Serving Him Together

Little History Boy

2010-07-05T06:45:00.000-07:00

This photo has a powerful story ..... my heart is full of gratitude as I hear and now get to "see" a bit of how God is using my precious far-away-son in Ethiopia. "Little History Boy" ..... I cannot wait to hear more of how God has protected you and I know He has a wonderful future for you.

When the storms come

2010-06-24T06:05:00.000-07:00

Last night as the storm rolled in ..... it got me thinking. Storms, much like life, are unpredictable. We might have some warning through weather reports, or circumstances, but when we're right in the midst of the storm everything can seem so out of control. I watched the trees out my front room window wondering if they were gonna come crashing to the ground with the extreme winds that came through. Shortly after, the winds took down a great big branch from the tree to the east. Yet the tree still stood. It got me thinking about our lives. Each of us have had times in our lives that we experienced broken branches. Just like that big 'ole tree that is rooted so very deeply and broadly into the ground .... I need to be deeply rooted in God's truth. If I'm not, I won't stand when the storms come.

Just as the winds were coming from every direction, swirling about, taking plants, lawn furniture and anything loose to places they didn't belong, that is exactly how it can feel when our lives are ripped up and blown about by tragedy, heartache and despair. God is still God even in the storms of life. His goodness does not change. He is just as good when we get to see the amazing miracle of new birth as He is when we lose a loved one to a sudden death. He is just as loving when a child is welcomed into a family as He is when another child becomes an orphan. He is just as faithful when we land a new job, or get a house sold in record time as He is when there is month after month of unemployment and we fall into financial despair.

I want to be like the tree outside my front room window that is still standing today in spite of yesterday's storm. I want to stand strong when the storms of life come crashing around me and the Enemy of the universe tries to get me to give up. I want my roots to be so firmly rooted in God's Truth that NOTHING of this world can destroy me completely.

You and I will have broken branches as we journey through life on this earth. There will be things in our lives that are completely out of our control. Sometimes our trees get out of balance and need pruning. But if we are rooted in Truth, we will weather the storm.

How about you .... are you feeling like the storms of life just leave you feeling out of control? Are you frightened when the high and unpredictable winds come? Do you wonder where God is when you see destruction? Be encouraged, that He is still there ... He is still the same loving and merciful Father that He has always been. He is worthy of our absolute trust.

Lord help me to weather the storms well, being rooted in your Truth. Help me be a tree of LIFE.

Proverbs 3:18 (NIV)

¹⁸ She is a tree of life to those who embrace her;
those who lay hold of her will be blessed.

Caring for Orphans ...

2010-06-22T10:31:00.000-07:00

James 1:27 NIV

27Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

There's a certain boy that lives far, far away whom my heart both loves and breaks for. His legal status is orphan .... but his love status is son. In my heart, he is my son .... no different than the sons who reside here in my home with me. It was over two years ago now that I met him in an orphanage in Ethiopia. He's been there many years. No doubt he went to bed many nights over the years wondering if he'd ever have family again.

He has dreams and ambitions. He longs to make a difference for his people. He works hard to flee from the immorality that surrounds him. At times he finds a way to write to me. One morning this week after talking with our kids at VBS about orphans I got one of those emails. Part of it reads ... "you are not like Ethiopian mother you are from somewhere that God only sent to me. I swear to God,Mom you are so special to me." Oh how TRUE, my son ... only God could have brought us together. He wanted me to know he's waiting on his testing scores which determines if he can get into the university .... his only hope for a future there.

We're called to care for orphans. That will look a little differently for each of us. Caring for orphans doesn't give you some "warm and fuzzy" feeling. Caring for orphans breaks your heart .... it shatters you ... it leaves you feeling like you can never do enough. We can't do enough. We can't solve the orphan crisis over-night. What we CAN do is obey what God gives us to do EACH day.

There is so much I want to do for Getahun. I want to provide a home for him. I want to hug him goodnight. I want to wash his clothes. I want to cook him a meal and provide enough food for him to feel full. I want to hold him in my arms. I may never get to do any of these things this side of heaven. There are times I lose heart and wonder why God ever had me meet Getahun if I cannot do these things. If I cannot fix his situation.

The painfully hard reality is that not all orphans will be adopted. (at least not yet!) Will I trust God to show me HOW to CARE for ORPHANS? Will I trade in my fleshly desire to have a heart that feels content and warm and fuzzy ..... for one that BREAKS? Oh Lord that I might TRUST you more and understand more clearly HOW to CARE for orphans. Caring for orphans is not to be about ME ... it's to be about HIM! Because of what Christ did for ME ... how can I not care about His children?

This last week we had the amazing privilege of sharing with our VBS kids about orphans. Their questions and interest were so awesome. I smile just thinking about how God was honored as they gave sacrificially to make a difference.

My heart is so grateful that this precious one is no longer in an orphan bed. Yet so many still are.

I would love to hear about how "caring for orphans" is being lived out in your life. Link your blog in the comments below. :) Maybe you've never given much thought to your responsibility in caring for orphans. What do you think God is asking you to do?

Paint chips, Puffs and Praise

2010-05-22T11:38:00.000-07:00

Finally the rain stopped awhile so I could get back to scraping the paint off the porch on this big 'ole house we're trying to make home. The children were all busy playing out back and it allowed just enough time for the flood gates to open once again. Something about working on this house reminded me of "the other house" that we still are waiting on closure for. Perhaps it was remembering all the long, hard months we worked on "the other house" to make into home ... knowing how it seemed to be all in vain now, that really hit deep once again. If I allowed myself I could believe any one of the crazy lies that flash through my head on a given day.

As I willed my mind to think on truth I went back to recount all the times I could think of in the past few years that God has shown Himself sooooo faithful. Quickly the Lord brought to mind waiting in a surgery prep room as I signed papers for a procedure that was so against everything I wanted. Doing so gave us a fighting chance on escaping a full-blown illness of cancer. I remembered how I had wrestled through the journey and how God has shown Himself as the God of all Comfort to me. Even when I felt so empty, He was there. He would NEVER ask me to face something without Him. By His precious grace we'd later have the privilege of bringing home TWO orphans.

While I kept scraping the porch and wiping the tears with Puffs, my mind traveled to another hospital room. This time it was when God spared my amazing middle son's life from a deadly sledding accident. I don't know HOW many times the doctors told us in that week stay just "how close" he was and all the "ifs". But instead this guy now towers over me and is so solidly standing on a firm foundation with a heart for many to know the Lord. Oh what PRAISE fills my heart.

That memory of course brought me to a more recent "close call" with my oldest, which you can read about here. Again, God spared that son's life. Lord, your MERCY is more than I can even comprehend.

Many of you have faced your own hardships.

Trusting God for finances for your adoption.
A medical diagnosis.
The indescribable loss of a loved one.
A lost job during the crumbling economy.
The fear of the unknown.
A broken marriage, by a spouse who got up and walked away.
The loss of a dream.

No matter what we face there is someONE there if we will choose to look to Him. We have to choose to look to Him though. He never forces Himself on us. He not only knows our name and the number of hairs on our head, but He knows every detail of what we're going through. He even knows the things we can't voice out loud.

HE is our COMFORT. HE is our COMPASSION.

3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion
and the God of all comfort, 4who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those
in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

HELLO!!! .... there is PURPOSE in what He allows in our lives.

5For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ
our comfort overflows. 6If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation;
if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance
of the same sufferings we suffer.
7And our hope for you is FIRM, because we KNOW that just as you share in our sufferings,
so ALSO you share in our comfort.
2 Corinthians 1:3-7

I deserve NOTHING, yet He cares enough about me to SHARE in everything going on in my life!

I continued scraping all that paint away, leaving a trail of wet Puffs behind me. I must choose to REST in HIM knowing that all the chapters of our story have not been written yet. It is NOT up to me to make that house sell. It is NOT up to me what the future brings. It IS up to me to TRUST HIM, to WALK WITH HIM, to LOOK TO HIM.

God isn't "good" because the house sold. GOD IS GOOD because He's THERE on the front porch in the midst of paint chips, wet Puffs and a host of unknowns. HE is the very REASON there is PRAISE.

Maybe you're in the midst of your own storm. He knows every tear you've shed. HE wants to be your comfort.

Two Years With Family . . .

2010-05-19T13:04:00.000-07:00

Oh sweet Arsema ...it's hard to believe you've been home with us now for two years. We have watched you change in many ways. It seems so long ago you were our precious orphan babe fearful of much, highly guarded and withdrawn.

I think back to the year long journey of bringing you home. The paperwork ..... endless paperwork. The HUGE financial mountains we had to climb. The THOUSANDS of hand-made cards that were designed, made, distributed and sold to help bring you out of the status of orphan and into the arms of family.

I'm so thankful for all that God has done in your life. You bring such JOY to those around you. Your eyes still speak volumes. It's hard for me to comprehend sometimes just how God brought you into our lives. That He would choose us to step out in faith ... so many odds against us ... so that you'd be surrounded by family. Every mountain, was worth the climb, my precious child.

When we first met you your heart was so broken, your body so stiff, your demeanor so cold. Now I get to hear the pitter-pat of your feet in the mornings as you come to find me and offer me huge hugs.

I think of your dear sweet birth-momma who gave you life. When I close my eyes I can still feel her snuggled into my shoulder and enveloped in my arms. When I look at you and your sometimes timid and shy eyes I know where they come from.

What a blessing it is to see you settled into family life. As long as big sister (who you've pretty much caught up to in size now) isn't bossing too much, or we don't leave you behind a closed door (like in the Sunday School class) ..... you are the happiest girl on the block. You absolutely adore your big brothers and you pretty much can get them to do anything you want. :) Unless you throw a fit. None of us are really into fit-throwing, but you are catching onto that as well.

God has a wonderful plan for your life, sweet Arsema. I am so humbled that I get to be part of it.

In a moment ... everything can change

2010-01-18T16:42:00.000-08:00

Yesterday the phone rang. It was one of those calls a parent hopes to never receive. The shaky voice of my first born .... "We had an accident." At that moment I drifted into a fog that I haven't quite made my way out of yet. It was hard to even grasp the next part of the sentence ... "we're all okay".

I think it's impossible to prepare for such a moment. This type of event sends your mind into a whirlwind that just has a really hard time stopping to rest. A momma's heart envisions the incomprehendable of preparing for your child's funeral. While caught up in that moment you remind yourself once again the reality that everyone is OK ... and someday there may still be that wedding you've dreamed of.

A time such as this sure brings about a lot of reflection. All the "what ifs" flood your mind and heart as if it's been taken over by waves of the ocean. What if the car had crashed into that telephone pole just a few inches over? ... is one of them.

To say that I'm thankful that everyone is okay just does not even begin to try and describe the gratitude within me. No one is exempt from tragedy. We could easily be planning a funeral(s) this week instead of looking forward to the future.

All praise to God for His overwhelming protection over these precious teens. It's hard for me to grasp what must have taken place in that accident in ways we cannot see with human eyes.

Oh Lord, may I never forget your power and great mercy. Thank you for giving me more time to hug my precious son and watch him grow into the man you created him to be. Thank you for sparing these kids' lives. I know you're working in them to bring good from this and glory to yourself. In a moment everything can change. Help me trust you moment by moment as we journey through together.

C ... if you read this ... I love you more than you could ever imagine possible. Someday when you hold your child, you'll understand. I'm so glad we get more time together. I can hardly wait to see more of the ways God will use you.

Family Photo 2010

2010-01-12T14:27:00.000-08:00

Never dreamed years ago this is what our family photo would look like. We are so blessed beyond measure. Embracing 2010 and excited to see all that the Lord does!

A New Year 2010

2010-01-01T10:52:00.000-08:00

New Year's is often a time of great reflection for people. For me, it's always a time of seeking the Lord about what He wants to do in my life .... what He wants me to work on ... what areas I should focus on for the new year.

Last night as we played games with our big guys my mind and heart kept wandering to a time past. My mind drifted to and from wondering what it must have been like five years ago for the woman who birthed our daughter. As she celebrated New Year's Eve that year .... what must have she been going through ... knowing that any minute her body would go into labor and she'd need to dismiss herself from her life and family and rush to the hospital to deliver a child? Not just any child ... but the child whose laughter and noise fills our house each day. What must it have been like to feel so incredibly alone? How scary must it have been when there were complications and she had to pull herself away not knowing if this little one would even make it? I shudder to think of how great a burden she carried with her all those months.

Today we celebrate this little girl's birthday. But for this momma's heart it's never just simply a day that marks another year. It's a time to remember ... to reflect ... to give THANKS to the Lord for all He has done. It's a time to be in complete awe of His great faithfulness.

Precious Naomi .... you have as much spunk as the size of Texas. Your life has blessed us in ways we could never have imagined. As a baby you brought much sleep deprivation to us that sometimes continues still today. :) We love how you absolutely adore your big brothers. We hope you will learn that you don't always have to prove you're bigger than your little sister. :) There is so much that I want for you, little one. I want you to grown into the young woman God designed you to be ... even with that tinge of vinegar He put inside of you. I want you to know as you grow up that your family and home will always be a safe haven for you, even when the world can be a bit cruel at times. Most of all .... I want you to know that the One who created you can be trusted through each season of your life ... through every year ... every valley and every mountain top. Happy 5th Birthday, precious girl. We love you so very much!

Today we start a new year. May each day find us trusting in the Lord more and more, no matter where this journey takes us. He is our absolute joy! The reason we get up each day. The One we thank when all is going well and the One who is worthy of our absolute trust and obedience during each challenge that comes.

Sometimes Things are Brown & White

2009-12-29T13:59:00.001-08:00

While reading Naomi a new book the girls got for Christmas, a familiar conversation transpired once again. I was admiring the beautiful artwork and thinking of later doing an online search to see what other books might be in this series. My daughter, on the other hand, had something different on her mind. I glanced down at the photo and saw a Mom and daughter. The sentence that came out of my little girl's mouth pierced my heart once again. "Mommy ....... I wanna be white like you!". The topic of the color of our skin is something we've openly talked about as she's grown. She knows that we think God made her incredibly beautiful and we rejoice in the lovely shade of chocolate brown skin that He created her with. But during those moments, I have learned that there is nothing that I can say to fix the longing in her heart.

I've found that in those moments sometimes it's best not to say much at all, but to draw her in close and just hold her tight and love her. We went on to enjoy a whole pile of new little books that evening! It was one of the best moments we've had yet. This little girl is all about princesses and all things pink. We started a new devotional that is entirely devoted to that topic. How I pray that as she grows she learns more about her King and that He made her perfectly according to her design in Psalm 139. I found it amazing that this was the first lesson in the book ... especially after just having that heart-piercing moment on skin color awhile earlier.

I will never be brown and my daughter will never be white. We will never share the same DNA. Sometimes it's still hard for me to fathom how God has woven our family together. We are so incredibly blessed!!! He's taught us so much about His heart on this journey of adoption. His love is far bigger than the color of our skin. And most importantly .... He's here to walk us through each season of this journey together.

God's Princess

2009-12-12T11:49:00.000-08:00

This picture brings about such emotion for me. Five years ago we were trusting the Lord to reveal the child He had given us a burden for. A child who would be born in America without parents able to care for him/her. A child we would use the last few dollars (and so many more) we had to our names to bring home. A child our young sons (at that time) worked all sorts of odd jobs to help raise the money for their adoption. A child that would take our family across ethnicity lines ..... in our situation those lines could have also meant still be welcomed in the family ..... God had another plan! .... those are now lines of love.

There were sooooooo many practical reasons NOT to say "yes" to God concerning adoption for our family. It would really be impossible to put into words the gratitude I have in my heart for the man in this picture. Because this man said YES to God, one more little girl doesn't have to grow up knowing the pain of being fatherless. Instead of being a statistic in the US Foster Care system, this precious spunky Texan has the status of family member.

We know full well, it's not about us saving children. OH HOW WE HAVE BEEN CHANGED because of adoption. But when I see this picture, I can't help but also know the sacrifice that was made and in part today is still made. For some, adoption is more than a RADICAL step of faith. It is not just the rich or upper or even middle class families that God calls to OBEY Him concerning adoption! The call to care for the orphan and the fatherless has NO financial status tied to it. If we are a child of God and have been saved and ADOPTED BY HIM then we MUST listen to HIS HEART for HIS CHILDREN.

Today a little girl will go see a fairytale movie about a princess, but she gets to live out soooooo much more than a fairytale. Her story is REAL. She is the princess of a REAL prince and even greater a REAL KING. Her life is not all perfect and this side of heaven she'll probably never live in a big castle and certainly does not live in a family with a big bank account. But even better she will get to grow up hearing about the hope of heaven where there are mansions waiting and the singing of angels and the worshiping of the one true King.

As Christmas draws near ..... will you be brave enough to think about the children both here in the USA and across the world that are so desperate for a family? Will you be bold enough to ask God what YOUR part is? Hang on ....... you just might get your life radically changed. I promise you can't even imagine such a wild and wonderful ride.

Two Little Girls

2009-09-27T12:37:00.000-07:00

Years ago we would never have dreamed that two little girls would be part of our family waiting for Grandma to visit. Yet here we are.

Obeying God's call on our family to adopt was a complicated endeavor. There were so many obstacles between what we knew God was doing in our hearts and the end result.

One very "unknown" piece of the puzzle for us was not knowing how our extended family would respond. We just didn't know how that would all go over and it was a very difficult part of the puzzle for us. We felt so torn. In our own home and little family we were ecstatic with incredible joy over what God was doing in our lives. But to know that others might not share in that joy ..... well, it's just very difficult to describe.

I only share all this now because I know many of you fellow adoptive families are going through similar struggles. Perhaps you grew up in a family that didn't embrace diversity and other ethniticies. Maybe you grew up in a home where racial slurs were heard. It's quite possible you fear that by adopting a child that looks different than your current family will risk being shunned by the family. These are tremendous things for the adoptive family to consider.

In some ways I wish I could say that every member of our family just fully embraced our adoptions ... that they worked alongside us to help fulfill the goals of bringing our daughters home. However had that been the case, I would have missed out on seeing God do such a work in our family's hearts. I would have missed the opportunity to learn to trust and follow my Heavenly Father first and foremost ..... even before my earthly family.

Just over 4 1/2 years ago I was walking the streets of Houston, TX, having just gotten a bite to eat while our new daughter was working hard to recover from open heart surgery. I will never forget looking up past all the tall buildings to the sky feeling quite alone. At that time I hadn't heard from my family yet after landing in TX. By this time some of them were tolerant of what was happening, yet others I had no idea if I'd really have much of a relationship with them once we returned home. While I felt very far away from my earthly family, I struggle to even find the words to describe how close I felt to my Heavenly Father. I knew without a doubt I was right where He'd called me. There was such an overwhelming sense of His peace, presence and joy.

God has not only worked in my life over these last years, but He's worked in my families' lives as well. So recently while preparing for "Grandma & Pa Pa" to come for dinner I found the girls sitting by the window waiting so expectantly for them. And the beauty behind it is that Grandma was just as over-joyed to see them as well. One little girl born here in America in desperate need for a family .... one little girl born across the world in Africa .... now brought together as sisters. But not only has God given them each a home and a family - while that's huge in itself - even more so He has transformed the hearts of that family to better love Him, to better serve Him and to better know Him.

No matter what challenges you are facing in your adoption, be encouraged that the God of the universe is bigger! .... and He will see you through.

Where Do We Begin?

2009-09-24T08:57:00.000-07:00

There are probably an extreme few who even check our blog anymore, because of our horrible negligence in updating it. Each month I think ..... man, I HAVE to get a blog post update done ... and it just doesn't happen. It is difficult to know where to even begin.

This photo is of our new location. As you can see when we arrived it was in major need of help. The board across the front picture window was completely broken, as were many other windows. The yard was very sparse and those walls have NO insulation which made for a very cold Illinois winter. As I look back at these photos, it painfully reminds me also of the condition of our lives at the time. No doubt we were really feeling the affects of being uprooted and starting over. After just completing a major remodel with the North Dakota house, we ventured once again into a house needing massive TLC.

Our incredible remodel crew went to work, yet it was just incredibly overwhelming. Plaster walls and ceiling crumbling; old wire needing repaired; dirt, dog hair and who knows what all needing swept and washed .... it nearly did us in. My stomach turns just recounting that time.

The good news is that God had gone before us .... oh without Him we would not have made it! We were embraced by our church family with such genuineness. They asked nothing of us, but just loved us right where we were at and were used by God as a soothing balm to our hearts.

All during this time we were trying to discern what God had for us in this new chapter of our lives. Over time God gave David vision to launch a Handyman business here that has proven to be a really good fit both for our family and for the needs here in our area. As you know, our deep passion is adoption and orphan care and we are blessed to be serving with the ABBA Fund here from Central Illinois.

Just as we were getting the house livable, we were plagued with the Chicken Pox. That ended up being 5 weeks of utter misery. Chicken Pox IS as awful in adulthood as you can possibly imagine. Let's just say I never care to repeat that Mother's Day again as I sat collapsed in the bathroom wondering if I could even make it 10 steps to my bed.

The house remodel continues ... boys all still waiting to be settled into their living quarters which has drug on months passed what we'd anticipated. North Dakota house STILL awaits a buyer (recent interest in leasing option which we'd covet your prayers about!!!). Through it all God has poured out His grace on us and kept us going. He has filled the barren walls of this big 'ole house with much fellowship and ministry. He has ministered to our hearts and blessed us deeply.

We enjoyed a wonderful summer including many memories made with extended family ..... a rare treasure that we have missed incredibly across the miles! There are many photos to share .... here are a few. Seeing these smiles just bring me such encouragement after such a long journey.

A little landscaping, a bountiful garden and sweet fellowship have created much beauty at this new homestead. We promise to update again soon. :)

Remembering . . .

2009-04-29T17:16:00.000-07:00

A year ago today we were finally united with our dear Arsema. What a bittersweet day it was. Our precious girl was less than excited about everything that was happening. I will never forget holding her stiff, scared body. We wanted so much for her to know there was nothing to fear. That process would take weeks for her. It definitely didn't come overnight. You can read all about that on the blog we kept to record our journey to her. However, a year later, she is deeply connected to her family and thriving. She is an absolute joy. We are so thankful for all the Lord has done in bringing her into our family.

Currently we are in the midst of an attack of the Chicken Pox. Three boys down, two girls likely waiting their turn. Hopefully all will be well soon and we can get onto better things ... like celebrating Nathaniel & Colton's birthdays!

A Year Ago . . .

2009-03-02T19:40:00.000-08:00

Wow ... so it's been a year ago now (and a few days) since we got that infamous call! The time had come and our baby girl was revealed to us. The Lord had been preparing our hearts for her what seemed like forever. We will never forget seeing her first photos and hearing her story. The shock ... the sadness ... the overwhelming hope and joy.

What a long journey you have had, precious child, in your first two years of life. Many difficulties, losses and trials . . . yet your heavenly Father loves you SO MUCH and by His grace made a way to provide a family for you. Oh what a privilege it is, precious Arsema to be your family. You are a beautiful reflection of God's grace.

Gone are the days of being weak and ill and tiny. You are now strong and full of energy. Your vocabulary is just exploding and it is so much fun to hear you learning to build sentences. You're a bit sneaky and beginning to be quite mischievous. Just this week as you found sister's gum (in the trash can!) and quickly hid it away safely between your chomping teeth you said to me .... "Gum ... mmmmmmm ... yummy ... Mommy!!". I could do nothing but laugh and let you enjoy your rescued treat. Silly girl!!

There are times you still get confused and scared and far away ... especially during our recent move. Those painful expressions of yours take me back to our first days together in your home land. More often though your eyes just sparkle and light up with wonder as you explore and take in all the amazing discoveries in this world.

You are so loved, my precious child. I will never forget God's relentless urging in my spirit about you. It seemed impossible that He would lead us to adopt again. By all realistic standards it was just kind of over-the-top. Oh but the Lord has NO limits, my child. He is ABLE to walk us through any mountains we face. I am so glad He led us to you. Through this journey I have learned so much about His heart and what He values.

May the Lord continue to work through your life just as He has ordained.

More Birthday pics

2009-02-25T10:40:00.001-08:00

Since blogger and I aren't getting along very well, here is another post with more pics from the birthday time! :) As you can see, progress is being made on the house! We'll update photos here soon.

Happy Birthday, Maleah!

2009-02-25T10:31:00.000-08:00

It's hard to believe that Maleah has already turned 2! Between working on some molars and coming down with a cold, the birthday girl wasn't so happy. But she sure did enjoy some presents, cake and cousin time! She has not been a big fan of this move and getting her little world turned upside down again. Thankfully, things are beginning to settle down and she's learning that we are here to STAY and we're not leaving her. We look forward to another wonderful year with this precious sweetie.

And since Blogger isn't cooperating with me, there'll be a separate post with more pics.

Problems!!

2009-02-20T06:07:00.000-08:00

I'm sorry that you're getting an error when you try to leave comments! Be assured we DO get your comments, but since our email has changed it sends this "unable to deliver" message. If any of you can tell me how to change my primary email on blogger, we'd love to hear from you!!! ... before I take the saw to my computer!!

But PLEASE still leave comments!! We LOVE hearing from you!

Thanks!

Much progress being made on the house ... LOTS of tools everywhere. Falling plaster has been removed, walls repaired and fresh paint put on. Stress has been felt with all the craziness. Children needing structure. Job search still in progress. Much prayer needed. Gratefulness has been felt in abundance while experiencing God's wonderful mercy and love throughout this move. BIRTHDAY to be celebrated soon!!! .... so come back for pics after the weekend. :)

Blessings!,
The Roberts Family

Trust ... sometimes a difficult thing

2009-02-06T11:30:00.000-08:00

As I somewhat anticipated, this move has been a difficult one for Arsema. Our mostly carefree little girl has temporarily transformed once again into a frightened wee-one with her guard way up. She looks at me as though I’ve let her down. We worked so long and hard to build trust with her and this set-back hit me hard emotionally. And while I would not choose for her to go through this, the Lord is definitely working through it and teaching me even greater lessons about Him.

When I look into her eyes and see that stare of confusion I have to ask myself ….. is this what I look like when looking to my heavenly Father during times of difficulty and unknown. Does my guard go up when I don’t know what’s coming next? Does my anxiety level rise when my routine is broken? Oh you betcha! I sense the Lord whispering to my spirit these last weeks and months …. “My child, don’t you know that you can TRUST ME?! Haven’t I proven to you over and over again that I WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU?! My word says that I WILL NEVER leave you or forsake you! …. Do you really believe me? I have been there with you every step of this journey, none of that has changed!” But my flesh and my weakness seep out at times and I give in to fear and I’m tempted to believe the lies of the enemy.

The Lord is so KIND and MERCIFUL. He does not hold office hours. He is readily available to us every single moment, if we’ll just look to HIM and embrace Him with arms open wide. I’ve had to ask myself a lot this last year what is it that keeps me from embracing Him! Often it is the fear of the unknown. At those times I’m challenged to take a look at His character. What I am coming to realize is that He is worthy of our absolute trust!!! He longs for His children to be completely, whole-heartily surrendered to Him.

I find myself doing lots and lots of reassuring with Arsema these days. Doing my best to meet her where she is, which is a bit regressed from where she was. I’ve been working to connect with her, seeking frequent eye-contact, maintaining limits so she feels safe and secure. Over and over again the Lord gently reminds me ….. this is what I’m doing with you, my child! I long for your COMPLETE trust. I want you to look to me, not with eyes of fear, but eyes full of vibrancy because you are SO familiar with me and my ways that you just trust me no matter where I take you!
I find myself trying to prove to my daughter that she can really trust me!, that I have her very BEST in mind, that I work to meet her needs. But you see, with the Lord it’s all been proven long, long ago. Unlike me with all my sin and selfish desires and inadequacies, the Lord has NO limits. He is the perfect example of a parent. He proved it all when He chose to die for me so that I might enjoy eternity with Him. Thinking about what He’s done for me, spurs me on to surrender, obedience and walking in truth. Oh that He would take out the yuck in my heart and life so that I can better serve Him and my family.

I look forward to the days to come, knowing with some extra work, patience and time, our precious Arsema will let her guard down and flourish once again. Soon her anger will give way to laughter more frequently and she’ll have figured out that we’re all still here and while her life got shook up yet again, she’s gonna be okay. How I long for her to grow up to know and understand her Heavenly Father’s love. What a privilege it is to walk this journey of life with her, even during her very grumpy moments.

Change does not come without pain. Even good change causes stress and anxiety. But as I’m learning day by day, the Lord can be trusted with every detail. Selling a house, securing a job, and raising support for a new ministry …. The Lord is in control of all of it. HE is the one who will make it all come to be, we need to focus on surrender and obedience each day, moment by moment.

Time to Hit the Road

2009-01-20T18:49:00.000-08:00

A lot could be said about how moving is like labor! I had long, long hard labors. In the midst of it, I wanted to never endure them again. Yet later, it's like the weight of the difficult part of it had faded and I was left with focusing on the many blessings. Well ..... moving .... while fighting off a flu virus would rank right up there for me!

Many of you have prayed for us these last days as we not only learned we'd be moving soon, but then found out in was in a matter of days! We are SO very grateful for your prayers!!! Yesterday, I hardly had strength to walk around for very long .... yet tonight we're preparing to be on the road early in the morning. Oh how we'd appreciate you praying with us as we travel!!

As we sat around tonight trying to establish our game plan for the morning, I posed the question to our kids .... how many pizzas do you think we served in this kitchen? It was fun to hear their guesses. Some of you know that our current home was a huge work in progress. The kitchen was the major focus of renovation. We loved having company over and making home-made pizzas while chatting with them and learning of what God was doing in their lives. SO many memories in this kitchen.

When listing our house with a local realtor she was commenting to David that a marriage only withstands a certain number of house renovations. Ha. But I hope we defy the odds, as we're embarking on yet another one in IL. Although not as extensive as here. :)

This move is one very emotional for us. We are leaving folks here that we have grown to love so deeply. Not only are we changing location, but major roles as well. In our time table we would have not had an extended stay in ND. And while it was full of some great difficulty as far as work/job went and the great unknown .... it was God's plan for our family. He taught us to trust Him and believe Him to greater depths than we've ever known. There might come a day I write more about the things He taught me through this last seven months.

Many special people await us in Illinois. Grandparents! (well one batch of them we have to wait til April to see as they don't do IL winter anymore), our dog Honey!, our church family ...... and a new house waiting and ready to be turned into a home. Still many details to trust God about. But we are learning to trust and obey Him day to day.

Perhaps in the days to come you'll get to see some pics of our progress on the new place we call home. We look very forward to updating you also on our future ministry with the ABBA Fund. Be sure to check out their blog, written by Jason Kovacs, for many helpful resources concerning adoption and orphan care.

North Dakota holds special memories for us as well, because this is where God led us to follow Him on our adoption journeys. We saw Him move mountains time and again for each one. Now as a family of 7 we embark on this new chapter.

Heads Spinning, Boxes Packing, Thanks Giving!!

2009-01-08T11:44:00.000-08:00

As you know we have been waiting for over six months now for our move to IL. As fall came and went .... then winter began .... our hearts were growing weary wondering how everything was going to happen.

Well ...... the Lord has seen fit to move us to the next chapter of our lives and ministry in IL in the very near future. Through an amazing chain of events, a house has been secured for us yesterday and we plan to work hard to making it a wonderful home base for ministry. It is incredibly overwhelming to comprehend that this is happening. This would be the "Heads Spinning" part! The last six months + have been increasingly difficult for us here and transition is always hard .... It's time for us to process through that and move forward.

We would very much appreciate your continued prayers for a good sale of our house here in ND. We'll make the complete move at that time. We'll be spending Maleah's birthday there .... What a special bonus. A packing we will go? .... yeah, insert prayer request here!

It's really impossible to express to you how much your prayers and love have meant to our family through this journey. We have asked the Lord time and time again to use what He's taught us through this season to bless and encourage others. We're trusting He will do just that.

Lots to figure out here in the days ahead. There is a need to secure work for David in IL. Now that we have a date we can pursue that further. It is also time for some difficult good-byes here in ND. We'd be so grateful for your continued prayers.

May the Lord be glorified through this wonderful testimony of His faithfulness! We will never forget what He has done for us. It is incredibly exciting to us what He has done in this next big step towards working more with the ABBA Fund through our new home base in IL.

Blessings,

The Roberts Family

Our Princess turned 4!

2009-01-04T17:47:00.000-08:00

What a fun week it has been. Thankfully, the Princess Birthday Party was the day BEFORE the big snow storm, or we'd have had one crying princess on our hands! We ended up not being able to make it to Maleah's court date because of the storm, so we have to wait just a bit longer for that special day. However, celebrating we have certainly been doing.

We haven't had a great track records with Naomi's birthday the last couple of years. Last year Daddy was nasty sick with the flu (that made it's way through the family). The year before that Nathaniel ran into a tree sledding and ended up with a nasty break to his leg. So ..... we were really trying to not repeat any of that this year! We had a wonderful day with friends.

Nathaniel helped to set a very special table for the birthday girl and her guests. Gotta love a brother that will go to great lengths to make his sis feel special! Josiah treated her like a princess all morning long and entertained her while she waited for company. Maleah slept through much of the fun, but woke just in time to enjoy cake with us! :) Boy does she LOVE cake! That's a good thing because next month we'll be celebrating her birthday!

The boys all enjoyed sledding and ping pong (and lots of yummy treats!). What a fun day! More celebrating to come yet this month. Then we hope soon it's time to pack up the moving truck! Lord, please send a buyer!!! :)

Christmas Ponderings

2008-12-25T19:15:00.000-08:00

You never know when it's going to hit you. It might come from a certain expression ... a little giggle ... a funny quirk .... or a memorable day. Ah yes, it's often on my mind. I suppose even more around special holidays. But today ...... it was the new pink robe that brought that pierce so tenderly and sharply to my heart.

I noticed she was gone for a few minutes. Sure enough, here she comes boppin' in to where we were .... having ditched the clothes behind with her little chocolate-toned body all adorned in her new robe. "Mommy! ... it's so comfy and cozy!", she said, as she twirled about showing us all. And as I reached for the camera to capture this fun memory, it hit me once again.

My mind drifted off thinking about another momma .... wonder what she'd think of this precious little sight, I thought. Would it make her giggle to see this spunky little girl all happy and dressed in pink?

Often these moments are a little bittersweet for me. I wonder at times if the other momma would approve, for lack of better words, on how we're raising this most amazing little girl that she gave birth to. As I was baking Christmas cookies this year, the thought came to me that she would want us to rejoice in these times and enjoy all these wonderful moments in Naomi's life. She would want her to be happy.

I wonder today if something made her stop and ponder and dream of this wee-one. Oh how I pray she is well and that the God of all Hope is her Peace today.

Soon we'll be celebrating Naomi's 4th birthday. Can it really be four years since I took those flights to get to Texas? How I would have given anything just to have one picture of that dear other momma. And so tonight as I stop and think this all through ...... yes, there are some tears. But oh the JOY of getting to witness this child have LIFE, because of one brave Momma's choice to walk a very difficult journey all alone and give her the best gift she ever could .... the gift to live.

What a privilege it was tonight to sit together and hear the Christmas story being read. For these girls to hear of a most special baby born many, many years ago. He came so that we might have life.

Oh Lord, help us to live our lives well ... for your glory.

Merry Christmas!

Winter in ND!

2008-12-22T19:10:00.000-08:00

Well, in "our plan" we'd be spending this winter in IL. However, here we are. :) It has truly been a time of reflection. As we wait on our house selling and for some details to come together for our move to IL, we look back and recount all the times in our lives that God has proved himself faithful. What a comfort that is!!!

Recently, the kids all bundled up and ran outside for a quick photo session so I could complete a project for all the grandparents. This week we're to get a heat wave for above zero temps .... so I'm sure they'll be out enjoying the snow and sledding!

While we continue to trust the Lord about all the unknowns in our lives ...... we also REJOICE in WHO He IS and what HE came to offer. How blessed we are to have such a loving, heavenly father. What JOY is in our hearts to celebrate His birth.

Warm blessings to you from frigid North Dakota!

Birthday Boy, Doing Hair and Setting the Stage

2008-12-02T13:43:00.000-08:00

Sorry ... any of you that actually read this blog ... I've been very negligent on any updates. What can I say? ... the delays and unknowns in our lives leave us in "coping mode" much of the time and not much extra left. November left us really aching for extended family and sad we'll not be with them for the holidays. But it also brought a visit from grandparents which was HUGELY appreciated, a Birthday Boy celebration, lots of hair and "setting the stage" for an open house.

Our youngest son turned 11! .... can that really be? He is for sure our bundle of dynamite. Always has been, probably always will be. I LOVE how our children are so different, even though every now and then certain aspects can put this momma over the edge. :) Josiah wanted a football cake so that was a fun project. We enjoyed a great evening with friends, lots of pizza and plenty of chocolate! He had a great day! :)

Hair! ... what more can I say? We do lots of hair in this house. Naomi was in great need of a trim, as her hair had never been evened up throughout the baby-days-stage. So I finally conquered the task. As you can see, she hammed it up for her brothers taking the photos. :) Then came some braids, which only stayed in 24 hours. YEAH, you read that right! We'll not be doing that again soon. Back to twists that she can handle sleeping on. Maybe someday her desire for braids will overcome her sensory issues and she'll be able to handle it. Until then, we'll try something else!

We've been swamped preparing for our local craft fair (pics to come later on our projects) and decorating the house for the Tour of Homes! Our town invited us to participate to hopefully get the locals through here and let them see the renovations. BUT!, with all our Christmas things being shipped to IL, this has been quite an undertaking! Time to get out the paper crafting supplies and go to work. Thus another reason for our lack of updates.

While we long to have this move over and transition more complete in our lives .... we often stop and talk about God's incredible faithfulness to us while we wait. HE is so GOOD, even when circumstances are not. HE is in CONTROL, when we are so not! HE is our STRENGTH, when we have nothing left.

The Lord has been so faithful to teach us through this time. In the days ahead I'll share more with you about that. In the meantime we have to finish a mass of loose ends for the upcoming Tour of Homes. Would so appreciate your prayers concerning the sale of our home.

About a Year Ago .....

2008-11-06T17:57:00.000-08:00

Pop over HERE to the blog where we journaled our most recent daughter's adoption for a special story of God's faithfulness!! May you be encouraged, just as we have been to look back and see all that He has done! :)

A Tribute to Birthmoms

2008-11-03T08:14:00.000-08:00

As you all know, November is Adoption Awareness month. These days, my heart and mind have been drifting a lot to Texas, the birth state of our first daughter. I think about her birthmom and weep with overwhelming gratitude of the choice she made for Naomi. We live in a culture that is SO approving of abortion ..... yet her birthmom chose the most courageous choice for her in giving her life. She had no support network, in fact not even her immediate family knew of her pregnancy ... yet she chose LIFE.

We never had the opportunity to meet her in person. It was her wishes that the adoption be closed. Because of Naomi's health issues (which she had no prior knowledge of), we spent our first days together in the critical care unit of Texas Children's Hospital. While there, she learned that her little girl had a family. She gave Naomi something we couldn't .... life. And now it's up to us to take that baton and be there for her all the days of her life.

So often when Naomi curls up in my lap for snuggles, my mind drifts to her birthmom. I am SO grateful for all the choices she made for this precious child. I pray that she is at peace knowing her little girl has a family who are absolutely crazy in love with her. One of the things her birthmom wanted us to know about her is that she loved to laugh. Naomi has this most wonderful little mischievious giggle that adds such a fun sense of spice to our home. It makes me think of her birthmom with such great joy. We may never see each other this side of heaven ..... but her birthmom will always be treasured in our family and her legacy honored.

This video by Mark Shultz is such a touching tribute to his birthmom. It encompasses so many aspects of adoption. As we enter Adoption Awareness month, may we become more aware of the journey of birthmoms. May we be sensitive to their needs and their heartache. May we be challenged by their courage to choose LIFE.

Lord, may you pour out your mercy on all the women today who are struggling through a pregnancy. May they see you as the giver of Life and may they trust you. May we all be sensitive to women in our lives that need someone to walk with them. Stir in us Lord to help them. Make us aware of their needs. Will you pour out your blessing on the women that gave our daughters LIFE. Heal their hearts and give them renewed strength. May they always know how much their children will be loved and cherished.

Adoption Connect!

2008-10-28T06:21:00.000-07:00

Today I'd like to introduce to you the author of Adoption Connect. I really appreciate Courtney's heart for adoption. She has a wealth of experience from their own adoptions to offer on so many important issues that adoptive families face, including trans racial adoption, financial hurdles, older child adoption, bonding/attachment and many more. No doubt you will come away very encouraged! Recently I was able to ask Courtney a few things about her experiences.

At what point in your life did you contemplate adopting?
I always wanted to adopt. I can remember being a young girl and thinking about it. My husband and I starting discussing it immediately. We got married young and so the timing never seemed right. Initially we said we would adopt after our biological children were raised. After our 4th child was born, God moved on our hearts. In fact He spoke clearly to both of us about it. That was in 2004 and it wasn't long after that we welcomed our first two children in our home through adoption.

(Click on this photo to enlarge so you can see her beautiful children!!)

What is one challenge in particular that you or your family has overcome after bring home one or more of your children?
Attachment disorder. Yes, it is real. Yes, it exists. And yes, it is a struggle. However, what I want people to know is that through our loving and healing God, it can be overcome. Our daughter who came home at 8 years old from Russia had attachment issues. She rejected me immediately and fought my love and affection with avengence. There were many hard days. And many days that I cried. It was not at all what I had imagined when we went into adoption. But, God used those times to draw me to Him. And He used those times to show me what it means to love without conditions. It took time, a lot of prayer and a lot of perseverance, but today our daughter is a wonderful, loving, well adjusted 11 year old. And I would go through all of it again to have this precious girl in our lives.

What is something you feared about adoption?
Since we had set out to adopt older children, my biggest fear was that our children would struggle from their past hurts and have so much pain that they would be unable to move past any of it.

Your future grandchildren .... What is it that you want to be known for by them?
Faith. I want to be known for my faith. I want to pass down to them a Godly heritage as well to my great grand children and great-great grandchildren. I want them be faith -filled believers who are willing to risk it all to follow after Jesus.

What is a verse that helped you through difficult days?
I lift up my eyes to the hills- where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip- he who watches over you will not slumber. The LORD watches over you- the LORD is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD will keep you from all harm- he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and for evermore.

Psalm 121:1-3,5-8

If you could share one thing with people struggling to trust God with all the unknowns associated with adoption, what would it be?
Adoption is a giant leap of faith. It is an awesome an amazing journey. Yes, there are many unknowns. In our humanness it is only natural to fear those unknowns. If God is laying adoption on your heart, JUMP! Is it scary? YES! But, you will not regret it. And God will do amazing things in your life in the process. Adoption has changed me in so many ways. It has made me a better me and I am so glad we took the leap. Don't let your fear hold you back from doing what God is placing on your heart. You only get one life and our lives are short and fleeting. If you are feeling that nudging that your life is meant to be more than it is, I encourage you to cast your fears aside and put your faith in our Father. Then get ready for the most amazing journey of your life!

Courtney and her family's story is adding a new chapter
very soon You'll want to also check out their family blog
Storing up Treasures in Heaven, to hear more about
how this little guy will be joining his family,
Lord willing, very soon!!! What a joy it is to see a family trusting their Heavenly Father for every detail of their lives. Adoption brings about real obstacles and real challenges, but God is greater than all of them. If we will trust Him and yield to Him, He WILL make a way through provision, strength and healing.

I have always appreciated Courtney's honesty about both the trials and the joys with adoption. Be sure to share the Adoption Connect link with others. May we encourage each other along this wonderful journey, as we trust in our Heavenly Father to help us climb each mountain on the path He's set before us. Perhaps you are not in a season to adopt yourself, you'll find several families highlighted on her blog who are adopting and could use your love and support!

Introductions & Great Article

2008-10-23T11:13:00.000-07:00

Here is a great little article very much worth reading! I find myself pondering these issues more and more as our 3 year old grows older and much more aware of introductions and things being said about her.

I think of my sons and how it would feel "odd" to both them and me if someone introduced them as "C, N & J, born of her womb". Seriously .... wouldn't that make us kind of think ... "hhmmm .... strange?!". I'm not saying it's never appropriate to acknowledge that our children have been adopted ... that's not the point at all. But I do think we should ponder this over in our hearts and continue to seek to think of our children. It's pretty obvious my daughters do not look like me. But they are my daughters, most certainly as much as my sons are .... without the need to always give commentary on how they entered our family.

Often if it's an introduction, you're gonna end up spending some time together and usually you'll cover the "adoption conversation" anyway.

What have been your experiences and how have you found good ways of handling such things, helping your child to feel comfortable and not needing to justify who they are? Would love to hear!

One of These Little Children . . .

2008-10-20T12:08:00.000-07:00

"Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me." Mark 9:37

Lately I've been reflecting on the unbelievable transformation we've seen in our little one since she came home. Not only that though, but even greater what God has done in our family. There is a deep truth in Mark 9:37.

Oh Lord, how grateful we are for your incredible love for us, your presence that sustains us, your faithfulness that carries us through. We are so undeserving ... we fall short ... we fail. But You, oh God .... you are the true example of what it means to be a Father. How blessed we are to be your children. Thank you for all the ways you teach us about your great love. We rejoice in what you've done in Arsema's life. Thank you for allowing us the absolute privilege of witnessing it.

Why Adopt article & book

2008-10-10T09:36:00.000-07:00

Why Adopt? over on Crosswalk.com is a wonderful article you'll for sure want to read. The author, Natalie Nichols Gillespie, shares about her family's own experience with adoption, as well as taking a look at what scripture says about caring for orphans. Take a look. She has authored the book Successful Adoption: A Guide for Christian Families. I plan to order it! Successful Adoption also includes real-life stories from families who have adopted, including: Steven and Mary Beth Chapman, Rita Springer, Dave Thomas, Karen Kingsbury and Donna Van Liere.

Meet the Darlings!

2008-10-09T09:11:00.000-07:00

We have been so blessed to meet some wonderful families along our adoption journey to Arsema. The Darlings are one of those families. You can imagine their great JOY as they just recently received their referral of a beautiful little girl waiting for them in Ethiopia!!

Throughout their adoption journey, many people have come alongside them to help them with raising the financial needs of making this a reality. Their church has been a wonderful support to them, not only in helping with a special offering, but also helping with supplies for a very successful garage sale. I remember how excited I was to hear all they did to raise awareness for orphans around the world at this event. Many orphans have had a voice through this family's journey.

I would encourage you to read a bit more about their family at the Legacy Child program through the ABBA Fund. And also, be sure to read more about their adoption journey at their family blog.

Today they have heavy hearts as the funding they thought had come through for this next phase didn't work out in the way needed at this time. Will you join us in PRAYING for this family? Pray that God would meet every need of this adoption. Pray for creativity for them as they face this current challenge. Pray for their new "Darling" .... waiting for them in Ethiopia!! I can't show you her beautiful picture until they pass court! :)

$3,385 is a small thing for God. Pray that it is taken care of in abundance!

Tupelo, MS/Memphis, TN Conference!!

2008-10-08T09:45:00.000-07:00

Calling all families that live in the Tupelo,MS/Memphis, TN area!! There is an event THIS Saturday that you will NOT want to miss! Be sure to check out all of the details at the ABBA Fund blog today. How we wish were not so many miles away. We would be there for sure! :)

Card Info

2008-10-07T09:54:00.000-07:00

So ..... along with a huge passion for adoption and family .... I enjoy a little "side business" with card-making. I hold monthly classes here in our home. Many of you know that this is hugely how we funded Maleah's adoption. I will share more on that story in another post. But for now, just wanted to let you know that over HERE you can see what I've been up to concerning card production and if there's ever any way we can help fulfill your card needs, please let us know! This is only a small sampling of what we do. I say "we" ..... because pretty much everything in our home is a team effort. We continue (on a much smaller scale now!!) to sell cards to finish paying our no-interest loan through the ABBA Fund.

In the future I'll be gathering resources for the many fabulous things out there that families have done to help bring their children home. I would LOVE to hear what you've done! Please share in the comments section!! Your ideas will help spur on others about what THEY can do also!! Not only do funding projects help to bring your child home, but it is just an amazing way also to raise awareness in your communities for the needs of waiting children! Just leave a comment and I'll be in touch to highlight your family/project in an upcoming post. Thanks so much! Be sure to check out the resources in Jason's blog that he does for the Abba Fund. It's full of a wealth of information, including this topic as well!

Courts Open - Prayer Needed

2008-10-02T11:23:00.000-07:00

Now that October is here and courts have reopened in Ethiopia, my heart and mind are often drawn to the many families that have been waiting SO long for this time to arrive! Some of these families approaching court have children in Ethiopia that we met when we traveled this last spring to bring home Arsema. (sidenote - yes we still call her by both her names. I used to think that might be awkward for kids, but I now see it is not. I have a feeling she'll always be called by both names. She smiles adoringly at both, so why not?)

Would you join me in praying for the many families who are waiting to pass court? It can be a very nerve-wracking time as a waiting parent when it feels you have NO control over your soon-to-be-official-child's life. What a comfort it is to know that someone IS in control though! He has every detail fully taken care of. He asks us to trust Him and cling to Him.

Pray for extra strength for the staff workers of all the different agencies working on behalf of orphans in Ethiopia. Pray for accuracy in paperwork. Pray for provision for these families, both in their upcoming travel expenses, as well as God's mercy to get through each day. Pray for health for the children.

I'll never forget receiving the call that we "passed" and made it through court. I think I asked sweet Mary at Gladney like three times, to be sure I heard her correctly. Now soon it will be time to go to court again for us here in the states to make everything final on the US side.

For you waiting families ..... my heart goes out to you in abundance. For some of you the wait has been extra long. May I just encourage you that the Lord has not forgotten you or your child(ren). He cares SO deeply for you. Our family will be rejoicing in abundance with you when we hear you've made it and will soon be on those planes!!!

May you declare Psalm 130:5 . . . "I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope."

Getahun update

2008-10-01T18:49:00.001-07:00

Thanks so much of those of you who have checked in with us about Getahun .... I know several of you are also praying for him and that is so comforting. Well, we have received word from him and he's with his grandmother right now. I don't want to share many details on the blog about this. Thanks for understanding. He isn't able to get the care he needs at Kolfe .... nor is he really able to get the care he needs at his grandmothers .... but that's where he is right now and I'm grateful for his trust in the Lord. This move (for now) also means he isn't in school. This is a huge "not-good" thing. His education there is his future hope. He is such an amazing student. So your continued prayers for his health are GREATLY appreciated!!!

One thing I am learning is that there are no easy fixes for the fatherless. I "knew" this before .... but walking this journey with Getahun .... it's much more deeply embedded into my heart. So we'll continue praying for him and loving him from afar the very best we can.

May I also say here that someone from our agency was very helpful in checking on him for us as well. We are SO grateful for a staff that truly cares for the orphans in Ethiopia. Not only those they are able to find homes for .... but those also whose status will remain.

Unexpected Blessings . . .

2008-09-28T12:02:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we had the absolute privilege of having new friends over. Had our upcoming move gone according to "our" time table, we would have missed out on this HUGE blessing in our lives, as we wouldn't even have met our new friends. It's really made my heart experience deep gratitude to the Lord.

Fall is in full swing in ND (lack of rich hues of purples, reds and oranges like IL), and winter will all too soon make its way here. Selling a home in ND in the middle of winter is about like selling an air-conditioner to an Eskimo. But as we once again try to lay those concerns aside . . . we have to wonder if there are even more unexpected blessings yet to be experienced.

Last fall at this time, we had just finished our dossier for Ethiopia and were going on the "wait-list" for our referral. This year we're still swirling in a sea of unknowns. Sometimes I feel sea-sick ... at times I wonder if we are sure of what direction we're going ..... other times I wanna jump ship altogether. Ever feel like that? :)

But as we look back over the course of life God has brought us on, we are so amazed by His faithfulness. It's most certainly not been a life of "smooth sailing" .... but He is worthy of our Praise, our Thanks and our Hope. We can follow Him confidently, knowing His way is the right direction in our lives.

What about you? Are you weary, overwhelmed, or feel as if you might sink? I encourage you to trust in your Heavenly Father. You never know when He is going to bring about "Unexpected Blessings" in your life.

Oh Lord, how we want to trust you more. Thank you for so graciously providing to our family "Unexpected Blessings", at a time we needed to see you so badly. Help us to be faithful, as you are faithful.

A fun little side-note. Our new friends happen to be walking the journey of adoption. Ethiopia. We are so full of joy to get the opportunity to experience this incredible miracle with them.

Need Prayer!

2008-09-26T10:36:00.001-07:00

We're asking for your prayers for Getahun, our "far away son" in Ethiopia. Please see the post at our adoption blog for the info. There are links there to his story as well.

Sorting Socks and Singing

2008-09-25T09:47:00.000-07:00

You know ... that dreaded task, of sorting/matching all the odd socks. It seems like a "never-gotten-to-job" around here. I oddly found myself alone while doing the task and my mind was just bombarded by all the details of our future that have yet to be determined. As often is the case though when my mind gets overly consumed by all the "unknowns", the Lord faithfully reminds me that HE KNOWS. He knows every detail, every question, every burden, every fear. Soon I found myself singing songs that He so gently brings to my mind to help me claim truth and not become numb by doubt.

I found myself amazed once again, by His faithfulness to me. After realizing what had just happened (yet again) ... I remembered a wonderful song by Chris Tomlin about this very thing. Press play and hear for yourself.

Thank you, Lord, for your faithfulness ... to help my heart want to sing.

Slowly, steadily, surely . . .

2008-09-20T11:25:00.000-07:00

"But these things I plan won't happen right away.
Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled.
If it seems slow, be patient!
For it will surely take place.
It will not be late by a single day."
Habakkuk 2:3

I was reminded about this verse while visiting a friend's blog who is waiting to bring home their little girl from Ethiopia. It's a verse that brought me much comfort in the adoption process ..... and I should be clinging to it again as we wait for God to reveal so many unknowns in our lives.

You see, I can read this verse and say I believe it ..... for sure it's true, it's God's Word! .... of course it's true. Well, what happens when God takes us on a L-O-N-G journey of LIVING OUT this verse? OUCH! ...... we have a choice, moment-by-moment to choose to believe this is true. I don't know about you, but I fail in this miserably and often! I am faced daily with the challenge to be CONTENT right where God has me ... in the midst of one unknown after another.

Father, how I long for you to be glorified in our lives. Help us, as a family, to live truth and not embrace fear. Help me to TRUST YOU when my heart is weary. Give us eyes to see who you are, even when we don't understand your time table. Thank you for reminding me Lord that your vision will be fulfilled, just as it was in days long ago. This trusting thing is HARD Lord. I confess my lack of trust. Thank you for your Word. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Upcoming Adoption Conference!

2008-09-19T09:00:00.000-07:00

Be sure to check out this great upcoming adoption conference!

You can find out all about at the Together for Adoption site.
There you will also find many helpful resources and encouraging articles.

Walking by Faith

2008-09-18T10:29:00.000-07:00

For we walk by faith, not by sight. II Corinthians 5:7

This goes against "worldly wisdom" .... and often it goes against the grain of "comfort". But what we know is that our Heavenly Father is able to be TRUSTED. He is worthy of our PRAISE. He is ABLE to carry us through. Yet how often do we find ourselves so distracted and consumed about what we can't see. We spend our energy worrying over details completely out of our control. We get overwhelmed by all the "unknowns" of life and they distract us from the things that we DO know to be true of God. Does God have you in a season of walking by faith? You can stand firm in Him, fulling believing that HE DOES SEE and know what's ahead. He is sovereign. It may not be a comfortable journey, but it will probably be one that makes you long more for heaven.

If you choose to walk this way, it will leave you changed. You will have to let go of some of the things that bring you comfort. I'm not talking just material things. I'm also not talking about blindly and aimlessly walking through life. Walking by faith takes a firm decision, a deep commitment, a focus on eternal things. It means following God's will for your life, even when He doesn't give you all the details. It means trusting Him, even when you don't have all the answers to what lies ahead. It means being vulnerable to Him and what He wants to do in and through your life. It means laying down your agenda, so that He can fulfill His. It means thinking less of yourself so that you can think more of the people and purposes that He values.

Beware .... walking by faith is anything but relaxing. It will challenge you to your core of what you truly believe. But what I can promise you, is that you will not walk alone. I don't know about you, but I find great comfort in Deuteronomy 31:6.

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them,
for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."

A New Chapter . . .

2008-09-16T19:48:00.000-07:00

WELCOME! Well, we're entering a new chapter on this journey of life. Right now this new blog is looking really, really empty! Kind of intimidating. :) I suppose you could summarize the last several months of our life by one word ..... t-r-a-n-s-i-t-i-o-n. Not sure what I think about that word, honestly. It envelopes SO many things. Fear, excitement, anxiety, UNKNOWN, and unanswered questions, just to name a few. Regardless though of what we think or feel, we can be sure that the One we serve is unchanging ..... He's our rock, our fortress, our strong tower. We can testify that without Him, we would surely be sunk!

Currently we are in the process of selling our house and relocating to Illinois. While we are anxious to have our house sold and settle into our new home/life/routine ..... our hearts are heavy and sad as we think of leaving dear friends and loved ones behind. Will that all happen in one month, or one year .... only the Lord knows. What we do know is we're only gonna make it through this transition by clinging to Him.

Many of you probably followed our journey to the most recent member of our family here. Well, as that journey came full circle and we now venture off on a new one .... it was time for a relocation on-line as well. While we needed to respect our agency's parameters for not sharing much about fund-raising on our Ethiopian adoption blog, we also are keenly aware that finances are such a huge part of adoption. So we hope that at this new "on-line home" we can address some of those issues and offer encouragement to those wrestling through all of that.

If you are a family currently on the adoption journey, be sure to leave a comment and let us know where you are at in the process. It would be a privilege to follow along with you and pray for you.

Soon, we'll be sharing more about what all our new ministry/life is gonna look like. Right now, we just wanted to say WELCOME! ..... Lord willing, we'll be striving to encourage, strengthen and equip families in their journey of adoption.