All God's Children adoption agency-'Special Mothers'...and others

The wonderful Almaz, director of Hannah's Hope Ethiopia, for All God's Children International. This woman is no doubt a Saint of God, she works tirelessly for the love of all those orphans in her care. She is passionate about her work and is the backbone of our agencies Ethiopian program. She is a woman of many gifts and a heart that is full of love for all those that surround her.

While we were there we learned that she has a prayer request. One of the things that is heavy on her heart, well beside the dire need for formula for the 100 babies she cares for daily. She is concerned about her apartment, seems her landlord thinks that because she works for 'Americans' that she is made of money. The landlord wants to increase her rent as of March. She really wants to keep this apartment, as it is very close to the children's home (Hannah's Hope Ethiopia)...which allows her to be there in the drop of a hat, to care for those within those gated walls. Almaz is a very humble woman, hardworking, with a very tender tender heart. She is not wealthy, but is serving God in this position as director of this facility out of obedience to the call on her life.

Would you seek God for her in this apartment rent situation.

Would you ask God to change the landlord's heart in this rent matter? I know Almaz would be very thankful, we will continue to pray at our house too.

These next pictures are of the Special Mothers, a few of the 27 that work at All God's Children's Hannah Hope Ethiopia home.

They love these orphans. They give all they have, they pray over each of these in their care. Saying Good-bye on our last day was so hard, as we knew that though they were rejoicing that their Beauty Mihret (Meh-heh-ret) had a family of her own, that they would no longer be the one holding her, kissing her and seeing her grow.

We are so thankful for them, for those prayers they said for her, for those times they fed her, held her, rocked her in their arms.

There are several men at Hannah's Hope too. They love the children no less than these Special Mothers. They know each by name, they kiss, play and pray for each of these small and not so small orphans in their care.

It isn't about a job or a paycheck for any of them. How do I know. Because without a doubt God's very Presence is within these walls, you can feel it, you can see it, you can hear it...in the laughter and tears of all those within these beautiful Ethiopian walls.

This beautiful man is Johannes, he is Almaz's brother and what a source of love, help and strength he is to this ministry in Ethiopia.

Almaz and Johannes are Ethiopian, they speak the language and give all they have. I am so proud that they are in my family, working for the same Father that I am. Busy doing his work, a work that I am passionate about, the care of orphans. These are such wonderful, humble representatives of Jesus' hands and feet . Pray for them. The enemy rises against them continually in their ministry to the orphans. The prayers of the righteous availeth much!

Psalm 34:15

The eyes of the LORD watch over those who do right; his ears are open to their cries for help.

Moments in our hotel in Ethiopia

We were able to bring Princess Mercy back to our hotel room with us right after our first meeting (this depends on each baby/child and how they think they will transition). We were enthralled with everything about her and honestly couldn't wait for her to wake up, from either her nap or her night-time big sleep.

If there was a language barrier, we didn't know it. After all the language of love and the preparation of the heart that God did in each of us, was more than enough for us.

One thing that we brought with us that we didn't need...nootchies (pacifiers). She obviously had never seen one and from her reaction...I'd say that she isn't wanting any in her near future. I don't know why I'd be surprised, none of her siblings before her wanted any either. You see, we are thumb suckers, and honestly I understand, as I sucked mine until I was 12 or 13. Then I became a 'closet sucker,' so go at it sweet baby. Though, we've never had a sideways sucker like you before, guess there is a first for everything!

Hmm, what's this...food already, I just ate?

Okay, she was not a happy camper with me and that nootchie (actually we spell it nutchi, but I thought that would really confuse you.) So pardon the out of focus shot, but I just had to try to capture it.

a vision of heaven wrapped in soft fleece

Mama's first hairstyle and first outfit for the baby

Happy sweet Mihret (Meh-he-ret)

On the streets of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

A butterfly that stopped us on the path back to our hotel...after our first visit to Hannah's Hope, where we just met our Sweet Princess Mercy.

Foot traffic in front of the Union Hotel in Addis.

simple protection

Construction from our window at the Union Hotel. Bring ear plugs, not for the construction, but see that dog...he or she is one of the many that bark through the night in Addis. That and there is chanting that can be heard every night-at all hours, from some local temple...our best guess was Buddist. Beautiful sounds, so full of life, but it can make sleep difficult at times.

Night life about Addis, such a beautiful busy place, full of movement -all day and all night!

Thought I'd share a bit more of what we saw as we walked about in Addis. A beautiful country with such a humble beautiful people, I really miss Ethiopia already. I have been told that in 6 months we could apply once again for another adoption through All God's Children ...we will be putting it to prayer-as you KNOW how we feel about adoption. There is always room for another at our house, or perhaps two. Some of you might be thinking we are crazy, no just passionate about orphans and not wanting to miss an opportunity to be blessed.

We are very, very blessed indeed!

When I am not so tired, I will post about her name and it's pronunciation. I am still sick, coughing my head off I am afraid. Feeling a bit better today, but rather tired and weak-mainly due to not enough sleep. I am NOT complaining, as I am so blessed to have such an sweet new baby, who sleeps 12-13 hours a night, eats anything and anything given to her with much GUSTO, and when she was really sick, still smiled, giggled and gave me big wet kisses.

HMMM, I love being a mama.

Naming the Babe

Our littlest has a name, honestly we wrestled with this 'naming' more than any of our other children. We had a name picked out, prior to our feet landing in Ethiopia.

Then we fell in love with the country, then we met our hand picked ball of Beauty. Almost immediately we knew we had to regroup with our name, my Knight and I agreed, she needed to retain her name- to hold onto the rich heritage that God had given her. We did feel that God led us to a name, one that points to Him.

So, without any more adieu:

Let me present....

Avianna Mihret

Avi-in Hebrew it means 'My Father' (God)

Anna- means (God's) Grace

Mihret-in Amharic means Mercy

We have been calling her Baby Mercy since our referral back in October. Think I let that slip once in one of my posts. We are mainly calling her Mihret. Her first name, may come into use, as time goes on, I am sure God will give us wisdom. I know He already has in so many ways, to which we are thankful.

Funny story, while we were in Ethiopia several people we love were sitting here trying to figure out what her name would be...we told no one ahead of time. They only knew her as 'Baby Mercy.' But they did have the clue that God had given all of our girls a name with an 'ANNA' in it...(truth be told, we didn't realize it until our last adoption, but God had a pattern in place-we were surprised!)

None of the 'guessers' had come up with Avianna...

Her biggest sister (17) insists that she is an 'Avi' and really whined pleaded that we give it to her as her first name.

This adoption has been full of so many surprises, twists and turns...seems fitting that naming her would take on many of those same adoption path aspects!

I think Princess Mercy has a nice blog ring to it, eh?

Thank you Jules-

Everyday Mommy,

for updating my header for me. If any of you are looking for a new header, or a blog makeover...Jules is one talented lady.

Birthmom meeting in Ethiopia

Sorry, I haven't answered this question that some of you had, 'How was our birth mother meeting?'

Well, a couple things have gotten in the way of me posting, namely time, secondly the wee babe and I are both sick. (cough, congestion and a icky runny nose) The two boys were sick the day before and now Fazzdike (14) is feverish (she has been in bed all day today).

Thank you all for praying for this with us. The night we arrived we were given an itinerary for the next 5 days. Listed on it were the birth mother meetings, listed by the adoptive parents last name.

Ours was not listed. My heart was very sad, as I had wanted to meet her and do as God had led me. Four parents in our group of eight families, were blessed with a visit with the birth families. They said they were emotional, but beautiful. I think all of them said the families were Christian, and loved Jesus! Praise God. There was sadness, but rejoicing, pain, mixed with joy in knowing their children would be raised in loving Christian homes, Christian homes that follow Jesus daily.

We don't know why our birth mom didn't come. I think she lived two hours away, so perhaps this was the reason. We will never know. We did leave a scrapbook of pictures for her, our family, our home, pictures we were given of her and Little Beauty...when she brought her to the orphanage. I tried to make it special, thinking this was all she would have and I would be blessed with the beautiful baby.

The morning we left for Ethiopia, the Holy Spirit told me to print out some scripture. I was able to print John chapter 3: 1-7 , John 3:16 in Amharic (one of the languages of Ethiopia), also Romans 8: 17-23. I found a site, I printed the whole chapters, and highlighted the verses I wanted her to read and ponder in her heart. Words of life. I was searching for a translation site(English to Amharic), we had used this when we adopted from Hungary (English to Hungarian). We left our house an hour later than planned...but my thought was that after I had shared what God had put on my heart, she would have some of God's word to ponder after our meeting. It is true we only see dimly here where we currently stand, I now hope that these verses will bring her to the understanding of God and Jesus that she needs. Of course she may already know Him, now I will not know.

Amharic Bible online

I pray she will come by Hannah's Hope and pick it up. I would have liked to bring her an Amharic Bible, but we aren't allowed to give any gifts. Honestly, I don't think a Bible is a gift, not in the sense that we think of a gift as, I truly think of it as life, for without it...How would we find Jesus and eternal life?

I am so glad you were praying, I am hoping our prayers will draw her to come and get that photo album, and tucked in the back are the Love notes from God...I pray that she finds not only the note, but joyous life in Him!

Ethiopia things that go!

Airline to Ethiopia-tickets $1,700 a piece, for my Knight and I, with a $300 baby lapseat on the return trip.

This blog with the help of Emily (The Learning Never Stops) raised nearly $2,200 dollars!


Loading up, almost ready to GO!



Addis Ababa airport at night



Cute little cars, hey?



One of our rented vans



All of our luggage going on the roof-7 families traveled together on this flight!
*what a blessing to travel with others on the journey-*I thought I wouldn't like this, but I grew to love each of these families deeply!

**we were told not to let anyone help us with our bags....unless we had birr to give them for a tip** We exchanged $200 American dollars at the airport...and later more at our hotel, to cover expenses.


one of the many cars we passed on the way to our hotel in Addis (short a sound-short i sound)
Capitol of Ethiopia....Addis Ababa, or as many call it just plain Addis


From the inside window of our van...which is headed to the Union Hotel

They pack these vans, no seat belts, at least not in any of ours. Babies and children just are held or plunk down in their own spot on the vinyl seats. I think we saw 2 traffic lights in all of the city. Otherwise it is just beep and GO!

One of the zillions of blue and white vehicles-most vehicles on the road are this same mix of colors, good gig for the manufacturer


The driving is like none I have ever seen before, I question whether a license is required, or whether having a car and knowing how to use the horn is sufficient in Addis.

Thankfully, we never needed one of these!

When our eyes first met...Little Beauty

Behind this old gate, on a dirt street that is lined with piles of stones and rubble, awaits a little Princess, whose Mama and Papa have made a long journey to come and hold her in their arms.

Inside, God's Love is evident, it is so thick you can taste it, His hand has slathered grace on each little heart, that waits for their Mama and Papa.

Come inside these iron gates with us and see the precious priceless gift that God had prepared for us to finally receive.

We receive you darling with open arms.

Tah Dah!

Tah Dah!

We are back from beautiful Addis Ababa, Ethiopia! We are in love with the country and people, they have been permanently embedded into our hearts. Our trip went smoothly and without a hitch, thank you all for covering us moment by moment in prayer. We could feel the power of that prayer in every detail of our time in Ethiopia.

We are truly head over heals in love with our Little Beauty, who is still nameless, as my Knight and I are wrestling with what we should name her. We should know in the next few days, I'd think! She is a Beauty for sure, has tons of personality and a mind of her own, but has bonded to us so well, that when passed back to her old care givers at Hannah's Hope Ethiopia, that she would cry and would only be consoled if given back to me or my Knight. They were surprised, as I guess this doesn't normally happen so soon, but Hey-that is my GOD.

She sleeps 11-12 hours a night, two naps in the day.

Currently 17 pounds, 9 months old and already has us wrapped around her fingers. She eats without fuss and is happy to try anything we will offer her. (She particularly liked the gingerale on the plane!)

Her smallest brother, King Bonkie (5), said upon meeting her, 'I have been waiting my whole life for you, I love you Sweetie.' He can't stop kissing her and wants to hug her again and again.

Her brother King Meemer (6), said after he kissed her little brown cheek, 'I love you my little Crumbcake!'

All 6 kids have totally embraced her, all have held her, kissed her, jiggled her, squeezed her and totally adore her. They keep saying how much they love her and how happy they all are that God gave her 'to us.' sigh! They don't want to eat or play or do anything that takes her out of their sight. My heart is so blessed to see how moved they all are, by her finally coming to her spot in the family.

I turned the plaque that Hallie made me, that hangs on my kitchen wall...it now says, 'One homemade and 6 adopted!' Glory, glory, glory to God! Hallie was wise and made the tiny hanging flippable hearts, go up to the number 12 (to which she apologized for not have gone higher)-that girl has got my number!

I will need to figure out how to change my header...perhaps someone can guide me, so I don't end up messing up the whole blog?

Thanks to all of you, for your financial support, your prayers, your friendship along the path of this journey. It has been a hard adoption, but the final week was worth all the tough times. All God's Children really is in the details of the pick-up, our papers were all perfect, the Embassy appointment went smoothly for all 8 families and all of have nothing but good things to say about the agency and the orphanage they run...Hannah's Hope Ethiopia, is a blessing in so many ways. Our children are blessed to have spent time in the care of these loving handpicked employees of Hannah's Hope-All God's Children.

Almaz, the Ethiopian director-well, she truly is all you have heard and more. She is the backbone of the ministry that goes on there, she is wise and an excellent leader, but also extremely tender for each in her care. A beautiful woman inside and out, and one whose influence will never be forgotten.

Our hearts are full...as we are Over the Moon with Joy!

She came home with a cold, lots of congestion and coughing (not to mention drool), but still manages to giggle and bat her eyelashes-letting us know she loves us too!

God is good.

Introducing....

Hope you won't mind lots of pictures over the coming days...we took 1400!