Waiting is tough.
We know a family that is in Addis Abba, Ethiopia right now. They are adopting 3 children and we just got word that they passed court. I am SO excited for this family.
When I saw their facebook post saying they were in Washington D.C. waiting for their flight for this trip, an intense feeling of longing gripped my heart. As they shared their anticipation and anxiousness for all that was just before them I was overwhelmed by feelings that knocked me to my knees, in prayer. Prayer for them as they were preparing to meet their children face to face. Prayer for their appeal to the court to allow them to become the parents of three precious children. As tears streamed down my face and my heart full to bursting I also asked the Lord to hasten the day that it will be Kyle and I meeting ours.
The anguish I feel is growing a passion in my life. A passion for orphaned children. I would love to fast forward through this season of waiting and longing and yet the bible tells me to, "consider it our joy whenever you face trials" It goes on to say, "The testing of (my) faith will develop perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that (I) may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4. There are a great many things I am lacking so I am sure Perseverance has its work cut out but rather than loathe this time I am choosing Joy. Thankful that I am being stretched. Thankful that our eyes are being opened to the needs of others. Thankful for the anguish that I feel because, friends, this anguish is proof that I am being transformed. And believe me. I. need. to. be. transformed.
One day we will be posting an update letting you all know that WE are on our way.
Until then, I will continue to pray for ours and those that need a family. For protection. For provision. I hope you will too.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Sunday, January 22, 2012
A little more on why Ethiopia?
We have been asked why? "Why Ethiopia?" "Why adopt?" "Why wouldn't you adopt from the U.S.?"
Why Adopt?
There are approximately 147 million orphans in the world. Which gives us 147 million reasons to want to adopt. We love children. We love being parents. When we think about children who are unloved, neglected, or suffering our hearts hurt. We want to help. In you the orphan finds mercy. Hosea 14:3 We want to be the hands and feet of Jesus.
Why not adopt a child from the United States?
I don't have a concise answer for why we felt lead to adopting a child in Ethiopia. What I do know is this: We know that there are children in need of families right here. On the next street over. There are children in need all around us. Our hearts hurt just as much for the children right here as for the children in other countries. A child in need is a child in need no matter where they are on the map. It isn't about doing something bigger, better, harder or more noble. It is about a child. A child who needs a family. Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows. Isaiah 1:17 This is us learning to do good. We will cheer you on in your endeavor to learn to good as we hope you will for us.
Why Ethiopia?
It is a beautiful country. We love learning about the rich culture and people of Ethiopia. The food is full of unique flavors and spices. We love to travel and we are excited to experience as much of African culture as we can. On a very personal note we have been incredibly blessed by the addition of our niece, Miss M. who is from Ethiopia. Our hope is that a connection to their homeland between Miss M. and our daughter will be something that each of them will cherish. There are approximately 5 million orphans in Ethiopia. Our daughter is one of them. I do not know where she is, what she looks like or from the circumstances she will come but I know that I love her with all my heart. I know that I don't want her to hurt or suffer or to be hungry or scared. And I know that God places the lonely in families. Father to the fatherless, defender of widows — this is God, whose dwelling is holy. God places the lonely in families. Psalms 68:5-6 So we are ready and waiting for a precious one from Ethiopia.
Why Adopt?
There are approximately 147 million orphans in the world. Which gives us 147 million reasons to want to adopt. We love children. We love being parents. When we think about children who are unloved, neglected, or suffering our hearts hurt. We want to help. In you the orphan finds mercy. Hosea 14:3 We want to be the hands and feet of Jesus.
Why not adopt a child from the United States?
I don't have a concise answer for why we felt lead to adopting a child in Ethiopia. What I do know is this: We know that there are children in need of families right here. On the next street over. There are children in need all around us. Our hearts hurt just as much for the children right here as for the children in other countries. A child in need is a child in need no matter where they are on the map. It isn't about doing something bigger, better, harder or more noble. It is about a child. A child who needs a family. Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows. Isaiah 1:17 This is us learning to do good. We will cheer you on in your endeavor to learn to good as we hope you will for us.
Why Ethiopia?
It is a beautiful country. We love learning about the rich culture and people of Ethiopia. The food is full of unique flavors and spices. We love to travel and we are excited to experience as much of African culture as we can. On a very personal note we have been incredibly blessed by the addition of our niece, Miss M. who is from Ethiopia. Our hope is that a connection to their homeland between Miss M. and our daughter will be something that each of them will cherish. There are approximately 5 million orphans in Ethiopia. Our daughter is one of them. I do not know where she is, what she looks like or from the circumstances she will come but I know that I love her with all my heart. I know that I don't want her to hurt or suffer or to be hungry or scared. And I know that God places the lonely in families. Father to the fatherless, defender of widows — this is God, whose dwelling is holy. God places the lonely in families. Psalms 68:5-6 So we are ready and waiting for a precious one from Ethiopia.
Monday, January 16, 2012
We Embrace The Call
Why adopt?
Why Ethiopia?
Why Ethiopia?
...to look after orphans and widows in their distress -James 1:27
Did you know there are an estimated 147 million orphans in the world? Roughly 5 million of them are in Ethiopia. We have embraced the call, and for us, that means adoption.
Did you know there are an estimated 147 million orphans in the world? Roughly 5 million of them are in Ethiopia. We have embraced the call, and for us, that means adoption.
For Kyle and I the dream to adopt began in separate places. I don't know if either of us can articulate the moment we knew we wanted to adopt but I do know that we both had a heart for adoption before the two of us became one. Fast forward to January of 2010 and that dream came very much alive in this Mama's heart. A few weeks later we found out we were pregnant with our third child and adoption was put on hold. It didn't take long after Azariah's birth until I felt ready to begin and I began praying in earnest that God would align mine and Kyle's hearts. I began researching adoption agencies and programs. What an overwhelming task. It wasn't long and God answered our prayer and we were both ready to move forward with our plans to adopt.
My heart for the children of Africa first surfaced when Kyle and I were dating. I attended an event where Tony Campolo (www.tonycampolo.org/compassion.php) spoke about his work with Compassion International. After he shared I searched the tables of little faces of children in need and landed on Muithi, a little girl that lives in Kenya that I have been sponsoring ever since. When we began looking at programs and trying to figure out which country we would like to adopt from it wasn't that big of a surprise that Ethiopia topped the list.
So here we are. Awaiting a match with a little girl from Ethiopia. We have requested a child between the ages of 0-24 months. It will be a long wait....hoping to be matched by October of 2013...long wait. The Ethiopian government is making changes and restructuring in order to protect the children in the process of adoption. This is a good thing, and we are thankful, and yet it is hard to wait. Philippians 4:19... And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. In this journey we accept God's provision and timing. We trust Him not only to prepare us, but to protect her. There is much to prepare for. Our little one will have lost all she has known. We don't know the circumstances from which she will come but we do know that it will be a painful loss no matter what those circumstances are. She will be black in a house full of blue eyed and blond people...in a community that is approximately 82% percent white. She will be over 7,000 miles away from home. And it will be hard. Lord, help us. We know He will.
So here we are. Awaiting a match with a little girl from Ethiopia. We have requested a child between the ages of 0-24 months. It will be a long wait....hoping to be matched by October of 2013...long wait. The Ethiopian government is making changes and restructuring in order to protect the children in the process of adoption. This is a good thing, and we are thankful, and yet it is hard to wait. Philippians 4:19... And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. In this journey we accept God's provision and timing. We trust Him not only to prepare us, but to protect her. There is much to prepare for. Our little one will have lost all she has known. We don't know the circumstances from which she will come but we do know that it will be a painful loss no matter what those circumstances are. She will be black in a house full of blue eyed and blond people...in a community that is approximately 82% percent white. She will be over 7,000 miles away from home. And it will be hard. Lord, help us. We know He will.
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