From Ethiopia to China
Well, if you read our last blog entry, you know things have been a bit hectic around here lately. I want to write a “real” post sometime soon to fill you in on our adventures, but I’ve promised myself to stay away from the blog until I finish my latest freelance project.
(Note: Yes, I realize I am breaking my own rule while writing this. See what astounding willpower I have?)
But I did want to share a little info about our Ethiopia adoption process:
#1. There have been several Bethany staff members visiting Ethiopia in the last few weeks. We haven’t heard a lot of details about thier trip yet, but it’s good news to hear that our agency is making strides to develop the Ethiopia program.
#2. Last week, Bethany received four more referrals for families. And five other families received court dates (which means they’ll be travelling to pick up their kids very soon!) This is exciting to us because it means the Ethiopia program continues to roll forward, and our name gets just a little higher on the list! Please keep all these families in your prayers.
Now, since we’ve been blog delinquents lately, I thought I’d at least point you to an alternative source of entertainment. Our Bethany caseworker is on a business trip to China, evaluating some adoption-related issues there. She’s been been blogging about her experience here, so check it out sometime. It’s fun to hear about Chinese culture and read about children meeting their forever families for the first time!
Where are the Tols?
So, yeah, this blog has been quiet for a while. And we’re sure you’re in withdrawal from our family wit and obviously talented storytelling ability. (I’m guessing, however you’re not missing our humility. Ahem.)
Rest assured, we’re around. We just have, you know, stuff going on. Like work. And Church. And making sure Noah learns the finer points of human interaction, like it’s not nice to steal toys from people younger than you in nursery.
And raking leaves. Picking apples at Crane’s Apple Orchard and enjoying some of their fine, fine apple donuts. Creating soon-to-be award winning websites. Or at least websites… 
Freelance projects. Conducting training with 9 people in four countries in our socks. Small group for church. Youth Group for church. A funeral. Watching airplanes take off.
Making sure Amy crushes the fantasy football competition. Alden, we’re looking at you.. Wednesday night stuff at church. Continually filling a tire with a small leak that still has good tread. Going through the Holland Tunnel. (No, the one by the airport, not Tunnel Park. Thank you very much.) Playing kickball with the youth group kids. (That’s Noah, if you’re curious. …ok, and a little Brian, too)
Baking cookies. Going to the ER at 1:30am and watching back-to-back-to-back “Sanford and Son” reruns. Best. Theme Song. Ever.
Preparing for the last Gospelcom Conference. Writing spec chapters for a book about Hebrew and Greek words. Remodeling a bathroom. Repairing tires that get punctured while driving to airports to watch planes take off. No, it’s a different tire. Yes, it’s equally annoying. Watching youth group kids make profession of faith.
Watching the debates. You betcha! Meeting Jason and Steph’s new dog via Skype.
Playing Cars. Preparing to be an aunt, uncle and cousin for the third-time. Actually, there’s not too much to that one…. Celebrating 80 years of live with Grandpa and Grandma TerVeen. Enjoying the 2nd season of Mad Men. Don Draper, who are you? Preparing for two Youth Worker Conventions and two trips to Chicago.
Watching Curious George on the TiVo. Memorizing Curious George, whether we like it or not.
And, last but not least, winning the “Best Post” award in the extremely difficult and crowded “Obligatory, Too Busy To Blog, Blog Post” category.