A Reminder of the Glory and Greatness of God

Here are some thoughts from the biblical books of Job and Romans:

Have you ever traveled to where snow is made, seen the vault where hail is stockpiled,

The arsenals of hail and snow that I keep in readiness for times of trouble and battle and war?

Can you find your way to where lightning is launched, or to the place from which the wind blows?

Who do you suppose carves canyons for the downpours of rain, and charts the route of thunderstorms

That bring water to unvisited fields, deserts no one ever lays eyes on,

Drenching the useless wastelands so they're carpeted with wildflowers and grass?

And who do you think is the father of rain and dew, the mother of ice and frost?

You don't for a minute imagine these marvels of weather just happen, do you?

Is there anyone around who can explain God? Anyone smart enough to tell him what to do? Anyone who has done him such a huge favor that God has to ask his advice?

Everything comes from him; Everything happens through him; Everything ends up in him. Always glory! Always praise!

Yes. Yes. Yes.

Another month gone by

Today marks the completion of seven months of waiting since our paperwork went to Ethiopia. While we eagerly anticipate the day when we will receive a call about a referral, we wholly trust our great God, in his perfect providence, is writing a beautiful story for the formation of our family.

As I wrote that last sentence, I was reminded that, in the Bible, "7" often represents completion or perfection. I've been thinking alot lately about how God doesn't merely desire to make us happy, but to make us holy. I know this wait is challenging me to see parts of myself that are not so holy! May God continue to make me more like himself.

On another note, some of you have admitted that you're a little inexperienced with the world of blogging and have wondered about the possibility of responding to my posts. If you would like to do so, please note the line at the bottom of each blog entry that goes something like this: Posted by KLT.... # comments

If you just click on the word comments, another page will open with a space available for you to type whatever you would like to say in response, fill in the additional identifying info, and publish it by clicking the button at the bottom. I'd love to hear from you!!!

More Outdoor Winter Fun

We have really been enjoying snow and ice related activities out in the backyard this winter. Here's a peek at some of our fun...

"The Tapper Rink"

Daddy ice-dancing with his Cinderella

Look out below!!!

Abby takes a turn down the chute.

Big shooter!!!

Hope you're enjoying your winter, too!

A favorite pic from our Holidays

Wonderful News

We have had a wonderful holiday season at the Tapper house, including special worship times, visits from family, and shared times with good friends. Upon arriving home yesterday from friends, we had a message on our phone. It was from my friend, Patty, who lives with her husband and two girls literally a few miles down our street. With joy, she announced that her family had received word that their court case in Ethiopia had gone well, and they are now officially the parents of Meti Joy!

Meti is a beautiful girl who has been at our agency's transition home for many months as our friends collected all the necessary paperwork to bring her into their family. Many families who have traveled to the transition home to pick up their own children have commented on Meti's unique sweetness. She has been known to be the first to comfort new arrivals from the orphanages, to spend her days mothering the other children, and to serve as a translator for visiting families. While she will be dearly missed in Ethiopia, we look forward to her settling into her adoring new family. . . . and we consider ourselves pretty blessed to be able to experience the pleasure of her company in the near future! For more on this wonderful story, check out the family blog at http://bringmimihome.com/default.aspx.

Additionally, I wanted to share about a great book I took out from the library and finished last week. It's called Treasures of the Snow by Patricia Mary St. John. A simple read, written for young adults, this book captures the essence of Christian living in a special way. Delightful metaphors for spiritual realities and a beautiful storyline make this a great read, in my opinion. Take the time to find it yourself, and I think you'll be blessed!

We Love Snow!

Adoption Overview

For those of you who may not be completely familiar with the process of international adoption or who are new to our blog, I thought it might be helpful if I shared an overview of the adoption process. Here are the basics of our experience:

We applied to America World Adoption Agency in November 2007 and were accepted into their Ethiopia program. This began the paper-chasing phase of the adoption process. Employment verification, insurance letters, identification documents, home study, background checks, and personal references were all gathered, notarized, and certified. This paperwork, called a dossier, was shipped to Ethiopia on June 13, 2008 -- our DTE (dossier to Ethiopia date). Read about the emotions of this here.

Our "ticker" at the top of the blog counts the time since our DTE. We are now waiting for a referral. A referral is when we (the adoptive family) is matched up with an orphan or orphan group. Our paperwork includes approval for two children up to age 6. Referral wait times can be hard to predict, especially with any request outside the more common infant referral. Our agency has suggested that others with similar DTE's as ours might be able to expect a referral in March or April. If no sibling groups have come available by that time, we may be given the opportunity to accept a referral for a single child.

After we accept a referral, AWAA staff in Ethiopia will pursue the legal end of things. We will be assigned a court date. We are cautioned, however, that approximately 30% of cases are not successful on their first appearance in court (often due to an outside organizations's failure to produce necessary paperwork). If we fail to pass court, a new court date will be assigned, usually several weeks later. Only after a successful court case can pictures of and information about any referred child(ren) be shared publicly.

Mike and I will travel to Ethiopia a few short weeks after passing court. We will be in Ethiopia for approximately one week. We will stay in Addis Ababa at a small hotel. All AWAA referred children live at a "transition home" in the city. At this home, we will meet for the first time. A day or so later, we will officially take custody and finalize any more paperwork necessary to come home together.

Then begins the challenge of learning to live together. . . This can be a difficult time for many families. As we approach this new year, we ask for your sensitivity and prayers. The waiting period provides little certainty and can be quite emotional and stressful. A referral may raise hopes, but also anxiety and longing. Finally, the demands of reorienting our family after placement will be great. Thank you to all our wonderful family and friends who we know will support us graciously through the coming months! Your care and concern mean so much!

Hope this helps to clarify the process for any newcomers!