soli deo gloria: August 2008

Sunday, August 31, 2008

On their way.

Hi, again.
It's me.
Melissa.
I sure have enjoyed our time together but I'm excited to say it will soon be ending because the Alexanders, et. al., are on their way home.

Home with a gift beyond measure. Abe.

I can't wait. I'm dying to kiss those cheeks.

If you've emailed me per the post below and received pictures, I have your email and will give it to Em so that she can send you pictures of Day 8. They did not get the video to me before they left to come home.

I know they have been so encouraged by all of you and the details of their trip will be well worth the wait.

17 comments

Saturday, August 30, 2008

Day 7

Hi.
Guess who.
No.
It's not Emily.
It's Melissa.
The Alexanders are still in Ethiopia loving on some pretty beautiful kiddos.

I know.
I've seen pictures.
I can't put them up because I'm selfish.

Actually, I can't put them up because of Ethiopian government privacy stipulations.

Would you like to see them?
Email me from here and I'll send them to you.

Since I'm sending them to you, would you please not use my email to send me weird advertisements for cellulite creme?

Even if I may need it.

I knew I could count on you.

Ya'll rock.

7 comments

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Day 6

Day 6 - video...

31 comments

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Going dark.

Guess who?
Again!
That's right.
It's Melissa.

Try to control your enthusiasm.

People, I have absolutely loved getting to walk alongside my sweet family's trip to Ethiopia through these photographs. It has been one of the sweetest journey's I have had the privilege of being a part of, even from afar.

I haven't spoken with Emily and can't get them now since it's the middle of the night and they're probably asleep. Actually, they're probably doing a midnight feeding that I wouldn't interrupt to save my life. :)

That being said, it has come to our attention that some of the photographs violate privacy policies of these orphanages in Ethiopia and in the interest of these beautiful children, the Ethiopian agencies, and the patiently waiting parents, I'm removing the video from yesterday, Day 5. If you've posted the link, I'd ask you to please do the same.

Ya'll rock.

5 comments

Day 5

I have no words for this one, guys. Joyous and heartbreaking all at the same time.

"For the Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He takes great delight in you. He quiets you with his love, He rejoices over you with singing."
Zeph 3:17

Day 5.

Melissa

36 comments

Monday, August 25, 2008

Ask and you shall receive - Day 4 - Gotcha!

As in the words of Wick mid-day today..."Dad, this is the greatest day I've ever had."

We couldn't agree more.

Gotcha! - video

Love, Team Alexander

121 comments

A few to hold you over...

Everyone waiting to meet Abe.

Mommy holding sweet Abe

The brothers!!!

Hey guys! Jess here. Here are a few pics to hold everyone over until Kristin has the Abe slideshow up and running! I got these from emails from their iphone so they may be a little blury, but better than nothing!!! They may regret giving me their life passwords also, Mel!!! :)

6 comments

COME ON ALREADY!!!

Melissa again. Are you sick of me yet?
Let me just say that the Alexanders may rue the day they ever gave me the password to their blog. RUE THE DAY!

Where are the pictures???

We need pictures!!!

According to her little Ethiopian clock thingy it's about 10:30pm in Addis and they have a professional photographer with them. What gives?

Ok, in the interest of full disclosure, I did get one little picture from Moody's iPhone today but you can't really tell if Em's holding Abe or just carrying her sweater. I can't even post it!!!

They're killing me.

I mean, we're totally praying for them and love them and are so thankful for this day they've waited so long for... but, they're killing me.

14 comments

Sunday, August 24, 2008

And up...Day 3

Avery is feeling better and such a trooper! Thank you, Jesus!

The Alexanders are super tired and off to bed but sent this beautiful video. Enjoy!

Day 3 video.

Tomorrow morning at 8:30, Abe will meet his forever family for the first time!

Yippee!

Melissa

45 comments

Man down.

Melissa here. Please pray for little Avery. She's been sick and throwing up. Please pray for healing and rest for her. She's so excited to meet her little brother and this must be so hard to feel so rotten. I'm sure Em will update as soon as she can.

5 comments

Saturday, August 23, 2008

Day 2- Dubai

We had a great day in Dubai! It is really, REALLY HOT here and remember that we live in Texas. :)

We are having blogger issues- my post has been deleted and we are tired.

Go to this link to view our pics from today. We are having to put them on the backside of Kristin's website due to aforementioned blogger issues.

Thank you for the comments- we so value the love, support and encouragement.

Love, Team Alexander

Bag update- your prayers were heard!! All 7 are being delivered to the hotel at close to midnight. We leave here at 6:00 am.

29 comments

Friday, August 22, 2008

Is it still day 1?

They did amazing, better than the adults for sure. :)

Check out the steam around the headlights, its only like 112 degrees here!

We are here in Dubai, well at least all 10 people, 15 carry-ons and 13 bags! Yes, you can do the math -- we are missing 7 of our bags. Kristin has no clothes, Abe has nothing and we are missing several of our humanitarian aid bags. Please pray that the airlines would find them and get them to us tomorrow. :)

The kids were great on the 15 hour flight, rockstars actually! We are exhausted, but happy to be well on our way to Abe. We will spend the day in Dubai tomorrow and head to Ethiopia on Sunday.

We are encouraged by each of you! Thanks again for partnering in this adventure with us.

Labels: Red Letter Campaign-Adoption Journal | 38 comments

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Day 1

20 bags, 15 carry ons and 6 hours later, we made it to Houston!! A few storms in Houston delayed us but we are about to board the flight to Dubai.

We have already cried about 100 times today as it is overwhelming to think that we are actually leaving for Ethiopia. We are overwhelmed at our friends and familys generosity and genuine excitement for our family on this journey.

For those of you that have read my blog before, you will quickly notice the change in quality of photographs!! We are honored to have Kristin (friend from college) joining us on this trip. She happens to be a professional photographer. :)

Next post, Dubai!!! :) Love you all. Team Alexander

34 comments

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Adoption truth

Moody here...my dear wife is pooped! Thought she would experiment with half an ambien....it worked! Bless her heart, she's not feeling great. Prayerfully a good night's rest will help. With the last week of summer at the office and football starting with the boys, she has performed miracles around this place getting us ready...without a lot of help from me! Please pray with me that she will be completely well before we leave. Did I mention we leave in 36 hours!!

With only me and Bob Costas up this late, I have been reflecting on the powerful truth of adoption, both Abe's and ours. Our Sunday worship bulletin recently listed a portion of Chapter 12 of the Westminster Confession on adoption. "the grace of adoption, by which we are taken into the number, to enjoy the liberties and privileges of the children of God...have access to the throne of grace with boldness, are able to cry Abba Father, are pitied, protected, provide for and chastened by a father" To think that because of Christ and His sacrificial death I can now be in a relationship with God Almighty, the maker of heaven and earth. This journey to bring Abe home has brought this truth of adoption deep to my soul like never before. As Abe is grafted into the Alexander family to be "pitied, protected and provided for", may his life always serve as a great reminder of the grace of adoption the Heavenly Father has shown us.

A special thanks to Pastor Jeremy and our church family at APC. Through their bags of donations, gifts of cash, prayer send off this week, shared tears of joy, Emily and I have seen the Body caring for its own.

And a special thank you to each of you for loving my wife, caring for and encouraging her though this divine journey we have been on.

Soli Deo Gloria ( for the Glory of God alone)

29 comments

Monday, August 18, 2008

progress

Did I mention that organization is NOT my thing? We are making progress over here at Team Alexander though. Only a few more days baby Abe..........

Labels: Red Letter Campaign-Adoption Journal | 19 comments

Sunday, August 17, 2008

4 days

I simply can not wait to walk through that door and have my boy placed in my arms! Sweet Abe, we are coming soon. :)

Labels: Red Letter Campaign-Adoption Journal | 16 comments

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Happy Birthday Issy!!

My precious Isabelle is 7 years old today! Hard to imagine. She is a delight to all of us and ready to lose her baby status here at Team Alexander. We love you. :)

One week until take-off!!

20 comments

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

tired

I am so tired, and not from what you would think!! These Olympics are killing me- I can't get enough. We are staying up way too late every night and not getting nearly enough done. I have always tended to procrastinate a bit, and it appears that this will be no exception. I do work better under pressure, unlike some of the athletes that we have been watching. :(

I love all of the background stories on the athletes and the dedication that they each have for their sport!! They each work so hard and sacrifice so much and it all comes down to their event. Great t.v viewing for Team Alexander.

I am off to run some more errands and will prayerfully get a good nights sleep. Michael Phelps is taking the night, off so I think we will too!

10 comments

Sunday, August 10, 2008

cup overflowing

Our church family and friends are amazing!! We spent much of the weekend going through donations and trying to figure out the best way to pack and get them to Ethiopia!!

We have turned our dining room into the central packing station. :)

Any advice?

Labels: Red Letter Campaign-Adoption Journal | 18 comments

Friday, August 8, 2008

Team Ethiopia

We love the Hausam family! Look what we got in the mail today-- thank you for the thoughtful gift. We will wear them with pride. :)

We are packing like crazy. Trying to get a family of 6 ready for a trip to Ethiopia, and gathering as much humanitarian aid as possible, is work--- but ohhhhh so worth it! :)

Abe, we are coming little man.

Labels: Red Letter Campaign-Adoption Journal | 10 comments

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

more pics-updated*

*This pic is just to here b/c it is my kids on the beach :) - the "more pics" are at the Hausams site! Lori pointed out that it was a tease to only have one picture and title it "more pics". I can see her point, I think she may be tired too, she leaves for Ethiopia tomorrow!! :)

Laurie has two great slideshows on her blog-- click here to check them out!!

What a bonus- she encourages me to love Jesus and she takes great pics!! Michael, you did a good job too. :)

10 comments

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

2 weeks

The blog union was amazing! It was incredible to look around and see many little Ethiopian beauties everywhere. I loved meeting new people and hanging out with friends. What a joy. The weekend went by really quickly and now we are back home and have about 2 weeks to pull everything together!!

Here are a few pics from lovely California. (I don't have many on my camera and am waiting to get pics from others) The kids are seriously questioning why we live in Texas as it was 107 when we got off the plane. :)

Pam, thank you for being an amazingly gracious hostess to our crew!! It felt like home in many ways being with your crew. :)