Got a letter :)

It arrived!! Letters to "Dear my sister, Katie", "Dear my brothers", "Dear Dad" and "Dear Mom." Can I just tell you how precious and exciting it is to receive such letters from so far away???

Well, I'm going to tell you Tarikwa's new name. She seems to really like it, as she signed every letter with it and even put it on the envelope!

We had chosen the name 'Aliya' for her middle name but it looks like now she will be Aliya Tarikwa. Aliya means, 'to come up from or ascend.' We think it is a beautiful name, with a beautiful meaning and an ethnic flair. It is not an Ethiopian name but we really like it and feels it suits her.

In the previous paragraph, you may have noticed that I said 'looks like'. Let me show you why.

Here's mine:

Dear Mom,

Hi How are you mom? I am fine. How was everything? Today I got your letter and I am so happy. Thank you for name Aliya. I will keep my first name ok mom. I hope you will come to here February first. I can't wait February because you will be here. Mom to come in here with Medhanit family? I love you so much ok mom. I pray for you every day. I love you soooooooooo much.

Love

Your daughter

Aliya (Tarikwa)

Jesus is my life

I think she means that she will keep Tarikwa as her middle name since she signed everything, "Aliya." But I guess I can't be sure but it looks like that to us. I guess we'll find out for sure when we meet her:)

Here's the cutest part of her letter to Blaine:

I am so glad your favorite food is pizza and ice cream. Me to dad. Like my name Aliya.

Love

I You

Dad

Here's a cute part in Katie's letter:

Tell your boyfriend De Heppy Birthday. I pray for you every day, my sister and please pray to me. (I think she means for me) So cute!!

And the boys' letter:

How are you my brothers. How was your school and everything. My school is good. I hope we are together soon. Mom and Katie in here soon. I love your pretty picture. I love you my brothers and God love you. I pray for you every day. Please pray to God everyday. I love you so much my brothers and my family.

Love

Your sister

Aliya (Tarikwa)

God is my

hope

I love that somehow she's figured out that we are coming with Medhanit's (Lilly) family!! How did she figure that out?? Smart girls!

Can you just imagine how these 2 girls feel right now? I can just imagine them being totally giddy with anticipation. Hehe! To know the time in the orphanage is soon coming to an end and very soon they will have a family to love them. Their very own family...forever. Thank you Jesus.

Sitting up here on Cloud 9,

Laura :)