I can't believe that I'm actually ENJOYING this part of our journey. Not the unknowns. Not the questions and confusion. Not the roller-coaster of emotions: often fear, and sometimes sadness. These parts I do not enjoy. But I am finding joy and gratitude in a very unusual and unexpected (for me, especially) place.
I completed another run the other night. And for me, it was the most I've EVER run! 2 MILES!! For most people that's probably no big deal -- but for me, it really is a minor miracle. :) When I started this, I really had no intention of ever enjoying it. But I knew I had big motivations: my health, my children, my husband, lots of stressors in my life right now that I need to release, lots of prayers to lift up....
And so I started this journey of "running". And I call it "running" loosely, because I really am like Eeyore running. No kidding. And this "running" has NEVER been something I've identified with. (I just know that people that know me well are probably laughing out loud right now, maybe recalling some disastrous memories!) Physical activity leaves me feeling VERY vulnerable. Bless the hearts of my former phy ed teachers -- I never knew where to run, to whom to throw a ball, if the game had innings, quarters, or whatever. Just totally not my thing. Put me in a choir to sing, or next to a child, or with a sweet elderly person, and I feel much more in my element. But definitely not on the treadmill. And definitely not RUNNING on a treadmill.
But He meets me there. Every. Single. Time.
And so I started praying. My dear friend Katy has this thing where she chooses someone to pray for every time she runs. I think that's absolutely beautiful. And so, taking inspiration from that, and knowing that I needed serious divine intervention to get me to complete any sort of run, I started doing the same thing.
And He meets me there.
Sometimes I get on that treadmill and I know full well what I'll be praying about. I have lots to say to Him. I love lots to listen for. And other times I get on, and the Holy Spirit just moves things in me.
I started running with this little mantra that I find myself chanting, now every time I run... "Raise up something holy in me..."
I believe that God is doing something in me during this time of wait and helplessness. I think that He's using this time to heal some things within me, to bring my heart ever closer to Eli, and to impassion my roles as mother and wife.
I LOVE my time on the treadmill -- (Did I REALLY just say that!?) -- but I love it because it's my holy time with God. He is raising up something holy in me: physically, emotionally, spiritually, mentally. And I love it.
Sunday, November 17, 2013
Sunday, November 3, 2013
He's Always Been Faithful
Yesterday I finally tackled the much dreaded task of trying to get our basement organized. It's only been about 9 weeks since we moved my craft room down there. I've been procrastinating that project like nobody's business. And today it still looks like I didn't even touch it. Lovely.
But as I was down there, sorting through things, I found some sheet music of a song that I sang at a women's event last spring. I opened up the music, just to refresh myself on the lyrics, because I love them so much. The tune is equally beautiful, so if you're not familiar with the song, please look it up on YouTube.
He's Always Been Faithful -- by Sara Groves
Morning by morning, I wake up to find
The power and comfort of God's hand in mine.
Season by season, I watch Him, amazed
In awe of the mystery of His perfect ways.
All I have need of, His hand will provide.
He's always been faithful to me.
I can't remember a trial or pain,
He did not recycle to bring me gain.
I can't remember one single regret
In serving God only, and trusting His hand.
All I have need of, His hand will provide.
He's always been faithful to me.
This is my anthem, this is my song.
The theme of the stories I've heard for so long.
God has been faithful, He will be again.
His loving compassion, it knows no end.
All I have need of, His hand will provide.
He's always been faithful to me.
This journey to Eli... started almost 5 years ago. What a gift it is, now, to see how God started to pave a path in our lives to little Eli. This path has not always been what I imagined it to be -- but God has always been faithful and he's always answered my prayers. (Not always in the ways I've asked, mind you! But faithful -- always.)
2008 - Tenleigh was born! Shortly thereafter, like electricity going through my body, the Holy Spirit laid it on my heart that our next child would not be born of me. Our family would grow by means of adoption. I waited a few months to tell Ryan about this. :)
2010 - I am feeling the prompting to leave public teaching. I love teaching. I got to work with the best-of-the-best. But I knew I needed a change. However, this would also mean that our monthly income would change significantly. Adoption was still very much on my heart (Ryan was warming up to the idea); and so every financial decision for our family was also centered around the hope of adopting. I had no plans for what I'd do for work.
2011 - I left my public teaching job with total and complete peace, knowing this was also a leap of faith. In June, only 2 hours before the job posting closed (!), I "happened upon" a posting for a co-teaching position in my resident school district. The very next morning I had an email asking me to come in that same morning for an interview. I got the job. 15 hours per week, as a co-teacher for Grades K-2. I also was hired to work with our Children and Family Ministry at church for 10 hours per week. Amazing. Now I was up to 25 hours per week. And again, by God's grace, mid-August rolled around and I was contacted by a local University to work with their Elementary Education students during their student teaching semester. This was truly a dream job for me. For 1 year I had the joy of sometimes teaching Kindergarteners and college Seniors all in the same day! :) God is so faithful. It is this year that Ryan and I finally say YES to adoption!! We applied for a domestic adoption program, and then soon afterwards changed to international adoption. We would be adopting from Haiti!!
2012 - I was hired to start up a Kindergarten Program at our church. This dream opportunity allowed for me to have Johnathan in my classroom, and to also be down the hallway from Tenleigh. No more traveling for work either! God is so faithful. We are full-force in our adoption journey. But no longer adopting a sweet one from Haiti. That door was closed about 6 months into this journey. With open hearts, we chose a new country, Ethiopia, and a new adoption agency. God is so faithful.
2013 - Bumpy start to this year, but the tail end has been full of miracles! Our 2nd adoption agency suddenly filed for bankruptcy. We truly lost all financial investments and can not even begin to imagine starting over. Again. Friends, family, and even strangers rally around us and help us with "seed" funds to keep going. God is so faithful. We finally find a new (this is #3) agency (after a few doors closed with others, of course) and are able to join their waiting list rather quickly. God is so faithful. My parents take a leap of faith and move to our state, just minutes away from us! Mom accepts a position as an assistant in my classroom! (Does it get any better than that!? She taught for over 20 years!) God is so faithful. Show Hope Ministries gifts us with an adoption grant. God is so faithful.
And now, just 17 weeks after first seeing Eli's beautiful face, God still remains so faithful. We are still waiting for 1 last piece of paperwork to come in. His MOWA letter. And prayerfully, that will happen soon. Apparently the office that provides these letters decided to close 2 weeks ago. We have no idea when/if it will re-open. But this stuff happens in Africa all. the. time. And so, because we serve a God that has always been faithful, we must also be faith FULL in Him.
Today is Orphan Sunday. The one day, one time per year in which churches and God's people should STAND UP for the orphan. There are 153 million orphans that need our voices, our hearts, our prayers, and our serving hands. There is much to do with this orphan crisis. But perhaps today, you would please join us in praying that this regional MOWA office will re-open very soon. For it is not just Eli that is waiting on a letter. There are probably thousands of children that need this office to re-open. I also ask you to pray for 7 specific orphans and their families that are close to my heart: Baby L. (C&K's little), Beautiful R. (J & B's sweet girl), Little D (E & B's future boy), Sweet T. (N & J's tiny one), Babies K (M & L's twin girls), and our own Little Eli.
He's always been faithful. He will be again.
But as I was down there, sorting through things, I found some sheet music of a song that I sang at a women's event last spring. I opened up the music, just to refresh myself on the lyrics, because I love them so much. The tune is equally beautiful, so if you're not familiar with the song, please look it up on YouTube.
He's Always Been Faithful -- by Sara Groves
Morning by morning, I wake up to find
The power and comfort of God's hand in mine.
Season by season, I watch Him, amazed
In awe of the mystery of His perfect ways.
All I have need of, His hand will provide.
He's always been faithful to me.
I can't remember a trial or pain,
He did not recycle to bring me gain.
I can't remember one single regret
In serving God only, and trusting His hand.
All I have need of, His hand will provide.
He's always been faithful to me.
This is my anthem, this is my song.
The theme of the stories I've heard for so long.
God has been faithful, He will be again.
His loving compassion, it knows no end.
All I have need of, His hand will provide.
He's always been faithful to me.
This journey to Eli... started almost 5 years ago. What a gift it is, now, to see how God started to pave a path in our lives to little Eli. This path has not always been what I imagined it to be -- but God has always been faithful and he's always answered my prayers. (Not always in the ways I've asked, mind you! But faithful -- always.)
2008 - Tenleigh was born! Shortly thereafter, like electricity going through my body, the Holy Spirit laid it on my heart that our next child would not be born of me. Our family would grow by means of adoption. I waited a few months to tell Ryan about this. :)
2010 - I am feeling the prompting to leave public teaching. I love teaching. I got to work with the best-of-the-best. But I knew I needed a change. However, this would also mean that our monthly income would change significantly. Adoption was still very much on my heart (Ryan was warming up to the idea); and so every financial decision for our family was also centered around the hope of adopting. I had no plans for what I'd do for work.
2011 - I left my public teaching job with total and complete peace, knowing this was also a leap of faith. In June, only 2 hours before the job posting closed (!), I "happened upon" a posting for a co-teaching position in my resident school district. The very next morning I had an email asking me to come in that same morning for an interview. I got the job. 15 hours per week, as a co-teacher for Grades K-2. I also was hired to work with our Children and Family Ministry at church for 10 hours per week. Amazing. Now I was up to 25 hours per week. And again, by God's grace, mid-August rolled around and I was contacted by a local University to work with their Elementary Education students during their student teaching semester. This was truly a dream job for me. For 1 year I had the joy of sometimes teaching Kindergarteners and college Seniors all in the same day! :) God is so faithful. It is this year that Ryan and I finally say YES to adoption!! We applied for a domestic adoption program, and then soon afterwards changed to international adoption. We would be adopting from Haiti!!
2012 - I was hired to start up a Kindergarten Program at our church. This dream opportunity allowed for me to have Johnathan in my classroom, and to also be down the hallway from Tenleigh. No more traveling for work either! God is so faithful. We are full-force in our adoption journey. But no longer adopting a sweet one from Haiti. That door was closed about 6 months into this journey. With open hearts, we chose a new country, Ethiopia, and a new adoption agency. God is so faithful.
2013 - Bumpy start to this year, but the tail end has been full of miracles! Our 2nd adoption agency suddenly filed for bankruptcy. We truly lost all financial investments and can not even begin to imagine starting over. Again. Friends, family, and even strangers rally around us and help us with "seed" funds to keep going. God is so faithful. We finally find a new (this is #3) agency (after a few doors closed with others, of course) and are able to join their waiting list rather quickly. God is so faithful. My parents take a leap of faith and move to our state, just minutes away from us! Mom accepts a position as an assistant in my classroom! (Does it get any better than that!? She taught for over 20 years!) God is so faithful. Show Hope Ministries gifts us with an adoption grant. God is so faithful.
And now, just 17 weeks after first seeing Eli's beautiful face, God still remains so faithful. We are still waiting for 1 last piece of paperwork to come in. His MOWA letter. And prayerfully, that will happen soon. Apparently the office that provides these letters decided to close 2 weeks ago. We have no idea when/if it will re-open. But this stuff happens in Africa all. the. time. And so, because we serve a God that has always been faithful, we must also be faith FULL in Him.
Today is Orphan Sunday. The one day, one time per year in which churches and God's people should STAND UP for the orphan. There are 153 million orphans that need our voices, our hearts, our prayers, and our serving hands. There is much to do with this orphan crisis. But perhaps today, you would please join us in praying that this regional MOWA office will re-open very soon. For it is not just Eli that is waiting on a letter. There are probably thousands of children that need this office to re-open. I also ask you to pray for 7 specific orphans and their families that are close to my heart: Baby L. (C&K's little), Beautiful R. (J & B's sweet girl), Little D (E & B's future boy), Sweet T. (N & J's tiny one), Babies K (M & L's twin girls), and our own Little Eli.
He's always been faithful. He will be again.
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
1 Down, 2 To Go...
Good news -- we have the needed signature!!! We received notification of that last week. Now we wait for 2 more pieces: birth certificate and final MOWA letter. This is taking a while because they're both given by the same government entity (apparently)
We are in our 12th week of waiting for paperwork. Ugh. That's the best I've got for words. Just completely UGH. This is apparently not a typical length of time to wait for these documents -- but who's to say what's typical anyway? Nothing about our adoption has been "typical" so far. :)
We pray, we wait. We pray, we wait.
We are in our 12th week of waiting for paperwork. Ugh. That's the best I've got for words. Just completely UGH. This is apparently not a typical length of time to wait for these documents -- but who's to say what's typical anyway? Nothing about our adoption has been "typical" so far. :)
We pray, we wait. We pray, we wait.
Friday, September 20, 2013
8 Weeks Later....
... and still waiting on a single, simple, yet ever-so-important signature!!! I think I'm going to lose it. Mmmmm.... No, I already have.
We accepted our referral of Eli on July 26th. Since that time, we've been chomping at the bit, checking email a million times a day, and constantly checking in with our agency, to see if "the signature" has come in yet. Ugh. Apparently one particular orphanage director (where Eli was before coming into the care of our agency) has decided that it's really not a big deal to sign or not to sign any documents right now. We already know that time is of no essence to most Africans, but apparently this guy also likes to take advantage of having some control... and so it is that Eli, and other sweet littles, sit in our agency's care center for even longer than necessary. So. Frustrating.
I am in constant prayer over these circumstances. Every morning I wake up with a prayer as I once again check my email. I fall asleep as I pray (oops!), and I pray on the treadmill. I am in His Word every day and I'm faithfully reading my special devotional. One of my sweet Kindergarten moms prays for this every morning on her way home after dropping off her daughter at school. And I have a handful of incredibly faithful prayer warrior sisters that have been lifting this up too.
So why are we still waiting?? Why is ELI still waiting??? Can you tell that there's a part of me that's feeling not just frustrated but also very helpless?
But so it is -- and I can't change the circumstances right now -- and this is just the way it goes with international adoption. So NOT in our timing nor the way we'd like the process to go.
I'm reading a book called The Circle Makers. It's a great book about prayer circles; a quick and easy read. But one thing that has stood out to me this week, probably because of my slump, is that the author reminds us that prayer is not just to ASK for something, but it's also to PRAISE.
And so, this week I have been very intentional in my PRAISE prayers...
He has put the most amazing friends in my life:
* My super supportive and thoughtful friend Amber wore our adoption t-shirt for her roller blade marathon last weekend! I LOVED getting her text picture last Saturday. :) And every day she seems to find a few minutes in her day to send me encouraging, sweet text messages just to remind me that she's "tuned in"and cheering for Eli!
* Karen, who keeps me LAUGHING, running, praying, and laughing some more! :)
* My best homie, Esther -- she just gets it and gets me.
* Jenny, Katie, Lisa, Leah, and Steph -- who like to "check in" and get updates. Even if there's nothing new.
* And many friends far away that I can feel are thinking of and praying for little Eli and this crazy road of adoption.
He has given me the most amazing family:
* Johnathan and Tenleigh are HEALTHY and HAPPY and their first weeks of school are going great!!
* Ryan's weekly tradition of driving with the kids to the SA gas station down the road to get Icees. Daddy has become Tenleigh's heartthrob for these special dates, as she has picked out just one special cologne that he must put on, just for Icee dates! :) Seriously. Melt my heart.
* I get to work with my mom every day! The most amazing teacher ever.
* Mom and Dad are just minutes away!
* My brother suggested the name Eli. :) And he has the sweetest family! I am so in love with my little nephews and couldn't be more thankful for my sister Anna.
* Ryan -- "Steady Eddie". :) Need I say more? I love him big.
I am seeing how He started carving our path to Eli years ago:
--- but I think that's for another blog post. That may be a long one. :)
We accepted our referral of Eli on July 26th. Since that time, we've been chomping at the bit, checking email a million times a day, and constantly checking in with our agency, to see if "the signature" has come in yet. Ugh. Apparently one particular orphanage director (where Eli was before coming into the care of our agency) has decided that it's really not a big deal to sign or not to sign any documents right now. We already know that time is of no essence to most Africans, but apparently this guy also likes to take advantage of having some control... and so it is that Eli, and other sweet littles, sit in our agency's care center for even longer than necessary. So. Frustrating.
I am in constant prayer over these circumstances. Every morning I wake up with a prayer as I once again check my email. I fall asleep as I pray (oops!), and I pray on the treadmill. I am in His Word every day and I'm faithfully reading my special devotional. One of my sweet Kindergarten moms prays for this every morning on her way home after dropping off her daughter at school. And I have a handful of incredibly faithful prayer warrior sisters that have been lifting this up too.
So why are we still waiting?? Why is ELI still waiting??? Can you tell that there's a part of me that's feeling not just frustrated but also very helpless?
But so it is -- and I can't change the circumstances right now -- and this is just the way it goes with international adoption. So NOT in our timing nor the way we'd like the process to go.
I'm reading a book called The Circle Makers. It's a great book about prayer circles; a quick and easy read. But one thing that has stood out to me this week, probably because of my slump, is that the author reminds us that prayer is not just to ASK for something, but it's also to PRAISE.
And so, this week I have been very intentional in my PRAISE prayers...
He has put the most amazing friends in my life:
* My super supportive and thoughtful friend Amber wore our adoption t-shirt for her roller blade marathon last weekend! I LOVED getting her text picture last Saturday. :) And every day she seems to find a few minutes in her day to send me encouraging, sweet text messages just to remind me that she's "tuned in"and cheering for Eli!
* Karen, who keeps me LAUGHING, running, praying, and laughing some more! :)
* My best homie, Esther -- she just gets it and gets me.
* Jenny, Katie, Lisa, Leah, and Steph -- who like to "check in" and get updates. Even if there's nothing new.
* And many friends far away that I can feel are thinking of and praying for little Eli and this crazy road of adoption.
He has given me the most amazing family:
* Johnathan and Tenleigh are HEALTHY and HAPPY and their first weeks of school are going great!!
* Ryan's weekly tradition of driving with the kids to the SA gas station down the road to get Icees. Daddy has become Tenleigh's heartthrob for these special dates, as she has picked out just one special cologne that he must put on, just for Icee dates! :) Seriously. Melt my heart.
* I get to work with my mom every day! The most amazing teacher ever.
* Mom and Dad are just minutes away!
* My brother suggested the name Eli. :) And he has the sweetest family! I am so in love with my little nephews and couldn't be more thankful for my sister Anna.
* Ryan -- "Steady Eddie". :) Need I say more? I love him big.
I am seeing how He started carving our path to Eli years ago:
--- but I think that's for another blog post. That may be a long one. :)
Sunday, September 1, 2013
Your name shall be...
Yesterday I saw your beautiful face again. Our agency sent us another picture and milestone checklist. You are the most BEAUTIFUL brown baby I've EVER seen!! {And the only reason I need to add "brown" to this equation is because I've also seen the most beautiful white baby boy and white baby girl -- aka your brother and sister. :)}
I am over-flowing with gratitude that from your pictures you look healthy and loved and as though you're being taken care of! Your cheeks are full and your hair is growing in so much! In fact, the picture we received a few weeks ago... I wasn't quite sure it was YOU, so I hemmed and hawed for a full day -- comparing that picture to your referral pictures.... I even asked for some "expert advice" from my dear friend Karen from Liberia, and she LAUGHED and laughed at me!! Because your hair is getting so curly, and your lips are filling out! And she reminded me that this is what happens to African babies. :) But you are absolutely precious and beautiful and I can't wait to hold you.
Tonight the house is quiet. Daddy took Johnathan and Tenleigh to the pool to swim. I love a quiet house!! But I do notice that the quiet makes my heart hurt more. It forces me to slow down, and in so doing, my mind automatically thinks of you, sweet boy. Sometimes it's really hard for me to stop the tears. But it's also a really good time for me to Be Still and Pray.
Sweet boy, you have a name!! You have a beautiful Ethiopian given name, with very special meaning to us... but because Daddy has a hard time pronouncing it :), we're going to use your special Ethiopian name as a middle name. Daddy and I narrowed down our choices to 2 names that we love, and we left the final decision up to your brother and sister. We thought that would be a special thing to do! And it was! When we explained to them that THEY got to choose your name, Johnny had the sweetest, biggest smile. Tenleigh was ready to go right away and nodded her head, grabbed the pen from my hand and knew exactly what she was going to do. She got down to business right away! :) We love the name that Johnathan and Tenleigh have chosen for you:
And so your name will be Eli A------- James Vick. James is Daddy's middle name. I love the meanings of each part of your name too. Eli = "Lifted to God", A------ (Ethiopian-given name) = "Our Hope", and James = "servant heart" or "supplanter". {I like "servant heart" better, so we'll go with that one :)} Not sure if we'll use James or A------ first, so the order of your middle names may change.
I am over-flowing with gratitude that from your pictures you look healthy and loved and as though you're being taken care of! Your cheeks are full and your hair is growing in so much! In fact, the picture we received a few weeks ago... I wasn't quite sure it was YOU, so I hemmed and hawed for a full day -- comparing that picture to your referral pictures.... I even asked for some "expert advice" from my dear friend Karen from Liberia, and she LAUGHED and laughed at me!! Because your hair is getting so curly, and your lips are filling out! And she reminded me that this is what happens to African babies. :) But you are absolutely precious and beautiful and I can't wait to hold you.
Tonight the house is quiet. Daddy took Johnathan and Tenleigh to the pool to swim. I love a quiet house!! But I do notice that the quiet makes my heart hurt more. It forces me to slow down, and in so doing, my mind automatically thinks of you, sweet boy. Sometimes it's really hard for me to stop the tears. But it's also a really good time for me to Be Still and Pray.
Sweet boy, you have a name!! You have a beautiful Ethiopian given name, with very special meaning to us... but because Daddy has a hard time pronouncing it :), we're going to use your special Ethiopian name as a middle name. Daddy and I narrowed down our choices to 2 names that we love, and we left the final decision up to your brother and sister. We thought that would be a special thing to do! And it was! When we explained to them that THEY got to choose your name, Johnny had the sweetest, biggest smile. Tenleigh was ready to go right away and nodded her head, grabbed the pen from my hand and knew exactly what she was going to do. She got down to business right away! :) We love the name that Johnathan and Tenleigh have chosen for you:
 |
| The votes are in!! Johnny's vote is on the left, Tenleigh's is on the right. (Good thing they're the same!) :) |
And so your name will be Eli A------- James Vick. James is Daddy's middle name. I love the meanings of each part of your name too. Eli = "Lifted to God", A------ (Ethiopian-given name) = "Our Hope", and James = "servant heart" or "supplanter". {I like "servant heart" better, so we'll go with that one :)} Not sure if we'll use James or A------ first, so the order of your middle names may change.
But it feels SO GOOD to have a name for you! And we love the name! :) And I think you most definitely look like an Eli.
Sweet Eli, we are praying for you all the time! And I know that others are too! Your auntie and uncle, Grandma and Grandpa, and very special friends. We are hoping and praying that your signed contract would hurry up and get here from Ethiopia so that we can submit all of your paperwork to NBC (National Benefits Center) to be reviewed. The new PAIR process (Pre-adoptive Immigration Review) starts up Sept. 1st. (TOMORROW!) I was SOOOO hoping we'd have our paperwork submitted and ready to be reviewed right away.
Still in God's timing though. Always has been, always will be.
Love you so much, sweet Eli.
XOXO,
Mommy
Thursday, August 8, 2013
So THIS is what "Wait" REALLY means! :)
I've decided that right now, THIS season of wait, is the hardest one yet.
We have a little face we already love, a name that means so much to us, monthly updates to smile about, and even remarks from fellow adoptive parents that are visiting our agency's care center in Ethiopia. This little one is REAL.
I read an article last week (See here ------> http://wondermentetc.com/2013/08/02/dear-friends-of-waiting-adoptive-moms-some-things-to-know-also-were-sorry/) that seemed to so perfectly explain what it's like to be a waiting momma, when your child is on the other side of the world. It's like half of my heart is on the other side of the world too. Just waiting and aching to hold him, smell him, snuggle him, and cover him in kisses. (And those cheeks are looking pretty kissable too!)
Johnathan and Tenleigh "beam" when they're asked about their baby brother. They love to talk about him and every day they ask to see his pictures again.
But until the day when we finally do get to hold him, we just wait.
Right now we're waiting for the staff in Ethiopia to complete our adoption contract and gather all of Baby A's paperwork. Even though the courts in Ethiopia will be closing soon for rainy season, all paperwork can continue to be gathered and processed. I'm praying, praying, PRAYING that we will be able to get a court date soon after the courts re-open in October. That would be amazing! But I kind of tell myself to hope for before the New Year instead, so that our hearts aren't too disappointed if it's not sooner.
I'm also finding (already), that it's so much harder to be patient when dealing with the works of a third-world country now. Time in Africa is quite different than time here. "Soon" to us may mean within the next few days. "Soon" to them may mean within the next few months. Things that are of high priority to us, may not be to them. I've heard of several families recently whose paperwork was caught up from going to Embassy because THE ONE printer at the courthouse was broken.... for several weeks. Our dear friends are waiting for a tiny replacement piece for a medical machine to be passed through customs... possibly has been stuck there for several weeks too. I also have had a little bit of a chuckle this week when we received Baby A's updated photo via email.... except we're not quite sure it's Baby A!? :) I have a feeling that Baby A's name was tagged to the wrong picture. But we are still waiting, 4 days later, for Ethiopia staff to confirm.
So you see, LOTS of waiting going on here! But during the wait, we need to keep busy! So the kids and I are enjoying our last weeks together before school starts up again. Lots of time has been spent outside, I've been enjoying my work-out routine, and we're all getting geared up for Grandma and Grandpa to move closer! Such blessings for our anxious hearts!
We have a little face we already love, a name that means so much to us, monthly updates to smile about, and even remarks from fellow adoptive parents that are visiting our agency's care center in Ethiopia. This little one is REAL.
I read an article last week (See here ------> http://wondermentetc.com/2013/08/02/dear-friends-of-waiting-adoptive-moms-some-things-to-know-also-were-sorry/) that seemed to so perfectly explain what it's like to be a waiting momma, when your child is on the other side of the world. It's like half of my heart is on the other side of the world too. Just waiting and aching to hold him, smell him, snuggle him, and cover him in kisses. (And those cheeks are looking pretty kissable too!)
Johnathan and Tenleigh "beam" when they're asked about their baby brother. They love to talk about him and every day they ask to see his pictures again.
But until the day when we finally do get to hold him, we just wait.
Right now we're waiting for the staff in Ethiopia to complete our adoption contract and gather all of Baby A's paperwork. Even though the courts in Ethiopia will be closing soon for rainy season, all paperwork can continue to be gathered and processed. I'm praying, praying, PRAYING that we will be able to get a court date soon after the courts re-open in October. That would be amazing! But I kind of tell myself to hope for before the New Year instead, so that our hearts aren't too disappointed if it's not sooner.
I'm also finding (already), that it's so much harder to be patient when dealing with the works of a third-world country now. Time in Africa is quite different than time here. "Soon" to us may mean within the next few days. "Soon" to them may mean within the next few months. Things that are of high priority to us, may not be to them. I've heard of several families recently whose paperwork was caught up from going to Embassy because THE ONE printer at the courthouse was broken.... for several weeks. Our dear friends are waiting for a tiny replacement piece for a medical machine to be passed through customs... possibly has been stuck there for several weeks too. I also have had a little bit of a chuckle this week when we received Baby A's updated photo via email.... except we're not quite sure it's Baby A!? :) I have a feeling that Baby A's name was tagged to the wrong picture. But we are still waiting, 4 days later, for Ethiopia staff to confirm.
So you see, LOTS of waiting going on here! But during the wait, we need to keep busy! So the kids and I are enjoying our last weeks together before school starts up again. Lots of time has been spent outside, I've been enjoying my work-out routine, and we're all getting geared up for Grandma and Grandpa to move closer! Such blessings for our anxious hearts!
Monday, July 29, 2013
"Our Hope..."
One of my greatest joys in this waiting game has been watching Johnathan and Tenleigh prepare for Baby Opia. It has become so natural and seamless for them now -- mentioning of Baby Opia in conversation, saving selected toys/special clothes, asking questions about Baby Opia, and praying often for him/her. One way that they both consistently keep Baby Opia in their hearts is through pictures.
Absolutely precious and beautiful! Through all of this, Johnny and Tenleigh have never given up hope that some day we will be a family of 5. It just "will be" and that's that.
And so, on that one random Monday night when dinner was on the stove, the kids were at their prime for behavior (read between the lines on that one --- wink!), the dogs were barking like crazy to get outside to our neighbor dog Merlin who again has his little "I'm so ugly I'm cute" face smashed up to our front door windows -- and my poor mom is trying to step in line to this dance that is just our typical chaos at this hour every night -- OF COURSE Ryan's cell phone rings and he feels he must answer it right away because he doesn't recognize the number and "it might be someone trying to reach me about work" (He's leaving for a business trip)...
You know how God sometimes throws us a surprise -- although not a surprise at all to Him!?
Truly the phone call we've been waiting for -- for a VERY LONG TIME ---- and yet, never really knew what in the world the moment would look like (and certainly didn't imagine it to be in the midst of such chaos!) But, as we would find out -- so PERFECT too. I could hear Ryan sound excited on the phone and I wondered if it was maybe a relative of mine or something. He was too "formal-like" for it to have been a friend :) Then I heard him say, "Let me get Katie on the phone!" And when I joined in on the speaker phone and said "Hello?" I didn't quite understand what was going on. And finally I said, "Who is this?" :)
Words completely escaped me as our caseworker started to tell us about this "beautiful 5 month old boy". I COULD NOT BELIEVE IT. She emailed us his file right away, and again, in His perfect timing, with my mom visiting us, she snapped some pictures of us as we saw his face for the first time:
My heart was just BURSTING and even as I type this my eyes are full of tears. Sweet, sweet boy -- with beautiful brown eyes, healthy cheeks and chubby fingers that I ache to kiss!!
Tenleigh's first reaction was, "WHAT!? It's a BOY!? I thought it was a SISTER!!" (Not sure if the confusion came from the picture, as Baby Opia was wearing a baby girl's pink & purple sleeper :), or if she really had made up her mind that she'd be getting a sister! :) Johnathan was a bit bashful about it. He had a big smile and then kind of scooted away, as if all the excitement was just "too much". :)
Ryan and I read through the information that we received on this little one and the most amazing thing popped out to us... sweet Baby Opia's Ethiopian given name --- means "Our Hope". That is so meaningful to us. And I can't help but think that perhaps "Little A" (as we'll now call him, for that's the first letter of his name) is also the hope of his birth parents. It is very obvious to me that he had been loved and cared for. His cheeks prove it! :)
And so it is, this little thing called HOPE -- my mom pointed out to me that I had blogged about HOPE a few times earlier; even in my last blog entry! -- has also become so meaningful to us in other ways. A few weeks ago we were VERY surprised to be blessed with a very helpful adoption grant from SHOW HOPE Ministries. I think all of these "Godincedences" are amazing.
Romans 12:12 is so meaningful to us and feels just perfect to our story:
"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."
I love that.
My friends, thank you for sharing in our HOPE and JOY! This little one ignites our hearts! But this is kind of where things really get exciting. Now that we have a face that we already love, and a beautiful name with such special meaning, I find myself having a hard time breathing, if that makes sense. There is still a lot to the process that needs to happen before he is officially our son. We definitely appreciate your prayers as we make make our way to "Our Hope".
 |
| July 2013, the Children's Chapel lesson was about What God Calls Us To Do. The children were given some time to respond to this, and Johnny responded through picture. He shared that he is carrying Baby Opia (center) into our house, and I'm at the side saying, "Awwww!" |
 |
| April 2013, Johnathan made a star with our 5 family members. BE is "Baby Ethiopia". |
 |
| July 2013, Tenleigh drew a picture of our family with lots of letters and sounds! The small yellow one named "O" is for "Opia". |
 |
| Johnathan's Kindergarten journal on the last day of school. I can tell that he rushed through this one, but it says, "I'm holden Baby Etheopya." |
 |
| Our Family of Five - by Tenleigh |
Absolutely precious and beautiful! Through all of this, Johnny and Tenleigh have never given up hope that some day we will be a family of 5. It just "will be" and that's that.
And so, on that one random Monday night when dinner was on the stove, the kids were at their prime for behavior (read between the lines on that one --- wink!), the dogs were barking like crazy to get outside to our neighbor dog Merlin who again has his little "I'm so ugly I'm cute" face smashed up to our front door windows -- and my poor mom is trying to step in line to this dance that is just our typical chaos at this hour every night -- OF COURSE Ryan's cell phone rings and he feels he must answer it right away because he doesn't recognize the number and "it might be someone trying to reach me about work" (He's leaving for a business trip)...
You know how God sometimes throws us a surprise -- although not a surprise at all to Him!?
Truly the phone call we've been waiting for -- for a VERY LONG TIME ---- and yet, never really knew what in the world the moment would look like (and certainly didn't imagine it to be in the midst of such chaos!) But, as we would find out -- so PERFECT too. I could hear Ryan sound excited on the phone and I wondered if it was maybe a relative of mine or something. He was too "formal-like" for it to have been a friend :) Then I heard him say, "Let me get Katie on the phone!" And when I joined in on the speaker phone and said "Hello?" I didn't quite understand what was going on. And finally I said, "Who is this?" :)
Words completely escaped me as our caseworker started to tell us about this "beautiful 5 month old boy". I COULD NOT BELIEVE IT. She emailed us his file right away, and again, in His perfect timing, with my mom visiting us, she snapped some pictures of us as we saw his face for the first time:
 |
| The most BEAUTIFUL little brown face I've EVER seen! |
 |
| A little bit blurry -- but you get the emotions. :) |
 |
| I think Tenleigh was a little unsure about my tears. :) |
My heart was just BURSTING and even as I type this my eyes are full of tears. Sweet, sweet boy -- with beautiful brown eyes, healthy cheeks and chubby fingers that I ache to kiss!!
Tenleigh's first reaction was, "WHAT!? It's a BOY!? I thought it was a SISTER!!" (Not sure if the confusion came from the picture, as Baby Opia was wearing a baby girl's pink & purple sleeper :), or if she really had made up her mind that she'd be getting a sister! :) Johnathan was a bit bashful about it. He had a big smile and then kind of scooted away, as if all the excitement was just "too much". :)
Ryan and I read through the information that we received on this little one and the most amazing thing popped out to us... sweet Baby Opia's Ethiopian given name --- means "Our Hope". That is so meaningful to us. And I can't help but think that perhaps "Little A" (as we'll now call him, for that's the first letter of his name) is also the hope of his birth parents. It is very obvious to me that he had been loved and cared for. His cheeks prove it! :)
And so it is, this little thing called HOPE -- my mom pointed out to me that I had blogged about HOPE a few times earlier; even in my last blog entry! -- has also become so meaningful to us in other ways. A few weeks ago we were VERY surprised to be blessed with a very helpful adoption grant from SHOW HOPE Ministries. I think all of these "Godincedences" are amazing.
Romans 12:12 is so meaningful to us and feels just perfect to our story:
"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."
I love that.
My friends, thank you for sharing in our HOPE and JOY! This little one ignites our hearts! But this is kind of where things really get exciting. Now that we have a face that we already love, and a beautiful name with such special meaning, I find myself having a hard time breathing, if that makes sense. There is still a lot to the process that needs to happen before he is officially our son. We definitely appreciate your prayers as we make make our way to "Our Hope".
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)