God's Timing

Every day, I get a devotional sent to my email inbox, and most days I read those the same day that I receive them. This week though, I missed one. It was the one from Tuesday - the last day of school before break. I had a bunch of things on my "to do" list and never got to that devotional. Tonight though, I noticed it was still in my inbox, so I clicked and read exactly what God wanted me to read for today - two days later than it was sent - but never more timely for me.

Please go to www.rachelolsen.com and see the post for Tuesday, December 20th, "You Won't Miss Christmas" and click on "Devotion" in the first paragraph and read the devotional in its entirety.

Today, at the end of the day, our Adoption Agency closed for Christmas and won't reopen until Tuesday, December 27th. We had really hoped that God would give us a bit of a Christmas Miracle and that we'd get a referral for Christmas. But, that wasn't in God's plans.....read this short excerpt from the devotional if you don't have time for the entire portion....

"But the story of Joseph brings me hope. It reminds me that God's ways aren't my ways. And sometimes in our greatest difficulties we find our greatest opportunities and blessed responsibilities.

Joseph was given the honor of naming the baby Jesus — the very same name we call on today for help. Had Joseph walked away, divorcing Mary quietly, he would've missed it.

He would have missed Christmas. And he would have missed the life-defining lesson that God's plans aren't always logical in human eyes, but they can always be trusted."

So, today, I'm going to try to be more like Joseph - I am going to trust in God's plans, even though they aren't logical (Lord, I'm getting older every day here) and even though I don't always like them. I want to find the greatest opportunities and blessed responsibilities that God has in store for me. I want to offer Him my heart and service because He sent His son as a baby, knowing that His son would give His whole life for me on a cross.

And, that is why I can say truly "MERRY CHRISTMAS" to each and every one of you!

Thanks for your continued thoughts and prayers - keep praying for the children of Ethiopia!

Vicki

A Grown Up Christmas List

Today, Dave sent his grown up Christmas list out....he actually sent it to our Social Worker to see and below is her reply/comment.

Dear Santa,

In lieu of my usual list, I'm writing you to let you know that all I want for Christmas this year is an adoption referral. Please send in time for Christmas. I know I haven't been a very good boy this year. I've been struggling a lot with patience. But I promise to leave cookies and milk.

Thanks in advance.

Dave Jansen
Lewis Center, Ohio

PS - Please thank your helpers for all they do too.

Dear Santa~

I would like to second Dave's list and let you know that I too would love to see a referral for his family. It would be wonderful to have in time for Christmas, but if this is not possible, please send as soon possible afterwards. I know that they have been struggling with patience, but their graciousness has more than made up for it. Please keep this in mind.

I too thank you in advance,

*****

We are still living in HOPE and Anticipation - impatient Hope and anticipation, but looking forward all the same.

Dave & Vicki

A Lesson from Simeon

This Christmas Season, Dave is reading to me a bit each night, from different Christmas books. This is such a treat for me! Right now, we are reading "One Incredible Moment" by Max Lucado. Tonight's chapter was "Simeon: Wide-eyed and Watching". I've always loved Simeon because of his patient faith. Tonight, I felt I could relate a bit better to him (though, I do not feel currently that I have a very patient faith).

If you don't know the story of Simeon, he is mentioned in the Second chapter of Luke, as having a revelation from the Holy Spirit...."The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen him - God's anointed King" (Luke 2:26) Simeon was a very old man when the baby Jesus was born and had been waiting a very long time to see the anointed King. Read what Lucado writes....

"He (Simeon) was "constantly expecting the Messiah" (v. 25 TLB)

He was "living in expectation of the salvation of Israel" (v 25 PHILLIPS)

He "watched and waited for the restoration of Israel" (v. 25 NEB)

The Greek language, rich as it is with terms, has a stable full of verbs that mean "to look."....

Of all the forms of look, the one that best captures what it means to "look for the coming" is the term used to describe the action of Simeon: prosdechomai. Dechomai meaning "to wait." Pros meaning "forward". Combine them and you have the graphic picture of one "waiting forwardly." The grammar is poor, but the image is great. Simeon was waiting; not demanding, not hurrying, he was waiting.

But he was waiting with anticipation. Calmly expectant. Eyes open. Arms extended. Searching the crowd for the right face, and hoping the face appears today....

In the end, the prayer of Simeon was answered. "Simeon took the baby in his arms and thanked God; 'Now, Lord, you can let me, your servant, die in peace, as you said'" (Luke 2:28-29)

One look into the face of Jesus, and Simeon knew the hope of his life had been fulfilled. One look into the face of our Savior, and we will know the same." (One Incredible Moment by Max Lucado)

WOW! Simeon waited for years for the anointed King, the Christ child, to come. It was the hope of his lifetime. If he could wait a lifetime anticipating, hoping and waiting for the King of the universe, certainly, God will give us the strength to keep anticipating, hoping and waiting for this adoption process to make some moves forward.

This adoption is going to be such a fulfillment of so many hopes and dreams and ultimately, the fulfillment of the adoption call put on our hearts.

But, even greater still will be the fulfillment of our Lifetime, when we look into the face of Jesus, our Savior, who came to earth on Christmas to give us Hope. This Christmas, the theme of Hope keeps coming to the forefront in so many ways. The ultimate Hope though, is that we live in Hope and eager anticipation of someday seeing Jesus face to face. Just the thought of that is too awesome to even begin to describe.

May you know the HOPE that a King has been born and lived and died so that each day, you also may have hope......even as you struggle, mourn, worry or wait.

May your Christmas this year be a season of Hope!

The Stockings were hung....

Today, I finally put up the stockings. I went to pull them out earlier this week and wasn't able to put them up. You see, last year after Christmas (and, yes, a good sale), I found some extra stocking/stocking holders in anticipation of having a new family member here to celebrate Christmas with us. When I opened that box of Christmas items earlier this week, I just wasn't prepared to see those items and be reminded again that we are still waiting. It seems to be the little things, happenings that I don't see coming, that send me down that road of yearning and aching and tears.

We know some of you see us with four awesome, healthy, wonderful children, jobs we enjoy, a marriage that is strong and those things are blessings way beyond what we deserve. But, God has also placed this ache, that we just can't put into words, into our hearts to adopt an orphan. And, the longer we wait, the deeper and heavier that ache becomes. When we started the process, it was expected to be a 9-12 month process. Later this month, it will mark 20 months of being "in process" or "paper pregnant". We knew we signed up for a marathon - but at this point, it feels like it has turned into a triathlon with Ethiopia changing their rules and regulations in the middle of it all, and the loss of the referral of those two children we already loved so much! Our hearts and minds and emotions are running on fumes and it is all taking its toll in various ways. In many ways, our spirits are just exhausted.

We have questioned God and really wrestled with what is going on in our adoption. We have wondered if God just wanted us to attempt to adopt to test our faithfulness and obedience, as he did with Abraham and Isaac in Genesis 22:1-12. After much prayer, discussion and searching, we believe that it is more like that story of Isaac and Rebekah in Genesis 25:24-26. Isaac and Rebekah had to wait until Isaac was sixty years old (okay, we hope we're not waiting that long!) and had to plead with God to give them a child. That's where we are at - we are pleading, pretty much on a daily basis.

And, today, as I pleaded, I hung up stockings. Eight of them......as a sign of HOPE for what IS to come. As I was hanging up stockings, I was listening to "Mandisa" and her album "Freedom". How fitting the words to "Broken Hallelujah" were as the stockings were hung....

"With my love and my sadness, I come before you Lord

My heart's in a thousand pieces, Maybe even more

Yet I trust in this moment, You're with me somehow

And You've always been faithful, So Lord even now

When all that I can sing is a broken Hallelujah

When my only offering is shattered praise

Still a song of adoration will rise up from these ruins

I will worship You and give You thanks

Even when my only praise is a broken Hallelujah"

So, I continue to give God my broken, teary, hanging on by a thread at some moments, Hallelujah, knowing He accepts my praise even in broken ways.

Because of the Joy and Hope that only Jesus brings - we continue the journey.

Rainy Days and Mondays

Do you remember that song? "Rainy Days and Mondays always get me down....." Well, lately it hasn't been Mondays at our house. For Dave and I, Friday is day of the week that we are really starting to dislike. Friday, you say? Why Friday? It's the end of a work/school week. It means a break from the usual. Yes, it means all that. But, you see, when it gets to be late in the afternoon on a Friday, we realize deep inside, that another week has passed and we haven't gotten a referral call during the week. All the hopes and dreams and prayers that we greeted Monday with, have now slowly melted away and we go through the weekend knowing our Agency is closed and there's no chance the referral will come for 2 more days. Friday nights do not bring us great joy, but sometimes some tears, frustration and that stinkin' cloud of disappointment that seems to hover a lot lately.

This morning in church we sang two songs that really hit home. First, I'd like to share some of the lyrics to "Forever Reign":

"You are Peace, You are Peace

When my fear is crippling

You are True, You are True

Even in my wondering

You are Here, You are Here

In Your presence I'm made whole

You are God, You are God

Of all else I'm letting Go (okay - at least I'm trying to let go) :-)

Lord, I'm running to your arms, I'm running to your arms

The riches of your love will always be enough

Nothing compares to your embrace

Light of the World, Forever reign"

It helps to know that we can run to God's arms, doesn't it? No matter what you or I are going through, we can run and He will be there to embrace us in a way that no one else can! I find such comfort and joy in that today!

The other song that we sang, and touches my heart every time is "He Knows My Name". Let these words speak to your heart (I'd encourage you to find it on YouTube somewhere - it's such a great song!)

"I have a Maker, He formed my heart

Before even time began, my life was in His hands

I have a Father, He calls me His own

He'll never leave me, No matter where I go

He knows my name

He knows my every thought

He sees each tear that falls

And he hears me when I call"

This song touches my soul because I take such comfort in the fact that God knows my name and He knows everything about me (and still loves me!). I also take comfort in the fact that even though we don't have another referral, God knows the name(s) of whoever that is. God knows if there are tears falling from those sweet brown eyes. He hears that child calling out to Him. He will not leave that child and has had their life in His hands since before time began.

So, I start this week ahead with a Monday full of hope but know that the possibility of another disappointing Friday is there also. I take great comfort in that fact that I can run into God's arms and be embraced and that my life is in His hands.

How about you? Have you named Christ as your Savior? If so, you BELONG to Him and you can face another week of whatever you are going through knowing that He sees each tear you cry and He hears you when you call. Call on Him - He's listening.

Praise God for all He has done and continues to do!

Blog Stealing

2 Blog posts in 2 days. Not sure if I've done that before....

But, I just HAVE to share the posting from http://www.jenhatmaker.com/blog.htm from today, November 2, 2011 entitled "How to be the Village".

It's amazing.....I especially like her phrase of "waiting purgatory" (that's what we are feeling caught in) and her insights on before and after the airport. I especially chuckled and said "Amen" at the suggestions in "Here's what we would love to experience after the airport" and idea #4 - Cheap wine is fine, or better yet, fine coffee from any of the local Coffee establishments. I have a feeling I will need a lot of cheap wine or fine coffee. :-)

So - if you happen to see us venture out sometime after our adoption is FINALLY complete and our eyes are glazed over and we look exhausted....remember this post and the wonderful suggestions Jen shared. Adoptive families have shared so many of those thoughts and she wonderfully wrapped them up in a real, humorous and beautiful way. Please take the time to read her full posting. Thank you!

Feeling Caught

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer" Romans 12:12

See that verse? It's a short one, but has plenty of instruction to share in those 10 words. Right now, I'm having a lot of trouble with two out of the three instructions......

Be joyful in hope Adoption is a journey of hope. Hope for a child who needs a home, shelter, security, love, provision. Hope for parents who long to provide all that a child needs. Hope for parents who long to complete their family. Hope for prospective siblings who desire more joy, laughter, memories, and yes, even another person to fight with. Hope for fulfilling a deep, almost unexplained call to embark on the journey of adoption. Hope for paths to cross, paperwork to be completed, phone calls to be made, referrals to be offered. Hope for a reunion with someone you've never even met - but still when you meet them, you know it is a reunion of a very special kind.

So many reasons to hope and hope I do. But, being joyful in it? Really? Not right now. I think I can speak (or write, rather) for both Dave and I and say that we are definitely not finding a lot of joy in this journey currently. There is a strong sense of emptiness at the loss of adoption referral, but a whole different sense of emptiness because we are back to waiting and longing for a new referral. Do we doubt that we should be adopting? Not at all! But, we are having a lot of trouble keeping our Joy. We are feeling pretty weighed down with a lot of baggage at this point in the process - especially because we are at this point in the process AGAIN.

Patient in Affliction Patient in affliction? Patient.....in........affliction? I am not feeling very patient. I am struggling at times to the point that if you asked me how I'm doing at the wrong moment, I may just start crying, AGAIN. (I seem to do that a lot these days). I am "feeling caught" in the process; in the emotion of it all, in the hope, in the lack of fulfillment of hope, in the fact that millions of orphans are waiting, but procedures slow down their hope and ours. My patience is wearing thin - thankfully, Dave is one of the most patient men I know and he walks with me through all of this - but even his patience is wearing thin with where we are AGAIN. We need to consider purchasing a car (we currently are a one car family). We feel caught about how to go about making a decision about that because we don't know WHO is in future. We had started to make some plans to changes in the household for preparing for 2 kids to come home - we feel caught because we don't know what to do about those plans. We feel caught because we don't know what the financial future is in regard to our adoption - so we are sort of on an "only necessity budget" right now.

Faithful in Prayer This part I can do. I am in communication with God through prayer all the time. My great big God hears me knockin' on heaven's door all the time right now. I am thankful that He is such a great big God, because otherwise, He would have shut His ears to me a long time ago. He's got Big ears and can handle how much I am talking to Him these days. He can also handle the fact that sometimes I seem to be talking back to Him. I know He can handle me telling Him that I'm angry, I'm weary, I'm struggling to be hopeful and patient with His plan.

Because we know how Big our God is, we will continue to have hope (with a little bit of joy mixed in soon?) and He will provide just enough patience in this affliction. Would you please join us in the Prayer Part? Would you please knock on Heaven's door and ask God to bring us our referral SOON? Pray that our Social Worker would know without a doubt who it is she is to offer to us as a referral. Pray for our family as we work through all of this together. Pray for our child/ren in Ethiopia - for their protection, for their hearts, for their health and for their preparation for life as a Jansen. Pray that we would be "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer" (Romans 12:12) and that God would be glorified above all!

Thanks for reading - we can not share with you how much it means that you take the time to read, and more importantly to pray.

Operation Christmas Child

I don't know if you've ever heard of Operation Christmas Child. Our family has enjoyed participating for years. It's a pretty simple concept - fill a shoebox with some toys, personal/hygiene items, maybe some candy, put in a little bit of money for shipping costs and close it up. Sound simple, doesn't it? So simple, yet so profound. A simple shoebox can change a life forever!

As I continue to learn more about orphans around the world, my heart hurts more and more for them, and I am more and more grateful for Operation Christmas Child. They deliver millions of these boxes around the world to Children who would not have any other celebration of Jesus Birthday, if it weren't for these boxes.

So - here's my challenge to you. Can you fill up a shoebox? Or maybe more than just one? Can you take time out of your busy life for a child on the other side of the world who will only know the joy of Christmas if you take the time to fill up a box? Please consider filling up a shoebox. I know that we are all very, very busy. But, so much of our busyness is just "stuff" and "fluff". A simple shoebox can make such a difference in the life of a child - how cool is that?

Better yet - fill up a shoebox in honor of the Jansen child(ren) from Ethiopia that will someday have a forever home with us.....that would mean so much!

Here's a link to tell you more and gives you specific directions: http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/

You can also find out where to drop off your Shoebox from the drop down list at this link, or if you live in Lewis Center, CenterPoint Church will be collecting shoeboxes from Nov 13 - 20. If you get a shoebox to me, I will gladly get it to the right place.

Thank you for making a BIG difference in the life of a child!

Vicki

Learnings and Yearnings

Recent Learnings.....

*Meals Matter - for two reasons:

1) A couple of people brought us meals soon after our adoption situation changed. These were especially treasured because my brain just wasn't fully working in that first week or so. It was enough for a bit to just put one foot in front of the other as we dealt with the grief and the shock. To have one less thing to think about made such a difference to me! To be able to come home from work and know that supper was taken care of was such a blessing to me! (Thanks to those who helped in this area!!) Blog readers - don't ever underestimate the power of a meal to those dealing with "life stuff". The next time you know someone is struggling - make them a meal, or at least order pizza for them. You will indeed be blessing them.

2) Dave & I have always put family supper together as a big value in our home.....we have a busy household, but work very hard at making sure we eat supper together as much as possible each week. These past couple of weeks that has been even more important. To have all six of us sit around the table and talk and share and just be together has been very important as we heal together. It has reminded us of how very blessed we are!

*Little Kindnesses go a long way

My co-workers (Laura, Kim & Jane) are awesome! I am so privileged to be able to work with them! Unknown to me, they had been planning some fundraising efforts for the Jansen Expansion, before our recent adoption change. With our "blessing" they continued these efforts. They got permission from the Olentangy Preschool supervisors and certain Olentangy Principals to make each Monday from October 17th until Christmas Break "Jeans for Jansen Expansion" for the Arrowhead Elementary Building and all employees of the Olentangy Preschool Program. Any employees who want to wear Jeans to work those Mondays may do so, but must contribute to our Adoption Fund to "pay" for the jeans. It may seem like a small thing - but do you know how much teachers like to wear jeans and usually can't? YES - they will pay to do so! This was a wonderful shot of hope for us and the continuation of our Adoption process.

*My husband has a wonderful Daddy heart

I've always known that my husband had a wonderful Daddy heart - but recently, I have seen a new depth and love to that heart, that just continues to grow deeper. If you had told Dave five years ago, that he would be impatiently waiting to adopt, he would have laughed you off. But, Dave opened his heart to do what God wanted him to do and has allowed God to work in his heart, deepening his love and desire to care for the orphans of this world. His heart has hurt deeply this past two weeks or so and his eagerness to bring our child(ren) home has increased all the more. Through our recent heartbreak and the many tears he continues to watch me cry, I have fallen even more in love with him and am glad that he is my partner in parenthood and in life!

Continued Yearnings......

*I am tired of waiting

I don't want to wait for another referral, I don't want to go back to our "status" that we were so excited to be at last January. I want to stomp my feet and cry and fuss and fume. I don't want to wait. I am frustrated that in a country of 6 million orphans we must wait - AGAIN. I am grateful we are at "the top" of the list for our age range for our next referral, but I would like the referral now please and I want to travel immediately and I want to bring our family member(s) home this week. Sounds childish and selfish and self-centered - but at some points of the day during this process, it is just what I feel. Part of the reason we started this blog was to keep people informed and to be honest about this whole journey......and sometimes this journey is just so hard. I am tired of waiting. I want it over and I want them home now.

Thanks for reading~

Vicki

Will they or Won't they?

Will they or won't they?

Will they or won't they? YES they will!
We have felt since the beginning of this whole process that we have been called to adopt. Dave has explained it to be as strong as His call to ministry and church planting. So, yes, we will continue to pursue an adoption from Ethiopia......and as much as recent events have broken our hearts, we are giving it back to God.

A few days before we received the call about the birth mother's change of heart, Vicki had sent an online devotional she receives to a friend who was trying to surrender some parts of her life to God. Little did Vicki know that she herself would go back to that devotional numerous times as we've been trying to come to terms with our new adoption situation. Here are some excerpts:

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him and He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)

So I have a choice to make. Will I believe that God's plans are better than my own? Will I risk stepping out of my comfort zone? Do I believe the growing pains I'll face will be worth the blessings that will come? Do I trust God to really take care of me? What about you? What changes is God nudging you towards that have you digging in your heels and tightening your grip on whatever you know you need to release? Do you believe the rewards are worth the pain? Or that God's perfect plan is worth leaving your complacency and comfort behind? Do you trust Him? Or are you hiding and hoping He passes you by?

The unknown is scary. But ultimately—for me anyway—it's scarier to think of what I might miss if I don't let go. And so I say a prayer, open my hands, and peer beyond the edge of what I know, into the vast expanse of the future where a giant question mark dominates the landscape. Do you see it, too?Today let's choose to trust God and not require that we like or even understand what He is calling us to do. Let's submit to Him, believing that the path He calls us to take will always be worth the change, worth the risk, worth the effort, simply because He has chosen it for us.

(from Encouragement for Today online Devotional - Alison Strobel)

So - we are starting each day right now choosing to trust God even when we don't always like and definitely don't understand what He is calling us to go through right now. But, we are working at submitting and surrendering to Him, knowing that the path He has for us will ALWAYS be worth it, because it is HIS plan for us, not our plan. This is how we know that WE WILL continue on this journey of adoption - God has called us to it and the path He has called us to will be worth it all.

Again - we are so grateful for the support we have felt. We have sat and counted our blessings many times in the past week. Faith, Family & Friends have made all the difference - Thank you!!

Holding on to Faith

To all of you who have called, texted, emailed or shown support in some way - THANK YOU. We have not had a lot of extra energy to respond right now, but want you to know that every effort shown to us is deeply appreciated. We feel blessed and carried and loved. Thank you. We are still feeling the need to "hunker down" and try to wrap our hearts and minds around all this.

We are holding on to each other and holding on to our faith. Scripture has been carrying us through and we'd like to share some verses that we are holding on to right now.

"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed.....We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? ........We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express........."

Romans 8:18 - 27 (words that our son, Jonathan came and read to us Thursday night - what a blessing!)

"My eyes fail from weeping, I am in torment within. My heart is poured out on the ground because my people are destroyed, because children and infants faint in the streets of the city. They say to their mothers, 'Where is the bread and wine?' as they faint like wounded men in the streets of the city, as their lives ebb away in their mothers' arms. "

"Arise, cry out in the night, as the watches of the night begin; pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord. Lift up your hands to him for the lives of your children who faint from hunger at the head of every street."

"Because of the Lord's GREAT love we are not consumed; his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; GREAT is your faithfulness. I say to myself, 'The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him'. "

Lamentations: 2:11 & 12, 2:18 & 19, 3:22-24

"I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy."

John 16:20-22

Thanks again for your support and encouragement - God is faithful and His mercies are new each day - we are counting on that and know that it is true!

There are no words

There are no words to describe the status of our household tonight. Silence. Tissues. Tears. Grief. Sadness. Anger. Questions. Heartbreak. Confusion. Devastated. Nope - none of those come close. There just aren't words.

Late this afternoon, Dave saw an incoming call from our Adoption Agency. He quickly picked it up, thinking it was the call we've been waiting for - notification of our Court Date. He answered the phone in his friendly way, asking our Social Worker how she was. She stated that she wasn't doing well and had some bad news. Through tears, she explained that she had been notified today that the two children we were waiting to bring home, and already loved more than we can explain, had been taken back into custody by their birthmother. Yes, you read that correctly. And, NO, our agency has never had this happen in their Ethiopia Adoption Program. This is the first time. Ever.

Dave came to school and picked Vicki up and we went to a park so that he could share the news and only God and the nature around us could hear our weeping. We then had to come home and share the news with the current Jansen children. More weeping. More anger. More sorrow. More tears. And so it has continued since then.

We certainly do not understand any of this. It is not easy to surrender a child in Ethiopia. There are many processes to go through and the birthmother had been to court and had witnesses with her to testify that she was destitute, beyond poor, and had no means by which to support these children any more. She testified that she was surrendering them willingly. We've seen all the paperwork, the testimonies, all of it. We do not understand.

If anyone would have told us when we started this process how much you can love a child that you've never met, we would not have fully believed them. The only thing we can even relate it to is a miscarriage (of which we've had two)......but this is a loss with pictures and faces, and medical reports and some life history and Names......names that we have prayed for multiple times a day. Names that were a part of our future as a family. Names that we were assigning beds to and plans to and names that were included in family discussions on a regular basis. Please be patient with us as we navigate this new road and please understand that you may not understand how much it hurts.

For now, we need some time to grieve and deal with this heartache. We need your prayers for all of us - it is hard enough to have this heartache ourselves, but we are watching our kids struggle with this heartache. It hurts deeply.

What we do know:

*God is smarter than we are and He must have a plan for those 2 beautiful kids and for our family's future.

*God is faithful and will heal our hearts.

*God is in control.

But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you.

O Israel, the one who formed you says,
“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.
I have called you by name; you are mine.
When you go through deep waters,
I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty,
you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression,
you will not be burned up;
the flames will not consume you.
For I am the Lord, your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
I gave Egypt as a ransom for your freedom;
I gave Ethiopia and Seba in your place.
Others were given in exchange for you.
I traded their lives for yours
because you are precious to me.
You are honored, and I love you.

“Do not be afraid, for I am with you.
I will gather you and your children from east and west.
I will say to the north and south,
‘Bring my sons and daughters back to Israel
from the distant corners of the earth.
Bring all who claim me as their God,
for I have made them for my glory.
It was I who created them.’”

Isaiah 43:1-7

Dave & Vicki

Learning the A B C's....

As we continue this process of waiting, we seem to be talking and trying to learn more about the A B C's of adoption.....

A is for ATTACHMENT - The deep and enduring connection established between a child and their main caregivers, especially dealing with affection
B is for BONDING - The process of developing lasting emotional ties with immediate caregivers, especially dealing with trust
C is for COCOONING - The initial process in the beginning of bringing an adoptive child home and limiting outside interactions beyond the immediate family, so that the adopted child(ren) can try to attach and bond and be immersed in the dynamics of their new family unit

When we do eventually bring our new children home, we will be working very hard at these ABC's.....so please understand that we may need to say "no" to some invitations and not participate in all the activities or usual commitments we are able to do now.  Our priority will be to make our children feel safe and let them know that we are committed to them, that they can trust us and that we are their family.  There could be some rough days as the attachment and bonding process takes place over time.....please be patient with us, as we navigate this new road we've never traveled and please pray that this process takes hold quickly, deeply and with great joy, trust and affection.

As far as when this process will begin....we are still waiting to hear from The Ethiopian Court system about our Court Date.....and then will set the travel dates for our FIRST trip to Ethiopia.  We are trying to be patient and still pray that this first trip will take place before the end of 2011.  We'd appreciate your prayers for that too!  We appreciate your prayers for both of our kids - for their health, protection and preparation for becoming a Jansen and this whole new world they will be entering.

We remain grateful for your prayers and support~

Dave & Vic + 6

$5.00 each at Meijer's this week - just couldn't resist - the first clothes we've bought for the new kids!  :-)

What's next?

So, now that we have our referral, what's next?  We wait for our Court date.  Our papers were submitted to the Court in Ethiopia's capital, of Addis Ababa, 2 weeks ago.  Once we receive our Court date, we will make plans to travel and go through the Adoption process in Ethiopian Court.  We are looking over our travel information and the many, many details that are included - so much yet to do and more paperwork to take care of again!

Months ago, when we were planning on adopting one child, we thought that our fundraising days might be over.  Now that God has called us to adopt these two wonderful kids, those monies set aside for travel have been absorbed into other fees.  So - please mark your calendar for a "Family Movie Night" fund raiser on Friday, October 7th and join us for a great night together and help us bring both our kiddos home!

This Labor Day weekend, we spent a lot of time brainstorming ideas on how to make our home ready for 6 children.  At this point, none of the changes will be major or structural, but some adjusting around the house will take place.  Because this adoption will "take a village", we'd ask you to see if any friends, family or neighbors might be able to help us out with some gently used items:  2 twin beds/mattresses, 2 dressers (matching), wooden kitchen chairs, and a strong Futon frame.  Please contact us if you have any leads.

Please pray that we might be able to have our Court date complete by the end of 2011.  Please pray too - we are all getting a little concerned knowing that the Holidays will be here before we know it......the Jansen kids in the U.S. would really like their parents home for the upcoming Holidays and we would like that too!  Thank You for your prayers and for taking the time to read our blog - your support means more than we can express!

Save the Date

Please mark your Calendars for our next Fund Raiser - on Friday, October 7th. More details to come.....thanks for your support!

Until then -don't forget how good the "Just Love Coffee" is (top right of the blog). :-)

We got our referral!!

Well, the day finally arrived! Not exactly how we planned.....we always thought that we would receive our referral call and be given all the information in one well placed conversation. But, of course, this whole adoption is out of our hands......

In mid July, on a Saturday afternoon, our Social Worker emailed us - a sibling group had come through which had 2 children within our age requests. She stated that she knew we had always said that we were ready to adopt one - but for some reason, she felt these children were worth mentioning to us. She wondered if we would at all be interested in considering TWO children. Wow. Vicki quickly contacted Dave (who was at Joshua's baseball game) and told him about the email - his response was "yes". We continued to spend the day quietly talking and praying and agreed to sleep on it. On Sunday, we got together with trusted friends to get their insights (we wanted to see if this was a "crazy God thing" or just "plain crazy"). Then we presented this possibility to all four of the current Jansen kids and all four of them agreed that this was what we should do. We shared possible changes that it would bring, sacrifices, as many unknowns as we could imagine - and they remained strong in believing that this is what we should do (we must tell you how very PROUD we are of each of them!!). So, that Monday we told our Agency that we wanted to pursue the adoption of these two kiddos and we had an addendum put on our Home Study to change it to be for TWO children.

Since then we were sent pictures, birth certificates, medical exam results, and an adoption profile. Usually, all of these items are provided when an Official Referral is given - because this situation was a little different, it all came to us a little bit at a time. But, this past Friday, the final bit of information came through to officially declare that WE HAVE A REFERRAL!!

And, we have accepted this referral of TWO beautiful children.....one handsome little boy who is almost 6 years old and a beautiful little girl who is 3 years old. We love them already - they are children of our hearts and even more importantly, they are children of God's heart.

(Due to international adoption laws, we can not share pictures or names via the Web).

Please join us in rejoicing in this wonderful news!

Please pray for their safety, nutritional needs, emotional health and that their hearts, minds and bodies are being prepared for all that will be happening during this adoption journey.

Please pray for our current household as we try to prepare for travel, physical and emotional changes in our home, the finances needed to cover adoption costs (at least $8000.00 higher due to another child) decisions about bathrooms, bedrooms, vehicles (we don't have one that seats 8!) and for all of us to be as prepared as possible for the changes ahead. We are so excited, but we know that this could be a long journey full of bumps and curves in the road.

Our Crazy Big prayer is that we might ALL be able to be Home in America to celebrate Christmas together - would you add that to your prayer list too? PRAY BIG!

"To the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen."

Jude 25

With much joy,

The Jansen Family~

Hunger Crisis in Africa

Dear Friends,

Please remember in prayer all those in the Horn of Africa, currently affected by the Hunger Crisis there. The situation right now if not "officially" a famine, but people are increasingly experiencing malnourishment and starvation, and it is expected to increase. Pray for those families who have to make difficult decisions - how to feed their children, their livestock, find food and water, etc.

And then, walk to your cupboards and try to decide what to snack on between the many choices you have today......walk to the kitchen sink and get yourself a fresh, cold cup of water......and realize just how very blessed we are.

God is good.

Holdin' on to Hope

Wow! How fast the month of July has gone - we just realized that it'll be a month tomorrow since we've posted on the blog. We've been enjoying the summer and can't believe that in a month, we will be back in school! (Vicki returns to school August 22, the kids start back on August 24). Unfortunately, we don't have any big news to share about our adoption....but, we are excited that we seem to have some signs of hope.....and our prayer request now is that we might be able to share Christmas together fully "expanded" as the Jansen's.

Please join us as we try to continue this journey ~ "Being joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer" Romans 12:12

We continue finding great comfort in knowing that God is in control of all the details - big and little. God is good - all the time!!

Build Us Back

Welcome to July! For us, it meant another monthly update from our agency. There were 5 children blessed enough to be referred to their "forever families". We are so happy for those kids and share the joy of their new parents. They, too have waited long for their referrals and been dealing with the uncertainty of adoption in Ethiopia.

But, it was a downer for us at the same time. Some of these families sent in their Dossiers after we did. Some of these families have an idea of when they will go to Ethiopia to meet their child. And, we still wait. We are not trying to start a pity party - we don't want any one's pity. But, we are going to be honest again and just say that this is very, very hard. We (Dave & Vicki) are usually taking turns picking each other up when we are frustrated, tired of waiting, etc. But, more and more, we seem to be having the bad moments at the same time. The waiting just wears a person down after a while. We knew this process would be hard and still signed up. And, we KNOW that it will all be worth it. We have no doubt. The yearning in our hearts just deepens as we wait and that yearning won't be fulfilled until our family is complete here in Lewis Center, Ohio. Please pray for us and our kids here. Pray for our child in Ethiopia - that they are safe, warm, well fed, free from any sort of harm and their heart and mind are being fully prepared for the changes to come in their young life. Pray that God keeps Building Us Back.....the words of that song sung by the Newsboys has been echoing in my heart all day - only God can continue to "Build Us Back".

Build Us Back

We've been crumbled, we've been crushed
City walls have turned to dust
Broken hands and blistered feet
We walk for miles to find relief

When the thief takes, when our hopes cave
You build us back
You build us back

When the earth shakes, when the world breaks
You build us back
You build us back

We are scared, we are poor
All our safety nets are torn
We've been humbled to our knees
From these ruins, we believe

When the thief takes, when our hopes cave
You build us back
You build us back

When the earth shakes, when the world breaks
You build us back
You build us back

Redeemer, redeem us
Restorer, restore us
Oh build us back
Though the mountains be shaken, the hills be removed
Your unfailing love remains
After all that's been taken, Your promise, still sacred
You build us back with precious stones

Lord Jesus, thank you for Building Us Back each time our hopes cave. We know that you are building us into the people you want us to be and we Praise you!

Some News....

We still eagerly await our referral call (and Vicki was secretly hoping it would come in time for Dave to really celebrate Father's Day), but we thought we'd share a little bit of news. Please read the excerpt from an email we received from our agency today......at least it is movement in the right direction! :-)

Dear Families~

We are happy to report we received word that MOWYCA (Ministry of Woman's Youth and Children's Affairs) decided to increase the number of new cases they will approve to ten per day. (as opposed to the five that they were doing) They also stated that they plan to increase this number to 15 per day, over the next few months. It is our understanding that this is in addition to the backlog cases they continue to work on.

Other pieces of information that we have been told:

-The courts are opposed to a dramatic decrease in cases approved and recently demanded that MOWYCA review more than five cases per day.

-The courts are scheduling approximately 20 hearings per day.

Family and friends - please continue to pray for the children in Ethiopia and around the world who need a family! Thank You!

No News....

Well, we've come to the beginning of another month with no news....we thought we'd share the update that we rec'd from our agency today.

For the month of May, they were able to offer 9 referrals of children - most of these were infants/very young (under 3 years) kiddos. If you remember....we are waiting a preschool aged child.

The MOWYCA's long term plan is still unknown, but for now, they continue to process only 5 cases a day and are clearing the backlog of court cases. The processing of only 5 cases a day will definitely continue through September. This continues to sadden us, as there are reports of still almost 5 million orphans in Ethiopia who need homes......and still they wait.

It looks like Court Closure will begin on August 8 - September 30 (due to rainy season). Referrals can still be given during that time, but court cases will not be able to be opened during that time.

As I reflect on some of the pieces of the puzzle that brought us to Ethiopia, some of the reasons were because there seemed to be many preschool aged kiddos ready to be adopted and because the time between referral, court date and bringing our new family member home was relatively short in the big picture. But, as God does, He reminds us that He is in control and His timetable overrules any plans we can make or even hope for. And, that He is in control is what we rest in each day, even as we wait some more.

Becoming Farmers.....

This past Sunday night, our Small Group wrapped up our study of the Book of James. We spent some time discussing James 5:7 & 8 "Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near."

Our small group leader shared with us some facts he learned about farmers, to help us better understand this passage and the "art" of waiting and being patient. Here are those insights and in paranthesis, how we were convicted as to how the patience of the farmer applies to our (impatiently) waiting for our referral:

He waits with a reasonable hope; and expectation of reward (we know that one of these days we will get "the call")
He waits a long time (yep, sure feels like it)
He waits working all the while (we are trying very hard to keep on with day to day life and not get caught up in "the wait"...easier said than done)
He waits depending on things out of his own power; with his eye on the heavens (we know this is out of our hands, and we cry out to God in heaven)
He waits despite changing circumstances and many uncertainties (see recent posts about the adoption situation and Ethiopia)
He waits encouraged by the value of the harvest (we know the value of our child in God's eyes is more than we can conceive)
He waits encouraged by the work and harvest of other farmers (Praise God for other adoptive families who remind us of the blessings in store)
He waits because he really has no other option (yep)
He waits because it does no good to give up (that's right)
He waits aware of how the seasons work (and the winds of adoption referrals)
He waits because as time goes on, it becomes more important and not less to do so (correct - the waiting on God becomes more and more important)

So, here we are, approaching Mother's Day and waiting.....learning.....praying.....hoping.....sometimes crying.....but trying to be like the farmer and know that everything has a season. To God be the Glory!

Prayer Request

We would like to share a prayer request - and you need to understand the background of this request. In February, we attended a Church Leadership Conference, where the main speaker really challenged the audience about how we pray. He helped us realize that too often, we don't pray big enough and that so often, in our prayers, we seem to forget just how BIG God is. That lesson has really stuck with us.

So, for a few different reasons, we (Dave & Vicki) have both felt led to PRAY BIG that we might receive our referral (the name and information about our child) by Mother's Day. So - would you please join us in this prayer request? We know it's Big, but our God is Bigger than anything else we know.

Thank You!

Another Update

Today there was a teleconference between adoption agencies, prospective adoptive parents and the USCIS (United Sates Center for Immigration Services). We were not able to participate due to work schedules, but our Agency sent a summary. The news didn't really seem like any steps forwards, but at least there weren't any large steps backwards. The next step will be the USCIS and the DOS (Department of State) meeting with those overseeing adoption proceedings in Ethiopia in the next few weeks. Please pray for these meetings and that the government officials will help each other work through the discrepancies and concerns regarding Ethiopian adoptions.

Please also pray for our child. We are eagerly awaiting our referral phone call and we are taking turns being impatient about that. As we wait, our minds can only imagine what our child's situation might be as they wait for their forever home. Pray for their protection, nourishment, development and care. We know that God knows the number of hairs on their head and we trust that He loves them even more than we do.

No News, Good News?

Well, another blog update and No News. We had been hoping that sometime in the past couple of weeks, we would hear of some definate changes in the Ethiopian adoption situation - but, No News. I think that for me, this has been the most difficult part of this journey and in a way, I have gone through a time of grieving. We had hoped by now (April), we would at least have our referral and be at a new step in this journey. We still have hope that this will happen eventually, though it is now a hope deferred.

There have been two very precious lessons that I am learning "in the wait" that I'd like to share.
First, God is God. That's it, that's all, that's final. On the days when I really struggle, the words to a song by Steven Curtis Chapman always ring in my ears. Here is a part of that song:

"And the questions without answers
Come and paralyze the dancer
So I stand here on the stage afraid to move
Afraid to fall, oh, but fall I must
On this truth that my life has been formed from the dust
God is God and I am not
I can only see a part of the picture He’s painting
God is God and I am man So I’ll never understand it all
For only God is God And the sky begins to thunder
And I’m filled with awe and wonder
‘Til the only burning question that remains
Is who am I
Can I form a single mountain
Take the stars in hand and count them
Can I even take a breath without God giving it to me
He is first and last before all that has been
Beyond all that will pass
Oh, how great are the riches of His wisdom and knowledge
God is God and I am man
So I’ll never understand it all
For only God is God"

Second, as much as I know that I want to be with, love and care for my child, I am continually reminded how much God wants to be with me, love me and care for me. The ache in my heart is nothing compared to the ache that God has for each one of His children and His desire to have them come home to Him. I know that God fully understands the ache in my heart, and it makes me more aware and grateful for His love and care each day. Please be reminded as you read this that God loves you and desires to love you and care for you in a way that you can't even imagine.

Dave came upon this poem this week (shortened to save blog space) and shared it with me. It offers wisdom that I will need to remember "in the wait".

WAIT by Russel Kelfer

"Wait? you say wait?" my indignant reply.
"Lord, I need answers, I need to know why!
Is your hand shortened? Or have you not heard?
By faith I have asked, and I'm claiming your Word.
My future and all to which I relate
Hangs in the balance, and you tell me to wait?
I'm needing a 'yes', a go-ahead sign,
Or even a 'no' to which I can resign.
You promised, dear Lord, that if we believe,
We need but to ask, and we shall receive.
And Lord I've been asking, and this is my cry:
I'm weary of asking! I need a reply."
Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate,
As my Master replied again, "Wait."
So I slumped in my chair, defeated and taut,
And grumbled to God, "So, I'm waiting for what?"
"You'd not learn to see through clouds of despair;
You'd not learn to trust just by knowing I'm there.
You'd not know the joy of resting in Me
When darkness and silence are all you can see.
You'd never experience the fullness of love
When the peace of My spirit descends like a dove.
You would know that I give, and I save, for a start,
But you'd not know the depth of the beat of My heart.
The glow of my comfort late into the night,
The faith that I give when you walk without sight.
The depth that's beyond getting just what you ask
From an infinite God who makes what you have last.
You'd never know, should your pain quickly flee,
What it means that My grace is sufficient for thee.
Yes, your dearest dreams overnight would come true,
But, oh, the loss, if you missed what I'm doing in you.
So, be silent, my child, and in time you will see
That the greatest of gifts is to truly know me.
And though oft My answers seem terribly late,
My most precious answer of all is still . . . Wait."

"In the Wait"
Vicki~

Very Important Letter

http://betheanswerforchildren.wordpress.com/2011/03/16/dr-jane-aronson-open-letter-to-pres-clinton/

We continue to wait for more definite news out of Ethiopia. There was a meeting today and it sounds like it was a bit hopeful, but nothing was firm or definite and no dates or deadlines in sight. So - we wait and pray, trust and pray, cry and pray, worry and pray. And so we go about the normalcy of our day to day lives ....... and pray.

Please click on the link above and read the very important and informative letter sent to President Clinton by Dr. Aronson. Pray that those of great influence will stand up for the children. Thank You.

Ethiopia Update

Below is the most recent update on the current Adoption situation in Ethiopia. You will see that it states that Adoption Cases registered with the court are to currently expect a ONE YEAR delay. Friends - we are not even registered with the courts yet! So, to go from potentially bringing our child home this summer, to over a year delay to even be in the court system.....we are beyond disappointed.

We'd ask for specific prayers:


*There are counts of 5 million orphans currently in Ethiopia. Please pray for them. If the adoption processes slowdown this much, there just isn't room for all of them in the orphanages, etc. Many will end up living on the streets, being involved in child trafficking, etc. The possibilities for these children are heart breaking to think about. Pray for the children of Ethiopia.
*Pray for the meeting that will take place on Monday, March 14th with U.S. Embassy officials and officials from Ethiopia (and remember to pray on Sunday, as they will be meeting while most of us are sleeping Sunday night due to the time difference).
*Pray for the staff changes that will take place in the Ministry of Women's, Children's and Youth Affairs that take place this coming week. Pray that the staff have a heart for having their Country's children safe, cared for and loved and that they would help make decisions for these children to be adopted.

*Pray for all the waiting families like ours.....this delay is such a disappointment, and also brings concerns - home studies are only good for a limited amount of time, as well as fingerprints, doctors reports, etc - so many of what we and other waiting families have done these past months will have to be done again, if this new decision stays in place. That means more time, more money, more emotions, etc.

Thank you for your continued support - words can't express what it means~





UPDATE from Joint Council on International Children Services:


The Department of State is Actively Involved

The Ethiopian Ministry of Women’s, Children’s and Youth Affairs announced a reduction in the processing of intercountry adoption cases from 50 per day to 5 per day, effective March 10, 2011.

The Department of State is actively involved in discussions with the Government of Ethiopia, other governments and stakeholders.

A coalition of countries is preparing a proposal to assist the Ministry increase its capacity.

Embassy suggested that children with special need’s cases should not be delayed.

The US Embassy officials have a scheduled meeting with the Ministry of Women’s, Children’s and Youth Affairs for Monday, March 14, 2011.

There are areas of concern related to intercountry adoption, however the reduction is disproportionate.

Adoption Cases

Currently there are no implementation guidelines for in-process cases.

For adoption cases registered with the Ethiopian court, the best estimate is a one-year delay.

The staff change at the Ministry of Women’s, Children’s and Youth Affairs has been confirmed as taking effect the week of March 13, 2011. The impact this will have on adoption cases is not known.

It is estimated that between 800-1,000 adoption cases are currently on the docket of Ethiopian courts.

Thank You Father

(The following letter was found by the Jansen's the morning of 3-8-11, along with a Cashier's Check)

My dearest Children,

I am here and I know the longings of your heart and those of your child. I have been preparing you for many things and will continue to provide all things in accordance to my will. I will not desert you, I will not leave you longing and I will not forget your devotion and loyalty to me. Your child is in my arms and will be with you shortly. My love for you is unending and I will go to great lengths to care for you. You have been faithful servants in whom I am well pleased. The time is near for your child to come home to you. Believe in my promises and I will show you miraculous wonders. I have provided this gift, knowing that your travel abroad is close at hand. I have set the date and will share it with you when the time is right. For now, I want you to know that I love you very much. I will be alongside you in the coming days just as I have always been. Do not be anxious. Be with me here and now and know that I am in complete control.

With all my love and through my servants,

Your Heavenly Father

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Father,

What an emotional day it's been since I rec'd your letter. Vicki and I have cried many tears of joy and gratitude today as we bask in awe of your faithfulness. Thank you for your servants and their amazing generosity. You tell us in your Word that you will supply all of our needs, and today, through them, you did just that. Thank you for answering our prayer for the exact amount we still needed - but had told only you of that financial need. I don't know which of your servants were involved or who gave so generously to our cause, but I know that you do and I ask that you would bless them, bless them A LOT. Let them know how thankful we are and how much we love them. Thank you too for your words of comfort and encouragement. They were exactly what our longing hearts needed to hear. You know how hard it's been lately to wait on You, but you've given us the reminder we've needed to persevere with hope and patience. Father, it is very hard to not be able to thank these servants who did Your work, but I know all Glory belongs to You and that is how they want it. So I praise you with all my heart and glorify you with everything in me. To YOU be ALL praise both now and forevermore!

With all my love and service,

Dave

While I'm Waiting.....

I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am hopeful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it is painful
But patiently, I will wait

I will move ahead, bold and confident
Taking every step in obedience
While I'm waiting
I will serve You
While I'm waiting
I will worship
While I'm waiting
I will not faint
I'll be running the race
Even while I wait

I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am peaceful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it's not easy
But faithfully, I will wait
Yes, I will wait
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve you while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting on You, Lord
Lyrics by John Waller~

Waiting. Is there an art to it? If so, I need to learn it. Right, now I am just learning that I am not very good at it.

This past week, we received the news that the Country of Ethiopia is dramatically slowing down their adoption process. Apparently, there has been some fraud problems and so, they are slowing the process down (from 40 "consents" a day, to 5 a day). We do somewhat understand....we want each child, especially our child, to be brought to their new family & home in integrity, honor and honesty throughout the entire process of adoption. But, when there are still millions of orphans in Ethiopia, it is very difficult to understand why the process has to be slowed down to this extent. It has kind of made our hearts stop and made us catch our breath.

We still have hope that our papers are somewhere being worked on and that soon we will receive news about our referral. Until then, we will serve, we will worship, we will pray, we will trust and we will (hopefully) learn to wait -on God - a little better. And, as we wait, you may see us looking off, pondering, and maybe wiping away a tear or two - it is only because our child in Ethiopia is never far from our minds and hearts......and we just want to bring them home.

Toby & Diverse City.....Diversity?

This past Friday night, we had a great night as a family! We surprised the kids with tickets to see Brandon Heath and Toby Mac in concert. All six of us are huge fans of Toby Mac and his band "Diverse City". I think that each of us knew the words to all the songs he sang. It was such a fun night to spend together. We wanted to give the kids a memory and celebrate the current family of six that we are. In some ways we have said "no" to our kids a lot in these past adoption process months, so that we can say "yes" to having their new sibling come home....so it was great to surprise them with this night out. I hope that they will remember it for always.

If you know anything about Toby Mac, you know that his band is called "Diverse City" partly because of the beautiful diversity of races represented by those in his band. When I looked at the band on stage - it was gorgeous! And, it made me eager for heaven, for it is then that I believe that all colors and races will be truly at peace and we will all be colorblind - won't that be so awesome? I long for that day.

I've been much more aware of the need for us to be colorblind lately. I was loaned a book to read called "The Help" recently. It is placed about the years when Martin Luther King Jr and his mission was starting to affect our nation. The book is from the perspective of black maids and the struggles they went through. "The Help" is a work of fiction, but I know that some of the stories are probably very true as to what people experienced. And, unfortunately, I know that some of those prejudices that we all wish to believe are gone, are still around in some ways and lived out by some people. And, now, as I prepare to bring my child from Ethiopia home, I worry about how they might be treated by someone who doesn't value them as I do or as God, their Heavenly Father values them. That scares me and hurts me already, even before I have met my child.

So, as I wait for our referral, I become more acutely aware of the prejudices that still happen these days in so many different ways.....and I challenge myself to be more aware and more proactive so that we can all be colorblind and celebrate the beauty and diversity of all God's people!

Keeping up with the Joneses?

As we wait, we are learning more and more about poverty, orphans, drinking water around the world (or lack thereof) and a myriad of other facts. As we learn, we feel that we must share what we learn, so that others will also realize how blessed they are and how GREAT the needs are around the world. Please take some time to visit this website and learn some amazing information. www.whoarethejoneses.org Ask God to open your eyes as to how you can help those who can't even imagine keeping up with the Joneses.

Thank you.