Coming Home

(this is actually written by a friend of Jen's)

Ben and Jen are on their way home! They will arrive in GR at 4:20 PM Friday afternoon. They welcome anyone that wishes to come to the airport. They are excited to get home! Pray that they have a good trip!

Awassa

Our trip to awasSa this weekend was so amazing. We were able to go with our social worker hAnna and her friend mahi. They are awesome girls. I just love this culture. I love the warmth and the friendliness of the people. On the way down to awAssa we got a truer pic of the landscape of Ethiopia looks like. These people are such hard workers. We saw kids that were probably 5 years old that driving their families cattle. This place is so beautiful. On Saturday after lunch we were able to meet massi birthmom. I can't describe what it is like to sit in a room And talk to the womAn who gave us this beautiful gift. It will be a moment that I will cherish forever.
On Sunday we woke up and were able to go and see th hippos and monkey. Ben fed the monkeys and one actually jumped on his shoulder. The funniest thing hAppened before we left for this Adventure there was this boy who was selling some spoons outside our hotel. The concierge told him to go awAy. The amazing thing is this boy followed our van by foot all the way to the monkey park by foot. Seriously hAve you ever worked so hard for a sale? We bought some spoons
On the way home Hanna stopped at a hut and asked the ladies if they would show us their home. Their hospitality is truly beyond hospitality. The womAn showed us where they cook and sleep. They even invited us to stay for coffee. I think I cried the rest of the trip from their kindneSS.
It is valentines day and we are headed to the orphanage to the farewell ceremony and to pick up our precious boy. He will from this day forward be in our arms.
We ask for some prayers today for bens mom. We just found our she was in a car accident on Friday. She is out of critical condition and in a lot of pain. Please pray that there is no more internal bleeding and that she will not be in so much pAin.

Update from Ethiopia

Things have been amazing. We arrived Thursday morning. We were greeted at the airport by our great friend Abel. It was so great to see him. It has been sooo long. We then came to the hotel and got cleaned up to go see massi. We were shocked when we went to the orphanage. He was waiting for us by the door. He ran out straight towards us and greeted us with a big hug and kiss. I think he is ready. The day at the orphanage he hung out with us the entire time. He is such an awesome kid. Yesterday we were able to go to the orphanage again. We also had our appt at bethany and then headed to birtukans house and had an amazing dinner. We are headed this morning to awassa to visit massis birth family. It is about a 6 hr trip each way. Monday we pick maSsi up and have our embassy appt.
Thank you all for your prayers. We are also celebrating today that the other 3 families got their clearance for travel.

Flying out of DC to Ethiopia

Last night we had a great night's sleep before we head out this morning to Ethiopia. We have a 15 hour flight ahead of us. We will arrive in Ethiopia at 7:35a Thursday which is 11:30p Wed night EST time. We will then go and see Massi at the orphanage. We are so excited and nervous to see him again. It has been 4 long months. We are wondering how he is going to react to seeing us again. Thankfully we will go and visit him a couple of times before he leaves the only place his has known for the past 11 months. Please continue to pray for us and our kids at home.
Another prayer request is for the 3 families that didn't get their travel calls yet. It is very difficult to see others go and get their kids and have to sit and wait for your call. These families are longing to also have the opportunity to go and be reunited with their children. This process is a very emotional process and when you finally get that call a huge weight is lifted off your shoulders. So please continue to pray for them until they get that call.

What an AMAZING day!

This has truly been the most amazing day. It actually started about a week ago. Last Tuesday we got information that said the embassy was going to clear us for travel. Anxiously we waited by the phone on Wednesday for the official word and then received info that they were requesting additional documents. On Thursday of last week those documents were submitted. We then decided to book tickets for Tuesday to fly out. We waited hoping the call would come Friday still no official call. Over the weekend we began to clean, line up family to take care of our kids, we packed our bags all with joy and the anticipation of leaving on Tuesday. Monday morning came and I for sure thought that we would get that news and we didn't. Ben kept saying it is going to be ok. We are going to still go and be with our boy while we wait. I had a little panic attack. I was so filled with fear. There have been so many delays in our case what if we are stuck there for a while. Then throughout the day I talk to my friend Juli and my mom. Juli gave me the verse in Deut 31:8 "The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. She was right. He is with us. Do not be scared He is there. We were going move forward on faith alone. After talking with her I called my mom and she said this is a real step of faith and get out of the boat. That is so true. I was so scared to leave but we did it. We got out of the boat and solely kept our eyes on Jesus. We made the decision to move forward not knowing what was going to happen and you know the most AMAZING thing. This morning our agency called to tell us that we have been OFFICIALLY cleared to travel by the embassy. They called 10 minutes before we had to leave. This is such a huge blessing. If we would have cancelled our tickets due to fear we wouldn't have been able to receive this news this morning with such intense joy and excitement.
So we are on our way to finally bring our little Massi home. We are overjoyed that soon our family will be together. We are so thankful and grateful to all of the friends and family that have been praying for us the past 4 months. Thank you for joining this journey with us. We will continue to post throughout our trip. Please continue to pray for us, Alek and Natalie and the transition for Massi. Thank you also to my family who will be loving on our kids while we are away.

Here we go!

we got the clearance from embassy this m/orning and we are on our way to get our son. we cant believe we will be with him in just a couple days. god is good. what an amazing faithfulness to se e us through. will arrive in ethiopia thursday morning and be able to see massi right away. we miss him so and cant wait to see that little guy. will post after arrival.

Busy Weeks

Well the last couple of weeks have been extremely busy. First I can't believe how much snow we have. I think that it is up to the kids' necks. They love it. I wonder what Massi is going to think of the snow. He has never seen even a snowflake before.

I have been trying to keep myself occupied with other things besides focusing on when we will be cleared from the US Embassy. I got a 1 day a week job, which I absolutely love. I am going to take piano lessons once the piano gets tuned and my dance class starts tomorrow. These are things that I have wanted to do for a while so I am happy that I am finally doing them. It truly helps the time pass.

We also just bought a travel trailer. We are so EXCITED. The kids are going to love camping. We have a couple trips already booked. I look forward to the memories that we will make.

So this week we should find out if we are cleared. The US Embassy traveled to the southern region last week to do their research. We are hoping and praying that we will get news either tomorrow or Tuesday. Our great friends Luke and Megan are finally on their way this week to pick up their little girl. We are so happy for them.

We will keep you posted. Thank you for your continued prayers on this journey.

Perceptions

Perceptions are an amazing thing. We can all look at the same image or share the same experience but come out with different results. Our personal perception is created by all of our history. If we look at things through a positive lens or a negative lens. Our trials and tribulations, our joys and pains shape us. I admit that my first reaction is to only see the point of where I am coming from but what if I could change that around to communicate with people with the understanding of where they are coming from first. I recently have been struggling with this. I have been trying so hard for some people to see where I am coming from that I have been so mad because they don't understand, but what if I step up to bat first and decide to say you know I don't know their story but maybe they are struggling with ? or maybe they are just having a bad day. It's hard to give up the fight for a point but maybe it is the Divine way to move forward and experience peace. I decided that it is a lost battle to try and make people see your perception and that it is only possible when a person decides to step out of viewing the situation from their perspective. So here's to today, I am going to try and step out of seeing things from my point of view and try to make an effort to step into someone's elses perspective.

Hard couple of weeks

The past couple of weeks have been a little difficult. We were so ready to bring Massi home. The not knowing when has been a bit of a journey. Yesterday as I was running on the treadmill I began thinking what are my lessons in this wait and the one thing that kept running through my mind over and over is God has the day marked that we are supposed to bring our little boy home and that day wasn't dec 7th and wasn't dec 21st. It doesn't matter what I do that day is set. Another thing that I realized is I have a wonderful group of friends. You support me, pray for me, encourage me when I am down. Your words have helped so much. The overwhelming response to walking with me in this journey has been priceless. I cannot express how much it means to me. I love each of you so much and can't wait for you to meet the little boy that you have been praying for all this time.
It is Christmas Eve and we decided to come up north early. We are having an awesome time spending time with family. This is my nephews first Christmas. He is so adorable. Alek and Natalie got to open some presents this morning and they were so excited. Even though a member of our family is missing this weekend we know that our Father is loving him and giving all that he needs until his is able to come home to his forever family.
Merry Christmas....

Funny kid stories

I absolutely think 4 and 5 year olds are the funniest people around. The other day I was taking Alek to school and as we pull up to the drop off he says mom "snowball fights at recess are illegal" I said who told you that he says "mom, its the law" and gets out of the car and walks right into school.
I wish I kept a journal for all the funny things that they say throughout the day or maybe even a recording to keep for the days that I am feeling a little gloomy. Those one liner conversations can sure cheer someone up.
The last 2 days have been a little rough. I can't help but think that we should be in Ethiopia going to get our little Massi. It makes me sad that it could be a couple more months. We are really praying the embassy workers are able to get to through our case as soon as possible so that we are invited to come. Please lift these prayers up to support us.

No trip this week

Well the trip that we have been preparing ourselves for, for the past month is now not going to happen. We found out last week that our case along with a couple of others is under investigation at the US embassy. It could take 1 to 2 months or longer. We do not have any answers at this time. We are so sad that our boy will not be here for Christmas. We are sad that it has been a long 7 month journey to bring this little boy home and still we have no end in sight. Thank you for your prayers and we will keep you posted.

Awesome night

Tonight was so awesome. Four of my friends were able to bring their kids home. First our friends Tim and Maria who had their baby over a week ago were able to bring baby Grant home. I am so happy for them. This has been a long journey to baby #4. I am so happy that Grant is doing better.
Next we were able to go to the airport tonight to welcome friends home after this long journey of adoption. Tonight each of them are experiencing their completed family in the peace of their homes. Something that you think about for months and finally it is a reality. I can't explain the joy I felt for each of them as they walked down the hallway to meet their friends and family. Congratulations to you all we are so excited for you.
On our families note we do not have any updates. We are hoping to hear something Monday.
Enjoy the weekend.

Update

We haven't posted in a while mostly because we have been extremely busy preparting to leave on the 15th. This week we found out that know the US embassy in Ethiopia is going to investigate our case along with some others. They are investigating that our agency has been ethical throughout our file. I am in disbelief that we are yet stuck. We have no idea how long this will take and no one will tell us any information. We are in limbo and just expected to sit here and wait. It just makes me so sad that there is a little boy thousands of miles away that we would like to bring home and we don't even have an idea to when this is going to happen. When we recieved our referral he was just over 2 years old and by the time that he comes home he will close to 3. We are so close to being and the end of this paperwork journey but yet things just keep coming up. There is still a glimmer of hope that the embassy will still allow us to come however it is a little glimmer. My heart is heavy that there is a strong chance we will not go next week. We have to move forward still laying our hearts on the line that soon the day will come.
Today, a little joy however was brought over. I got to spend the whole day with my little buddy (nephew Noah). I haven't seen or held him since he was tied up with tubes. That little boy is so special. I just held him and played with him all afternoon. He is just wanted I needed to feel a little at peace today.
Tonight Alek had his school Christmas program. It was the cutest thing. Alek is growing up so much. We can't believe that he is 5 and we are going to school programs.
Tomorrow we get to go to the airport to welcome some friends home from this long journey of adoption. They are bringing their little boy home. We are so happy and excited for them and eager to meet Easton.
hopefully I will be able to post some more updates soon. Thank you for your prayers.

Updates

It has been a long week and a half. Last week I spent most of the week at U of M hospital with my sister and nephew. His surgery went really well and they believe that he will not have to have any other surgeries. We had a little scare when he first came into the ICU. They were trying to push some fluid because he was low and his heart didn't like the method so his heart completely stopped for 3 minutes. My sister and I were in the room when this happened. I have never been so scared in my life. I just kept praying to God to save this little boy. Thankfully our prayer was answered and they were able to get his heart working again. They were 30 seconds from reopening him right there in the room. Since then, he has been doing well. He actually came home yesterday from the hospital. So keep baby Noah in your prayers for a healthy recovery.
On Friday on my way home from the hospital we found out that we passed court. YEA!!!!! Finally we are completed with that step. Mazengia is officially our little boy. We are a family of 5 and now outnumbered. We are planning on leaving on Dec 15th to travel back to Ethiopia to pick him up. We will be back Christmas Eve night. It is going to be an awesome Christmas. I already love Christmas for many reasons and now it is going to be the most special year by far. Now we just wait to hear that they have a new birth certificate and passport for him and we will be all set.
This past weekend all of us except Natalie has had the flu. Boy, was it a nasty one. Ben by far had it the worst. Thankfully we all are in the home stretch of it.
Lastly, I would like to share some stories of families in need of prayers. We have dear friends of ours that just found out that the husband has lymphoma cancer. He is going to be starting chemo on Monday. Please keep them in your prayers as they also have 3 young kids. Please pray that the chemo is effective and that it will kill the cancer completely.
Please pray for friends of ours that have run into a last minute snag with their adoption paperwork. This process is so long anyway and to run into something at the very end when you are so close to bringing your little one home is very hard to understand. Please pray that they can get all of this taken care so that they can travel soon to pick their little one up.
We wish everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner and time with family. We have so much to be grateful and thankful this year.

Surgery day

Today we did not receive any news on our adoption. We believed that we would and the day came and went. This is exactly like being pregnant and being 5 days late and no dialation or indication the baby is coming soon. So that is that.
Tomorrow I will head down to U of M to be with my mom and sister for my little 4 month old nephews open heart surgery. I can't imagine what my sister is feeling like having her baby have this serious surgery at such a young age. We are praying and hoping that the doctors will be able to repair the defect so that Noah's organs can all perform at 100%. His surgery is at 7:30a on Wednesday. He will be in ICU for 24 hours before anyone is allowed to see him. Please pray for strength and peace for my sister and holy divine protection over my little nephew. Also pray for wisdom and gentleness for the surgeons and medical staff that will be taking care of him. My sister has a care page if you would like to follow. It is www.carepages.com/noahlewisriggs

Update

I haven't done an update in a while. This Tuesday our letter was sent back to Ethiopia. We were hoping to hear that they got it today but it looks like Monday we will hear. I can't wait to hear those words that we passed and we now have another little boy to the Wickstrom clan. We did get some good news today. Before we left Ethiopia we asked our friend Abel that if he went to the orphanage if he could show our boy a picture of us so that he wouldn't forget. So this past week Abel was talking to our boy and he pointed to the pic and said who are they and our boy said "man and dad". AWWW.... How cute is that. I was asking God today show me a sign anything that you are still working in this and this brought me the hugest smile. Have a great weekend. Please also lift my friends Luke and Megan up in prayer. They were all set to leave to pick up their girl and they recieved news that they won't be leaving next week. Pray that they can take care of this situation as soon as possible.

Today is a new day.

Today is a new week. I am filled of hope that things will work out this week. My clearance letter is in DC right now. The courier is going to get the neccessary stamps today and I am praying that she can even get it on in the mail today. If she can get it in the mail today, it could be to Ethiopia on Friday. The great news is the judge said that as soon as the letter comes they can take it to court.. So we do not have to wait for another court appointment.
All last week I kept wondering why is this happening to us and 2 things really stuck out. 1. is God wants us to fully trust and believe in Him. It is really hard for me to completely give everything up. I do believe that God will protect us from anything that will not ultimately lead us closer to Him. 2. Is people are always going to fail you but God never will. Instead of first running to other people to fix the issue we should always run to go God first. Unfortunately, I am always learning this lesson.
This week is about grace for me. I have first received a lot of it and now I am going to give it and I am going to give it with a heart full of love and compassion.

The Pity Party is Over

So the last couple of days I have had quite the party. I want to thank of all my dear friends for coming to my party and sitting with me in my anger, frustration, sadness and all other feelings. I truly appreciate you jumping into the situation and getting mad with me. I thank you that you didn't try to offer advice and that you sat in the emotions that I was in. Without all of you, I couldn't reach this peace this soon. I want to say thank you to the police lady for saying sorry, thank you to my social worker for saying sorry and to all my friends who have said sorry and that didn't even have a part in it. I'm sorry I believe is one of the most powerful statements. I'm sorry helps people move forward from frustration to understanding. After all, how could you be mad at someone who says I am sorry with all of their heart. Something in those words does something to your heart. Tonight I have decided to gear up the energy to look forward to passing court whenever that is. It will happen.
One thing that my aunt said to me the other day was: Trust God in the dark, like you trusted Him in the light. That is so true. It is easy to trust God when things are going great or even good. It is so hard to trust Him when you can't see an end and you are in the thick of it. That has been my lesson. For those of you who have prayed for peace. Thank you. I am surrendering and I have peace. Tomorrow is a new day..

Have to redo letter again

Yesterday brought some pretty bad news. The clearance letter that I rushed to get to Ethiopia didn't have the U.S. seal on it so they didn't accept it. I am completely crushed. This error was only supposed to put us back 1 week and instead I am not sure how long it will be. In my mind I just don't understand why we can't get a break in this process. Each step of the way has had an obstacle. To make matters worse I contacted the travel agent to check on availability to fly out for the Dec 23 embassy and they have limited availability and the cost keeps rising. Right now it is over $2000 a ticket. I feel like stuff just keeps piling on. I don't want to keep going back to this is such a silly error and I can't believe that it is going to delay us 2 months but the more that we get pushed back the more it drives me bonkers. So I don't know what is next. I have no idea when our letter will get there. I have no idea when we go to court again. I have no idea when we will even pass court or better yet have no idea when we will go back. All I know is my heart aches that we can't just jump on a plane and go get our little boy. My heart hurts that no one else is connected to this boy in this process like we are.. Why would people rush our case along? They have no emotional ties to our little boy. They have no connection. My only prayer is that they can look at it with new eyes. Maybe look at it as just delivering your baby and before they let you hold your baby they say to you we have to have the birth certificate ready before you can hold your baby but it takes a week to get this birth certificate. During this time you just ache to hold your baby. The staff tries to assure it is only a week, you have the rest of your life to hold your baby, but inside you have been waiting for this day for 9 months, 1 more hour seems like a lifetime. That is how I feel inside. I have an ache in my chest that just won't go away. I pray that this will all be taken care off soon.

Back 1 week

Well we have been back 1 week and it is great. After meeting him we definitely walk around the house wondering what he would be doing, toys he would play or comments that he would make. We can see how Alek and Natalie will be such a great big brother and big sister to him. I knnow it is going to be tough at first but I am so excited for this part of the journey to begin.

They received our paperwork. Thank you to an awesome man named Abel. He stopped by the DHL last week to pick it up. Even though it didn't go anywhere last week at least we know that it is safe in his hands. Tomorrow is our rescheduled court date so we are longing to hear the words you passed and now you are a family of 5.

We have a lot coming up in the next couple of weeks. My nephew is getting open heart surgery in 2 weeks. Please lift up my sister and Noah in your prayers. I can't imagine having to have my baby have such a traumatic surgery.

On another note, my rash that I brought back from Ethiopia is going away finally. I was starting to get a little worried. I took a stronger prescription yesterday and noticed this morning it is already clearing up. We have a busy week ahead of us. May yours be filled with love and peace.