What's next?

Now that we have a referral (that means we have files, a few photos, and muffled paper work) for our kiddos, many of you are asking what comes next?

Good question!

When you adopt from Ethiopia, you have to make 2 court trips instead of 1. The children will be taken to a Preliminary Hearing by an official, but we will not be there for that.  We are currently filling out a bunch of papers so that the courts can begin gathering all the information that they need in order for us to travel and to officially adopt them.  This process takes longer than you can imagine. Remember...we are talking third world...and Africa.

We are HOPING to make our first trip this Fall, and to have all our family under one roof for Christmas.  Just imagine the largest game of charades EVER at our house for the holidays!

We also have chosen their American names, and after seeing their photos...we think they are very fitting. Join us in praying for them by name...

MILES and CHARLOTTE KATE

We would LOVE for you to  also join us in praying for these specific things...

• That our family would face this new adjustment with love and grace and mercy.
• Any time there is adoption, that means that there has been great loss.  Pray specifically for our children,  that God would heal broken places in their hearts, and heal wounds of mistrust and fear.
• We are not adopting babies, and these sweet siblings will soon be leaving everything they have ever known (language, smells, tastes, people, etc...).  Pray for their hearts.
• Begin praying that they will know that they are children of the Most High King!  That we love them, but how their heavenly Father loves them so much more!
• At the time of referral, we had enough money saved to accept ONE referral and had started saving for our travel expenses (2 plane tickets, 2 visas, 2 passports, in-country lodging and travel, etc...). Accepting a referral for 2 kiddos meant a lot more money was due at referral and we are now back to square one in saving for travel.  We are CONFIDANT that our God is ABLE and WILLING to provide for our every need!!! 

Several have asked what is the best way to give to us financially. We are ALWAYS humbled when people choose to support our adoption by selflessly giving of their finances.

Do you see that button that says DONATE at the top/right of this page? We have an account with Lifesong for Orphans, where you can make a tax-deductible donation in any amount and it and will be put in a specific account just for our family.  That button provides a direct link to our Lifesong account.  If at any time you feel like God is calling you to partner with us in our adoption financially, you can use that link.  They will send money to our agency as we need it. 

 

THANK YOU for journeying with us.  We are grateful for the prayers that go up on our behalf and praise God for the village that He has placed around us.  

We have a REFERRAL!!!

When our plans seem big...God's plans are HUGE!!! 

Did you count the chairs? 

Count again. 

Yes, there are 6! 

We are excited to announce that after MUCH prayer, and MANY tears, we have accepted a referral for 2 Ethiopian beauties.  They are brother and sister.  The little girl is 4 and the little boy is 6. 

We feel blessed that God would present these two beautiful faces before us.  We had not anticipated a phone call for two, but again, God's plans for our family are far better than our own. 

We are trusting in HIS plan. 

We are leaning on HIS word.

We are being obedient to HIS call.

We want to make HIM famous in this journey, not ourselves. 

We are overjoyed, scared, excited, hopeful, and humbled by HIS grace. 

Would you continue to pray for us as we begin preparations in becoming a family of 6?

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,  to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.  Ephesians 3:20-21

T-SHIRTS for SALE!!!!

We are now selling t-shirts!  We picked two designs that we thought might be good for those adopting from Ethiopia, those adopting from other countries or domestically, and for those who just want to support adoption.

Sizes are YOUTH SMALL - ADULT 3X

$20 - Short Sleeve
$25 - Long Sleeve
$27 - Comfort soft - cuff less

Please email just comment on here if you are interested in ordering a shirt.

Here is the first design...

*This shirt can be ordered in these other colors too!!

SHIRT #2

This shirt we are only ordering in Charcoal, short sleeve or long sleeve

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR ADOPTION AND ALL THOSE WHO ARE ORPHANED!!!

Comfort to Courage

Our daughter Campbell is 9 years old. She is wise beyond her years. She teaches me more about Christ's love than I could have ever imagined and reveals to me so many of my insecurities through her self-confidence.  Going through the adoption process with older children is a lot different than adding to the family when they are young.  There are more questions, more involvement in decisions that need to be made, and a lot more years where it was "just us".

We were riding in the car the other day on the way to tennis practice. It was just the two of us, and she seemed a little more quiet than usual. Our family has a very communicative relationship, and when one of momma's cubs is "quiet", I usually start in with the 20 questions game.  I looked at her and said, "Are you okay?" She nodded and then said, "Mom, do you ever think about how different our family will be now that God has called us to adopt?"

(Gulp....)

I had to wonder if the child who had been begging us to adopt for over a year, was having second thoughts...if she realized that being "Daddy's Little Girl" might mean that now she would have to share him...if she kinda liked our little family the way is was...if she wanted to go on that family vacation this year, that has now been put on hold.  Then, she said this...

"I think it will be so different, but in ways we cannot even imagine.  God always knows what is best for us and He gave our family a lot of love to give to someone else.  How our life is now, just the four of us, is so good...but I know we are the perfect family for someone who doesn't have one.  I cannot even think about what it will be like, but I know it will be better."

WOW...

I told her I loved her and smiled through my tears.  I am so thankful that she is willing to talk to me about anything.  I told her that my heart was feeling those very same things.  God has called our family to adopt...not just mom and dad.

We are going from COMFORT to COURAGE.  Oh how God has blessed us, and we are comfortable with where we are.  But He gave us courage to step out in faith.  He wants so much more for us.

"Change" A Life

Friends and Family...

We are ready to get you involved in our journey! Many of you have committed to praying for us and have given such wonderful words of affirmation to us since we made our official announcement that we were adopting from Ethiopia.  Even though we have not seen this child, we are already praying for her salvation, her adoption into God's family.  We are forever grateful for your partnership!  It takes a village...

Our first fundraiser will allow you all to help us "change" a life for one child.  This will be an on-going fundraiser and should be an easy one.  We are asking families to place a mason jar (that looks just like the one below) somewhere in their house and to toss in their loose change. This is a great way to get your whole family involved in caring for orphans. We are hoping that this will also serve as a reminder to pray for the millions of abandoned children all over the world.  

Once your jar is full, you can bring it to us and let us know if you want to continue to re-fill it until our child comes home.  For those who live out of town, but want to participate, any jar will do! Every penny, quarter, dollar, will go towards changing an entire generation for this little girl. It is also our wish to use some of the monies collected to purchase needed items for the orphanage in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where our child will live until we meet her.   

For those feeling lead to give beyond "the jar", you can do so by clicking the yellow DONATE button at the top right.  

 I have the jars with the labels on them. Please just email me at thericheys@insightbb.com if you would like one, and I will get it to you.  

Thankful for each of you...

...‘I tell you the truth, just as you did it for one of the least of these brothers or sisters of mine, you did it for me.’  Matthew 25:40

Here we go!

Best Valentine's Day EVER!!

Here we go!  We mailed off our official application to Lifeline to see if we will be accepted into their adoption program.  We should hear back next week!