day their plans come to nothing.

Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the Lord his God,
the maker of heaven and earth,
the sea and everything in them-
the Lord, who remains faithful forever.
He upholds the cause of the oppressed
and gives food to the hungry.
The Lord sets prisoners free,
the Lord gives sight to the blind,
the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down,
the Lord loves the righteous.
The Lord watches over the alien
and sustains the fatherless and the widow,
but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.

The Lord reigns forever,
your GOd, O Zion, for all generations.

Praise the Lord." (italics mine)

PRAISE!!

2009-07-15T20:15:00.000-07:00

Just a quick update...We just found out that Charlie got the "BIG DEAL" we'd been praying for to come through. He gets commission on this "BIG DEAL" and after taxes it's going to pay for more than half of the adoption. YES...MORE THAN HALF!! We do indeed serve a mighty God who has resources beyond our imagination...if He wants something to happen...it'll happen. No need to fret, no need. TRUST...it really is a theme I am learning. Thank you, THANK YOU for your prayers!!

Happy 4th Birthday Emmy Grace...

2009-07-08T22:46:00.000-07:00

I am not a pro at the blogging yet so these pictures posted backwards. The picture at the bottom of the post is first and the picture at the top is last. Sorry!! :D
We had a great day yesterday celebrating our sweet Emmy's birthday. She is four years old!! I don't know how that happened...honestly. She is so sweet, loving, funny, kind, caring, and just adorable. She has lots of questions and lots of love. We just love, love, love being parents to such a beautiful girl inside and out. We are so blessed by our sweet Emmy Grace. Thank you Jesus for our sweet little surprise you blessed us with four years ago!! :D

The day was a blast as you can see.

Queen Mommy and her princess

The staff at Ariel's grotto singing Happy Birthday to Emmy...she was embarrassed.

The King with princess Ariel

Emmy got to dress up and meet the real Ariel!

Emmy magicially transformed into Ariel at Disneyland

Emmy picked It's a Grind for her birthday breakfast...Chocolate milk and a bagel. :D

On Vacation...

2009-06-25T10:24:00.000-07:00

So we are in beautiful Central Oregon (BEND, OR to be exact) for our family vacation, post graduation getaway trip! We are having a blast and love, love, LOVE it here.

Random thought I will share with you...this morning I went running on this beautiful trail two minutes from my sisters house. It's much harder for me to run here because of the altitude, yet at the same time the beauty distracts so perfectly you don't need an ipod and find yourself continuing past your normal stopping point because you want to keep seeing the beautiful views!! It's awesome. I stopped at this one part and stretched and just enjoyed the view. I was praying and just in awe that God spoke into existence this beautiful, marvelous world with just His words. He so beautifully fashioned each and every animal, plant, flower, mountain, river, rock everything with His strong powerful words. He took such care and detail to create it all for us to ENJOY! What a beautiful thought. This led me to think how God has and will beautifully fashion my life. He already has the plan and He is step by step putting together what He wants for Charlie, Emmy and I. He will carefully plan, and create with such detail what His best is for us. I need to TRUST HIM. (Do you see a pattern here?!) Trust in His timing, His plan, His grace to save me when I go off His path. He is good.

Please pray for peace in our hearts as we are getting closer questions arise, doubts, fears, excitement we can't contain, and such a longing for this sweet child to be in our arms. Pray for the ORPHANS around the world. Pray that God will ensure justice for these children without a parent/family to stand up for them. PRAY to our mighty God to rescue the fatherless. That they would know they have a heavenly father...

Thank you faithful prayer warriors! :D

Waiting...and Praying.

2009-06-17T13:27:00.001-07:00

So sorry it's been so long since I've written. It's been a crazy two weeks.

First Charlie finished School!!!! This truely deserves a page full of exclamation points but these four will have to do. {wink} We are so proud of our Charlie for accomplishing this major milestone. Although it was a rough 3 year ride we are at the end looking back saying THANK YOU JESUS for helping us all through this. Truely it is all by the grace of God. Thank you everyone for your prayers.

Second, I finished all our our paperwork for the adoption!!!! Yet again I need a page full of exclamation points. Agh...It was alot of work. It really really was. I have to be honest and say I am having some doubts...worries...concerns. Emmy and I went to LA today to get our state certification done and I was praying the whole time. I was just overwhelmed with everything. How are we going to get $7,500.00 in a couple weeks, what if our child is sick, how long will the referal process take, should we bring emmy to ethiopia, what if I get pregnant and we have to stop the process, what if the adoption is haulted, what if we don't pass court over and over like so many others, etc.

Well if any of you have driven to LA, cars like to cut you off often. During my many visits there I have learned this. Well once again a car cut me off. On the bumper was a sticker that read "Jesus es mi paz." I was so comforted by this sticker even if the driver was an idiot. {Joke} Jesus is my peace....I repeated this man times. Alone in HIM I will have peace and rest in His plan for our family. Whatever it looks like. All I can do is trust Him...and I will.

Well we leave this Friday for Oregon for two weeks and we could really use your prayers as we start this new journey of no school and no adoption paperwork. We really are praying for God's guidance to show us where we should be living, and what we should invest our time in while we wait for our little Ethiopian prince or princess. :D We would appreciate prayer for our 171-H to arrive quickly also. Thank you everyone!

USCIS Application turned in...

2009-06-04T08:34:00.000-07:00

So...we turned in our USCIS application. We are really getting closer to turning our dossier in and being on the waiting list. The processing time for USCIS is approximately 6-8 weeks right now. Pray with us for God's favor and for the Lord to move swifly. We only want the child He has for us...the child that is supposed to have the last name Beal...who is supposed to be emmy's brother or sister...and who is supposed to be our daughter or son. So if it takes longer we too know this means that child, our child is not ready yet. Thank you so much for your prayers!! :D

fun random photo shoot...

2009-05-30T13:21:00.000-07:00

Emmy got her hair cut today. Here are a few pics of her new hair-do.
Also Wednesday is my USCIS appointment (immigration). Please pray with us that everything will go smooth and that we can get the last FEW adoption papers done quickly. Thank you! :D

Homestudy Complete and moving forward...

2009-05-20T21:15:00.000-07:00

So our next step in the process is getting our petition to adopt turned in and recieve a form called 171-H. This gives us the OK to adopt from Ethiopia!! :D
We are turning our application in by next week. Usually the processing time is 6 weeks for this form. If it will be a quicker processing time to hand deliver the application I will, if not I will mail it. Pray with us for a smooth processing time and for us to continue to trust the Lord in our waiting. Thank you so much for your prayers and support!

URGENT NEED: Forumla Needed for Malnourished Babies in Ethiopia

2009-05-07T09:14:00.000-07:00

(I don't post this to GET you to donate. If you do donate out of love, awesome. But I am asking for your prayers for these precious children. God's children.)

"One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him.
When Jesus saw what was happening, he was angry with his disciples. He said to them, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. Then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them." Mark 10:13-16

The following is a story from a woman who works for our agency (AWAA) in Ethiopia. She is speaking about the orphange our child will be living...

DUNI'S STORY

Even though I grew up in Ethiopia, I never knew just how badly babies suffered from malnutrition until I returned to Addis and started working at the AWAA office there. The children at our Transitional Home come from very remote areas. Their families are unable to feed themselves let alone their children and usually relinquish them to their local orphanage when it becomes evident their children will die if they don't.

It is hard to see malnourished babies, so tiny, with just skin and bones. I remember the first one I saw, we will call her Gracie. She looked like an old woman in a baby's body. She had big eyes that seemed so wise and testified to what they have seen in the short months Gracie has been alive.

That was a few months ago, since then we have admitted many more babies in such condition. And looking at Gracie today, I can't believe she is the same baby. I knew she was a beauty but it really came out once those cheeks filled up. She is still tiny but the pound she has gained in the past week has made a world of difference in her appearance.

I look at the others and feel the same way I first felt with Gracie, dejection and fear that she may never make it. The right type of formula for such babies is hard to come by. In fact any kind of formula is expensive and hard to come by. We have babies who need this today so we work tirelessly to get the best formula possible for malnourished babies shipped from the US.

It is not fair for a baby to have sad eyes like Gracie's or for a baby to cry out of hunger and not have that need met.

Worse yet, it is not fair for a baby to die because of malnutrition. And yet, that is what happens daily in Ethiopia. Today, I am praying for the babies lying still in their cribs. I am praying I will see them feed soon (they are now on feeding tubes). I am praying that their tiny lifeless legs will slowly fill with flesh and will wiggle and play like normal babies do.

Here's what we can do to help. CHC will raise $12,500 to purchase what is known in the U.S. as "Nutramigen" formula. This type of formula is necessary because traditional formula cannot be digested by malnourished infants.

You can participate by making a gift of any size. A gift of $30 will buy and ship one can of formula to the chidlren in need. Right now if you give $30 it will be doubled to $60! The first $500 we raise will be matched dollar-for-dollar. If we hit our goal, we can send 400 cans of formula to starving infants in Ethiopia.

CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO GO TO TOM DAVIS' WEBSITE & DONATE OR LEARN MORE:

Homestudy behind us!

2009-04-26T13:47:00.000-07:00

So our Homestudy is officially complete! Our agency reviewed it in one day...it normally takes two weeks! God is so good. I have been nervous that these last bunches of paperwork are going to take so long. God is teaching me to trust in Him a lot right now.
Charlie said something that really made sense to me. He said in baseball his coach always told them to expect a fastball but adjust to a curveball. If expecting a curveball you wouldn't really have time to adjust to a fastball...it can only work the first way. With God we should do this too. Expect God to do big amazing things. In our adoption we should expect Him to expedite the process, make everything work out perfectly because this far we believe this is His plan and He has provided in everyway. But if He throws a curveball we have to adjust to it and accept it as part of His plan also...even if we don't understand it. We are learning to trust Him...His timing...His plan...His will.

Thank you for your prayers...we are moving along quite nicely. :D

Emmy's big date...

2009-04-24T17:09:00.000-07:00

Charlie has taken emmy out quite a few times before, and we've called it a Daddy/Daughter date. She gets excited of course and has a blast. Well recently Charlie had a big proposal at school and he had to wear a suit. When Emmy saw him she was so enamored with him in such a sweet way. She kept telling him how much she liked his suit, and how handsome he looked. So Charlie got the idea to dress up and come to the door to take her to on a date. He will continue to do this often to show her, and any other daughters we have, how a man should treat a woman. This is if our daughters chooses to date (against fathers wishes) after, oh about 30 yrs. old. :D

Here are some pictures of their sweet adventure tonight...and I also had to bring in the spiritual side of things. How sweet that our Heavenly Father does this with us. He is our Prince (King) Charming...He has sacrificed to be with us. He only treats us with kindness, love, compassion, mercy, grace, and waits for us to open the door of our hearts and enter in to an amazing romance with Him. He is a perfect gentleman. I pray Charlie will be a great model to guide Emmy to our heavenly father and to learn the amazing relationship we can have with Him. What a beautiful picture for Emmy to learn at such a young age.

(For all those wondering I had a wonderful evening alone. Four words for you...pedicure, coffee, quiet...priceless!)

A little update...

2009-04-22T18:44:00.000-07:00

Just to keep you all posted...we are still updating and finalizing our homestudy. It takes a little longer to review than we thought. So hopefully it will be done soon. I have one question...will you please pray for our (well mostly my) attitude throughout this process? Please pray also for all the details to workout and for the Lord's timing to reign even if it doesn't match our own. Because of course we want the child that is for our family and was chosen for us!! So if that means it takes longer to get us that child then that is ok. :D
I guess I am realizing more and more how hard this process is going to be and already is. It is not a road for the faint of heart. It is like a marathon...not a sprint. It is so easy to get lost in all the details and to get frustrated when you have to re-do papers that took 3 1/2 hours to get in the first place. It's just a difficult road...BUT with an amazing end. I know once we hold our sweet baby I will forget about all the hardships and pains we endured. Just like physical laboring with a baby adoption labor I know will have the same result! I remember 20 minutes after birthing emmy I looked at up at Charlie and said..."I can see why people do this again."

We appreciate your prayers... :D

Easter thoughts...

2009-04-11T16:28:00.001-07:00

As I enter into "the Sunday" where we all, often, have alot to do...shop for gifts, stuff baskets, prepare food, coordinate family schedules, coordinate outfits, shop some more, do crafts, prepare an egg hunt, and drive all over to various families houses, etc...I just wanted to stop today and really thank Jesus for the sacrifice He made for me. Put aside the preparations and just sit at His feet and say thank you. Thank you Jesus. I love the song "What a friend we have in Jesus"...Here are the words. I loved knowing, really knowing what the words are saying and singing along with the music. Happy, Happy Resurrection Day!! :D

What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield you; you will find a solace there.

Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised Thou wilt all our burdens bear
May we ever, Lord, be bringing all to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright unclouded there will be no need for prayer
Rapture, praise and endless worship will be our sweet portion there.

Visits from the social worker...

2009-04-07T19:53:00.000-07:00

Sweet Emmy

Charlie's 30th Birthday!

So we've had our final meeting with our social worker. It was great and she is a delight...it wasn't scary at all. She was very friendly, kind, and engaging. It was such an answer to prayer! So thank you all for your faithful prayers. We now wait for the Homestudy to be finalized and then send it to immagration and in 6-8 weeks we get the special paper that allows us to adopt! Once we have that paper we send in our dossier. From that point we will be waiting roughly 9-12 months to find out the sex of our sweet baby (fun since we found out the sex with emmy) and we'll see a picture!! We will also get a description of his/her personality and status of his/her health. We can't wait...it seems like it'll be forever but we know it will be here sooner than we think. :D

We can't tell you enough how much your prayers & support mean to us...thank you!!

2009-03-30T09:37:00.000-07:00

(To watch video simply pause the music on our blog and press the square button on the right corner of the video to see it on the full screen.)
I found this video and needed to post it because it is so powerful. It spoke a thousand words to me...that true joy and peace comes not from circumstances but from the Lord. What heroes we have living so far from us and in such poverty and harsh circumstances and yet are full of life and joy because of the Lord and because of a choice...

2009-03-17T21:21:00.000-07:00

We finally have an appointment with our social worker!! Yay! March 24th is our official first meeting with our social worker. She will basically sum up our lives and who we are and that is what the Ethiopian government will see and judge whether we are fit parents for a child. So please pray with us as we pray for the Lord's mercies. We pray for our social worker, Angie to be gracious, kind, patient, and helpful. We also pray we will be a loving example of Christ to her as well. We need prayers also for Charlie and our family these last 13 weeks of Charlie's school. It's going to be really hard but God is good and will see us through it all! Thank you for your prayers...

God is always good...

2009-03-11T13:26:00.000-07:00

It is times like these that I remember God's goodness. Sad at times it takes something like a donor offering to pay for all three of our plane tickets to Ethiopia to remember...but God works in these times.

First of all how amazing!! Charlie has a work connection that has developed into a friendship and everyone at that company just loves Charlie. Charlie's boss was telling the owner of this company about our adoption and the finances involved and right on the spot he offered to pay for two of our plane tickets while charlie's amazing boss also wanted to pay for the third ticket. We were and are praising God for his provision and continued confirmation this is where He wants us to be...God is so good.

As I was praying and praising God, He was gently reminding me that He is ALWAYS good...He was good when my mom was in the hospital and we thought we might lose her...when emmy was born...when a child dies...when someone accepts His salvation...when someone doesn't...when I praise Him...and when I don't. God is ALWAYS good. Recieving a gift as we have today it's just an added blessing in this life He gave me. I will take it and praise Him still and say in faith, God you are always good. Thank you Jesus! :D

2009-02-25T07:55:00.001-08:00

Besides being exhausted from three days of getting up early and being on our feet all day...the garage sale went great! Even though we were exhausted it was definitely worth it. We made about $700.00!! Thank you everyone who made donations and helped in any way. It is appreciated more than you know. Thank you!

2009-02-19T12:49:00.001-08:00

Our fundraiser shirts arrived today!! They look amazing...and even our UPS guy signed up to buy one! We've had a few delays with our paperwork but it should all be turned in by next week and then we will meet with the social worker...

So I have been seeking the Lord much lately about what I can do to help the orphans. What can I, one person do? I believe the Lord is leading me to help start an orphan ministry at our church. I am so passionate for these children...many of whom are living lives without hope, without family, and without love.

I know this seems like such a big "task"...for there are roughly 132 million orphans in the world. Really what can one person do to help these children? That is why I love this story...

The Starfish Story (Original Story by Loren Eisley)

One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean.
Approaching the boy, he asked, "What are you doing?"
The youth replied, "Throwing starfish back into the ocean. The surf is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them back, they’ll die."
"Son," the man said, "don’t you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish? You can’t make a difference!"
After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish, and threw it back into the surf. Then, smiling at the man, he said…"I made a difference for that one."

This is so true for any orphan. If we can make a difference for one child then it mattered to them. Please pray for me as I seek approval & begin the orphan ministry.

Thank you all for your support! :)

2009-02-10T23:21:00.000-08:00

We have our very first fundraiser this Friday night Feb. 13th, 7-9pm at It's a Grind Coffee House. It's a free event with donations taken for our adoption! The addres is 2010 E. Carson St. in Long Beach. If you have a free night and want to support us stop by.

Also we will be having a garage sale on Feb. 21st, so if you have any junk you want to donate all proceeds go toward the adoption...Thanks.

Here is a poem Charlie wrote the other day when he was thinking of our little child to be...

The Gift That Goes Both Ways by Charlie Beal

I’ve been in this world for six months alone
The only women that I’ve ever known are suddenly gone
Now I’m surrounded by this couple and a little one too
Everything around me seems so scary and new

Fast forward three months, I’m changing inside
All my unheard cries are quickly falling by the wayside
The house is warm, not like that room where I used to lay
These people say the words “I love you” each and every day.

What these words mean, I’m still not entirely sure of,
But I’m positive that these people were sent to me from above
It’s weird, when I smile, they smile, could it be true
that possibly I was sent by God as a gift for them too?

Fast forward another three months, my birthday’s today
Surrounded by friends and family, I laugh and I play.
I eat cake, open presents, and I’m starting to see
I belong in this place, this is my family

As I lay in my crib at night, they surround me and pray
A feeling rushes over me that I haven’t felt til today
They finish up, give hugs and kisses and as they’re leaving my room
They say “I love you” and for the first time I say “I love you, too.”

As I drift off to sleep this feeling doesn’t leave me
Without the love of God this feeling just could not be
Am I a gift to them too? I thought back in those days
I thank you Jesus for this gift that truly goes both ways.

Random thoughts...

2009-01-23T23:15:00.000-08:00

Where are we in the process right now? Well we are almost done with our 2nd packet of paperwork to get assigned a social worker for our home study. Our home study should take about two months-tops. We should have the packet sent out early next week. We are getting alot of paperwork done, organized, and ordered for our dossier (which completes the "paper pregnancy" and starts the waiting game). Please pray for us to be diligent in getting our paperwork done quickly and correctly. Thank you!

Charlie is 4 1/2 months away from GRADUATING!! I am so proud of him and all he has accomplished and overcome in hitting this milestone. He thought he wasn't "school minded" and now he is saying the "M" word...MASTERS! :)

Emmy is so much fun...She has always been fun, but lately we have just enjoyed her sweetness. She is a sweet spirit that we can't wait to watch God grow. We pray for you Emmy to always "love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength." Deut. 6:5. We love you!