Singleton Adoption Adventures

More from Uganda

2012-02-11T03:40:00.000-08:00

Hey hey! Yesterday we met with one of the SixtyFeet missionaries--a gal named Kirby from Jacksonville. They have been working with the children's prisons for a while now. Only a small percentage of the kids there have actually committed any crimes. The majority are either abandoned by their parents or guardians or were caught in a round-up of street kids. As you can imagine, the conditions are not good at all. The SixtyFeet team has found favor with the staff and wardens at most of the facilities, but some higher ranking officials don't like the publicity that has been generated. SixtyFeet's license to operate is under "review" so they can't go into the facilities for a couple of months. This is terribly difficult for them to deal with because they know the condition of the children inside. It turns out that the children's prision isn't closed, just closed to visitors for the time being. We also met with an amazing Ugandan woman named Mama Phoebe. She and her husband quit their jobs about 14 years ago to start a school for orphans and destitute children. Uganda was ground zero for the AIDS epidemic, with the better part of a generation being lost. This generated a huge number of orphans. Almost every family has taken in nieces, nephews, cousins, grandchildren, etc, but the burden is simply more than the society can handle. Mama Phoebe and her staff interact with about 1300 kids each day. They provide schooling for about 800 of those, including room & board for about 250. Another One Child team is coming in August, and they are planning to spend a couple of days at Rebecca Sorensen's school (which I mentioned yesterday) and a couple of days with Mama Phoebe. It was really quite amazing to find such incredible ministry partners on our first trip to Uganda.

Our flight landed in Ethiopia about 7:30. It only took about 15 minutes to get our visas and go through customs (which is a miralce), but then we had to wait about an hour for 2 of our bags to make it to the baggage claim. In Africa they have a saying that goes "Americans have the watches, but Africans have the time." We are staying in a new guest house which is really nice & the staff here is unbelievable. Today will be a little bit slower since it is Saturday and not as many places are open. We are planning to visit MARK 10:14 Ministry, a ministry which seeks to lift street kids (and their parents where possible) out of poverty through vocational training, sharing the gospel, and helping meet physical needs while they get back on their feet. I think we are going to hear some of the boys share their stories. We are also planning to visit the America World Transition Home today. This will be an exciting reunion for Caleb and I as we both have two children who were cared for by the wonderful nannies at the transition home. I brought pictures of the boys to share with the nannies. They all remembered Sam (or "Mickey, Mickey, Mickey" as the used to call him) when we came to get Isaac. Tomorrow we are heading out into the country side to go to Children's Hopechest Care Points in Shone and Awassa. We will be gone for 2 or 3 days, so I dont' know if communication will be possible. I'm really excited to finally get out of Addis and see the country side. Such a trip has just never worked out on our previous trips to ET.

If you want to know more about Rebecca Sorensen and her ministry go to her website: www.myfathershouseintl.org

Ben is now in ETHIOPIA!

2012-02-10T17:39:00.000-08:00

Carnival not Carnivore

2012-02-10T02:58:00.000-08:00

I was really disappointed when we pulled up to Carnivore last night, turns out the name is "Carnival". The disappointment didn't last long though. On the walk up to the restaurant we went right past the biggest, most beautiful barbecue pit I've ever seen! There wash a band that played Ugandan music & they did some traditional dances. The waiter set a toy gorilla on the end of the table and told us he would keep bringing meat until we turned it over. It was a dream come true! Before we flipped the monkey we enjoyed chicken gizzards, a couple of different beef dishes, a couple of goat dishes, pork and chicken- a wonderful meat medley! Rebecca and Michael (an awesome Ugandan man who works with Rebecca and has taken in 14 boys) joined us and we had such a fun time. She shared some more about what her girls had been through, some more healings they experienced, and some things that still needed to be healed. We can't even imagine how blessed we are not to have to experience what so many kids if Africa do. It was very encouraging to see what is happening at her school. It gave us all hope that some of the horrible things we'll see in ET can get better. We found out last night that we won't be able to visit the children's prison. Apparently the government has closed many of them, at least the ones close to the capital where we are. My guess is that it is in response to the publicity that SixtyFeet has generated. I can't help but wonder what happened to the kids who were there though. We are meeting with the local pastor who has been ministering to the children, so hopefully we can get some answers. I'm really excited to head back to ET tonight.

More from Uganda

2012-02-09T11:29:00.000-08:00

We just got back from Rebecca's school and it was beyond amazing. They sang and danced and had a big program, partly because today was the 3rd birthday for the school. The kids led worship & I can't a even describe how powerful it was. A little girl named Fatima latched on to me as soon as I got there and never let go. She was either on my lap or holding my hand for about 6 hours. I told Rebecca I wanted to sponsor her. She wasn't one of those kids that you just fall in love with at first sight. She was very solemn but she wanted so desperately for me to hold her that I felt like I needed to take care of her. I met several of reabecca's girls & they were all incredible. She is planning on bringing a kids choir to the states in January & I mentioned coming to indiana, I so hope you get to meet her. We are going to supper at a place called "Carnivore" so im really excited about that. The children's prison trip is tomorrow morning & then we'll be heading to ET tomorrow evening. I can't believe we're almost done here. I don't feel like we've helped at all, but I guess that our contribution really begins when we get home. Uganda has been a great experience, but ET is my calling. I should have good Internet when I get there so I will be able to write more.

Uganda

2012-02-09T03:36:00.000-08:00

Leigha here:
I got an email from Ben today. He's doing well. They are in Uganda, scouting out places to lead future trips. Ben is traveling with a mission group called "One Child", there mission is to lead trips to different places around the world to help others understand "the need" and then those individuals take "the need" back to there local churches etc. and begin to meet "the needs" the saw on their trip. Caleb (founder of One Child) has a church interested in making regular trips to Uganda so this current trip is to access the needs of the Ugandan people and figure out all the logistics.

Here is part of Ben's email, "We met with a local pastor today and it went pretty well. We went to part of his community and talked to some women and played with lots of kids. I am FILTHY from the sweat, dust, and dirty kids. I even ended up with poo all over my arm. Turns out that potty training kids just don't wear anything but a shirt. A girl named Rebecca Sorensen has been taking us around. She is 28 and has been here for 2 years. She has started a school that has 200-400 kids each day. She has also taken in 14 of her own. Very similar to Katy Davis work. I think she really wants Caleb to work with her because she is going to be with us basically the whole time we're here. She sells beads too, so I'll try to bring some home. She said they have beaded purses too. 3 of her girls have been healed from HIV. We are going to her school tomorrow ago celebrate their 3 year anniversary. Someone gave her 8 acres that she plans to clear for farm ground- maybe we can get your dad to come help! I miss you guys. I have slept 4 hours since I work up Monday morning but I feel great. I ate fresh talapia on the banks of the Nile for lunch. We are getting a kicked out of the Internet spot. We are 8 hours ahead of you.

I know Ben is right where God wants him. Please pray for him.
Blessings,
Leigha

He Made IT!

2012-02-08T03:19:00.001-08:00

Ben is in Uganda.

Africa or Bust

2012-02-07T05:19:00.000-08:00

Ben left yesterday for Africa. He's going to Uganda and then on to Ethiopia. He hopes to post more about his trip on the blog so stay tuned. Last I heard they landed in Brussels about 3 am. He is visiting several orphanages, they are hoping to meet some their immediate needs and talk with the directors about how they can better support them in the long term.

Listen to Abe

2012-01-06T12:33:00.000-08:00

I had just finished cleaning the bathroom, while Isaac played in the bath tub. Sam and Abe came in to brush their teeth. I said, "boys i don't want to see any toothpaste in the sink when your done." Sam starts looking around, all perplexed, like leaving the sink without a big blob of toothpaste smeared somewhere on it is an impossible task. Abe stares right at Sam and says in the most authoritative Abe voice you've ever heard, "Sam you better pray about it!" Abe is so right. Even the smallest things can be brought before our Father in prayer. Abe has been learning about the power of prayer and he can attest that it is working in his own life, so if your wondering what to do about something big or small. I suggest you listen to Abe and pray about it.

Here they are Sam and Abe.

On a funny note. Isaac came out the other day with his lip colored red with a magic maker and declared that he was ready to go. I guess he put on his lip stick and was ready to paint the town red!

W..W..W...Where baby Jesus?

2011-12-22T04:28:00.000-08:00

Owen and Abe had wonderful Christmas programs this year. They both had parts and really enjoyed getting to perform. Both plays had a nativity, complete with Mary, Joseph, animals, shepards, wise men, and of course baby Jesus. Isaac especially liked watching his brothers and their friends on stage. He would point them out excitedly, but then he would always come back to the same question. He would stare intently at the stage and say w..w..w..where baby Jesus? I would respond he's not there yet but soon he'll be in the manager. Again and again with great expectancy in his voice Isaac would ask W..w..w..where baby Jesus? Finally toward the end of the second play I took Isaac up the the manager to see Baby Jesus, he looked at the baby doll lying in the manager and then he looked at me and said, W..w..w..where baby Jesus? It was clear he knew that wasn't baby Jesus, he expected more. His persistence and expectant attitude were a lesson to me. He greatly anticipated Jesus arrival and he expected so much more.

...He will precede the coming of the Messiah, preparing the people for his arrival. He will soften adult hearts to become like little children's, and will change disobedient minds to the wisdom of faith. Luke 1:17B

I want to be like Isaac this Christmas season expecting great things and a great celebration as we anticipate the coming of our King as a tiny baby!

2011-12-18T04:38:00.000-08:00

We've been doing an advent calender this Christmas season. Inside it are little books, one for each day and it tells the story of Christmas. Boys really enjoy it and look forward to their turn to read the book and hang it on the tree. On day 8 the book is titled "The Journey". Here is what it said,

"Joseph helped Mary climb onto the donkey's back. Then he led the donkey slowly away from their home, down the streets of Nazareth and into the countryside.

The road took them through fields filled with screeching birds and wilderness areas inhabited by howling jackals. Now and then, Joseph and Mary felt afraid. But they comforted each other and spoke of their faith in God. Clip, clop, clip, clop went the donkey's hooves as they plodded up steep, dusty trails.

Clip, clop, clip, clop went the donkey on steady hooves down winding rocky paths. The stones hurt Joseph's feet, and the sun made Mary drowsy. How she longed to stretch out on a soft bed. But the road to Bethlehem was a long one, and they still had many miles to go.

Finally the trail led them down to the sandy desert with its long hot days and cold nights. Joseph and Mary prayed they would be safe."

As I read this story I was moved to tears. How much the mother of our savior suffered and sacrificed in order to fulfill the prophets words that the Savior would be born in the City of David. She labored, and struggled, frightened and exhausted, doing her best to keep her baby safe and alive. Her journey reminds me of the J
journey so many birth mothers make to place their children in a safe place, that they might live. They travel through a hot dry land parched and afraid, crying out to God to save them and their children and when they finally reach "Bethlehem" they make a great sacrifice and leave their children in the hands of others in hopes that their children will not just have a better life but just so that child might live. As we wait for our children to come home I feel the Lord impressing on me the need to pray for their safety. I wonder if they are on a dangerous journey right now, filled with howling jackals and suffocating heat, and so I pray. Would you pray too?

" He brought them out with mighty power and upraised fist to strike their enemies, for his loving kindness to "my babies" continues forever. Praise the Lord who opened the "the sea of red tape" to make a path before them, for his loving kindness continues forever, and he led them safely through, for his loving kindness continues forever-- Psalms 136:11-14

Waiting

2011-11-30T12:04:00.000-08:00

We're still waiting for a referral, but we are waiting expectantly for the Lord to move in His timing and bring us news of our babies. here are a few pictures you might enjoy.

First Owen 3rd grade, Abe 2nd Grade, Sam preschool and Isaac is still with momma.Day of school

That"s all for now.
Leigha

Update anyone?

2011-10-05T11:48:00.000-07:00

It's been awhile, I know! We're still here, everyone accounted for. The boys are growing and changing everyday. They keep me on my toes, and though there are days when I wonder how I'm going to get everything done and will there be enough of me to go around, I am reminded with a sweet smile from Isaac, a loud whoop from Sam, a strange language from Abe or a unbelieving head shake from Owen, that God has called me to this amazing adventure and if he has called me then he has equipped me as well.

Owen is in 3rd grade, doing great, enjoying his buddies and soccer. His heart fof the least of these continues to humble me.

Abe is in the 2ND grade, studying hard, enjoying soccer and piano. Abe has an innate sense of rhythm, which totally baffles me, I do well to clap with the beat. His teacher and I are both impressed with his abilities.

Sam is in pre-school this year. He loves it. He's also playing soccer, but it somehow looks more like football, he's always on the ground or in the process of taking someone else to the ground.

Isaac is with Mama most of the time, although he does spend some time in the Y nursery, aka "his school", which he enjoys very much and Mama enjoys time to herself in the pool exercising.

No news on the adoption front. Our dossier has been in Ethiopia almost four months and our agency has told us it could take a year to get a referral, so we wait and pray. If you would like to join us in praying our children home, here are a few verse, I feel like the Lord has given me while we wait.

Psalm 121:5-8 (The Living Bible) Jehovah himself is caring for you! He is your defender. He protects you day and night. He keeps you from all evil, and preserves your life. He keeps his eye upon you as you come and go, and always guards you.

Psalm 37:19 (The Living Bible) He cares for them when times are hard; even in famine, they will have enough.

As some of you may know there is a famine in the Horn of Africa which encompasses the southern region of Ethiopia.

Spending a little time on the potty, but far from being potty trained! That's all for now.
Blessings,
Leigha

Heavy Heart

2011-07-26T15:45:00.000-07:00

My heart is heavy tonight, heavy for some many things. Several weeks ago we received an email from our agency telling us wait times for referrals went from 4-6 months to 10-16 months. Oh sure the wait kills me, thinking about our children hoping to get them home as soon as possible. But what about the children what do they face, how are they suffering during the wait. And with the news of increased wait times came the increasingly more alarming news that the drought in the horn of Africa, which includes portions of southern Ethiopia, has now been declared a famine. A famine in the southern region where Isaac is from. If you read this I encourage you to give, give to save a life, perhaps even a Singleton life. Don't let the vastness of the problem paralyze you, be moved by compassion, by a heart the longs to see every child feed. World Vision is one organization that I believe is really reaching the people with food, water, and hope. Please give, we are the hands and feet of Jesus and if we won't help who will?
So glad Isaac is home, safe, happy, and feed. Please pray for the waiting children of Ethiopia and give to aid in the relief of the the famine. Go to www.worldvision.org to give today.

DTE!!!

2011-06-18T04:58:00.000-07:00

For those of you who don't know DTE is short for Date To Ethiopia and we have ours. Our paper work left yesterday 6/17/2011. This is the date our agency uses to track where we are in line and help predict when we could get a referral ect. Ethiopia has made a lot of changes lately, and changes usually mean a slow down in the adoption process. Please pray for us and our children as await their homecoming.

In a totally different topic, all three older boys learned to ride a bike Monday! They are so proud of themselves!

Blessings,
Leigha

It's in the mail!

2011-06-13T17:47:00.000-07:00

If all goes well, and please pray it does, our paperwork will be leaving for Ethiopia on Fri. I can't wait to get on to the next step, I have been more impatient than ever with this adoption.

On a completely different note here's what happens when dad says you can dress yourself:

Yes we went out to eat like this. One child ago, I would have never let them out the door in such a mismatched state, but well something has got to give when you have four kids and hopefully two more on the way.

Blessings,
Leigha

Finish in site!

2011-06-06T12:08:00.001-07:00

Hey All,
I know I've been AWOL for a while now. I really will try to do better. Today is my birthday and our dossier is almost complete. The best present EVER would be to get this dossier finished and out of my hands. I hope to be able to send it to our agency by the end of the week. The paper work has been such a long process this time, and the wait time for referral is unknown right now with all the changes Ethiopia has made. Please join in praying our children home. God has reminded me of the parable of the Persistent Widow in Luke 18:1-8. Go look it up if you can't remember it. Here are a few of verses I'm clinging to, 6 And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly...
Praying and believing for swift justice.
Blessings, Leigha

2011-02-07T12:18:00.000-08:00

Here is the most recent picture of our family, seems we never get a family picture taken until one is required for a post-placement visit or a home study update (ha ha). Oh well it keeps us pushing on toward the prize, our children, those home and those not yet here. This vs. seems to sum it up perfectly: Isaiah 60:11 Your gates will always stand open, they will never shut, day or night, so that men may bring you the wealth (children are our true wealth) of the nations...

Many of you have been asking me about our adoption and where were at with it. So here is a little update. We are currently "paper chasing" and yes it takes awhile especially if your me. I was all geared up this time to gather everything quickly and send it off as soon as possible, but as some of you who have encountered adoptions before know, that sometimes no matter how hard you try to move at lightning speed it always seems to turn into a snails pace. I'm doing better with it than I have in the past. I know that God is orchestrating the timing perfectly so that our paper work and our child(rens) paperwork come together at exactly the right time. So when paperwork gets lost in the mail or you use the wrong medical form for the wrong agency and have to go back and get it redone, yes both happened, you grit you teeth and smile telling your self repeatedly that it all happens in Gods timing. We are asking for two children this time, they could be unrelated but it is unlikely. We would like one to be older than Isaac 1 1/2, and younger than Sam 4, and the other child will be younger than Isaac. Two children aren't always available especially when you limit the age ranges like we have, so are agency would like to be prepared to adopt just one child if that is all that is available at that time. I would like to get two children this time, but at the same time, I know how hard the first few months are with just one new child so I'm happy to leave that decision up to God because he knows what's best for our family. No we are not being specific about gender this time around, but for those of you longing to see some pink in the Singleton house, know this for sure it will happen, I'm just not sure when.
Here are a few more pictures you might like!

Lessons from: Land Before Time

2010-12-09T17:46:00.000-08:00

Ever heard of it? Well here at the Singleton household it's been a favorite a number of times. Owen and Abe LOVED it when they were three and four! Sam however, just discovered it a couple of months ago. So every morning after breakfast he begins asking to watch "his show", his favorite right now is #2, The Big Freeze. I hear bits and pieces as I work around the house. In this particular episode a spike tail herd passes through the "great valley" where Spike and Ducky live. Ducky is a swimmer and Spike is a spike tail, of course. Anyway, Spikes birth family has all passed away and Ducky's mother adopts Spike. WELL when the spike tails migrate through the valley a well meaning spike tailed mother offers to have Spike come for a visit, she thinks he might enjoy being with others that are like him. Spike is eager and curious and heads off with the spike tailed family. Ducky's mother is hesitant, yet she let's him go. Ducky is not at all happy with Spike, he is mad that Spike would want anything but his family. At the end of the movie Spike is in danger and immediately Ducky's mother saves him without thought to her own safety and the spike tailed mother admits that truly Ducky's mother is the only mother for Spike.

As I was listening to the movie and thinking about a conversation I had with another mother considering adoption, it all seemed to come together in my mind. She was asking lots of questions about culture and wanting to know how we incorporate our kids culture now that were home and in America. And to be totally honest I'm not sure that we do an excellent job of it, but I'm not sure that is what is really important. Do we talk about ET and Colombia and have visible signs of their countries around the house? Of course. But do they really grasp their culture? No, probably not. Do we try to instill in them a love and pride for their birth countries? Yes! But where they're from isn't as important as where they're going. God is using their past to shape them into the people he has called them to be for the good works he has prepared for them in advance to do. So maybe we should be more focused on teaching them to follow hard after God and not worry so much about culture. And if you really believe that God is calling you to adopt, be certain, be very certain in your own mind that no you won't get everything right and yes some well meaning "spike tail' might imply that your child would be better off in his or her own culture or race, but I disagree. God chose our children for us before the beginning of time and no one will ever convince me otherwise. Do I understand the pain and heartache it has caused for God to orchestrated their placement in our home? No I don't and my heart often breaks for my sons birth parents and their deep loss. "Let everyone bless God and sing his praises, for he holds our lives in his hands. And he holds our feet to the path. Psalms 66:8-9" Nothing is coincidence. So don't get caught up in thinking you don't look the same or act the same or you don't know anyone else from child's birth country. Adoption becomes it's own culture and there is a vast network of support out there. You might think your adding one new culture to your family but really it's two. Do it, let God have his way in your heart and be blessed, so very very blessed.

My Big Buckaroo turned 4!!

2010-12-06T12:13:00.000-08:00

Sammy is four and Sammy is big, physically, I mean. People always ask how old are you, and he tells them, then they look at me to confirm, and then there eyes get big when I say, yes he really is only four. Sam loves to dress-up. Cowboy is his favorite, but we also have church man or singer man, which involves brown pants (Khakis) a button down shirt and a tie. Don't even consider putting the wrong shoes with the wrong outfit he knows what look he's going for and you might as well get he suited up the proper way or he won't stop bothering you about it until you do. We also have game man and worker man. It's interesting every morning to see who he wants to be that day.

Sam is a persistent child, one day several weeks ago he got in trouble nagging me about watching his "show" Land Before Time, so much so, that I wouldn't let he watch it at all that day. He was traumatized for sure. Today he asked after breakfast if he could watch his show, I said, sure let me get your brothers on the school bus first. Well five minuets later I'm doing dishes, completely forgetting his "show", when he says, mom I'm not bugging you about my show, see I'm not bugging you at all. He's so funny.

Sam had a interesting kick this fall. He fell in love with the good Samaritan. I did a story at church and had the boys help me act out the story. Sam was "Pastor Sammy" or priest who didn't stop to help because he didn't want to get his church clothes dirty, Owen was "brother Owen" or the Levitt who couldn't stop because he didn't want to be late for church, and Abe was the kid from the wrong side of the tracks that stopped to help. After doing that story at church Sam was hooked. I had to retell the story at least 3 or 4 times a day. One day while cleaning Sam and Abe's room, Sam requested the story AGAIN, I final wised up and said here lets find it in your Bible and you can look at the pictures. That Bible became his constant companion for the next month. It was so sweet to see him sitting on the couch "reading" nearly word for word because he had heard it read so many times. The Lord's hand is upon him.
Here are a few photos of his party. We love you Sammy, it wouldn't be the same without you.

Nana got Sam this authentic chaps and vest. He wore the vest to church but we talked him out of the chaps.
This is his Sammy cake, yes it's a cake designed around the birthday boy when he is dressed like singer man. He loved it!

Here are some other random pics you might enjoy.

Daddy and Isaac on Thanksgiving.

Owen posing for the camera.

Abe or is that Obi One, playing with Isaac.

Isaac hamming it up for the camera.

Look at that face!!

That's all for now.

2010-10-25T06:54:00.000-07:00

Well I've been thinking about doing this post for a long time... so here goes. Two summer ago, we started talking about redoing our kitchen, it was a small eat in kitchen with room for five if we squeezed the high chair at the end of the bar, and were in process to get another baby (Isaac) so we knew something had to change. So we began making plans to redo the kitchen, it needed it, the cabinets were starting to fall apart and we just didn't fit any more. We were planning to remove some walls open it up and make the whole house more use able. Well we are blessed with an amazing carpenter in our family, my father-in-law, so we got him to help on this project. He built the cabinets and so much more.

This is Paul or Pap, as he is called at our house.

So we began our journey to remodel the kitchen and Paul asked his cousin Margie to come take a look and give us her expert opinion, she is a wonderful space planner. Well Margie took one look at the house and began adding on the moment she drove up. Here is what she saw.

She said, oh what they need is a laundry room/mud room and a two car garage with bedrooms above the garage, they need a new roof anyway might as well do it all at the same time and have it all match up. Well we were planning on a new roof as well, but that was it. Ben and I were a bit overwhelmed. After they left we had a good start on a plan for the kitchen, but we were both rolling our eyes at the thought of such a major addition. But the more we thought about it the more it started to make sense. We knew we weren't done adopting so maybe few more bedrooms a couple more bathrooms and a laundry room on the main level started to make sense. But we still weren't convinced until I saw this vs. 3 times in one morning and it really sealed it in my mind when I read it in the Living Bible.

Isaiah 54: 2-3 "Enlarge your house; build on an addition. Spread out your home, and spare no expense! For you will soon be bursting at the seams. Your descendants will occupy other nations."

It never ceases to amaze me when a vs. from the Bible speaks so clearly to me, for surly the word of the Lord is alive and active. Anyway here we are almost two years later Isaac came home right as we finished the kitchen and a month later we started the addition. Here it is..

this is the front

This is the front of the old house minus the dormer.

This is the back.

A few weeks ago we finished the last major piece of the remodel, or I should say Paul finished it, we refinished the hard wood floors in the old part of the house. Paul put the last layer of polyurethane on the floors Sat. morning and on Sunday morning preparing for my Sunday school class I felt God give us the go ahead for the next adoption. I hadn't said anything yet to Ben, I'd been bugging him all summer about starting another adoption and he really wouldn't say much. Which is really unusual!!! I have always been the one in the past to say let's wait, or not yet. So as I'm getting ready for church, Ben says out of the blue, are you ready to start another one. I just smiled and said yes, it's time. So here we go again!! We have applied to America World again our previous agency we used for Sam and Isaac. We have applied to the Ethiopian program again and initially we asked for two children. This may change as we are working with our agency they would like us to be prepared to take just one child as it is highly unlikely that two would be available at the same time. We're still praying about it. But we're looking forward to filling up this new addition until we're bursting at the seams.

Blessings,

Leigha

I had an interesting conversation last night..

2010-09-22T07:48:00.000-07:00

Last night on the soccer field watching my two oldest boys practicing soccer, I had an interesting conversation with a fifth grade girl. I know her and her family, but haven't really had a conversation with her until now. She thinks Isaac is adorable and like most girls her age, she is dieing to hold him. He of course would much rather run loose all over the soccer field and beyond.

So were visiting and she asks me if all the boys are adopted?

I say no Owen is biological and Abe, Sam, and Isaac are adopted.

Then she asks if another brown skinned boy from their team, was my son too?

I say no he's just a friend.

Then she asks are they brothers?

I say yes they are brothers.

She says no I mean do they have the same mom and dad?

I say yes me. I'm their mom.

She persists, no I mean their real mom?

I say, Yes they all have different birth parents, but they are indeed brothers. By this point I'm getting a little frustrated that she doesn't seem to get it yet, I know she isn't being purposefully hurtful. How grateful I am that Owen, Abe, and Sam didn't hear this conversation. She wasn't done yet.

She went on to ask me if their parents just don't want them? Ouch!!

I said, it's not that they don't want them!!!!! It's more that they can't raise them, for lots of different reasons but mostly because their to poor to care for their needs.

I thought about this conversation a lot last night and of course the perfect answer comes to me late at night laying in bed. Next time I'll say, their parents love them very much, so much so, they spent thousands of dollars to bring them home, they traveled thousands of miles and crossed an ocean just to pick them up, and we would do all again a thousand times over just to have them home. God may have used one couple to give them life but the Lord knew what they needed and where he wanted them to grow up and he knew just the right family to place them with. No matter how they came to be where they are now I know for certain that before the beginning of time God created me to be their mama and he ordained them to by my babies.

I know this conversation had a purpose, I know I'll be better prepared the next time the questions come and hopefully if my boys are present they'll be reassured and not hurt by the questions.

What do you all think? I'd love to hear your comments and advise?

A MAMA'S HEART

2010-08-25T05:27:00.001-07:00

Last night I scooped up my sweet baby out of his crib and was nearly moved to tears. You see that happens to me from time to time. A random routine situation will bring me to tears. As I gathered up my crying baby, held him close and moved to the kitchen I thanked God that I was his mama, that his birth mother had given him the best she knew how to give, she didn't want to let go, to miss all the little special moments of his life, she chose the hard things for herself so he could thrive. As I fixed his bottle, that he was crying his heart out for, I thought of all the other mamas around the world and how they have nothing to put in a bottle, with empty breasts and empty stomachs themselves, how their hearts must break at the cries of hunger coming from their children. Again I thank God that I can feed my babies, that I am not forced to give up my children because I can't feed them, because I live in a nation of extreme prosperity.

I think of Sam and his routine, although rather traumatic removal of his tonsils. What would have happened to him had he still been in Ethiopia? Would he have died for want of a routine procedure that happens here everyday? You see Sam's tonsils were so big they were waking him up at night, because when he fully relaxed his gigantic tonsils would cut off his air supply and he would wake up to breath. Life threatening here? NO WAY, but what if he was living on the street in Addis Ababa fending for himself, hungry, malnourished, and alone? For many children this is real life.

What will we do about it? To whom much is given, much is required! Have we given all that the Lord has required of us or are we giving a little in order to easy the guilt. Are we stuck, unsure of what to do, overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of poverty and those affected? Has the Lord laid adoption on your heart, or maybe sponsorship, or maybe he calling you to pray? Have you shrugged it off, fear and worry taking the place of God's call. What if we'd been to scared? Where would my boys be? Would they live on the streets begging for food, or maybe sifting through the garbage dump looking for something to sell or eat in order to survive. A life is at sake. If the Lord is leading you don't wait the consequences could be dire for someone else.

Look who's ONE!

2010-07-21T06:04:00.000-07:00

Yes it's true, Isaac turned 1 yesterday. We had a little celebration at home, and a larger party planned for Saturday night.

Isaac enjoyed an oatmeal cookie, and his brothers helped him blow out his candle.

This is what happens when Isaac has a fruit bar for breakfast. It gets everywhere and this boy really likes to smear things in his hair and after the fruit bar we have to resort to a wash down in the sink. Needless to say we only have fruit bars when we also have time for a rinse. Isaac enjoys all of it immensely.

Is he cute or what?

This child loves to laugh and has a about a half dozen different laughs which always seem to fit the occasion. And it just so happens his name means laughter. Needless to say were all madly in love with this little guy and believe it or not were already starting to think dream and pray about our next baby! How does God do that! I never dreamed I'd be a mother of four boys, let alone 4 boys from three different continents and now I'm already dreaming of another brown eyed, brown skinned beauty. My heart already aches to wrap my arms around my baby. Have a blessed day! More pictures to come of the up coming party.

On a side note we went to the fair yesterday and some friends of our allowed the boys to get in with there ram so the boys could pet it. Well it was time to go the ram had, had enough so Sam reached out to pet it one more time and then he licked it right in the middle of it's back and then grinned ear to ear. Oh Sam we never know what your going to do next and yet I wasn't surprised, it was soooo funny!!!

June 20th was a big day for the Singletons

2010-07-02T13:34:00.000-07:00

Sorry this is long overdue! I need to do better on posting, the days seem to short and the to do list to long! Father's Day was a big deal this year not only does Ben now have another son to call him DaDa, but Owen was baptised, it was Abe's 5th gotcha day and Isaac was 11 months old. If that's not a reason to celebrate then i don't know what is.

Daddy and the boys, none of them like to have there picture taken, including Daddy, can't you tell!

This is Owen preparing for his baptisism, later that night I asked him about it and was telling him how proud we were of him and his decision to follow Christ and this is what he said, "Water feel good on outside and heart feel good on inside." We are so proud of him and praying he will always jump in where God leads.

Here is the boy who started it all. I can't believe it's been five years already. We love you buddy and we're so glad God chose us to be your family.

Here is our mover and shaker. He's been cruising around on all fours for a month now and he's getting good with a walker. Time flys, soon we'll be having a birthday party!

This is singer man (aka Sam) he often comes out for special occasions and church. We still haven't figured it out yet, we'll let you know when we do!

We've been so blessed by all of our children and can't imagine our family without them and we eagerly await the next child God has for our family.

Am I black mom?

2010-04-29T17:41:00.000-07:00

The other day I was changing Isaac's diaper and Sam comes in the room as is his routine, if Isaac's awake Sam is sure to be nearby. Anyway Sam asks me in a matter of fact voice,
Sam: "Mom am I black?"
Me: He is looking at his arm and I can tell he means literally what color am I. So I respond, "Well your kind of brownish?"
Sam: "Is Isaac black?"
Me: "He's brown too, just darker than you." I'm thinking wow this is a good opportunity to discuss our differences, and how God loves us all and were a wonderful mix of all the colors he has created, when Sam follows up with this...
Sam: Will I ever be green?
Me: "No Sam."
Sam: "Why not? I want to be green!"
He walks away and I just shake my head and laugh. He doesn't care that we're different colors he just wants to be his favorite color John Deere green. Don't you love children, so unhindered by the things that bind adults.
Here they are beautifully unhindered...

Look what I can do!!!

2010-04-20T12:17:00.000-07:00

He's pulling up! Isaac was 9 months old yesterday and he is very pleased with his new trick and so are we!

Sorry we've been missing in action!

2010-04-15T12:32:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone... if anyone is still out there??? It's been hard to find the time to share, but I know I need to make time, because I feel God urging me to share in this manner to help others in their adoption journeys. So I'm going to try to do better and post once a week.

It's been crazy since we got home with Isaac, but it's been sooooo good too! He is such a delight. I feel so blessed to be his mom. I have really enjoyed doing the baby phase again. Some of you might not know, but Abe and Sam were toddlers when they came home so I haven't had a baby in the house since Owen (7 1/2 years ago). Isaac is such a good baby. He adjusted very quickly. I was expecting several months of crying, clingy baby, but he has adjusted beautifully. He is eating like a little pig, sleeping pretty good and smiling and charming all of our socks off every moment of the day. I even have a hard time sharing him. I just don't want to put him down. I think of his birth mom often, all of my sons birth mothers actually, and my heart is a mix of emotions. I'm gratefully they had the courage to let go, I'm sad they had to let go, I'm content in knowing this is Gods plan coming together, my heart rejoices with each mile stone and accomplishment the boys have and yet it aches for the ones who misses the moment and so many others. This trip I was really hit in the face with the sacrificially love birth mothers must have to be able to let go of their children, because it hurts. I see Isaac's birth mama's face in my mind and I know there isn't a day goes by that she doesn't think of him, long for him, ache for him, and yet she couldn't care for him, so she made sure to find someone who could.

Today in Bible study I read this verse and wanted to share. "When they walk through the Valley of Weeping it will become a place of springs where pools of blessings and refreshment collect after the rains!" Psalm 84:6 This verse touched my heart because I have been through the Valley of Weeping and now, that place in my life is full of blessings and refreshment. When Owen was six months old I had emergency surgery and was told I couldn't have any more children. The Valley of Weeping followed and it was a long dark time, but now I often tell others how grateful I am to God, for this season of infertility, because it brought me my sons. You see I know God knew what it would take to bring me to adoption and he didn't hold back because he knew the pools of blessings I would miss, without the Vally of Weeping.

Here are some photos of my blessings!

Isaac has gone from quiet, cute, and cuddley to curious, nosiey, and semi mobile. Yes, Sam likes to dress up, in these pictures you can see saddle up your horses man and singer man (the one with the police hat is singer man, not sure what that's about yet).

On a completely different note Christianity Today's web site has a great article titled 210 Million Reasons to Adopt! Read it and pass it on.
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Back Home Again in Indiana

2010-02-21T04:31:00.000-08:00

Good morning from the good old USA everyone!!! The journey from the guest house to our home took a grueling 31 hours to complete. Isaac slept through almost all of the time in the air. He only cried a little bit (unlike the dozens of other babies on the flight) when he was hungry and then once fed went right back to sleep. Leigha and I were able to get a little sleep on the flights but were exhausted when we got home. We had a wonderful greeting at the airport--especially from Owen, Abe & Sam. They are still bouncing off the walls with excitement over their new brother. I need to go spend some time with the boys, but I promise more posts (and more importantly more pics!) when things settle down a little (warning: this my be a while)!!!

Ben

Signing off from Ethiopia

2010-02-19T06:34:00.000-08:00

Hello all for the last time from Ethiopia! We will head for the airport in about an hour and (if all goes well) be at our house for supper Saturday night. We are tired and ready to get home. We took a tour of a coffee factory today & it was great fun. We walked right through the cleaning, sorting, grading, and roasting operations.

I took a quick afternoon outing with one of our in-country guides to buy a pair of soccer shoes for one of the boys involved in our guide's ministry for street children. It was fun to see the excitement when he got to pick out the pair he wanted. He only owned a pair of crocs and lives on the street, but because of the financial support and guidance he gets from our guide he is enrolled in school and supports himself by selling gum to tourists.

Isaac is still grumpy today, I think mostly because he is exhausted from crying about all last night. Hopefully he will crash for the long trip home.

Leigha and I really want to thank everyone who has followed along on our little blog and sent us notes of encouragement--it really makes a big difference when we're so far from home. I hope to see lots of you at the airport, but if not there we'll see you at home!

Ben

the 3rd day

2010-02-19T04:06:00.000-08:00

We had a rough night last night. Isaac didn't not want to sleep alone. Ben or I pretty much held him all night. I'm hoping this isn't a pattern. I think he'd needed some extra comfort, until last night he had only got up once each night to eat and then went back to sleep. With Abe and Sam they both seemed to have melt downs on the third day and this was Isaac's third night with us. It seems to take them that long to understand this is really changing and I'm not sure I like it.

We spent the morning at a coffee factory getting a tour and then sampleing the coffee in the shop. Ben really enjoyed the seeing the process.

We start the journey home tonight. Please pray for us as we travel. It's been a good trip, but we ready to be home.

The Meeting

2010-02-18T04:54:00.000-08:00

Note: I received two posts from Ben & Leigha, so be sure to check out the first post as well...

Hello all! This has been one of the most challenging days of our lives. As we loaded up to visit Kid's Care Orphanage (where Sammy lived for 7 months) we were told that we would be meeting Isaac's birth mother this afternoon. We traveled to ET a few days early in hopes of meeting her, but now that it was really going to happen. Neither Leigha nor I was 100% sure we wanted to. But first thing's first...

Our trip to the orphanage this morning was awesome! It hadn't changed much in the last 2 years. It was still home to way to many children and the most amazing women who love them more than I can describe. Even in the frenzied excitement of our visit, there was a feeling of peace and serentiy that was palpable. The kids were so happy to get some candy and other treats from some of the families, and to have their pictures taken (and them to look at themselves on the screens of digital cameras). I pulled out the camcorder and one of the older boys broke into a sweet dance routine! The attention I paid to him prompted other kids to come show me their moves. I wish Abe could have been here to show them how it's done! The best part of the orphanage visit, though, was seeing a 7 year old girl in our group reunited with her friends and nannies in the orphanage. All of the kids in the orphanage were so obviously and genuinely happy that she had finally reached her family. It was also great to see some of Sam's nannies that we met 2 years ago. They all still remembered "Mickey, Mickey, Mickey," and we gave them some photos of Sam that we brought along.

From the orphanage we went to lunch and then back to the Guest House to meet Isaac's birth mother. We went up to our room and watched out the window for her arrival. When she came Leigha went down & I stayed behind in the room with Isaac. We wanted to make sure that she wanted to see him (which of course she did) before we brought him down. I won't share much of her story here, because her story belongs to her and to Isaac. Communication with her was very difficult because she barely speaks Amharic (the prodominant language in ET) and we were speaking through a translator who speaks English and Amharic. Leigha and I both felt so stupid because, under the crushing weight of the emotion of the encounter, we couldn't think of to say or ask. She was very shy and had difficulty looking us in the eye. She held Isaac for most of the encounter, but then after a little while she told us she was ready to hand him to us. She was obviously extremely sad, but when we asked her how she felt at this moment she said "happy."

Unless you have been in such a meeting, you cannot imagine the unspeakable bravery and strength it takes for a woman to make the decision she made. For a long time I have had a heart for orphans, but honestly it's pretty easy to "feel" for them. Today I learned the hard lesson that behind most of these orphans there is a birth mother who had to make a decision a thousand times harder than any decision that any of us will ever face. Sometimes people comment on what a wonderful thing it is that we adopt, or how noble the financial and emotional sacrifices that we make in the process. I have always said that for us adoption is a strictly selfish act because the joy and blessing that we get from our kids so far greatly outweighs the minor inconveniences we experience in the process that the notion of us doing something noble "for those poor kids" is laughable. Today I learned that the hard and noble part of adoption comes long before we even enter the picture. It is simply tragic that conditions in the world are such that the best (or only) option for millions of women is to give their precious babies to an under-resourced institutional orphanage in hopes that their childrent might simply stay alive, and if their broken hearts can still manage to dream, that their children might someday live happy lives in happy homes. It is difficult to imagine that many women are even capable of such dreams given the utter sadness and struggle of their own existences. As the meeting with the birth mother drew to a close she told us that she was happy that Isaac would have a good home and asked if it was OK to hug us. A friend of ours took a few pictures of Leigha, Isaac and me with the birth mother, and then she walked through the gate and we will never see her (and she will never see Isacc) again.

On a happier note, we are now headed to Gelgela (the orphanage where Isaac lived for a couple of months). We have never been to this one, so I'm REALLY excited to go check it out and to tell the nannies thanks for the amazing care they have given Isaac and all of the other kids who come there.

We are all ready to come home, and are excited to start that journey tomorrow evening. You all are going to love Isaac, and we can't wait to see Owen, Abe & Sam and introduce their new baby brother!

Ben

Embassy - check

2010-02-18T04:52:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone, all our paper work went through today at the embassy. We're on track to come home on Sat. as planned. Ben has been very sick today, he thinks it was something he ate. He is better now, but please pray his strengh returns quickly. Isaac is still doing well. He is wanting held quite a bit, I'm sure he's needing some extra comfort to get through all the transitions. Better go he isn't sleeping so well tonight.

They've got him!

2010-02-16T20:51:00.000-08:00

Gotcha Day has been amazing! He's cooing on the bed right be side me. It's so unbelievable and yet very real all at the same time. This is my son whom I am well pleased. Adoption is such a gift from God and it's amazing. I can't count the number of times people have said, "oh your doing such a wonderful thing" but the blessing is always on us. Yes he gets all the riches and blessings of a christian home but the blessing our children bring to us is so much more.

So far he has been very happy and easy going--let's hope it continues. He's had a bottle, a bath, and some cereal. Soon we'll be off to bed. He is still a little congested and coughing some, but he seems to feel good.

Barbara sent me an email of the boys reaction to seeing the pics sent yesterday, here it is:
Sam was first. When he saw Leigha, his face lit up like a Christmas tree and he said my Mommy. He liked the ones of Isaac taking a bottle and then sleeping. He says he wants to hold the new baby and make him laugh.

Owen came through the room next and sounded very adult when he simply cooed "Aaww" at each picture of Isaac. He noticed that it must be warm by how you were dressed.

Abe was next. He climbed on my lap and studied each picture carefully as he grinned from ear to ear. He wanted me
to keep scrolling down so he could see more. At the end he said "My eyes are wet."

Love you all, can't wait to bring him home!

Today is the Big Day

2010-02-16T06:32:00.000-08:00

Today is Gotcha Day and I can't wait to get my hands on that little guy again. He seems very laid back and went to us easily. We were able to get him to smile and play a little too. It was such an awesome experience. Sammy's favorite nanny brought Isaac out to us and we had quite a reunion with her and several other nannies telling them about Sammy and showing them pictures of him and describing his fasination with cowboys.

Last night we went to a traditional ET dinner with music and dance. Ben loves all things Ethiopian--ate alot of injera (ET bread). Last night Ben said, I should have been born in ET, I love the food, slobbering on babies, and running. Ethiopians are very affectionate. The nannies from last time greeted Ben and I with a kiss on each cheek. The men often hold hands walking down the street and it means nothing other than they are friends. This cultural difference is great for the children at the transitional home. The children are very well loved. Being a nanny here is a difficult job, because they truly love the children for on average of three months and then they let them go and do it all over again each time and new child comes from the oraphanage.

Owen, Abe, and Sam your going to like your new little brother. He likes to wrestle gently. Can't wait to see everyone.

Leigha

Meetcha Day!!!

2010-02-15T08:22:00.000-08:00

Today is the day we've been awaiting for! We met Isaac Ababe Singleton for the first time this afternoon. He is precious, beautiful, fat and happy! Even though we've experienced this moment a couple of times before, it was still indescribable and more wonderful than we could have imagined. It took Leigha about three-fifths of a second to shift into hardcore mommy mode. I think he had just woke up when he came out of the transition house to meet us. It didn't take long to coax the most beautiful smiles from him. He has the fattest cheeks (and arms, and hands, and thighs, and knees) you've ever seen! He were allowed to spend about 3 hours with him, and he didn't cry once. Leigha fed him a bottle after which he instantly became milk drunk and passed out on her lap. There were six other families with us--all first time adopters. It was great to see them experience the moment of meetcha. A few of the kids were a little scared at first, but within a few minutes everyone had started to bond. I should probably write some more about today, but the pictures tell a better story and that's what you all are tuning in for anyway... Enjoy!!!

Ben

Guest blogger note - I cannot resist the temptation to gush over this family and this child. Have you ever??? He's perfect! Ben and Leigh, you amaze me.

Tomorrow Is The Big Day!

2010-02-14T09:15:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow after lunch we get to meet our little Valentine. We looking forward to it with great excitment. A few more families have made it to the guest house where we're staying. It's amazing how quickly adoption can bind different families together. We are very close to our travel group from Sammy's adoption and we look forward to connections that will come from Isaac's adoption. Something about meeting your kids together for the first time some how bonds you together for life.
We will keep you posted, please continue to pray for us and our meeting and bonding with Isaac!

Stir Crazy - Ben style

2010-02-14T04:28:00.000-08:00

We were starting to get a little stir crazy staying the guest house. There was only one other family staying here, and they left on an overnight trip to the countryside to meet their birthmother. A new family from Louisville got in last night, and we met them this morning. We just go back from lunch with them and it seems like they're another set of instant friends (just like the crew we traveled with last time). Lunch was my best Ethiopian feast ever--featured chicken wings (pretty American, but delicious), goat kebob, some crazy orange potato soup, and the leftovers of Leigha's fish (and I mean whole fish--skin, heads, tails and all). I could have sat there all day making a pig of myself, but our new friends' little girl was ready for a nap.

We have been more or less stuck in the guest house as we are waiting for a new time to meet our birthmother. I had really hoped to find time for a trip to the countryside, but that looks fairly doubtful now as we will get a lot busier tomorrow when we will be meeting Isaac for the first time. It was such a long wait, but now that it's here it still seems so surreal that the big day is actually almost here.

We went to church this morning at a place called Internation Evangelical Church. It is where most of our adoptoin agency staff goes, so it seemed like the natural choice. We felt right at home and had a great time there. The music & sermon were both great and was very similar in style and format to our own church. The pastor was a North Carolina native, which was a surprise to us. There was a great mix of people there--about 60% Ethiopian and the rest were from all over the world. It was a great experience and I highly recommend it to any other travelling families.

The weather is cooler than it was two years ago and brief showers have blown up each afternoon, which is rare this time of year. The electricity flickered a few times during yesterday's showers, which would not surprise anyone who has looked at the electrical grid (frought with pirated electric lines going to nearly every shack along the roads and alleys). We have about 4 TV channels in the room, and there is usually something in English on 2 or 3 of them. Some of the stations switch from network to network (say from Al Jazeera to BBC or from a Suadi Arabian channel to Nickelodeon) throughout the day, so there is always hope for finding something familiar. I have been seeing commercials for 'Got Talent' for a couple of days now, so I'm hoping it's the American version so I can get my fix of the Hoff. Did I mention that we were getting stir crazy? I think it is starting to rear it's ugly head in my ramblings here, so I better quit for now...

Ben

Africa Time

2010-02-13T12:21:00.000-08:00

We spent the day laying low waiting to hear if a meeting with the birth mother could be arranged. We got word around noon that we would meet the birth mother today at 3pm. Well 3:00 came and went and a worker from America World came and informed us that the driver that was to pick up the birth mother had shut off his phone, so no meeting today, but we will try again tomorrow or later in the week. She assured us that indeed it would happen. I guess if it's meant to be God will bring it together. This seems to be typical of life in Ethiopia. Things come together in their own time and they really can't be rushed. Our last travel loving referred to it as Africa time.

We are having a little bit of trouble posting on our blog and friend and from our former travel group will be posting for us. Thanks Merica!

Leigh also says:
Hey all, since we're having trouble accessing our blog you will have to use our email to communicate with us. We have a friend posting for us via email but we are unable to read your posts. So if you would like to talk to us email us at lanson31@yahoo.com.

Happy Bithday Abe!!!

2010-02-13T00:46:00.000-08:00

Today is Abe's birthday. He's six today and he's in love with all things Star Wars. We had a great Star Wars party before we left complete with a green light saber birthday cake. Abe was excited to have his birthday near Isaac's home coming. It's strange to think today we could be meeting Isaac's birthmother and Abe's birth mother is probably even now wondering about him and what his future holds. We are so grateful to the birth families that now belong to our family. So many often say to us, how can they let go of their children, but I often wonder could I do the same if I were in their position. Would I have that kind of sacrifical love giving up a son or daughter because I know I couldn't provide for his or her basic needs? I am sadden that so many all over the world face this decision everyday. Although we do not know much about any of our children's birth families. We know that many birth families choose to place their children in orphanages in the hopes that their children will have a hope and future beyond anything they would be able to give to their children.
So it's with mixed emotions that we face this day, uncertain what it will bring, but either way it will bring an unimaginable loss to Isaac's mother. We are honored to have him as part of our family and we feel great honor to be called his mom and dad.
Happy Birthday Abraham, we love you and miss, have a good birthday buddy!

We made it!

2010-02-12T06:14:00.000-08:00

We made it to Ethiopia! Our flight out of DC was delayed 4 hours, and then we sat on the plane for an hour and a half while the push truck spun its wheel on the ice trying to get our plane away from the terminal. Once we got going, our flight was great--the plane was almost empty so there was plenty of room to lay down and sleep. If you ever get the chance to fly on Ethiopian Airlines I highly recommend it--the service is great! Ethiopia has changed a lot since we were here two years ago. It looks like there has been a lot of economic growth--the constuction sites now have workers and materials on them (last time they were all deserted) and there are bigger and better vehicles in the streets. It's about 9:30AM at home, but it's 5:30PM here which means we'll go to bed at about lunch time. I think it will work out fine as we are both tired from the trip. We're staying in a guest house this time instead of a hotel. It seems like a nice place, and we've already met a couple from Frankfort KY. The weather is nice here--it's been raining some the past few days which is rare. It's about 70 degrees and feels like it's going to rain. Our arrival was much less intimidating this time--it almost felt coming home in a way. We are anxious to meet Isaac, but that isn't scheduled to happen until Monday. We are hoping to meet his birth mother tomorrow, but as far as we know those arrangements have not been finalized yet. I am also hoping to find time to take a trip into the countryside to see some of the surrounding villages and agriculture. Thanks to all who have been praying for us. God truly did move a mountain (of snow in DC) to get us here on time. More to come later...

Ben

so far so good...

2010-02-11T00:13:00.000-08:00

It's 3:15AM and our 6:00AM flight isn't cancelled. We're going to head for the airport and see what happens!

Flying Tomorrow?

2010-02-10T18:29:00.000-08:00

We're gonna try. Our flight is at 6am tomorrow and it hasn't been cancelled yet, so hopefully God willing we will be on our way bright and early tomorrow. We'll keep you all posted. Thanks for all you prayers. Owen is better and in-country plans are finalized, keep praying for Isaac and our flight plans.

Pray for Isaac

2010-02-09T12:46:00.000-08:00

We just got an email from our agency. Isaac has pneumonia. They are treating him with antibiotics and we pray he is better soon. Owen our oldest is also sick with the stomach flu. Our flight got changed this morning due to the bad weather in DC. We are also having a hard time confirming our in-country plans because our agency is also in the DC area and has been closed for the last two days. Long story short the war wages on and we would appreciate your prayers. We know God is faithful and just and he has called us to this task and he will equip us for the task at hand. But as we forge ahead it would be a blessing to know others are petitioning the Lord on our behalf.

Family Dolls

2010-02-04T17:15:00.000-08:00

Family dolls you say? What are family dolls? Well let me explain. Our agency has asked traveling families to bring a few items that were needed for the transition home (the place our children live once they have been assigned to their families). One of the items they requested were sets of family dolls so the children could role play with the psychologist what they've been through, and the transitions yet to come. In other words, great toys to help the children deal with what they've been through and what is yet to come. Wonderful I thought I'm going to be sure and take some family dolls, so I check Wal-mart (the go to store for rural southern IN) they've got nothing. So I began the on-line search, they were quite pricey and then add in shipping and they were very expensive, but I really wanted to take family dolls. I thought it's important and key tool to help children transition into their new homes. Monday I set out on a mission to gather a few more items needed for our trip and I decided to go to a neighboring town because I knew they had a store that might have the much coveted family dolls. Well if you know me very well, you know I like a good junk store, so I on the way I stopped at my favorite junk store and what did I find? You guessed it FAMILY DOLLS!!!

Not one set but two, one in black and one in white. Could it get any better you ask? Yes it can! I got them for the low, low price of $12. Now I tell you all this not because it makes a great story even though it does, but I tell you this because I am continual amazed at the working of the Father's hand in every step of our adoption. He knew what those children needed and he provided and I am blessed to be a part of his plan. If you haven't jumped fully into all the God has planned for you, don't wait, I'm sure he has a set of family dolls waiting for you somewhere along the way.

Our travel date is fast approaching. We leave Feb. 10 and return Feb. 20. We plan to post every day while in Ethiopia so tune in to read more about our beautiful new son Isaac and our journey to bring him home and pray for Grandma, Nana, and the two Paps as they wrestle the troops at home! We are so blessed to have a family that embraces adoption and helps us along the way.

Sammy's Gotcha Day

2010-01-23T17:50:00.000-08:00

This is a photo of Sam shortly after he came home. Today is his 2ND Gotcha Day. For those of you who don't know what gotcha day is, let me explain. Today is the day we took Sammy as our own. It's a surreal experience to take a child with you, one you barley know and yet love deeply into your arms and carry him home. That's exactly what Jesus does for us. We call and he comes and carries us home whether we know him or not, he loves us deeply.

This Sammy on his third birthday(Dec. 3). Now that we know him we love him even more. He is a bundle of energy, chaos, and love. Things are never boring with Sam around and we wouldn't have it any other way. Happy Gotcha Day Sam! We love you.

Travel Date

2010-01-16T05:09:00.000-08:00

Finally a date!! In about a month will be holding our sweet baby boy in our arms. We have to be in country Feb. 14. What a wonderful Valentine! I confess this is slower than we hoped, as it is so often with adoptions. Some of you have asked why we haven't left yet. It would appear that once he is legally our son we would be able to leave immediately to bring him home. That is not the case, the delay is caused by the need to have a visa and passport for him to travel and we have to wait to get an embassy appointment to get the necessary documents to bring him home. Long story short we now have an embassy appointment so now we can make firm travel plans to bring him home. We might have the opportunity to meet his birth mother and if that is possible we might have to leave a couple days early to make that happen. Thank you for you prayers and support, please continue to pray for Isaac, travel, and our bonding together. In the past bonding has come quickly and relatively easy. We are praying for a smooth transition for him. We will keep you updated as we prepare and while we are in country so you can share in the miracle of adoption!

HE'S OURS!!!!

2010-01-01T11:20:00.000-08:00

We passed court!!!!! I'm so excited, we hope to have a travel date next week. Here he is...

Isaac Abebe Singleton Isn't he beautiful! I can't wait to get him in my arms!

Court Date

2009-12-25T17:14:00.000-08:00

Well, it's not good news and it's not terrible news either. Court was closed Dec. 25th for evaluations so our case was bumped to Jan. 1, 2010. This is good because it means we didn't fail court and don't have to wait for a new court date,which sometimes takes a month and then another month for the court date to arrive so waiting an extra week isn't so bad, but it wasn't exactly what we hoped for either. So maybe it wasn't the Christams present we had hoped for , but we are hopeful and confident that the Lord is positioning our case before the right judge at the right time. Please pray for successful court date on January 1, 2010, we're hoping for a new son for the new year.
It was disappointing and yet it didn't rob the joy of the day. Merry Christmas!!

News of our baby

2009-12-23T12:31:00.000-08:00

Our court date is rapidly approaching and we are looking forward to the best present ever, news that our son is legally ours!!! Please continue to pray for a successful court date. I wanted to share with you some news we received about our baby, but I'll need to back up and tell you the whole story.
The day after Thanksgiving, I checked my cell phone and found that one of our travel buddies from Sam's adoption had called. He left a message and said he was going to Ethiopia and that he would love to take a care package to our baby... translation insider info on how our baby is doing. I can't tell you how wonderful it felt to know that someone you trust and respect is going to hold your baby and tell him your coming and you love him. It was so wonderful and amazing to hear first hand that he was doing well and growing big. Caleb (our travel buddy) called after he returned home and told us all about our baby and he also emailed us some pictures. Caleb said he seemed big for his age, very happy and cuddly. I can't wait to get some cuddles for myself. Caleb had an amazing trip and is now looking for sponsors to feed children who currently eat maybe once or twice a WEEK!!! If you want to sponsor a child you can contact him through his blog www.davidfamilyadventures.blogspot.com click on the post titled, Selfless Faith, dated Dec. 16, 2009. I read this quote on someone else's blog and it really struck a nerve. Read for yourself,

"He then goes on to say, “Since I been visitin a lotta churches, I hear people talkin ‘bout how after readin our story, they feel “led” to help the homeless, to come alongside the down and out. But when it comes to helpin people that ain’t got much, God didn’t leave no room for feelin led……what you gon’ do when you get to heaven and you ain’t done none ‘a that? Stand in front a’ God and tell Him, “I didn’t feel led?”

So many have so little and we have so much I think it's time we did somthing about it.

COURT DATE!!!!

2009-11-30T18:43:00.000-08:00

We have a court date!!! It's Christmas day, December 25th, can you believe it! What a wonderful gift that will be. News that our baby is ours.. leagally ours. Please be praying we pass court, only about 50% of couples pass court on the first try, due to all sorts of things, such as: power outages, (which are common) lack of internet service, or problems with paper work.
The boys and I just got this out of the Christmas decorations a couple hours ago...

I think I will.
I found this verse several months ago and underlined it in my Bible.
Ecclesiastes 5:8-9 "If you see some poor man being oppressed by the rich, with miscarriage of justice anywhere throughout the land don't be surprised! For every official is under orders from higher up, and the higher officals look up to their superiors. And so the matter is lost is red tape and bureaucracy. And over them all is the king. Oh, for a king who is devoted to his country! Only he can bring order from this chaos."
Please join me in praying for a king (judge) who cares and longs to see the orphan placed in loving homes quickly and effeiently. For I know the Lord turns the heart of the king which ever way he would have it to go,
Proverbs 21:1 "Just as water is turned into irrigation ditches, so the Lord directs the king's thoughts. He turns them wherever he wants to."
Thank you for your prayers. EXPECT A MIRACLE
I almost forgot, that advent wreath I just posted about now has a double meaning, count down to Christ's birth and our baby's court date. You ever notice how multifacited God is... he always accomplishing so much more than what we can see.
Blessings

Advent Wreath

2009-11-30T18:13:00.001-08:00

I don't know if you can tell, but this is an advent wreath the boys and I made. They really enjoyed making it and I hope it teaches them about the real reason for Christmas. Inside each tin container is a little note, for example one says take a long walk and talk about what it must have been like for Mary and Joseph, or get out the nativity set and act out the Chritmas story, or do something nice for someone today. We had fun making it and I know the boys will look forward to opening a tin each morning for our mission of the day. I got the idea for a magazine and then ordered the tins off the internet at Specialty Bottle. I'm looking forward to this new tradition at the Singleton household.
Blessings,
Leigha

Go Get Baby

2009-11-23T18:20:00.001-08:00

That has been Sam's (our nearly 3 year old) mantra every day since we got our referral. One evening we went out for supper and we were talking about when we would go get our baby and how excited we would be.... Well we pulled into our drive way after supper and Sam bursts into tears... MY GO GET BABY... over and over again. He was tired, but it was like he knew what our baby was facing, alone and without his forever family. It was heart breakingly sweet. Every child deserves a home of his own, with a mommy and daddy to love and be loved. Won't you meet that need for an orphan today.
On a lighter note, I told Sammy we needed to go to Wal-mart and he pipes up with the perfect reply, "to get my baby." He knows you can buy everything else there... why not baby too? If only it were that easy. He is such a joy and a wonderful distraction while we wait to bring our baby home.

REFERRAL DAY

2009-11-10T16:52:00.000-08:00

I can't believe it!!!!! We just got our referal!!! I can't remember if we can post any of the details, I'll get back to you. How amazing is God, just two days after orphan Sunday he sends us another percious angel. I can't stop grinning at the picture. I know we can't post pics until after a successful court date. More to come later.

Orphan Sunday

2009-11-09T05:58:00.000-08:00

For several weeks now the Lord has been leading me to share with our congregation on Orphan Sunday. I knew I had to share, but what, our story, God heart for the orphan, well it bacame both.
The week leading up to Orphan Sunday was a battle, and I mean a spritiual battle, all the kids were sick, that's right three sick boys with one tired overwhelmed mother, trying to figure out what she is suppost to say on the upcomeing Sunday and keep them all comfortsable and did I mention Ben is is the midst of harvest and is rarely home except to sleep. It's been so wet this fall and you guessed it, it was completely dry this weeek so they had to hit it hard, working long hours. That is the life of a farmer. It's a good life, but it's also somtimes means mom is on her own, for periods of time. Well Sat. rolls around kids are better, but now I am sick and I'm not done with my "talk" and the boys are tired of being home. Well I got out my cell phone and began texting like a champ to my girlfirends and family asking for prayer and they prayed my up and Orphan Sunday was beautiful. I say all this to point out that satan tried his best to keep me from defending the cause fo the fatherless this week, but I will not be detured from this calling, not only will we adopt untill our family is complete we will defend the casue and try to help others realize their calling concerning the orphans. Below is a copy of my "orphan sunday talk"

2009-11-09T05:28:00.001-08:00

Don't Let Fear Steal From You!!!
What has fear stolen from you? It could have robed me of my family, if I hadn’t had a persistent nudging of the Holy Spirit and my husband. Choosing to adopt was a scary decision. The “what if” scenarios were endless. What if he or she doesn’t fit in? What if we don’t love them enough and they have issues? What if we don’t have enough money? What if this completely changes my life? Now as I think back on that time and I think what if we hadn’t chosen to adopt. We would have missed so much without our son Abraham, with his silly ways and beautiful smile. And his hugs, he has been declared the best hugger in the family. And Samuel what if we had refused the clear leading of the Lord to adopt again, this time to Africa. We would have missed out on his beautiful, and persistent child. Samuel is a delight, his current favorite song is, in his words, “Saddle up your horseys” it’s a bible school song. Let me read you a few lines, saddle up your horse we’ve got a trail to blaze, through the wild blue yonder of Gods amazing grace, let’s follow our leader into the glorious unknown, this is a life like no other this the great adventure. Those words fit Sam he’s persistent, fearless, and charges headlong into the unknown seeking adventure. What if we did that everyday going fearlessly with God into the unknown?
Many of you know we have started another adoption. We are going to Ethiopia again, it’s where Sam is from. Are agency told us to expect a referral in 1 to 3 months. A referral is when our agency sends us pictures and information about a specific child or children. We have requested 1-2 children 0-12 months old, boy or girl. We are getting excited and waiting expectantly for their arrival. We expect to travel a couple months after referral. We would appreciate your prayers and support. We have started a blog so friends and family can follow our journey to bring another Singleton home.
Today is Orphans Sunday and I have felt God pushing me to share with you his heart for orphans. God has called our family to adopt, but he has called us all to care for the orphans in some way or another. James 1:27 says, “The Christian who is pure and without fault, from God the Father’s point of view, is the one who takes care of the orphans and widows .” Before, I wasn’t seeing the heart of God. I thought only a few were called and I didn’t want to push my passion for adoption and orphans off on someone else. But recently God has been showing me how wrong I am. Orphans are close to his heart, again and again in his word he calls to defend the cause of the orphans, feed the hungry, cloth the naked, visit the sick, orphans are all these things and when we’ve done all these things to them then we’ve done it to Jesus. There are 143 million orphans in the world today. Ethiopia has nearly 5 million alone and it is the size of Texas. The need is real and overwhelming but with all of us doing our part we can change the world one orphan at a time. Let me read you a paragraph from Tom Davis’s book Fields of the Fatherless, “Here’s that number again 143 million. I know that seems like a lot, but compared to the number of professed Christians living on the earth. That number is 2.1 billion. There are 159 million people who claim to be Christians in the United States alone. I know you see where I’m heading, but is it so far-fetched? With so many Christian in the world, is it so far out of the realm of possibility to imagine every one of those orphans being adopted into a family just as God has adopted us? If only 7% of professing Christians around the world responded, every single orphan in the world would have a home.” Adoption is a beautiful wonderful way to build your family. There is nothing like walking hand and hand with God as he leads you to that child he has ordained from the beginning of time to be in your family. Don’t let anything stop you if you feel God leading you in this direction.
There is a verse in Psalms 116:6-7 that perfectly describes Sammy’s adoption, it says, “he stoops to look, and lifts the poor from the dirt, and the hungry from the garbage dump, and sets them among princes.” What do you think of when you think of princes? I think money, power, and influence. All of these are prevalent here in America and that’s what God did for Sammy he reached down and plucked him out of poverty and placed him in a nation and a home that is rich in so many ways one of which is in the Spirit of the Lord. What if we hadn’t adopted Sammy, would he have known the Lord, now he asks daily if we’re going to church and he wants to hear his “saddle up your horsey song” again and again. With this current adoption the Lord has placed a different verse on my heart, Psalm 68:6, he gives the lonely families, and so we go again. How can we not, our baby is lonely and in need of a home and God has given us so much, and truly we are rich in so many ways we have to share the wealth. Now I know not all of you are called to adopt, but that isn’t the only way to help an orphan. You can pray for them, speak up for them, provide for their needs by sponsoring a child, support those who are adopting or providing foster care homes, visit orphans on mission trips or read any of Tom Davis’s books. I know God has created each of us for a specific purpose and plan for our lives seek to fulfill your calling concerning orphans.
You could help rescue a lonely child. I appeal to you search your hearts and the heart of God and find out how he is calling you to serve the orphans. The Lord has lain upon my heart to defend the cause of the orphan, so I beseech you to follow the Lord in the leading that you might too become a defender of the fatherless too. For I orphans are close to the heart of the Father and therefore they should be close to our hearts.
Ben and I are always open to sharing our story and heart for adoption if you want to speak with us or know someone considering adoption and needs someone to talk to we are eager to be of service.

Good News!!

2009-10-26T09:21:00.000-07:00

We heard from our agency yesterday and they said we could expect a referral in 1-3 months. WOW here we go again! We can't wait, the boys were excited too. They had lots of suggestions for names from brother to Phillip. We did not specify girl or boy, we are open to more than one, so in other words referral day will be a surprise, and we can't wait to find out. I love knowing we're getting close, a friend said today, what a great Christmas present, we agree.

Check out these photos of Sam he's found a new use for the barn, DOG HOUSE

So proud of my boys....

2009-10-21T17:49:00.000-07:00

Well, we had parent teacher conferences tonight. I'm so proud of my boys, they are both doing great. Abe is well on his way to becoming a reading machine and Owen has already established his title as a reading super hero. Both boys like school and their teachers both commented on what a joy they are to have in class. What mother doesn't love to talk about her children but especially when it's all good. I'm still smiling just thinking about it. I just thank the Lord for preparing their minds to learn, retain, and for teachers who enjoy teaching young ones.

On a completely different note, I think our church is going to have it's first ever orphans sunday, and I am feeling the Lord leading me to share our story and His heart for the orphans. If anyone has any interesting satistics, key points, ect. I would love to hear them.

Owen our oldest son...

2009-10-11T13:16:00.001-07:00

This weekend we went to Spring Mill State Park for a family reunion and had a wonderful time, hiking, swimming, seeing the sites, and just being together with family. At these kinds of events, the conversation always seems to turn to our adoptions, and what is next for our family. We love to share the things God has done and the ways he has moved in our lives to bring us our sons, but this weekend the question asked was a little different than usual. One relative asked how Owen deals with all the adoptions. In response, I shared the words of Owen with them. One evening several weeks ago it was bedtime and we had all gathered in Samuel's bed for the bedtime story and we were reading about Hannah and her prayer for a child, toward the end of the story I read and God's gift to Hannah was Samuel, and Owen pipes up proudly, "Hey that's just like us, Samuel is God's gift to us." I couldn't have said it better myself. Owen is an amazing big brother and a wonderful adoption advocate.

Chose this day who you will serve...

2009-10-07T18:43:00.000-07:00

As I was reading my Bible today I was stuck by two pasages of scripture:

"You should defend those who cannot help themselves. Yes, speak up for the poor and needy and see that they get justice." Proverbs 31:8-9

"She sews for the poor, and generously gives to the needy." Proverbs 31:19-20

This has not been the first time I have read these verses, but it is the first time I have believed it included me too. Before I have felt overwhelmed not knowing what to do, always feeling like it isn't enough. I have after all adopted two beautiful boys and we are currently in process to adopt another, but today was different, today I knew there is more to do, more to say, others to touch and save. If I won't be the hands and feet of Jesus, then who will? Why do I always assume someone else will do it, or believe the lie that I can't? I have to, those children are counting on me and so is Jesus. I won't miss my calling! I won't miss out on my children, becasue of fear or money or any other lie satan trys to bate me with. Those of you that have already adopted know what I'm talking about. Imagine if we'd let fear or doubt have it's way, we would have missed out on our children. Can you imagine life without them now? Is God calling you to adopt? If so don't say no, your heart will ache from now to eternity if you do. Don't let fear and doubt keep you from your calling, you were created for such a time as this, heaven forbid your too afraid to grab ahold and love your baby. It won't always be easy but it will be a wild ride, guarteed to bring fufillment.

We have arrived...

2009-10-06T18:34:00.000-07:00

Well I know you thought we would never arrive in the world of blogging, but after much prompting from the Lord, here we are, or should I say here I am writing on behalf of the fam. I must admit so far so good. I guess I'll learn as I go.
For those of you who don't know I give a quick recap of who we are, where we've been and where we're going, the Lord willing. I, Leigha, am a stay-at-home mom, my husband is a hard working farmer, and together we have three boys. Owen is the oldest and currently loves Star Wars legos, and Captain Underpants books, Abraham or Abe is also into Star Wars, he never leaves home without his light sabor and he loves riding in the combine with Pap. Sam is the baby, he loves all things rough and tumble, and anything he brothers do.
We are currently in process to adopt from Ethiopia, this will be our third adoption. Abe is from Colombia and Samuel is from Ethiopia. We hope to have a referall sometime this winter. God's timing is perfect. Journey with us, as we hope to plant the seed of adoption in your heart and allow you a glimpse into the wonderful things the Lord is doing in our lives.