Dear Family and Friends:                                                                           

We would like to introduce you to a very special little person, Anthony! He is from China and living in a foster group home right now. He has the cutest cheeks and loves trucks at 4 years old. He is deaf and has MILD Cerebral Palsy(most likely does not though). We are ready to get him home to love on, teach him sign language, and catching up on health and education needs that can only be done in a family! We were introduced to him through the same adoption agency we worked with to go to Ethiopia.

Many of you supported and prayed for us through the challenges as we pursued building a family and adopting. We are so grateful for the family God has given us. We continue to have a heart for kids and desire to bring this little guy home(the older boys already have plans for adding a bunk bed for Anthony and Grant asking his teacher about putting up a sign language chart in his classroom!)

So we mentioned support (oh so fun to talk about;) We need you! There is much to do and fund raising is a big part. As we all know it takes money to do pretty much everything and unfortunately adoption is no exception. So we are in the process of raising funds. We would LOVE to have you join us in this adoption journey!

Our goal is $38,000 to bring him home- we cannot even imagine that much money could be provided but we trust God will provide! This is what the fees add up to which includes: Homestudy fee, fingerprinting, Dossier, post adoption fees, airfare, etc.

Please pray with faith that God would move mountains to bring our son home!

Please contact us if you have any questions, need alternative methods of contribution, or would just like to chat. We would absolutely love to hear from each and every one of you!

Thank you for taking the time to let us share our journey with you.

Sincerely,

Scott, Nicole, Grant, Nyah, Jamie, Kaleb and ANTHONY

“I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for Me.” – Matthew 25:40

Scott’s cell: 616-250-5756, sjhuffman@gmail.com

Nicole’s cell: 616-334-5158, nkhuffman@gmail.com

Home address:      Our agency is: Children’s Hope Int

8111 Tanager LN

Rockford, MI 49341

A Glimpse into Anna's world...

A friend Anna met in Ohio during their stay... Similar diagnosis-

Awareness is the start to find a cure!

Click to see Haley's Story:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJRIugHxw4Y&sns=fb

Update on Anna

This past weekend we took a too quick trip to visit Anna and Mom in Columbus, Ohio. Anna is at the Northwestern Children's Hospital to receive a stomach pacemaker. This is the last treatment the Dr.s have to "fix" what is called Delayed Gastric Emptying. The plan was to receive and she did receive the temporary pacemaker this past week to see how it goes before the permanent pacemaker was put in her hip as of today.

It has not gone as planned- Anna has had to eat everyday which she was enjoying eating everything! But she would do her normal throwing up every evening- there was no improvement which the Dr. wanted to see SOME improvement. Therefore, the decision was made to not continue with the permanent stomach pacemaker as it would not help her.

This is very discouraging and we all had high hopes for this to work as we have heard many stories of it working for people. The Dr. said they do so much preliminary work- they were so sure it would work, but she is only the 2nd person it has not helped...

We did get to meet a special family there who had just flown in with their daughter with the same diagnosis and plan of treatment. Anna got to meet her- we are hoping it will work for them!

Today the temporary pacemaker was taken out and Mom and Anna will be headed back home soon. We are coming to realize that this was not the answer for Anna but pray that God will inspire a Dr. for more ideas on treatment so that Anna can have a better quality of life and live.

He is Risen!

Today marks 30 weeks pregnant on this Good Friday. Humbling to think God is bringing newness to us daily, especially in remembering what Jesus did on the cross for us all. I think of my frustrations weather with the kids or daily life- like today going back and saying sorry to my kids and seeing their fast response to forgive! Thankful we have the chance to start over and talk through things.

We are so ready to meet the next little one- my Dr. probably thinks I am crazy for continually making sure she won't let me go over my due date!

We are also leaving for Ohio for the weekend to be with my mom and sister Anna. Anna is in the hospital there receiving a stomach pacemaker implant. So far- it has not gone well and in need of a lot of prayer for her healing and hope for this pacemaker. God is the Ultimate Healer - so easy though to become discouraged. We pray for the Dr's wisdom also on how to adjust the pacemaker and providing Anna with the best care.

Its a "hotdog"!

On January 25th we celebrated Nyah's first year with us called Gotcha Day! A fun special dinner and cake was included!

We also had our 20 week ultrasound which confirmed this third kiddo is a BOY! As far as names- we haven't decided yet but according to Grant his name is: "hotdog" or "pizza". It changes by the minute!

Also- this quote just keeps me thinking!

The will of God won't lead you where the grace of God can't keep you.

R.C Sproul Jr.

As it relates to marriage, job, and many circumstances/struggles we face...

Thankful for Today!

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that." Martin Luther King, Jr.

"Today I am thankful for a brave man who had a BIG dream. His insight, hard work and incredibe faith helped paved the way for my dreams to come true.
The world is far from perfect, but today my Ethiopian born daughter and my American born son can walk hand in hand together bringing light to the world!

Grateful for the sacrifice of those who went before us! Thank you Dr. King."

From Malanie on a FB Post! Love how she worded this because its exactly how I feel. Watching my kids walk hand in hand into a store makes me so thankful they can be siblings and that God brought us together!

Big Bro and Sis!!

Taken in October 2011!

Finally Ready...

As we make this announcement that we are adding to our family- it has been a long time in working through worry and paranoia as we know those feelings of loss. Including wanting to be sensitive to my friends who have been and are in the world of the loss of a child and infertility. As all new life is exciting and special in waiting for a child meant to be in your family, whether through adoption or biological. That waiting brings with it uncertainty and excitement! That uncertainty of what can happen can be so debilitating (in my experience) that I want to take control and worry makes me feel better- I guess!

This is meant to happen to bring us and me to my knees and give all the outcomes to God. Especially in this New Year, the trials both exciting and unknown shows me as said in church this am- to show myself WORTHY of the Salvation and Hope God has given me and all of us! That means I don't take control- but love others and God- which is what I need to work on majorly(if thats a word)!

Anyways- we are 17 weeks pregnant and due June 15ish 2012!!

Yes we are announcing the gender and name because we don't do good at WAITING!!

Merry Christmas

from the

Huffman Family!

Family Pictures at Reeds Lake

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life.

(Prov. 13:12 NIV)

This verse is so true in reading through friends and people's stories lately in the blogging world, my mind, and right in my own family. Whether it is waiting for an adoption to go through, healing to take place, relationships to mend, dishes and laundry piling up(yea, that makes a woman's heart sick, or overwhelmed, etc!!). It seems like life is halted and you/I just know I can't make it another second.

WHY oh WHY?

Here's some more frustrations:

" I know someday our hope will be brought back to life. But right now it is dying. And strangely there is some measure of peace in that." an adoptive mom

" Lindsay and Emily were whisked from the accident scene by the angels of God to their home in Heaven. Life is like a vapor. Would you be ushered into eternal bliss or eternal punishment if you were to die today?"

By Steve Bloem

"Why don't we know where we are suppose to be - nothing is happening - I'm sick of waiting for the fulfillment of having another child or adopting, buying/selling our house... I might as well go on GRAR and buy the biggest house that will fit my family in America if we are not suppose to be in Africa- take some control since I don't know what is suppose to happen or will happen!" My self-talk(negative)

So easy to get so sucked into the 'American Way":

Put so well by another momma: "What I thought I Wanted was a lot of money (tho, not going to lie-sometimes money just makes things a lot more "simple" to keep up in Amercia) a huge home with all of the "fixin's", white picket fence, 2 children, a boy and a girl-white ones, a brand new car every 3 years, designer hand bags, tiffany jewelry, the biggest diamond, the MOST friends, a boat, a cottage, exotic vacations, etc, etc (you get my point)...."

I easily forget our whole experience in Ethiopia and desire to go back which is replaced with my little world of complaining to make me 'feel' better that I don't know where we are suppose to be.

THAN as I was listening and crying all the way through this past weeks sermon I was HIT big time! Of course it was on grumbling and complaining, how we handle it, the Israelites traveling to the Promised Land that was suppose to take 11 days and it took them 40 years to get there. WHY? Their complaining about the food they were given, etc!

Yup- that is me and I know we are all in it together!

Than this was my self-talk: "Maybe why God has not lead us where I think we should go is because I am grumbling about where I am now like the Isrealites. Not being thankful for my two beautiful children(which I am), the fact that I have a roof over my head. I desire and long for more children but God its in your timing- thank you for what I have and I want to enjoy this time."

The verse above IS true- in God's time will a Tree come to Life- and it will be even sweeter than my timing! In the mean time how am I grumbling- taking it to God and trusting HIM, being thankful and letting Him show us where to be OR heading to GRAR/a store/a person to take control. Hurting the people around me because of my little insecurities- God has much bigger plans in these little moments of frustrations.

They are a sign to turn our/my head toward God! Only in that moment with God will He begin to lead me to peace about the situation, saying no or yes or wait.

The Tree will come to life His way and more sweet that what I could control and make happen!

'Two More'

http://blog.beliefnet.com/redletters/2011/09/are-we-guilty-of-slumdog-tourism.htm

Perspective...

Coming home from vacation was a struggle- brings the desire to be free of things, schedules, business, anxieties to the forefront. But vacation also helped to be able to come back and do the everyday tasks and with a better attitude to rely on God vs. my own power. Brings the desire for Heaven more desirable- exploring His creation and being with friends and family. I remember there was a time I didn't want to go because I wanted to live 'my' life here first; which I am sure is normal. Since than- circumstances in life makes understanding what God originally planned for us all the more clear. He desires relationship and adventure with Him!

I also see all these 'things' around me and I can keep buying with that credit card- I feel like I can't get out from under them in order to live this earthly life to the full without saying 'no'. That American tension of wanting more and than most the time giving in! Especially when we see and hear of the needs in Ethiopia, India- the people we visited have true needs like food, schooling, clothes vs. my 'needs' of more clothes, more boats, cars or in our case that TRUCK Scott and I think will solve everything! When we can do with one vehicle- ha we have one vehicle! Some people would love to have at least one car in many countries(including our own)!

• India story from this past week: I was talking with Ratan who I had stayed with during YWAM there- their schooling needs for one child is $35/mo. vs. here in US for a Christian preschool is $600 or more a year! I could whip that money out by not spending it on extra clothes or whatever that I don't need.

Perspective... have to keep telling ourselves!

Sunset in Leland!

Girl’s Name: Kalkidan

Mom’s Name: Hiwet

Date of Birth: 29-April, 2010

Almost 1 Year Old

FULLY SPONSORED!!!

This is our sweet family we get to sponsor through Embracing Hope! This little gal stays with the daycare staff so her mom can work collecting bananas for the village. This gal also has hearing impairment which is part of the reason we were drawn to her. This ministry is so open about where the money goes and their heart is to help break the chain of poverty! So little Kalkidan will be able to go to school and get medical treatment!

If you desire to be apart of sponsering her or another family here are the families that need sponsoring: http://www.embracinghopeethiopia.com/sponsorships/

A fully sponsored family is $136/mo or 4 different sponsors at $34/mo- we thought we would fully sponsor a family and see how God provides for it and how we work at saving it each month!

Tears and Heart Collide

Take a look at the posts from Embracing Ethiopia

http://www.embracinghopeethiopia.com/

Ways to be apart of helping children at risk!

http://vimeo.com/22937650

This video is life changing- these ministries are practical ways to bring light in a life! I am drawn to the ministry who offers daycare for mom in Ethiopia in order to break the chain of poverty! After you watch the video and research these ministry's- Are you willing to help support any?

I signed up to sponsor a mom and child and trusting God for the money to come monthly- why because "we are helping another mom".

Here are the ministries that are apart of this video:

Mission Ethiopia (MissionEthiopia.com)
Ethiopian Youth Soccer (EthiopianYouthSoccer.com)
Project 61 (p61.org)
Embracing Hope Daycare (embracinghopeethiopia.com)

Nyah's Beautiful pictures done at Robinette's with Amy Carroll through Celebrate Adoption http://www.celebratingadoption.org/

He has Risen...He has Risen Indeed!

I couldn't wait for this year to come because I knew Nyah would be here and I was so excited to get these pictures done of both Nyah and Grant together. Seeing these NEW pictures reminds me that God desires us to be new in Him and that He is making all things new. There is hope that one day ALL will be made new and perfect in Heaven. God desires us in relationship with Him. When I/we can see our life story in God's big story, I am so thankful for the joy that comes from it (even though I have to remind myself many times). Yet at the same time I am learning this life is not for me to build comfort around myself, which is hard not to do especially in the US! God desires relationship just like the pictures we take of our families- not just being moral, doing good things- but a heart soft to His pursuit of me, in order to pursue those around me with love, His love. Which brings a world view that He made me, died for me so that I don't have be in hell, and is now Alive to show me I can live this life WITH Him and live eternally with Him in Heaven. It's not just for me, God extends this gift to all people!

Creative Memories Party!

Photo Solutions Party-See easy ways to get pictures in albums!
Date/Time: Thursday, April 14, 2011 at 7:00 PM

Location:
Nicole's House
2710 Fuller Ave. NE

Grand Rapids, MI 49505

OR Order Online:

http://www.mycmsite.com/sites/suzyqcrop/Content/

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