"When we open our lives to an orphan, the transformation most always happens in both directions.

Certainly, orphans do need us. We may need them even more."  

  

Thursday, April 29, 2010

All Systems Go!!

Ethiopia here we come!   We are confirmed!  Lukas has passed his TB test!  All the paperwork is in order!  We are heading to Ethiopia two weeks from tomorrow.  The plane tickets are purchased.    

Overjoyed.  Overwhelmed.  Stunned.  In awe.  Nervous.  Delighted.  Exhausted.   A wee bit scared.  :-)

Praising our Lord from whom all blessings flow.  Praise His holy name.

"I love You, O Lord, my strength." 
Psalm 18:1

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Showered with Blessings

I had the most beautiful, special adoption shower today that ever was.  Truly.  I am overflowing with God's love being poured out on me through His people.   Thank you, each one of you who blessed our family in such a meaningful way today.   I tried to pay attention to each moment and store it up in my heart.


Leah did the most amazing job putting all of this together today.  My mom and sister did so much and put so much of their love, time, and effort into this.as well.  Many others helped out with food, setting up, and cleaning up.


It started with a huge surprise that was waiting for me when I walked into the room.  


This gorgeous picture was waiting for me.  It is a picture of the southern region of Ethiopia where our boys are from.   It is a birthday present from my Mom, my sis, and my two sisters-in-law.  Nothing could have been more perfect for me.  I loooooove it!  Tears started early on...


Here we are minus my sister-in-law who is in Germany.   I really wish she could have been with us as well.  We missed her!

My family "from the north" drove down to share this special day with me.  I love this group of ladies so much!  It was so sweet to have my grandma Ruth share this day with me as well.  


My sister gave a devotional for us that was so touching and personal.  I couldn't really make eye contact with her or it would all be over - but I listened and stored it up in my heart.  Thank you, sis!  I love you.


Leah created unique goody bags.  Yummy chocolates inside and on the outside were specific prayer requests for our family and the boys.   Leah had asked me weeks ago to provide her with a list of very specific prayer requests.  Each bag had one of those prayer requests inside the "Thank you" card on the front.   Now, each guest has an individual prayer assignment for the coming weeks!


Rather than a traditional shower game, Leah taught the whole gang an amazing lesson about Ethiopia.  I gotta tell you, I was SO impressed.  She taught us about the landscape, the location, the climate, the animals, the food, the people, housing,  religion.  I think she knows more about Ethiopia than I do!   It touched me so much and I love that those who were there went home with a much better understanding of where our boys are coming from.  After her Ethiopia lesson, she gave us a quiz and the winners received prizes.


That's my wonderful mother-in-law on the other side helping Leah.  She is a great blessing and huge support in my life!

The food was delicious!  I wish I could have eaten a lot more of it!  Thank you, each one, who contributed such yummy delights for all of us!


Several friends whom I hadn't seen in a long time came and even some friends whom I had never met!  Thank you all so much for taking the time to share this day with me.   It means so very much to me.   It was precious to have each and every one of you there.  

God provided again for our family above and beyond our imagination.  We received so many thoughtful, special gifts today.   I truly hope that one day Lukas and Y.J. will see these pictures and hear the stories of this day and know that they are loved, loved, loved.  

The Hanagan family thanks you so much.  Now we just need our two little guys home to make our family picture complete. 


Thank you, thank you, Leah.    You put so much of your heart into making this day so memorable and meaningful.  I will never forget it.   


"Enter His gates with thanksgiving,
And His courts with praise.
Give thanks to Him; bless His name."
Psalms 100:4  

Friday, April 23, 2010

Tentative Travel Dates!

Well, it looks like I might be getting the best birthday present ever this year!  As it stands now, we will be leaving for Ethiopia on my birthday, May 13th!!!  However, our dates are tentative at this point.  We are still waiting on Lukas' TB test to come back.  Please pray that we get a negative result and can move forward.

Right now, here is where we stand:  We are scheduled for the US Embassy appointment on May 17th.  That means we need to arrive in Addis Ababa on May 15th.  We would get to hold our precious boys in our arms on May 16th.   We would go to the US Embassy for our appointment on the 17th.  On May 20th, we would leave Addis and we would arrive home the afternoon of May 21st!

Somebody pinch me...  I cannot believe this is happening.  We are about to leave home, travel to Africa, and gain two beautiful sons - all in about three weeks from now!  

Tomorrow, my sis-in-law is throwing us an adoption shower!  I am so looking forward to having this time of celebration with my dear family and friends.  God is beyond good.  His unfailing love is everlasting.  

"For I know that the Lord is great,
And that our God is above all gods.
Whatever the Lord pleases, He does,
In heaven and in earth, in the seas and all deeps."
Psalm 135:5-6 

Monday, April 19, 2010

That's Good...That's Bad

Did you ever read that book as a kid?  My mom used to read that to us and I loved it.  It is a boy relating a story of what had happened to him.  A good thing would happen, followed by a bad thing, and the pattern would repeat itself.   Throughout the story, the listener replies with, "That's good" or "That's bad".

That's what my day felt like today.  It started with Tom calling to tell me that a bonus he was expecting...well, we are no longer expecting it.   That's bad.

A little while later, another phone call from Tom.  He had just gotten off the phone with our insurance adjuster.  I have been praying for God to provide us with a new roof since we moved in seven years ago.  Guess what?  Remember the hailstorm I blogged about recently?  We found out today that God is providing us with a new roof!  That's good.  Really good!   I'm talking, Praise the Lord good!  

The phone did not ring again today.  No, we will not be joining the May 3rd travel group.    That's bad.

But, really, I can't say that.  Because even though it was a really hard day and my heart felt crushed, I know that I know that I know that God is in control and He knows what is best.  He knows what dates we should we travel.  He knows the boys need to come home.  He knows our little guy  needs a doctor.  He knows these things.  And we trust Him with all our hearts.  That's good.

So, we wait expectantly and we pray.  Please pray along with us that we will make the May 17th travel group.  It shouldn't be too long until we get the news we are dying to hear.

 "Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance."
II Thess. 3:16 

Sunday, April 18, 2010

No News Yet...

But I gotta tell ya, my heart is beating with anticipation of what tomorrow might bring.  I feel God at work.  I feel Him preparing to do even greater things.  My faith is growing daily.  My heart is set on the Lord.  I trust Him.  I can't wait to see what He is going to do next!  Yes, I hoped for news of a travel date last week.  It was a long week of not hearing the phone ring.  This means (or not) that we will not make the May 3rd embassy appointment travel group most likely.   Truly, that is the most likely scenario. But I'm not giving up yet.  God has not let me let go of it yet.  One more day.   Who knows what my God may do tomorrow?    My enthusiasm is greater than ever and my hope is sprouting anew each day, each minute.   Tomorrow is coming...  One day closer to our boys coming home.

As I was reading the Word over and over this past week, I was just struck with the peace of really trusting who God is.  Really trusting in what He is doing.   When you really, really trust someone, you can have peace even when you don't understand.  I really, really trust my Lord.  I will wait on Him.  I will rejoice.  My heart is overflowing with His goodness and love.

I read a beautiful post from a fellow AGCI mom who recently got a referral of a precious baby boy.  I thought I would share the link for those who might wish to read it.  It answers some questions that I have struggled with.  It is called Your Baby Has a Birth Mother?    I hope you take the time to read it.

What a special weekend we've enjoyed.  We celebrated my (used to be) babies' 10th birthdays, my mother-in-law's 70th birthday, my niece's 13th birthday, and my Grandmother's 87th birthday!   Is God good or what?

 "Let me hear Your unfailing love in the morning;
For I trust in You;
Teach me the way in which I should walk;
For to You I lift up my soul."
Psalm 143:8   

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Waiting on Travel Dates

We are waiting right now to hear when we will be traveling.  We know that there is a U.S. Embassy appointment scheduled for May 3rd in ET.  We are hoping to be part of the travel group for that appointment.  If so, we would be leaving around April 29th or 30th.  However, we currently are not on that travel list.   There is still time to be added to it, but we would need to hear that by the end of this week.  If not, we would hopefully travel in mid-May to pick up the boys.

This is a really hard wait for me.  Really hard.  I know that there is a group traveling soon.  I want to be going with that group.  However, we may not be.  Certain things need to happen and they may not happen in time.

So we wait.

While I was having a particularly hard struggle this afternoon, God just showered me with His peace.  I felt my anxiety lifted. I love it when God steps in like that and just takes over.   Of course, I know in my mind that God is completely sovereign and completely in control.  He does all things well and for my good.  I know that and I believe that.  But...sometimes  my emotions want to do battle with what my mind knows.   Maybe you know what I mean?   How thankful I am that God never wavers.  His love for me and my family is sure and strong.

As always, I pray over and over, until my emotions agree with my mind.  "Not my will but Yours be done.  To GOD be the glory."

"Lean not on your own understanding,
In all your ways acknowledge Him
And He will make your paths straight."
Proverbs 3:5-6

"Cast your burden upon the Lord, and He will sustain you;
He will never allow the righteous to be shaken."
Psalm 55:22 

Monday, April 12, 2010

Garage Sale is a Smashing Success!

Wow!  God completely blew us away once again this weekend.  What an amazing couple of days!  The weather was absolutely beautiful.  The business was very brisk from the beginning and stayed steady throughout both days.  The food table drew a crowd, and even had repeat business for my Mom's famous coney dogs.  People came back for several meals!  (They really are that good!)    I owe a huge thank-you to my mom (who is my best friend as well) for her tireless preparing and serving of food all weekend.  The food alone brought in a very good chunk of money.  Thank you, Mom.  I love you!


The kids had their dream come true and actually had a lemonade stand that made money!


My sister and my niece as well as a dear friend did face painting for the kids of the parents while they shopped.



My daughters and my niece had a blast serving hungry customers all day.


Several good friends came and helped price and sort, set up, baked cookies, donated drinks, served food, helped customers, donated items to sell (including antique tables and a valuable painting from someone I'd never even met!), prayed for us, and on and on.   Thank you so much to all of you who gave of yourselves to help make this weekend such a success.  And a special thanks to Sean, Cara, Tami, Veronica and girls!

So, I know you're all dying to know how much we made, right?  I'm glad I waited to write this post until today since Michelle called me with another update tonight based on selling a few more items and another donation.

Here is the counting crew counting every last nickel and penny.



The grand total is:
Drumroll please!

$2,460.61!
Can you believe that?   Can you believe what God can do through a garage sale!    Our God does as He pleases!  

But there is a gift that is above and beyond this wonderful, amazing financial help that we received through this sale.  That gift is the life of my friend, Michelle.  It brought me the greatest  joy to see her so energetic, exuberant, and healthy.  Full of zest, laughter, and fun.  She has fought hard and come through victorious in the hardest battle of her life - the battle against breast cancer.   Not only victorious physically, but victorious spiritually.  Michelle has been such an example to so many people of faith under fire.  She has honored the Lord and given Him praise and glory no matter how hard the road has been.  She has encouraged and inspired me countless times.

My friend, I thank you.  What precious memories of this weekend I will carry in my heart.  What a privilege to call you friend.  I look forward to making many more memories as we walk through life. 

  
 Our God is an awesome God
He reigns! 

Thursday, April 8, 2010

We Are Seven!

WE PASSED COURT TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
We are officially the parents of five children!  Two girls and three boys!   My mind is still reeling.  God's faithfulness, goodness, sovereignty, love, provision, and protection astound and amaze me. 
 
Four months and four days ago we sent in the application to begin our adoption journey.  Our God is an awesome God.   No one can ever convince me otherwise.  
 
Now, we cannot wait to get these little guys home - QUICK!!!    We do not have a travel date yet.  Please join with us in praying for a travel date in early May.   I've been told that is not very likely at this point, but I don't think that bothers God one bit.  It certainly was not likely for any of this to happen since we started out on this path.  God does as He pleases.    
 
Our oldest little guy needs a TB test as well before he can be cleared to travel.  Please pray for this test to be done quickly and that he would not need further testing.   Please continue to pray for our younger guy's health.  
 
This day has been an absolute whirlwind.  I got the call from our CM five minutes before I was supposed to head out the door to take the kids to a field trip with our homeschool co-op.   I was waiting, waiting, hoping that the phone would ring before we left.  The AGCI office opens at 11:30 our time.  Tom called at 11:37.  I told him not to do that again!  Then at 11:55 THE call came!  I jumped on it.  I heard the words and yelled out, "We passed!" and the kids started jumping and screaming.   What a joyful moment!
 
Ever since then, it has been non-stop.  I've hardly had a moment to process any of this.   Here is a pic of the kids and me at the museum earlier today.  Holding up seven fingers to show we are now a family of 7!
 
 
 
This picture is of my lifelong friend, Michelle, and me at the museum.  We are in front of the mastodon which was our favorite thing when we used to visit this same museum as elementary kids on field trips.  What a gift to still be sharing our lives together!  She is hosting a large garage sale for us tomorrow and Saturday.  Please pray for it to be successful!  She has given so much of her time and energy to this endeavor.
 
 
 After the museum, it was straight on the state fairgrounds with our oldest daughter who will be performing in a Horse Fair tomorrow.   She spent some time practicing and getting used to the arena.  
 
 
What a day!  What a glorious day!     Thank you, everyone, who is sharing this with us.  Thank you for the many who e-mailed saying they were up in the night last night praying for us.  Thank you for listening to the Lord's promptings.  Thank you for loving us and caring for us.   God hears your prayers.  Praise the Name of the Lord!

"I will extol You, my God, O King;
And I will bless Your name forever and ever.
Every day I will bless You,
And I will praise Your name forever and ever.
Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised;
And His greatness is unsearchable."
Psalm 145:1-3 

Monday, April 5, 2010

Hail!

Today, the kids and I started memorizing Psalm 148.  It talks about all creation praising the Lord.   How does the sun praise the Lord?  How does the moon praise the Lord?  How does fire and hail, snow and clouds praise the Lord?  Makes for a good discussion!  Well, today we had an answer to one of those questions.  Shortly after we arrived home from enjoying beautiful weather at the park with some friends, dark clouds came in.  Loud banging began on the roof and windows.  In just a few minutes, we had this view out our backdoor:






 The hail was deafening.  I loved it!  
Isaac kept saying, "God is showing us His power!"  You see we had just been discussing God's amazing financial provision for us in enabling us to adopt the boys.  We were praising God for His power and the way that He does the impossible in our lives.  



When I looked out the window, I saw the hail jumping and leaping off the ground in the bright green grass.  It looked like popcorn was popping in the yard.  Truly, it looked like the hail was goofing off and having a great time out there.   Hmmm...could this be hail praising the Lord?    

"Praise the Lord from the earth,
Sea monsters and all deeps;
Fire and HAIL, snow and clouds;
Stormy wind, fulfilling His Word."
Psalm 148:7-8 

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Easter Blessings

What an incredibly beautiful Easter we have enjoyed today!  It has been a very special week.  We have spent each evening as a family reading Bible passages from the last week of Jesus' life.  Tom had printed out a daily reading schedule for all of us to read in our morning Bible times and then we read the same passages in the evening and discussed them together. We always have communion as a family on Thursday evening as we remember the Last Supper and then we do resurrection cookies on Saturday night.   Our service at church today was especially sweet.  Wonderful and touching music and the truth of the Word.   The weather was absolutely gorgeous.  We got to spend time with both sides of our family eating good food and enjoying each other's company.   Yes, we are blessed indeed.  Our Lord became sin on our behalf.  He died and rose again.  He has given us new life and eternal hope.   There is nothing that can compare to that gift on this earth or outside of this earth.  How I love my Lord and my Saviour!

We had a productive weekend and my heart is so thankful.  We changed our work day to Friday as rain was predicted on Saturday - and it's a good thing we did as the rain poured down Saturday morning.  Here is a group shot after our work was done.  It was a perfect evening and we had lots of help, so the work was done quickly and had a beautiful result.



My lifelong friend, Michelle, is planning a fundraising garage sale for us.  It is planned for this coming Friday and Saturday.  I am so touched by her taking this on as she is the busy homeschooling mama to four boys and she also runs our homeschool co-op.  She is slightly busy.   She has recently come through a battle with breast cancer and is doing very well, praise God!     I am so blessed by her friendship!

So, this Saturday, I spent the day going through the attic for the garage sale.  As I was going through things, I came across a few boxes that held our kids' favorite toys and books from their younger years.  We were saving them for the grandkids someday!  Haha!   I could just imagine God chuckling as we put them away thinking we wouldn't need them for 20 years or so.   It was so much fun to pull them out and imagine our boys playing with them.  The kids went to work cleaning them all for me - and then they relived their childhood fun and played with them all for quite awhile!


Also on Saturday, my friend, Tisha, loaned me her jogging stroller and bedding for the toddler bed (that goes great with the room, by the way), as well as clothes that will work great for our oldest boy.   We also got the dresser put in the boys' room and got books and some toys set up in there.  Some other friends have loaned us other items, clothing, a toddler bed, a rocking chair...it just goes on and on.  My sister-in-law is throwing us an adoption shower in a few weeks.  So many people have joined us on this journey and have become a part of our story in so many ways - each one noticed and appreciated so much.

I was just praising the Lord and filled with so much thanksgiving as we worked.   God just keeps providing. Every step of the way, He is there.  We feel His presence and we feel His pleasure.

This is a really big week for us!  Our court date is on Thursday.  That is Wednesday night our time.  If any of you would like to stay up 'til 3:00 or 4:00 a.m. and join me in praying, you are most welcome!  I don't think I'll be getting a lot of sleep that night.  I can't believe our court date is almost here!  I will be posting a reminder on Wednesday.  If we pass, we will be the parents of 5 children!

"Why do you seek the living One among the dead?  He is not here, but He has risen!"  
Luke 24:5-6