Moving on Down!

We are moving closer to receiving our referral!  WOO-HOO!!!!!

January was an AWESOME month for our agency.  I stopped counting at 15 precious children being matched with their forever family.

There are still some ongoing court issues but I am hopeful that God will sustain each family in the wait.    Please keep praying Saints!

So...were do we stand?

From my count (unofficial, of course!)

We are # 7 in the girl line but # 3 in girls from 18-24 months! 

I am excited but using much (restraint and caution) in seeing what February has in store for us.  There have been 2 infant girls referred and we are only on the 4th day of the month. 

As we come close to our 8th month in the wait--we are thankful that God has continued to show his  mercy and love.  May we continue to rest in his assurance and provision.

It is our desire that this entire journey be pleasing to our Lord and that He alone will be glorified.  

Thank you for your continued love and support!

The Portillas

Seven months waiting!

7 months of waiting for our baby girl from Ethiopia.  It looks like we are (unofficially) #10 in the infant girl (0-24 months) line.

There have been 13 referrals this month (January) so far!  Go America World!

Please continue to pray for us.  We still have travel money to raise...around $ 6000.  

Blessings!

The Portilla Clan

Look at these faces!

Ice skating was so fun during the Christmas break!   

Naughty Kitty Cat!

Look who I found in Ava's crib today, Sasha!

New Strength for 2009

What an awesome time we have had this Christmas Holiday!  We have met with family and friends, welcomed a new niece into the family, played board games until midnight many days, watched countless episodes of Little House on the Prairie, slept past 9 am EVERY day.  We have enjoyed just "being."  But mostly, we have longed for our little one in Ethiopia.

It is close to midnight and fireworks are resounding in the background of Dick Clark's countdown.  My cat is pacing and my dog is hiding in the bathtub!   

As we enter the New Year, I am excited about the plans God has in store for my family.  I pray for continued guidance and patience (a heavy dose!).  I pray that I will be content in the wait...content in the here and now.  I want to savor being just a family of four.  I pray for strength and peace.  

Thank you Lord for a wonderful year.  I praise you for keeping my family safe and secure.  I trust that what you began in our lives will come to fruition in the coming months.  Guide us, use our lives as a testimony to your grace and miracle working power.  God,  I surrender all to you.  

He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.  Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion.  But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.  They will soar high on wings like eagles.  They will run and not grow weary.  They will walk and not faint.  

Isaiah 40: 29-31

Wait Time Increased!

Greetings and Merry Christmas!

It is with a heavy heart that I am reporting this update.  The time of waiting for a referral for a baby girl has increased from 7-9 months to 9-11 months.  What does this look like for us?  We should expect a referral anywhere from  March-May.  This could change at any time reflecting a shorter or longer wait.  

While I am sad that we will have to wait a bit longer to meet our daughter...I totally feel that God is in complete control.  I am just having a hard time surrendering.  We are confident in knowing our precious baby girl will be revealed in God's perfect time.  

Please pray for:

Our agency, AWAA.  There are many changes occurring within the states as well as in Ethiopia.  Pray for favor among the officials and the court system.  Please pray for Duni (ET coordinator) to partner with the "right" orphanages and in finding true orphans.  

Patience and Peace while we continue this tiring journey.  

Finances.  We still have around $ 4000 plus travel expenses to pay.  

Blessings and peace!

The Portilla Family

6 months of waiting & A Black Eye!!!

Wow, what a week!  

We celebrated 6 months of waiting for our referral!  Only 1-3 months left to go until we are suppose to learn about our baby girl!  I can't wait!  Time is flying by. We (estimate) that we are #16 on the girl list.  There could be mystery families lurking in the shadows.  Referrals have been slow in the last couple of months.  We are hopeful that the line will start to move a little quicker in the coming months.   Thank you for your love and support as we continue our journey to bringing Ava Joy home from Ethiopia!

On Friday, I received a phone call from the school nurse telling me that Ben had been injured at school.  I rushed to pick him up and bless his little heart!  He was hit with an elbow at recess.  I took him straight to the doctor and they sent us to get a CT scan for fear of a fracture and a possible  concussion.  Whew!   He is feeling better but looks terrible!     

Day 1!

Day 3!