Some Rough News, the Good News, and Great Cooking

I haven't posted in a while, and friends have been asking for an update.  On Friday, December 9th, I received notice of a fee increase from my adoption agency.  This news came as a shock, since I am a teacher, and have budgeted for this adoption. The increase is hefty.  My dossier has been in Ethiopia since April, and I am still waiting for a referral (child match).  Believe me, you all WILL KNOW when that arrives!
The good news: First, Christmas is coming, and it reminds me that God keeps His promises.  Second, I am enrolling in the Financial Peace course, and expect that it will help me to manage the new changes that have affected the cost of adopting.  So that is where things stand for now.  Thank you all for your continued prayers.

In the spirit of Christmas, I am sharing two of my best-loved recipes with you.  One is cooking in the crockpot as I write!

Moroccan Chicken

around 2/3 c. white wine (Barefoot is good)

3 Tbs. brown sugar

1-1/2 tsp. oregano

3 Tbs. apple cider vinegar

salt and pepper

2/3 c. prunes

heaping 1/2 c. green olives

8-10 chicken thighs, with the skin taken off

1/4 c. fresh parsley (optional)

a generous shake of dried minced garlic

Mix together ingredients in crockpot, and add the chicken thighs.  Cook on low for 5-6 hours or high for 4 hours (I prefer the high setting.)  To thicken the sauce, in a separate bowl mix 2 Tbs. cornstarch plus 3-4 Tbs. water. Remove chicken.  Add cornstarch mixture to the sauce in the crockpot, and stir.  Place chicken back into the crockpot and heat on high for 15 minutes.

I like to make a box of garlic couscous and spoon some of the sauce over it- so good!

My Pimento Cheese Recipe (Bishop Dorff & Mrs. Dorff's Favorite)

Using a food processor, shred 1 lb. of swiss and 1 lb. of medium cheddar. You need to shred it yourself, since it will taste soooo much better that way.  In a very large bowl, combine cheeses, nearly 1 full jar of Duke's brand mayonaise (use Duke's only!), a 4 oz. jar of diced pimentos (drained), and several generous shakes of dried onion flakes.  Mix well, spoon into containers, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours to allow the onion flakes to rehydrate and the flavors to blend. This makes enough pimento cheese spread to take to a church gathering. You will use nearly 2 loaves of white bread to make the sandwiches.  Use white bread ONLY- don't try to get healthy, now. -You live in the South. 

38 Strangers Fought for My Daughter- It's Personal.

What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others and the world remains and is immortal. - Albert Pine

    For those of you who do not know me, I am a passionate social studies teacher.  When I teach geography, I relate it to my experience working with our local refugee population.  They have fled from places like Iran, Iraq, Butan, the Dem. Republic of the Congo, Burundi, and Chad.  In my classroom I enforce respect.  I teach my students to cherish their right to vote.  My desire, above all, is for my students to FEEL.---I want them to feel angered by injustice, and I want them to feel enpowered to change a bad situation.  I want what every other educator wants for their students--- success.  But above all, my heart's greatest desire is that one day a student will find themselves in a difficult situation, where making the right choice is not easy.--- It may be standing up to a bully to defend someone weaker.--- And that student will make the right choice.
    This week I have struggled with what I teach and preach.  I teach geography.  I know it well.  And these past few days I hate it.  I encourage my students to follow current events, and yet this week's news has been almost unbearable to watch.
    Just this week, David Muir returned from covering the hunger/terrorist crisis in Somalia.  I felt enfuriated by the members of the al-Shabaab terrorist organization who attacked UN envoys delivering food to starving children.  Somalia shares a border with Ethiopia.  Geography reminds me of exactly how far I am from protecting my daughter from harm.  And it reminds me of how physically close danger now lurks.  Saturday's news of the downed helicopter was heartbreaking.  I did not know the 30 American and eight Afghan soldiers who were killed.  But I know this: they died fighting al-Qaida terrorists who are funding the spread of terrorism in Africa, so close to my child.--- It's now personal.
    Some of the victims were fathers.  One soldier mentioned on the news had the opportunity to know his brand new baby girl for just two weeks.  So many children lost a parent, and yet I can continue my life as usual.  You can guarantee that I will keep these men and families in my prayers, but it does not change the fact that it is an unfair situation.  Sacrifice never means equal.  Lord, do not permit me to forget.  Thank you for giving the world brave men and women who challenge evil.  They are reflections of You, who protect the orphans and the oppressed.         

He Always Adds a "Little Extra"

    There is a story in the Bible that I am constantly drawn to during this adoption adventure--- the story of Gideon.  I can relate to him.  He is told up front that he will lead and be victorious.  God promises a victory... and Gideon questions it... over... and over again.  He's only human, after all.  Sounds a lot like what I used to tell God--- "I know you're not calling me, Lord.  I'm single.  I'll wait to adopt."  It took my heart stopping during surgery for God to finally get through to me.  Even after all of that, I hate to admit that like Gideon, I  still questioned God's reasoning.
    Today I received the wonderful news that my dossier arrived in Ethiopia.  The agency told me to expect it to arrive in 2-3 weeks.  It only took 6 days!  I have been praying for God to speed up the process, and when I pray I visualize His hands moving the paperwork to the top of the stack.  So why then, am I so surprised when He gives me what I ask for?
    On my way home, I was thanking God out loud.  I work downtown, and every day I pass by an inner-city church that is being built out of love.  There are always people outside working on renovating the building that will serve as God's house.  Today there was a man standing out front wearing a shirt that read "Gideon" in large letters.  I laughed and cried out of sheer joy.  I see God's hand throughout this adoption, and yet he still always adds a "little extra."  My mother calls it the exclamation point on his work.  It's like the "Love, God" signature at the end of a letter.

"Your baby will arrive very soon.  I made sure her paperwork got there quickly."
Love,
God

US CIS Approval!

I just received a letter and notice from US CIS/Homeland Security that reads "Notice of favorable determination concerning application for advance processing of orphan petition."  (What a mouthful!)  The notice says that my application has been forwarded to the National Visa Center and to Addis Ababa!

Let's Move That Dossier!

I received word on Friday, February 4th, that my dossier was sent to the partner agency for review.  It will then be sent to Ethiopia and the State Department.  I know that the review process is currently 2-3 months before I will receive a referral, but God knows I'm persistent, so I'm asking Him to move that paperwork faster.  Even though everything else in my classroom is organized and efficient, I was looking at my desk last week- not the neatest- and wondering about whose desk my baby's paperwork is currently sitting on!  (I hope theirs looks better... Gulp.)  When I pray, I visualize God's hands moving those papers to the top of the stack.  I pray that the papers land on the desk of people who truly feel the urgency of removing children from institutionalized settings and getting them to their waiting families.

Baby on the Brain

Baby Sadie is on my mind nonstop.  She is everywhere except in my arms.  Last week in the middle of teaching, I couldn't stop glancing at Ethiopia on the giant wall map.  It looks so far away.  I have its geography memorized- I know every country and body of water surrounding it.  Every time I get a letter or email, I feel like I at least have something to hold onto.  Then it wears off and I'm ready for more news.  I have to wait another one and a half months for USCIS/Homeland Security to finish processing my paperwork.  In the meantime, I'm trying to keep myself busy...  And I've been talking to God nonstop.  I know that He is at the center of this adoption and that His promises are good.
For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness and praise spring up before ALL Nations (Isaiah 61:11). 

Thank you, Dr. King

Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it. Hatred darkens life; love illuminates it.

---Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Thank you, Dr. King for following Jesus.  Praise Him for those who paved the way, so that parents could adopt God's children regardless of the color of our skin.