I already let you in on the early part of our day, but Tyson slept until 7:45 am, just in time to put on his shoes and head downstairs for breakfast (eggs and toast today, if anyone was wondering). And, of course, "buna" for the adults. My heart and mind and prayers were pre-occupied with the families at court and knowing Tesfahun was supposed to be going to the kebele when court was over. We had understood their court appointments to be at 9am, but later learned there were multiple families there for adoption cases and they were at court until 11am. When Mengistu arrived back this afternoon around 1:15pm he said it had been a long morning in court! Meanwhile, Tyson and Mark played with a small, pink bouncy ball that Tyson later asked me about saying, "Mom, where is the baby ball?" We all got tickled when we were sitting downstairs and heard Tyson say into his iPod, "Please, me game." He had already figured out there was a way to talk to Siri and she would do what you asked. Except, with his accent, she didn't quite understand. His English is getting better every day. When Mark acts like a monster who is coming to tickle him he will say, "No, thank you," rather than, "stop." His manners are great and he is catching on to asking in complete, respectful sentences. We couldn't be more proud of him.
After a fun morning playing and singing Christmas carols, we came back upstairs to watch, "Paul Blart Mall Cop." Within the first two minutes of the movie, Tyson was laughing so hard no one else could hear anything. Eventually, he clung to Mark's leg while he walked around. Apparently that was fun! He also enjoyed it when Mark would grab him by his legs and pull him up. He would lie on the ground and say, "Dad, legs up." He couldn't understand why Mark couldn't do it 64938 times longer. He eventually settled in on the arm of the chair I was sitting on (working on Sudoku for those of you who care). He was listening to music and playing games. It was on the arm of the chair that he said, "Mom, I love you," for the very first time unsolicited. I didn't cry at the moment, but I did jump up and run to tell Mark through the bathroom door while he was showering. Later, I cried. It's the small things.
For lunch he ate leftovers from his burger yesterday and the rest of us ate food I had brought (quinoa). We have figured out that adding oil, sunflower seeds, hot sauce, salt and pepper isn't too shabby. Tyson gave it a try, but hated it politely said, "no thank you. Me no eat it." He had already eaten his burger, so I wasn't offended in the least. It was around lunch time I began to count down as to when Mengistu should be back from court and lunch with the other families, because he was supposed to bring us news on what Abdi and Tesfahun (attorneys) found out at the kebele. We were all sitting here playing when we heard the other families come in. So, we rushed outside to congratulate them on passing court and to find out if we needed to go to the kebele. Turns out, Tesfahun arrived at the kebele while they were having a meeting (he arrived later than he had expected due to court going longer than expected). But, he waited for their meeting to end. About an hour later Mengistu updated us that Abdi had joined Tesfahun at the kebele to beg their heads off plead our case. We started praying. It was around this time we had asked Mengistu if we could go out to the grocery store and to eat dinner. That way, if they called and needed us at the kebele, we would already be out and we could join them there. We finally made it to Wal-Mart Shoa and when we arrived, we saw they had grocery carts with play cars attached for the kids to ride in. So, we offered it to Tyson and he jumped in that red and yellow car with the biggest grin on his face, saying, "Me car?" Brycen pushed him around and Tyson used his horn the entire time. Pretty common for a third world country driver. If Brycen stopped for more than a second, Tyson would be out of the car and climbing to the top of it in NO TIME FLAT. No big surprise there. It was while we were at Shoa on the juice aisle that Mengistu's phone rang. It was Abdi. This one kebele they had gone to had seemed the most promising, so they were hopeful in going. Turns out, the director of that kebele told them today if they would return with us tomorrow morning between 10-11am they would print our adoption certificate (birth certificate). Obviously, this is no guarantee, but we all danced and high-fived right in front of the dish soap. I will update you tomorrow on how our trip to the kebele goes. Should they keep their promise and print the document, we will likely be able to come home in two weeks. Nothing else can be done without this one document.
We rounded out our late afternoon with chicken fajitas! Well, that was what I ordered, but Mark went with beef fajitas, Regan had tilapia and with a side of her boyfriend french fries, Brycen had....I don't remember, and Tyson ate a cheese pizza (that he shared with Mengistu). The place was called Tivoli and it was delicious for any of you heading to Addis anytime soon (except for the cheese on the pizza. I wouldn't go for that exact dish).
It was during dinner that we began discussing the favor we have seen God grant over our case since arriving. As frustrated as it has been for six years, at dinner, the Holy Spirit reminded me of Psalm 23:5, "You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies..." Our entire process has felt like a feast set before the enemy to devour at every turn. Yet, here we are. In Ethiopia, officially parents to Tyson Asnake McKeehan. Hearing our agency workers talk about our case has been great confirmation that THIS IS A MIRACLE. Without a table set before the enemy, we couldn't have seen the Way-Maker make a way. But He did. And, without the kebele refusing to print birth certificates or adoption certificates we couldn't see Him part the waters again. But, He is. As we go to sleep tonight, it with hopeful, expectant hearts that He is fighting for us and has set this thing up beautifully for HIM TO GET THE GLORY. No one in Ethiopia has received this kind of document since before the new system began at the end of July. He is faithful whether they print that document or whether they don't. But, on this side of the table, it is easier to look back and recognize how apart from the struggle we would be tempted to think we just went through the process. Rather, He has graciously placed us in a position to watch Him turn the tables and allow us to feast on His goodness, rather than give the enemy ONE OUNCE OF VICTORY.
As we headed home tonight in the van, Tyson was staring out the window and he said, "I love my mom and dad." I let quiet tears fall, but again thought on Psalm 23:5. The table is set and we are the ones who get to enjoy the feast in the presence of our enemy. Tonight, we feast on it with full expectation that tomorrow will bring good news. We are continually grateful for your prayers and know the only reason this is all happening is because of Him and you joining us in prayer. Hopefully, by the time you wake tomorrow, we will have the birth certificate in hand, ready to file for Tyson's passport.
I will update as soon as I can!
until WE'RE home,
carrie
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