2 years and counting...

It's been two years from the start...but whose counting?!?! Ha. Things are quiet, but we are hopeful. The blog is hard to update, when there are no real updates. I promise I'll write as soon as there is any new news. Until then, I have decided to write more about family life-while we are here waiting.

This summer we have decided to go screen less. Well for the most part anyway. No facebook, no twitter, no instagram for me. No tv, no ipads for the girls. I have decided though to keep facebook activated, to post blog posts on. (yes, I am allowing blog time!) And here and there (weekly at most!) we may have a family movie night! Even in the past fews days, I have enjoyed the difference it is making for my girls and I! More outside time. More reading time. More enjoying the moment together time.

We spent our weekend at 'the camp'

Cousin Eva, so loved by our girls

The two beauties adventuring

Norah's getting braver with creepy crawlies

Swinging the day away

 It was a wonderful weekend, the perfect way to begin summer. And the cherry on top...?!
We are finally, FINALLY getting a puppy! I may be a little more excited then the girls even! He is a black mini schnauzer coming to live with our family at the end of June!

Wiley

the meetings.

There were so many things that we can thank the Lord for! He is at work! The meetings in Ethiopia went well, better then I expected to be honest! (I want to be clear, Jon and I were NOT IN Ethiopia, and these meetings were NOT specifically about us. The meetings were much bigger then any one personal adoption, they would affect all adoption out of Ethiopia at this time.)

I have to be careful with what I write in a 'public' setting. I am able to speak personally with people about ins and outs, but I also understand how some of the happenings are and should be protected.
One thing that is public knowledge was that adoption in Ethiopia has had a complete 'slow down'. And when I say slow down, I mean trickle....
After this meeting we are assured that adoption in Ethiopia is open still (AMEN!) And that things should start moving again soon! (AMEN!)

There were decisions made that as a whole we want to be sure that international adoption is the LAST resort for the children of Ethiopia. I agree completely. And I pray that able families stay together, and children who can find loving families in country do. Please pray with me that ONLY the children in REAL NEED and have NO WHERE to turn are the ones being adopted internationally (they are SO LOVED and WANTED!). There are steps in place for this to happen, and I am praying it runs smoothly and effectively.

God has a child in mind for my family, chosen before creation. I don't think any of these events have not been 'part of HIS plan' from the very beginning. It is hard to not feel like we have some little sense of control...let me tell you He has made it very clear that we have NONE! His plans are greater, and He is doing something WAY bigger here then just taking care of me & my little family. The Lord Himself has these children in mind! I pray that the very best is done for them!

Moving forward, yes moving!
We are now planning on a few months of quiet... things are getting put into place in Ethiopia that need to be...so more learning patience for me! ;)
After these few months things should start moving again. I know I am sucking up all your prayer time, but can we pray for this again? Please! Specifically though I am begging (always) for prayer for our child, that we do not know yet. The one chosen, loved, and so wanted! Patience and comfort in this unknown.

Blessings,
The Patterson Family

You are in the waiting.

This has been hard. I mean harder than anything that I have done, ever. Months of waiting, I thought I was ready for. But the idea of waiting was nothing compared to the reality of this time passing.
And I am so thankful for this, because God knows that I need to need Him more. Really.

Tuesday was the first of the month, which means an update from our agency and a new wait number. It has been months of agony seeing the same number over and over and over. Months.
This month I did a double take- WE MOVED! Little, but movement. So very thankful. Hopeful!

BUT

We are in need of prayer. Some serious prayer. I cannot go deep into specifics online, I need to be sensitive to protecting all parties involved (agencies, governments, people etc.)
But there are two very important meetings coming up, tomorrow April 4 and Sunday April 6. These meetings are not specific to just our adoption, but hundreds of adopting families.

Will you please pray with us?

Please pray that:
-Adoption in Ethiopia would continue, and at a steady pace.
-Families in Ethiopia would have the means to stay together.
-Children in real need of family would find loving families.
-God would soften hearts of willing families towards 'waiting' or 'special needs' children.
-Orphanages, adoption agency's, and government officials, would all hear each other and communicate well&they would think of the children's best interest
Thank you, thank you, thank you!

I will let you all know as soon as I hear any news!

Blessings,
Kim