Airport Photo

Berny and I had the same reaction when seeing this photo: "Wow! That's a lot of people!"

One week home

So much I could write, but both my time and energy are low! I really need to write about our time in Addis ~ unforgetable!

The girls are now officially 'Slompies' ~ they've all ridden horses. Mo has even experienced falling off!

All is well... All is busy.

First few days...

Yes - we are surviving! It's a hopping place, and we're looking forward to the day when things settle a bit. But overall, we're doing quite well.

We said our tearful good-byes to Uncle Clarence and Aunt Judy this noon, so now we're on our own.

I'll try to dig out a photo or two to post later. For now, lunch prep time!

Help has arrived!

Uncle Clarence and Aunt Judy just arrived from Alberta. The missed their flight from Calgary to Minneapolis by 8 minutes. They ended up flying to Dallas, TX and had to spend the night there.
We are so happy that they made it and can't wait to spend the week with them!

Pictures!!!! (Posted by Grace)

(Here is what the missionary that took the pictures wrote:

Dear Pat, Erv, Slomp kids, and whomever else this can be sent to,

I'm writing first to tell you that Berny and Sherri arrived safely this morning in Addis. As well, what you've all been waiting for, they were able to meet and bring back the girls. I must say it was one of the very most joyful moments I've ever watched. I looked over at the director and said, "And you watch this happen all the time." Her response was, "Yes, but it's not usually so emotional. Since the girls are older they have a better understanding of what may not have been." It was really overwhelming.

Hope you can see the photos. One photo is of the actual meeting moment at the orphanage. It started with Mo running into Berny's arms and then the other two coming from other places in the orphanage and all crying at the happiness of it all. I'm not sure in which order you'll get them, the next photo should be of them all walking from the orphanage to the guesthouse where they are staying (oh, surprise this morning, they did get to stay where Berny stayed before, very good). The next should be Ed in the blanket Pat made, not willing to let go of it :). The last photo then should be all five on the bed around the photo books talking about the other six who aren't here (they ALL can't wait it seems to just be ALL together!! :)).

Blessings to all of you. What fun.
-mindy

Mo and L with Dad. Mom and Ed in the background.

Walking to the Guest House.

Looking at pictures of home.

Ed with the blanket that Grandma Naber made.

Yep, we cried. :)

And They're Off

I just got off the phone with mom and dad. Their flight from Washington Dulles was delayed an hour and a half. They leave at about 11:30.
They stop in Rome for a fuel re-fill, and then off to Addis Ababa. They arrive in Addis tomorrow morning, at 8:30 or so Ethiopian time. Please continue to pray for their saftey.

Here we go!

By the time you are enjoying your Saturday morning tea time, we should have the girls in our arms!

What's in a name?

Mo = "A Gift from God"

Ed = "She's Lucky"

L = "Birthday"

These are the name meanings we've been able to find. To me, their names all mean "Beautiful and loved."

...missing Ed

These photos were taken by another family when they went to bring home their new son. I sobbed as I saw the photos of them hugging and crying over him as they met.
Soon that will be us, meeting our girls.

Not sure where Ed was on the day these photos were taken... perhaps playing in a different area?
Please say an extra prayer for the girls today.

Grandma "posts"

I haven't actually asked my Mom if I may just copy her words into this post, but she's written the news well ..so...

Here’s the latest on the plans to bring our grandchildren home from Ethiopia:

We were quite disappointed to learn that Sherri and Berny would be traveling to Ethiopia the exact same dates as our mission trip to Boothville, LA. This meant that we would not be able to help them by taking care of B, Ic, M, A, Eand G while their parents traveled to Ethiopia. Although Sherri tried to change the dates, it wouldn’t work out. So they began to think about who could step in and take care of the farm and their other six children while they go to get Mo, Ed and L. I just kept thinking about the words that Sherri has said over and over to me during the whole adoption process. Each time I said, “But Sherri, what about……….?” She would reply to me, “Mom, God knows what we need; He will take care of it.” And He DID!!! God has supplied ALL of their needs during these past several months – including money, a 12 passenger van, beds, dressers, clothing, school desks, bedding, etc, etc, etc!!!

Now, once again we see God’s wonderful plan! Berny’s brother and sister-in-law, Clarence and Judy Slomp, are flying to Michigan from Alberta, Canada to step in and be “house parents” for the week that Berny and Sherri are in Ethiopia. Isn’t that just a wonderful and amazing answer to our prayers?!! I can’t tell you how thrilled we are to see this wonderful answer to our prayers!!

Thank you for praying with us for God to work out all the details for this adoption. Our hearts are thrilled with PRAISE AND THANKS!!

Giving thanks & praise to God,
Erv & Pat

Please continue to pray for Berny & Sherri as they journey to Ethiopia – and also for their children here and in Ethiopia. Especially pray for Mo, Ed and L as they make the huge adjustment of leaving the orphanage and all that is familiar to them and join a family in MI whom they do not know.