ADOPTION DAY!

On Tuesday, June 12th, we went to court for our U.S. re-adoption.  The judge finalized everything, changed the girls names to Kathryn Jerusalem and Rebecca Bethlehem and changed their ages to 6 and 8.  This will enable us to receive a correct U.S. birth certificate for both girls.

We celebrated with an Adoption Day Dessert Party that evening at our local neighborhood park along with friends and family who journeyed with us through the process.  All the kids had a great game of kick ball. 

Both girls are doing well in all aspects of family life and learning English.  They certainly keep us busy!  They just finished their first 2 weeks of swim lessons and are ready to move up to the next level.  They finished their handwriting book, have almost finished a year's worth of first grade math and are 1/2 way through their "Learning to Read in 100 Easy Lessons" book.  They are eager, bright students!

The girls are still very shy around other people and we have instituted a reward system for using polite manners with others.  They are beginning to do much better using social skills.  It is hard to believe it has been 4 months since we brought them home.

The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord endures forever.  Psalm 138:8 

A HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

It has been 3 months since we picked up our newest family members in Ethiopia.  My heart overflows with such joy from our newly expanded family this Mother's Day.  Surely God has similar feelings when each one of His adopted children comes home to live with Him and His Son.  I'm so thankful He has grafted these special girls into our family tree.

Our family is truly a blended family with 2 stepchildren, 2 biological children and now 2 adopted children.  I believe the Lord looks down and smiles because His own Son had a blended family too!  Jesus, had a stepfather, Joseph, and had biological 1/2 brothers and sisters and has adopted brothers and sisters from those who have received His gift of salvation through His grace.

My family blessed me with a delicious breakfast in bed this morning and beautifully drawn Mother's Day cards.  I also smell the delicious aroma of Peanut Butter Cake that they are baking for me this afternoon.

I love the unity of brotherhood I have seen in my children.  My ten year old son's little white hand holds the small brown hand of his sister as we walk.  My twelve year old son had fun putting his little sister's hair up into pig tails before church today.  I love the sounds of the kids working together as the girls willingly join their brothers in completing their chores.  I love the sound of laughter ringing out in our back yard as the children play kick ball together in our back yard.  I love seeing my boys adore and enjoy playing with their new sisters.  I love our "new normal."

I feel so undeservingly blessed that our transition has gone so well.  The girls seem to have attached, bonded and have fit right into our family.  It is not at all what I was prepared for in adopting older children.  I feel blessed when their little arms give me big hugs and treasure our bedtime routine as they giggle and snuggle into me as we read books and sing silly songs like Peter Cottontail.  I feel grateful as they so willingly and happily join me in kitchen work such as grocery shopping, cooking, setting the table, and dishes.

It has been amazing and fun watching the fast transition from preschool level behavior to behavior that is more fitting their age.  They are now learning boundaries in respecting other people's things.  It has been amazing how fast their grasp of the English language has progressed.  It seems that they understand so much of what we say and are even making complete sentences of their own.

It seems the girls are feeling safe and secure.  Jeri felt safe enough the other day to say "I don't like this family" when she had a day of not getting what she wants.  She certainly hasn't acted like she doesn't like us and was snuggling up into David's arms 10 minutes later.  I think she just felt safe enough to express her feelings of frustration.  Jeri has also been trying many new foods this past week and liking them.  I believe she was so picky before because it was one aspect of her life that she could control when so much change was taking place in her life.  It is hard to know what all they were told about life in America before coming here.  I'm sure they have had to adjust their expectations.  I know they are disappointed we don't eat beef every night!

The girls have also been doing well in school.  They both finished all the chapters in their math book on addition and are ready to move on to subtraction.  They are both reading simple sentences in their reading lesson book.  They love to sit and color, cut and paste during their free time.

We took the girls swimming one day and they enjoyed it so much we have joined the YMCA again.  They beg to go almost every day.  In June they will start some swimming lessons.

I started the girls on an allowance because they were begging for everything in the store and candy each time we went.  Now I simply tell them to bring their money if they want anything.  It is funny how they don't want to spend their own money!  Jeri has saved $14 now and Betty $12.  It certainly put a stop to too much candy.

Of course, everyday doesn't look picture perfect.  We live on the imperfect side of eternity.   There was a day when I put too much into one day, my cell phone disappeared, the front door was wide open when we got home, dinner was late and we still had to make it to Stephen's art show.  The girls are very sensitive and when they saw big tears dropping down my face, they scurried to clean up the dishes  so mommy wouldn't have to.

It has been an adjustment getting used to four kids again too.  We have the typical squabbling that happens between 4 kids.  My brain is often over taxed and hurting from all the noise and the attention demanded from me from so many family members and often all at the same time.  I will find myself walking to the pantry or somewhere and not remembering what I went to get or do.  I've accidently left the dog in the car for several hours on several different occasions.  Fortunately it was not hot.  I broke down in frustration and tears the other day because of the feeling that I am not able to listen to anyone very well at all because my mind becomes so numb from all the input and I have so much to do to keep the ship afloat.  The clutter that results from more people has been difficult too.  I keep trying to not let it bother me, but that is hard for someone who used to be a neat nut.  It is difficult to find time alone.  Don't feel bad if you haven't received communication from me.  I sit down at my computer and within minutes there are little warm bodies surrounding me with eyes peering over my shoulders.  I've already shooed people away from me this afternoon several times.  But each day gets easier as we establish routines and boundaries and establish expectations.

I've always found that saying "yes" to the hard things God calls me to do have been so worth it.  The blessings far outweigh the hardships and He has always been right by my side walking me through each step of the way through the times of famine and the times of plenty.  I look forward to reaching new summits.

"He makes my feet like hind' feet, And set me on my high places."  2 Samuel 22:34  

Family at Easter

First carousel ride

A mother's love

Dressed up Ethiopian style

Brotherly love

Happy kids hiking

Fun at the park

ONE YEAR AGO

On April 16th, one year ago, the good Lord showed us our new daughters' sweet faces on the "waiting child" list for our agency.  We were taking our last training class and a couple said they were adopting a 7 year old girl that was on their agency's waiting list.  I had looked on the waiting child list previously but it had listed only boys.  That day we went home, pulled up the waiting child list and there were our girls!  We knew right then that they were the ones God had chosen for us.  Since our adoption was on hold for medical reasons, He even held the girls for us for another month until we were allowed to proceed.  Truly a miracle when you look at these cute girls and have seen how fast other cuties have been snatched up!

cy

THE CROSS

What happens when we lay our time, talents, resources, and lives at the cross?  Joy, great joy!

On a Friday over a thousand years ago, Jesus willingly laid His life down for us at the cross.  Great joy resulted from His sacrifice because He not only took our sin for us but conquered death when He rose from the grave 3 days later.  Because of His sacrifice, those who believe and put their faith in Him are blessed by the Father.

Through our adoption we have laid ourselves, our resources and time at the cross.  What has been the result? Joy, great joy!

What a blessing it is when:

• The head and arms of little girls snuggle into me as I read them bedtime books.
• A little girl's eyes light up in the morning as she jumps into my arms exclaiming "Mommy!"
• Another little girl teases me as she puts on her new glasses and says she sees two mommies!
• A tiny little chocolate hand slips into mine as we skip along singing "Skip to my Lou my darling."
• Two eager learners complete a few weeks of school lessons in one week.  
• Small things that we take for granted bring such great delight to our girls.  
• I hear the sweet rhythm of their precious feet moving to their favorite workout DVD.
• Laughter rings out at our dinner table.
• Little girls proud to be wearing their beautiful dresses accompany us to church.   
• I see how much our boys enjoy and adore their new sisters and help take care of them.
• We play the game of matching for the millionth time and peals of excitement still ring out when they find a match.
• Sweet little voices sing "You lead, I'll follow...."
• Four little helping hands eagerly help me with setting the table, cooking and dishes.
• Two little girls fit so beautifully into our family.
• We see God's faithfulness and provision in bringing these two girls into our home.  

My BSF teaching leader dropped by to visit and gave the kids a gift of eggs and a dying kit to make Easter eggs.  The girls enjoyed making their first Easter eggs.  The Easter egg signifies new life.  God has certainly provided a new life for our girls with our family.  Adoption is such a beautiful picture of what God did for us on that Friday a long time ago.  I thank God for the new life He gave me when He adopted me into His family through the blood of His Son on the cross.

What will you bring to the cross this Good Friday?  Jesus is willing to take your sins, your sorrows, your failures, etc. and give you new life.  He is enough.  He is eager to take your life, your abilities, your resources and give your life purpose and meaning.  He is enough.  May you experience the richness of God's beautiful blessings this Easter season.

LIFE IS GOOD

Life with our new family is good.  Life is often chaotic, noisy, unorganized, challenging, tiring and the house is messy.  But life is good.

Today I woke up very, very tired.  The weekend had not provided much rest after my first week of being on my own for meal preparation and grocery shopping.  (I got spoiled by all my terrific friends and am so appreciative of all the help during our transition.) The time change did not help matters either.  It thankfully did keep everyone asleep during my devotion time though.  I prayed Paul's prayer in Ephesians 3 and it did wonders in giving me the right start to my day.

"I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

It is only through His strength and His power that I am able to do immeasurably more than I thought I could do. This prayer changed my perspective, gave me new strength and we had a wonderful day.

The girls are doing so well.  They are still laughter, fun and giggles and lots and lots of energy.  Of course, David has already taken them fishing and Jeri caught the first fish!  This past Sunday David took them running on a trail, then to a park and then did a work out video and they were all laughter and giggles and still not ready to go to sleep in the evening.

Sunday we also took them to church for the first time.  All week they pleaded to wear some beautiful white dresses my sister game me.  I kept telling them they had to wait for church on Sunday.  Saturday we went to the store to pick out some white shoes for Betty.  It was amazing how particular she was about her new shoes.  They didn't have the right size in any of the shoes she liked so we left the store empty handed.  I was surprised that she did so peacefully.  Later we stopped at another store and found the perfect pair.  Sunday they proudly wore their new dresses to church.  They looked absolutely beautiful.

Saturday David and the boys were out so I took the girls to our only Ethiopian restaurant in town for a dinner of Injera.  I must say our date was much pricier here than in Ethiopia!  Jeri has really been missing her Ethiopian food though and is very reluctant to try American food.  She likes her food berbere spicy!  I have found that she does likes taco soup and chili which has a little bit of the same spice flavor.  She sprinkles everything she eats with extra berbere spice.  I am quickly running out of the spice I bought in Ethiopia!  It is helpful too that both girls love most fruits and vegetables.  They fight over broccolli like it is candy!

Today we met at the park with two of the girls' friends who are from the same care center in Ethiopia.  Betty and Jeri were so excited all morning before meeting them for our picnic and afterwards asked over and over if they could go see their friends tonight too.  I am looking forward to an evening with other adoptive mothers from our agency this Thursday.  It is cool that we have a new community of friends and support from other adoptive families.

The wrist x-ray did age Betty at 6 and Jeri at 8.  We will now try to get their birth certificates changed when we do readoption through our state's court system.  They will turn 7 and 9 in August and September respectively.

Betty had an x-ray done on her previously broken arm and it has healed satisfactorily.

Both girls had an eye appointment and poor Jeri is terribly near sighted.  The doctor said her field of vision is only about 3 feet in front of her and she has to put a book right up to her nose to read.  She picked out some frames and we are waiting for them to be made.  Won't the world look different to her when she puts them on!  The membrane walls in her eyes are also very thin from being so near sighted and she will have to be dilated annually to make sure she does not have any retinal tears.

Hair is still a challenge.  My friend suggested I buy a hot comb to help with Jeri's thick, very curly hair.  It did help tremendously in spreading the oil through the hair and making it soft.  We only had a short time for hair styling when my friend came so we did some twists all over Jeri's head.  I don't think it is her favorite style.  I prefer the french braiding but it is very time consuming.

It is incredible how quickly the girls are picking up on English and how easily we communicate.  I have been told that they both will quickly lose their language at this age even though they still speak to each other in Amharic. 

Michael and Stephen have been great with the girls.  They get a little upset when they get into their things.  We had to put door locks on their bedroom doors.  Stephen loves to play with little kids and is great at entertaining them and Michael is my mature, responsible guy who helps me out.  They actually listen and obey him. 

Well it has taken me two days to write this post so I better sign off before it takes three!

Blessings!

FIRST WEEK

Well we have been home a week and God was right when He told me last spring, when I was feeling that we had hit a dead end in our journey, that "the best was yet to come."   Our house has been full of giggles and laughter literally all day long.  The boys are really enjoying their new sisters too.  They love it when the girls copy everything they say.  The girls have delighted in all the wonderful toys that were given to them, especially the doll house.  They have even done small bits of school this week.  They can count to 100, know their basic addition facts, their alphabet and some phonics.  They did not have school prior to the orphanage and are only at a K5 level.  I thought communicating would be difficult but it really hasn't been.  They understand quite a bit and catch on quickly.  They are both super smart.

We have been laying low at home as much as possible to get them comfortable with us and our family life.  It has been amazing to me how they have already become so much a part of the family.  We have yet to see tantrums or tears (although I am sure they will come at some point).  The girls have slept 11 hours a night since the first night home.  I think it helps that they have each other.  The noise level has certainly increased in the house.  There is something about girls and high pitched squeals and screams; they just seem to go together.  I do love listening to the girls chatter in Amharic as they play in their room.  Sometimes they will play Stephen's African drum and sing Ethiopian songs.  Today I had Michael capture their sweet singing on his Ipod.  

In some ways the girls are like having a couple of toddlers in the house.  They want to explore everything, test limits and even put things in their mouth.  Everything is new to them and it is like going back to the exploratory phase of life for them.  Definitely a drain on my energy level!  It has also been a struggle to find time for my devotional quiet time.  We will certainly find a new normal; it will just take time.

The girls have certainly experienced love in their past and have been taught to help.  The first thing they do when they get up is make their beds.  They clear their dinner places and like to help me rinse the dishes.  They fold and put away their own clothes.  They both love to share and think of others.  Because their previous living conditions consisted of a hut or the care center, they have been a bit hard on the house.  The stickers they brought home from the doctor went immediately onto their furniture.  Gum was found on the floor and wrappers strewn along the halls.  Kitchen towels have been placed on their seats and place mats under their table settings to keep berbere stains off the chairs and table cloth.  I have relaxed my expectations over the years of a "clean house" but they may get relaxed even more!

When I was in Ethiopia, I brought home a big bag of the national spice, Berbere.  It is going quickly.  The girls sprinkle it on everything.  Betty has been more adventurous in trying different foods but Jeri is having a much harder time adapting to American food.  She does like pancakes, toast and jelly, pasta and rice which helps.

The girls went to the pediatrician last Friday.  He ordered a wrist x-ray to determine age (hope to find out the results tomorrow) and lab tests to determine what vaccines they have had and what they still need.  We also learned from the vision screening that Jeri needs glasses.  She could see only the first row of letters and became quite upset with big tears falling down her face when she tried to read the next row.  We have an eye exam set up for next week.  I also felt bad Monday when I took them to the lab and they took out 5 vials of blood!  I'm sure they thought I was a mean old mama.  Luckily there was a drug store next door and we picked up some gum and gummy bears to make up for their pain.  Betty will see a pediatric orthopedist Thursday to check the healing of her broken arm.  The pediatrician says it turns out some when held straight which will limit her mobility.  

We have been so appreciative of all the friends and family who have supported us with food.  It has been a blessing not to have to go to the grocery store or cook and especially helpful with all the appointments I have had the past two weeks for both the girls and the boys (fortunately I got all my appointments out of the way before picking them up.)  All the help has given me time to bond, read, and play games with the girls.  It has also given me time to try to establish a new rhythm for homeschooling.  I am also appreciative of the friends that have helped me with "hair."  Today a friend brought over a hair dryer to try and coconut oil and Thursday a friend who knows how to do African hair is coming over to take out their braids, wash it and teach me how to style it or braid it.  I found out that the $5 we paid in Ethiopia was a bargain.  I priced braiding here and it was $50 at the low end!  We are truly blessed. 

Below are a few more photos to enjoy. 

Psalm 118:25 - Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.

A family welcome at the airport.  The girls' big sister Amy greeting them.  Grandma and Grandpa were there also as they took care of the boys while we were gone.

Our friends decorated our house for our arrival home!

Fun at the park.  Sure is colder than Ethiopia!

First snowball fight!  Snow was also fun for stomping through.

From shy to acting silly!

Smiles over new toys and bedroom.  The bears were given to them by some adopted children that live in the same city as my Aunt Nancy.

GRANDFATHER

I just received these photos of the girls with their grandfather when he made a trip for Embassy.  Wish we could have met him but we did not want him to make another trip for us when he was sick and it is such a long trek.

PICTURES

Picking up the girls at the center.  Jerusalem was sad about leaving her friends.  Bethlehem still has her cast on:

Smiles in the hotel:

Playing outside.  Our hotel did not really have anywhere to play with the kids.  This is their idea of a play yard, moving the cars off the parking pad:

A stop at Compassion to introduce the girls to our friend, Tsehaywota Taddessee:

We hired Joel (Eyuel Hosana)  from Life Tours to show us around Addis.  He was formerly a Compassion sponsored child.  This was his first time to meet the director:

Lunch of traditional food while out on the town:

Saying good-byes to favorite nurse, teachers and nanny at the Care Center.  Bethlehem now has her cast off:

Last ride on the Merry Go Round.  By looking at the photo, you can see why we didn't get pictures of other kids.  Older kids were at school and the younger ones taking a nap.  They did bring the older kids to say good-bye but I am unable to post that photo.

Last evening in Addis at the Yod Abysinnia restaurant.  Will post more photos of our dining and show experience later.  Joel got us a great seat right up front.

Good-bye Ethiopia.  We will miss your beautiful country and people.  We thank you for the beautiful gift that you have given to us.

ETHIOPIA PART II

GOTCHA DAY
On Saturday, February 11th, we left to go pick up our girls.  We flew Ethiopian Airlines this time which required an overnight stay in Washington DC.  It was nice to start out our trip with a nice date, dinner and overnight stay at the Hyatt.  On Sunday, the 12th, we took off on a huge Boeing 777 for the 13 hour flight to Addis.  We arrived on Monday the 13th and after a quick lunch, we headed out to pick up our girls.

I really didn't know what to expect when we arrived.  I guess it is every parent's wish to see excited children running their way and jumping into their arms.  However, that is not what transpired for us.  It broke my heart to to see both our little girls standing at the back of the courtyard crying when we arrived.  Jerusalem was especially sad about leaving since she has become very attached to her friends this past year.  Our girls have experienced so much loss and grief in their short little lives.  Now they are losing their friends and their culture.  All the older kids were at school and the toddlers were napping while we were there so the staff told the girls they could say their good-byes on Thursday when we came for a coffee ceremony.

It is nice the girls still have each other.  Once we were back at the hotel they interacted with each other and smiled.  After a bath, they put on their new clothes.  Woo hoo, thankfully everything fit!  Next, we tried out all the games and toys I had brought to entertain them.  The big hit was the memory game.  They caught on so quickly and had no trouble beating David and I every time we played.  At first, Bethlehem would help us out if she knew where a piece was located but she quickly learned that the winner is the person with the most pairs.  No more help after that!  It is incredible how quickly they pick up on things and learn new things.  I thought communicating would be hard but they have been quick to pick up on words also.  I think they may know a little more English than we initially thought too.

Friday night was difficult again.  Bethlehem went right to sleep but Jerusalem cried and cried.  She finally quieted down and drifted off to sleep as I sang her some songs.

EMBASSY DAY
On Valentine's Day we left for Embassy.  Embassy was quick and uneventful.  The officer asked a couple of questions and sent us on our way.  We learned from the Embassy's interview with the grandfather that he is indeed 86 years old and made his Embassy trip while he was sick with malaria.  What love and dedication to provide the best opportunity he could for his granddaughters.  We also learned both parents died of malaria.  Two of the girls' older brothers live with the grandfather and the other two live with other relatives.  I imagine they are old enough to help out on the farms.  I hope that someday, when the girls reach adulthood, we can go back and locate their brothers and extended family.

Before Embassy, we gave the girls a Valentine's Day Card and small box of chocolates.  The agency employee read the cards to them.  We asked the girls if they would like an American name or if they prefer to be called by their Ethiopian names.  Both chose their current name.  So the names Jerusalem (Jeri) and Bethlehem (Betty) will stay.  Kathryn and Rebecca will be their American names should they ever wish to change names.

Both girls are incredibly shy around people.  It was difficult for us to have someone interpret for us because they are extremely reluctant to talk to others.  Jerusalem will turn her body and look the other way from others when we are at a table.  On the other hand, they have no trouble coming alive when we get back to the hotel room.  They are constantly chatting away with each other and giggling.  Betty has a laugh that is simply contagious.

Tuesday afternoon we took the girls to a beauty shop near the hotel to get their hair washed and braided. When the beauticians were unbraiding their hair, they kept pulling out gobs of loose hair.  Alarmed, David ran over and asked if that was normal for so much hair to fall out.  Boy did we feel dumb, the beautician rolled her eyes at us and said they were taking out extensions that had been braided in.  We felt bad that the nannies had probably put them in to make the girls look extra pretty for their gotcha day. But, how were we to know.

A DAY ON THE TOWN
Wednesday we hired Joel from Life Tours to take us around Addis. We had a good day doing some shopping.  It was a bit overwhelming for the girls to choose a new dress because the vendors would not stop shoving dress after dress in front of them.  Too many choices for little girls who have grown up with nothing!  Next we went to Compassion to introduce our girls to our friend.  We also enjoyed eating at a traditional restaurant and playing at Africa Park.  It is sad that most of the local people can not enjoy the parks since admission is charged.  Each time we drove by the parks, they were empty.

COFFEE CEREMONY
Thursday Betty got her cast off.  Yeah!!  It was getting pretty dirty and smelly.  We were so happy she did not have to wear it home.  At noon, we headed over to the care center for our good-byes and coffee ceremony.  The older kids were pulled out of school to say their good-byes and we took some group photos.  Their teachers also came by with Betty and Jerri's report cards.  We learned that they both have been attending Lower Kindergarden.  Apparently they did not have any schooling before leaving their family.  Both girls scored at the top of their class in all areas.  Nice to know I will have some bright students to homeschool!

Thursday night we went out to dinner with Joel to Yod Abbysinia, a local Ethiopian restaurant.  We enjoyed the traditional food and watched a great show.  Joel had reserved a great table right up front for a good view of the show.  We listened to Ethiopian music and watched dancing from the various cultures within Ethiopia.  Bethlehem especially enjoyed the dances and laughed out loud at some of the silly costumes and movements.  It is amazing what those people can do with their bodies!

DEPARTURE DAY
Friday we prepared for our departure.  The girls saw us start to pack and immediately began packing all their clothes and things.  Then we sat and sat waiting for a late 10:30 p.m. departure.  Waiting had to be hard for the girls because we couldn't really explain anything to them.  We tried to get them to take a nap but they both kept chatting excitedly.  Finally, we moved them to separate beds which resulted in Betty falling asleep and Jerusalem being reduced to tears again.  Without a nap, Jerusalem's eyes were barely staying open when we finally got on the plane.  However, the adrenaline started pumping once they saw the TV screens on the back of each chair.  They were all giggles and smiles as they flipped quickly through all the menu options over and over again.  It didn't help that the airline turned on all the lights and started serving a dinner after we took off.  It was a few hours before any of us had any sleep!

Flying back home was much longer.  Because the plane is flying against the jet stream, it is a 17 hour flight requiring a stop in Rome for fuel.  After what seemed an eternity, we flew into Dulles and then had to take two more flights before finally arriving home late Saturday afternoon.  We received a sweet greeting at the airport by our family group and found our front porch brightly decorated when we arrived home.  Unfortunately our luggage didn't make it.  It finally arrived sometime during the night and was left on our porch.  My parents who had been taking care of the boys had to leave upon our arrival due to my 99 year old grandmother being sick.  Fortunately, our older daughter and her husband prepared us a nice dinner and then it was early to bed.

FIRST DAY HOME
Today was a great day.  The girls had so much fun exploring the house and their new room and toys.  The boys kept them engaged with games and puzzles.  I loved watching how excited the boys were with their new sisters.  It was a bit like having a new puppy in the house.  I imagine that won't last long though once sisters start getting into their things!

I was worried about what the girls would eat since their diets have consisted mostly of injera and sauces prepared with Berbere.  However, I think after the airplane food, they both realized things were going to be a bit different and that they would need to try new foods or starve.  So they ate a few pancakes for breakfast, seemed to enjoy a PB&J for lunch and gobbled up pasta for dinner.  I brought back Berbere spice to sprinkle on our American food and that seemed to help too.  My sister also left us an Ethiopian lentil dish that they enjoyed.

We also enjoyed a cold outing to our neighborhood park today.  The girls put on heavy coats probably for the first time in their lives.  A little snow was left on the ground in places and Betty had fun stomping through it.  At one point, she picked up some snow in her bare hands and let out a sharp squeal when she realized how cold it was!  Then the boys showed them how to throw snowballs at us.  That brought about some more laughter!

We are so thankful for your prayers that have sustained us and protected us over the past week.  We appreciate the meals that will be coming this week.  We feel truly blessed to be the parents of these incredible daughters and to have such wonderful friends and family be a part of our new life.

Truly God does put the lonely in family (Psalm 68:6) so that we fill that emptiness with children without any family at all....

Sorry I have posted with no pictures but they will be forthcoming as soon as David downloads them!

EMBASSY

We got our first choice of Embassy date 2/14.  What a great Valentine's Day gift.  Grandparents are on the way and the tickets are almost booked.  God is good.

Many people have asked what they can do to help.  Jen Hatmaker in her blog titled "How to be the Village" has some great ideas - http://jenhatmaker.com/blog/2011/11/02/how-to-be-the-village.  Just click on the link and scroll down to the part "Supporting Families after the Airport."

May you have a blessed Valentine's Day as well.  We appreciate all the prayer and support of our friends and family.

CLEARANCE

Praise God, we got our clearance from Embassy to travel.  Woohoo!  We are requesting interview dates of either next week or the following week.  Now I am in panic mode to get ready.  Suitcases are basically packed already but I have lists to make for my parents who are taking care of the boys,  and grocery shopping and cleaning, etc. to do.  So exciting our girls will be here soon!

COURAGEOUS

Have you seen this new movie?  We just watched it this weekend.  I'm so thankful that I have a husband who is a "Courageous" man.  He has become the spiritual leader of our home and takes the boys to Bible study each week.  He is mentoring our boys to grow them into honorable men through a program they attend called SONS (Society of Noble Sons).  He spends time with them backpacking, hiking, camping, fly fishing (tying flies for their almost weekly fishing trips) or just playing games.  He is a great dad and a great father and I can't wait to see his relationship with our new girls.  He is so excited to get them home and tells me they are going to become great fly fishers too!

The girls' grandfather travels and has an embassy interview this Wednesday.  Hopefully we will clear and know when our travel dates will be soon.

Embassy Delay

We received notification from Embassy today that they want to interview the girls' Grandfather.  I guess it is pretty standard procedure lately for Embassy to interview birth family before giving clearance.  Poor man has to make that long trek back up to Addis.  It took him about 5 days to travel for the court trip from what I have been told.  We hope that he is able to stay this time so that we can meet him.  Our agency told us that clearance can be received 1-2 days after the interview so hopefully we will be traveling the first part of February.  We can't book our tickets until we receive clearance.  Please pray with us for no further delays.

Psalm 27:14  Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and He will strengthen your hear.  Wait, I say, on the Lord.

A NEW ADVENTURE

My Bible Study in Acts this past week really spoke to me about our journey of adoption.  It was entitled a "A New Adventure."  So far the journey has been a lot of filling out papers and waiting but the adventure will soon begin once we bring our girls home.

What can we expect for the next leg of our journey?  We are excited about embarking upon it but to be honest, we really don't know what to expect. It is an adventure into the unknown.  From what I have been told, it will take a time of transition to find a "new normal" for our family. We've also been told by many to get rid of expectations.  We must go into this trusting that God knows what is best and be ready to follow His leading no matter what we encounter.  We know families who have brought home children only to find out that they are dealing with severe attachment disorders or other issues.  For other families, it has been smooth sailing.

The first principle my BSF teaching leader gave was that "Life circumstances are a launching point to trust God in adventure opportunities because I know that as I set my sail, He will direct me along the way."  God certainly did not give us His entire itinerary when He sent us out on this adventure, but He also promises in His Word that He will never forsake us.  It is my belief that nothing happens in my life that is apart from His power and control.  He is sovereign.

I've seen friends, whose adopted child(ren) turned out to have severe attachment problems, really struggle with hard trials.  The child's anger is most often directed at the primary caregiver, the mom.  Sometimes the family questions if they had made a mistake.  But was it a mistake?  Was it the wrong child for them?  My opinion is it can't be a mistake if you are walking in the center of God's will.  God does not make mistakes; He has a purpose in all things.  When I married my husband, God placed two hurting children with behavioral issues and personalities that are opposite of mine in my hands.  Life was hard as they grew up but God knew what was best for me and He used those experiences to grow me and transform me and most importantly, make me more dependent on Him.  He knew what would make me eternally happy which is so much more important than a current life of ease.  I didn't always do it gracefully and I made plenty of mistakes, but I learned from them.  If my faith had not grown through those times of trial, I sincerely doubt that I would have been in a position of faith to answer His call to adopt now.  Sometimes it is difficult to know what our Sovereign Lord is doing, but once I could look back, I could see much more clearly His purposes.

To those of you who find yourselves in hard places, I encourage you to hold steadfast, do what you know to be right, regardless of what others around you say and entrust yourself to Him through continued wholehearted obedience.  The apostle Paul and his friends sang when they were beaten and thrown into prison.  My BSF leader said "On days when you don't feel like singing, ask God to help you." All throughout His Word, God tells us that His followers are destined for trials.  When we embrace our cross and don't oppose His will, we find we can bear it in peace and even find a deep seated joy in the midst of our trial.  My leader said "Joy is found when we take our eyes off of ourselves."

We look forward to bringing our precious girls home, making them a part of our family and most importantly, showing them God's loves for them.  He knew them before they were born and all their days were ordained and written in His book, including their life with us,  before they were even born.  (Psalm 139).  Another principle from my study was "As I set sail to follow God, my love will increase for those I am ministering to."  I know that as I have been obedient to God's call, my love for these girls has been growing each day.  I long to hold them in my arms and show them how much I love them in the days to come.  Pray with us for a quick embassy date so we can get them home

MERRY ETHIOPIAN CHRISTMAS!

Today the Orthodox church in Ethiopia celebrates Christmas.  After doing a little research, I discovered what appears to be a late celebration to us is because the Orthodox follow a calendar that was created during the reign of Julius Caesar, the Julian calendar.  Westerners follow the Gregorian calendar.  December 25th of the Julian calendar actually falls on January 7th of the Gregorian calendar.  So today is December 25th for our girls and we are wishing them a very Merry Ethiopian Christmas!  We wish that they could be with us for the celebration.  A nearby Ethiopian Orthodox church has a celebration open to the public.  We plan to attend in future years with our girls.

Another interesting bit of information is that the Ethiopian calendar is even different than the Julian and Gregorian calendar.  They have a year of 13 months and are 7-8 years behind our calendar based on a different calculation for the annunciation of the birth of Jesus.  So when our girls come here, they will be traveling forward in time; who said time travel was not possible!

We were hoping our paperwork would be submitted to Embassy this past Wednesday.  Our agency said because of the holidays, many people were off work and they were not able to get the passports and medical reports needed for submission.  So hopefully they will submit the paperwork this coming Wednesday and then we will wait for a date from the U.S. Embassy to return and pick up the girls.  We look forward to receiving pictures that a traveling family is taking for us this week.

I'm so thankful for all the family and friends that have come forward these past few weeks with clothes, a beautiful doll house, books, games and early learning resources.  You have truly blessed us!  We are now fully prepared to bring our girls home.

As I look back over the times of hardship and times of joy this past year, I remember God's promises and His faithfulness to keep each one.  I look forward to what the new year will bring because of His promise to me that "the best is yet to come."  Our lives are going to be so blessed by these two little girls.  It may be hard at times but God does not call us to a life of ease.  It is during the hard times of the past, that I have drawn closer to God and more dependent upon Him in my walk of faith.  The Bible says that Christ was perfected through His suffering.  I know that each trial faced in His strength brings me a tiny bit closer, although perfection will never be reached until heaven.  I also know because of God's faithfulness in the past, that I can walk forward in this new year; He will be holding my hand through all the ups and downs.  We've seen so many of His amazing works in our life this past year, both big and small.  We are assured that a future of walking in His will can only bring more blessing and wonders!  Happy New Year!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Luke 2:10

Merry Christmas - Joy to the world, the Lord is come!

Joy! This year the Lord has brought such joy to our lives in the adoption of our two precious Ethiopian daughters, Rebecca Bethlehem and her sister, Kathryn Jerusalem.

We started the adoption process last December and began our home study in January. A smooth start became rocky when I was diagnosed with breast cancer in February. For a few months, we had to follow Jesus into the hard places. What we found were that the hard places increased our sense of urgency in our call to adopt and more aligned our will and desires with His.

It was during this time of operations (I had five this year!) and rest that I felt closest to God and gained greater wisdom in my walk with Him. I discovered joy founded in Jesus can not be taken despite the hardships I faced. My illness was a time of darkness, confusion and searching but God was faithful to answer my prayers and lead me out of the darkness into light. On the other side of sorrow is great joy. We have found such joy that only comes from standing in the center of His will and watching Him orchestrate everything perfectly. He provided for my healing and has provided for our adoption in amazing and indescribable ways. 

King David recorded in Psalm 28: “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and He helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise Him.” and in Psalm 63: “On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. I cling to you; your right hand upholds me.” During the hard times, we held on to the hope that is in Jesus. This Christmas, we are singing joy to the world because joy that is rooted in the eternal can not be taken away no matter what our circumstances. For our family, we see Christmas as a time of joy, light and hope in a fallen world. Jesus came into this world, overcame death and offers great joy to those that follow Him.

Our daughters' Ethiopian names further attest to His wonders. Their birth father's last name means “my hope.” Jesus gave me hope in my time of darkness. Bethlehem's name is from the city where our Savior was born and means “house of bread.” John records in his gospel that Jesus is the bread of life. It is through Him I have found my sustenance and purpose in life. Jerusalem is the city where our savior died and means “rain of peace.” It is because of His sorrow on the cross, that we can find true peace and unending joy.

This Christmas season: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Sprit you may abound in hope. (Romans 15:13)

Christmas Blessings