MOM AND DAD TO ETHIOPIA

Twenty three (23) days and counting before we land in Ethiopia! We are so excited to meet our newest children: Lila Asnakech and Kaleb Matthew. Have you ever seen two more precious children in your life?

This week we've arranged for oral typhoid and t-dap shots, started re-childproofing our home, added a new queen size bed for Quin and Lila to share, received three new dressers to hold all of the wonderful children's clothes (thank you so much to so many friends!), lined up a fun-filled weekend of additional paperwork and confirmed plane flights for Holly, Lila, Kaleb and me.

How is the rest of the Murdock clan doing?

Alexandria just graduated from Covenant Day School and will be attending Gardner Webb University this Fall on an academic scholarship, Mycah just finished 10th grade and celebrated her final awards night at Arborbrook Christian Academy, Conor just finished 7th grade and is coming home from New Life Camp in Raleigh and Quin is so excited to be a "big" sister having just turned 5 years old!(how time flies!!)

We are so blessed to have a full house of some amazing kids, and the fun is just beginning again. From 18 years old to 1 year old, we are so thankful for the richness each of our children add to our lives.

Thanks for your ongoing prayers. Praise God for His faithfulness!

The Murdocks
Pat, Holly, Alexandria, Mycah, Conor, Quin, Lila and Kaleb

INTRODUCING LILA AND KALEB

Today the authorities in Ethiopia approved our adoption paperwork for Lila (2+) and Kaleb (1+), so we can now send pictures!!!

Our tentative court date is June 30, which would have Holly and I travel to Africa during the week of June 22 to bring our children home during the week of June 29.

Now begins the final details of booking airflights, securing needed vaccines, making in-country arrangements, recruiting family to stay with our other children while we travel and a number of other "to do's".

Thank you so much for your ongoing prayers for our family and especially for our new children.

We praise God for His goodness and for those who have supported us along this journey!!!

With Love,

The Murdocks

COURT DATE

Our court date in Ethiopia has been set for May!!

If we are fortunate to have our case pass during the first hearing (about 50% do), then Holly and I will travel to Africa to bring Kaleb and Lila home 6 - 10 weeks later. (July/August timeframe)

We receive regular medical reports and picture updates of our newest children. Not that we are partial or anything, but we believe that Kaleb and Lila must be the most beautiful children in all of Ethiopia.

They both appear to be receiving lots of love and nutrition at the orphanage and we are so thankful to God for his care and provision.

Can't wait to share pictures with you. Please continue to pray for the protection and care for Kaleb and Lila.

With Love,

The Murdocks

Want to help care for orphans in Ethiopia and pick up a cool shirt?

Visit: http://www.ahopestore.org/

AND THEN AGAIN...

We have wonderful news! Last night we received a call from our case worker at Christian World Adoption letting us know that they have matched us with a little 1 year old boy and a 2 year old girl.

Because of the cautious nature of referrals and adoptions in Ethiopia, we are unable to post pictures for now...but trust us that they are so precious.

Thank you for continuing to pray for our children's protection, for their health and for their hearts as they prepare for a signficant transition.

We will keep you updated and one day be excited to introduce you to our newest family members.

We are so thankful for each of you.

MATCHING GIFT

In December our family was blessed by a Matching Gift award of $3,000 from the James Fund (a Family Christian Store Foundation). We shared this opportunity with our friends and family, and the response was incredible! Not only was the match met, but the total raised to date is over $7,400 (including the match).

Our adoption paperwork (dossier) is now in Africa and we are waiting patiently for "the call" that will tell us our family has been matched with our potential children. This can be some of the most trying time for adopting parents due to the fact that you've completed all that you can, and now you just have to wait. Timeframes can be effected by the caseload of your agency, unforeseen changes in the country's adoption policies and even weather changes (example: Monsoon season) that may close adoption offices for a period of time. 

In the meantime, we will plan to get certain shots or vaccinations that are recommended for those traveling into Ethiopia, continue to talk about names (we are considering Lila as a potential girl's name) and stay busy with everyday life stuff.

Alexandria is narrowing her college choices. Mycah is loving her first year at Arborbrook. Conor continues to serve and grow as part of the e-Kidz ministry at Elevation, and Quin keeps us on our toes as our highly inquisitive and high energy four year old!

We are still hoping to travel this Summer to bring our new children home. Thank you again for your continued prayers and support! 

ADVENT CONSPIRACY

As you prepare for the celebration of Jesus' birthday, please take 3 minutes to watch the following video.

To learn more, go to Advent Conspiracy.

Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas from the Murdock Family

HOW CAN WE MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

As God has blessed our family with compassion for orphans, He has called us to take action.

So how can we as the body of Christ make a difference in the lives of orphans?

Here are a few ideas:

1. PRAY. First and foremost, pray to our Father in Heaven to raise up an army of concerned believers who will unite together each in their way to care for the 143 million orphans throughout the world.

2. EXPLORE. Sites like Cry of the Orphan , 5 for 50 to learn what is already being done and how you and your family can participate.

3. SUPPORT. Challenge your church, family and friends to Re-Think the way they purchase products for everyday use, as well as birthday gifts and Christmas presents. Look for organizations whose profits help support widows, orphans and the "poorest of the poor" in their need. Here are a few to help get you started:

Samaritan's Purse (Christmas Catalog)

Zao Water (Water for the Thirsty)

Saints Coffee (Buy A Pound of Coffee, Feed an Orphan for a Month)

Trade As One (Change lives with everything you buy)

AHOPE (100% proceeds to Ethiopian Orphans)

From HIV to Home (Offers many ways to support HIV Orphans)

The 410 Bridge (Building Communities of Hope)

Gift of the Gospel (Give the Ultimate Gift of Eternity)

4. START. Consider starting an Orphan Ministry at your church. Here's a helpful site with examples of what other churches have done, and a list of organizations that can help you get started.

Help for Starting a Church Orphan Ministry

5. ADOPT. If you or someone you know is feeling led to explore the possibility of adoption (either domestically or internationally), pray with them, come along side them and introduce them to the community of Christian organizations who are practicing the call made to us all in James 1:27. Our family would be glad to help answer questions or assist in any way we can. Here's an great site that can also help get you started.

How to Adopt

May the Lord richly bless your service as you prayerfully consider how you and your family CAN make a difference!


(ABOVE PICTURE OF A TYPICAL HOME IN ETHIOPIA WHERE OUR SOON TO BE CHILDREN MAY HAVE LIVED BEFORE BECOMING ORPHANS)