Merry Christmas

Hi Everyone,

It's been a long time since I've updated the blog... sorry but life is a bit crazy now with a teen in the house.... ;) Henok is doing wonderful and is VERY excited about the Christmas holiday and getting to open a bunch of presents. He is anxiously awaiting the arrival of Santa!

(Henok and His first Christmas Ornament)

The past few months have been very good. Henok started school at a local private Christian school in September and has loved every minute of it. We were led to believe that it would probably be good to keep him home schooled for a while, but for Henok that was not the case. He needed and thrives on the constant contact with other kids. That socialization has really began to develop him in ways we could never have imagined.(First day of School)

His grades have been surprisingly well considering he was a bit behind the other kids in his class. The school has adjusted his curriculum to be at the level he needs to be, and he is doing great. In math he has already moved up one grade level in the last few months. His teachers tell us that he has such a great enthusiasm for learning and stops at nothing to do well. For us, this doesn't come as a surprise. We learned fast that Henok was very competitive and loves to learn new things.

His current passion is for Chess. He just learned how to play during this first semester in school and now he is very good. For the first few weeks we would play I would beat him because he would make small mistakes that gave me an advantage. Well, now, I'm lucky if I ever beat him. He takes his time and studies the board looking at all of the possible moves and how they effect my play. I would put him up against anyone and bet that he would win 3 out of 5.

(Playing Chess with Uncle Fred)

He and 4 of his Ethiopian friends played their second season of Soccer with our local city league. These kids range from 12 to 14 years old, but decided that they wanted to play in the 15 year old division. They won all of their games (except for 1 tie), and won the division championship! It was such a wonderful thing seeing these boys play. Soccer is really their only past time in Ethiopia and I can tell you that they are all very talented. Henok has improved tremendously from last season and his scoring goals almost every game. I don't think I've seen a happier group of kids.

(Division Champions!)

Well, as we prepare for the new year, we look forward with hope that some unanswered prayers will be settled. For the past 5 months we've been in the process of trying to adopt 2 more children from Ethiopia. One is a young girl (approx. 15 yrs. old) named Mesti, and the other is a little boy named Mastawal (about 3 yrs. old).

We've recently found out that neither of them are available for adoption. Mastawal is already in the process to be adopted by a German couple, and Mesti is too old for adoption. Finding out this news has been very heartbreaking for us, however, we know that God has a plan for us and our family. We are looking into the possibility of bringing Mesti to the US on a student visa so that we could have her her for the remainder of her high school years, and then possibly into her College years.

We understand that there might be some remote possibility of legally adopting her here after she turns 18, but we are in the beginning stages of finding out what's needed to make that happen. We love her very much and are not ready to give up yet. Please pray that if this is Gods will, he will make the path known.

For Mastawal, it's bittersweet. Henok loves this little boy very much, and wants him to be his little brother. We will have to find a way to let him know soon that we will not be able to adopt him. As for the family in Germany, we wish nothing but the best and hope that someday we could establish some contact so that Henok and Mastawal could continue their relationship as the years go on.

(Henok and Mastawal)

Well, we are preparing for a very happy first Christmas with Henok. We are going to Renee's Aunts house and will spend Christmas there with the family. I will have the camera ready for all the fun events and hope to post some pictures of that soon after the first of the year.

(Henok in his Runway Pose at the School Christmas Program)

From our Family to Yours, have a safe and Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Until next time...

In His Service,

Matthew