Update #2

Hey, Laura here with an update that we've all been desperately waiting for! I spoke with Stef again today...and I once again took notes so I could pass it all on to you with accuracy.

Her voice is weary and exhausted! She has had only approximately 10 hours of sleep in the last 6 days. You can imagine how extremely exhausted she is. Both babies were seen by a doctor but not admitted there.

Despite their lack of sleep I am happy to share with you all that Diezel has made an amazing turn around. She said, "he isn't even the same boy". He was put on an antibiotic and has been making steady improvements. He is now smiling at them and trying to stand up while holding onto something. Stef said, "he is eating like crazy now"...which is such a wonderful improvement. He absolutely ADORES his daddy, she said. He loves being in Adam's arms and doesn't want him to ever put him down.

Daizey however is not making the same type of improvements. She is still incredibly ill. She is very, very weak. The sores in her mouth are getting better, but she isn't eating much. She is only allowing Stef to hold her and will not allow Adam to come near her. She is still very fragile and very much in need of our prayers.

Their embassy appointment is tomorrow which will actually be the middle of the night for us. This is an issue that we need to cover in prayer in a desperate way. There is some great concern about this appointment. One of the issues is the condition in which Daizey is in...she needs to be well. There are two other families that will also be going to the embassy. Stef asked that we all really be praying for these appointments. There is a bit of confusion regarding what time it is at, they have been given a couple of different times. She said they will be getting everyone up early and going together. The two possible appointment times are 8am (which would be 12am central time) or 1pm (5am central time). I am giving you these times because it is crucial that we lift this up before the Lord. Please, please cover their appointment in prayer. There is a possibility that they may not be coming home alone, but this will need to be decided at the appointment. I will allow Stef to share all of the details upon her arrival home. They also can't wait to share all of their photos!

She was able to call their doctor back home to ask about the flight with the children. He explained that it will be critical that they do not get dehydrated on the flight. This is a very real threat to them. He wants them to pass urine a couple of times on the flight home. Depending upon how they do they will bring them to the ER upon arriving home if necessary. This is an area that we will also need to cry out to the Lord for. The Friday flight that they need to get on is pretty full, so we need to pray for the details of that as well.

Even though they are beyond exhausted, they are experiencing the most amazing works of the Lord. He is mightily at work and they are humbled to be joining Him in His work there. She is completely amazed at how beautiful and loving the Ethiopian people are to them. She will have numerous stories to share of the goodness of God on this trip, and I can't wait to read them all!

I shared with her how the Lord is doing a mighty work over here by using them to bring so many of us to our knees. We both began to cry as I shared with her how many brothers and sisters He has brought to their side to pray them through this. I told her that we will not give up praying! She is incredibly grateful and humbled by your prayers!

Let's join together as a unified force and storm the gates of heaven on their behalf! Here are the issues that we can be crying out to the Lord about--

*Daizey's health...she needs to be strong enough for the embassy appointment and the flight home.

*Praise Jesus for Diezel's improvement and prayer for continued strength to his body.

*For the grace of God to surround them at their Embassy appointment. For the authorities to find favor in them and approve everything as in needed for them to be free to travel home.

*For their new friends that they have made in Africa...may the Lord's will be done and may He work in a mighty way on their behalf.

*The details of catching the flight back to America.

*The extended amount of time that they will be on the airplane and the effect it will have on the children. Pray they do not get dehydrated and they will stay strong enough to make it all the way to their home town before needing to be admitted into a hospital.

*Steffany and Adam's exhaustion...may the Lord hold them close to His heart and give the rest and restoration they need. May their hearts be enveloped with His perfect peace regarding all of the details of coming home. For a hedge of protection to be around them so they do not become ill during all of this.

*Please also pray that the Lord will do a complete healing in the precious lives of Diezel and Daizey. May He heal their minds, bodies and souls...so they can proclaim the name of the Lord all the days of their lives for the miracles He is doing with them right now.

*Peaceful hearts for their wonderful brothers and sisters waiting at home. Strength for Adam's sister Leah as she cares for them.

*Pray for all of their hearts to be bonded together for all the days to come...And for the hearts of their amazing siblings waiting at home!! May they fully attach to each other and praise the Lord together forever.

Thank you for your continued prayers for this precious family! If you read this and are praying I humbly ask you to leave a quick comment. Even if you have never left a blog comment in your life. My heart's desire is for them to see what the Lord is doing in bringing brothers and sisters (complete strangers) from across this country to their sides during their time of need. Please let them know you are praying!