on the road to Ethiopia!

Hi my name is Elli I will be blogging for my Mom this week while she is in Ethiopia. She and my Dad will be landing in Ethiopia about 2:00 North Dakota time. They will get to meet the kids on Wednesday. There court date is not until friday, so they get a few days just hanging out with the kids. Please pray that they will pass court the first time and that there would be no delays. Mike and Stacy Sweeney

Ready to roll

Mike is actually on his way to Billings to catch the plane. This travel has come so very quickly, I hope we got everything done that we needed to..

Last night some dear friends came over and prayed for us. I have to admit, even though I know, "Perfect love casts out fear," I have been a little fearful, in leaving my other kids here, while we travel half way across the world. Since their prayers, I have felt nothing but peace. I am so thankful for the words and prayers shared with us last night. Larsens and Goldades, you have no idea how much you ministered to us. We are so appreciative.

I've got a bit of last minute cleaning to do before I leave in the morning and then look forward to seeing Mike in Addis...

For my kids here- I am so proud of you!!!

Prayer requests:
1. For Layne and Gavin's hearts. They are literally breaking as we prepare to be away from them. I pray that they would learn to lean on Christ this week and really feel his love in their lives.

2. For E, J and K: That they would continue to have the upbeat attitudes that they already have.

3. For my friends watching my kids this week: You are such a gift to us and we so appreciate the love you lavish on our children.

4. For our kids in ET: That their hearts would be open to accepting the love of a Mom and a Dad.


Blessings!!

My stateside kids..

Janika, Kael and Ellison will be 12 this next Saturday- I can't believe it! Their love for their new brothers and sisters amazes me- their generosity amazes me. This morning, we took Elli to Wal-mart. She has been saving money for a year for donations to orphans (all of the other kids donated a little too). This morning, she spent $175 on new shoes for Robel's street kids, so they might have good protection for their feet, as they go through life without a Mom and Dad. She also bought new shirts, jumpropes, underwear and socks. When we got home, all of my kids helped load them in tubs to take with us on Monday. They all had great joy on their faces, as they packed things for other kids--not thinking about themselves in the process.
I know that leaving them will be so tough, yet, they are all so helpful around the house and with Layne and Gavin, that my mind is at peace. I am so proud that these three kids are our kids. They have blessed us so much and taught us so much about love and generosity.

Happy early birthday Kael,Janika and Elli!! Your Daddy and I love you very much!

Layne and Gavin have been drawing pictures for their new brothers and sisters all week. It will be so fun to take the pictures to them and explain them to our kids in ET. These two little ones bring such joy to our lives, constantly smiling and laughing together. L and G- your Daddy and I love you very much too!! We can't wait for us all to be together soon!

Travel soon!!!

Mike and I are thankful to say that our kids here are on the mend. We are so thankful that Bert is staying with them while we're gone. I can rest easy on the trip knowing she has years of medical background as a nurse, mom and grandma.

We both fly out Monday and will meet our kids on Weds. Unfortunately, we will only be able to see them for three days before we head home. Hopefully, though, the second trip will come quickly and they can all come home very soon.

I'm sad to say that I won't be here for Elli, Kael and Janika's birthday next Saturday. We will plan a celebration when we get home, but being away from them on their special day will be tough. They don't even seem to care, though, as they're so excited for us to keep moving towards bringing their brothers and sisters home. I would love it if they could get inundated with birthday wishes (hint, hint) on July 3!!
Our prayer requests for the next week:

1. Safe travel for both Mike and myself
2. Preparing our children's hearts to meet us on Weds.
3. The judge will pass our case the first time Friday, July 2.
4. Our kids at home will feel well loved and at peace while we're gone.
5. All of our kids will experience good health during these transition times.
6. This one is very personal- please pray that Mike and I will extend grace to those who make rude or unwarranted comments about our family. This is an area where I feel I need to be covered with prayer. We view children as a huge blessing, not a burden or a handful and it is hard sometimes to not respond in the flesh when comments are directed towards us.

Calling all prayer warriors

We always expect some issues when we are moving forward in the direction that we've been called. ALL of my kids except Gavin here are sick. We need an army of prayer warriors to carry us to Ethiopia, to intercede on behalf of our kids here and cover them while we're gone. We need that same army to cover our kids in Ethiopia and prepare them for meeting us.

Thank you!!

Court Date next week!!

I got back from Sheridan and found out about 10 minutes later that we leave for Ethiopia this weekend!! Our court date is Friday July 2. We will most likely leave Sunday or Monday, spend a few days with our kids before court. We can then fly out after court Friday night...I'll be busy buying plane tickets tomorrow morning and finalizing our kids' plans for the week. We are excited and a little shocked..We would appreciate your prayers.

Hot

I just read the best quote on Facebook. It was written by a fellow adoptive Mom who said that her husband was hot for giving up the things of this world, money, prestige, comfort, safety, to become a father to the fatherless. I don't think I could have written it any better.
I've known Mike since the 5th grade..I've always considered him cute- then as we went through high school with our lockers only 2 apart, I thought he was more than cute...Then, we started dating and got married. I really didn't think my feelings could grow any stronger towards him, until he became a Daddy, and what an awesome Daddy he was!! Then, he knocked my socks off again when he let God break his heart for the orphan.. He became the father to the Fatherless...He became a Daddy to 6 more kids who needed the love of a Daddy - a protector, a provider, a comforter, an ear, a spiritual leader.. I see all of my kids thrive with the love of a Daddy, who continually affirms them, continually showers them with the affection only a Daddy can give.
Somebody close to me this weekend referred to a family who had two children biologically and one by adoption. He referred to the two biological children as their own children...I am so thankful that my husband sees all of our kids as his own. He is their Daddy- I may be biased but I think this ranks him right up there with the hottest men on the planet.