Today was a whirlwind here and both children were champs. The people here are hilarious; no one thinks it is impolite to stare so people just stare at us all day long. We went to the immigration office at 8:30 with our representative and he knew so many people there. Our guest house prayed for us this morning that the director would have favor on us and allow us to get the passport the same day so that we could get his medical test and then go to the embassy tomorrow for the visa. He approved it!!! We got the passport at 4 pm and went to the doctor for his evaluation. So at 8 am tomorrow we head to the embassy. Our representative again said this was impossible; he has never got a passport the same day. It takes 4 days and he has gotten it in 3 days. We watched him appeal for us and the director just signed it and pointed him in the direction to get it printed. It felt so much like all the bible stories where God just turns someones heart and shows favor to his people. We are so grateful for this. Otherwise we would be here until at least Tuesday.
It takes a few weeks to get an embassy date, but if you remember from our other posts, when we went for Sydney, we met a man who said just show up and he would remember us and process it the same day. So let's pray that he is not sick and that we can find him so we can get on our flight tomorrow night. We get to Atlanta on KLM at 1:45 and after custom, probably 3 pm Friday.
Andrew has been hilarious today. He hasn't ever been told no, so as you can imagine today was pretty tough. Tantrum after tantrum. Everything is fascinating for him and he doesn't understand that when we take something he gets it back. Pray for our flights that the tantrums will cease and that we don't have any explosive diarrhea! (as we did today... we threw away all his clothes!)
We can't wait for you all to meet our little ones and again, cannot thank you enough for praying us home. If you have been following the posts, i would love for you to leave a comment so we can print it for their baby books to see how many people were praying for them. I have so many of your emails that I will cherish for so long.
12 comments:
Dearest Martha and Andy, We have, indeed, been following your journey through your blogs. It has been so exciting to see God's hand in everything that you have been through. He is so awesome. We are so excited for all of you. Sydney and Andrew are so beautiful and they are so blessed to have you as their parents. Just think, if God has worked this miracle to bring them into your lives...what else does He have in store for your entire family? what an exciting realization!
Just know that our family has been praying for all of you and it has been a privilege!
In Him Who Cares for us so much,
love,
Beth, Steve, Taylor and Ryan Smith
Jeremiah 29:11
We are thrilled for all of you and can't wait to meet our newest family members! What an incredible story you already have to tell and who can imagine what adventures are in store? We love you and will continue to keep you in our thoughts and prayers. Jon, Christy, Wes & Ellie
I have been following and have told anyone who will listen of God's miracles through your journey! How he has made the impossible possible!
As I read your blog today this is the chorus that started running through my head:
How great is our God,
sing with me
How great is our God,
and all will see
How great, How great
Is our God
May God bless the rest of your time there and your journey home.
Love,
Amy Coffee
We have been crying, praying and singing along side you and we hope you can feel it. We are so excited that you have seen God move mountains, what a wonderful testimony to His greatness. We cannot wait to meet your newest additions. I cannot even imagine what the last few months, let alone the last few weeks have been like for you. May God continue to bless you abundantly and be with you as you transition back here.
Love, Kelly, Matt, Jacob, Kyle & Andrew Gordon
What wonderful news. Krista and I have been following your adventures and praying for all of you. Its been amazing to see each obstacle disappear. Our prayers will continue as you get home and get settled into your new life.
Chris and Krista Rayburn
Andy and Martha - What an incredible story this has been to be a part of and watch unfold! We have heard it over and over: Trust in the Lord your God with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Acknowledge Him in ALL of your ways and He will make your path straight. I know that at times this has not been easy, but even in the face of the most difficult trials, your faith and trust has been unwaivering. It just goes to show that when we have truly have faith like a child and are open to God's hand in our lives, He can and will do miraculous things! I can't wait to meet my newest niece and nephew and shower them both with love. I will continue to pray for you and your family and know that God only has even greater things in store for all of you.
All my Love,
Caroline
Martha and Andy,
WOW! I have followed your blog and look to see if it's been updated daily. You have brought me to tears with every entry and it's been an honor to pray for you and Sydney and Andrew. Your faith is amazing and warms my heart and teaches me with every new post. Thank you so much for sharing your journey. I can't wait to meet your new little ones!
Love, Shelley
To the entire Cook Family, I can't tell you what a blessing it is to know you and watch your miracle unfold. God has your whole family in His hands.
I seem to be a little preoccupied at school, as you are in my thoughts and prayers constantly. I check your blog several times a day, hoping to read about the next path God is taking you to.
God's continued blessings and good fortune until you arrive home.
Through Him ALL things are possible.
"Delight thyself also in the Lord; and He shall give you the desires of your heart."
Your friend in Christ, Sylvia
Bobby, Thomas, Andrew and Sydney,
Wow! What an amazing gift to be able to witness the story of your family and to pray for you. We have prayed for you all, read updates that your parents have written about their journey to Ethiopia, and looked at all of your pictures on the computer with tears of joy in our eyes! You are all beautiful, created just as you are by God, and we cannot wait to see the first picture of the four of you together...what a joy that will be!
Through Christ, ALL things are possible. Thank you for sharing a first-hand account of God's grace, power and love with us all.
With love,
Jay, Lesley, Mitchell and Ashley Gentry
Sweet Cook Family,
What a joy to know you are finally on your way home! The hearts of so many people have been with you on your journey to Africa and will remain with you as you travel home and begin life with four children.
The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord lift His countenance upon you. The Lord make His face to shine upon you and give you peace. The Lord be gracious unto you.
There are special times ahead! We are so grateful for your honesty and faith along the way.
Love,
The Guess Family (Doug, Karen, Jonathan, Carson, and Jack)
It's Friday at 3 pm and I am so praying that you have touched down in Atlanta knowing that you can come home to your older two children bringing with you God's miracles, your younger two children. I pray it is a blessed reunion. Welcome home, good and faithful servants!
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