predestined to be adopted ...

.... as His son through Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 1:5)


We are praising God today that He has added another precious soul to His family. Tonight Spiderman asked Jesus to "give me a clean heart" and told Him that "I want to be part of your family Jesus". He actually prayed alone, in the bathtub, because he was too embarrassed to pray with me but he told me what he said to Jesus and at bedtime he thanked God for these things. His face was beaming and his eyes were shining. Of course, we did see this coming for awhile as he often talks about loving Jesus and God and says he can't wait to go to heaven.

Recently he told me that he had never heard of Jesus before arriving at Hannah's Hope. That was almost one year ago (Feb 3rd) and God has done much this past year. I recall being surprised to receive the referral of a muslim child (many Ethiopians are Orthodox or Jewish) and I'll never forget meeting Almaz and hearing her share her own prayers for him. She told me, "the world needs Abdu as a Christian". Praise God for grabbing the heart of this precious child.

On a related note, yesterday at church we publicly dedicated Spiderman to the Lord. He and his Dad met with Pastor earlier in the week to discuss what would be happening (our others were dedicated as babies). We wanted him to understand that it was our intent to raise him to know the love of Christ and we wanted the church to know of our commitment. Here is a photo of us at church. It was extra special to see hearts moved as Pastor read Jeremiah 29:11 that God has plans for Spiderman, "to prosper him and not harm him, to give him a hope and a future."

Jaybird's 8th birthday

The unbridled joy of childhood. Get the look on this face!

Can you guess the theme of this party? Yep, it was Legos down to the pinata but the real excitement for everyone came from the "games". Thanks to Aunt Susie we had a "crazy Chemistry" party and the kids had fun with various science experiments. This was such a hit that the parents keep telling me how the kids have been recreating them at home for their families. Better yet, Daddy played Bill Nye the Science Guy and had the boys eating out of his hands. What a hit!
They moved to the sink for a "vacuum" test but most of the fun took place at the table.

This was the real favorite. Baking Soda plus vinegar causing a CO2 explosion (not as dramatic as it sounds but they did watch their balloons fill as a result). We have done this one 3 days in a row now.

In the party aftermath, Spiderman pulled out his own Legos and Spidergirl arrived on the scene to fight crime.

Here is Jaybird with his "favorite present ever", his Mars Mission Space Station. All we hear about now is aliens, energy crystals and hyper-sleep. I would be surprised if this boy doesn't have dreams about Legos. I don't know how many times he has asembled and demolished this set but he should know it by heart already. Boys and their toys.

We actually had his party on Saturday so today, the real birthday, we all went out to lunch at Pizza Hut. Daddy met us for a surprise and since we never really go out to eat, it was a double treat. Another benefit for Jaybird is that at 8 years old, he can now legally put the booster seat days behind him. Yeah!!!

A peek at January

I know I have neglected my family who have been dying for some photos of the kiddos. Here is a smattering of what we've been up to this month.



I love to see the kids cozied up to each other. Here are the bros just hanging out.

On a rare, mild day outside we noticed the carrots we had never dug up this summer (Spidermans arrival effectively killed my attempts at gardening). Believe it or not, they were still tasty.

OK, so you can't see it well here but this is the kids running around as the snow was starting up one day. My kids are crazy enough to do this with no sleeves!

My man gave me a full "day off" for scrapbooking recently and while I was having fun, they were all put to work helping Dad cut and carry wood. I'm sure your heart is racing Grandma but trust me, Jaybird did NOT operate this chainsaw!

OK, so it's not the biggest ladder ever but Spiderman was still a bit nervous to climb this wall. He was quite proud once he did.

immeasurably more

I've seen a lot of things in my life that amaze me, I've read about even more. Ways that God has used one little thing to make big changes in a life, in a community, in a country. I've often marvelled at how He uses the least predictable thing to do so and sometimes the least logical choice of whom to do it through. I like to think of it as God's calling card, His way of saying "this is Me, I'm doing something here for My glory. This is NOT just a coincidence, and you can't explain it away." This past year I've seen more than I can even say but this past week, I again stand in awe.

God has again set in motion the wheels of adoption, not for our family but for our church family. Two more godly families have submitted to His persistent, small voice and have answered, "Here I am Lord, send me." This means that in less than one year's time, He has moved 6 different families in our little church to step out to adopt. It boggles my mind even while I'm giddy with excitement. Both new families have applied and are praying about children on the waiting list, older children, siblings, the children that the world says are "impossible" to find homes for. The children considered unwanted.

These children will someday soon (Lord willing) be welcomed into their new homes in their new country where they will continue to learn about the One who has a plan for their future. Homes that are filled with God's love. A church family that could very well have 9 or 10 Ethiopian children to support them as they grow, all by the end of 2008. Their children and grandchildren will have a completely different future than if these families said, "No Lord, not me". I stand in awe!

Won't you please pray with me that God will strengthen these families in the months ahead while they listen for His leading, each step of the way? Also, I believe others at our church have been hearing God's call for their own families. Please pray that they would submit to His amazing plan as He directs them.

When God Speaks

Six years ago, Jan. 9th, 2002, God directed me down a path that has changed me in so many ways. That night my man and I casually discussed an advertisement about adoption and I remember saying how sad it was to think of so many children who have no one to kiss them and tuck them in at night. Off in the next room we had two babies under age 2, sleeping peacefully and safely in their cribs. We moved on and enjoyed our evening but God would not let me go so easily. The memory is still vivid and emotional as I recall laying in bed that night having my heart broken and crying my eyes out in prayer. This went on for 4 hours before God released me and let me sleep. I like to say Boo was "conceived in my heart" that night and we began her adoption process not that much later. Of course, looking back with open eyes I find it ironic that I was so convinced she was already born and that we would be adopting a toddler. She was not BUT now I know that Spiderman was, he just didn't need us yet. Boo came home over 2 years later at only 4 months old. This photo is the day we got her for keeps at Hannah's Hope in Guatemala.


I shudder to think of what might not have been. What if I said "No" to God's leading? What if my man said "No"? What if I said, "It's impossible, it's too much money, too difficult a process, too much risk"? Praise God He did not let me. He gave me faith when I had none. He gave me strength when I felt so very weak. He gave me confirmation that this was his plan. He gave me many family and friends to lift us up in prayer. He gave me a deeper vision of my own adoption into His heavenly family. He gave me a love and compassion for a woman thousands of miles away who made a heart wrenching decision to give her child a future with hope. He gave me a glimpse into a world of lonely, hurting children who He loves passionately. (It's like I was the Grinch whose heart was "3 sizes too small" - He broke it in pieces so He could replace it with a newer version, more like his.) He gave me my sweet, stubborn and silly little Boo, who I can't imagine not being my daughter. Praise God He did not let us say "No"!

This is Boo's version of fancy make-up. The crossed eyes are when she's being silly. :)

For those who wonder, it is definitely different adopting an infant versus an older child. Not better or worse, just different. Much to the surprise of some, she grieved as an infant those first few months. She has learned about Guatemala and is proud to know where she comes from. When she says "Hola papa" she melts her Daddy's heart. Despite what she knows, she does have fantasy "memories" of Guatemala and has said she misses her Guatemala Mommy and wants to go visit her house. She is thrilled that God gave her curly hair and "made me so cute". :) With almost 4 years under our belts, we are doing our best to lay a good foundation for her but we know that some of the hard questions and emotions are still to come. While she knows she is loved, she will rely on us to help her fill in the missing gaps. Unlike Spiderman, she has no memories of her own and the unknown is often much more confusing. I'm so thankful that God knows where she will struggle and we trust Him to guide us in helping her along. He has shown us firsthand (four times now) that children truly are a blessing from the Lord!

** OK I'm just adding a link for you. Last night (Jan 10th) I heard a program on Focus on the Family about stepping out in faith to adopt. http://listen.family.org/daily/A000000859.cfm?eafref=1 It ties in perfectly with what I've shared and I want to let you know in case you feel God may be challenging you to consider adoption for your own family. If He is, trust Him! It is so worth it.

Remember 1995?

That was the year I took a huge leap of faith and said "I do". In a world where marriage is mocked and commitments are for the short term, that could have been risky business. I stand in awe of how 12 years have now passed (we just celebrated our anniversary) and I can't imagine having taken any other path OR any other man. Are we perfect? No, who is. Are we happy? You bet!

Did I see back then where life would take me? Not even close, but what I have learned is that's God's plan for my life is ALWAYS better than I could have imagined for myself. It's not that I'm living a fantasy or living on easy street. Like one of my favorite songs says, "who am I, that the Lord of all the earth would care to know my name...?" I am humbled that He reached out to me and drew me to Him. What unexplainable comfort in knowing that the One who made me, walks with me through each day, carries me when it's tough, and points out the scenic spots I might otherwise miss. He even gave me my man, the right man, to brighten the path for me and make me laugh. I'm rambling now but I wanted to list 12 things about my man that I love and respect him for -- everyone should know.

1. He loves his Lord and is willing to surrender his own plans for God's plan.

2. He makes me laugh and that is Oh, so priceless!

3. He works hard to take care of us.

4. He is a good listener, better than I am.

5. Have you seen this manly hunk o' muscle? Hubba, hubba!

6. He's such an all-around good guy, everybody loves him

7. He is a man of principle and is COMPELLED to do the right thing.

8. He's super smart and knows how to think for himself.

9. He's versatile - he can change diapers, wash dishes, chop down trees and gut dead animals (so dreamy)

10. He's played a big part in giving me my four "little people".

11. He has a vivid imagination and is awesome with the kids

12. He's all mine, til death do we part.

I love you babe! May God give us many more years, many more laughs and may He help us survive this parenting thing :)

Doro Watt (Chicken Stew)

Here is my Ethiopian chef, Hope and her Momma Lori, my dear sweet friend. "A-wad-a-ha-low!" (I love you)

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OK, one last recipe for everyone. Doro Watt is practically the "famous" dish in Ethiopian food and a big hit with about half of our family. :) This is the second time in a week we've had this as Hope invited me over to watch her make this one from memory. All I have to do is bring the injera and that's a good deal for me. Keep in mind there is no written recipe, she just goes by what she sees and smells (which is fun to watch). After watching Hope & Spiderman devour two huge helpings, I can attest it must taste like it did "back home". Here we go....

1 medium onion, chopped

3/4 cup cooking oil (she used alot more)

Cook together on medium heat

Add 1/3 cup berbere spice (Hope uses a cup but I can tell you, it's still too spicy with this smaller amount. If you didn't get this in Ethiopia, you can buy it online or make your own)

whisk together and let it boil for awhile. This part is vague, Hope watches the sauce for the brown to turn redish. Apparently it is subtle as I didn't see a significant change but she sure got excited when she saw it.

2-3 cups water, continue boiling 5 more minutes

Next add:

4-5 lbs of skinless chicken, preferably legs (on the bone) and thighs (cut off the bone)

boil at medium heat for 15 minutes. Add:

6 whole hard bolied eggs, peeled

5 potatoes, peeled and diced

2 tsp of salt

2 cloves of garlic

Boil on medium heat for another 15 minutes

Spoon over injera and enjoy, kinda spicy!

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Now as for my unrelated comments, I have a tip for some of you. If you are adopting an older child, pray for God to bring you another family in your area (in your church is even better) who will do the same. I am still in awe of how God called Hope's family to adopt right as we were paperchasing. This journey has been so much richer sharing it with another family and knowing the kids have each other with a shared understanding. Their differences in gender and age don't even seem to matter for this. This adoption has been such a deep and wondrous experience and it is so much richer having a "mom friend" walking the joys and sorrows with me each step of the way. (For a beautiful expression of some of these ponderings, read my friend Jens post called "How can it be?") Lori has been such a gift to me and I never even thought to ask God for this. Now there are two other families at our church adding to their families from the same orphanage. ASK!