Wow - we were blessed to be a part of an Ethiopian feast here in Boise, ID. Some friends of ours grew up as MKs in Ethiopia and they had been craving some injera bu wot - so we were happy to be their excuse to have a feast! Belyanish and Tesifye, our new Ethiopian friends, put so much love and time into cooking a traditional Ethiopian feast for about 30 people. The couple lived in Addis Ababa for a while and they have been in Boise for almost 12 years. Tesifye (the husband) is actually of Oromo decent and he has some family down in the Langano area (where we will be serving) :) Talk about small world. Maybe we will get to know some of his relatives in Ethiopia - how awesome would that be! Belyanish taught me some words and phrases in Oromo, she seemed to think that I would have no problem picking up on the language and I pray that is the case. She is also a wonderful cook. If I can cook Ethiopian food half as well as she can I'll be one happy woman!!! 

It was fun to speak with a missionary couple who have served in Ethiopia for many years. They will be celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary this year. Wow - they have enough stories to keep you busy for years. As I sat there listening to their stories, I was struck by how God always showed up and revealed himself to both the Ethiopians and the missionaries. The stories all painted a beautiful picture of who God is and the power of His love and the Gospel. 

One of our teammates at Camp Langano just sent us a picture of our future abode! :) It is a duplex that we will be sharing with an awesome family nurse practitioner, who - Lord willing - will be joining the Langano team in August! 

Word on the dirt path is that the construction team Bryan will be working with is putting some finishing touches on the electrical work inside the duplex :) I can't wait to get over there and start 'nesting' :) 

It has happened again!!! My pure strength and athletic prowess (haha) has shown up right here in Boise, Idaho! I, Nicole Adams, have successfully sent another head of a golf club 70 yards down range :) Yes, you heard it right - I was at the driving range hitting some golf balls with my mother-in-law's clubs when SMACK I connect with the ball. As I go to admire my shot, I notice that both the head of the golf club and the ball are making their way down range! In complete defeat, I looked over at Bryan and exclaimed "Oh no, I did it again!" Apparently the ability to completely separate the head and the shaft of a golf club is a talent that can now say I possess. This is definitely not the first time I have completed this feat :( The first time Bryan and I went to the driving range, I destroyed one of my sister's club in the exact same manner. To those of you with golf clubs - if you value the life of your clubs, do not let me borrow them!!! 

P.S. In case you were curious, I'm terrible at golf. 

P.P.S. My father-in-law requested that I use his driver next time (I think he wants a new one!!!)

We have spent countless hours talk with friends and family all over the US about the vision and ministry that we are going to serve with in Ethiopia. During those great conversations, we typically ask for people to pray about joining in the ministry as a pray and/or financial partner. Just this week I received a text message from a good friend here in Idaho that said they had been praying for us and God had put it oh their heart to help sponsor us financially. They asked how they could go about doing that.  I was overwhelmed with joy as I read the text for a number of reasons. The biggest reason for my joy was the realization that God is already using us in ministry to his people here in America. He used us to challenge people to pray and now people are praying. But more than that, they are listening for his answer. And even more than that, they are willing to step out and trust his guidance into difficult places. You need to understand, that our friend does not have all kinds of extra money sitting around. This decision will lead to sacrificial giving which can only be done with faith and hope in Christ alone. It is exciting to see God working in the lives of those around us to grow their faith and dependence on him. I am grateful to be a part of a ministry that challenges so many Christians, both in the US and overseas. Will you pray about joining with us in this ministry in some way? And then, will you wait and listen for his response? Will you step out in faith and obey what he lays on your heart?

CLICK HERE to see current prayer requests and let us know that you are praying.

CLICK HERE to join with us financially

I love how the world seems to be getting smaller and smaller every day. While in Seattle, I met Bryan's Uncle Scott and Aunt Kathy for the first time. After dinner we were sitting around chatting about life when Aunt Kathy's sister (who was visiting from New Mexico) briefly mentioned something about "Lutefisk". I almost fell out of my seat - I had never heard anyone outside my family discussing lutefisk!!! For those of you who are not of Nordic decent, Lutefisk is a traditional dish of the Nordic countries. It is made from aged whitefish or dried/salted whitefish and lye. The dish is famous for its gelatinous texture and its extremely strong, pungent oder. Needless to stay - the dish is not on my weekly menu :) After discussing our Norwegian roots, I come to find that Aunt Kathy and my mom went to the same high school! What a small world :)


For more Lutefisk information click here :)

One of the great things about traveling around the country the past few weeks has been the opportunity to worship our Creator alongside so many other Christians. We have literally been able to sign praises to our God together with thousands of other believers across three time zones. There is something awesome about hearing so many different voices lifting up worship songs to our great Heavenly Father. I look forward to the day we will be able to lift up our voices in Oromo to praise God. And even more than that, I look forward to the day we are in heaven and each will praise Him in their own tongue. That is why we are going to Ethiopia; so that more may come to know Him and spend eternity in the glory of his presence worshiping the almighty creator of everything.
-Bryan
The splendor of the King,
Clothed in majesty
Let all the earth rejoice,
All the earth rejoice
He wraps himself in light,
And darkness tries to hide
And trembles at his voice,
And trembles at his voice

How great is our God,
Sing with me
How great is our God,
and all will see
How great, How great
Is our God

Age to age he stands
And time is in His Hands
Beginning and the End,
Beginning and the End
The Godhead, Three in one
Father, Spirit, Son
The Lion and the Lamb,
The Lion and the Lamb

Name above all names
Worthy of our praise
My heart will sing how great is our God

(http://lyricstranslate.com) 

Just 5.5 weeks ago, Bryan and I packed our suitcases into the car and began our journey across the U.S.  We spent our time saying good-bye to friends and family, meeting with people to share the vision for ministry at Camp Langano, and speaking at churches. What an awesome, challenging, and encouraging trip is was. Our faith has been stretched and our souls have been encouraged along the the way. We enjoyed reconnecting with old friends and meeting new friends everywhere we went. Yesterday we left the car with my sister and flew back to Boise, ID. We will be living in Boise, ID at Bryan's parents until we finish raising our monthly support. Our goal is to be in Ethiopia sometime in April. More financial updates to come later after we catch up on sleep! Thanks for all of your prayers for safe travels :)

I'm one lucky girl - I am blessed to be an Aunt to THE cutest nephews in the whole world!!! We haven't had an opportunity to spend very much time with them. But over the last few weeks Bryan and I were able to spend a week with each of our nephews  and we are so grateful :)  God has given each of them the coolest personalities, quirks, and interests. You can meet them below :)

Jacoby Alexander
Age: 1 
Favorite food: Macaroni 'n Cheese and Pasta Salad
Favorite activity: Playing and watching basketball (he thinks he can dribble :) )
Biggest fear: Being denied 'milkie' 

Harrison Patrick
Age: 1 1/2
Favorite food: Yoghurt and any other milk product
Favorite activity: Taking mom and dad for walks
Biggest Fear: Not being allowed to go outside!!!

Dimitri Joshua
Age: 7
Favorite food: Macaroni 'n Cheese
Favorite activity: Playing with legos
Biggest Fear: UNC basketball losing to Duke!!! 

We are halfway through our third day in the Seattle, WA area - and we have yet to see more than a sum total of 3 minutes of sun!!! Haha. I lived here from age 0 to 11.5 and I don't remember it being SOO cloudy. For any of you who are sun deprived - go to Colorado for a few days and you will feel much better :) 

One good thing about the Seattle is they are more generous with their snow days and delayed starts. My nephew's (Dimitri) elementary school was delayed by two hours due to an excessive amount of snow, check out all of the snow below :)  And that white dot is a golf ball - not snow!!! haha. Oh Seattle, you have so much to learn!  All jokes aside, we are having a great time in Seattle visiting family and raising support :)