More Pictures

Here are some more pictures of our time in Ethiopia.

Talo's first evening with us. We had just started to show him some of his things we brought and he immediately started lining them up!

This is the part of the transition home where he was staying.

Jolene, Talo and his nanny.

Talo's room at the TH.

This is the crib where he slept.

A typical fruit stand on the way back from the TH.

Residential apartments. Check out the clothesline 8 stories up!

Who has the best marketing campaign the world over.....COKE!

This was a local butcher shop near our guest house. Usually the meat is eaten raw. I actually saw someone once have the butcher cut some meat right off the slab and the customer immediately popped it into his mouth!

This is the main road our guest house was off of. After turning right at the sign the gate was about 200 yards down the alley on the left.
A picture of the guest house. It was very nice especially considering the surroundings!

This is a view of the courtyard from our balcony.

Jolene and Talo playing in the courtyard while the housekeepers vigorously washed the windows and the driveway.

Jolene and Talo playing with a beach ball. Just after this was taken it got stuck on the razor wire. A little (or a lot) scotch tape and all was good!

Talo playing with the guards.

Talo and daddy playing with Ooh Aah! (water)

The oldest Christian Orthodox church in Addis Ababa.

David, our driver, modeling a scarf Jolene picked out.

All the kids (and Jon) waiting while the parents shop inside.

Talo's first Sunglasses, stylish little man! Why did they have to be pink!
A very nice bank, we went inside and were very impressed. Seemed just like the US.
A picture while driving in the city.
I (Jolene) took this to show you how even amongst poverty there are teenagers in fashion.
Poverty.
Construction all over the city, notice the stick scaffolding.
This was one of the hardest things to see, people homeless sleeping at the tree.
Talo lining up all our shoes.
The first time Talo was introduced to stickers. He didn't know what to do with them.
Talo and Jolene on the roof at night. Somebody is tired.
Church that we went to, verywesternized.
More of the church classrooms and nice grassy areas.
Notice the cute kids on the left who spoke English!
Robel (our in country guide), Talo and Jon after church. Robel's Dad died when he was 10 years old so he moved to the city at 10 years old to work to support his family. Now he supports like 33 street child so they can go to school.
Talo with his favorite, water bottles, notice the handles Jon made for him!
At the lion Zoo. Talo wanted to climb through the metal Bars! Ahhh!
Nice Lion, yet the child is afraid of dogs??
Packing to go home.
Talo in his traditional Ethiopian attire. He loves it!
Leaving for the airport, saying goodbye to our guest house.
On our last leg of flying!
Arriving home!
And we are headed to the car to go home.
Talo's bed now, no more Transition Home!

Talo is adjusting really well and every day gets better and better. We hope you enjoy these. We miss Ethiopia so much. People seem surprised by that fact however, we loved our time there and cannot wait to return! Being so busy with Talo we have hardly had time to even reflect on any of our trip or time there. But every time we think of Addis Ababa we just long to go back. Even amidist the smell of diesel fumes, garbage filled streets, extreme poverty and unclean bathrooms, we miss it. It is hard to describe the emotions we felt bringing Talo home to America. We truly are so blessed here and our country is one of the most beautiful places there is. However, there is a saying out there that says "I need Africa more than Africa needs me". We didn't really understand what that meant until we were there.

Let us try to explain. Each day we would watch our housekeeper clean our room from top to bottom with such care, concern and perfection. Even remaking our bed after we had already made it. At times we would pop in our room only to find her smiling as she did our leftover dishes or picked up Talo's stray toys. Every time we saw her we would thank her endlessly and tell her to put the dishes down because we would do them, but she would just bow to us and smile so humbly and so gently. On the day we left we wanted to give her something to thank her. After having such a tight budget and being in Ethiopia for 2 weeks we only had had a couple hundred Bir, or around 30 US dollars. So we decided to give it to her. Jon wrap ed it up with a little box of chocolates and we both felt so bad that we didn't have more to give. We had not spent lavishly in Ethiopia, we just didn't have a lot of travel money so it was upsetting to us not to have more to give her. As Jon brought her down the wrapped up box in the midst of all the packing, she just thanked and thanked him. Although it wasn't until a few hours later (when she opened up the package), that we heard a soft knock on our door. Here was our dear housekeeper in tears repeating one of the only English phrases she knew "Thank You", "Thank You", "Thank You" she softly said through her tears as she hugged us and smiled from ear to ear. Thirty dollars and a small box of chocolates meant more than we will ever know to this woman and her joy filled spirit meant more than she will ever know to us.

The people of Africa may not have much and we sometimes think we can go over there and "save" them, make them happier or fill them with more joy. However, the truth is our dear housekeeper was filled with joy even before we as Americans gave her our measly little $30. The spirit of joy that so many of the African people have is positively beautiful. In America we are always looking for the next best thing and waiting for our next material posses ion to make us happy. We think if we only had. . ., then we would be happy. But in Africa they don't have. . ., and their happiness has already arrived. Durring our precious time with Talo in Ethiopia we met many "housekeepers" who reflected the joy and love of Christ to us, making us realize that they may have more to offer us than we have to offer them when talking about our attitude and outlook on life.

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." Matthew 5:8

We are Home

Hi Everyone,
We are Home! We arrived home just 2 days ago and just praise God for everything he has done. Truly Talo's attachement to us has just been mircaculous and he is such a joyfilled boy. We have had no time to even unpack yet as Talo keeps us running after him all day (we love it though)! We have had experiend so much in these past two weeks and sometime when we have more time we will write all about it. But for now while our little man in sleeping we thought we would post a few pictures! We know you would rather have pics than our writting anyways! So enjoy! We love you all and treasure your prayers and support. God worked in amazing ways!


Jon doing all the packing for the big trip!


Our first view of Ethiopia!


Our first morning there, doing more paperwork before metting Talo!


Standing outside the transition home waiting to meet Talo for the first time!


Our first glimps of him as he was walking towards us!


Bending down to meet Talo, he just reached right up for us!


Lots of tears!


Being held by Daddy!


Back at the Hotel that night!


Playing outside the hotel!


Oh Talo's up got to go. Will post more later of the city, transition home and now our home! Love you all!

Ethiopia Update

So it has been a while since I posted the last entry and much has been happening. I have wanted to post many times before but because of slow internet access, (Blog spot is one of the many websites that are inaccessible) busy days, (with Talo, not with activities) and because Jolene and I are still exhausted every night by the time our little guy falls asleep. At first we contributed the exhaustion to jet lag but now I think it is more health related.

We are still in relatively good health although I think both of us have caught a cold from Talo. It is affecting me the worst but Jolene is starting to have a sore throat as well. It is unfortunate because what would easily be remedied with over the counter medicines in the US, now must be endured until our bodies can take care of it. Talo is doing as well as can be expected. He has a little case of diarrhea and the cold he so graciously shared with us among some other minor things. We have talked with some other families who were here last week and they agree most of these ailments are commonplace with children from the transition home.

On the other side of things, Talo is doing amazing when it comes to adjusting to Jolene and I as parents. After 10 days he is still speaking to us in Amharic but we have a much better understanding of what his words mean. He is also starting to understand what we are saying in English. There is still improvements to be made with regards to his listening to us but then again he is 2. Nighttime and nap time is hard for him we think because of fear that we will not be there when he wakes up. There are a lot of memories we can see he still has and a lot of grief that we are trying to help him work through. On the happy side, he loves all the clothes we brought for him (his shoes especially), he treasures all his cars (ma-tee-nah-s), and the shower is amazing to him. Clean warm water falling from the sky! All in all he is a very good boy who loves to love and be loved. We are so happy that God choose to bless us with him.

Our first few days were quite eventful with trips to the transition home and to the embassy. We also went to see a very old Orthodox Christian temple and museum with many very old artifacts and manuscripts. We also visited the "Post Office" area of the city that had many shops and souvenirs. After the early excitement we have been laying low at the guest house trying to conserve funds and praying that our paperwork will indeed be in by friday for our trip home. There are many details that I have left out but I am going to try and chronicle our time here in some later posts.

Sorry there are no pictures but with internet as it is here I can only post updates via email so I'll see later how this comes out.

Thank you all for you thoughts and prayers. We continue to covet them as we await to see you all again soon!

-Jonathan

Leaving the country...

So this is the first blog post that I have ever wrote (this is Jon by the way) and I have much to say. We are currently sitting at Washington Dulles waiting for our 8:30 flight to Addis Ababa. We left Boston only a few hours ago and already God has been absolutly amazing to us. Just to help you understand how well things have gone let me just say this, our first flight arrived 15 minutes early. Yea thats right, flying with one of the worst airlines for delays and lost baggage we arrived early!

As I was packing the past three nights I have been worried about the extra fees we might have to pay because all our luggage was well over the weight limit. We tried to pack as light as possible but one bag in particular was almost 20 pounds to heavy! When we went to the counter to check in, the employee helping us said she would let all the bags go though without a hitch. She did warn us however that Ethiopian Airlines may charge us extra on the long trans-atlantic flight.

After our flight arrived in DC early we had to stand in another line to get our next set of tickets. It was while we were in this queue that we met two women flying back home to Addis Ababa. Both have come from different parts of the country and had different stories but they have already befriended us and provided us with their contact information while we are all in country! They even taught us how to say "I love you" in Amharic. While I sit here two other ladies from NYC who are from Ethiopia just ohhed and ahhed over Talo's picture!

After recieving our tickets we went to look for something to eat while we wait for the flight. On the way we met a couple who lives in southern NH that has adopted 2 children from Ethiopia. They have even started a business there to help with the poverty over there. So suffice it to say that God is most definatly is lighting our path!

Well, until we land again I'm going to sign off. That for all your prayers!

-Jonathan

We are in The US this weekend. . . But God is Faithful.

Early this week we received news that we would not be able to travel this weekend. Still holding out hope and praying for a miracle I did not want to post until today. However, it is official one of the things needed for our embassy appointment is not ready yet and will not be ready until next week. Our agency is very hopeful that we will be able to travel next Saturday and we should have confirmation on Monday about our new travel dates of September 19th to October 2nd.

Please pray for the employees of the US embassy to have soft hearts for our case and that we would be able to travel without any further delay!! Satan is real and active and always in opposition to what God's wants to do. We do feel attacked by Satan yet we keep saying God's promise in 1 John4:4 where God says "Greater is He who is in us than he who is in the World." It may only be a week delay but it is the emotions of trying to have faith that we are really going to get our Son only to hear "not yet". I want to have faith that we are leaving next Saturday but the flesh part of me that is always at war with the Spirit of God in me says "guard your heart you don't want to get hurt again".

But as Jon and spend time with God everyday (together and individually) we realize there is a theme in our journey to bring Talo home and that is God's Faithfulness! He is so faithful to be with us. Notice I didn't say spare us from hard times but to be with us in the hard times. My friend Lauren sent me this verse this week, a verse I have read a hundred times but is takes on new meaning to me today.

"Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you." Psalm 143:8

In these past few weeks Satan has attacked my mind with horrible nightmares even having Talo in my dream last night. But what a joy I have that when I awake I can go and be before Jesus, write to him my fears, read God's Word and have Him renew my mind with his unfailing Love and Faithfulness.


God is so faithful to us and so faithful to be there every morning, noon and evening when I so desperately need my mind cleansed. Jon came home last night and just spent time reading the Bible and being with God. Jon can't be everything to me and I can't be everything to Jon. Talo can't even be everything to us, but Jesus can. I am learning that more and more as I feel crushed down and then refreshed as soon as I set my mind on Him. Remembering who He is and all He is to me. He is so faithful! And if you don't know Jesus like this, my greatest wish for you is that you would.

My Jesus bleed a died not to take away our pain but to save me and you a sinner from a life separated from God now and forever. Jon and I may not have Talo in our arms yet... but we have Jesus in our hearts forever and through the tears and human emotions we say He is faithful to be all we need. I love you Jesus more today than yesterday because the more I suffer the more I realize and experience your faithfulness.

Until God's next move, Jolene (for Jolene, Jon and Talo).

Please watch this video as it is on of my favorite Christian artists who has an amazing testimony of God's faithfulness in His life. The second video is the song he talks about.

Thanks Everyone!!!!

WOW!!!! We have been so blessed by all of you!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jon and I just want to say thank you to everyone who has given to us in these last few weeks. Since my last post we have been blessed beyond our imagination. We just are in awe at how God continues to provide through the loving hearts of all our family and friends.

First the cards have just continue to pour in with gifts of money in amounts we would never have dared to ask for! Thank you to all of you who have sent cards. We are so grateful and whether you believe it or not you have been used by God to bring Talo home. With all of your money we have been able to buy him clothes, toys, sippy cups, food, booster seat for the table, a potty seat, books, and a few other things! So know your gifts were not unused!

Second thank you to my friends at work who first and foremost have been so supportive in our adoption. Working in labor and delivery has made this whole process very interesting for us but all of my friends at work have joined in the celebration of our adoption. They have come to see that adoption is not plan B and it is just as special as delivery a child by birth. You guys have been such an encouragement to me, never making me feel as though adoption is second best. The women at work love Talo and they even took a cash collection for him! Yesterday
I felt like a money collector when they handed me a card with over $300 in it!!! Thank you guys so much. You have never made me feel like Talo is second best.

(To the girls at work:I hate to admit it but I am a crazy/true primip reading all the adoption books, buying the BPA free cups, crying all the time, and packing way to much for our delivery in Ethiopia! We even have a video camera!ahhhh!)

We also just wanted to thank one of my friends at work who gave me some great gifts
for Talo and two of my favorites were these books she found. I cried when I saw them and Jon and I read them last night. These will be two of our most treasured gifts! Thanks Toni!



Third thanks goes to my friends Jessie and Jenn who planned an awesome little shower for me with some friends from church. They totally surprised us too. I knew we were going over for a little celebration but Jon and I were like dear in the headlights when we walked in. I immediately became all teared up and there were more friends there than I thought were coming. They had Talo's picture everywhere. Even on the cake! The theme was Ethiopia and America, bringing Talo home! Jenn made a quilt of the Ethiopian flag and Jessie made a cake with our flag and his coming together. There were even M&M's in his country's flag's colors. Jon and I were so amazed that when the guys went to take Jon away so the shower could begin both of us were like "where is he going?". Then it hit us, this is our shower!!! Here are some pictures from the night! Thank you girls so much, and thank you to everyone who came and gave. Talo has the cutest clothes and best toys around!









I think God just so proves Himself when things seem immposible. While in some of the worst economic times for this country;God has provided thousans of dollars and tons of gifts. What other God could do that?!

"I have set the LORD always before me. Because He is at my right hand. I will not be shaken." Psalm 16:8