We have such an awesome God!  There are no other words to explain our emotions today.  Before, I tell of our news, let me preface with a short story.

We have been primed through the start of this adoption to be patient, understanding that this process takes a long time to come to fruition.  Through prayer and guidance we had positioned ourselves with a mind frame of not getting overly excited.  We did not want to be let down by the months and months, maybe years, of waiting.  To further dull our excitement we were told Ethiopia would be shutting down for a couple of months and not to expect much movement.  We were okay with that and really content with our position in the adoption process.  Well today that all changed!

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WE HAVE BEEN MATCHED WITH OUR SON!  

Our agency called us this morning and had the most handsome boy for us to consider.  God's plan, not ours...  We thought we would have much more time to prepare, but that is not the case.  We have unofficially decided to proceed in bringing home our Little Lion Man.  We will be reviewing his paperwork, again, and sending in the official acceptance forms.

With this unexpected blessing in our lives, we are scrambling to secure the financial portion required for this stage.  We still have a lot of puzzle pieces for sale, and will need to collect any outstanding commitments as soon as possible.  Please be understanding that we will be expediting this process due to the GREAT news today!

Let me say again he is a handsome fellow and he melts our hearts!  We cannot posted his picture on social media or give out descriptive information about him on here, but we will be happy to share in person.  PLEASE do not post anything descriptive about him or his picture on social media or similar sites without our permission.  This could jeopardize the adoption.

We have been extremely blessed and do not deserve it, but can only say thank you to God, our family, our church, and our friends!

Happy Spring!

It has been a few weeks since our last post, but we have GREAT news to share.  Our dossier is in the process of arriving in Ethiopia and we have received our wait number.  That means we are OFFICIALLY on the waiting list.  The best news is our number was much lower than we anticipated.  We are praying this cuts down on our wait time for a referral.  Come on #1!

We have also received news out of Ethiopia concerning the recent slow down in referrals and placements. Below is an excerpt from the information we received.

"Over the weekend two important meetings were held by Federal MOWCYA in Ethiopia, one with the Orphanages, and the other with all Adoption Agencies.   We know that many of you have been praying for these meetings, and those involved in the adoption process in Ethiopia. The meeting Dove’s attorney attended was called by the Minister of Federal MOWCYA, for all adoption agencies and federal MOWCYA workers. The agenda of this meeting was to review and discuss the results of an investigation, which was ordered by the Minister, of about 142 orphanages across Ethiopia. MOWCYA experts investigated orphanages current status, needs, and dependency upon adoption agency support and international adoption. The reports from this investigation were presented to the Minister and the Adoption Agencies on Sunday, during a full day meeting. The results provided evidence and support that the need for international adoption in Ethiopia is prominent.

The Minister assured all at this meeting that her position is in favor of international adoption as a child's last means of support, and that adoption from Ethiopia has not, and will not stop.  The Minister also indicated that the reason for this slow-down in referrals is to improve the integrity of the adoption process. The Minister is meeting in the Southern Region of Ethiopia next Friday, to see that Southern Ethiopia opens up again for adoption.  These are all great indications of furthered support to the orphaned children in Ethiopia."

So as you can see we can expect a pick-up in referrals.  We are already seeing this in action as (3) referrals were made just last week through our agency.  That is more in one week then in the last few months.  We know the the Lord has a plan for us and we are excited to follow His path us in His own time.
Please continue to pray for our family during this process.  We are still continuing to fund raise, planning for a few payments at the time of referral.  Our puzzle piece fundraiser has stalled out with about 190 pieces remaining.  This is a large fundraiser for us, so it is critical for us to get all the pieces sold.  The pieces are $10 per piece.  If you would like to purchase a pieces, or two, or ten please see myself or Laurie.  The goal is to have a name on the back of each puzzle piece so our Little Lion Man can see all the people the helped bring him home to his family. 

In closing, I just would like to share some pictures from Easter this past weekend.  We were honored to help support another family adopting from Ethiopia by purchasing their adoption shirts as part of the Forget the Frock fundraiser.

 

Looking at the calendar, spring is approaching, softball and baseball season is beginning and we have officially began waiting for our son to come home!  Our dossier has begun it's journey to Ethiopia with a short layover in Oregon.

I was able to take this quick picture as the UPS guy took it away.  He was kind of puzzled when I told him to be extra careful and to make sure it gets there, because that is my son in that box.  Once I explained he understood!

Don't get your hopes up too much, this is only the top of the 1st inning, there is a lot of game left. (Since it is softball season).  Please keep praying us and this journey.  We anticipate the wait, but pray it does not go into extra innings.

Just a reminder we are still selling puzzle pieces to help raise money for our adoption.  They are $10 a piece and we still have about 200 pieces left.  Please let us know if you would like to purchase 1, 2, 10, or all of them!

Playing the waiting game...

Hello all!  Not much has been happening with the adoption.  We are waiting on US immigration to approve our paperwork.  Once they approve our paperwork we can send our dossier to Ethiopia and begin the wait to be matched with our son.  So far we have been very patient, but it gets harder each day.  Saturday night we ate at a local Ethiopian restaurant with family.  It was an awesome fellowship, however it was bittersweet for our family.  As we waited for our table we saw the cutest little Ethiopian boy with his new family.  Oh how we prayed to bring our son home.  It was a bit awkward for the other family as we all stared, maybe we should get t-shirts that say , "It is ok we're adopting too!"

Many people have asked how the can continue to support our family and adoption journey.  First, PRAY, this never hurts and we need all of them.  Second, we still have puzzle pieces to sell for our adoption.  Look at our previous post for the information. Third, encourage us, we sometimes get bogged down in the paperwork and red tape and lose focus on the final outcome, our SON!  Please take a minute to read the article below.  It provides some good information on how to support adopting families.  As always, we are very thankful for the many wonderful people who have blessed our family with support.

http://www.bpnews.net/BPFirstPerson.asp?id=41956

FIRST-PERSON: Encouragement for adoptive parents
Lynette Ezell

ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP) -- I remember the first time I realized the love and grace of Psalm 68:6: "God sets the lonely in families." God is a builder, the master of arranging and connecting the pieces of our lives together. And this truth is clearly fleshed out in adoption. 

Growing up in a small town did not lend me the model of adoption or multiracial families. In other words, I didn't bring the "know-how" to the table. God alone built our family, just as He's building yours. And if God is the foundation layer and contractor, which I know He is, then He will see our families to completion. 

We believe the Lord sees these little ones in this vast, fallen world and knows their every need. He created each of them in His image, for His glory and has a purpose for each of their lives. 

Although many seasons of adoption can be difficult and challenging, the mission is undeniable for those of us called to broaden our tents and surrender our families for the sake of the Gospel. 

The adoption journey can prove to be long and treacherous. I understand that the road ahead can usher in discouraging days with "What have we gotten into?" moments. When I find myself along that path, I step back and mentally simplify. 

OK, so I have a child who may never grasp math or the periodic table of elements. But what I have been entrusted with is a live wire who loves to laugh and sing, who came to our family starving because of parasites, who had a mouth full of rotten teeth and fears so deep that I laid on the floor beside her bed while she slept and begged the Lord to erase the painful memories. 

It all became simple the morning she sat beside me and, with passionate tears in her chocolate eyes, asked Jesus to be her forever Savior and Lord. Isn't that the goal, that we take all our children to heaven with us? God is building families for eternity, and He's equipping the weakest of us to do it. 

Persistence and patience are tools every adoptive family needs as we navigate the often-frustrating path of adoption. In essence, we've been called to break the mold of the typical family and confidently trust that the Lord sets children in our lives as He so desires. 

As we raise our children who we did not birth or maybe even did not meet until they were older, we are a picture to the world of a loving, all-powerful Savior who truly sets the lonely in families. He alone is the master builder of our homes. 

Let's keep moving forward together.
--30--
Lynette Ezell is volunteer director of the SBC Adoption Fund. She and her husband Kevin have six children, three of whom are adopted, each from a different nation. For more information on the adoption fund, visit namb.net/adoption. Get Baptist Press headlines and breaking news on Twitter (@BaptistPress), Facebook (Facebook.com/BaptistPress) and in your email (baptistpress.com/SubscribeBP.asp).

Humbled by sacrificial giving

The holidays are over and things are starting to settle down.  We had a busy couple of weeks since our last post.  We had a significant amount of money due right at Christmas, which we had planned for, but it was still  overwhelming.  As we stressed about the financial situation, God had already been at work providing for us, and directing this situation.

This Christmas was truly a blessing, as multiple members of our family sacrificed gifts and time to provide for our adoption.  We were completely blown away by each person who felt the desire to sacrificially give to our adoption.  We sometimes overlook the bond of a family, for which there is no excuse.  We have been blessed with awesome families who are pouring out their love and support for our family.

Following Christmas, we were able to send out our packet to immigration!  They should have it for 45-90 days, then we get to send our dossier to Ethiopia!

We also had an opportunity to get a present for our Little Lion Man for Christmas. We built him a fireman teddy bear.  It may go with us to Ethiopia! It was just our little way of having him here for Christmas!  The girls had a blast.

We hope everyone had a blessed Christmas and New Year.  Also, please remember we are selling puzzle pieces.  This helps us raise money for our adoption!  The information is below.

The cost of each puzzle piece is $10. We will write the name of each person on the back of each puzzle piece and frame both sides in glass when complete. We plan to hang this in his room so he can see all of the people who helped bring him home!

Anyone can help support this. Buy one for yourself, one for each member of your family, one for a friend, one as a memory for someone, or if your broke go halfies with someone else who is broke!

There are a few ways to participate. Cash and check are accepted. Make checks out to Erick and Laurie Lawson.

1. See Laurie or Erick and sign up in person.
2. Mail us your gift. Cash or check. (Message us for our address if you need it.)
3. Donate to our church (see the fundraising tab on our blog), but make sure to label the gift as part of the Lawson puzzle fundraiser so we can get your name on the puzzle piece.

We also have extra participation sheets if anyone would like to sell some of our puzzle pieces for us! All you have to do is have them sign the sheet and collect the money. Please let us know if you would like a sheet.

One step closer - First Fundraiser!

First and foremost, Merry Christmas to everyone from the Lawsons!

We have had a very blessed week so far!  Our home study paperwork came in the mail, which means we were able to submit our paperwork to US Immigration!  Please pray for expedience in this process, as our next step will be to submit our dossier to Ethiopia.  We are very excited, but are also reserved in the fact that our Little Lion Man may be spending Christmas alone, without his family.  We pray that we are soon connected and one less child is without a family.

We also celebrate the birth of our oldest tomorrow!  She will be 15, and is quickly maturing into a beautiful young lady.  We will soon be sending her off to college, which is a hard pill to swallow.  We have been blessed with her and look forward to many more years to come.

We would also like to announce our first adoption fundraiser.  We are quickly moving through the process and are trying to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to payments.  To help cover some of our upcoming cost we will be selling puzzle pieces and hope to have enough support to finish this 500 piece puzzle.

The cost of each puzzle piece is $10.  We will write the name of each person on the back of each puzzle piece and frame both sides in glass when complete.  We plan to hang this in his room so he can see all of the people who helped bring him home!

Anyone can help support this.  Buy one for yourself, one for each member of your family, one for a friend, one as a memory for someone, or if your broke go halfies with someone else who is broke!

There are a few ways to participate. Cash and check are accepted.  Make checks out to Erick and Laurie Lawson.

1. See Laurie or Erick and sign up in person.
2. Mail us your gift.  Cash or check. (Message us for our address if you need it.)
3. Donate to our church (see the fundraising tab on our blog), but make sure to label the gift as part of the Lawson puzzle fundraiser so we can get your name on the puzzle piece.

We also have extra participation sheets if anyone would like to sell some of our puzzle pieces for us!  All you have to do is have them sign the sheet and collect the money.  Please let us know if you would like a sheet.

We are so appreciative of those who have already given and praise God that he continues to provide.

If you have any questions please send us a message! 

Almost ready to send our paperwork to immigration!

Good Morning!

It has been a couple of weeks since our last post, but we have been very busy finishing up the last part of our home study, in preparation to send off our paperwork to immigration. Lord willing our paperwork will be sent out by the end of December and we should have our approval back in 90 days!

Our family has been preparing our hearts and mind for our upcoming addition, and we have been blessed in sharing our story. There is not a day that goes by, that we do not share our experience with someone. Most of these encounters are positive, but we still have our moments when people just do not understand why we are adopting, much less adopting from another country. Many individuals have expressed their concerns and asked how we are going to handle various situations, struggles, etc. Our simple answer is, we are going to have faith in our Lord! When we began this journey we had no clue what we were doing, or how we were even going to do it, but God has provided us those answers in ways we could never imagine. So we will continue to have faith and understand He is God through all and in all. 


Thanksgiving was a bittersweet day. Through all of the celebration of thanks, the wonderful time spent with family, we would be remiss if we did not take the opportunity to wonder if our little lion man was even being fed or tended to as we gorged ourselves in food and shopping without hesitation.

It is challenging not to wonder about these types of things, because they are real truths and issues, that we simply cannot turn our back on. We know that his day is coming and very soon we will be able to say we "Gotcha!"

We are beginning to feel the emotional roller coaster that comes along with the adoption process, but it is so worth it... Words cannot describe the feelings that each person in our house is experiencing.  Each of us has been doing whatever it takes to ensure our little lion man is brought home.  We are called to be selfish in our giving, and we have been blessed that our children also understand this calling.  Maddy celebrated her 11th birthday at the beginning of Thanksgiving week.  We will not even begin to allude to the thoughts of how old we are getting and how quickly our girls are growing up!  Anyway, Maddy was blessed with multiple presents and some spending cash for her birthday.  Most children would run away with their score, however Maddy
chose a different path and made us proud to be her parents.  As she counted her $11, she gave Laurie a crisp $5 bill.  When Laurie asked what it was for, Maddy simply responded, "put it towards our adoption."  Wow!  What a moment that every parent should experience.  The Lord has definitely infiltrated her heart.

As we begin December, we look forward to celebrating the birth of our other two girls, Ally and Gabby, but most importantly the birth of our Christ!  We have been blessed by both! Please continue to be in prayer for our family, but also be in prayer for other families who are going through this process, families who will be celebrating Christmas for the first time with their child, children who are still waiting on a family, children who have a family, but face difficult situations, and everyone is is experiencing hardships this holiday season. Pray that they recognize Christ as their Lord and Savior and place their burdens at His feet.