Introducing......

Zahra Reign Shubin
(she does have one more name but we're waiting until we're home to publicly share that.)

Orphan NO MORE!!
(thank you Nina Mullins for this family photo)

Amazingly awesome feeling. Two days after being court "approved" (still not sure why it was worded that way) we have our mowa letter and preparations are being made for our submission to embassy. We are keeping busy with friends here, ministries, and just enjoying one anothers company. We are hoping things are processed quickly and we can stay in country to complete the process and bring Zahra home.

Please continue to pray that things go smoothly and we are able to have everything processed quickly. THANK YOU!

For those that have asked, YES I'm still working. We have a little routine and I've been able to continue being a travel agent from here. A HUGE thank you to my clients for their patience and understanding. Email me if you have any questions, I have amazing stateside support! We are SO excited to get to meet some of you!

We've Held Her Hand.

I've meant to update sooner but it's been a bit of a whirlwind here. We met our precious girl. Words can't express what that moment was like. She is a petite little bitty, so sweet, compliant, shy, and loving. Initially she was nervous around us, honestly that was a really good sign in our minds. By the second visit she'd warmed up a bit and by the third visit she wasn't rigid when we held her. She melted into her daddy's arms, looks at him with such incredible eyes, I've prayed for months that she'd love her daddy. We're off to a good start. :) Here's a few wee pictures. :)




We went to court on Monday - what a process. The room was full of birth families, I picked out who went with us immediately. That was tough. My heart was pounding, I was full of emotion and then it was our turn. The judge is beautiful, quiet, and direct. She asked us a series of yes or no questions and then said we were approved, however the mowa letter wasn't there so we'd have to wait for that. Essentially we can't go to embassy without that paper so we wait. Depending on what happens over the course of the next few days is whether or not we continue to wait hoping we get the letter quickly and can still make it through embassy and come home together. Its not looking good but we trust in a great big God.

Thank you all for covering us in prayer. We're doing well, trusting in our sovereign King, and excited to get our little girl home!

Also a great big shout out to my Gramma!
Happy Birthday From Addis Ababa!!!
We love you!

My Husband on Adoption.

My wife asked me to write a post about adoption from a dad’s perspective. I don’t read many blogs let alone write them, but for her I will.

When we first started talking about adoption four or five years ago I was completely against it. I was against having more kid’s period. The main reason for it; selfishness. I didn’t want another child to be
responsible for, to educate, to train, to nurture. That would mean more food I would have to buy, more clothes that will need to be purchased, vacations will now be more expensive, and the list just goes on and on. It came down to pure selfishness and greed.

While I was walking my job site one day, I was thinking about when Jesus confronted Peter after He was raised from the dead. Jesus asked, “Do you love me?” Peter said, “Yes!” “Then feed my sheep” Jesus replied. I started thinking that if Jesus asked me that how would I respond? What does it mean to feed my sheep? Combine that with the conversations Erica and I had been having about adoption; I was convicted. I was living in disobedience; I was hardening my heart to Gods call. In multiple places God commands us to take care of orphans and widows. Was I doing that? No, in fact I was doing the exact opposite. I was caring more about selfish desires then what God wanted. At that moment I repented and asked God to forgive me of those sins. It was then that I wrote an email to Erica telling her it was time to start the adoption process. Ten months later we were walking down the airport terminal in Phoenix as I carried a 3 year old boy in my arms. My son.

As I reflected on the process while Silas was running around the terminal in one of the many airports we had layovers in, one of the things I remember most vividly is the feeling that I almost missed this. I would have missed the blessing of being a dad again. I would have missed being a father to this little boy simply because I would rather be able to buy that bigger TV or go to Disney five times a year.

Through this journey God showed me what His love is, Greater love
has no one than this that someone lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13. That is surrendering all that you have to Him, which will include my idol of self. On the surface I gave the appearance of Holiness, not realizing I was lying to myself and everybody else around me.

God now has us on another journey, this one of faith. The first one was to break our hearts toward the plight of the orphan and convict us of our idol of self, this one has been a journey of faith. Total dependence. God is growing our faith in His power like only God can. God has faithfully provided all the funds for a second adoption.

On the eve of my departure to pick up our fifth child, this time a little girl, I reflect back on the past year and how God has strengthened my faith. My love for Him has grown deeper and wider, it is a mystery to me how God chooses to sanctify us, but I wouldn’t change it for the world and its possessions. Plus I get to be a father to another little child. That is what
adoption is about, God doesn’t need us to adopt these kids. It is the height of all arrogance to think we are doing this because God can’t. God doesn’t call us to adopt just to help the children but it is to sanctify us. Do you really think you are the best parent in the world? I know I screw up all the time in raising my kids already. Yet the same way God has adopted us, we are now reflecting what God did for us on a physical level. He is redeeming us and at the same time he gets to use us to be the tool to redeem our children. We now get to love on, nurture, and raise these children the same way God does us. It doesn’t matter if it’s a biological or adopted child, God gave you both.

For all you dads that might be on the fence in regard to adoption, I would encourage you to search your heart, truly do
some deep searching in why you are saying no. I would bet that 9 out 10 times it will have to do with sin. Mine was selfishness and greed; I don’t know what yours is but I do know that God commands us to do something. And I don’t think when God commanded that he
was thinking just send money and that’s good enough. Let God use you. Step out in faith. Tear down your idol, whatever it might be. Stop living in fear and do violence on that idol.

I want to say how thrilled I am that my sweet husband would take the time to give me his perspective on adoption in writing. I value his wisdom so much and am honored to be his wife.

Overwhelmingly Blessed.

Now that we are just five days away from meeting our daughter its suddenly becoming real. Yesterday it became even more real. Some of my closest friends threw me a shower in honor of Zahra. There is something unique and special about adoption showers, I love that our church makes such an effort to honor adopting families and their children. Such an incredible blessing. Walking into the shower I was met with the surprise of a dear friend and fellow blogger Kim and her daughter sweet Isabelle. She made the 3.5 hour drive to not only be there but kept it under wraps to surprise me and most of the other gals too. It made me all weepy. It was fabulous seeing her and her pictures of little L.

My church family is incredible and made me feel so special, Melissa did a beautiful devotion about adoption, she asked her kids' opinions on the correlation between that and what God has done for us. It was perfect and sweet, and exactly what I needed. Thank you friend.

Barbara was an amazing hostess, Lizzy took pictures and I can't wait to see them, the food was YUMMY, Dawn made fabulous dipped strawberries, and Rachel put together this beautiful video which completely surprised me, touched my heart, and made me bawl. Thank you to those of you that participated in making this day so special for me, a beautiful memory for Zahra, and the perfect encouragement for my heart. I feel so incredibly blessed and downright spoiled.

The original video has pictures of Zahra that of course can't be posted. Rachel changed them out to make it postable. (is that a word? If not it is now) :) Thank you friends for blessing me, for being a part of our journey and for loving our girl right along with us. May God be glorified!

All Kinds Of Crazy!!

That is my life right now.

We're a week away from departure and I've become a packing fool. I'm also working all the way up until we leave and even maintaining a bit of a schedule while in country to continue serving my clients. Just pray the internet stays up and the internet cards work well!

One of two shipments of shirts are in so we are shipping those out ASAP in the middle of the crazy. I also need to draw a winner for the African Quilt that was donated for our last facebook blitz! I will get that done, I just want to make sure I have all of the donors tallied properly. :)

In formula news we've been blown away by the donations and currently have over 100 lbs of formula that has either been purchased or donated! INCREDIBLE! THANK YOU all for the part you've played in bringing formula to these precious babies.

Not to forget, the elephant in the room - all the goings on in Ethiopia. Several people have asked how we're handling it and if we're worried. While this very possibly could affect us there really is no way to know. If our MOWA letter isn't there we obviously won't pass court. If by chance it is and everything goes smoothly we'll count it as a miracle and praise our heavenly Father for that miracle. We're choosing to rest in His perfect plan for us and for our daughter. None of this surprises our King.

I've watched over the past few days as people have ripped one another to shreds for their opinions on both sides of this debate. I wrote a bit about my thoughts here: http://thisshubinclan.blogspot.com/2011/03/adoption-ethics.html - ultimately the best solution is to give children homes that need them, to ensure children are adopted ethically and not taken from their parents. It is also imperative that children who are sick and need to be adopted are processed quickly so they can get the medical care they so desperately need. There are so many facets to this change, there needs to be changes made, no doubt about it but with those changes it shouldn't also cost precious lives in another area. Bottom line is we all need to be in prayer for the Ethiopian Government, for those working on making these changes and for the families and children affected on both sides. What we don't need is a bunch of mud slinging.

There are many who unfortunately hate adoption, we're under attack and satan wants nothing more then to see more suffering and fighting. This is a battle, these kids are worth fighting for, fighting on behalf of. ALL of them.

We covet your prayers as we ready for this trip, pray for our kids as they will be under the care of my amazing in-laws. Our kids are struggling with the reality that we'll be separated, nothing really prepares you for that until its a week out, then the emotions fly. The unknowns have added some concern in their lives. They understand yet its hard, they just want their sister home. Pray for Silas, this is all new for him and we can tell he's going to need some extra attention. Be praying for us on the night of the 17th and 20th, MOWA would be reviewing our stuff on the 18th and prayerfully they will write a favorable letter for our court date. We'll be going to court on the 21st.

This song below has been my hearts cry. Listen and be blessed.

Formula Drive for Drawn From Water!!!

As we prepare for our trip we have contacted a few ministries we are connected to. We've made a list of donation needs we are working on both locally and through this blog. When I talked with Levi at Drawn from Water he said they are in dire need for formula for their babies. The need is so desperate they are even willing to pay for whatever formula we bring. We don't want them to do that. We would LOVE to bless them with as much formula as we possibly can. These babies need the nutrients formula provides and even the cheapest formula here is still way better then what is available in Ethiopia. Formula is extremely expensive in Ethiopia and with so many babies in their care Drawn From Water is going through it like crazy. Levi said any formula will do, they are also in need of bottles, again the need is so great they are taking any type of bottles.

We need your help.

We need all of the formula or donations in by March 14th so we have time to purchase/pack/etc. There are many ways you can help. Do you have formula coupons? You can mail those to us and we'll use those along with some of the money donated to purchase formula. Do you have formula you don't need? You can mail it to us and we'll take it with us, this will need to happen ASAP so we get it in time. We have also set up a way for tax deductible donations to be made through our church. You can use paypal through this link: http://lifebridgechurchpinellas.com/online-giving on our church website, just be sure to note "formula" on your payments.

We've also set up a way here on the blog for you to "buy a can" or "Buy Bottles" and we'll take every penny and purchase formula and bottles! (there will be pictures as we pack!) :) If you want to give another amount just hit the donate button and note what you want the money to go towards. Also we have shirts left over - every penny from the shirts we sell in the next week will go towards purchasing formula. These babies are worth it! We can't wait to take some time and cuddle these sweet ones.

If you're not familiar with this ministry watch the video below.

"It Began with Bale" from Drawn From Water on Vimeo.

Adoption Ethics.

This past week has produced some news that has left the Ethiopian Adoption community in a state of shock. This article was mass posted on nearly every social outlet - http://www.voanews.com/english/news/africa/-Ethiopia-to-Cut-Foreign-Adoptions-by-Up-to-90-Percent-117411843.html

Initially I was horrified. Cutting Ethiopian adoption by 90%? Why? What in the world! Immediately I was concerned for our daughter waiting for us in Ethiopia. Concerned for our friends waiting for court dates, concerned for the families waiting for their referrals. Yet above all of that I know God is sovereign and I'm choosing to rest there.

In the past 24 hours I've been mulling over this news and the article above, the reality of the potential changes that could take place and I wonder about the reasons. Why would MOWA seem to think that such a drastic measure should be taken? Is it simply that they are understaffed and overworked? It seems that could be an easy fix. Is it more then that? Are they seeing an increase of cases where children are wrongfully taken from their birth families? Papers falsified? Corrupt agencies? Those are things that we can't ignore. We shouldn't ignore. Things that MUST be corrected even if it means it directly affects us.

I can't help but think about the birth families who have had their children wrongly taken. Who have thought they were leaving their kids for a couple hours only to return and find their children gone. Gone for good. Taken by an agency representative and put up for adoption. It happens folks. Corruption abounds, children are taken, and birth families are left completely shredded by the loss of their children. Adoption is NOT about taking children from families. Yes, unfortunately this really DOES happen. To live in denial of that fact is uneducated and simply unrealistic. I wish it was different, however its a reality that money causes corruption. Adoption has an amazingly beautiful side yet for some it also facilitates the devastating reality of baby/child trafficking. Why? The almighty dollar.

I can't shake the fact that no matter how much I want my daughter home even if this process takes longer because Ethiopia is trying to make adoption more ethical I'll take it. If it means more children will remain in their first families loved and cared for I'll take it. God designed families and it has never ever been David or I's desire to break up what God designed, we simply want to be available to be a family for a child that would otherwise not have one. We want to help not only adopt children in need but support keeping children in their first families whenever possible. We absolutely do NOT support unethical adoption and feel that the agencies operating in this manner need to be shut down.

I think at times it is easy to forget about these things as we get caught up in the adoption world and the excitement of welcoming our children home. There are two sides to adoption and one side is heart breaking, gut wrenching, and at times horrifying. The decision to give your child up is a choice I wish no mother or father would ever have to make. To ensure that the process is done ethically and not because of a need for money, feeling there is no other choice is a must. At times giving a child up for adoption is the best most selfless choice a parent can make and I respect that. My concern is that adoption has been made into a money making scheme because of the corruption that goes along with the demand for healthy infants. The reality that there are MORE unhealthy infants and older children in DESPERATE need of families is so overwhelming, yet there are far fewer families willing to adopt those children. Now, please don't get me wrong, I'm not judging those adopting a baby, there is still a need it just shadows in comparison to the need for adoptive parents for older children and unhealthy infants.

The reality is the need for families to adopt older children is HUGE. There are children sitting in orphanages waiting for a family. Some have been there for YEARS. A child over 3 or 4 is considered "old" and dare I say possibly even "unwanted" by most. When we first heard this during Silas' adoption we were completely broken. It was that reality that caused us to say YES to a FABULOUS, AMAZING, and INCREDIBLE three year old boy. This time we figured three was a good age but knowing we were open to older we found our precious daughter on our agencies waiting child list. A FOUR YEAR OLD on a waiting child list. Are you kidding me?! There is currently another precious 4 year old WAITING on that same list. These are healthy 4 year old children just WAITING for a mommy and daddy.

My challenge is that while we're all waiting and watching to see how MOWA will proceed in the future in regard to Ethiopian adoptions maybe we need to look and see how we can help to STOP unethical adoptions and HELP some of the children already waiting. With hundreds of people waiting for healthy infants maybe part of the issue is the high demand. I know this may not be a popular post and I'm not trying to upset anyone I'm speaking from the heart as one who initially requested a 10-20 month old boy in our first adoption because I was scared of the issues that could come with an older child. Truth is after lots of research adoption is work no matter what the age is. Anything can happen at any age. I LOVE toddler/older child adoption, I wouldn't trade it for anything. I just know that ethical adoption in Ethiopia is a must and we all have a part to play in that. What that looks like for each of us I'm not sure.


No matter what happens I know that God is on His throne, this doesn't surprise Him one bit, He cares for His children and He cares for us. He is sovereign and so much bigger then any government agency. Will you join me in praying this week as MOWA and the courts meet to discuss these potential changes. Our God is faithful and able to move even the biggest mountains.

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
"The Lord is my portion," says my soul,
"therefore I will hope in him."
Lamentations 3:22-24

FUNDED!!

It makes me all teary just typing that. Between yesterdays facebook-a-thon and funds that have been promised we're funded. Words escape me. All I can do is praise my King. Thank him for His provision, His goodness, His grace, His mercy, His perfect care for His children. Its been an incredible ride. When we first started I remember feeling overwhelmed and completely uncertain of how this could happen. Raising $30,000 is a HUGE task yet God in His faithfulness kept reminding me that He's already done it, I'm just along for the ride. HE HAS DONE IT!

David and I were reflecting a bit on our journey. Just 3 days shy of one year ago David said; "Lets go get our daughter" - to be at this place just a year later is overwhelming. I believe now more then ever that GOD FUNDS WHAT HE FAVORS!!! I've said it before, I'm pretty sure my sweet friend Susanne coined that phrase and I can now say it without a shadow of a doubt, I've experienced it!

God has used so many of you in HUGE ways, you are all a part of this story God is writing, we're so blessed by each and every one of you. The notes of encouragement, the financial support, the prayers, all of it has meant so much to us. We can't wait to share this incredible story with Zahra someday. She is so loved, we are so blessed that God has called us to be her parents. He is faithful.

We also want to say a great big HUGE THANK YOU to our Lifesong Family. This organization has been SUCH a blessing to us. They've not only been a financial support but they have cheered us from the side lines, prayed for us, and we are so grateful.

This weekend we're enjoying some much needed R&R/family time with our kids before we leave for Africa. A huge thanks to my inlaws for the use of their time share!

I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever. ~Psalm 86:12

Face-Book-A-Thon!

We're in the final stages of fund raising and a few precious friends have been waiting for this moment. The final leg, the last round, the remaining lap. Yes, we're close. SO SO close. So close in fact we're trusting that in the next 48 hours God is going to raise the remaining funds needed so that we can just focus on getting everything done around here in preparation to leave. We've watched the Lord move in the hearts of His people. In the last week we've gotten phone calls to this end, ways that God has prompted the hearts of His people and then provided exactly the amount of money He's asked them to give towards our adoption. If that's not God I don't know what is. May He be glorified!! He funds what He favors, He provides for His children. He doesn't leave them as orphans He calls people to step up and be a family for His children. We are so blessed that He's called us.

Yesterday morning when we started this we were still $2800 short. Just 12 hours after posting we had hit the 1/2 way mark. This is a 48 hour fund raiser to raise the remaining amount. That amount now sits at $1300. Based on what has already been raised if 13 people give $100 we'll be done. If 65 (about 1/16th of my facebook friends) people donate $20 we'll be funded. That's it. You can use the donate button here on the blog or if you'd like a tax deductible option you can donate through lifesong at the link below - just be sure to note "Shubin Adoption"

http://www.lifesongfororphans.org/donation.html

We do still have a few puzzle pieces left as well. If you want your name or a verse or anything else you'd like on our puzzle just note your donation and we'll add it.

PLUS! Another quilt was recently donated by a precious family to help with our fund raising and this seems like the perfect time to use it. Its beautiful! The African themed fabric is awesome and the giraffes are perfect! For every donation we'll put your name in for a chance to win. Check out the pictures and description below. (yes this means everyone that has already donated will also be added to the drawing)




Thank you for being a part of our story, we're almost there!

One T-Shirt At A Time!

Little by little, shirt by shirt. Its bittersweet to say that we are waiting on our final order before we meet our daughter. God has used these shirts to help bring our sweet girl home. Incredible. I have absolutely loved designing shirts, selling shirts, and seeing people wearing our shirts. Such an amazing blessing to see people supporting us, our family, spreading the word about adoption, the need, and helping us bring Zahra home. From the bottom of our hearts. Thank you.


The last T-Shirt pre-order is printing and we should have them all in by the beginning of next week. We'll get them shipped out ASAP!

For fun I thought I'd compile some stats. We've sold 582 shirts since the beginning of this adoption. We've sold two dozen hats and about 80 necklaces. All to help bring Zahra home! God has worked through you to even make this possible.

I want to encourage those of you struggling in the midst of your fund raising, or maybe you're just not sure you can afford adoption but you know God is calling you. Let me just say -
HE FUNDS WHAT HE FAVORS!!

We're just over $3,000 away from being done with fund raising. While this portion of the process is coming to a close, the adoption process for our family is really just beginning. Zahra will soon learn how to function in a family, she will learn to let us care for her, and most importantly she will learn the love of her heavenly Father in a tangible way. We are honored and blessed to be at this point. Blessed that God has called us here.

We're going to do one final blitz to raise the remaining funds - we'll detail that shortly. THANK YOU for the continued love and support! We're coming soon little one!

A New Look & A Winner!

I've been wanting to redo my blog for a long time. I'm picky so I always feel bad for whoever has to deal with me. When I talked to Becky she said she's dealt with lots of picky and being a perfectionist herself she gets it. She's been fabulous to work with. There's still a little dust settling and a few tweaks to be made but I love love love what she's done! THANK YOU Becky! If you're in need of a blog redo go check out Becky's work, all the proceeds go to a great cause! :)

I know that's not really why you're reading - you REALLY want to know who won the quilt. This quilt has brought in $870!! THANK YOU to each and every one of you that participated in this! We're so incredibly blessed and I know Sarah is too. She had a secret goal that the quilt would raise $500. You went above and beyond in that! We are so blessed!

THANK YOU!

Yes, I'm a bit late, my day got the best of me yesterday. :) I know you really just want to know who won this beautiful quilt.
We video taped it and you'll have to watch the short clip below to find out! :) Congratulations to the winner!!! :)