Our Baby Shower !

Today was an absolutely, exceptionally beautiful day. The weather could not have been more perfect. I was so blessed by my dear, dear, friends with a very special day. We were in a beautiful home, filled with love, encouragement, joy and delicious desserts, as we celebrated what the LORD has done in our lives. It was a day that truly glorified Him.

We arrived at Theresa's beautiful home that was decorated with balloons, ribbons, and decor in the colors of the Ethiopian Flag. My dear sister Beth hand painted a huge banner with the scriptures the LORD used to guide us through this adoption journey. We were greeted by Valet parking provided by my son Jonathan, and his friends Andrew, Issac, Hilton, Danny, Paul, Neil, Peter & Joe.


These young men opened doors, carried bags & gifts to the house and parked cars. The ladies were blessed w/door to door personal service. Then we opened the celebration with a beautiful song about adoption, prayer, and ate lots of varieties of cheesecake, fruit and special toppings. My daughter Melissa was our personal professional photographer that journaled this special day. I was so blessed by all of my dear friends that came to celebrate with us and gave us so many beautiful gifts. Many traveled some distance, which was such a blessing to me. After our delicious eats, the ladies sat in a half circle and I shared from my heart, testimony to the Lord, my gratitude to each one of them and about this amazing journey.

My new dear friend Deanna (we met through our mutual adoption journey to Ethiopia) joined us and shared an amazing story of her adoption. She also is adopting 3 children from Ethiopia and is waiting for her court date as well. She recently shared her referral picture in her Sunday School class where they just started attending church. A family introduced themselves to her and said they had just adopted a little boy from Ethiopia in April. As she showed them the picture of her three children, their little boy pointed to it and very excitedly shouted out each of their names. He was in the same orphanage and knew them!! This family brought their pictures from their trip to Ethiopia the following week and it turns out that Deanna's 3 children were arm & arm with their little boy in their photos. DO YOU SEE GOD?? These children will be reunited here in America as they attend the same church and live in the same town in NC, USA!

Do you see how the LORD cares about the details in our lives and how he orchestrates so many details in our lives? He has been uniting so many of us together so that our children will have each other to grow up with. WE are all in AWE of what HE is doing in our lives. There are no coincidences...there are just God's divine and perfect plans being played out! Do you know how much coordination is taking place to bring these children through all of their circumstances and then strategically placing them together? It is AMAZING! What LOVE the LORD is demonstrating to all of us.






The entire afternoon was blessed as we opened beautiful gifts for our precious babies, listened to some beautiful worship music and shed tears of joy and amazement to our God. There are simply not enough words to express my gratitude and love to each and every one of you who have supported us on this journey. THANK YOU is not enough. All I can do is ask the LORD to return the blessing to each one of you!!

"The King will reply, I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine you did for me" Matt. 25:40

The Courts Don't Re-open

We just got a note from our case worker Mary, at Gladney. She said the courts have postponed opening until next week, Oct. 1. So, here we go again readjusting our hopes of leaving the first week of Oct. We know that God's timing is perfect and HE will decide when to unite us as one big happy family. To God be the glory!!

The Courts Re-open

Tomorrow is September 25, and the courts in Ethiopia re-open. We are in the pile of paperwork sitting on someone's desk to be scheduled for a court date. We are praying of course that we are the first ones to be picked from the pile. They usually give a court date w/a two week notice so we could possible be leaving in as soon as two-three weeks or longer of course. So, we are in the final stretch. We are constantly reminding ourselves that the Lord's timing is perfect and He will make it all happen in His time. This is so hard....to wait knowing they are there needing us.....How my heart is aching and yearning to hold, kiss and hug them.....I love them so much already.....

The amazing Daileader Family just got home today from picking up their sweet baby Sophie from the same foster home that our sweet twinettes are in. They were roommates. They took lots of pictures for us and even video. She will be sending it to us tomorrow as well. (Ellie has some posted on her blog.) What an awesome gift to us! This family was there to get their own baby and they took the time to think of us, write to us while there and take pictures. How can we ever thank you Heidi? May the LORD pour his blessings on you for your selflessness and compassion. Congratulations to the Daileader Family as they have safely arrived home w/their new precious baby and reunited w/their family. Blessings to them!

Jerry & I are preparing to speak at the Adoption Expo at Providence Baptist Church, Raleigh, NC, this Saturday. We are so excited to be a part of encouraging others to seek after the heart of GOD and to pursue adoption as well. Just a reminder in case you are thinking the slighest little bit about it, please come to this Expo. (See previous blog post with details)

Our baby shower is this Sunday and we are also so excited about that. I am praying this will be an amazing day of worship, prayer, and that we can be an encouragement to everyone there as we celebrate and magnify the Lord. We are just in awe of what He has done and this amazing faith journey we are on. We could not have done this without so many people who have supported us with prayer, finances and encouragement. It is a true celebration to the body of Christ, our family and friends. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all of you who have already sent us gifts for our precious babies. May you all be richly blessed for your generosity and love. I am truly humbled by all of you who have taken the time out of your busy lives and sharing your love with us. We are truly grateful and humbled by it all. "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' Matthew 25:40

The Yard Sale Fundraiser

Well it was an interesting event to say the least. Just another typical day in the life of the crazy Mestas house. We spent all last weekend cleaning out the attic and house to gather everything we could to sell. We had everything ready, stacked in the garage, the ads in local newspapers and signs posted. We set the clock for 5:30 a.m. and went fast asleep at around 2:00 a.m. The next thing we knew the door bell was ringing at 7:30a.m. and there were people outside in our empty driveway asking if we are still having the sale. Yes, we slept right through the alarm clock, or it never went off. So, talk about a rude awakening! We all jumped out of bed, got dressed and ran out to the garage and started pulling everything out to the driveway. Poor Jerry, he never even got to use the restroom before he ran out the door. Then to top it off, we had a heat wave blow in to the tune of 90 degrees and we were in direct sunlight all day. No one had anything to eat, we were all stressed and rushing everywhere...WHAT A DAY!!!! We had originally decided that what ever big items didn't sell at the yard sale we would advertise on Craigs list. Well, after that day, I told Jerry to just load it all up in the truck and donate it all to Goodwill. I don't want to deal with having to make appointments w/people to come to the house etc. And I want everything out of my garage. I am exhausted!!! Of course, it was all worth it, we did raise $300.00. Oh, but wait...we did discover the same day that our microwave blew the main control panel..the Sears repairman declared it dead. So, we just went out today to buy a new one. So much for getting ahead of the game huh? Can anyone else relate? We have decided this day is going down in the Mestas Family Book of Memorable Events.

The good news is the courts reopen in Addis Ababa this Tuesday and they will soon be calling us with our court date which translates to traveling to pick up our babies very soon. The Lord's timing is perfect so that is where I am resting in all of this. May each of you who are sharing this journey with us have a blessed day today. Thank you for your prayers, encouragement and support on this amazing journey of faith. Keep the comments coming, they really are so encouraging to us!!

Where Have I Been?..Too Busy To Blog....

It has been a while since my last post. As I mentioned before, I am nesting like crazy. You know the "Things To Do List" that is on the wall and you just keep adding to it as projects come up? Like things that will take you a year to catch up with? Well, I have decided in order to keep my sanity, I have to get everything off of that list before my new babies get home. Once we get home, I will have absolutely no time to do anything else but care for them, bond with them, dote on them and love them. So, my poor family has been called to action to help me get everything on my list done within the next few weeks. For instance, in the last 3 weeks we have completed the following projects:

1. We knocked out the wall between the kitchen and living room go give us more space..(Thank you Uncle Michael)
2. We got a new kitchen table that now seats nine of us instead of 6...(thus knocking out the wall)(Thank you Craigs.list)
3. I've been painting and doing all the little repairs, touch ups to the walls.
4. Put out mulch, cleaned up yard, emptied sand box, weeded and planted my fall flowers
5. Cleaned out every closet in the house and organized them
6. Cleaned out the attic (Preparing for Adoption Fund Raising Yard Sale)
7. Getting new wood floor in living room this week (Since knocking out the wall needs replacement)
8. Repaired some plumbling projects, new faucets, etc.
9. Bought two high chairs and white cribs and set up the girls nursery. Looks adorable. (thank you craigs.list)
10. Set up Josiahs bed in the twins room.(They are both sleeping in it to break it in for him.)
11. Been shopping for kids clothes, diapers, etc. for our trip.
12. Replaced Jonathans bed with bunk trundle and redecorated his room (Camo had to go)
13. Reorganized and cleaned Library/Office...Supply cabinet in garage
14. Reorganized garage and put in new shelving...
15. Resigned as Church Secretary and finally turned over computer and all files to new person...Yay!
16. Put new fence all around our back yard
17. Started back at school with kids...new coop and preschool activities w/twins
19. Maintained cleaning, laundry, and all other normal duties
20. Not gotten much sleep ...
21. Registered for baby shower...Target & Babies R Us
22. Took a 3 day trip to NYC w/Jerry for his work at the Javits Center...
23. Taking Mom to Drs apts. and we started Hospice for my Dad...(they live w/us too)
24. Getting shots, and everything ready for our trip to Ethiopia
25. Still applying for grant money and praying for funds to arrive
26. Completed approx. 6 of 10 hours of training for Gladney requirement
27. Getting to know our babies via emails and photos...Josiah Abel was very sick w/lung infection but he is better now...My heart yearns for him & the twinettes
28. Went w/Melissa for ultrasound and saw my first grandchild..he/she waved at me!

So, now do you understand why I haven't blogged lately? Ellie said she removed me from her favorite blog list because I'm so boring and not keeping it up. So, sorry!!!
Please read her blog because she has more time and she really keeps hers up. She is so precious. She has been my right hand lady and I could not make it without her!

I have so much to share but I must get some sleep tonight..So, I'll be back soon.
Have a blessed day..Please keep us in your prayers...

We are having an ADOPTION FUND RAISING YARD SALE THIS COMING SATURDAY...

Adoption Fair & Expo

Jerry & I are going to be one of the families sharing testimony at this expo and we want to spread the word for everyone who is even the slightest bit interested in adoption to come. If you have questions, but are not sure where to start, join us for this exciting day.

Saturday, Sept 29, 8 am - 4 pm Providence Baptist Church, Raleigh, NC. Free & Open to the Public. Register on line at www.pray.org/shepherding

This Expo features multiple adoption agencies and support organizations, breakout sessions, testimonies, panel discussions, Q&A. Breakfast and Lunch will be served (We are scheduled to speak during the lunch session).

Guest Speaker Dan Coley, board member for Shaohannah's Hope and foster care and adoptive father of 9 (5 adopted children plus 4 biological children).

Other speakers include Rob Mitchell, who grew up in a US orphanage and was never adopted. Focus on the Family just published his incredible book, "The Castaway Kid" (www.castawaykid.com). The Caroline's Promise expo booth will be selling his book (to raise funds for their grant fund) and he will do book signings.

Dave Daulton, an adoptions attorney for 12 years, helping clients in more than 1000 adoptions . His wife Janie and he are the parents of 12 children, 5 bio and 7 adopted. They have adopted 4 of their children domestically, 1-Ethiopia, 3-Ukraine. One of their birth children and all 7 of their adopted children have Down Syndrome. Dave is the director for the Ukrainian adoption program through Orphan's Hope. www.orphanshope.org.

Please join us and tell others that may be interested in this event. Thank you and have a blessed day!!

Who am I?

As I am wrapping up my day today I am yet again reflecting on my life. I just finished cleaning the kitchen walls where our precious baby boys decided to make a work of art for Mama. They cut out a bunch of pictures of their favorite Thomas the Train character and then literally glued them all over the kitchen wall with a glue stick. They were so proud of their masterpiece and I could not resist their little faces as they stood their beaming with pride. So I just praised their work and very calmly and politely told them from now on it would be good to use tape on the walls. They are just so adorable. As I was cleaning the wall, removing even the paint with it, I just felt overwhelmed with joy at how at this season of my life I am still privileged and honored to have little toddlers to care for. I am in such a state of awe that the LORD of All the Earth decided in his righteousness to give me this calling, to bless my life with these children, to call me out of the boat and onto the water of faith to pursue adoption four years ago. And now, AGAIN!! to step out in faith and pursue adoption and this time he has blessed me with three more precious children. I think I will be cleaning and repainting walls for a very long time to come! What a JOY and HONOR to Serve My King this way.

New pictures of our babies!!

Josiah



Keziah


Keren


Our baby girls