We attended a BBQ/educational event with our adoption agency last night. It always amazes me how conversation starts immediately when you have things in common with someone. Unlike the middle school lunchroom, we can walk into a room full of strangers who we know only one thing about and find complete comfort in their presence. Without uttering a single word about the crazy emotions going through my heart and head, these couples know. They are also waiting for their children from Ethiopia.
We enjoyed sweet tea, brisket, baked beans and cupcakes as we shared where we are in the journey and celebrated with those who are closest to their referral.
By the time the two-hour session was over, we were exchaning every form of communication possible. I couldn't be more excited to get to know our new community of friends as we walk through this journey together!
Lilypie Waiting to Adopt tickers
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Friday, January 21, 2011
Patience & Faith - Can one exist without the other?
Patience = an ability or willingness to suppress restlessness when confronted with delay; quiet, steady perseverance (Webster)
Faith = being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we cannot see. (God)
We begin learning at an early age the results of being patient - waiting our turn for the swings to feel the rush of wind on our face and an emptiness in our stomach; raising our hand to answer a question and receive the much-needed teacher's praise; waiting for the cute boy next to us in math class to realize quality girls are smart and kind; waiting for 45 minutes at our favorite restaurant to enjoy deliciously prepared foods we cannot pronounce. Yes, we know what's in store for us if we are patient. As children, we understand that impatience results in being placed in timeout or receiving a hand-slap or not getting the thing that we asked for even though we used our manners. Why is it then that we struggle to master the art of patience -- especially as adults? Have we grasped the true value of patience or mearley learned how to conceal and suppress our restlessness until we get what we want? I confess, my heart aligns more with the latter.
So, where does faith fit in? Being sure of what we hope for...certain of what we cannot see. To date, I have felt that my faith is solid. I trust God with the unseen - big and small. I have faith that God exists and has everyday planned out for me. Faith that somehow he speaks to the soul of each individual person. Faith the Holy Spirit actually dwells inside of me (what a amazing realization). Faith I will one day live eternity in perfect intimacy with him. These I wholeheartedly believe. But, lately my faith has begun to dwindle in certain areas of my life. Most noticibly, my faith that I will be a mother to two perfectly and wonderfully made Ethiopian children. The reason for this lack of faith, I believe, is fear. To long for something with every ounce of your heart and at the same time every once of your brain fears it doesn't exist. That it will never happen. That somehow, this time, the act of patience - supressing my restlessness - will not yeild the desired results.
This is where faith and a patience heart must coincide. For me, one cannot exist without the other. If I fear that which I'm patient for does not exist, I do not have faith. Likewise, if I believe that what I long for exists but am restless in waiting for it, I do not have faith.
Although I fight it, God is seemingly relentless to teach me the vaule of tue patience - a restful and steady perserverence - along with the vaule of faith -fearlessingly waiting for what we hope for and cannot see.
My prayer request - a fearless faith that God is taking care of our children who we hope for and cannot see, and in the meantime, walking with us through this journey as He teaches us to not mearley suppress our restlessness but rather to learn true patience and not become restless at all.
Faith = being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we cannot see. (God)
We begin learning at an early age the results of being patient - waiting our turn for the swings to feel the rush of wind on our face and an emptiness in our stomach; raising our hand to answer a question and receive the much-needed teacher's praise; waiting for the cute boy next to us in math class to realize quality girls are smart and kind; waiting for 45 minutes at our favorite restaurant to enjoy deliciously prepared foods we cannot pronounce. Yes, we know what's in store for us if we are patient. As children, we understand that impatience results in being placed in timeout or receiving a hand-slap or not getting the thing that we asked for even though we used our manners. Why is it then that we struggle to master the art of patience -- especially as adults? Have we grasped the true value of patience or mearley learned how to conceal and suppress our restlessness until we get what we want? I confess, my heart aligns more with the latter.
So, where does faith fit in? Being sure of what we hope for...certain of what we cannot see. To date, I have felt that my faith is solid. I trust God with the unseen - big and small. I have faith that God exists and has everyday planned out for me. Faith that somehow he speaks to the soul of each individual person. Faith the Holy Spirit actually dwells inside of me (what a amazing realization). Faith I will one day live eternity in perfect intimacy with him. These I wholeheartedly believe. But, lately my faith has begun to dwindle in certain areas of my life. Most noticibly, my faith that I will be a mother to two perfectly and wonderfully made Ethiopian children. The reason for this lack of faith, I believe, is fear. To long for something with every ounce of your heart and at the same time every once of your brain fears it doesn't exist. That it will never happen. That somehow, this time, the act of patience - supressing my restlessness - will not yeild the desired results.
This is where faith and a patience heart must coincide. For me, one cannot exist without the other. If I fear that which I'm patient for does not exist, I do not have faith. Likewise, if I believe that what I long for exists but am restless in waiting for it, I do not have faith.
Although I fight it, God is seemingly relentless to teach me the vaule of tue patience - a restful and steady perserverence - along with the vaule of faith -fearlessingly waiting for what we hope for and cannot see.
My prayer request - a fearless faith that God is taking care of our children who we hope for and cannot see, and in the meantime, walking with us through this journey as He teaches us to not mearley suppress our restlessness but rather to learn true patience and not become restless at all.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Did you know they were adopted?
Andy Berlin - entrepreneur: chairman of Berlin Cameron & Partners
Anthony Williams - politician
Aristotle - philosopher
Art Linkletter - comedian
Bo Diddley - musician, performer
Buffy Sainte-Marie - musician, actress
Carl-Theodor Dreyer - Danish film director
Charlotte Anne Lopez - Miss Teen USA
Christina Crawford - author
Clarissa Pinkola Estes - author
Crazy Horse - Lakota war chief
Dan O'Brien - decathlete
Daunte Culpepper - football player
Dave Thomas - entrepreneur: founder of Wendy's
Debbie Harry - singer
D.M.C. - hip hop artist
Edgar Allan Poe - poet, writer
Edward Albee - playwright
Eleanor Roosevelt - First Lady
Eric Dickerson - athlete
Faith Daniels - news anchor
Faith Hill - country singer
Freddie Bartholomew - actor
George Washington Carver - inventor
Greg Louganis - athlete
James MacArthur - actor
James Michener - author
Jean Jacques Rousseau - philosopher
Jesse Jackson - minister
Jesus - adopted by Joseph the carpenter (Bible)
Jett Williams - country singer and author
Jim Palmer - athlete
John J. Audubon - naturalist
John Hancock - politician
John Lennon - musician
Langston Hughes - poet and writer
Larry Ellison - entrepreneur: chief executive of Oracle
Lee Majors - actor
Leo Tolstoy - writer
Les Brown - motivational speaker
Lynnette Cole - Miss USA 2000
Malcolm X - civil rights leader
Mark Acre - athlete
Matthew Laborteaux - actor
Melissa Gilbert - actress
Michael Reagan - author, talk show host
Moses - Biblical leader
Nancy Reagan - First Lady
Nat King Cole - singer
Nelson Mandela - politician
Patrick Labyorteaux - actor
Peter and Kitty Carruthers - figure skaters
President Gerald Ford - politician
President William Clinton - politician
Priscilla Presley - actress
Ray Liotta - actor
Reno - performance artist, comedian
Sarah McLachlan - singer
Scott Hamilton - figure skater
Sen. Paull H. Shin - politician
Sen. Robert Byrd - politician
Steve Jobs - entrepreneur: co-founder of Apple computer
Surya Bonaly - figure skater
Tim Green - football player/commentator
Tim McGraw - country singer
Tom Monaghan - entrepreneur
Tommy Davidson - comedian
Victoria Rowell - actress
Wilson Riles - educator
Friday, January 7, 2011
Melkam Gena!
Today is Christmas in Ethiopia
Ethiopia is one of the oldest nations in Africa. It still follows the ancient Julian calendar, so Ethiopians celebrate Christmas on January 7. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church's celebration of Christ's birth is called Ganna. It is a day when families attend church.
The day before Ganna, people fast all day. The next morning at dawn, everyone dresses in white. Most Ethiopians don a traditional shamma, a thin, white cotton wrap with brightly colored stripes across the ends. The shamma is worn somewhat like a toga. Urban Ethiopians might put on white Western garb. Then everyone goes to the early mass at four o'clock in the morning. In a celebration that takes place several days later, the priests will dress in turbans and red and white robes as they carry beautifully embroidered fringed umbrellas.
Most Ethiopians who live outside the modern capital city, Addis Ababa, live in round mud-plastered houses with cone-shaped roofs of thatched straw. In areas where stone is plentiful, the houses may be rectangular stone houses. The churches in Ethiopia echo the shape of the houses. In many parts of the country there are ancient churches carved out of solid volcanic rock. Modern churches are built in three concentric circles.
In a modern church, the choir assembles in the outer circle. Each person entering the church is given a candle. The congregation walks around the church three times in a solemn procession, holding the flickering candles. Then they gather in the second circle to stand throughout the long mass, with the men and boys separated from the women and girls. The center circle is the holiest space in the church, where the priest serves Holy Communion.
Around the time of Ganna, the men and boys play a game that is also called ganna. It is somewhat like hockey, played with a curved stick and a round wooden ball.
The foods enjoyed during the Christmas season include wat, a thick, spicy stew of meat, vegetables, and sometimes eggs as well. The wat is served from a beautifully decorated watertight basket onto a "plate" of injera, which is flat sourdough bread. Pieces of injera are used as an edible spoon to scoop up the wat.
Twelve days after Ganna, on January 19, Ethiopians begin the three-day celebration called Timkat, which commemorates the baptism of Christ. The children walk to church services in a procession. They wear the crowns and robes of the church youth groups they belong to. The grown-ups wear the shamma. The priests will now wear their red and white robes and carry embroidered fringed umbrellas.
The music of Ethiopian instruments makes the Timkat procession a very festive event. The sistrum is a percussion instrument with tinkling metal disks. A long, T-shaped prayer stick called a makamiya taps out the walking beat and also serves as a support for the priest during the long church service that follows. Church officials called dabtaras study hard to learn the musical chants, melekets, for the ceremony.
Ethiopian men play another sport called yeferas guks. They ride on horseback and throw ceremonial lances at each other.
Ganna and Timkat are not occasions for giving gifts in Ethiopia. If a child receives any gift at all, it is usually a small gift of clothing. Religious observances, feasting, and games are the focus of the season.
Most Ethiopians who live outside the modern capital city, Addis Ababa, live in round mud-plastered houses with cone-shaped roofs of thatched straw. In areas where stone is plentiful, the houses may be rectangular stone houses. The churches in Ethiopia echo the shape of the houses. In many parts of the country there are ancient churches carved out of solid volcanic rock. Modern churches are built in three concentric circles.
In a modern church, the choir assembles in the outer circle. Each person entering the church is given a candle. The congregation walks around the church three times in a solemn procession, holding the flickering candles. Then they gather in the second circle to stand throughout the long mass, with the men and boys separated from the women and girls. The center circle is the holiest space in the church, where the priest serves Holy Communion.
Around the time of Ganna, the men and boys play a game that is also called ganna. It is somewhat like hockey, played with a curved stick and a round wooden ball.
The foods enjoyed during the Christmas season include wat, a thick, spicy stew of meat, vegetables, and sometimes eggs as well. The wat is served from a beautifully decorated watertight basket onto a "plate" of injera, which is flat sourdough bread. Pieces of injera are used as an edible spoon to scoop up the wat.
Twelve days after Ganna, on January 19, Ethiopians begin the three-day celebration called Timkat, which commemorates the baptism of Christ. The children walk to church services in a procession. They wear the crowns and robes of the church youth groups they belong to. The grown-ups wear the shamma. The priests will now wear their red and white robes and carry embroidered fringed umbrellas.
The music of Ethiopian instruments makes the Timkat procession a very festive event. The sistrum is a percussion instrument with tinkling metal disks. A long, T-shaped prayer stick called a makamiya taps out the walking beat and also serves as a support for the priest during the long church service that follows. Church officials called dabtaras study hard to learn the musical chants, melekets, for the ceremony.
Ethiopian men play another sport called yeferas guks. They ride on horseback and throw ceremonial lances at each other.
Ganna and Timkat are not occasions for giving gifts in Ethiopia. If a child receives any gift at all, it is usually a small gift of clothing. Religious observances, feasting, and games are the focus of the season.
Article by TLC Family
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Are they with our children?
We heard from two of our American in-country representatives from Ethiopia. Three years ago, a couple from DFW realized the plans they had so carefully detailed for their family were not the plans the Lord had for them. Prayerfully considering what the Lord was communicating, they made a life-changing decision. Stepping away from their comfort, they sold their suburban home and the majority of their belongings and moved with their 10-year-old daughter and 8-year-old son to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
For three years, this family has lived in a small concrete compound with little to no running water, little electricity and a small garden for their produce. Working for our adoption agency, they spend their days at the orphanage preparing children for the families that so eagerly await them. After three years of living in Ethiopia, they have adjusted to the slow pace of life and the beautiful simplicity of the culture and have no plans of returning to America in the near future.
When we arrive in Ethiopia, we will be working directly with this couple who will introduce us to our children, take us to our court hearings and help us learn as much about the Ethiopian culture as possible in the short time we are there.
It is very likely that this sweet family knows our children. My prayer is that they have already picked them out and begun preparing them for our family. Please add this family to your prayers for our children. Pray they will show our children the love and attention they need and that we long so desperately to give them.
For three years, this family has lived in a small concrete compound with little to no running water, little electricity and a small garden for their produce. Working for our adoption agency, they spend their days at the orphanage preparing children for the families that so eagerly await them. After three years of living in Ethiopia, they have adjusted to the slow pace of life and the beautiful simplicity of the culture and have no plans of returning to America in the near future.
When we arrive in Ethiopia, we will be working directly with this couple who will introduce us to our children, take us to our court hearings and help us learn as much about the Ethiopian culture as possible in the short time we are there.
It is very likely that this sweet family knows our children. My prayer is that they have already picked them out and begun preparing them for our family. Please add this family to your prayers for our children. Pray they will show our children the love and attention they need and that we long so desperately to give them.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Consider adoption in 2011
Consider opening your heart and home to a child who NEEDS YOU!
ORPHAN STATISTICS
Sub-Saharan Africa Orphan Statistics
- The total number of orphans in Sub-Saharan Africa is greater than the total number of children in Denmark, Ireland, Norway, Canada and Sweden.
- There are currently an estimated 53.1 million orphans in Sub-Saharan Africa. Of those children, 30% lost parents to the AIDS epidemic.
- An estimated 12% of all children in Sub-Saharan Africa are orphans. Of those children, 5.7 million were orphaned in 2010 alone.
- There are 28.5 million estimated maternal orphans in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Asia Orphan Statistics
- There are currently 68.9 million orphans in Asia, giving this region the largest absolute number of orphans in the world.
- Roughly 6% of all children in Asia are orphans, with 7.7 million orphaned in 2010 alone.
- In Cambodia, Laos and Korea the prevalence is even higher where 10% of all children are orphans.
- There are 20.3 million maternal orphans in Asia.
Latin America Orphan Statistics
- Roughly 5% of all children in Latin America are orphans (10.2 million in total), with 1.2 million orphaned in 2010 alone.
- Even before the tragic earthquake in Haiti, over 15% of children were estimated to be orphans, more than twice the regional average.
- There are 2.5 million maternal orphans in Latin America
Foster Care in the United States
Approximately 25,000 children age out of the foster care system every year at age 18.- 25% of these foster children will become homeless
- 56% of these emancipated foster care children enter the unemployment ranks
- 27% of the emancipated male children in foster care end up in jail
- 30% of the emancipated females in foster care experience early parenthood
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