It Takes a Village

It's Christmas Eve and I'm sitting with my family, drinking coffee, snuggling with nieces and nephews and thinking about all the ways God has blessed us over the last 12 months.

He gave me a new job which I absolutely love. He blessed Josh with another year of teaching in Arlington. He put us in a fabulous church and lifegroup full of people who challenge us, love us and bring us joy. He got us through one year on the waiting list for our children. I could go on and on. But, one of the blessings this year that will forever be close to my heart was the Both Hands project we did through Lifesong for Orphans.

Twenty of our dearest friends came together to help us raise money for our adoption. We worked with a widow "Nanny" who was in need of home and landscape repairs. We planted gardens, painted awnings, cleaned gutters, trimmed trees, fixed plumbing and electrical problems inside. We gave her presents and hugs and reminded her of how thankful we are that she allowed us to serve her like she has spent her life serving others. Our goal is to raise $10,000 and we are getting closer. Here is the video highlighting our project!! It was a great day and I can't wait to share with my children how much they were loved before they were known!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__osqzEbESA

Help bring our children home while serving Nanny

Engaging Food Battles while connecting with your children

Children from hard places often struggle with a variety of food-related issues. Watch as Dr. Karyn Purvis offers insights and strategies to help parents engage food battles with connection in mind.



Engaging Food Battles with Connection in Mind from Tapestry on Vimeo.

The War Against International Adoption

Great blog today from Aaron Klein.  
http://www.aaronklein.com/2011/09/the-war-against-international-adoption/

“Largely deprived of the human touch as they grow up, those who survive physically are unlikely to develop emotionally and mentally in ways that will make it possible for them to relate meaningfully and happily to either human beings, or to learn or work in meaningful ways. The longer they spent in such orphanages, the less chance they will have are anything resembling normal development.” Elizabeth Bartholet of Harvard Law School’s Child Advocacy Project.

Happy New Year!!

Enkutatas, Happy New Year!

September 11th marks the new year celebration, Enkutatas, in Ethiopia! As the close to the rainy season draws near, Ethiopians enjoy celebrating the spring-like arrival of their new year.  It is also the Feast of St. John the Baptist. The day is called Enkutatas meaning the "gift of jewels." When the famous Queen of Sheba returned from her expensive jaunt to visit King Solomon in Jerusalem, her chiefs welcomed her back by replenishing her treasury with enku or jewels. The spring festival has been celebrated since these early times and as the rains come to their abrupt end, dancing and singing can be heard at every village in the green countryside. After dark on New Year's Eve people light fires outside their houses. 

The main religious celebration takes place at the 14th-century Kostete Yohannes church in the city of Gaynt within the Gondar Region. Three days of prayers, psalms, and hymns, sermons, and massive colorful processions mark the advent of the New Year. Closer to Addis Ababa, the Raguel Church, on top of the Entoto Mountain north of the city, has the largest and most spectacular religious celebration. But Enkutatas is not exclusively a religious holiday, and the little girls singing and dancing in pretty new dresses among the flowers in the fields convey the message of springtime and renewed life. Today's Enkutatas is also the season for exchanging formal New Year greetings and cards among the urban sophisticated in lieu of the traditional bouquet of flowers. 

When meeting friends and neighbors on the new year, Amharic speakers share the greeting, “Enquan laddis amet aderesachuh,” or, “wishing you all a happy new year.”

Millions Starving in Today's Most Severe Food Crisis in Eastern Africa

Eastern Africa is experiencing what has been described as the "most severe food crisis in the world today", with at least 10 million people affected in Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia and Uganda, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
In Ethiopia, the estimated number of people in need of emergency food and non-food assistance was revised upwards from 2.8 million to 3.2 million.

Among those who can afford it, thousands are fleeing their homes in the hopes to find food and water. Most of those who have died include children, the elderly and pregnant or nursing mothers.

We are in contact with our adoption agency who leads several humanitarian efforts in eastern Africa. STAY TUNED FOR HOW YOU CAN HELP!!

http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?reportid=93092

Fast Break

I broke my news fast. It's been a little over a month now and I've finally started listening to, reading and watching the news again. Confession: it was much more difficult than I thought. I found myself automatically turning on news talk radio when I got in the car and immediately having to turn it off. Not being able to participate in conversations about "newsworthy" events proved to be a big downer for me. But, I made it. And, I found that every time I intentionally turned off the news or closed my automatic news pop-ups, I thought out our children and how God is watching over them and us every second we are apart. While I am returning to my news junkie days, I hope to more mindful that God is all-knowing and all-seeing. What comfort!

News Break - Pregnancy vs Adoption

I'm addicted to the news. Some people wake up in the morning and listen to the soothing song on the alarm radio. Others may have some quiet time or stand in the shower with their eyes closed counting the hours until they get to crawl back into bed. Not me. When my alarm goes off (and sometimes before), I roll over, grab my iPhone and start clicking on my news apps. Skimming headlines and clicking on the more creative ones that lure a reader in. On my way to work, I drink my coffee and listen to the two AM talk radio stations I have programed. When I arrive, I pull up FoxNews and leave the minimized window open in case there is breaking news. My drive home...news talk radio again. Then I fill my husband in on everything I've heard throughout the day. For those of you who know me, I like the crime reports and am drawn to the horrific stories most people try to avoid. I like being connected. I like knowing what is going on around me and around the world. Until now.

While I don't completely understand the hormone situation during pregnancy vs adoption, I've heard it is very similar. I'm hoping that is my excuse for the annoying ability to burst into tears for absolutely no reason and then continue crying because I'm frustrated for not having a reason. Or feeling like the creeper that stops in the grocery store staring at little children and dreaming that somewhere mine are experiencing the same happiness. (I cannot explain the food cravings...other than the fact that when you walk outside in Texas, you typically smell the sweet aroma of Tex-Mex and your stomach begins to talk...it's why Texans seem to know each other upon first meeting...our stomachs have been chattin it up.)

But, I am blaming my adoptive hormones on my sudden distaste for the news. I believe the news is making me have a stressful adoption. (like there is any other kind....) and this could potentially harm the waiting process. So, as of today, I'm taking an offical break from listening, watching or reading the news. I'm not sure how long this fast will last. My addiction to the news will likely make it difficult to quit cold-turkey. But, I'm determined. to make it at least one month. (We can reevaluate my hormone situation at that point.)

I do hope my friends and family around me will update me on any world disasters or crisis on a "need to know" basis. Please feel free to email or call me if WW3 starts of if someone other than Donald Trump announces their presidental running.

I will report back in one month...hopefully with a more stress-free adoption! :)

My heart lost weight

Three months ago, our adoption process was indefinitely put on hold due to an investigation in Ethiopia. Because of confidentiality reasons, we haven't been able to write about the situation. But, each day added more weight on our hearts. The thought of not moving forward indefinitely is almost unbearable. We closed the doors to our kids' bedrooms (unless we had family in town staying in the bedrooms...which always makes us so happy!), stopped painting our mural in the playroom and pretty much quit going upstairs altogether. At all cost, I avoided answering questions about the adoption. When people asked, "do you have kids?" I said "no" as quickly as possible before asking them an unrelated question. I found projects around the house that might take my mind off of the adoption...as if that is actually possible.

But today....today my heart lost weight!!! We received great news that the investigation is over and our agency is not only moving forward with adoption, but due to the overwhelming support our agency provides in Ethiopia, the government commended our efforts and said they are glad to have us there!! Let the referrals resume!!

 

Blessings that came from the past three months of indefinate waiting:

• A beautiful garden in our front yard complete with a trees, flowers, shrubs and stone outlining
• Kitchen cabinets all over my garage waiting to be repainted...a job half way done with another several months to go!
• An extended concrete patio in our back yard with a beautiful garden swing and landscaping to admire
• And best of all - The realization that loosing weight from your heart so far exceeds the satisfaction of loosing it from your body!

This could change everything...

I know...what's the point of starting a blog if you stop posting? It's been a while since I've even logged into our blog. I would love the excuse that life has been full of fun adventures that are keeping us so busy we can't seem to find the time to write a blog. Not the case. Even with all the home projects we're working on to keep us busy, we've still had plenty of time to write. There hasn't been a lot of updates to give...at least positive ones...which makes it difficult emotionally to even write about our adoption process.

Ethiopia has had many changes in the last few months regarding international adoption. But, they are back on track and running smoothly in country. Now, the prayers have switched to our government.

There is much debate in Congress regarding the 2011 Federal budget. Last week a temporary budget measure passed in the Senate to keep the Federal government operating.  The vote extended government funding for an additional three weeks; the new budget deadline is Friday, April 8.  

If Congress fails to reach an agreement or if President Barack Obama does not sign the federal budget bill by that time, it is possible that the Federal government could shut down essential services.  A shut-down of the Federal government could potentially impact intercountry adoptions.  The National Council for Adoption received notice from the State Department that in the event of such a government shutdown, all non-essential personnel at the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and National Benefits Center would be furloughed.  Because this furlough would include those that work in U.S. embassy and consulate offices around the world, families in the process of adopting internationally and those completing adoptions in other countries could be impacted.

Please pray that Congress and President Obama understand the ramifications of cutting these federal positions overseas. Orphans around the world might never have a forever home. Millions of orphans are close to or in the process of aging out of the orphanage which means they will be put on the streets to survive...or die...alone. Families around the world are anxiously waiting to bring these children into their hearts and home. Children who are HIV+ or have special needs might never be united with their parents in America who are waiting with open arms to bring them home.

Pray for wisdom and open hearts for Congress and President Obama. Pray they can see the bigger picture. Pray they can find other ways to cut federal spending that will not separate children from their parents. And...please pray for our children and all the other children who are at the mercy of the US government.

A New Community

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. I love when people going through the same thing as me know just what to say to make my heart feel better!

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!

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.

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

Melkam Gena!

Today is Christmas in Ethiopia

Christmas Traditions 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.

Article by TLC Family

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.

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