Getting some Mommy time...

He did not like his first bath. As you can tell...I love this one!

He is all oiled up and ready to snuggle...

This is what I am talking about! We have so much peace right now. God is in total control. I am sitting in the US, and my wife and son ar in Ethiopia...I love that she is able to bond with our buddy. We our Embassy Appointment tomorrow. I will keep you all posted...

Guest Blogger,

Dad

Katie is with our SAM!

Katie and our great friend Heather, are both in Ethiopia with our Sam! He has a bad skin infection, but he is getting treated there and we have an appointment here on Monday. I am so thankful that she is with our boy. Please pray that they have the best time ever. I love him!

Guest Blogger,

Scott Murray

This is IT!

I can't believe I'm typing these words but I am leaving today at 6:00pm to pick up our son in Ethiopia. Thankful doesn't even begin to describe how we are feeling. In the last 7 weeks that we've been home we've been able to raise ALL the money needed for this trip. THANK YOU and THANK GOD! We are humbled that so many of you have partnered with us to bring Samuel home.

Scott will be staying home with our other kids and my friend Heather has volunteered to go with me. How cool is that? I am so thankful not to have to travel alone.
Sunday 29th- Leave Washington DC at noon.

Monday 30th- Arrive in Ethiopia- 8:00am GET SAM
Wednesday June 1st- Embassy appointment
Friday June 3rd- Pick up Samuel's Visa and leave for home.
Saturday June 4th- Arrive in Chicago at 1:30pm!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Please pray for our time in Ethiopia, for health and safety. Please pray for Samuel's health and for his little heart as he adjusts to being in a new environment with his new mom.

Heather is bringing her Ipad so I am going to try really hard to update from Ethiopia each day. Thank you for loving our family.

New Pictures

Our little Samuel is getting so big! These are pictures taken TODAY!! Thank you Tara and Brad.

I am just about dying to get to Ethiopia and bring him home!

Please continue to pray it will be soon!

Embassy

Ok, I just got a phone call from Anna Graham (program coordinator AWAA), I had left another message with Teressa because Kristen was out of the office... anyway, she called me from home to say that she was sorry but although SOME of our documents were submitted on April 27th they ACTUALLY only submitted the remaining documents this past week. You can imagine my disappointment but I am also thankful to actually KNOW what is going on. I was really starting to think something was wrong with our file. We are again trusting God's timing and his plan in our lives above what I think is best. The second we know anything I will update! Thanks for your love and care for us. Love!

Update

This is the email we got yesterday afternoon. Today marks day 10 of being submitted to EMBASSY. Please pray very soon we will be with our Samuel again.

Hi Katie,
I am sorry I missed your call this morning. As of today we have not received any updates on your family’s case. While the embassy originally noted they would respond within 10 business days of paperwork being submitted, in the past few weeks we have seen it take a bit longer. We do anticipate hearing something on your family’s case soon and will let you know as soon as we do.

Blessings,

Kristen Hansen

Our Family Update

As our family waits to hear about passing embassy we've been trying to keep busy. You can check out what we've been doing by clicking here.