Did I mention that these 2 children are beautiful??? I just can't stop staring at them!! Their little smiles are contagious and I find myself smiling back at their pictures because their smiles are just so amazing!!! They have a sparkle in their eyes and a smile that you can't even imagine!! I CAN'T WAIT to show everyone how sweet these two children are....but because of Ethiopian laws, I can't post their photos on public domains and websites, until we are home with them!!
So, just trust me--- they are beautiful. They are gifts from God and true treasures!!
James 1:17 "Whateve is good and perfect comes to us from God above, who created all heaven's lights."
We are so blessed,
Amy
Friday, January 23, 2009
Thursday, January 22, 2009
REFERRAL--YEA!!
We received the phone call and email from BFAS yesterday, January 21, 2009. It was a referral for siblings. An adorable 2 year old boy and his precious 4 year old sister. They are at Kunkeet and we were so thrilled to recognize the siblings in some of the photos that a fellow (sweet and thoughtful) prospective adoptive parent, Nguyet, posted to the BFAS site last week. I was stunned, shocked, amazed, excited and speechless. The children are beautiful and are a perfect match for our family. We are both excited and humbled. Our heart aches for another family, around the world- that for whatever reason, has been and is still hurting. I can only pray that God knows and will give comfort and peace to these people on the other side of the world that are suffering. We are thrilled yet at the same time, saddened to know these children have been through so much loss and grief in their young lives. We also grieve for the birth parents and family, for their loss. I can't imagine the heartache of a mother, father or the children enduring the hardships these people have faced that brought them to this place in life. We will honor their gift of life and are humbled to open our home, love and share our family with these beautiful siblings.
It is also very important to note that we don't have full disclosure of information yet. We are still awaiting the children's medical or family history but, Angela told us that this information will be sent by Agitu as soon as possible via email
(hopefully we'll know more about these children tomorrow!!)I am an optimist!!! :)
The BFAS staff has been amazing to us and we appreciate their hard
work and tireless efforts in helping the orphaned children of
Ethiopia find loving homes, despite the MANY challenges that they
face in this complicated process. Thank you Agitu, Haile, Angela,
Molly, and all of the rest of the BFAS staff for the work you are
doing. You will wear many crowns and jewels in heaven!!!
For our dear friends and family-- PLEASE PRAY FOR THESE CHILDREN!!! PLEASE PRAY FOR THEM!! PLEASE PRAY FOR US!!! Pray that the Lord would heal the hurts these children have endured, keep them healthy, protect them from any danger, provide their nutritional needs, and open their hearts to a new family and knit our hearts together. Pray that we are equipped to love them through all the challenges, to know how to meet their physical, emotional and spiritual needs. Please pray that we are patient with the rest of the adoption process. I thought it would be easier once we "knew" who they were.....I don't think this was an accurate guess of how I would feel--- seeing their beautiful faces makes me know and feel even more of a sense of URGENCY to love them, to protect and provide for them, to bring them home- than I've felt yet!! I think God is already knitting them into my heart and that is so amazing to me. God is so good.
Thank you Lord.
These scriptures are fitting today.....
Psalm 68:5 "Father to the fatherless, defender of widows--THIS is
God, whose dwelling is holy."
Psalm 78:4 "We will not hide these truths from our children but will
tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord."
Blessings,
Amy
It is also very important to note that we don't have full disclosure of information yet. We are still awaiting the children's medical or family history but, Angela told us that this information will be sent by Agitu as soon as possible via email
(hopefully we'll know more about these children tomorrow!!)I am an optimist!!! :)
The BFAS staff has been amazing to us and we appreciate their hard
work and tireless efforts in helping the orphaned children of
Ethiopia find loving homes, despite the MANY challenges that they
face in this complicated process. Thank you Agitu, Haile, Angela,
Molly, and all of the rest of the BFAS staff for the work you are
doing. You will wear many crowns and jewels in heaven!!!
For our dear friends and family-- PLEASE PRAY FOR THESE CHILDREN!!! PLEASE PRAY FOR THEM!! PLEASE PRAY FOR US!!! Pray that the Lord would heal the hurts these children have endured, keep them healthy, protect them from any danger, provide their nutritional needs, and open their hearts to a new family and knit our hearts together. Pray that we are equipped to love them through all the challenges, to know how to meet their physical, emotional and spiritual needs. Please pray that we are patient with the rest of the adoption process. I thought it would be easier once we "knew" who they were.....I don't think this was an accurate guess of how I would feel--- seeing their beautiful faces makes me know and feel even more of a sense of URGENCY to love them, to protect and provide for them, to bring them home- than I've felt yet!! I think God is already knitting them into my heart and that is so amazing to me. God is so good.
Thank you Lord.
These scriptures are fitting today.....
Psalm 68:5 "Father to the fatherless, defender of widows--THIS is
God, whose dwelling is holy."
Psalm 78:4 "We will not hide these truths from our children but will
tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord."
Blessings,
Amy
Monday, January 19, 2009
Happy MLK Day!! It has been so nice to have an extra long, 3 day weekend. We've enjoyed the break and change in pace.
Our family is doing well. Everyone is healthy right now. The kiddos are doing fairly well with their school work and are growing and learning new things every day. For the most part, we are on target and where we should be in our curriculums right now but our days seem to have gotten a little crazier in the past several months. In the past I read a book called "Managers of Their Homes" by Teri Maxwell and it was a very good guide and book of suggestions for organizing your homeschool and family time so that you can have peace in the home. I don't follow her scheduling to the 30 minute increments like suggested (that's a little TOO regimented for me), but I do try to use many of her ideas to help organize my days at home with my children so that we can accomplish our school work, chores, quiet times and play time without the craziness. When I try to stick to my planned "schedule"-- our days do work out so much better and we accomplish so much more. But....recently, I've been struggling to maintain a schedule, as I've been very easily distracted by unimportant "things" (ie....dirty dishes, the laundry pile, phone calls, facebook, email (waiting for the referal and checking my inbox way too often!! and etc.etc.) So-- recognizing that we have some room for improvement in our home and homeschool day- I am going to re-read this book and seek that the Lord help me to focus on those tasks that I need to make priorities and let the other "things" fall to the side so that our home can be more peaceful, more productive, and a place of refuge-- not craziness!!
Regarding our adoption.....we are continuing to pray for the Lord's perfect timing and plan for our family. Praying for patience and peace, also. No referrals have been given since December 26 (to my knowledge) so we are hopeful and praying that the families in front of us on the waiting list get some good news (referals!!) soon so that there is some movement on the waiting list and we will be one step closer!! We're also praying for those families with court dates in the next few weeks--- if these processes go smoothly and the adoptions pass through the ET courts first try, well, logically there will be more time ( and energy!) for the BFAS employees in ET to focus on getting those new referrals out!! So, while I am really praying hard for OUR adoption process,I am also praying for the other families that have also been called to care for orphans and are waiting on this journey, also!
Hope your day is blessed and restful--
Amy
Our family is doing well. Everyone is healthy right now. The kiddos are doing fairly well with their school work and are growing and learning new things every day. For the most part, we are on target and where we should be in our curriculums right now but our days seem to have gotten a little crazier in the past several months. In the past I read a book called "Managers of Their Homes" by Teri Maxwell and it was a very good guide and book of suggestions for organizing your homeschool and family time so that you can have peace in the home. I don't follow her scheduling to the 30 minute increments like suggested (that's a little TOO regimented for me), but I do try to use many of her ideas to help organize my days at home with my children so that we can accomplish our school work, chores, quiet times and play time without the craziness. When I try to stick to my planned "schedule"-- our days do work out so much better and we accomplish so much more. But....recently, I've been struggling to maintain a schedule, as I've been very easily distracted by unimportant "things" (ie....dirty dishes, the laundry pile, phone calls, facebook, email (waiting for the referal and checking my inbox way too often!! and etc.etc.) So-- recognizing that we have some room for improvement in our home and homeschool day- I am going to re-read this book and seek that the Lord help me to focus on those tasks that I need to make priorities and let the other "things" fall to the side so that our home can be more peaceful, more productive, and a place of refuge-- not craziness!!
Regarding our adoption.....we are continuing to pray for the Lord's perfect timing and plan for our family. Praying for patience and peace, also. No referrals have been given since December 26 (to my knowledge) so we are hopeful and praying that the families in front of us on the waiting list get some good news (referals!!) soon so that there is some movement on the waiting list and we will be one step closer!! We're also praying for those families with court dates in the next few weeks--- if these processes go smoothly and the adoptions pass through the ET courts first try, well, logically there will be more time ( and energy!) for the BFAS employees in ET to focus on getting those new referrals out!! So, while I am really praying hard for OUR adoption process,I am also praying for the other families that have also been called to care for orphans and are waiting on this journey, also!
Hope your day is blessed and restful--
Amy
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Name Game
The Name Game.......So that's what Joel and I have been doing for the last few days. We have always struggled with naming our children and this adoption is no exception. While we have decided that we will "probably" give our children new first names and keep their Ethiopian name as their middle name.....we have not decided on these names. The "probably"--- is mentioned because if our children's given Ethiopian names are easy to enunciate and spell- we will proudly keep their given name from Ethiopia. But, in our culture and society, we don't want our children to always be in the spot light because their name is so incredibily different than their peers names, but we do want to honor and remember their Ethiopian names, so we'll use them as their middle names.
So---- we don't have a referral yet and we don't know what gender children we are going to adopt. This makes naming even more challenging-- so we're just really trying to come up with some good ideas for all gender combinations just in case. We do want to give our children their names before we bring them home so that we can specifically pray for them by name and begin introducing them to our 2 1/2 year old so that he can start to associate with the children--- he's just too young to understand "adoption"-- but he will be able to look at a picture of these 2 children and understand their names and become familiar with them as a part of our family discussions and prayers. So----- here are a few of our favorite names.......
might I also mention that we do take into account the meanings of names and think they are important.....
For 2 girls----- Emma(one who heals) and Ella(light)
For 1 girl and 1 boy--- Sarah (princess) and Samuel (name of God)
For 2 boys---- Joshua (whom God has saved) and Justin (the just)
We also like these names......Jordan (decending), Grace (the graceful), Meagan (the strong), Ava (lovely bird), Grant (great), Spencer (giver of provisions),
Isabella using nickname of Bella(consecrated to God).
We would LOVE some input so if you have some great names and want to play the name game with us, feel free to comment on this post and give us some new ideas!!! We need as much help as we can get!!!
"A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches and loving favor more than gold and silver." Proverbs 22:1
Blessings,
AMY
So---- we don't have a referral yet and we don't know what gender children we are going to adopt. This makes naming even more challenging-- so we're just really trying to come up with some good ideas for all gender combinations just in case. We do want to give our children their names before we bring them home so that we can specifically pray for them by name and begin introducing them to our 2 1/2 year old so that he can start to associate with the children--- he's just too young to understand "adoption"-- but he will be able to look at a picture of these 2 children and understand their names and become familiar with them as a part of our family discussions and prayers. So----- here are a few of our favorite names.......
might I also mention that we do take into account the meanings of names and think they are important.....
For 2 girls----- Emma(one who heals) and Ella(light)
For 1 girl and 1 boy--- Sarah (princess) and Samuel (name of God)
For 2 boys---- Joshua (whom God has saved) and Justin (the just)
We also like these names......Jordan (decending), Grace (the graceful), Meagan (the strong), Ava (lovely bird), Grant (great), Spencer (giver of provisions),
Isabella using nickname of Bella(consecrated to God).
We would LOVE some input so if you have some great names and want to play the name game with us, feel free to comment on this post and give us some new ideas!!! We need as much help as we can get!!!
"A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches and loving favor more than gold and silver." Proverbs 22:1
Blessings,
AMY
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Quiet days, Quite days.
The last few days have been quiet days on the adoption front. Not much information to pass along or share yet......we are just waiting for a referral and praying for those sweet, innocent, scared and lonely children that have no family to call their own today. We are praying and waiting. God knows the right timing, God knows the children, God knows our family and our strengths, weaknesses, and our abilities.
God knows.
I'm really TRYING not to worry about the details, just trying to TRUST God with all that I am. But, in my effort to be transparent in this blog, I will admit again that this has been super hard for me. God has shown me that my walk with Him needs some growing in the trust department. There are moments every day when fear grips me and I have a dialog similar to this one in my head--- "I am crazy.....WE are crazy.....why do I think I can handle any more on my plate right now, especially two emotionally needy children. Everyone else thinks we are crazy to adopt right now, too......How will we do this? What if we FAIL at parenting these children and our family crumbles because of the additional stress?? What if there is not enough of me to go around! What are we doing? Etc, Etc, Etc....."
But......when I stop my rambling, whining and put a kibosh on my personal little anxiety attack--and when I re-focus on God, and not on myself...... I have peace and I KNOW THIS IS EXACTLY WHERE GOD WANTS US TO BE AND WE ARE DOING WHAT HE HAS CALLED US TO DO RIGHT NOW. God knows and will give us the strength and endurance to run this race. God brought us to this place, no doubt. We know that God called us to adoption and to fulfill this purpose right now, we know this for sure.
What I doubt is my ability- what I fear is failure and what people think of me. But, I believe God's Word. In His Holy Word, He tells me that I don't have to do this.....GOD will do it THROUGH me. I know that God does not give us a spirit of FEAR, but of love and sound mind.......I know that I can do ALL things through Christ Jesus who strengthens me...... Who can be against me, if God is on my side???
THESE ARE GOD'S TRUTHS......the little ramblings in my mind, are attacks by my flesh and they are lies and they are NOT from God. God is TRUTH.
So, this is my prayer request today--- please pray that we are strengthened, encouraged, and steadfast and unwavering in our adoption journey. Please pray that God's TRUTHS are our compass and guiding light. Pray that we trust Him and have faith that He will work out the little details!!
So, while the last few days have been quiet days on the adoption front, they have also been "quite" the days for me, emotionally and spiritually. It's an adoption journey from above, for sure.....I can feel the growth pains and spiritual stretching!!! :)
Hope your Sunday has been blessed--- AMY
God knows.
I'm really TRYING not to worry about the details, just trying to TRUST God with all that I am. But, in my effort to be transparent in this blog, I will admit again that this has been super hard for me. God has shown me that my walk with Him needs some growing in the trust department. There are moments every day when fear grips me and I have a dialog similar to this one in my head--- "I am crazy.....WE are crazy.....why do I think I can handle any more on my plate right now, especially two emotionally needy children. Everyone else thinks we are crazy to adopt right now, too......How will we do this? What if we FAIL at parenting these children and our family crumbles because of the additional stress?? What if there is not enough of me to go around! What are we doing? Etc, Etc, Etc....."
But......when I stop my rambling, whining and put a kibosh on my personal little anxiety attack--and when I re-focus on God, and not on myself...... I have peace and I KNOW THIS IS EXACTLY WHERE GOD WANTS US TO BE AND WE ARE DOING WHAT HE HAS CALLED US TO DO RIGHT NOW. God knows and will give us the strength and endurance to run this race. God brought us to this place, no doubt. We know that God called us to adoption and to fulfill this purpose right now, we know this for sure.
What I doubt is my ability- what I fear is failure and what people think of me. But, I believe God's Word. In His Holy Word, He tells me that I don't have to do this.....GOD will do it THROUGH me. I know that God does not give us a spirit of FEAR, but of love and sound mind.......I know that I can do ALL things through Christ Jesus who strengthens me...... Who can be against me, if God is on my side???
THESE ARE GOD'S TRUTHS......the little ramblings in my mind, are attacks by my flesh and they are lies and they are NOT from God. God is TRUTH.
So, this is my prayer request today--- please pray that we are strengthened, encouraged, and steadfast and unwavering in our adoption journey. Please pray that God's TRUTHS are our compass and guiding light. Pray that we trust Him and have faith that He will work out the little details!!
So, while the last few days have been quiet days on the adoption front, they have also been "quite" the days for me, emotionally and spiritually. It's an adoption journey from above, for sure.....I can feel the growth pains and spiritual stretching!!! :)
Hope your Sunday has been blessed--- AMY
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Dossier On It's Way To Ethiopia
Got the call today from BFAS, that after some minor hold ups with expiration dates on some agency paperwork, the newly dated agency paperwork has arrived and our dossier is now moving, really on it's way to Ethiopia. We are still officially waiting as of 12-19-08, but our completed dossier, with all the appropriate authentications and apostles, etc. is now on it's way to the birth country of our children.
I've had a roller coaster day today. The emotions that come with an adoption are much more intense than I ever expected. There is the sense of knowing that what and where we are is the perfect place in God's perfect plan and those are such peaceful, powerful moments. And then...... there's the sense of an overwhelming urge to totally be in control of paperwork and processes that are totally out of my control so that I can hurry up and help and love and protect and nurture and mother these 2 children that so desperately need a mother!!! Frustration develops at this place and I realize that these feelings are worldly, and exhibit a very human lapse in my faith and trust in God's provision, God's protection, God's timing, and God's Divine plan for our lives. I am humbled by my weaknesses and thankful that God knows my struggles and is so gracious and loving to me, in spite of my shortcomings.
Please pray that we are strong enough to wait for the Lord. Please pray that we are able to more fully trust in God's perfect plan, His perfect timing, and His provision for us and for all of our children. God knows.
My favorite scriptures that I repeat to myself daily to keep my life in focus when I'm feeling like I need to control things......
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and in all your ways acknowledge Him and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6
I've had a roller coaster day today. The emotions that come with an adoption are much more intense than I ever expected. There is the sense of knowing that what and where we are is the perfect place in God's perfect plan and those are such peaceful, powerful moments. And then...... there's the sense of an overwhelming urge to totally be in control of paperwork and processes that are totally out of my control so that I can hurry up and help and love and protect and nurture and mother these 2 children that so desperately need a mother!!! Frustration develops at this place and I realize that these feelings are worldly, and exhibit a very human lapse in my faith and trust in God's provision, God's protection, God's timing, and God's Divine plan for our lives. I am humbled by my weaknesses and thankful that God knows my struggles and is so gracious and loving to me, in spite of my shortcomings.
Please pray that we are strong enough to wait for the Lord. Please pray that we are able to more fully trust in God's perfect plan, His perfect timing, and His provision for us and for all of our children. God knows.
My favorite scriptures that I repeat to myself daily to keep my life in focus when I'm feeling like I need to control things......
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and in all your ways acknowledge Him and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6
Monday, January 5, 2009
A Blessed Day
After a very busy but good Monday, here are some of the small moments that happened today that I am thankful for......
1)The kids worked hard on all their schoolwork.
2)During Jackson's language arts this morning, he said, "Wow Mom--- I love looking things up in the dictionary with you-- this is fun!" aaaahhhhh-- a great homeschool mom moment!!!
3)Madilyn told me "goodnight" and said "I Love You" in Amharic at bedtime. They are so excited about adopting from Ethiopia. So sweet.
4)Joel found out today that when we travel to Ethiopia, the Army allows 21 days of "non-chargeable" leave for an adoption. YEEHAW!! Free days off for him to travel for the adoption.....YEA!! God is good.
5)While I was cooking dinner tonight, Joel Daniel played legos in the floor for 45 minutes straight, alone. It was so peaceful and nice!! Several months ago, I was dreaming of him playing independently and quietly for only 10 minutes-- he's rounding that toddler corner!!
6) I caught up on all my laundry today. Whew. That was big.
7) When we walking next door to Bible study this evening, Hannah ran down the stairs, out into the 20 degree coldness in her PJ's just to give me a kiss and say she loves me. aaaahhhhh....they are such treasures!
8) We got word today that we are OFFICIALLY waiting for a referral as of 12-19-08.
9) I read 3 chapters in a fun-read for myself tonight. Nice.
10) The kids are in bed..... and sleeping. :)
Psalm 40:16 " May all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, "The Lord is Great!"
Blessings,
Amy
1)The kids worked hard on all their schoolwork.
2)During Jackson's language arts this morning, he said, "Wow Mom--- I love looking things up in the dictionary with you-- this is fun!" aaaahhhhh-- a great homeschool mom moment!!!
3)Madilyn told me "goodnight" and said "I Love You" in Amharic at bedtime. They are so excited about adopting from Ethiopia. So sweet.
4)Joel found out today that when we travel to Ethiopia, the Army allows 21 days of "non-chargeable" leave for an adoption. YEEHAW!! Free days off for him to travel for the adoption.....YEA!! God is good.
5)While I was cooking dinner tonight, Joel Daniel played legos in the floor for 45 minutes straight, alone. It was so peaceful and nice!! Several months ago, I was dreaming of him playing independently and quietly for only 10 minutes-- he's rounding that toddler corner!!
6) I caught up on all my laundry today. Whew. That was big.
7) When we walking next door to Bible study this evening, Hannah ran down the stairs, out into the 20 degree coldness in her PJ's just to give me a kiss and say she loves me. aaaahhhhh....they are such treasures!
8) We got word today that we are OFFICIALLY waiting for a referral as of 12-19-08.
9) I read 3 chapters in a fun-read for myself tonight. Nice.
10) The kids are in bed..... and sleeping. :)
Psalm 40:16 " May all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, "The Lord is Great!"
Blessings,
Amy
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