Children's HopeChest

This is an oldie but goodie. A few posts back I talked about my feelings of being overwhelmed by all I saw in Ethiopia. I have also talked about the impact the boys at Kolfe had on my family. In fact, I still email some of those young men! I can't believe the difference in the facilities at Kolfe from before Children's HopeChest intervention to now. There is a picture of Kolfe in the video. The boys are sleeping on mats on the cement floor. There is no paint or comfort. This is not the helpless picture of Kolfe I saw when I was there. The kids had bunk beds, cubbies, a television, painted walls and curtains. They had chickens, a garden, a kitchen, a soccer field. Awesome the life skills these guys are learning and all they have done to their home! When we visited I could tell they took great pride in their work and are preparing themselves for adulthood. This is so important for the future of Ethiopia. I think Children's HopeChest has an awesome program going on. I would love to hear stories from those of you who are sponsoring children.

The other morning we had a missionary at church. He gave a visualization of a pile of treasure on one side of the pulpit and an illiterate African man on the other side. He asked us which is the bigger treasure. He challenged us to think about what we value and what we spend our money on. The work at Kolfe and all the other orphanages in the video has been accomplished with about a dollar a day per kid you sponsor. Really? I spend more money on my coffee than that. Yet my husband and I had ourselves convinced we should sell our other house before making a commitment. I can see the progress that is being made and am feeling ashamed of what I have been valuing. God is really pricking my heart these days.

Wondering

I'm wondering how many children are going to bed tonight without a kiss from a mom or dad? How, in a world this beautiful, can this happen?

Post Adoption Blogging is hard!

I thought I would start my post with some new photos taken by a good friend Gail. You can check out the rest of the pictures on her website at www.gtphotgraphy2010@weebly.com. I can honestly say that this was one of my favorite photo shoots. Very relaxing. We surprised Dad with these photos for Father's Day this year. He had no idea. So much fun!

I think post adoption blogging is so hard and I have read other blogs that say this same thing. I do continue to check the FBI list almost everyday as I pray for the families in process. I feel as though Adonu is so much a part of our lives that I hardly think of HIM as being adopted. That doesn't mean I don't think of adoption though. In fact, I think of Ethiopia and all those faces of children growing up without a family each and everyday. My heart goes out to them all. I have a very tender spot for all those older children. In their eyes I see my children, nieces and nephews and I think who is reading to, praying with, kissing on and loving these children. They are the same as my children at home, needing love. Not a day goes by where I don't think these things. It seems so big. I spend money and have beautiful photos taken of my four children, but what about all those orphans. I am having a hard time blogging because I can't get this out of my mind and yet I do nothing. Honestly, I feel overwhelmed and don't know where to start. Does anyone else out there have this problem. It is like I feel called to do something, but what. Sponser a child, adopt again, support a program like Kidmia? Does this problem of orpans and where to go post-adoption overwhelm anyone else out there? Seriously maybe it is a form of postpartum depression but for adoptive families? I think I have been subconsiously avoiding blogging because I feel as though I'm doing nothing for those we left behind. All those beautiful faces longing for a family. Ethiopia was the most mentally changing event of my 35 years, but what about life changing?

In the end, God has the answers and I know he will lead me and my family as we continue this journey. For now, I pray for guidance and pray for the ability to surrender my will to his plan for my life.

We moved

The last four months have been insane. We bought a new home and an apple orchard. We now own about 187 apple trees and a goat named Socks. We purchased the fifteen acres behind our new house two years ago. When our new house and the orchard went up for sale we decided to take a look because it borders our land. Our thoughts were if we absolutely loved it then we wouldn't have to build. Worth a glance, right? Guess what? We loved the house and land and well...here we are. I'm happy to say we are moved, back online, and adjusting to it all. If someone would have told me I would move 31/2 months after bringing my son home from Ethiopia I would have laughed hysterically. Praise the good Lord Adonu is such a happy going little boy. He hasn't missed a beat with the move. He has so much room to play now and it has been fun watching the kids adjust to country life. I mean, a goat, come on!!!! I was a total city girl and now I own a small hobby farm. We are learning a lot as a family about caring for apple trees and I'm even composting. Who would have thought! Two nights ago I actually mowed lawn on a John Deere riding mower. WOW!

Through it all, Ethiopia is on my mind daily. I was so happy to get back to the FBI list and check out the adoption world. We are excited to see the wonderful Tucker family is adopting again. What a blessing. I'm also excited that a local family just submitted their final paperwork to Gladney for an Ethiopian adoption! It is truly amazing to watch God work in the lives of so many!

All I really want for Christmas

Every time I hear this song I have visions of all those beautiful children I met in Ethiopia. I pray this year many orphans will get their wish of a family. Now, after listing to this song again, I'm going to go sit in my son's room and praise God for bringing us together as a family this Christmas.

Merry Christmas

I can't believe my son has been home for fifteen weeks. I know all parents brag about their children so I am just asking everyone to please forgive me for this but, I think Adonu might be a genious. He turned 2 December 14th. Gladney said his birthday was accurate and I have so much faith in them. Tonight he sang the entire ABC song with me three times. He is saying up to five word sentences in English. He also sings almost all of twinkle twinkle and ba ba black sheep. He is so amazing. The credit goes to the awesome caregivers in the Gladney Foster Center. What amazing women. I am so glad they spent so much time with my son. I just know he will become someone great and make his family in Ethiopia proud.

Here is a copy of our Christmas letter we mailed with our card. Merry Christmas to all my friends!

Merry Christmas 2009

This has been an extraordinary year for our family as we traveled to Ethiopia to bring home our son, Adonu. We feel incredibly privileged to be blessed with the opportunity to raise this boy. He is an adventurous two year old that has completely fit right in with our family. The judge in Mauston couldn’t have said it better when he said, “Sometimes God just drops an angel in your laps.” Adonu is very happy and intelligent. He is picking up language so quickly and makes us laugh daily. We can not imagine our family without him.

Emma and Niah continue to enjoy home school, 4-H, swim club, piano lessons, and church activities. They love to help take care of their new little brother. Jason started school this year and loves it. He learned to ride a two wheel bike. He also braved his way through outpatient surgery for his trigger finger release. Jason is so proud to be a big brother!

As a family we did some camping this year, traveled to St. Louis two times, and went to Mayo Clinic for a medical conference. Brad had a near death experience after a bee sting this summer. We now know he is extremely allergic to Yellow Jackets. He will go through immunotherapy this winter. We wouldn’t want a little bee to slow him down during his biking, camping, running, hunting…….activities!

Our trip to Africa was the highlight of our year. The people of Ethiopia are wonderful and part of our hearts will always remain there. Traveling to a third world country was a life changing experience. We have learned how truly fortunate and wealthy Americans are. At the same time we realize that people around the world are similar in that they value God, family, and friends and can enjoy life without extravagance. Brad and I are praying about how we can continue to help people in need so that they can enjoy all Christ has given them. This experience has taught us to reflect on how much we have, the things that make us happy, and how we can serve others in need.

It is so easy to get wrapped up in ourselves and our own families during the Christmas season. Jesus Christ came to this earth to serve others. He gave his life for you and me so that we can go to heaven. This was a gift, he asked for nothing in return. “For by grace; are ye saved through faith (in Jesus Christ); and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:” Ephesians 2:8. We ask ourselves, whom have we served? Are we following Christ’s example? Our family prays you choose to accept God’s gift and follow Him this Christmas.

With Love,
Brad, Beth, Emma-9, Niah-7,
Jason-5, & Adonu-2

Two Year Photos!