Mike Rusch

Matthew 18:5

“Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me”

These are the key blog postings from our adoption journey…

Deciding & Applying (June ‘08)

• We are adopting!

The Unbelievable Saints that Guided us through this Journey

Waiting for Referral (July ‘08 to Aug ‘09)

• Amos Story…Aaron Ivey
• Conley’s few words for baby sister
• READY
• 40 Weeks!  Oh my!
• Friday is so far away…

Referral (Sept ‘09)

• THE PHONE RANG!!!
• A name and a face…
• Our Referral (was posted after court date)
• Details!!!

Waiting for Court Date (Sept ‘09 to Dec ‘09)

• Still No Court Date
• We have a Court Date!  OH HAPPY DAY!!!
• waiting with a shovel
• Wow this wait is hard
• any time now…
• Court Date Approved!

Waiting to Travel (Dec ‘09 to Jan ‘10)

• …video from a world away
• paperwork
• …169 hours and 13 minutes from this moment

Ethiopia & Back (Jan ‘10)

• Packing
• …Preparing - part 1 of 6
• …Going - part 2 of 6
• Ethiopia…Day 1 thoughts
• Ethiopia…Day 2 thoughts
• …Being - part 3 of 6
• Ethiopia…Day 3 thoughts
• Ethiopia…Day 4 thoughts
• …Being - part 4 of 6
• (meanwhile back home)
• Ethiopia…Day 5 thoughts
• Ethiopia…Day 6 thoughts
• …Returning (pictures)
• …Home - part 6 of 6

Life (Feb ‘10 and on)

• …where to begin to say thank you?
• On my shoulders…
• A moment of peace & quiet
• Sosi

Remaining (from our Jan ‘10 trip)

• the orphan’s coloring book
• Heaven’s Orphanage
• …Being - part 5 of 6
  

Return (someday)

• …trying to find a way to return

Want to connect with other adoptive families and people who are deeply invested in orphan care?

• in NW Arkansas at NWAAdoptions.com
• Gladney Family Associations (open to all regardless of adoption agency used)

Work in Ethiopia worth supporting…

• The Kidmia Foundation