Bringing Samuel Home

Many of you have asked how you can be part of bringing Samuel home. The number one way you can help is through prayer. As we are nearing the end of this adoption journey, we're excited to be so close to bring him home. Currently we still need $5000 for our final trip. This $5000 will cover the plane ticket, all of the fees in Ethiopia, and our appointment with the US embassy. We know that it is a huge amount, but we are trusting God to all of our needs.

Our family has partnered with a really cool ministry, Lifesong for Orphans. Lifesong for Orphans offers a variety of services to support orphaned and abandoned children, adoption, and adoptive families. One of their ministries is adoption fund management. Through their fund management we are able to receive financial support for our adoption from our family and friends. Our family and friends are able to donate directly to a 501c(3)...this mean your gift will be tax deductible!

If you would like to help us bring Samuel home financially, you may send a gift* to:

Lifesong for Orphans
c/o Murray Fund
PO Box 40
202 North Ford Street
Gridley, IL 61744

You can use the DONATE button on the side of our blog. Your donation will go directly into our account.

Thank you in advance for considering partnering with our family.

1 John 3:18
Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other;

let us show the truth by our actions.

Passport!

Seriously, what is cuter than this!?!?! We got an email today from our agency with a couple of legal documents. We are getting closer....!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Right now we are waiting to hear if we have been submitted to the embassy. Being submitted to embassy basically mean that all of Samuel's legal documents are in order and are delivered to the US Embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The officials at the embassy will review the entire file and decide if (a) they need to do another investigation or (b) everything is perfect and we can come get him! We are obviously praying that things look great. Any prayers would be appreciated!

FB

Today I was on Facebook and came across this happy adopting Mom who is in Ethiopia right now picking up her daughter. All of the sudden, the cutest little bald face caught my eye!!! Our Sam. What a special Easter gift to see his little face today!!

Lice + Scalp Fungal Infection = Bald

I really miss that little face! I want him HOME!!
Have you ever seen such a cute bald head in your life?!

Please pray for Sam's health...

**These pictures were taken today in Ethiopia.

Update

I just got a note from another adopting mom friend who is in Ethiopia right now. "...Brad(an adopting father in Ethiopia right now) went in to check on little Sammy today and was able to feed him his bottle!! Bring scabies meds for him because it's not under control at all. I can't wait till your eyes meets his eyes again and y'all leave the TH FOREVER!!!"

I'm so thankful that people are with Sam and caring for him but it breaks my heart to think of his poor skin covered with scabies. Please pray for him.

Day One

On Wednesday March 30th we arrived at O'hare airport at around 4:00am. Bags packed and ready for our greatest adventure. Our first flight was just an hour and half to DC. From there we boarded an Ethiopia Air Jet, 13 hours straight to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Our flight was perfect and I slept about 10 of the 13 hours. Scoot only slept about 45 minutes;( This is our first look at ETHIOPIA!

At the airport. We waited in the longest line to get a visa. We gathered all our luggage (which all made it perfectly!!) and loaded a van which took us to the guest house. I wish I had take more pictures of the airport. The amount of people was hard to even describable. After a "quick" lunch with some of the other adoptive families it was finally time to meet our son. This picture is of us standing outside the transition home (orphanage) where our son lives. We were facing right down the hall and seeing out little Samuel for the first time. (sorry about my crazy face)

Here's his first look at us! I think he's saying, "Who the heck are these crazy people!"

First time holding him... Checking out his dad...

First family picture. He looks worried.... We love him!

He instantly felt comfortable with Scott. (thankful)

My Scooter cried.

Sam's first nap on his dad's chest.

About 2 seconds later I looked over and they were both sound asleep.

Perfect day!

Samuel Afango Murray

We are in love!! The call came this morning that the correct documents were submitted to the judge and she approved them. WE PASSED COURT AND HE IS OURS FOREVER!!

1 Samuel 1:27-28

"I asked the Lord to give me this boy, and he has granted my request. Now I am giving him to the Lord, and he will belong to the Lord his whole life.” And they worshiped the Lord there.