One year ago today...

One year ago today, I drove to the post office to mail our international adoption application to our agency. One year ago today.....my life changed enormously. Back then I don't even think I realized how strongly God was speaking to me about the course my life was meant to take. What an eye-opener I have had over the course of this past year.

Walking along this path toward our future daughter has been anything but easy. With my biological children, my husband and I made plans, and luckily for us, they coincided with God's plans for our family. It was easy. Now, I have three beautiful, wonderfully unique children who have each taught me so much. I can not imagine what my life would be like without them. They are my life. That being said, I've come to the understanding that His plan for our family was not complete when we had two boys and one girl.

Now that we have stepped out in faith to begin this journey, the hole in my heart has become so screaming obvious. In some ways, this year has gone by so fast. In other ways, it doesn't seem like we've moved very far on our journey, and the hole in my heart is aching. Well, one thing has changed for sure. I now understand that God has a definitive plan for our family, and I am at peace with that. I was not at peace with that in the beginning. I had a timeline in my mind, and I sure hoped life followed suit. Well, it didn't. We have had road bumps, delays, changes, but the one thing that has never changed is my commitment to bringing our future daughter home.

For a while, I really struggled with the fact that the timeline I had hoped for was not being followed. The smooth road ahead of us that I had hoped for wasn't there. I let fear, worry and uncertainty creep into my heart. It was only recently that I realized that I let that happen because my faith in Him was not strong enough. So, the most wonderful revelation of this journey is that my faith in Him was already there, but it has grown insurmountably. I now understand that God has a perfect plan for our family that includes the most perfect little girl. No, I haven't seen her face yet, but when the timing is right, she will be revealed to us.

I have been blessed with so many new friends that I have met during this year. They have been my solace, my educators, my supporters. I thank God every day for these wonderful souls.

As we eagerly anticipate "the call" that will change our family forever, I am thankful for the growth this year has allowed for me personally. When our sweet, baby girl is revealed to us, I'll be ready for her!

"Children are a heritage from the Lord.....happy is the man who has his quiver full of them." Psalm 127:3, 5

Soon to Be Six

Yesterday was a motivating day filled with fellowship and
camaraderie. It began at 8 AM with Bob and I participating in a 2-hour long Spin-A-Thon that Spiece Fitness hosted. We, along with many others, rode to raise money for the Vera Bradley Breast Cancer Foundation. Personally, Bob and I have friends that have in the past, or are currently battling this debilitating disease. They are so strong and are such an inspiration to others.

As we rode on this "journey", our team name represented our own journey to another land on another continent. We called ourselves "Soon to Be Six", and cylced with our end destination in mind. We pedaled like those bikes were actually taking us across an ocean!

Later that day, I traveled with Piper to Indianapolis to have some fellowship with other adoptive parents. We "learned" how to braid hair. Although I'm using the term "learned' pretty loosely, I did get some great tips and at least have some idea of where to start with hair care. Pastor Yosef also shared information about the different ethnic groups within Ethiopia, we had some wonderful bread and met some beautiful children.

I ended the day feeling encouraged, and blessed by the people brought into my life throughout the duration of this past year. We have a wonderful God who has changed my life so much and opened my eyes to a world I can never, and would never, want to close my eyes to.

Please hear me....

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
courage to change the things I can,
and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time,
enjoying one moment at a time,
accepting hardships as the pathway to peace.
Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is; not as I would have it.
Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His will,
That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him forever in the next.

Amen.

Our New Addition

No, I am not talking about the new addition of a family member, but rather the space that will someday be the place our girls will call their own. After many months of interrupted construction, it is finally done! It is beautiful. It amazes me that all of this space was just sitting up there under our roof. Lucky for me, I have an adventurous, creative husband who had a vision and the skills that could make it happen. I, of course, stood by the sidelines with a doubtful look on my face, trying to catch every bit of dust that floated through the air. Now that the dust has settled, and I've had a chance to put my own touch on this space, it makes me yearn for baby number four that much more. Still, it is comforting to sit upstairs, read a book, and feel a little closer to completing our family. All of the blood, sweat and tears were so worth it. (Okay, so skip the blood and tears part, but definitely the sweat!)

The Hope Chest

Before Thanksgiving break, my caring, compassionate group of 5th grade students created what they called "The Hope Chest". They researched items to sell, compared prices, created posters, wrote creative announcemnts and "applied" for "jobs". They then sold small toys and candy to students throughout the school on four different dates. Amazingly, after the second date, they sold out and we had to re-order. After the third date, we had nothing left. So, we contacted Delivering Hope to plead for some bracelets to be sent to us ASAP. On the next selling date, we nearly sold out of the bracelets, having only 14 left. After Thanksgiving break, they were gone...

All said and done, these wonderful students raised $500 to be used to buy formula (and maybe vitamins) for the sweet babies in Ethiopia. They ALSO made $300 from selling the bracelets, which we in turn, sent back to the non-profit organization Delivering Hope.

I have hope! These beautiful students are our future.

Guest

Today was a wonderful day! I had the honor of having Pastor Yared visit my school. He educated and entertained my students for over an hour while he shared his knowledge of Ethiopia. He taught us a song, showed us some dancing and entertained all of our questions; which were very great in number! I have wonderful, inquisitive, caring students who were a great audience. I feel so lucky to be blessed with so many wonderful people in my life. It is so much richer because of all of them!

Ethiopian Cultural Festival

Yesterday, our family traveled to Indianapolis to attend an Ethiopian Cultural Festival hosted for families who have, or are in the process of, adopting from Ethiopia. As always, it was a wonderful experience with excellent food, singing, dancing and fellowship. We were able to visit with friends and acquaintences, meet more families and connect with a pastor who lives in Fort Wayne! We feel so lucky to have such a welcoming, supportive community of Ethiopian families so close to us.

"Great people have big hearts." -Ethiopian Proverb