Still Amazed

One year ago today will be a day forever stamped in my memory.  It followed a long weekend of waiting on God, praying, seeking, asking questions and trying to come to a decision.  The Friday before we had talked to our Agency about a little girl that was ready to be referred - but she was younger than we had planned on - we just weren't sure we were ready for that.  But, after the weekend of wondering and pondering, we decided that this was the referral we were ready to accept and had total peace about that.  So - on our lunch hours that day, Dave & I rushed home and opened the Referral email from our agency together and this is what we saw.......

We knew as soon as we saw those pictures, that she was ours!  Thankfully, since then, we've been blessed with another picture of her (Thanks Sarah!) from when she was at her first orphanage at a much younger age......and it looks like those eyes have always been so big!  :-)

I am Still Amazed.....

*That she is ours

*That she has adjusted to our family so well and that our other children have all adjusted to her just as well and they seem to love her more than I imagined

*Every time I see her playing with, laughing with, cuddling with, being loved on by her Daddy - this man who wasn't sure he could adopt because he feared he wouldn't love like he loves his bio children.  He can't get enough of this little girl.....he is head over heels in love with her.  I consider this a work of God every time I see it!  And it makes me love David all the more too - because he opened his heart to all of this.

*That we were concerned about changing diapers again and the terrible twos, etc.....sometimes that stuff isn't so fun, but it's back to the basics and that's not so bad.  Especially, when we are also at the same time, looking at college choices, scheduling ACT tests, teaching another child to drive, etc.  Diaper change?  Quick and simple and done.  Basic.  And - it is always wonderful to see life through the amazement and giggles of a little one - simplicity and joy!  Love it!

*That at 43 years old, I am back to being home full time and doing child care.  I certainly didn't see that coming.  But, it has been such a good decision for our whole family and I am enjoying it more than I even thought I would.  I love being with Martha, having the other kiddos here with us during the day and being able to be a bit more available for the older kids.  It has also given me a chance to help Dave a bit more as his ministry is concerned and be more of a helpmate to him.  That was another unexpected blessing!

*That God allowed us to get through the adoption process and how we have learned and grown through it.  It helps me realize how much God really does put all of the puzzle pieces together - even on those days when I thought I'd never make it through.

*That adoption is still so expensive and so complicated.  I understand that the children need to be protected and that there need to be certain policies and procedures in place to protect them.  But, there are millions of children who need homes and many parents willing to offer them - but the process, the costs, the red tape - it all keeps children and families apart. 

*At how much I've come to love the people and country of Ethiopia - somehow it has gotten into my soul.

And, now, the latest picture of that little girl- who one year ago today had no siblings and was considered an orphan......we are so blessed!

Thanks for reading.....we look forward to going out for Ethiopian Friday night to celebrate the Referral Anniversary. We'll take any reason we have to eat Ethiopian!

Sami

Back in July, we asked you to pray for Sami.  Sami is an employee of Adoption Associates in Addis Ababa and was diagnosed with liver cancer. Facilities in Ethiopia were not able to treat him, so he went to India for a couple of months of treatment, leaving his wife and 2 daughters in Ethiopia. At some point in January, Sami started experiencing lots of pain and was struggling more.  He had planned to return to India, but because of a Visa issue not allowing him to get to India until February 5th, he ended up traveling to Bangkok, Thailand for some sort of medical help.  Sadly, this is the update our Agency sent us yesterday -

This morning we received very discouraging news. Sami is really struggling. His CT scan shows his blood is not circulating as it should between his brain & body. He is currently responsive and understands the gravity of his condition. His family decided to have him come home as soon as possible and right now it is planned that he will fly home on Sunday night. 

We ask for your continued prayers for Sami. Please pray for Sami's physical needs, but, more importantly, his spiritual needs. Please also pray for Sami's wife and two daughters.Thank you so much for caring for this man who has touched many lives and is so dear to those who know him. We will keep you updated. 

We are so sad.  Obviously, you've met plenty of people in your life - some that made an impression and some that did not.  Sami was one of those who made a deep impression on our hearts.  His kind heart was apparent within minutes of meeting him.  We spent time with him on two occasions in Ethiopia.  One was the evening when he took us to a local restaurant for dinner and cultural dancing.  His company was so comfortable and he even showed us how well he could dance.  As we shared the meal together, he showed us pictures of his beautiful daughters and you could see how deeply he loved them through his expressions and words.  The other time was when he took us to Court (Court dates and documents for the adoptions were his specialty in the AAI office - he seemed to be the expert around there!).  We were nervous, apprehensive and a bundle of emotions.  Sami was so calm and confident and made us feel like it would all be okay.  His sweet smile and quiet confidence put us at ease.  He walked through the complexities of that day with us and rejoiced with us when it was done.  Undoubtedly, he has walked with countless other families through their court hearings and has helped countless children find their forever homes.   He gets it - children need homes and love and care - and he does what he can to make sure that happens.

So - will you continue to pray for Sami, his wife and 2 little girls?  As our agency wrote, this seems to be a very serious situation.  I can't even imagine what his wife is experiencing - having her husband out of the country with a serious illness, facing the possibility of losing him, the emotional and financial strains ahead - and so much more.  And his little girls - well, it just makes my heart hurt.

As God's timing is always right, the Ethiopia Team from our Agency is leaving for Ethiopia next week, a trip that was previously planned.  I believe God had that planned so that they could be of some encouragement and help to Sami and his family, and to somehow express to them how many lives have been touched and how many people are grateful for Sami's service.

And, say what you will about America.  Our health care system is pretty messed up - sometimes we wait for a long time in the doctor's office or ER, sometimes it takes a month or more to see a specialist - but we don't have to leave the Country to be able to get medical care or change plans because we don't have the right travel Visa.  We also complain about social security, paying in for life insurance, etc - but at least we have some options.  In Ethiopia - I don't know if there are any programs in place like that.

So - PRAY and PRAISE - we are so blessed.  Again, I am humbled by that and need to remember that more often.