Exciting Ventures

There have been some fun things happening behind the scenes here that have me so very excited!!

A little back story...

April/May of last year I was in Ethiopia visiting my boys for our court appointment. Since the boys were still in school I was able to go do some visiting and ministry checking during that time. One of those times I accompanied my 'lil brother' A to Korah while he helped a ministry teach some sponsored families about an income generation project they were starting. While there I met a member of that ministry named T.

It was fascinating watching the families, mainly women listen intently while their children played at their feet or came over to play with me while they sat and listened.

After he was finished A, T and some of the other leaders and I left for lunch. T was telling me about the families and sharing the mother's concerns about the children and what to do with them as they began working. He said they had been asking for a daycare. Well I knew the org that he worked with and said "Wow, that sounds like an awesome opportunity. I will pray for you all."  

I was in no way interested in looking into a Daycare in Korah... I didn't have time for that! I had just agreed to parent 2 new boys, have a full time job, was working in getting a team to come over in a few months and had just agreed to be in the board for Because Every Mother Matters.

I came home and indeed began praying for them to be able to find the funding for the daycare. In the mean time T contacted me and said "You need to be the one to start the daycare." I said thank you but no. He said I needed to pray. So I did. Then someone else contacted me and said... "I hear you are starting a daycare in Korah"... What?! 

So I decided that perhaps I needed to stop saying no and start praying about the fit for our church. We had been praying for something to fit, something we could do long term and meaningful. So I asked the pastor about it. He prayed and said... GO FOR IT! 

Meaning talk to people... see what they think... are there others that would want to step up and step in? I quickly found those people. 

We put together a budget, a plan, a prayer and a presentation for our church leadership ... can I tell you that while I really love our church that was the most painful and difficult meeting. Money and Christians are not a fun mix.

It was approved to support and we had our commitment for the next 5 years to be the sponsors of the Hope for Korah Daycare under the organization Hope for Korah and Great Hope Charities run by a church in Korah. 

So thankful for this opportunity! So blessed to see this coming to fruition! Finding a compound to fit our needs has been a challenge. But it's been all in God's hands and He's directing the steps. I look back at God's vision to see momma's kept healthy and families staying together and I see that happening here. Families staying together, having hope, seeing a vision for their lives become one of promise. It's a gift! Between BEMM and the daycare literally hundreds of children will never have to have the label orphan. Thank you Jesus! 

If you would like to help support the daycare please message me... and go to the Hope for Korah Daycare FB page and 'like' it!  

Why am I still here?

I was talking to a man on the phone the other day about my thoughts for the 501c3 I want to start…I have been trying to nail down the concept and information, and was talking about grants and start up costs with him.

He was very intrigued by my idea and then was astounded when I said I had been to Ethiopia 5 times already. Then I was sort of astounded. Really?!! I have been there 5 times? To Ethiopia?! Wow!

Usually when I tell people that I would live there if I could, I get the blank stare. And then the ‘oh really?..... Well that’s NOT for me!” And I giggle.

Today someone said to me that they couldn’t believe I didn’t already live there. And to be completely honest with you, I really can’t believe it myself.

In a conversation with another friend I said to her “WHY?! Why do we want to live in a third world country? Where there are parasites, inflation is CRAZY, there aren’t freedoms there like here, electricity and water are unpredictable and we would be the major minority?” She said…” Cause we’re crazy”

Are we?

Are we crazy?

Perhaps.

But maybe not?

You know what else is there? Beauty. Love. Joy in the little things. Family connections that defy blood relations. There is a pride there that is …. different than what American’s feel which is more entitlement and conceit. The poor help each other.

When you talk to a lot of Ethiopians they would tell you that they may want to visit here, but not live here in America. I think that speaks volumes.

I was talking to my brother T the other day and he asked me why Ethiopia was cursed and so poor? Why had God forsaken them? I didn’t have answer to his perception… all I could give him was mine. That there is so much more beauty and strength in Ethioipa than anywhere I have ever seen. That I have heard from more than one person that they FOUND God in Ethiopia… not that He had forsaken it. I don’t know why there seems to be so much more pain and suffering there than anywhere else? I don’t know why there is such abject poverty. Not that God causes these things to happen… but perhaps in some grand scheme it’s to help people like me and others to realize that there is so much more to life than the car we drive, or the house we live in, or the clothes we wear? Perhaps it’s to help us catch a glimpse of what God wants us to see in others? Perhaps He wants His people to remember to think outside of themselves and at each other?

Logistically I am still here because of E’s meds. Right now they are not available in Ethiopia in the formula we need them to be in, so we stay here. His life is more important than any soul desire I have to live in his country of birth.

When we have A home and stable on meds… and get E on a formula we can travel with we will re-evaluate. I learn more and more that I want my children to know their country, know the beauty, know the hardships and the strength.

Until then, I will pray for those that I miss. I will cry my tears of longing. I will cry out to our Lord for guidance and strength. I will continue to ask for perseverance and wisdom in how to follow Him and serve His people. Right now, clearly my place is here.

In the future? …. As my brother A says… God Knows.

Tunnel

The other fun thing we did this weekend was go to Busch Gardens and volunteer with KLove again and see Third Day. Third Day is one of our very favorite bands. Their songs have been used in countless ways to touch our lives and lift us up. Plus they ROCK! ;o)

God showed me a beautiful picture as I listened to them this time.

Tunnel is one of their songs. It speaks to knowing there are really hard times, but that there is always a light at the end of the tunnel.

In Sept 2008 they came to Virginia Beach on tour. It was right after E had been release from the hospital and then D had been gone and I had just had one of the hardest weeks of my life.
We contemplated going, but decided that we really needed the time out. I am so glad we went. I needed the shot in the spiritual arm. They played the song Tunnel then. As I was listening to it I could hear God speaking to me directly. There was indeed a light at the end of the tunnel.

Yesterday Third Day played it again. This time as I listened I had to praise God in a new way. Because the day before we had celebrated E's 5th birthday. He's healthy and strong and life is good.

There is indeed a light at the end of the tunnel. Praise you God!!!





Tunnel
Third Day

I won't pretend to know what you're thinking
I can't begin to know what you're going through
I won't deny the pain that you're feeling
But I'm gonna try and give a little hope to you

Just remember what I've told you
There's so much you're living for

[Chorus]
There's a light at the end of this tunnel
There's a light at the end of this tunnel
For you, for you
There's a light at the end of this tunnel
Shinin' bright at the end of this tunnel
For you, for you

So keep holdin' on

You've got your disappointments and sorrows
You ought to share the weight of that load with me
Then you will find that the light of tomorrow
It brings a new life for your eyes to see

So remember what I've told you
There's so much you're living for
[Chorus]
So keep holdin' on
Keep holding on

[Musical Break]

So remember what I've told you
There's so much you're living for
[Chorus] x2
There's a light at the end of this tunnel
For you, for you
Shinin' bright at the end of this tunnel
For you, for you
So keep holdin' on
Keep holding on
Keep holding on, now.

You've got your disappointments and sorrows
But I'm gonna try and give a little hope to you

I am still here....

I have been a bad blogger... sorry.

For the last couple of weeks I have been 'funk'y. Just really not in a good place. I couldn't figure out why, and couldn't shake it. I don't like to feel that way...and I got more sad because I couldn't seem to get myself out of it. I know how very blessed I am, how very much God has given me so I had no right for the funki-licious thoughts. Kind of a weird vicious cycle that I just didn't have the energy to get out of, so I chose not to post any of my whining.

Some time last week I sent out a request to some of my dearest friends, asking for prayer. I knew I was going to need help to get out of the funk. Between their prayers and getting the medication I take for my Thyroid straight, (that's a huge part) I am feeling so much better.

The other day I actually thought to myself "I love my life". That's a huge step up...lol

Our mission team shared the presentation about our trip to the church on Sunday. It was a huge success. It took me about 3 weeks to get it all together. We had 4000+ pictures that were all different sizes so the process was long. But I got to re-live the trip over and over every night that I worked on it. (That could have contributed to my funk-iness, as I truly miss those people and that country)

I found out on Monday that my job is not going to be as flexible as I had thought they would with my summer schedule. They are HUGE on getting ahead of the game with technical stuff, but not so much in the HR job happiness department. oh well... it is what it is. I have a job and it pays well and it provides insurance for our family. Not going to complain. We have run into some serious financial issues that have really gotten me upset as well. Still not sure how we are going to get around or out of them yet... but God has been sharing His provision scriptures with me through my devotions.... so I am trying my hardest to trust in Him.

Tuesday E and I got to fly to Long Island to visit with P and M, Erin's parents. They run a foundation called RollStone that provides grants to help families adopt children with special needs, primarily hiv. They gave us a grant to help bring E home so they asked if we would come speak at their annual fundraiser. What an honor!! It was really fun to hang out with them, and have that special time with E.

We went to a Duck's baseball game. E's first big baseball game. He got to eat hot dogs and cotton candy. He was given a practice ball from the Ducks and we got to meet the owner. It was a night to remember!

Wednesday we prepared for the dinner, putting baskets together for a silent auction and just general preparations. The dinner was phenomenal. The people were amazing. Everyone was so nice and just loved E. He was pretty shy at first, but then warmed up. Erin's brother and his girlfriend were there, and E just loved them! And they were so great with him. It was fun to spend time with them, although we all really missed Erin!!!

I was to give a speech about what RollStone and adoption meant to me, to us, to E. I have given alot of talks in other church venues so I wasn't overly nervous at first, I wrote some notes and prayed a ton. As the time came to speak though I started to feel some butterflies. I began to think that perhaps I should have actually written out the words...this was really important, what if I screwed it up?! I sent out some quick texts for prayer, and wonder of wonders God showed up! :o) As if He wouldn't. He gave me the words, and He said what needed to be said.

From what I understand, so far it's the most successful night they have had. Praise the LORD! At least one more child will be coming home to a family! :o)

On a fun side note we got to meet Tom Westman, winner of Survivor Palau. He was at the dinner. I had no clue who he was. He was talking to E for a while and M came over to me to tell me to get a picture of them talking. I was like "why?". I mean he was a good looking guy, but there were lots of people talking to E that night...lol I missed the photo-op. Bummer. He then came over to talk to me. We spoke for about 20 minutes about work and life and kids and vacations. He's a really nice guy. When he walked away I asked someone who he was.... they were surprised that I didn't know...lol oh well, not really a survivor fan, but he's a really great guy. ;o) I probably would have rooted for him.

Thursday night the mission team got together to discuss the trip, see each other and kind of debrief. I think it was a good meeting. I think the best part of the meeting was that we are going to plan another one!!!

THAT is exciting. Tim and I discussed it at length and we feel like we can do it again, especially now that we have so many people involved, and aware and excited about it. We are going to kind of ride on that momentum.

We are looking at possibly going on March of 2011...not sure what it's going to look like yet, but we are just in the very beginning planning stages. YAY!!!

So that's what's been happening here. Things are looking up... the kids are good...D is good...we have jobs...we have a home...we have food...God will provide for the financial piece some how... He always does.

I will leave you with some pics...to put a smile on your face.

N performing in his last Angel Choir performance.



Soccer trophy day...

E at his first big baseball game.

He was so blue!
This picture is out of order, but it's the plane we took home.... wasn't sure I wanted to get on it. I asked how much it rented for and was told $6000 an hour. Not really in my budget. We flew SouthWest. I have to say it was probably the most pleasant experience I have ever had on a plane. The staff was friendly and funny. They were cracking jokes and singing on the plane even. So refreshing to be on an airline where the staff actually appeared to enjoy themselves.
Erin's brother and M with E. They were so great with him, and he loved them.
P and E. She was so so sweet to E, he cried when we had to leave.
Erin's dad with E. M fell in love with E when they were in ET before we even knew he was going to be our son. It was such a gift to be able watch them share time together.
Have a better than good Memorial day weekend. Say a prayer for those that have sacrificed so much so that we might enjoy the freedom we have here.

3 Years!

3 Years ago this week we met our N!

Can you believe 3 years have gone by?!

I can't.

It's to hard to put into words how life has changed for us all since he came to us.

I remember seeing his little face for the first time on my computer. He tiny little head shot was the first one I opened. I wondered what was going through his little head at that moment? Then I opened the next picture, saw the little wet patch and had a chuckle. Poor little guy, on top of everything he had had to endure they were taking pictures of him in wet pants. The indignity!

Then the day we arrived in Ethiopia. D and I both cried when our plane landed, we had fought so hard to get to this point. We were finally there!

Then his beautiful little dimpled smile looking at us as we drove into the compound. I had scanned all the little faces as they looked back at us from behind the sliding glass door. I saw him in a instant and my first words were "He has dimples! BONUS!" ;o) You can't tell me you don't just die when you see those amazing dimples! ;o)

We got into the room and that was the end of the joy...lol He wanted nothing to do with us. Understandably so. He was so smart even at the age of 2 yrs. Poor little man, we were about to rock his world.

One of my favorite memories of our time was a night that D and I had walked down to the orphanage on our own to visit him. (they wanted us to keep the kids at the orphanage until the Embassy appointment to help with transition). We got there, a nanny went to get him, and he cautiously came to sit with us. We just sat on the floor with him in my lap and talked...or 'communicated' I guess is the better word. ;o) The lights went out while we were there so we got out our cell phones and looked at all the pictures. We would name the people and he would name them back to us. It was precious.

Then the other kids came in the room. We were sitting nicely looking at pictures when all of a sudden N got up from my lap, stomped over to the other kids, scolded 1 or 2 of them ...wagging a finger...then huffed back to me, sat down and continued looking at the pics. ;o) No clue what they said, or what he said. But it sure gave us a window into his personality. He's still bossy. ;o)

It's not all been a cake walk. In fact this last year has been more of a tight rope walk...but he's my precious son. My sweet, bossy, crazy, creative, insane, fearless, courageous, back talking, chatterbug, dancing king, song bird, son.

I love that little man so very much. I can't believe God blessed me with this sweet boy.

My heart hurts for the family that doesn't get to witness his greatness every day. See that smile that is on his face every single morning when he comes running saying "Good morning mommy! I love you!" He misses them. I am so glad I have a way to tell them now that he does miss them, as much as they miss him. ;o( Oh how that hurts...

Adoption has changed our lives in so many ways. All of them good, but not all of them painless. We have this new family, across the world. We have a branch grafted to our family tree that adds such an amazing dimension.

I can't wait to see what amazing fruit we will get to see born.

Happy 3 years home my sweet precious N!

Give Me Your Eyes

Yesterday we heard the song "Give me Your Eyes" by Brandon Heath at least twice. I think it makes for a pretty interesting and appropriate Christmas song.

We heard it once while in the van on KLove and then again later on our TV music Channel.

The first time N said "This is my favorite song".

This is news to me because I didn't think he knew it. ;o) Then it came on as dinner was ending so N got up and choreographed some slick moves to it. He's got talent!

As I sat at the table watching him I began to think about all that the song entails.

It's a song about having your eyes opened to the things God would have us see. I have prayed that prayer myself. It sure comes with a high price. I don't mean that in a negative way at all. I just mean that once your eyes are truly opened you begin to see life so differently.

What I love though is that God opens our eyes to the things that He knows we will respond to. It's why there are so many organizations and charities out there. It allows for us to find our own passions and live those passions, and make a difference.

There are people passionate about animals, plants, trees, clean air, HIV/AIDS, abortion, adoption, homelessness, clean water.... the earth in general.

All God asks is that we open our eyes to see the world around us.

We had our eyes opened to the Ethiopian people... then showed us that we have people right here in our back yard that also need love and care. He's shown us that the world is so very vast...yet so very small.

This Christmas as we get all caught up in all things Christmas... let's open our eyes to the one that loved us so much that He gave His only Son to us. What a gift. What a joy.

What an eye opener... how has He opened your eyes?

Weekend wrap up

ok so the pics are all out of order.... but you can see the excellent concoction they ended up with first. ;o)

Nothing terribly exciting happened this weekend, it was a good quiet time with family.... ok well not completely quiet but good.

Saturday was spent around the house with the boys, cleaning and hanging out. We had another major rain event with flooding. Nothing near our house, but some people in the area were still trying to recoup from the last one that almost lost my van.

Sunday was actually a busy day.

The pics above are from our Sunday church service that was down at the ocean front for the morning. It was a beautiful, if not humid morning. The pastor did an illustration with an ice cream sundae, and to be completely honest with you I didn't so much pay attention cause my boys were up there. I don't know what possessed me to pick up the camera on the way out the door, but I am thanking God that I did.

The pastor asked for volunteers, and N jumped right on up there. When E saw his brother running up he was having no parts of being left behind. SO cute! I wish I could have captured their faces better. They were thrilled to have this sundae, and let me just tell you it had all the fixings including like 7 different kinds of ice cream.

Then we spent some time with D's, cousin's wife, and 2 of their boys. That was fun. It has been 3 yrs since we saw them last. The boys have just GROWN. It was fun to catch up, even if only for a short time.

We went to visit some friends who were traveling back to KY to finish seminary there... and relax in the pool.

THEN... it was on to Z's church to hear the special speaker of the night, Brian Houston. I went by myself, D had stuff to do at home. It was really good stuff!!!

Next week is what I am really looking forward to though... the speaker is Chris Hill. AND it's my birthday, so I am going to get me some praise on, and get me some good preachin!! ;o)

I didn't really do an update on the exercise stuff on Friday because frankly I was not doing so well. But I have been doing some conversing with God, and I am needing to get rid of some more junk so that I can truly embrace taking care of myself.

I did more strongly recommit to the 10k on Halloween, and I think I have some people coming with me.

My dad brought over his treadmill so that I could work on that at home. woo weeeee can I just tell you that doing 2.6 miles on that tonight was way harder than working with Leslie Sansone's walking DVD's?!!! It's good stuff though. I cannot wait until I can say that I completed a 10k!

Well that's about it. D sort of has a job going on, but this job loss has been a real blow to his ego. He's been taking it hard. He is really turning to God in it all though, so I am counting that has a HUGE praise.

Reading again...

I have been reading like crazy lately...obviously from my recent posts. ;o) But I am actually finishing the books this time. I am notorious for starting books and not finishing them, but I have really found some great ones lately and enjoy sharing them.

Actually Erin told me about this one, it's called Jantsen's Gift by Pam Cope with Aimee Molloy. It's a relatively new book, just came out in 2009.

I cried on and off through the whole book. I don't say that to turn you off of it, but there is so much sad and great stuff going on that you just can't help but be touched.

It's a true story about Pam who lost her 17 yr old son Jantsen suddenly to an undiagnosed heart issue, and how she grieved, then turned that loss into a life filled with saving the lost.

As I was reading it I just wanted to be her! Not the losing the son part, I think I cried most through that.... but all that she does, from riding on the back of a moped on the streets of Vietnam, to the brothels in Cambodia to Lake Volta in Ghana.

I was reminded for about the millionth time that there is need every where... so much need! I just wanted to get on a plane and travel with her. I wanted to shake my fist at the injustice and rejoice in the triumphs.

She started a foundation called Touch a Life Kids.

Reading this book has helped me to refocus, or recommit myself to the plan I feel God has for me in Ethiopia. I never strayed but after reading Scared and then this book I was beginning to feel overwhelmed by the amount and size of need in the world. One of the things Pam Cope says in the book a couple of times was that the need and the sheer volume of effort it takes to make even some of the smallest changes, had her wanting to curl into a ball and forget it all. I have felt that was as well. I am not sure how reading this clarified it for me, but I have been able to see that God chooses people. He has a plan, he knows what needs to be done and who He needs to get it done. Not every one can be passionate about the same thing or nothing would change. We all have passion, we all have a gift and I love when God shows us what it is. I could jump on a plane to Ghana, or Vietnam, or Cambodia and fall in love and want to work there too... but would it give me the same passionate yearning I feel for Ethiopia? Maybe. I don't think so though.

I feel like Ethiopia...it's children, it's wounded, it's HIV/AIDS victims... those are the people that keep me up at night. Those are the people that make me have to put my ipod on Il Divo's Christmas CD and block out the noise in my head so that I can get some sleep.

There are others that are passionate about abortion, foster care, rights of unborn children, HIV+ orphans, adoption, parental rights, child trafficking... so many people, so many needs and God has put people in place for just those purposes.

I have been focusing my efforts on our trip next year. We have partnered with YWAM Ethiopia to go on this trip to Addis Ababa and Adama. We are setting up information sessions with the church to let them know what we are doing. I have been typing up agenda's, covenants, contracts, calendars and reading all the info sent by Mark, the pastor we will be travelling with. I am SO excited about this trip and it's possibilities. It's not until April and I feel like time is creeping and flying by as we speak. I am excited but scared out of my mind...I am working on trusting God's guidance and His wisdom. He's already taught me a ton! ;o)

If you get a chance read this book...who know's what God will do with your heart. Thank you Erin, love you.