Tonight's the night!

It's still unreal that the past ~11 months comes down to this. Overnight while we (hopefully) sleep, Silas' court appointment will be happening in Ethiopia. We are praying we hear early tomorrow that we passed and we have our U.S. Embassy appointment so we can book travel. We can be his legal parents tomorrow! ... even though we have felt like he's been our son since February 11th.

In researching travel dates, we're starting to see what travel will look like. It's exciting/overwhelming to think and plan that. We're praying we can book flights this week as there is a $200/ticket discount through Friday.

It was beautiful in Tennessee today so Amber and I went for a walk down to the park after work. It was fun to watch all the little league and t-ball games going on and telling each other "that could be Silas." Amber asked me if I was going to help coach Silas' team if he wants to play baseball. Even though I kinda downplayed it to Amber, there's no doubt that I would.

It's been amazing to see the support and prayers of family and friends ... THANK YOU! As I've been reflecting on things tonight, a couple things came to mind. Our Pastor referenced Hebrews 13:8 this past weekend: Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. There is tremendous hope in that for me. If you read the Gospels, you see the miracles, healing, and compassion our LORD had for the people. If He was that way 2000 years ago and based upon Hebrews, He's still's that way today. He is interacting with His people the same way He did when He walked the earth.

Another friend emailed me Matthew 18:19-20 today ... Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.. I know that there are dozens of people across the country agreeing through Christ with us on this court date. I believe GOD hears us and will meet us where we are.

Our church is beginning the recruitment for next year's Children's Ministry team. Our Children's Ministry pastor was telling us all the things Jesus says about children in the Gospels. They are the only group that He says it's better to tie a big ol' rock around your neck and throw it in the water than to hurt them (Matthew 18:6). That if you give a cup of cold water to a little one in His Name, you won't lose your reward (Matthew 10:42). He said to not hinder the children from coming to Him because the kingdom of heaven belongs to them (Mark 10:13-16). And that if we welcome a child in His Name, we welcome Jesus (Matthew 18:2-6). This is just a small subset of what Jesus says about His children ... it shows us how much He values them. Those are scriptures that we all can proclaim over ourselves and our children. Wherever the Bible says little one, child or children, I can replace with Silas' name to make it personal to me ... because that's what it's all about ... a personal relationship with Jesus ... how long it took me to understand that...

Amber and I are early risers so court will most likely still be going on when we get up ... we won't know if Silas' case will have been heard or not. We're praying that his birth family shows up to court, that all the documentation by the Ethiopian government is completed, and that we find favor with the judge. We pray that our LORD is glorified in that Ethiopian courtroom and that everyone in that room will recognize His Presence.

Thank you again for for joining us in our journey. We are forever humbled.

Silas, buddy, we're coming for you SOON! Love you son!