Thinking about names

I've been really thinking about names. Earlier I talked about changing my last name to my children's Ethiopian surname (see Josiah & Naomi posted 11/27/07), which according to their traditions is their father's first name. I wanted to honor their heritage and family. But the more I talk to people and the more I think about it, I am now leaning again towards giving them my last name instead. There are many reasons, but I have given it much thought and prayer and it seems like the better decision. So I am a bit reluctantly, but peacefully letting go of that desire.

Computer woes

Well, my computer had been running increasingly slower and slower and finally died completely on 12/29/07 - just after my last post. I'm not sure if the hard drive gave out or if it was victim to some virulent virus (my virus scanning software said "0 viruses" but I'm not sure I believe it). After growing frustration with my PC the last year or two, I made the switch to a Mac and am still working on learning its unique nuances. I was hoping to simplify my life a bit and resolve this area of frustration prior to my new venture in motherhood, but alas, it is yet to be resolved. And with the switch some of my diligent backing up of files may have been for naught as not all are compatible with the new Mac. Perhaps someone is trying to tell me to let go of some of my computer obsession, so I'll have more time for these precious children!!

I'm still waiting for an update on the twins. They were to have been moved from the foster home in Soddo to the CWA care center in Addis Ababa around 1/3/08, but to my knowledge that hasn't happened. Once there, they will get another medical exam and then the court date can be scheduled. Nonetheless, I am still estimating traveling to get them sometime in March. Time is moving so fast and so slow both at the same time!

Another step closer

I got my I-171H immigration approval today! Yeah! Another step closer. So that means I should know within the next few weeks when my court date will be. I am so excited ... and scared and nervous and a hundred emotions I can't even name!

Please say prayers that the rest of the process goes smoothly. Thanks!

Melkam Yelidet Beaal (Happy Christmas)

GENNA

Christmas in Ethiopia, called Lidet or Genna, is not the primary religious and secular festival that it has become in Western countries. Falling on January 7th, it is celebrated seriously by a church service that goes on throughout the night in ancient churches carved from solid volcanic rock and also in modern churches that are designed in three concentric circles. Men and boys sit separately from girls and women. The choir sings from the outside circle.

The day before Genna, people fast all day. On Christmas Eve the city is crowded with pilgrims from all parts of the country. They remain outdoors all night, praying and chanting. The next morning at dawn, everyone dresses in white. Most Ethiopians wear a traditional shamma, a thin, white cotton wrap with brightly colored stripes across the ends. The shamma is worn somewhat like a toga. Urban Ethiopians might put on white Western garb. A colorful procession makes its way to a nearby hilltop where a service is held. Three young men march at the head of the crowd, lashing whips from left to right to keep the people in line. People receive candles as they enter the church. After lighting the candles everyone walks around the church three times, then stands throughout the mass, which may last up to three hours.

After the service is over the rest of the day is spent dancing, playing sport and feasting. Traditionally, young men played a game somewhat like hockey, called genna, played with a curved stick and a round wooden ball, and so Christmas has also come to be known by that name. Food served at Christmas usually includes injera, a sourdough pancake like bread. Injera serves as both plate and fork. Doro wat, a spicy chicken stew might be the main meal. A piece of the injera is used to scoop up the wat. Baskets decorated beautifully are used to serve the wat.

Genna and Timkat are not occasions for giving gifts in Ethiopia. If a child receives any gift at all, it is usually a small gift of clothing. Religious observances, feasting, and games are the focus of the season.

TIMKET

Timket, the feast of Epiphany is the greatest festival of the year, falling on January 19th, just two weeks after the Ethiopian Christmas. It is actually a three-day affair beginning on the eve of Timket with dramatic and colourful processions. The children walk to church services in a procession, wearing the crowns and robes of the church youth groups they belong to. The grown-ups wear the shamma. The priests will now wear their red and white robes and carry embroidered fringed umbrellas.

The following morning, the great day itself, Christ's baptism in the Jordan River by John the Baptist is commemorated. Ethiopian men play another sport called yeferas guks. They ride on horseback and throw ceremonial lances at each other. Since October and the end of the rains, the country has been drying up steadily. The sun blazes down from a clear blue sky and the festival of Timket always takes place in glorious weather.

Melkam Yelidet Beaal (Happy Christmas)

With Love,
Nancy

Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy

The latest news (received 12/20/07) ...

AMEN!
The [caretaker] of [the children] are bringing them tomorrow - they are saying their farewells in their village. They also live far away from Soddo. All is well!
Blessings,
S.

The only surprise there is that I had thought my kids were from Soddo and now it seems they are from "far away from Soddo." Crazy!!! But I'm thankful and feel blessed for any tidbit of information I can glean. For some of the children nothing at all is known.

Plop plop, fizz fizz

Oh what a relief it is!
(In case you're wondering what the heck I am talking about, that jingle is part of an old Alka-Seltzer commercial) ... anyway ... I received this email today ...

Subject: Merry Christmas News!

Nancy,
I have just received an email from Soddo that our social worker was able to make contact with the family and the children are going to come to the orphanage as soon as possible this week. Our volunteer says to put your heart at ease and she will let us know as soon as they have arrived.

Big sigh of relief! Thank you Jesus! Now "cautiously" bouncing off the ceiling.

Kinda nervous

Last week I was told that my children had been moved into the CWA foster home in Soddo. This was rather bittersweet, as to me that meant leaving what is familiar to them, but also meant they were safe and well cared for. Today I was apologetically informed that there had been a miscommunication and the woman providing the information was caught in the midst of multiple tasks (sound familiar?) and momentarily confused my kids with another sibling group in the same phase of the process.

As far as my kids' status, they have been sent two messages "inviting" them to the orphanage /foster home. I'm not sure if they didn't respond or just haven't come. Nonetheless, a case worker is being sent to their town this week to speak with them. This makes me really nervous, as it is a very tenuous situation ...

Until they are in the adoption agencies care, anything can happen: Communication in third world countries is difficult and the people can be sometimes transient. The agencies don't "lose" the children, per se, but sometimes after initial contact it becomes difficult or even impossible to regain it. Or, guardians may change their minds or other relatives may step forward that wish to care for the kids.

The CWA motto is "We Believe That God is in Control of Our Agency and Your Adoption." I know this is true and I have complete faith that God has mighty plans to bring my perfect children to me. I have also worked very hard at guarding my heart ... "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." ~ Proverbs 4:23. With an international adoption from a third world country you really have no guarantees until you actually have the children in your arms. I'm sure everything will be fine, but I am praying for God's grace and covering.

Dossier in Ethiopia

I just found out that my dossier was sent to Ethiopia on 11/27/07. Yippee! Another step closer.

... next ...recieve I-171H (mid January 2008?)
... then ... court date (mid to late February 2008?)
... then ... pick up my kids! (late March to early April 2008?)

And ... I sent out a second email tonight for my fundraising efforts, and have already received a new gift. Praise God! He is Jehovah Jireh, the God Who Provides. "So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, 'On the mountain of the Lord, it will be provided.' " ~ Genesis 22:14

It's a small world

A few weekends ago I went to a Ethiopian Older Child Adoption Training put on by Kingdom Kids Ministries in Spokane, Washington. It was wonderful and informative and I would highly recommend it. Part of the program consisted of other adoptive parents (mostly the moms) coming in to speak to us about their experiences. What a blessing to have that first hand knowledge!

About a week after my return I was talking to one of the women from my church who said she had a friend in Washington (I thought she said Seattle) who had adopted 10 children, loves Jesus, and would be a great resource for me. So I got the email address and sent a note. We shared a bit of information and one of the things I mentioned was my trip to Spokane and how helpful I had found it. She wrote back in amazement! She had been one of the speakers!! Once we knew each other was there, we both knew exactly who the other was. What a small world! Or as I prefer to say ... isn't God amazing!!!! What an encouragement!

So what happens now, you may ask? ...

Well ... I filed my I-600A immigration form and was fingerprinted on 11/14/07. They are saying in Colorado it is taking around two months to get the I-171H approval back. So that should happen around mid-January 2008.

In the meantime, with my home study complete and approved, my dossier is now complete as well! Yeah!!! The dossier - a bundle of paperwork more precious than gold due to the hours of labor it takes to compile all the many forms, official copies, and endless details - then needs to be authenticated by the U.S. Department of State in Washington D.C. and after that by the Ethiopian Embassy. One can mail their bundle and hope for the best, or use a courier service, who will hand carry your paperwork to the U.S. Department of State, wait for it, and then trot it over to the Ethiopian Embassy, wait for it (or return on an assigned day), and then use your prepaid envelope to return the completed package to your agency. I chose to do the later. I used The Assistant Stork, and was pleased with their service. I sent my package via FedEx on Friday, and it was authenticated and in my agencies hands by Wednesday. It will then be sent off to Ethioipia to await the arrival of the I-171H immigration approval.

Based on the experience of other adopting parents, I estimate having a court date around six weeks after both the dossier and immigration form have been received in Ethiopia. So maybe late February or early March. We hear that it is another 4-6 weeks after that to travel (though some web postings say as little as three weeks!) making my trip to the ancient and fascinating land of Ethiopia to pick up my angels in late March or early April of 2008. Just over eight months from the day I sent in my application!!! WOW!

Josiah & Naomi

Update 3/6/08: This post was temporarily suspended pending court approval in compliance with Ethiopian law and adoption agency policies. See Faux Pas dated 1/23/08.

There is a lot of discussion in the international adoption circles about keeping the child's given name versus giving them an "American" name. I love names and name meanings and have given this much thought. In the Bible (my go-to guide for life) name changes represent a change in character, relationship or covenant with God, a new position, or an introduction to a new life and new purpose. Wow! That last one hits the mark! So my children will have new names and will also keep their Ethiopian given names. In addition, since I am single and my current last name is from a marriage I am no longer in - though I am good friends with my ex and really like my last name - I will legally change my last name to my children's last name!

So we will all be Sintayehu, which is pronounced Sin-TIE-u and is Amharic (the national language of Ethiopia) in origin. The literal meaning is “how much have I seen” or “I have seen a lot in my life.” It is a poetic and beautiful name; a kind of expressive name that leaves new mothers wondering when they see their newborn baby.

(See follow-up Thinking about names posted on 1/14/08)

When the blessing of adoption was first laid upon my heart, my son's name was revealed as Josiah. I love his Biblical story found in 2 Kings 22 & 23 (and also in 1 Chronicles 34 & 35) -- "He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD and walked in all the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left." When the lost Book of the Law that had been given to Moses was rediscovered, King Josiah instructed his people to obey the commandments and brought the people of Judah back to God. At the time I had never heard of anyone having that name and now I meet Josiah's every time I turn around!

So my new son is Josiah John Naol.

Josiah is pronounced jo-SYE-ah, and is Hebrew for "God Will Save, Jehovah Helps, The Lord Saves." He was the 16th king of Judah at age eight after his father was assassinated, and Josiah ruled well for 31 years. My middle name is Jo, so he is also named after me in a loose kind of way. The name Josiah was rated #117 on the 2006 SSA List (Social Security Administration list ranking the popularity of names in the U.S.)

His second name John, is in honor of my dear friend, John W. May who is entwined in my heart and soul, and whom I will love forever and always. The origin is Hebrew and the meaning is "God Is Gracious." Biblically, it is the name of the longest-lived of the 12 apostles, who was especially loved by Christ, as well as the name of John the Baptist, who baptized Christ in the Jordan river. The name John was #20 on the 2006 SSA List.

Naol is pronounced Nah-ol, and is the Ethiopian form of the Biblical name Noah. The origin of Noah is Hebrew, meaning "Peaceful, Rest, Long-lived, Comforter, Wanderer." And of course in the Bible, Noah was the patriarch survivor of the Great Flood who drifted in the ark for 40 days. All the world's nations are descended from Noah's three sons - Ham, Shem and Japheth.

My new daughter is Naomi Grace Firaol.

I picked Naomi just because I love the sound of it! It is pronounced nay-OH-mee, and is of Hebrew origin, meaning "Beautiful, Gentle, Pleasant, Delightful." Naomi was an ancestress of Jesus and mother-in-law to Ruth. The name came into English-speaking use in the 18th century and it was #129 on the 2006 SSA List

My name, Nancy is Hebrew for "Grace," so my daughter gets her second name from me. The name Grace is of Latin origin meaning "Grace of God, Favor, Blessings, Good Will." While not a name used as such in the Bible, it is a virtue name referring to God's grace. Grace was #17 on the 2006 SSA List.

Firaol is pronounced Frah-ol (the "r" is rolled like in Spanish). The origin is Orominya -- Oromo is the ethnic group in Ethiopia that my children belong to. The literal meaning is "to make nice for friends and family." It is a lovely name to have.

Peace and Blessings ...
Your family In Christ

It's official!!! Meet my new children ...

Update 3/6/08: This post was temporarily suspended pending court approval in compliance with Ethiopian law and adoption agency policies. See Faux Pas dated 1/23/08.

I've been bitting my tongue and sitting on my hands to resist posting until things were definite. After receiving their sweet photos, I just wanted to say "yes! yes! yes!," but my practical side made me wait until I received the actual referral paperwork. There is a slight medical issue, but I was able to speak with our local International Adoption Clinic doctor (I am so blessed to have that resource nearby) and most importantly to lift it up in prayer. God is so awesome and has given me a real peace about everything. Praise the Lord!!! So ..... I've officially accepted the referral for my beautiful twins, Naol & Firaol Sintayehu. They are amazing and I love and adore them already. I can hardly wait to bring them home!

I'm Sooooo Excited!!!

I was offered photos last Tuesday of two beautiful twins, a boy and a girl around 8-9 years old and both completely adorable!! Praise God! Just seeing their faces is an answer to prayer! The agency had just met them so they have not been through any medical testing as of yet. Please pray that they are healthy!!!! I am resisting saying more or posting photos until I know more and am more certain they will truly be available. But I am very, very excited!

A Referral on the Horizon?

A team from my adoption agency has just returned from Ethiopia where they visited the orphanage they support, interviewed new families & children in need, and took photographs and film for potential adoptive parents. I just know the children God has chosen for me are among these kids, and I can hardly stand my excitement. I know the agency has a lot of work to do to get everything organized, but it will be all I can do to not continually pester them to show me everything they have. Please continue your prayers that God reveals my referral to me soon! Thank you so much ... stay tuned!

Making New Friends

Titi & Abeba
One of the most fun parts of this journey is all the new friends I am making! When I found out one of my friends has a neighbor from Ethiopia, I said, "Have her call me!!!!!" I met Abeba at a local Ethiopian restaurant owned by her cousin, Titi. We had a lovely (and delicious) dinner and Abeba patiently answered my unending river of questions about Ethiopia. She is kind and gracious and offered all kinds of help, from teaching me some basic Amharic, to translating captions for photos when I get them ready to send to my new children, to being my friend and "auntie" to my kids. I love her already. I also met her sweet, beautiful 14-year old daughter Illen (who also has a twin brother, Amanuel who I didn't get to meet) who charmed Titi's 11-month old daughter, Maya. Aren't they lovely!!!

Maya & Illen
I've been blessed to have met other new parents of Ethiopian children through training offered by my home study agency. It will be so cool to raise our kids together. In fact, I'm getting ready to head over to one couple's house for dinner this afternoon.

I also joined a local Ethiopian Adoption Support Group and really appreciate the support of the other parents I've met there. Taking this journey as a single mom, I am especially thankful to have the shared experiences and others to bounce ideas off of. And hopefully my new kids will also have some "built in" friends! God is so good!