This Friday, December 2nd marks 3 months that our paperwork has been in Ethiopia. Some days I can't believe how fast the time is passing, then there is every other day...when I feel no closer than the day we started. The fact that we were in the thick of this when major slowdowns began happening in Ethiopian adoptions may seem like bad timing, but I believe God had other plans for us while we wait. When God opens your eyes and heart to 1 John 3:18 and James 1:27, that mission doesn't begin or end with an adoption, that is just part of the story. If willing, God will break your heart for what breaks his and instead of idly watching life go by you make the decision to do something. Here are some things we plan to do during the wait...and beyond.
SERVE
We are blessed to be part of a local church with a heart for service. Among the many opportunities there are to serve, I'm excited that next month I will have the honor of editing family photos for a Help Portrait event. From working in the nursery to volunteering our time, we are making a conscious effort to say YES! to serve and be involved whenever possible.
STEP OUT
Adoption is a step out of the comfort zone for many, it is for us. Stepping outside of "normal" can be a wonderfully life changing experience. Tyler is going to be taking a step out this summer and I am so excited for him. He will be traveling with a group from our church to the Dominican Republic. Through a partnership over the next 5 years our church will assist in many projects and on this trip they will begin the construction of an educational building for local kids (who otherwise wouldn't be able to attend school because of the cost). I'm so proud of him for wanting to go and serve on this trip.
SUPPORT
The adoption and orphan care community that I am slowing immersing myself into is nothing short of amazing. So many wonderful people and stories. From ornaments to t-shirts, we are acquiring quite the collection of fundraising support items. It never feels like enough, but I love being even a small part of an adoption or missions story. Tyler jokingly asks every time I give him a new adoption shirt if we should cut back and make sure our adoption is funded first...I smile and he proudly wears the shirt the next day every.single.time.
STUDY
In our application letter to the Ministry of Women, Children and Youth Affairs in Ethiopia, we pledged, among many things, to teach our child of their rich Ethiopian heritage. We meant every word in the letter which means we have a lot of studying to do over the next few years.
SAVOR
For every year I wish to fast forward so we can meet our baby, I wish to rewind 2 to keep my baby from growing up. The below transformation happened in one blink, I'm not kidding.
SERVE
We are blessed to be part of a local church with a heart for service. Among the many opportunities there are to serve, I'm excited that next month I will have the honor of editing family photos for a Help Portrait event. From working in the nursery to volunteering our time, we are making a conscious effort to say YES! to serve and be involved whenever possible.
STEP OUT
Adoption is a step out of the comfort zone for many, it is for us. Stepping outside of "normal" can be a wonderfully life changing experience. Tyler is going to be taking a step out this summer and I am so excited for him. He will be traveling with a group from our church to the Dominican Republic. Through a partnership over the next 5 years our church will assist in many projects and on this trip they will begin the construction of an educational building for local kids (who otherwise wouldn't be able to attend school because of the cost). I'm so proud of him for wanting to go and serve on this trip.
SUPPORT
The adoption and orphan care community that I am slowing immersing myself into is nothing short of amazing. So many wonderful people and stories. From ornaments to t-shirts, we are acquiring quite the collection of fundraising support items. It never feels like enough, but I love being even a small part of an adoption or missions story. Tyler jokingly asks every time I give him a new adoption shirt if we should cut back and make sure our adoption is funded first...I smile and he proudly wears the shirt the next day every.single.time.
STUDY
In our application letter to the Ministry of Women, Children and Youth Affairs in Ethiopia, we pledged, among many things, to teach our child of their rich Ethiopian heritage. We meant every word in the letter which means we have a lot of studying to do over the next few years.
SAVOR
For every year I wish to fast forward so we can meet our baby, I wish to rewind 2 to keep my baby from growing up. The below transformation happened in one blink, I'm not kidding.
This process can consume you, your thoughts, your daily life. I don't want to be so focused on what will happen in our future that I miss what is happening right now. There is nothing I enjoy more than spending time with my family....exactly as they are, right at this very moment.
SHARE
Those that know me are aware that I am not a fan of speaking in front of groups, especially not about anything "serious". Somehow this year has included speaking at a women's ministry event and being a part-time life group leader...these are scary things for me. Jury is still out on the success of those events. Nonetheless, if I encourage just one person to consider adoption through sharing our story, it's worth anxiety of speaking up. If I get just one person interested in sponsoring a child or donating to an orphan care ministry through this blog, it's worth the time and courage it takes to document the good times and bad times we encounter along the way. If I comfort just one person by praying with them in life group, it's worth the weekly commitment. If I can share the love and grace of our Savior with just one person, it makes it all worth it.
Pure and lasting religion in the sight of God our Father means that we must care for orphans and widows in their troubles, and refuse to let the world corrupt us. - James 1:27
Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:18
SHARE
Those that know me are aware that I am not a fan of speaking in front of groups, especially not about anything "serious". Somehow this year has included speaking at a women's ministry event and being a part-time life group leader...these are scary things for me. Jury is still out on the success of those events. Nonetheless, if I encourage just one person to consider adoption through sharing our story, it's worth anxiety of speaking up. If I get just one person interested in sponsoring a child or donating to an orphan care ministry through this blog, it's worth the time and courage it takes to document the good times and bad times we encounter along the way. If I comfort just one person by praying with them in life group, it's worth the weekly commitment. If I can share the love and grace of our Savior with just one person, it makes it all worth it.
Pure and lasting religion in the sight of God our Father means that we must care for orphans and widows in their troubles, and refuse to let the world corrupt us. - James 1:27
Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:18