Due to the finalization process of Jackson’s adoption we have had to wait a little longer before our departure for the field. On December 30th we were able to be in Illinois as the adoption was finalized! It was such a sweet and wonderful moment for Amanda and I as we sat before the judge and made our son “officially” our son! Jackson sat quietly by, with the occasional sm
ile and chuckle, not realizing the significance of the day. While everything is now legally official we are still waiting to receive his birth certificate so that we can in turn apply for his passport and visa. We have included a few pictures of Jackson with the judge, Jackson wearing his “big boy” hat and his first time to see snow at Poppa and Pammaw’s farm. There are absolutely no words to describe the joy of that day!
As we have mentioned in previous letters the initial move to Ethiopia is extremely expensive. We have known this all along and have diligently set aside funds for the move but even in the last several months as the prices have gone up, our moving expenses are doing the same. Many of you have graciously given which has been a huge blessing! However, we still have much that needs to be raised.
As we finish this letter we are so grateful for all that God has done for our family this last year. This last Christmas was so special as we celebrated it with Jackson. Even as I write this letter I can’t help but think how God did such amazing things to orchestrate Jackson being with us. He now has two teeth and he just started crawling in the last week. We are soaking up all the moments with him as we praise God for His graciousness. We hope that everyone had a wonderful winter as we look forward to spring and the newness soon upon us. Fire up the grill and take an allergy pill because we have a busy road ahead!
