room for more

Shining in Shone

2012-01-28T21:59:00.001-06:00

Our Look Development group leaves for Shone, Ethiopia on March 4th. We are feverishly working to get ready to leave. It is getting exciting, though at times I'm feeling like, "didn't I just do this?"

Our traveling group is up to 11 from the Sioux City area and 19 overall. We had another meeting last night to work through some of the details, including discussing the medical supplies, the swing set, the donations, how we're going to connect with the sponsored kids, and of course we had some great food, dessert, and coffee. There were also a number of other things we talked about that resulted in roars of laughter, but those are not blog-appropriate - please ask me in person if your interest is peaked!

We also took some time to talk about why each of us felt that God had led us to go on this trip. It was clear that God had led each of us on separate paths in the last several years, with each path aimed toward this trip. And the really cool part is that the trip isn't the end of the journey, it is merely just another step in each of our lives. He will continue to work in each of us, taking us to amazing places as we yield to His leadership. Where will each of us be a year or two years from now? How will we be affected by the trip? How will God show Himself to us?

I have again been thinking about the parable in Matthew 25, where Jesus tells the story of the King who separates the sheep and the goats. The climax of the story is the realization that for both groups, their end is determined by what they did or didn't do. Neither realized their encounters with the "least of these" were actually encounters with the King. And their acceptance or rejection of the "least of these" was actually a rejection of the King. Why did some meet the needs of the "least of these" and some reject them? Was it due to goodness within them?

We are going to a place that is filled with people that our society would call the "least of these." We will be with people who have nothing. Nothing, that is except disease, hunger, loneliness, and despair. We who are going are broken vessels - complete with faults, weaknesses, fears, and failures. In ourselves, we have no ability to say yes to the needs of the "least of these." We would reject them every time if it were up to us. But God has poured His love into us, so that that same love can pour through us into the lives of others. If God had not poured His love into us first, we would walk away. We would be OK knowing that there are starving, diseased, ignored people on the other side of the globe. We would be OK doing nothing. The only reason we go is because God was not OK with walking away from us.

So our going to Ethiopia to meet the needs of the "least of these" does not put an emphasis on us, but instead puts the focus on God. Because it is He that transforms broken vessels in useful vessels. He fills those useful vessels with Himself and puts them in a place to serve others. Not because of the beauty of the vessel, but because of the beauty of the Potter.

A Swingin' Good Time!

2012-01-21T08:23:00.000-06:00

Peaches and T-Bird enjoying the swings at Hannah's Hope - Feb 2011

Last night we had a fundraiser / soup and pie supper / worship music night at Southern Hill Baptist here in Sioux City. The purpose of the night was to share the needs of the missions trip we will be taking in March to Shone, Ethiopia with Look Development. Let me just say that it was an amazing night! There were over 200 people in attendance. That's over 200 people that have a heart for the orphan, a heart for missions, a heart for serving others. Over 200 people right here in Sioux City. It was a beautiful night to be a part of.

For those who have been following the fundraising for the swing set, we had raised $560 through our blog and Facebook donations. In just a couple of weeks we were already at about 1/3 of the cost of the swing set equipment. I was amazed at how quickly God was bringing in the money. Well, you can imagine how excited I was to be given $1100 last night toward the swing set project! That put us over the amount that was needed for the equipment. We are grateful for all who gave and grateful that God has provided over and above our need. We will use the additional money toward the tools that we need to bring and the additional luggage fees that will be required.

We are rejoicing in God's goodness toward the project! We are rejoicing as we think about many, many kiddos that will soon be swinging and giggling with delight on the swing set that so many people have donated toward. I can't wait to post pictures when we return!

So thank you to those who have given and to those who have prayed. I wish you could come with us and push some kids to delirious heights on their new swing set!

In addition to the money collected for the swing set, we also collected over $2000 toward the general expenses of the trip. That money will be used to help with travel expenses (~$2000 per person) and with medical supplies that we are going to be bringing. We will be starting to organize the medical supplies list and costs next and that will likely bring some additional fundraising efforts. So stay tuned!

We are just six weeks away from traveling. We still have a lot to get done. Please pray for our preparations, please pray for our additional fundraising, please pray for our hearts to be ready to go. As Matthew 25:40 states, we are going to serve the least of these. God is rolling that passage through my mind as we think about the why's of going to such a far-off place to serve such destitute people. Is it really worth it? After reading the passage in Matthew 25, it is clear that we are not just going to serve these beautiful people, but we are going to serve Jesus. In as much as we go and serve the least of these, we go and serve Him.

Reflecting on a Swing Set

2012-01-16T18:55:00.000-06:00

Another swing set update! We have now received $510! I'm amazed by all of the support that so many people have shown with money coming from many different locations.

I am constantly thinking about how we're going to get all of this equipment into our checked luggage. Wondering did we bite off too much? What was I thinking? And then I start to think of the smiles that await us, the excitement of the kids as we assemble the swing set, the joyous screams of children as they swing. And that is when I remember that the hassles that we are facing are well worth it.

I worry about raising money for a swing set, they worry about finding food.

I worry about finding space in my luggage for swing set parts, they worry about having clothing to wear.

I worry about the endless hours of travel in a cramped airplane, they worry about sitting on a street curb alone for yet another night.

I worry about all of the vaccinations that I have to get, they worry about disease that will likely end their lives much too soon.

The swing set serves as another reminder of the different worlds that we come from - our world and their world. We have so much - and for that we should not feel guilty, but thankful. Because we don't go and we don't give because of guilt, we go and we give because of thankfulness. We go and we give because God has flooded our lives with His goodness - flooded us to the point where it naturally flows to others. And we want others to experience this flooding of goodness that only God can accomplish in someone's life.

Yes, reflecting on the swing set makes me more and more ready to go! How about you?

Click below to donate to the Swing Set for Orphans in Ethiopia fund.

Swing Set Update

2012-01-14T11:50:00.000-06:00

We are excited that $335 has come in for the Shone, Ethiopia Swing Set project. As we have contemplated this project, I have envisioned the kids at the orphan care center watching with curiosity as we build the swing set. Since many of them have never seen a swing set, there will be looks of bewilderment, watching the Ferengis assembling this odd contraption.

Knowing that they will giggle with glee as they experience the combination of weightlessness and gravity-rush for the first time, we press on with this project. To us the swing set can merely be a task-oriented maze of budgeting luggage space, coordinating tool requirements, and arranging financial support. However, to the kids who will soon be learning how rear back in a swing and reach their feet toward the sky, it represents a sense of freedom, exhilaration, and joy.

I spoke last night with Amanda who has traveled many times to Ethiopia and has seen first-hand what a swing set can do for children. Children who have nothing to call their own, who live a life of extreme poverty, and may or may not have parents or a home to call their own. She shared with me how these kids line up for hours just to get a single turn on a swing set. She shared how the swing sets are used constantly and become a simbol of pride for them, since it may be the only thing that they can call their own. It may be the only thing that gives them a brief freedom from the difficult life they live.

If God is moving in your heart to give toward the swing set, or if you have already given, we say "Thank you!" If you would like to share the need with others via your own blog or fb page, please link over to our blog and Paypay button. If you would like to get a copy of the Paypal button in HTML to place in your sidebar, please email me and I can send it to you.

We are thankful that God has every detail of our upcoming trip taken care of. There are no needs that He is not aware of. As we travel to Ethiopia in early March, we are looking forward to loving the children, serving the workers, and experiencing what God has in store for each of us!

Click the Paypal button below for a donation to the Look Development Swing Set!

Swing Set for Orphans - Please Help!

2012-01-11T19:35:00.001-06:00

We need your help! We are trying to raise money for a swing set to be built at an orphan care center in Shone, Ethiopia. The orphan care center is associated with Look Development and is located about 5 hours south of Addis Ababa, just west of Awassa.

A group of 11 of us from the Sioux City area are traveling to Ethiopia in early March to serve at the Look Development school and orphan care center. We are so excited to see what God is going to do through us, around us, and in us! It will be a joy to provide basic medical care, share the love of Jesus, and build some much needed playground equipment for the beautiful children that we will be with.

One of the exciting projects is to build a swingset at the care center where about 20 orphans are provided for. These children literally have no playground equipment. We are thrilled to give these kids the thrill of swinging in their very own swingset everyday.

The cost of the swingset is $1500. This is a commercial-grade swingset that you would see in a playground. It is necessary to have a high quality swing set due to the constant use it will receive. We will actually be taking much of the swingset with us in our luggage (chains, swings, tools, etc.)! That will certainly get some strange looks from the customs agents! Is there a box on the customs form where you have to declare bringing playground equipment into the country??

Please pray for our trip and if God is leading you to join us in this effort financially we would appreciate your gift toward the swing set. We are proceeding with the purchase of the equipment, trusting that God will provide the money. If you have any specific questions about the trip or about the equipment, please email me separately.

Please click the Pay Pal button below for donations.

Home for Christmas

2011-12-25T16:59:00.000-06:00

I was sitting in bed with Peaches last night reading to her a Facebook comment from a family of a Hannah's Hope adoptee friend of hers. We had posted the picture shown above on FB and her friend Ujulu left a comment (via his mom). As I read it to her, Peaches was puzzled. She said, "Ujulu can speak?" She was surprised that Ujulu could speak the English words that I was reading to her. In her mind Ujulu was still in Africa, still at Hannah's Hope, still speaking a language different than English.

I began to explain to her that Ujulu is in America, that he lives with a family, and that he speaks English....just like her. She replied, "Ujulu is not in Africa?" I said no and repeated that he is in a loving home in America just like her. The wheels began to whirl in her mind. Her life at Hannah's Hope was frozen in her mind with all of her friends still there. Had things changed? Had her friends also found homes?

One by one we talked about her friends from Hannah's Hope: Luma, Mana, Lidya, Tizita, Sophee, Ujulu, Amani, Angesom, Liya, Hiyab. Yes, they were all in America, all in a home, they had all left Hannah's Hope, they had all left Africa.

As Peaches pondered this, I also pondered this. What an amazing reminder of where our Peaches came from. It's easy to forget that she is a former orphan from Africa - she is so normal. And a reminder of how many kids' lives have changed dramatically in just one year. Last Christmas all of these kids were either at Hannah's Hope or had not even arrived there yet. They were orphans, living life without parents. They were learning to survive on their own, learning to fend for themselves, learning to ignore their internal hurt and pain and loss. They were internally morphing into what a child becomes apart from a family. And now a year later, they are opening presents in loving homes, surrounded by a mom and a dad, filled with wonderful foods, enjoying the comfort of their own beds.

God does an amazing work when he transitions the life of an orphan into a family. He begins His miraculous healing work and reaches those places in a little heart that only His hand can reach. He mends the broken-hearted and He heals their wounds (Psalm 147). We've seen this work in our own little Peaches' life and I'm sure the families of her HH friends have also seen His gentle, yet mighty hand at work.

I'm thankful for these families that have brought these little ones into their homes. I'm thankful for the many families that have helped us over and over again in the last year as we have brought Peaches into our home. It has been a joyous year - we stand in awe of God's goodness in our lives - we would do it all over again in a heartbeat!

What a perspective to think of our Savior entering into our world. So thankful that His healing touch extends beyond the pains of our soul and reaches in to heal us of our sin. And this healing is complete and forever.

Yes, we are thankful for the birth of our Savior and we welcome into our lives as our King.

We wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year!

Family Sing-along

2011-12-20T22:26:00.000-06:00

Our church has a night of special music each year for Christmas. Our Family sang the Selah song, "Light of the Stable." In the video from left to right are Rye Bread, Sunshine, Heather, and T-Bird. Levi "The Beat" is on drums and I'm on piano. Enjoy!

Orphans Need Families

2011-12-17T10:30:00.000-06:00

Celebrating Our One Year Referral-versary

2011-12-02T20:36:00.000-06:00

We joyously celebrated the one year anniversary of our referral tonight. So thankful for our Peaches. So thankful that she is home. So thankful for the many, many blessings we've experienced over the past year.

Together as a family we went out to eat and remembered some of the details from 12/2/10. What fun! And as we were remembering we were a year ago and what we were doing, it was sobering to think that Peaches was still getting situated at Hannah's Hope in Addis, having been there for only a week. I can't imagine what that transition was like for her. I can't imagine how scared she must have been. I can't imagine how alone she must have felt. A 4 year-old without family. Can you imagine?

This scared little girl is now glowing with joy, has a laugh that we all love to hear, and calls us "mom" and "dad" in a way that melts your heart.

She's home now. She's comfortable here with us. She's one of us. We are so thankful for her!!! God has been so good to continue to heal her little heart and to pour much grace upon all of us. What a year to reflect on!!!

Some pics of that amazing day and that amazing phone call!

The Referral Call!!! Heather talking to Kiersten getting the amazing news!

Getting ready to open the email with the details!

Together looking at our beautiful little girl!!!

And please click HERE for the link to the blog post for the amazing Referral Party!

Happy 18th Birthday Sunshine!!!!

2011-11-27T22:19:00.001-06:00

Well, it's here. My little girl is officially 18. I believe that to some that might imply being grown up and may also involve maturity. Well, not so sure where she stacks up on those things, but I do know she enjoys a good time! And based on her birthday celebration Skype call that I hear going on right now between her and her College Plus friends, I would say she is certainly fulfilling her calling for having fun!

For her birthday weekend, Sunshine arranged a great weekend celebration with all of us together, which included taking the whole fam to the "Muppet Movie" (fantastic movie, BTW), going to Wendy's for lunch today as a family, having the entire Beaver family over for the afternoon, and a (most likely late night) Skype call with her College Plus peeps. She has had an amazing weekend, and it hasn't just been fun for her, it's been fun for the whole family to celebrate! It really was cool that the main thing that she wanted to include in her birthday celebration was to celebrate with her family, all of us being together. Not too many 18 year-olds want to celebrate such a milestone with her family! We're thankful that God has placed a desire within all of our kids to enjoy being together.

Our little girl was born 18 years ago in Augusta, Georgia. She was 7 weeks premature and was born at just under 5 lbs. She ended up staying in the NICU for 12 days. It was strange when Heather came home from the hospital and we had to leave our newborn behind. Fortunately we didn't know any better since she was our first. Based on who she is today, I'm guessing Sunshine thought it would be way more fun to hang out in the NICU with the other babies! I'm sure it was one LOUD room!

I'm thankful for our Sunshine. As her blog title states, she brings "Bursts of Sunshine" wherever she goes (and BTW "Bursts" can often be translated as "drama" too - we'll see if she reads this or not!!). There's usually not a dull moment as she is usually capable (along with her brother Rye Bread) of bringing an entire school day to a screeching halt with endless lines from movies and Tim Hawkins. But in the midst of all the excitement (again, read drama), there is a heart for God that desires to honor Him and serve Him. As parents, we are blessed. And we know that where she is today is completely by His grace and by His doing. He is the one who has made her who she is - not our parenting, and not our genes. I'm thankful that it rests on His goodness and His wisdom rather than our own!

We hope you have had a great birthday Sunshine and we hope you know that your birthday celebration (again, read drama) does not extend into the next week! We love you very much!

I thought I'd post some more of her senior pictures (taken by the great Mrs. Beaver). Enjoy!

A reminder of the early days

2011-11-26T09:56:00.001-06:00

The picture above is a picture of a seemingly insignificant trinket that most of us have in our homes. In fact, it may seem at times as though we have hundreds of them, cluttering the floor, causing pain and shrieks of terror in the night as our foot finds the sharpness of their edges in the darkness.

But this item has great significance for me. This item was one of the small "Happy Meal" type toys that we brought to Ethiopia for our second trip when we brought our Peaches home. It recently came out of the clutter and appeared as an item being played with. My mind was instantly taken back to the days that that toy represents. To the stage that our little girl was in as she played with that toy in a hotel room in Addis Ababa.

When arriving in Ethiopia on your second adoption trip to the country, soon after you arrive back in the country, you go to the transition home and bring your child back to your hotel room. It is a very exciting time, yet filled with strange emotions as this child that you've dreamed of for months is suddenly living with you in a place that neither of you are comfortable with. The city and the hotel are certainly not home to you and living with two ferengis in a completely new environment is certainly not comfortable for the child. As the days roll by, confined in the hotel, waiting for the Visa appointment at the US Embassy, it is somewhat of an awkward time, yet filled with excitement and newness.

Peaches attached to Heather rather quickly. She did not attach to me. She really didn't want to have anything to do with me. How can you blame her? She had been through much pain and separation and how could she possibly understand that we loved her dearly and would never leave her and never wanted her to feel pain again. Yet the pain she caused in my heart was real as she made it very clear that I was an unnecessary feature in the room.

On one of the days of our hotel stays, Heather went to the market with one of the other families we were traveling with. That meant it was Peaches and me in the room alone together for many hours. Thinking this would be a good thing, I was excited that we would bond during these few hours. This turned out to be an expectation not based on reality as the hours turned into a very difficult time, with Peaches crying off and on and making it clear that she did not approve of me as her daddy. However, during that time there was a brief time when we started playing with the little trinket in the picture above. She started laughing, started playing, started to have a twinkle in her eye. She wanted us to take turns. She wanted us to play with the toy together. There were sparkles of the possibilities of a relationship. There were glimpses of a daddy/daughter bond. The toy that was worth only pennies, became a toy of unequaled value.

Though that time lasted only a few minutes, and the cold, shoulder shrugging returned quickly, it was a time that I will never forget. As I was sitting on the couch this morning, my little Peaches who had just woken up came and sat on my lap. She sat there quietly while I read a book and drank a cup of coffee. I was overwhelmed at the changes that have taken place in this little girl. She now joyously calls me daddy. She comes running when I get home for work. She wants to sit in my lap when we watch a movie. She wants to go with me when I run errands. The joy and sparkle in her eye says that she is not just a girl from the other side of the world who lives in our house - no, she is my daughter and I am her daddy. There is nothing like it. To see the healing that has taken place in her little heart is amazing. I'm thankful to God for what He's done in her heart. She really is a remarkable little girl, and we serve a remarkably big God!

Here are some other pics from our days at the Riviera during our second trip to Ethiopia. These are filled with a lot of emotion and filled with a lot of "Wow, we've come a long way."

Leaving Hannah's Hope, headed "home" to the Riviera. She has the wind-up toy in her hand!

Putting on her first headband (tag still on it!)

Playing with mommy in the dining room at the Riviera while we enjoy our first meal together

Balloons were a big hit with her!

Playing with her good friend Lidya. The stroller in the back parking lot was a lot of fun!

Learning to play on a iPad. We were amazed at how quickly she picked things up. She still loves to play on the "i pan"

Leaving Hannah's Hope for the final time!

Working hard at drawing on her Barbie drawing pad in the hotel room.

Having more fun with Lidya in the downstairs meeting room of the Riviera. A great place to run and play!

Lidya, Tizita, and Peaches together at the Addis Airport getting ready to leave on the midnight (yes midnight!) flight to Amsterdam. Three amazing girls!

Peaches showing her bright smile at the Addis Airport

The three girls saying good-bye at the Amsterdam Airport as they each head to different flights. We love those girls!

Trying to figure out what she'll eat! Trying oranges and an Egg McMuffin at the Amsterdam Airport!

Waking up the first morning in our HOME with her big sister Sunshine!

Her first meal in her new HOME.....Injera and wat supplied by our good friends the Henns!

So good to have you HOME with us Peaches. We love you!

Going to Ethiopia.....

2011-11-16T21:32:00.001-06:00

An orphanage in Shone, Ethiopia. Who would go there? A very poor and rural area. Who would go there? A place far beyond even the "modern conveniences" found in Addis Ababa. Who would go there? I know that God would not only go there, but that He is there, and He is doing His great works. I know that Jesus would walk amongst the people and that He would show compassion to the widows and the orphans there. I know that He would reach out to the vulnerable, to the poor, to the hungry. And because God has shone His light in our hearts, we are going too!

Yes, Sunshine and I (Russ), are going to the southern region of Ethiopia to a town called Shone (pronounced "Show - nay") with a group called Look Development. We are thrilled to be able to go to an orphanage there and reach out to the poor and the needy. To be able to love and care for orphans who have nothing. To be able to help build a playground, to run a VBS, to do basic medical care - all in the name of Jesus. We are going because these children don't just need playground equipment or hugs from ferengis (white people), but they need the gospel, they need the hope of Christ, they need the love of God poured out before them. And while we will be reaching out to encourage the believers there, we know that the believers there will encourage us far beyond anything we can imagine. We know that we will receive much more than any small amount we could possibly give them.

This has been a burden in my heart after reading so many books about orphan care in Africa and reading books about the power of the gospel to heal the broken-hearted and reading books about loving the vulnerable. I knew it was either time to go back to Africa and love and serve orphans, or it was time to stop reading those books! There was no other alternative. I cannot sit without acting, I cannot be silent to the need.

God is leading a group of us from our area to go. There is currently a team of 10 that have signed up and are beginning the preparations. We plan to go in early March and stay for about 7-10 days. We are all excited to see what God has in store for us. Amongst the 10 of us, 3 are RN's, 4 will help with a VBS, and 3 will help with construction activities. All of us will pour love onto the kids and have even greater love poured on us as we are surrounded by bright faces, infectious smiles, and joyful laughter. The group we are traveling with is called Look Development. Their orphanage in Shone is run by an Ethiopian couple who have a huge heart for meeting the needs - both physical and spiritual - of the orphans in their care. We are blessed to be able to go and to serve there!

Please pray for us as we begin the preparations to go. Our hearts are ready and yet we know that there will be many hurdles and difficulties in going. It will be a hard trip and yet a trip filled with experiencing God's goodness! We are so thankful and so blessed! We have the gospel. We must go.

Happy 15th Birthday Rye Bread and T-Bird!!!!

2011-11-13T15:53:00.000-06:00

So happy for Rye Bread and T-Bird

turning fifteen, yes hoo-ray!

So fun to remember them little

and now they are young men today.

They bring us such joy and such laughter

each day through their antics and fun.

So thankful for all of our memories

So thankful to call them our sons

At times they seem like they are Siamese twins!

In the apple tree with their sista.

Rye Bread

T-Bird

The boys with their new Swedish soccer shirts!

Hiking at Ponca State Park.

Bustin' a move with the hool-a-hoop at Johnson Lake.

I have no idea what this pic is about....but then again there are about a thousand pics of Rye-Bread in our collection that I have no idea what they're about!

Doing some work in the garden.

Camping at Ponca State Park. Always a good menu when camping with Dad!

One of the many, many pics taken with their Cuzzins. Together they make up the legendary Peanuts!

After serving a "formal" breakfast for their sista's bday, they took a cool pic.

GOOOOO BIIIIIIIG REEEEEEEED!!!!!

Becoming a family of eight. Welcoming home our Peaches.

At LifeLight with their sista.

In Ethiopia at Hannah's Hope with Peaches

Running and chasing Peaches at Hannah's Hope was a lot of fun....especially for Peaches!

After receiving shots for travel to Ethiopia!

A night we'll never forget. Celebrating together after receiving our referral for our Peaches!

Who's schoolin' who???

Father's Day with my boys.

Coca-Cola in Amharic

2011-11-11T17:28:00.000-06:00

We were recently shopping at Target for a T-shirt for Rye Bread and found this Coca-Cola T-shirt. As we looked at it we thought it was pretty cool because it had Coca-Cola written in quite a few languages. As I looked more closely, I was shocked to see that one of the languages was Amharic - the main language spoken in Ethiopia (see top left in the picture). The Amharic language is only spoken in Ethiopia, so it is extremely rare to see outside of that country. We'll never forget the sweet taste of Coca-Cola at the Riviera Hotel in Addis while eating Tibs and Injera. Wow...great memories!

A couple of other Coca-Cola pictures....

A Coca-Cola bottle written in Amharic in the Riviera Hotel

A Coca-Cola truck with the Riviera Hotel in the background! Love that place!

While we're on memories of drinks in Ethiopia, I must say that the Fanta Orange was definitely the favorite. I don't know if it's the real sugar that it's sweetened with, or just the smiles of the people serving it, there's nothing better in Africa than a Fanta Orange!!

To You Who Are Heavy Laden....

2011-10-23T20:28:00.000-05:00

For those who are overwhelmed....

For those whose load is seemingly too great....

For those who cannot imagine life getting harder....

There is HOPE!

Our daughter Sunshine blogged today and it is really a remarkable post. Click HERE to read her post and be reminded that He is greater than our trials, He is greater than our failures. He is our PEACE!

Home again, oh it's good to be Home again!

2011-10-21T19:26:00.001-05:00

Houmas House - near Baton Rouge, Lousiana. I ate dinner there last night!!!

After being gone the entire week in Baton Rouge on business, I am glad to be back home!!

What did I miss about life at home? Well, let me tell ya.

I missed Peaches' smile that lights up the room and her humorous use (or rather misuse) of the English language.

I missed Eddie Joe's irresistible love of cuddling and his constant questions.

I missed the Big Fella's infectious laugh and his repeated requests to play computer games.

I missed T-bird's love of playing with his younger siblings and his love of finding things to worry about.

I missed Rye Bread's ability to play amazing guitar sounds and his inability to find anything that belongs to him.

I missed Sunshine's long, long hugs and her long, long stories.

And of course, what I missed the most, is being with my bride, being able to share life together, being able to embrace the chaos of our lives together. Everything that I see when I'm traveling makes me think of her, makes me wish she was with me, makes me wish we were taking it in together.

Fortunately I'm done traveling for awhile. I'm thankful to be able to be back home, back with my girl, back with my family, getting life back to normal....whatever that is.

"Passport Through Darkness"

2011-10-15T11:34:00.000-05:00

Just finished reading the book Passport Through Darkness by Kimberly L. Smith. Really a powerful book about the author's experiences and passion in establishing an orphanage in western Sudan near the Darfur region.

There are a number of very sobering stories that are shared in the book - sobering in the sense that it is hard to imagine that suffering of this type is going on in our world today. How can this be when we enjoy such affluence? It is a grim reminder of the sufferings that people are facing and the hope that God provides in the midst of suffering.

In a war-torn region where there was no hope, no food, no resources, no intra-country government support, Kimberly Smith - along with some Sudan nationals - built an orphanage to house 300 children who had suffered untold loss at the hands of Sudan Arabs from northern Sudan. The story displays God's ability to overcome the worst situations imaginable. He can overcome war, famine, disease, governments, etc. There is no struggle that is difficult for Him.

It was also a reminder of what possible darkness our Peaches came from. Since western Gambella has a lot of Sudanese influences, our minds have been drawn to better understand the people and political situation in Sudan. It is a very desperate situation that many of the South Sudan people live in. We don't know for sure many of the details of Peaches' life prior to becoming an orphan, but we do know that the many pains that she has endured - loss of family, culture, country, food, etc. - are more than a 4 (now 5) year old should endure. We're struck by the resiliency that God has placed within her to be so "normal" after being exposed to a lifetime's worth of difficulties condensed to a matter of a few months.

If you have read any good books, let me know about them! I am always looking for good biographical stories related to orphan care - stories that reveal the plight of the orphan and the ability of God to rescue, heal, and restore those who do not escape His eye.

Happy 5th Birthday Peaches!!!

2011-10-08T12:23:00.000-05:00

A year ago our little Peaches would have celebrated her birthday in an orphanage in Gambella, Ethiopia. It is unlikely that there was any celebration or any awareness of her birthday. What a difference a year makes!

Her 5th birthday came with great anticipation for her family, though Peaches didn't seem to realize the full extent of what a birthday really meant. We had planned to celebrate on the day of her birthday with family and some Ethiopian food - injera which was to be prepared by our new Ethiopian friend and we were even going to take a try at preparing some goat meat. The next night we were going to have many of our friends over as a celebration to God for the bringing of Peaches into our home. At last count, we were at 47 people!

Heather's unexpected surgery and stay in the hospital put a wrench in those plans, but her release from the hospital on Peaches' birthday did allow us to have a small celebration at home that night. Her continued confusion about what a birthday is was a reminder of what it means to be an orphan. There's no one to celebrate your birthday, no one to remember you on special occasions, no one to take notice of you when you accomplish a first in life. It's just you against the world. And there's no one to even take notice that it is just you against the world.

We were blessed by some friends who brought over some last minute birthday party supplies - since our week was detoured through the hospital rather than into birthday party preparation. The supplies were perfect.

It is interesting that this was Peaches' first real celebration opening presents. She was somewhat unsure of what to do, but quickly got the hang of it. She was also unsure what it really meant to now be "5" and also unsure how long this recognition lasted.

Enjoy the pictures of our beautiful little girl - the excitement in her eyes and the smile that requires no camera flash! We brought her into our home not just to shower her with gifts on her birthday, but also to allow her to be rooted within a family - our family - and to be celebrated for who she is.

Peaches was excited to open her gifts - unfortunately we only had Toy Story 3 wrapping paper in the house! Not very girly!

Tangled is her favorite movie!

She has always wanted a robe - mainly because Eddie Joe has one!

She now has her very own Tangled dress and crown! What a princess!

McDonald's for supper! What could be better!

Bugg made some special cupcakes for Peaches. They were amazing.

Look what we found when we opened the box!

Ready to light the candles!

And with an unsureness as to what this was all about, she complied with our excited screams of "blow out the candles"!!

A cupcake fit for a princess!

Those eyes say it all!

We were also blessed to find out that an Indonesian tradition is to bring fruit to someone who has been sick. Our newest addition to our church body (Anna, who is from Indonesia) brought this plate of fruit for Heather. A beautiful gesture. Thank you Anna!

A Weak Body Served by His Body

2011-10-07T17:27:00.000-05:00

What happens when the physical body becomes weak? It needs help from those around. Yes, that seems obvious. But when you're the one in need, it suddenly takes on greater importance.

We saw that first hand this week. On Tuesday, we saw Heather's body suddenly require emergency surgery. And in the process, we saw the body of Christ suddenly spring into action and absorb our family's needs as quickly as they arose. Many of those needs were quickly extinguished without even asking us. We are blessed beyond measure and are thankful for those whose hearts have been transformed by the love of God.

It's a testimony to us - the receivers of great care - of how important taking specific actions to reach out to those in need. Love is action, not just words. Think of God's love for us, think of what our love for others should look like.

For a glimpse of one of the specific families that sprung into action, please click and visit the Beavers' blog Unto Him We Live.

We also had families that provided emergency birthday supplies for our dear Peaches' 5th b-day (coming in a later post), we had beautiful cupcakes made by the beautiful Bugg, meals arranged for us, visits in the hospital, our house cleaned from top to bottom, and so on and so on. We are overwhelmed!

Blessings to everyone that prayed for us this week. We are very thankful to be beyond the surgical/hospital phase and moving on with healing at home. And we are even more thankful for those around us who help not only with the healing of the body, but the healing of the soul.

Cardboard Testimonies

2011-09-27T08:09:00.001-05:00

We all carry the pains of this world with us. No matter what difficulty you are facing today, Christ is greater. In Him we can be set free!

Ethiopian Food, Ethiopian Fun

2011-09-25T18:02:00.000-05:00

Thanks to Ron and Senait for a great afternoon of Ethiopian food and Ethiopian fellowship. The injera and wat were delicious and satisfied a craving! As soon as we walked in the house, we were flooded with the wonderful smell of the food and the beautiful smile of Senait. The food and the hospitality took us back to Addis - where the warmth of the people is something you never forget.

We met Ron and Senait last week as they were visiting our church for the first time. We were excited to have someone from Ethiopia visiting. We were even more excited to be invited to their house for lunch today (after meeting them just one time). It was sobering to also meet several of their friends who were also at their house for lunch and are in the States as refugees from Eritrea. Aren't refugees supposed to only be in movies? Aren't we supposed to be completely insulated from people whose lives are touched by war, poverty, and oppressive governments? We are excited that not only will we have Ron and Senait visiting our church, but also one of the Eritrean families are interested in coming next week. We look forward to being seasoned with more International flavor - and having our lives challenged by the needs of these refugee people.

Here are some pics from the day:

As soon as the plate was set before her, Peaches was back in her happy place, grabbing a big piece of injera, scooping up some wat, and devouring it!

The Henns were part of the party!

Dash and Oggie - diggin' in!

T-Bird and Rye Bread

Sunshine and Bo

Peaches with her new Eritrean friends. They had a great time together.

That's My King

2011-09-22T19:50:00.001-05:00

Written and Narrated by S. M. Lockridge

The Realness of the Pain of a Former Orphan

2011-09-20T22:01:00.000-05:00

We were all sitting around talking tonight. Just having some casual conversation. When Peaches began to talk. She often has little bits and pieces of things to say. Things of not much consequence usually. But tonight she started talking about Big Mom. The one that lives in Africa. We've never heard her mention Big Mom before.

She spoke of wanting to go see Big Mom in Africa. The room grew quiet. We listened intently. We asked her if she meant Mom (pointing to Heather). She said no. That was Little Mom. She wanted to go see Big Mom, in Africa. The room was still as we listened.

Peaches has recently had an aversion to things African or things Ethiopian. Even if we have shown her pictures of some of her Hannah's Hope friends, she has said "I don't want to talk about it." We've learned to be very careful in that area. Some days it's OK, other days it's "I don't want to talk about it."

On Sunday, an Ethiopian lady visited our church (no, we don't have a lot of Ethiopian people in the area and yes, it was really cool). Her name is Senait. We introduced Senait to Peaches, and Senait began to speak Amharic to her. Upon hearing the Amharic, Peaches immediately burrowed her head into my chest and then got down and quickly scurried away. When we got home, I asked her why did that. She responded, "I was scared." Ugh. My brain instantly processes the thousands of feelings and emotions that must be flooding her soul. Amharic. Ethiopian. Separation.

So how does a 4 year old mind process these things? Having lost family, food, culture, language, and country, how can she begin to understand that these people that she now lives with will never leave her and will always love her? How can she understand that when she just wants to go see Big Mom in Africa?

As Peaches left the room, and went to do the perfectly contrasting and mundane activity of brushing her teeth and putting on her pajamas, we sat in the room silent. Sunshine cried. T-Bird and Rye Bread were stunned. Heather (Little Mom) was hurt. We all were struck at the reality of the loss in her life - and her inability to understand it or to put it in a box. We talked about the struggle that we heard in her words tonight and how difficult the life of a former orphan really is. Though she now lives in a home that is overflowing with love toward her, there is pain and loss that we can never touch, never understand, never quench.

And yet there is an answer to the seemingly unanswerable question of the pain of her life. The answer is that no matter how destroyed our lives may seem, God is bigger. No matter how deep the hole that we're in may seem, God is bigger. No matter how empty our lives may feel, God is bigger. Though, as her parents, we cannot reach her pain, He can. That's the story of Immanuel, God with us. The Good News is that Jesus came to save sinners. Jesus came to restore lives. Jesus came to heal the broken hearted. Jesus came that we might have life and might have it abundantly.

So how do we answer our little girl's questions about going to see Big Mom in Africa? For now, we love her, a lot. We explain that we can't go to see her now, but maybe someday when she gets older. Then we love her some more. Then we share with her about Jesus. Then we love her some more, and some more, and some more.

Which is what Little Mom is doing right now. She's sleeping in the same room with Peaches. She's sleeping in the same room with her because Peaches is scared at night. And Peaches likes to call out and know that Mom is there. And Peaches likes to reach over and be able to touch Mom in the middle of the night and know that Mom is there. Because that's what Mom's do. They love their children, and then they love them some more, and then they love them some more.

Bursts of Sunshine!

2011-09-19T20:58:00.002-05:00

Our Sunshine is a Senior and has another set of senior pictures - which were taken by the amazing Mrs. Beaver at Unto Him We Live. Incidentally, this arrangement of pics shown below was done by Cassandra, another Beaver that is showing that she has a great eye for photography. It must run in their blood!! And BTW - if you think her picture arranging is good, you should try her chocolate cake!!!

I also want to announce that our Sunshine has her own blog!! It's called Bursts of Sunshine and I invite you to go pay her a visit and give her some love!! You will certainly be brightened by a burst of Sunshine!

I am grateful to God for our Sunshine. We are truly blessed.

Peaches and the Cotton Eye'd Joe

2011-09-16T17:34:00.000-05:00

Question:
- What do you get when you combine an Ethiopian girl and country music at a church retreat???

Answer:
- A lot of laughs!

Enjoy!

LifeLight 2011

2011-09-07T22:24:00.000-05:00

At LifeLight with our newest AGCI adoption friends - Jason and Angie Bishop, and James and Toni Swanson

We went to Sioux Falls again this year for the world's largest outdoor Christian music festival - LifeLight! It was amazing! In addition to our normal clan that included the O's, Davidsons, and Henns, there were also about 100,000 other people there!

On Friday, we heard Reliant K, Hawk Nelson, Fireflight, and Manic Drive. OK, so the last two I had never heard of....but that's because I'm old. And I felt even older when the concert didn't get over till midnight and it was close to 2:00 am before we got home. Yes.....2:00 am....that's in the morning!

On Saturday, we heard Building 429, Britt Nicole (Sunshine's Favorite!), Sanctus Real (Rye Bread and T-Bird have met them before!), Francis Chan (he wrote "Crazy Love" and is an amazing speaker), and my fav of the weekend - Tenth Avenue North.

We've listened to a lot of Tenth Ave North this summer through our many trials, and God spoke to us throughout the summer through their music, and definitely spoke to us during the concert. It was a very worshipful time. What a great reminder that He is always there regardless of what we have done or where we have been or what we're going through.

One of the highlights of the weekend was running into two other AGCI (All God's Children International) families at the concert. Imagine sitting in a field with thousands and thousands of other families listening to the music. Heather and I got up to get the little ones some MORE FOOD (as if we didn't bring enough!). As we're just leaving our lawn chairs, someone asks, "Nordstroms?" It turns out it is none other than Toni Swanson. Toni and her husband are from Sioux Falls and are in the process of adopting from Ethiopia through AGCI. We have had a few email exchanges and follow each other's blogs but had never met. There's always kind of a semi-strange strangeness to meeting someone that you've only known through blogworld!

As we're chatting, Toni motions over behind us and mentions that there is another AGCI family sitting in the same area that is also adopting from Ethiopia! (How can there be three AGCI families with 30 feet of each other at a huge outdoor concert??? Crazy!) Jason and Angie Bishop have been on the waiting list for 14 months. They are now number 4 and are expecting a call very soon. Angie is bursting with questions and excitement and nervousness. It was very fun to meet these other families. And even though we had never met before, it seemed like we were old friends since we all share so many common adoption experiences. While holding our own African Queen, it was good to reassure them that the wait is worth it. I'd do it all again for our little Peaches. A year ago she was in an orphanage, now she's eating mini-donuts in a field at an outdoor music festival in South Dakota with her FAMILY. God, You are good!

So thanks to the Bishops and the Swansons for an encouraging night. Getting to meet you both was a lot of fun.

And the worship of Tenth Avenue North is one of those experiences that I will remember for a long time. There's something about the freshness of God's voice as relayed through song in a field on a cool night in South Dakota. God, you allowed us to relive our summer and remember that you are always faithful. You allowed us to see our summer from the other side of the Red Sea and remember that you are in control every step of the way. Thank you.

You Make Beautiful Things

2011-09-03T10:21:00.000-05:00

In watching the video, there are a number of the families that we know through blog land or through our agency's email loop. We know some of their stories and we know the miracles and the joy that God has brought in their lives.

In the past, when I would watch these videos, I would long for the day that we could hold the little girl that God was going to bring into our lives. Today, after watching the video, I can go hold that girl.

Enjoy the video. Enjoy your kids. Enjoy your family. Enjoy God.

Bomb Pops Can Bring Worship!!

2011-09-01T18:39:00.000-05:00

As I snapped the picture above a couple of days ago, I was amazed to think that it was about a year ago that that little girl was left at the orphanage shown below.

Our little Peaches had been abandoned and was now an orphan. She was living in far western Ethiopia, in a town called Gambella. What would her life be like?

During this same time, a year ago, God was teaching us a lot about patience. Though we certainly were not very good learners. He was working in our little girl's world to bring her to us. He was working in our world to bring us to her. Looking back now, His timing was perfect.

Adoption is amazing. It can take a little girl from a hopeless, poverty-stricken life to a home in Nebraska where they serve bomb pops on nice summer evenings. Through the miracle of adoption, God unites a homeless girl with a family that has room for more. He brings the lonely into a home and fills that home with joy and fills the lonely heart with hope.

How "cool" it is that a bomb pop can turn our eyes to God and once again see our story in a whole new way.

His web is ever spinning, ever bringing worlds together. Holding us so that we rest securely in Him. God we worship You.

Sing to the Lord, for He has triumphed gloriously!

2011-08-27T09:20:00.002-05:00

I was reading this morning in Exodus 14. The story about how God brought the Israelites through the Red Sea. God allowed them to walk through on dry land. But the mighty Egyptian army, fervently pursuing them to bring them back to slavery, was covered by the water and "not one of them remained."

Prior to the miraculous parting of the Red Sea, as the Israelites stood on the bank wondering why God had brought them out of Egypt only to die in the wilderness, they scoffed at Moses (and ultimately God). But God responded to them through Moses and said,

"Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent."

I don't want to over analyze our lives or over dramatize the events of our summer. But I also want to pause and listen to God - to remember the areas of our lives that he has recently touched. For all of us, in the midst of our feverishly high-paced lives, we must stop and give pause to God's workings - to see him, to hear him, to remember him. That is what Heather and I have been doing recently. And God especially spoke to me through Ex. 15 this morning. So walk with me as I remember.

We are in the midst of moving back into our basement now that the Missouri River is slowly edging back into its banks. As we are moving back, we feel as though in the same way that our basement was completely emptied of everything - including the tearing out of carpet and scrapes and gashes on walls - God emptied our lives through a similarly painful process. As the basement became a hollow shell where our kids could no longer live, our lives also seemed hollow and barren. But God didn't just touch the physical house we lived in. No, he touched much more.

I know that I've talked about our summer's woes here before, but I can't stop remembering God's vivid workings in our lives. In addition to the basement (which now seems very minor), God brought about flooding at work, breast cancer in my mom, a heart attack in Heather's dad, kidney cancer in my dad, and a very painful situation within our family - painful beyond all the other difficulties we faced this summer. And in the same way that our basement was gutted, our lives - including dear family members, and right in our own home - was shaken beyond what we thought possible.

We also stood at the Egyptian side of the Red Sea many times this summer, looking back at the approaching Egyptian army. And we equally complained to God and wondered why. In the same way, we saw no way out, no way that God could rescue us.

But he did.

As we were placing things back in the basement yesterday, and moving back from a state of semi-clutter that existed before the summer, to now a state of semi-organization, we see how how it was necessary for God's hand to empty our lives in order to bring healing and order back into our lives. We see how God has healed both my mom and dad from cancer, we see Heather's dad's life spared from a serious heart attack, we see a restoration within our own family that is above and beyond what we could have asked or thought. We have been slowly healed of the scrapes and gashes that occurred and are grateful that he is the one that brought about the scrapes and gashes and that he is the one who heals them too.

In all of this God walked with us. His hand brought every instance of suffering. And his hand brought every instance of healing. No I don't fully understand how that works, but I do know that his word unapologetically declares that he is in control: "I form light and create darkness, I make well-being and create calamity, I am the LORD, who does all these things." Is. 45:7.

We now stand on the other bank of the Red Sea and look back at God's victories. The Israelites also stood on the other bank, and it says in Ex 14:30, "Thus the LORD saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore." That must have been quite a sight. A sight that they should never have forgotten.

But they did.

We want to look back at the great victory that God brought about in our lives and never forget. We want to stand on the bank of the end of our summer and remember that God can do anything and that he will stand with us through any depth of suffering. And he will bring great joy to our lives in the process as we taste his nearness. Whether God brings immediate rescue or not, he is faithful and he is greater than any depth of suffering you or I will face.

After passing through the Red Sea, Moses celebrates God's victory with a song in Ex. 15. I encourage you to read through it as you look back and celebrate the victories that God has brought in your life. These are times when we place stones of remembrance in an act of worship to our God. We remember God's workings as Moses did (Ex. 15:11):

Who is like you, O LORD, among the gods?
Who is like you, majestic in holiness,
Awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?

and we also echo Moses' sister Miriam's song (Ex. 15:21):

Sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously,
The horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.

Imagine what those words meant as they literally were looking at the horse and rider washing up on the shore. Though that may seem graphic, God wants to show his power and wants us to remember the utter and complete defeat of his enemies. His careful protection of his children has no bounds.

We know that God does not always throw the horse and rider into the sea. Sometimes he allows suffering to last for long periods of time. Sometimes the suffering is not removed in this life. He is perfectly just and righteous in placing it in our lives whether it is brief or long-lasting. It is in those times that we taste and see him in ways not possible during the more pleasant periods of our lives. So in suffering, we can rejoice, because we feel his presence.

Even though there is no guarantee of relief in this life, we know that there will be a full and perfect healing and restoration on the last day. He will perfectly make all things complete when we cross that final river and are brought home safely to our Father's arms.

Happy Anniversary! 23 years???

2011-08-20T20:57:00.001-05:00

It's been 23 years and I'm thankful for my girl. It started back in Lincoln where we met while we were attending school at the University of Nebraska (say it with me, "GO BIG RED!!!").

To help celebrate all of our amazing memories from those early years, we went to Lincoln to remember everything our 40 something year old memories can remember. We may have been wrong about every fact we remembered, but as long as we both have fuzzy memories, it really doesn't matter.

Included in our memories was taking a picture in the Cornhusker Hotel on the same staircase that we had had a picture taken back in 1987....one year before we were married. We had only been dating for 6 months.

See if you can figure out which is the picture from 1987 and which is from 2011. We're both fairly certain that we have not aged.

I know, I know. Where did I get those goofy glasses. Arghhhh, the 80's were kind of strange. Don't you think that her blue eye shadow was mesmorizing?

Our view from our room at the Cornhusker Hotel included this:

We went to the Green Gateau for dinner (which I found out in the process of making a reservation on the phone as I asked them whether they had any desserts since their menu on the internet didn't show any desserts that "Gateau" means "cake" in French....oh, duh.....I guess you probably have plenty of desserts). The food was phenomenal!! If you're in Lincoln, you must eat there.

So this is a picture of my girl while we ate at the Green Gateau - Gorgeous!

Here's a picture of her out in front of the restaurant:

And this is a picture of my dessert....yes, I ordered the Green Gateau (which if you're an ignorant American you probably don't know that that means cake in French - I am well aware of that now):

They even serve Ratatouille. Which if you've seen the movie, you know it's pronounced, "Rat Patootie."

We followed up our dinner with a very romantic movie - "The Rise of the Planet of the Apes." Surprisingly, I didn't notice too many other couples celebrating their anniversaries at that movie. Probably went to the later showing.

After spending Friday Night in Lincoln, we headed back home. The amazingly cool thing about the trip was that we left all six kids at home by themselves. Yes, all six kids at home by themselves! It was the first time that they did an overnight by themselves. They did such a great job that I can assure you there will be many more trips. I'm thinking Europe!

On our way home, we stopped in Fremont to see my folks. Dad is still recovering from his kidney cancer removal surgery. He's doing well. We called mom on Saturday morning and told her we'd be coming through. She invited us for lunch and told us that she would put something together for lunch - we're thinking sandwiches. When we arrive, she is pulling goulash out of the oven, has a nice salad prepared, and bread on a nicely set table. You're amazing mom! It was a great meal and great to see them.

I'm thankful to God for my girl. Thankful for 23 years. Looking forward to many, many more!

Love ya girl!

Happy 7th Birthday Eddie Joe!!!!

2011-08-17T22:15:00.000-05:00

Happy birthday Eddie Joe!!! Even though this post is a day late, it's fun to look back at a cool dude who is now 7. (I apologize that these are not in order. One of those blogging struggles that is not worth the fight tonight!).

Enjoy these great pics of Eddie Joe. He gets cooler every day.

This was taken on the day he was born

Always cute.

He's always had a thing about climbing into tight places. There was no telling where we were going to find him from time to time!

1st day of Kindergarten. So excited to learn!

Time with the Big Fella and his sista

2nd Birthday. Looking good in his new Huskers shirt.

Always hangin' out with the Big Fella.

Cuddle time with Grandma.

Maybe the only advantage to living up north.....there is a lot of snow to play in. It's especially good with the Big Fella, T-Bird, and Rye Bread.

The day before his 3rd birthday, chillin' with the Big Fella, listening to their big sister's iPod.

Birthday #3!

If you could only understand the significance of Big Kitty Cat. How he loved that cat, until she was lost on the plane to DisneyWorld. Many tears shed......

Sunshine and Eddie Joe at the park in St. Louis.

Christmas present.....a Packers Helmet!

Welcoming Peaches home. Together as a family of 8 for the first time! Eddie Joe loves his new sister....though there are a few fights from time to time.....that should probably be left for another post....

At the Alamo!

Eddie Joe loves his bike.

Eddie Joe and Rye Bread at the Mall of America.

A couple of mean cowboys!

Eddie Joe loves to play in the sink!

He was so excited to find Donald at DisneyWorld since he had a Donald Duck shirt on! And I think Heather cried when we took this picture.

Fun in the rain puddles is always good with Eddie Joe!

Did I mention that he has super powers?

Birthday #6. That is some serious candle blowin' that's goin' on!

Excited about the new addition!

Eddie Joe with his friend Oksana from Unto Him We Live.

Our celebration of getting our Referral for Peaches. We went to the nicest restaurant in town and had steak for the adults....and what did the kids order? Chicken nuggets and hamburgers! We even included a spot for Peaches' referral picture. What a great night!

Eddie Joe was so excited for his new sister that he wrote out a note for her all by himself. It says "Kom Hom Med E". And even includes some celebratory balloons!

Eddie Joe and his good friend Kate at a wedding. That girl is going to grab him someday!

Fun at Johnson Lake!

Jumpin' in with his sister.

At the Omaha zoo!

We love you Eddie Joe! You always make us smile. You always want to cuddle. You always want to laugh. We are so thankful for you. We hope you had a great birthday!!!!

Pray for this family!

2011-08-15T20:22:00.002-05:00

Thankful for godly friends

Godly friends who are willing to give their lives to others

In spite of the busy-ness of their own lives

Lives that have recently included

Adopting three from Russia

Giving their oldest in marriage

Sending one of their children to Central Asia

And another to Russia

In the midst of all of this

They still have a passion for orphan care

A passion to share their lives with others

A passion to live for Christ

As they are currently traveling to Central Asia

Where one of their girls will serve others

Their posts will be listed here and here and here

Please follow them

Please pray for them

Please encourage them

Their family is the type to jump on board with

And they will encourage you as you join them

Leave some comments

And let them know that they are not alone

Even though they already know

The One is who with them will never leave or forsake them

A Summary of our Summer - Pain and Peace

2011-08-12T19:44:00.000-05:00

We are working on getting our lives back to normal. As you may or may not know, our summer has been a little different than normal. Getting home with our Peaches at the end of March, we were prepared for that segment of our lives to be the most consuming. We were prepared to cocoon and to lay low, adjusting to our new lives with our new little girl.

During our first trip to Ethiopia at the end of February, my mom, who was watching our kids back at home, found out that she had breast cancer. There was a lot of bittersweet feelings knowing we were soon to bring home our Peaches and knowing my mom was to begin a battle with cancer. How do you split your feelings between such opposite emotions? Did I mention that my family has never had any cancer? God, is your timing always good? Are you really in control?

Later in the Spring, in late May, we found out that a flood was coming. The Missouri River would run at three or four times its normal flow for the duration of the summer. We were told that basements in our town could flood due to rising groundwater. So we emptied our entire basement - furniture, carpet, doors, everything. This included the basement section of our new addition - yes, the basement addition that had just been beautifully finished just a mere six months ago. We also had a similar flood threat at work which resulted in working long hours, seven days a week for the month of June. There was no time to breath. We also felt as though we had very little breathe with which to breath. God, why a flood? Don't we have enough going on already?

During the middle of the month of June, Heather's dad had a serious heart attack. It was serious enough to leave his mind not as sharp as it was. It also affected his cardiovascular system so that he is now very out of breath in everything that he does. It was a very sobering time to think about possibly losing him. This was his first heart attack. It was again a wake up call to God's timing and to His voice. We begin to now seriously examine our own hearts and lives. God, what are you saying to us?

Then, within a few weeks after Heather's dad's heart attack, my dad found out that he had kidney cancer. Did I mention that my family has no history of cancer? He ended up having surgery 9 days ago to remove the kidney with cancer. There were concerns because the full extent of the cancer would not be known until he was opened for surgery. We were thankful to find out that the cancer was completely confined inside of the removed kidney. Following the surgery he was completely cancer free. However, he is now down to a single kidney. God? Cancer again? We are listening intently to Your voice. We are bowed low. Selah. Speak Lord.

As if this were not enough, there have been some serious issues within our family that we have had to deal with. Issues that cut to the heart as much, if not even more, as the health issues of our parents. Issues that absorb every ounce of mental and emotional energy that is available. Issues that make you wonder, why now, Lord? We have no strength.

In the midst of all of this, it is easy to ask, is God in control? And if He is, then why is He allowing this? And is it even possible that He is the author of all of this, directing it for His purposes? Heather and I have spent many hours pouring through scripture, pouring our hearts out in prayer with these and many other questions rolling through our minds. We have pondered the very being of our great God and have once again come to see that He is high and mighty and beautiful and glorious and that all of His purposes and plans are perfectly issued from His will with great tender care. We have tasted Him in ways we never thought possible. We have felt a greater need for Him than ever. We have realized our frailty and sensed that we are always sheltered under His wing, always protected even in the midst of seeming chaos.

Now as the summer is winding down, the flood waters are soon to recede. We are thankful that we did not get any water in our basement. My mom's breast cancer has been removed and she courageously withstood 33 radiation treatments. For now, she is clean. Heather's dad continues to recover. He is easily winded, but is able to get around. My dad, as mentioned above, is cancer free. He is at a rehabilitation home recovering from his major kidney surgery. Oh, and our amazing Peaches? She has been the easiest part of our lives over the last 4 or 5 months. Sure, there have been many adjustments as part of having an adopted toddler from Africa, but how we thank God for His many workings in her life. He is so good.

Life is returning to normal. God has blessed us greatly. Not just with many answers to our prayers, but with His presence during times when we received no answer but had to wait. Our prayer now is that as we move away from some of our recent heart-wrenching struggles, that we would still realize that we are just as frail, just as weak, and equally under His wing. We have fallen before God's throne many times this summer. Even though it was during painful times, there was no better place to be.

I encourage anyone else who is hurting with their own indescribable pain, there is peace, there is mercy, there is healing with Him. Fall before Him, call out to Him, quietly listen to Him. He knows your need, He know your pain, He is your peace.

Seven Years Later....We Still Scream for Ice Cream

2011-08-06T21:33:00.002-05:00

Now that's some good ice cream!!!!

It was almost 7 years ago that our Eddie Joe was born. Two days before he was born, we went on our last outing as a family of 6. The outing included a stop at a cool park in LeMars, IA as well as a stop at the Blue Bunny ice cream store. After all, LeMars is the Ice Cream Capital of the World!

Tonight, we also made the same trip to LeMars and went to the same park. And no, we are not two days away from giving birth again!

Enjoy the before and after pics. We sure enjoyed reliving the moments. Oh how much has happened in nearly seven years. Who would have dreamed of all of the ups and downs we have enjoyed as a family.

Sunshine, Rye Bread, and T-Bird - livin' large in August 2004

Same three kids, same swing, seven years later.

Sunshine and The Big Fella. How awesome is that pic!

Sunshine and The Big Fella again. Love reliving these moments!

Heather (with Eddie Joe nearly ready to surface) and The Big Fella.

Heather and Eddie Joe on her lap (rather than in her lap) along with The Big Fella.

Love those kids!

Still having fun? Oh yeah, all of the kids were playing in the park!

(great pic Sunshine!)

Me and my girl

The Big Fella!

They are all in jail after being tagged by the Monster!

T-bird - the Monster

Peaches had a blast at the park

Eddie Joe loves a good park too

The eight of us outside the Blue Bunny Ice Cream store in LeMars, IA

Thanks to Blue Bunny for a great night!

Senior Pictures....already???

2011-07-31T17:19:00.000-05:00

It's hard to believe it's time for Senior pictures already. It seems like just yesterday that we were holding our little preemie Sunshine in the hospital. And now she needs Senior pictures? How can that be? My beautiful Sunshine is growing up quickly. Her wonderful smile brings Sunshine wherever she goes. I love you girl!

We were blessed to have our good friend Mrs. Beaver (from Unto Him We Live) take a few pictures (I think it was around 1,000 for the first sitting!) of our darling gal. And while she had her camera out, we decided to have her snap some pics of our Konjo Peaches too. We knew Mrs. Beaver would be up for the added person in the pictures since she has a wee-bit of a heart for kids who are former orphans (she and her husband have adopted 9 from Russia and 1 domestically).

As you can see, the two girls have some serious photogenic abilities (this from their unbiased father). Their smiles lit up the photos....and trust me there are a mere 992 other pics with equally impressive radiance!

I'm thankful for my two girls. They come from worlds apart, but have grown close and both bring joy to this Dad's heart. Although one is biological and one is adopted, they are both equally a part of our family and are both loved.

Enjoy these 8 pics for now, and I'll try and include some of the other hundreds of pics in future updates.

Oh.......and I'm told that there will be additional sittings.....to capture different seasons, different outfits, different hairstyles. Really??? How things have changed in 20-something years!

A Night of Things Ethiopian

2011-07-25T20:49:00.002-05:00

In the midst of our overloaded summer, we were treated to a last minute invite from the Henns. They were having a man from Ethiopia whom they had just met recently over for dinner. It was an opportunity for us to get together and celebrate things Ethiopian.

We haven't had too many chances to party recently, so we were very grateful. And once we found out that Ta was serving injera and wat, we were definitely in.

The friend whom the Henns had just met is a pharmacy student in the middle of his residency. His name is Wasihun. He was just finishing up a 5 week residency in Sioux City. The Henns met him while chatting with their Dr., and in typical Henn fashion, they invited him over for dinner. Who does that??? Oh yeah....the Henns.

Wasihun has an amazing story which I won't detail here out of fairness to him. But, I will say that it includes tremendous loss at a young age, adventurous travel through multiple countries as he escaped the war-torn region of his country, self-learning multiple languages, finishing high school in a foreign country, and later putting himself through pharmacy school. Did I say he is incredibly fascinating??? I could go on and on. We were amazed by his tenancity, and yet his gentleness also.

We decided to go ahead and wear our Ethiopian clothes that we purchased in Addis. It was a great night celebrating the Ethiopian heritage that our families share. We have a great love for things Ethiopian - having traveled there twice and having a beautiful Ethiopian daughter - it will always have a special place in our hearts. It turned out for a great night.

Thanks to the Henns for their always-present hospitality. In the midst of their many (is 6 a lot?) of kids, they always take time for those around them.

Here are some pics of the night. I wished I would have taken more, but I was thwarted by batteries (or lack thereof)!

Peaches knew exactly what to do with the injera and pasta

She was so focused. It reminded us of our time at Hannah's Hope, watching her eat with all of her friends. Her face lit up as she prepared her injera and pasta.

She dug right in, shoving large bites, deep into her mouth

That face can only be saying, "YUM"!

The Big Fella wasn't so sure about the injera, so he decided to go with the "pasta only" option

Peaches and her good buddy Giggles. Everyone loves Giggles!

Peaches and Heather, hanging out together in their Ethiopian garb

Konjo!

Eddie Joe enjoyed the dessert!

T-Bird and Rye Bread were sporting their Ethiopian football shirts

Buzzard and Ta, along with Wasihun. Wasihun went home with the injera and wat that Ta made, along with some Kola and some sweets! Ta - thanks for the incredible food!

Wasihun, me, and my girl. Wasihun not only went home with some leftovers, he also went home having some new friends. Thanks for the great night Wasihun! We hope the best for you as you continue your residency.

Yes, we're still here....some pics with our latest updates

2011-07-13T19:37:00.002-05:00

It's been a long, long time since we've written, but here's an update of some of the things we've been up to:

Minion glasses from "Despicable Me" look great on Peaches

Peaches had a great time chasing parachutes on her first 4th of July. One of our nation's newest citizens, she loved the celebration.

They always keep track of how many parachutes each person has.

When you have two 14 year old boys who can light all of the fireworks, it means everyone else can just sit back and take it all in.

Heather took her first attempt at putting rubber bands in Peaches' hair. It's growing out quickly....and we still have a lot to learn.

We spent 5 days at Johnson Lake near Lexington, NE with the Nordstrom side of the family. Here are T-bird and Rye Bread with two of their favorite cousins. It's always a blast when the four Peanuts (self-proclaimed name that goes way back) get together.

Is it possible to take a bad picture of Eddie Joe? He loves to swim!

The Big Fella had a great time swimming too!

Momma and Peaches spent a lot of time floating together. Peaches knows how to chill in the water.

Peaches and Eddie Joe had a great time swimming together.

Peaches, Eddie Joe, and The Big Fella - Life doesn't get much better than this.

Peaches and Eddie Joe had a great time jumping in the lake, over and over and over and over again.

This girl is a fish!

Cannonball!

These two sisters are both fearless when they go tubing. Sunshine had a great time showing Peaches the ropes. Then all Peaches would say is, "Faster! Faster!"

They both loved to get flying and catch some air.

Peaches is forced to lay beneath the weight of a large man. There was no way she was going to fall off!

We had a lot of fun riding together.

Sunshine had a great time at the lake. She lives to tube and she cannot be thrown off!

Sunshine and T-Bird!

Peaches and Sunshine

The Big Fella and Sunshine. Always with the tongue.....???

Sunshine and Eddie Joe

The four Peanuts. This is one of the more "normal" pictures they took.

The four Peanuts training two young innocent children how to be really weird.

Now they can do it on their own! The training is complete.

Momma loves the lake. But even better is time with her kids. Here she is with the Big Fella.

I've been gone from blog world for almost two months. I won't go into all the reasons why, but some include flooding at work, flood preparations at home (we live near the Missouri River), Heather's dad having a recent heart attack, and some other things. Prior to these challenges, the last year had been filled with blessings beyond anything we've ever experienced. With the completion of Peaches' adoption and the addition to our house, it was a very full and fun year. Yet, the last two months have been some of the hardest we've ever faced. We feel as though we were sauntering together through a park, smiling and laughing, and then out of nowhere, we were hit by a bus.

We trust that God is in control. We trust that God has a plan for us and that it is good. We trust that He is in all of this to the same extent that He was in the blessings of last year. Yet it's hard to trust, hard to know, hard to feel as though He is always near.

Psalm 46 has been a great reminder that "God is our Refuge and Strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear."

We hope that everyone's summer is going well and that you are sensing God's nearness and workings in your lives.

Our Latest Update in Pictures.....

2011-05-22T18:44:00.000-05:00

Our latest update in Pictures.....

The Big Fella loves to swing. He's hard to get in focus in whatever he does because he is always on the move when he's outside.

Eddie Joe and Peaches were flying high too

Peaches was wearing the same shoes that she wears for baseball - her Barbie high heels

It was planting time in the field behind our backyard a couple of weeks ago. Eddie Joe enjoyed watching the planter go by. When I asked him yesterday to go check and see if the corn was coming up or not, he ran out to the field and got down on his knees and studied the dirt very closely. After a couple of minutes he came back with great confidence at his discovery and told me that there wasn't any corn, but there were a lot of green plants all in a row! It took a little while to explain that the green cornstalk grows first, then the corn grows on the cornstalk.

I really enjoy watching the tractor too. My family can attest to this strangeness. There are many more pictures of the tractor that I'll just leave out, even though I find them completely fascinating and I'm sure you would too. Though my family seems to think that others would find it boring. Is that possible? This is farming right in our backyard! What could be better?

T-bird was making his move on Rye Bread. T-bird clearly looks and plays a lot like Rajon Rondo.

And Rye Bread clearly looks and shoots like Ray Allen (yes, they are both Celtics fans!)

Rhubarb time! Yes, and Heather and I are the only ones in the family that like it, so there will be plenty for the two of us. Thanks Bo for your talents in the kitchen. There's nothing like rhubarb in the spring.

It's in the oven right now!!!

We met Grandma and Grandpa at Perkins for dinner. They have been so supportive of Peaches and of our journey to bring her home. We're very thankful for them, and I know Peaches enjoys them too.

And Grandpa is clearly smitten by her too. He spelled out her name using some ceramic tile on an old, rustic board. It will look great in her room.

We found a small Ethiopian grocery store in our town of 12,000. How did we not know it existed??? We bought some injera and also bought some Hambasha bread. Good stuff.

And Jubba's Grocery also sells Ethiopian spices. My eyes are watering just looking at the containers knowing how spicy the contents are!

They also sell Teff Flour and a variety of meats, including goat meat.

It's always great to look back at what's on our camera to remember what's happened in the last week or two. Life is flying by pretty quickly and we are enjoying it immensely. A year ago we were newly on the waiting list for a toddler girl. Now we're at home with her and soaking in life together. Though the wait seemed long, it hardly seems like it even existed now. For those on the waiting list, it will go quickly and you will soon be home with your little one watching life fly by too. And it is all worth the wait!

I lub you Daddy

2011-05-16T21:59:00.002-05:00

Video - The City of Addis

2011-05-15T22:09:00.001-05:00

A video of some of the great work that is going on in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. In addition to focusing on some of the ministries in Ethiopia, it also gives a good feel for the people and the culture....and the great needs.

Is God calling you to reach out to those around you? Is God calling you to help one of these ministries? Is God calling you to go?

3 Month Update

2011-05-14T09:15:00.002-05:00

One of the requirements of our adoption is that we have a 3 month update completed by a Social Worker. The update is then submitted to our Agency who then submits it to the Ethiopian government. Updates are required at 3, 6, and 12 months, and then every year until Peaches turns 18. The first three updates consist of the SW visiting our house, interviewing Heather and me, and sort of giving an overall visual look at our kids, Peaches, etc. The line of questioning reviews all of the typical adoption related questions such as bonding, sleeping, eating, grieving, language, emotions, and the thousand different types of adjustments that have occurred. Since our original court date was on February 28th (the day she legally became our daughter), our 3 month update is due at the end of this month.

It's seems strange to be doing a 3 month update when we've only been home for about 6 or 7 weeks. On the one hand, we still feel like we're just getting to know each other, just beginning to understand each other. And on the other hand, we can't remember life without our Peaches. As we think about what's happened in our lives this year already, we pause as we remember that we've traveled to Africa and back twice, added a beautiful little girl to our family, watched our five other children all make amazing sacrifices to make room for our new little one, and oh yeah, also completed an addition to our house. Maybe that's why we're tired a lot??? Well, that's my excuse anyway.

The visit by the SW was a good time to review where we are with Peaches. The questions regarding language reminded us of how far we've come, and also how much farther we have to go. We are able to communicate very basic concepts. Peaches has never been really verbal, so her language has been slower than what we have perceived the transition of other Amharic speaking toddlers (though our perception could be wrong). But there has been progress and for that we are thankful. Much of her early frustration (and still some of her frustration today) is related to her lack of ability to explain something or to understand our explanations. But as the language improves, we can see her increased relaxation into our family. Her fears and anxieties slowly dissolving away. That's a very good thing.

We also discussed her bonding. If you've followed our story, you know that Peaches has bonded extremely well with Heather and the kids, but very poorly with me. We are thankful to God that that bonding with me has been improving. I am still not the person of choice when there are emotions involved (sad, angry, etc.), but she will give me a hug if she's happy and she really does enjoy playing with me. The improvements are very noticeable and we are on the right track. The bond she has with Heather is very good. Although Peaches is definitely not a huggy, cuddly type of child, she does enjoy close time with her momma. And her momma loves to read books to her little Peaches - and the other kids that gravitate to her when a book is opened. It's a beautiful sight to see. That is ultimately what family is all about and that is what we love to do - to see her settle into our family and see the love flow from us to her and from her to us. Thank you God for the work you are doing in her little heart.

There were many other topics we discussed and we were encouraged to realize that overall things are going pretty well. She is still whining and crying (LOUDLY and with GREAT tears) when she doesn't get her way, she is still demanding of everything that she wants (does NOT understand the word share), she is still sleeping with Heather at night. But with all of these things we see improvements. We have read many books and have talked with many adoptive families and have known all of the things we've dealt with were going to be a possibility. But, it's suddenly scary to see them in your own child. It looks completely different when the issue is staring you in the face rather than just reading about it in a book. You can put a book down and move on to your day, you can't do that with a child. You must continue to love, hold, embrace - even in the face of opposition from your child.. You can't take a day off. I've watched Heather do this with an amazing God-given capacity. I'm so thankful for her.

Thinking through the improvements we've seen, we can't help but give God the glory. There are so many areas of her heart and soul that we cannot reach, we cannot touch, we cannot see. But God can. He is able to know her deepest hurts and insecurities and provide a healing that is full and complete. We can reach into those parts of her life that she allows us to, but God can reach every part. We know that He is working always. And not just in her life, but in the life of everyone in our family. We've all been affected by the adoption, we've all had our lives inconvenienced, our feelings hurt. But we've also tasted God's grace and healing touch in a new way. We're thankful that He is always working, not just in Peaches life, but in our lives too.

I have a little girl on my lap who wants waffles, so I should go. This is one of those beautiful moments that you cherish. Thank you God for Peaches and for Your loving, healing touch.

Our Weekend in Pictures

2011-05-08T22:18:00.001-05:00

Weekend highlights.....

Friday night was a perfect night for a fire in the backyard

Peaches is always ready for a cup of tillick woohah (big water)

She was excited that her cup could sit right next to her in the cup holder

Eddie Joe loves to smile!

T-bird, Rye Bread, and our dog Doofenschmirtz joined the fire too. Sunshine wasn't with us because she was in Chicago with her High School choir. We missed her!

Doofenschmirtz even had his own chair. This is probably why I was standing most of the night.

Mother's Day included Cold Stone Ice Cream for supper. There's really nothing wrong with that is there? There must be some amount of protein in a "Cookie Doughn't You Want Some" signature dish, don't you think? Besides, the diet starts next week, not this week.

After "supper," we headed off to the park

I asked her to smile and she immediately started making goofy faces. I don't know about her!

That's a girl who is having herself some fun

Peaches hung around all night with her buddy Erna from Hennhouse Happenings

And here's The Big Fella with his buddy Dash, also from Hennhouse Happenings

Peaches and Bear (yes, from Hennhouse Happenings)

The Henns brought home their two from Ethiopia almost four years ago. To go along with their 4 bio kids, they also have six kids, similar to us. This enables us to basically take over a park when we are together. We always find encouragement from them when we're together since they have been down the adoption road before. They are a great wealth of information and perspective for us.

Peaches has continued to improve in bonding and language. We are thankful for the daily changes we see. We know that God is at work and He is doing great things despite the many mistakes we have made.

I'm especially thankful for Heather today. She does an amazing job with our six kids every day. The love that she has for them continually pours forth from her into their lives. It's been an even greater view into her capacity for mothering since Peaches came home. I have seen an even greater strength and passion for her kids than I had thought possible. Peaches has required a tremendous amount of effort during these first six weeks home. And even though the work with Peaches never ends, Heather continues to move forward, pouring forth love into this precious little child. I am very fortunate to have her as my wife and as the mother of my children. Thanks Heather for being my girl!

And to my own Mom, thanks for all you have done and continue to do. You are a great example of someone who has selflessly served her family for many, many years. And even now despite the battle you are in the middle of, your strength is unquestionable, and the Source of your strength is undeniable. I very, very thankful for you. Much, much love to you Mom.

Pictures, Lots of Pictures!

2011-04-30T20:32:00.000-05:00

A summary of what we've been up to.....

Eddie Joe ready for Easter. He loves his vest and tie.

The whole fam together for our first group pic

Peaches and her friend Jaynie, setting the table for Easter dinner at the Beavers' house.

Peaches always enjoys a good laugh with Jaynie!

Peaches and her good friend Oksana. Continents united. An African orphan and a Russian orphan united as friends in America.

Baseball in the beanfield behind our backyard. Since the field hasn't been planted yet, it makes a great place to play ball. Peaches' choice of shoes were her Barbie high heels. I'm guessing she didn't play baseball in high heels in a beanfield in Ethiopia very much! Welcome to Nebraska, Peaches! Welcome to our family!

The high heels had to come off for her to really dig in. She hits the ball off the ground like a golfer.

Our hope is that God's peace will cover her even to a greater extent than the peace signs that cover her shirt.

I think she's getting ready to steal third base.

Definitely the new trend for baseball players this Spring.

Love to see the brightness of her face!

The Big Fella is always having a good time when there is a baseball game going on.

Shoes are set aside and now Peaches is taking a great whack at the ball.

Eddie Joe is up to bat, Rye-Bread is catching, and T-Bird is bringin' the heat.

The big swing! I think it's out-a-here!

Grandma came to visit to meet Peaches for the first time. We were so glad to have Grandma, Grandpa, and even my favorite sister Rachel for a visit!

There's always music when Grandma and Grandpa come for a visit. Rye-Bread is playing guitar as we sing "Marvelous Light."

Grandma has waited a long time to hold her newest grandchild. And there's no better place for Grandma to be with her newest little girl than at the piano.

(Not sure what's on Eddie Joe's mind!)

Here's my favorite sister Rachel with Grandma. Grandpa was already in the car ready to go!

More pink and purple items were purchased at Wal-Mart today. I'm really not sure how those items keep getting in the cart. I'm certain it's not my fault but that I am being subjected to some type of Jedi mind trick by Peaches.

Thanks Anh for doing laundry again for us!!!! You can't imagine what it means to us!

Dad shopping with the youngest three. The trip included a stop at Starbucks for some donuts (and coffee for me)......

.....A shopping extravaganza at Wal-Mart where Peaches' brothers taught her how to ride on the side of the shopping cart.....

.......And a stop at McDonald's for Chocolate Shakes! Now that's a fun day!

Peaches has been home with us for a month and 3 days. We continue to settle in, we continue to struggle, we continue to grow in to one another, we continue to love. We are reminded daily of her difficult past and reminded daily of God's healing touch. This girl that was at an orphanage in Africa is now drinking milkshakes and eating donuts with her siblings. She's playing baseball in high heels, and she's wearing the latest girl's fashion designs from Wal-Mart. I'm thankful for how God has blessed her already, how He's placed her in our lives, how we are made fuller by having her. I'm thankful that God allowed us to have room for more.

Our Easter Afternoon.....

2011-04-25T20:51:00.000-05:00

We were honored by being invited to the Beavers' house for Easter dinner. I had great thoughts of taking some pics to be able to blog about our Easter afternoon. But, I took very few pics - mainly because I was busy eating a lot of food and drinking a lot of coffee (both of which were amazing). One of the best parts of the meal was eating the wonderful kartoshka made by Daria. So while I was busy eating lots of kartoshka and ham, Mrs. Beaver was busy taking great pics and later putting together a great blog about the day. Read and enjoy our afternoon by clicking HERE. Thanks to the Beavers for inviting us over and allowing your continuously overflowing love to spill on to us!

He Is Risen!

2011-04-24T19:09:00.002-05:00

Instructions for Rice Cooking? Well-done

2011-04-23T20:30:00.000-05:00

So, Heather was making rice with her new rice making machine. A friend recommended it as a way to make some easy food for Meddie. It was the second time that she had used it and she noticed that it wasn't working very well this time just like it didn't work very well the first time. And the crazy machine didn't come with directions either!

I had just walked in the house from work while she was cooking the rice and I noticed a smoke smell. I was mindful that my question might seem to insinuate something about her cooking, but still I wanted to know, "what is that smoke smell??? It smells like something is definitely burning???" She said, yeah, she noticed it too.

So this new rice making machine that was recommended to make her life easier, didn't work very well, had a strange smell, and didn't come with any instructions!!

Here's a picture of the rice making machine:

So after fighting the smell through the second cooking of rice, she decided to dig into things a little bit. After pulling out the metal bowl that the rice sits in, she was so excited to have found the instructions!!!

After turning them over, she realized what the burning smell was!!

The directions had been originally packaged in between the metal bowl that holds the rice and the burner that the metal bowl sits on. The whole conundrum was figured out. The directions were found, we figured out why it wasn't working well, and now the burning smell was gone! Now, if we could just make out what those charred instructions say.......

Latest Pics of Meddie

2011-04-20T18:56:00.002-05:00

Some new pictures of our Konjo Meddie. Enjoy the look into our lives with our little girl.

Wearing a "How to Train Your Dragon" helmet and a "Cinderella" bib and eating pasta and drinking chocolate milk. Life is good and yes, she's probably going to get spoiled.

A smile for the camera showing off her earrings. Her ears were pierced at some time in her past and so she occasionally likes to put in a pair of Sunshine's earrings.

Whenever we try to pour her a glass of milk, she runs to the fridge and points at the chocolate syrup and says, "this one." She will even go to the fridge and get the milk and the chocolate syrup out and begin to make her own - as she's doing above. She is much, much more independent and willing to fend for herself than any of our other kids. It shows some of the resourcefulness that she had to learn earlier in life.

Fun games with her brothers. T-Bird's not sure what game they're playing here. He only knows that he is supposed to lie still...she has four amazing brothers.

I had to include this pic of the Big Fella......because he's the Big Fella!

Peaches eating some peaches

Today she discovered some of Katie's dolls from many years ago that we didn't even know we still had. She had a lot of fun with them and even brought them in her stroller today when we took a walk.

So thankful for an amazing group of friends from our church! Elizabeth came over today to clean.....she dusted throughout the house and cleaned our floors. We can't say thank you enough!

So how's the bonding going? It's going better, though we have a long way to go. She was willing to sit in my lap since she was going to get her picture taken. She's still not allowing much closeness, but I'll take this any day. In the 3.5 weeks that we've been home, I've only had a few hugs from her. But I know many more will come with time. We have many, many years to get to know each other!

A New Song

2011-04-17T15:43:00.000-05:00

We attended church today for the first time as a family of eight - BTW, that's pretty much an entire row at our church. Unsure how Meddie would respond, we proceeded cautiously awaiting a meltdown of unknown size and/or timing. But to our delight, she responded quite well. You could see the gears turning in her mind as she tried to process all that was going on around her - strange language, lots of people, many kind people approaching her closely with big smiles, etc. She quietly took it all in.

Heather first took her to Eddie Joe's Sunday School class and sat with her. After a short time, Meddie decided it would be good to rotate between Eddie Joe's Sunday School class, the adult Sunday School class, and the nursery. Realizing that each one was somewhat boring after a few minutes, she would point to the door and turn to Heather and they were off to the next place in the rotation. It's amazing how much can be communicated with eye contact, hand pointing, and small sounds. I do think she enjoyed the ability to migrate and sample different parts of the church building. I know that most eyes were following her as she was coming and going, rather than listening in Sunday School.

Once the worship service started, we were even more unsure how she would respond. But we were surprised by her response to the singing. We had a missionary speaking, a great man from Cameroon whom we have come to know quite well through his visits over the years. The emphasis of the morning had a missions flavor and the songs that we sang also shared that message. As Heather and I stood together, with Heather holding Meddie, we sang great songs of sharing God's love with the nations. To our delight, we could hear our little African Princess humming along. Though she didn't know the words or the melody, she was following our sounds in her own quiet little hum. It was moving to consider our congregation singing together of taking the gospel to the nations while our little beauty who has come so recently from a faraway nation was singing in Heather's arms. This, the very building where God had called us to adoption, was now where we were singing together as a family of eight, worshiping our great God, holding our beautiful girl. It was a Selah moment to pause and remember God's goodness.

I often have to stop and take a moment to think of the work that God has done already in the life of this little girl. And in our lives too. We are challenged daily by the adjustments that are happening in our family, but not nearly as much as she is challenged by the changes that are happening to her. She still has little to do with me during her sad or emotional times - leaving Heather as the single parent to work through the emotions with a sad or frightened heart. It's understandable that she would reject one of us - after all, where have we been for the last 4.5 yrs of her life? We enter her life, take her to a new world, and she's left to wonder, "what next?" And it's in that wondering that we see the deep thoughts in her eyes and the pain in her little crying voice as she tries to process something that she can't understand or comprehend. Even if we had language to share the words, the mind of a four year old is not able to grasp the depth of loss that has happened to her.

But the singing voice from this morning is a reminder that God is in control. God called us to adopt, God led us to our little Peaches, and God can heal her. This morning's song that she hummed was merely a repeating of the sounds she was hearing from us. But, we long for the day when she sings a new song, a song that God places in her heart, a song of healing, a song of peace, a song of joy, a song of worship.

And they sang a new song, saying,

"Worthy are you to take the scroll

and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood

you ransomed people for God

from every tribe and language and people and nation."

Rev. 5:9

Ice Cream, You Scream!

2011-04-13T18:45:00.000-05:00

A very important food group at our house is ice cream. Check out the video of Meddie enjoying her first bowl of ice cream. I think she's going to fit in just fine around here!

More Airport Homecoming Thoughts

2011-04-12T20:54:00.001-05:00

Airport Homecomings are an amazing end of the "bringing home" part of the adoption. It is the finalization of all of the effort that it takes to bring a child home from a distant country to be united with your own family. It is a bringing together of all of the friends and family that participated in the adoption process and cheered you along the way. It is the exclamation point that says "We're HOME"!

The Stauffers are a family from Des Moines that drove 3 hours just to attend our homecoming. They are also with AGCI and are currently working on their dossier - specifically they are on the fingerprinting stage. They got to know us through blog world and through our agency's email loop. They were kind enough to drive all that way and kind enough to take pictures and even kind enough to post about our homecoming.

So please take a moment and visit their website by clicking here ---> Answering God's Call to Orphan Call

Thanks Stauffers for all your kind words and for being there to celebrate with us!

We are so thankful for so many friends who attended our airport homecoming. Even after 27 hours of travel, we were sky high as we looked around at so many friends. We were thankful to the Beavers for their many pictures and their posts, we were thankful to the Schmidts for putting together an awesome DVD, to Layner (and others) who took our luggage and carry-ons to the car without even being asked, to Tess and family who made the many, many cupcakes, to those who made such colorful signs and brought balloons and brought smiles and hugs and joy. We are so, so blessed. It was a great celebration of the work that God had performed during an amazing 16 months of our lives. Thanks for being there with us! Thanks be to God.

I have linked to these before, but wanted to once again give a special thanks to be Beavers for these kind posts:
Kind Post 1
Kind Post 2
Kind Post 3

A blog post doesn't begin to thank all of the people to the degree that we would like to. There were many that prayed, many that called, many that helped with our kids (and dog!), many that cooked, many that served in ways that we would never have imagined. We can't thank everyone enough for your love and support and for just being there for us. You have all perfectly demonstrated the love of Christ in ways that we will never forget.

Konjo Meddie

2011-04-06T22:21:00.000-05:00

One thing we've learned in the ten days that we've been home is that adoption is not all about smiles. The pictures we post on our blog and on facebook show a lot of smiles. But many times, there just aren't any. As it is with life, much of what we share are the happy moments. The other times? Well we'd rather just post pictures of smiles.

We've been going through a lot of adjustments here. First, I'm reminded again of the changes that our Konjo Meddie is going through (Konjo is "beautiful" in Amharic). She has left her culture, her country, her food, her language, her friends - they are all gone now. She is now living life in the middle of a family that loves her dearly, but has its own faults. Those are a lot of changes for a little 4.5 yr old girl to go through. Even if she is extremely Konjo.

Her sleep habits have been good and have been bad. Right now, they're not so good. As I'm blogging, Heather is laying down with her, hoping she'll go to sleep tonight. Last night, Konjo Meddie was up many times. Naps? They've been essentially non-existent. Combine a tired, language-less 4 yr old with a tired mom, and well, you know how that goes. There are many things that I've read about adopted children fighting sleep, and let me tell you, they are all true! For a child to sleep, they must feel safe, they must feel at rest, they must feel comfortable with loosing control, they must deal with the thoughts in their minds since the visual stimulation of the day disappear, there is much that is going on. Combine that with the fact that she is a 4 yr old that just might not want to go to bed, or just might not want to do what Mom and Dad says, or just might need to go to the bathroom (again), or just might really need a drink, or just might really be scared.........

Enough about sleep! Food has been good. Sleep and food are the two big initial battlegrounds, and the food has been (as they say in Africa) "no problem." Though it is likely due to the passenger that she brought along with her from Ethiopia. The "friend" within her will hopefully disappear soon as we are now dosing it with some type of liquid medication to eradicate it. Thankfully, she is taking her medication with no issues. We're through 7 of the 15 doses so far. We'll see what happens to her appetite when she is no longer eating for two.

Bonding? It's been great with our five other kids. There have been virtually no issues with them over the last 10 days. She has bonded beautifully with Sunshine our 17 yr old daughter. And all of the boys have been magical with her. In fact, Sunshine took all of the kids to Wed night church tonight while Heather and I stayed home with Konjo Meddie. After about 45 minutes, Konjo Meddie wanted to know where her brothers and sister were....enough of the night with the parents only! I am extremely thankful that Konjo Meddie's siblings are so patient with her. They go out of their way to die to self daily with her. God's grace and mercy have poured through their lives right into little Meddie's heart.

Bonding has also been good with Heather. I am very thankful with that since I am at work during the day and Heather is Meddie's main link to the world. Let me just say that Konjo Meddie has an amazing mom!

Bonding with me? It's only good when it's on her terms. She dictates everything and it's very clear that she's doing it. If it's playtime, she's all about dad. She likes to be playful and have me chase her and push her on the swing and just have fun. But if I correct her with a simple "no," then it is rejection time. If she's tired and I come near her, it's rejection time. If she needs help with something and I come near her unrequested, it's rejection time. It seems as though she's chosen to reject one parent and that's me. Her grief and her inability to understand what's going on around her is channeled into a vote of "I don't like what's going on." She stays warm to Heather (most of the time) in order to keep the motherly love flowing to her. She rejects me as a means of expressing her desire for independence. It's a complicated flow of emotions that I'm sure she herself doesn't even understand.

This is why Heather is laying with her right now and I'm blogging. Even if I wanted to go in and help, there would be rejection. I tried to fight through the rejection two nights ago. I was reminded once again that she was not ready and that a very recently internationally adopted child cannot be parented in the same manner that I've parented five other bio kids. As much as my gut says to do this or do that, there are different rules that cannot be ignored. I'm scouring books for wisdom, praying much, and talking with friends who have walked down similar roads. Suddenly my parenting experience is not of much use. So we desire to love her as Christ would love her and forgive her as Christ would forgive her. Isn't that what adoption is all about? Isn't that what parenting is all about? Oh how we gain new glimpses into God's patient love for us.

Sleep and bonding. Those are the two things we are battling. They are tiring and can be frustrating. They do not come through in happy blog posts. But, that is where we are living. Sure, there are many happy times. Yes, things have gone extremely well in a lot of areas. And certainly, there have been a lot of happy pictures and videos that have been recorded. And we are extremely grateful for God's mercy that's been extended to our family. But to leave the story just at happy blog pictures would be less than truthful. Because we're tired and we're confused. We know that this is a marathon we're running, not a sprint. We know her problems and adjustments won't all be resolved in a few short days, or weeks, or months. We know much love and wisdom will be required. We know we don't have that love or wisdom, but God does. We know that He's enough for all of our shortcomings. We know that He will sustain us and He will heal her.

In the end, the reality of adoption is similar to the reality of life. We are all broken vessels. Whether we are adopted or living with our biological family, we all need to be filled with God's love. We need to taste His goodness. We need Him. Because He is Konjo, and we are not.

Peaches and Eddie Joe.....on video!

2011-04-04T17:05:00.002-05:00

Peaches and Eddie Joe entertaining each other......

(At the beginning of the video she is repeatedly counting to three...."one, two, sa-dee, one, two, sa-dee....." Love her accent!)

Latest Pics of Peaches

2011-04-03T17:42:00.000-05:00

Home for a week now. Here's a few of the things that we've been up to.

Playing with Play-doh

Playing with dolls

Some of the signs that were made for our Airport party. There were many, many more. So colorful. A lot of the kids put many hours into making them. We are so grateful and thankful for the warm welcome.

Momma and Peaches dressed for the cold weather

Peaches has really bonded with Sunshine. It's been great to see the sista love!

She's trying a carrot here. The carrot - she didn't like. Sunshine - always brings her a smile.

Peaches and her buddy Eddie Joe. He's an amazing big brother.

Watching a moving while eating some popcorn.

I told her I wanted to take her pic, and she walked right over and put her arm around Eddie Joe and gave a huge smile.

She enjoyed giving some smiles while wearing one of Sunshine's headbands

Each time we'd take a pic, she'd run over to the camera to look at the newly taken photo and giggle.

She also enjoys sticking her tongue out when the camera's around. Goofy!

You've been home for a week now Peaches. We look forward to experiencing many, many more new things together. We look forward to seeing that smile for many years to come. But we also know there will be many days when the smiles aren't there. And we want you to know that we will be there for you and with you whether there are smiles or not. Because we are your family. We are your Mommy and Daddy. We love you. You are HOME!!!

Pictures of Peaches - We're changed forever!

2011-03-30T19:15:00.000-05:00

Some of the pictures of Meddie Grace......our lives are changed forever!

Meddie, Heather, and Meserat - one of the Special Mothers at Hannah's Hope (they are always warm and always smiling!)

The greatest traveling group around! Three toddler girls going HOME!!!

The carpet that welcomes you to the Riviera Hotel in Addis. Their spelling may not be the best, but their friendliness was flawless.

What a smile!!!

The three girls at the Addis Ababa airport getting ready for a midnight flight. Everyone was watching them.

Meddie at the Addis airport. Soon to begin a 27 hour trip HOME!

The three girls arrived safely at the Amsterdam airport! Saying goodbye as they head their separate ways. Looking forward to many reunions with those girls. Meddie asks about them every day!

Trying some oranges at the Amsterdam airport. The egg McMuffin was pushed to the side.

Still smiles after the first eight hour flight.

The first night at home, ready for bed, united with her sister Sunshine. What a bond that has developed already between those two!!!

Life is good playing with Eddie Joe

Air Hockey with The Big Fella in the basement is good too

It takes a lot of clothes to go outside in Nebraska

There will be many, many hours reading books on Momma's lap. Life is good!

Injera and wat - complements of Tanya Henn - Thanks Ta!!!!

Airport Party!! We're Home!!

2011-03-28T09:23:00.000-05:00

We partied at the Sioux City airport last night as we arrived home with our Meddie. There were 50-60 people who showed up to laugh, cry, love, and celebrate the moment with us. We are so thankful for an amazing group of friends!!! What can we say to so many people who have walked this road with us??

Our wonderful friends blogged about the homecoming over at their blog. Please click HERE to see their post. Thanks so much Denise for your beautiful post.

We are overwhelmed by God's goodness today as we wake up to an amazing Gambella girl playing with dolls and shoes and balloons and cars and on and on! Is she really home? WOW!!!

Some Pics from Ethiopia and Day 2 Summary

2011-03-26T06:28:00.000-05:00

Our final goodbye to Hannah's Hope. We loved our time there, but are even happier leaving those gates with our girl in our arms.

My good friend and my favorite waiter Sebesebie. I can't begin to tell you how warm and kind the people here are.

A little exercise at 7500 feet elevation!

Fun in the hotel room with games and toys

We love you Meddie Grace!

Update from Day 2 – Thursday 3/24/11

Last night sleep was somewhat elusive as my body was convinced it was daytime. But, we both managed to get more sleep than we thought we would and Meddie slept for a solid 12 hours! We are very thankful for that.

Breakfast consisted of the usual omelet and porridge for me. Heather had an omelet and we could not get Meddie to eat anything. She would just shake her head and make it clear that she was not eating. Our favorite waiter, Sebsebie, was so kind to continually offer different things to her, but she refused. There were three very nice ladies from Nigeria in the restaurant this morning that took an interest in Meddie and us. They asked about her and when we told her that she had been left as an orphan and we were adopting her, they were so excited and said over and over again, “God bless you, God bless you, you will be wonderful parents to her.” It was fascinating to think that we were adopting a child in Ethiopia and talking with women from Nigeria and there seemed to be a commonality between us.

Later in the morning we ate an early lunch since we were to leave the hotel at noon for our Embassy appointment. Meddie ate a good amount of spaghetti noodles and chicken which she seemed to enjoy. We then loaded into the Hannah’s Hope bus to head to the US Embassy. The two other families and us have all been to court together on the first trip and were now all headed to the US Embassy together. It’s been fun to share this experience with two wonderful families.

We drove for maybe 45 minutes or so through the heart of Addis. The city has a population of 4,000,000 people, but has no stop lights or stop signs. So it’s a constant merging of traffic that occurs. There seems to be an understanding of how things should flow and together the traffic weaves in and out of itself creating a somewhat productive flow. We saw much poverty along the way and were reminded of the incredible wealth of America.

As we made our way down the final street toward the US Embassy, we could see the US flag waving in the distance. It was a good sight. When we pulled up the Embassy, we were impressed by the massive walls and building that stand amidst the adjoining poverty. We got out of the bus and approached the building, showed them our passports and then were allowed entrance into the gate house.

We were told before leaving the hotel to go to the Embassy that we should leave all electronic items in the hotel rooms. No cameras, ipods, chargers, batteries, etc. No electronics! We were told anything we brought in would have to be checked at the security gate and it would result in a delay. We were all sure we had cleaned out all of the electronics from our backpacks. When we began to pass our backpacks through the scanners at the Embassy, they noted one by one that each of us had some type of electronics items in our backpacks. It turned out that I had an ipod, two chargers, and some cords. Another family had a camera battery and charger cords, and the other family had some “AA” batteries. It’s funny how we Americans have so much electronics stuff that even when we’re told to completely purge our backpacks of those items, we can’t manage to get it all out in one try (mine actually had to go through the xray scanner multiple times before I found everything)! The electronics items that I carry in my backpack on this trip have a greater value than the average Ethiopian makes in an entire year. That’s a staggering thought with regard to our own affluence and with regard to how we use that wealth when there is such poverty throughout the world.

We walked from the guard house to a waiting room area where we waited for our names to be called. The three toddler girls had a lot of fun playing on a small slide and small playhouse located in the waiting area. I don’t know if everyone in the somber, stoic room appreciated all of the giggling from these three girls, but I know the proud parents all enjoyed seeing smiles on their girls.

Eventually our name was called and we were to go to window 15. We approached window 15 and a man stood on the other side of the bullet-proof glass and asked for our passports and then asked us to raise our right hand and swear that we would tell the truth. We were then asked to sign two documents. The paperwork was slid back and forth through a typical sunken metal trough that went beneath the thick glass. He asked us a series of questions, maybe 4 or 5, dealing with our adoption. Then he told us about the paperwork that we would receive tomorrow and how we would use it to enter Meddie into the US. He said she would enter the US as an American citizen since we traveled to her Court appointment three weeks ago. Then he looked at us and said, “Your adoption is final and complete.” And that was it.

I got goosebumps as he said those words. It was finished. It was done. All of the paperwork was over. She is ours and she is allowed entrance and citizenship in the US. I wanted to yell in celebration but the somberness and formality of the waiting area said not to. We thanked him and walked away from window 15 with the excitement that she was coming home.

We’ve seen playfulness from Meddie today and we’ve seen sadness. She generally gets quiet, reserved, and even cries at bedtime or at naptime. There is certainly some grieving that is taking place in her little heart during those times. She has more of an affinity for Heather right now than she does for me. Our lack of a common language will make the next several months interesting. But we know she we learn quickly – or we’re hopeful for that anyway because if our communication rests on our learning of the Amharic language, there could be a lot of grunting and pointing for a lot of years!

We’re thankful for this latest milestone and want to give God the thanks and praise for His workings in our lives. He put a burden in our hearts to adopt almost 16 months ago and has walked the journey ahead of us in unimaginable ways. Many have said how fortunate Meddie is to be joining our family, and we have said over and over again how fortunate we are to be blessed by God through the addition of Meddie to our family. We have seen Him at work and have tasted His goodness to the point that we just stop and say, “why us Lord, why us?”

Since the adoption is finalized, we are now able to post pictures of Meddie on public forums and you will begin to see pictures of her on our Facebook page and blog when we get home. The internet here has been unavailable so I don’t know when this update will even go out.

Thanks again to everyone for their thoughts and prayers! We feel supported by such a great network of friends and family and can’t begin to express our gratitude to everyone.

Russ

An Orphan No More - Day 1 from Ethiopia

2011-03-25T07:07:00.000-05:00

Leaving Hannah's Hope - Forever Together - An orphan no more

Update from Day 1 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia -

We arrived in Addis Ababa last night after traveling for about 27 hours. That included two 4-hour layovers – one in Minneapolis and one in Amsterdam. The trip was fairly uneventful and the planes weren’t full, which meant we actually had some extra room on the long flights. We landed in Addis exactly three weeks (to the minute) from the time our plane took off from Addis to head home after our first trip.

Since we flew over the Atlantic at night, and due to the fact that we didn’t have window seats, there was nothing to see on that flight. But flying from Amsterdam to Ethiopia was a beautiful flight. As I mentioned on Facebook, we were able to see the Austrian mountains, the Mediterranean Sea, Egypt, Sudan, the Sahara Desert, and the Nile River. It was really amazing. The Sahara is endless dunes of sand that stretches beyond your imagination. We were desperately looking for pyramids and camels, but saw none.

This morning we headed to Hannah’s Hope to see Meddie. As we walked in the gates, we could hear kids playing back behind the toddler building. It is a beautiful sound to hear at Hannah's Hope as the kids have so much joy as they play together. I wasn’t sure how Meddie would respond since we had to leave her behind after the first trip. Would she remember us? Would she be upset that we had left her? But as we rounded the corner of the building, we saw her playing at a table with some of the other kids. I called out to her and when she looked up to see who it was, her eyes lit up. She stood up and came running to us. Wow, what excitement!

This trip has even more meaning to me than the first trip. During the first trip, the adoption of Meddie became legally completed. At that time, she was legally our child and it was irrevocable. But, we had to leave her behind. We had to leave her at Hannah’s Hope while we waited for our Embassy Visa paperwork to be approved to allow her entrance into the US. So even though the adoption was legally completed, it still felt very empty.

But, on this trip, we get to bring her home. That is so significant to us. This morning when we went to get her, we were able to bring her with us to our hotel. That was her first real step to joining a family and leaving the life as an orphan behind. She will be staying with us at the hotel during this entire second trip. She will be living with us, sleeping with us, eating with us, being one of us. She is no longer an orphan. She is with a family. She is with our family. She will never again have to wake up in the night wondering which worker is going to console her, or wonder whether she will be moved to a different transition home, or wonder which of her friends is leaving with a family and why not her. No, the miracle of Meddie’s adoption into our family is now complete. She’s with us, she’s no longer alone, she’s one of us.

Meddie still is somewhat reserved on one level, and yet is more lively than much of the time we spent with her on our first trip. This afternoon she did not want to lay down for a nap. Finally, Heather laid down on the bed and laid Meddie next to her. Eventually Meddie fell asleep in Heather’s arms on the bed. You can imagine the smile that was on Heather’s face!

Our internet is still spotty. The wireless doesn’t work in our room (even though we’re in a different room and different building than the first trip). And when I go to another location in the hotel room to pick up the wireless, my browser oftentimes won’t recognize the wireless signal. So updates may be sparse. I was able to get to Facebook once and was able to Skype with the kids. Praying that Skype will work so that we can keep in touch with the kids.

We are grateful for all of our family and friends. We are praying for God’s hand to be upon Meddie’s little heart and mind and that He would be gracious to pour strength and wisdom on us during this time.

Much love to all of you,

Russ

She's Coming Home!

2011-03-20T21:14:00.000-05:00

We are making the last minute preparations before leaving in the morning. We are about to begin the last leg to end Chapter 1 of the adoption. When I say end Chapter 1 of the adoption, I only mean the portion dealing with the paperwork and bringing her home. That portion has been going on for about 15 months and we are ready to end that phase and move on to Chapter 2.

So in a sense, it feels like we are at a major milestone. The struggles of waiting, filling out paperwork, paying fees, waiting, filling out paperwork, paying fees (you get the point) are soon to be behind us. There are many, many things that God has taught us through that stage, but we are so ready to move on. We leave all of the preparation stages and head to the having-our-daughter-at-home stage. We know there will be many hard times, many good times, many struggles, many times of joy, but there is no other place we'd rather be in life than where we are right now - ready to hop on a plane, ready to bring our girl home.

These are exciting times for us and at the same time, these are scary times for us. We're once again loading up on a roller coaster that is about to take us on a ride, whether we like it or not. And yet, we know that God is in control, and that we rest in His plans, His purposes. His grace is sufficient for each day, for each need, for each moment.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, please pray for our little girl. She is about to leave everything she knows (for the third time in her short life), and begin a new life with us. We will not know each other's language, so life will be a challenge for a while. Her heart will go through untold fears and anxieties, so please pray that God would reach down and calm her heart and heal her soul. He is more than able.

We will be bringing our little girl home in a week. She will be coming to a house filled with love. She will be coming to a house that has parents, and brothers and a sister. She will even be coming to a house that has a dog and a fish. But mostly she will be coming to be part of a family and she will be coming to be part of a home. She will be an orphan no more. She will be our little girl. She will be one with us and we will be one with her. She will comforted, cared for, held tightly, and loved.

She's coming home. She will never be an orphan again. Never.

EMBASSY DATE! Ethiopia here we come!

2011-03-17T17:43:00.001-05:00

We got the call today that we have an Embassy date of 3/24....that's next Thursday!!!! We are double-checking with our travel agent, but it looks like we will be leaving on Monday morning....that's in 4 days.....Yikes!

In the next four days, we will be spending time with two different families who are coming in from out of town, going to the wedding of Tessa Beaver where I will eat a lot of Cassandra's cake, getting five kids ready for stay at the O's house, getting a dog ready to stay at the V's house, getting a fish ready for....(well we'll just fill his bowl up with food), getting Peaches' pink, pink clothes packed, getting us packed, bills paid, and so on. (It should be noted that Heather will do most all of the things listed above....well actually she'll probably do all of those things....with the exception of eating a lot of Cassandra's cake...that's my job.)

We are so excited to be bringing our Peaches home. We will be home with her 10 days from today...can that really be???

Please pray for the many details that still need to be worked out, pray that everything would go smoothly during our Embassy appointment, pray that everything would go well with the kids while we're gone.

Especially pray for Peaches' transition as she leaves what's become home for her, again. She was taken from her home to an orphanage last July, then from the orphanage to Hannah's Hope in November, and now from Hannah's Hope to the U.S. She will once again have to leave what's become familiar for her: her friends, her "family," the food, the language, the smells, the culture, etc. This will be a very difficult transition for her and pray that God's grace would flood her soul and that He would flood us with patience, love, and understanding as we begin this transition with her.

We are so thankful for our many family and friends and can't wait for everyone to meet her!

Our File is at the U.S. Embassy!!!

2011-03-15T20:38:00.000-05:00

We received the call today that our file has been received and is open at the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa!!! It is very possible that we could have a 3/28 Embassy date which would mean that we could travel late next week! If the U.S. Embassy decides that additional information is needed for our case, it could mean a week or two delay...or more. We won't know for sure until either later this week or early next week.

The U.S. Embassy is the last step before we bring our Peaches home. In case you're wondering, a Visa is required for her to enter into the U.S. and that Visa is granted by the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa. Hence the need for an appointment with the U.S. Embassy. Now that they have our paperwork, they will investigate our case to make sure there are no suspected improprieties with the adoption. With so much pressure on international adoptions lately, it is always unclear how long the investigation by the U.S. Embassy might take.

Once we get the approved paperwork from the U.S. Embassy and we hop on the plane to come home from Ethiopia, Peaches will become a U.S. citizen when the plane touches down on American soil. If the Embassy date happens on 3/28, then we should be back home as early as 3/31. We are so close!

We celebrated tonight by heading out and buying Peaches some clothes. Yes, some more clothes. Yes, they were pink. That girl is going to look good!

The "room for more" is nested

2011-03-14T20:54:00.000-05:00

I've been learning once again that there is nothing quite as productive and focused as a mother preparing a nest for her little one. There is a clear vision and abundant energy that ensures the perfect place is ready - perfect in the sense of creating that place that will allow her little one to rest silently and that place that allows her own heart to rest silently. It is in the preparation and completion of the nest that she finally rests and says, "I'm ready."

As the nesting energy became reality, Heather was suddenly in Target, then Old Navy, then Target, and then Target again. All things pink were finding their way into our cart. So many choices of bedding, pictures, bath towels, flip flops, dresses, pillows, and oh, the hair products and skin lotions too. Okay, so I may have put a few things in the cart, too.....okay, maybe more than just a few.....okay, so I have probably filled an entire cart all by myself.

This is a date that we've been waiting for for 15 months. We began this journey knowing we had "room for more." That room is now nested, and will very soon be the home of a little girl. It is with great excitement that our entire family is ready to reach this milestone of our adoption, the milestone of bringing our Peaches home. It is the milestone that on the one hand ends the adoption, and on the other hand is only the beginning. We are so, so ready!!!!

Oh God, why have you so richly blessed us beyond what we could have even imagined? You are so good to us, goodness that we are so grateful for.

Photos above her bed include a picture of her beautiful smile, a picture with momma and dadda, and a picture with her two Hannah's Hope peeps L. Jewett and T. Huneycutt.

This is the bear we received from our Agency AGCI after we received our referral for Peaches. That bear is ready for some lovin' from a little girl!

The room is ready for a lot of singing and a lot of laughter.

And our whole house is ready for a lot of LOVE!

The clothes are ready.

The dresses are ready.

Our whole house is ready for our Peaches.

Peaches - Your bed is ready. Your clothes are ready. Your room is ready. Our hearts are ready.

Come home soon.

Third Day Video "Children of God"

2011-03-13T14:36:00.000-05:00

If you haven't seen the new "Children of God" video from Third Day.....well you need to. I won't try and describe it because I would only detract from their message because it is so well done.

Take a few minutes and enjoy their song and their message.

Our God Is Greater Than the Need

2011-03-09T17:21:00.000-06:00

Now we are back home. Now we get to process. One thing that comes to my mind is, "Why did God place me in America?" "Why am I in one of the most pampered countries in the world?" "Why wasn`t I born in Ethiopia as a street child with no mom or dad?" Instead, I am raised in a loving, Christian home with wonderful parents, with my own bed, my own clothes. ALL THIS STUFF! And yet we still grumble and complain and question God.

It`s unbelievable. We are just so comfy in America and we still whine!! While we were there, we saw poverty. We saw third world things that you just don`t forget. And it makes you want to DO SOMETHING!! Oh and we saw the orphans. The orphans. The need is so great. 5 million orphans in Ethiopia. If that doesn`t make you want to adopt then seeing these kids will. But even if you aren`t called to adopt, God will call others. Yes, even though the need is so great and we think, "Who can overcome these staggering statistics?" I will tell you. Our God. Our God will stand out for these orphans and widows. And I will stand out and refuse to be silent. Because that is what we are called to do. Thank you for putting up with my rambling but it feels good to let it out.

--Rye Bread

Adoption is hard, but God is enough

2011-03-08T18:59:00.001-06:00

There's a thought when you're in the middle of adoption that everything will and should go well. Everything should be smooth. All other areas of your life, that often bring difficulties, should take a moment's rest and leave you to effortlessly accomplish this important thing that you are doing. The ship of your adoption should sail without conflict across the placid sea of life.

It doesn't take much time in the adoption arena to realize that this is very far from truth. Though we may feel that by signing up for adoption, we should be exempt from most of the difficulties in life, it just doesn't happen that way. We experienced this in a very real way on our first trip to Ethiopia last week.

There are many common things that we all face when we travel internationally on adoption trips, such as long flights (sitting way too close to "interesting" people), jet lag, different foods, different hotels, strange language, pollution that would rank "red" on the US pollution scale everyday, etc. But there are other things that we might face that add even more difficulty to the trip. For us, we faced sickness which completely drained two of our four family members and we faced a little girl that was scared, shy, reserved, and emotionally shut down for several days.

We had read much about attachment and bonding. We knew that she came from a "hard place" and that it would be reasonable to expect her to be distant. Having lost much, or actually everything, Hannah's Hope had become over the last three months the only thing she knew. Her identity as a Gambellan child from the far western region of Ethiopia was gone. Her home, family, culture, food, language, friends were all gone. Who would blame this girl from shutting down when four very white people begin to surround her and speak to her in a different language? We knew all of this was possible, and likely, but it was still difficult to process when it is happening right in front of you to the girl that will become your daughter forever. It's OK for attachment problems to be discussed in a book, just not right in front of me with my Peaches. Isn't there a way to just fix this?

To say I overreacted quickly and way too early is obvious. I think the lack of sleep, jet lag, and traveling made it more difficult to process, it made me want to be able to just find the answer to the problem. But it was clear early on that adoption is not about the fairy tale story of a perfect child being matched with a perfect family. Our family is far from perfect. We fail to love each other as Christ would every day. We fail to serve each other in a God-honoring way every day. We fall far, far short of living as we should. We also found that our Peaches is not perfect. She has many, many emotional scars that will take a lot of time and a lot of love to heal. They are scars that only the far-reaching hand of God can touch. They are scars that we as a family will work through together.

It became clear to us through our exhaustion, physically and emotionally, that adoption is hard. It is filled with waiting and let-downs and pain and work. In addition, other areas of life don't take a rest when you step forward to adopt. Life continues to bring its challenges and difficulties. And so we wonder why does it have to be this way?

It is because we do not find our ultimate satisfaction in any of these things. Not in our family, not in ourselves, not in our lives as a whole, and not in adoption. No, our ultimate satisfaction comes from God. He is enough to satisfy us. He is enough when life is hard. He is enough during the wait of adoption. He is enough when the eyes of your adoptive daughter are empty and distant. He is enough when everything around you seems to be relentlessly closing in on you. He is our satisfaction. He is our joy.

Please understand that there were many, many beautiful moments with our girl. There were many times when we laughed and giggled and played and had wonderful interaction. There were many times when she looked at us with eyes full of life, full of love. Times when she shared a smile that made you wonder how so much joy could come from a child who has been through so much. Those times were good. Those times were great.

But during the other times we remembered, adoption is hard, life is hard, but God is enough.

Meeting Peaches

2011-03-06T21:43:00.000-06:00

We arrived in Addis on Thursday, Feb 24th at about 8:15 am (Ethiopian time). We had left Washington DC at about 10:15 am the previous day. With the time change, it was about a 13 hour flight. It was strange to wake up in DC, fly 13 hours, and then it's the next morning in Addis. Where did the day go?

After landing in Addis, we headed through Customs (where I was chastised for taking a picture of Heather going through Customs - btw - the Customs guys are serious people!), then baggage, then baggage X-ray (they want to X-ray our luggage after landing?? Why?), then on to our hotel shuttle. After a couple of Ethiopian locals loaded our luggage on to the shuttle (you don't ask them to, they just grab your luggage and go), they looked at us and said, "we load lots of bags"...pause...."we load lots of bags".....pause...."we load lots of bags." Finally, the light bulb came on in the mind of someone in our travel group and realized that these guys want a tip! We paid them, loaded in the shuttle, and then our travel group of four families headed for the legendary Riviera hotel.

Upon arriving at the Riviera, we had hoped to receive our itinerary, so that we would know when we would meet our kiddos. To no one's surprise, there was no itinerary, so we were left to wait for further instructions. After traveling for 8,000 miles, we were ready to get to Hannah's Hope and see our little ones, but had no idea when.

Trying to get our minds around the fact that it was morning (our bodies said it was midnight), we had lunch and waited for our shuttle to Hannah's Hope....which we found out would come around 1:30 pm (in Africa the word "around" before a given time is very important).

Eventually the shuttle arrived and we headed for our girls. As we approached Hannah's Hope, the building and gates were so familiar from the many traveling families' pictures that we have seen. Our hearts raced as we knew the girl we had waited so long for was just moments away.

As we all entered through the gates, we looked around and saw only one girl. Heather and I gulped as we realized who the girl was. It was our Peaches. She was quietly standing on the porch of the toddler house. Not sure what to do, we began to call her name. She began to hobble toward us (we later found out many of the kids had received shots in their leg that day). As she reached us, she was extremely quiet and reserved and we were unsure whether to hold her or keep a cautious distance.

This girl that we had seen 50 or 60 pictures of over the last 3 months was now standing right before us. We had been called to adoption nearly a year and a half ago, and now there we were with the girl that would soon join our family. She, of course, was unaware of who we were or why these white people would be emotionally overrun and wanting to hold and touch and hug her and speak to her in a strange language.

Realizing our Peaches was isolating herself from us, the director at Hannah's Hope intervened and picked her up and as she did pinched Peaches' sore leg and she began to cry a very sad and scared and painful cry. She was sent away to one of the Special Mothers (workers at Hannah's Hope).

So there we stood. The whole thing lasted maybe two minutes. Our entrance into the gates of Hannah's Hope that we had dreamed of for so many months, turned into something completely different than we had expected. But that's adoption. That's the reality of dealing with a heart that has been broken. A soul that has been scarred. A mind that is confused.

We were later reunited with our Peaches and enjoyed getting to hold her and touch her (Heather added that she enjoyed getting to smell her too - but that apparently is a mom thing). Spending that first day with her was an exhausting time, considering we had started the day before on a plane in Washington DC and ended it by holding a beautiful little girl in a transition home in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

We were overwhelmed with the utter exhaustion we felt after this first day. Thrilled and filled with adrenaline, yet our minds and bodies feeling the tug of the clock which said we should long ago have been asleep.

There is much more to the story of our interactions with Peaches that occurred over the next several days - highs and lows. But that will have to wait for another post.

For now, a few pics of us with our girl.

Looking at her photo album together

Sharing some bread at the end of the first day

Heather getting the chance to help feed our little girl in her "Feed 1" shirt

Play ball!

Oh yeah!

We're home....but have a Peaches-sized hole in our family

2011-03-05T07:50:00.000-06:00

We're back home after our first trip and are trying to remember what normal life is. Following a whirlwind trip to Ethiopia and back, battling jet-lag twice, fighting colds, fevers, and other stuff, we feel like we've been hit by a truck - a big truck, a big truck that races at harrowing speeds through Ethiopian traffic.

We are so thankful to be back home with our five oldest kids, but there's a hollowness because our newest, youngest kiddo is still half a world away. We know that she is in one of the best run facilities - they provide much love, laughter, food, fun, etc. - but they cannot provide the one thing that she really needs....a family. We miss her already, but we know that she will be home soon.

Reflecting back over the last couple of weeks, I'm thankful for God's sustaining power in our lives when we're weak. I'm thankful that He's with us and that He holds us when we're tired. I'm reminded that He is always in control. I was reminded specifically of this as we began our first flight across the Atlantic. I was reading in Matthew and I came across the verse that says that not even a sparrow falls to the ground apart from the Father (Matt 10:29). It was good to see that sparrows (and really big Ethiopian Air jets) stay flying by the Father's sustaining hand.

I was encouraged by the timing of meeting a man who grew up in the Anuak tribe in Gambella, Ethiopia on the shuttle from the hotel in DC to the airport. Did I mention that Peaches is from the Anuak tribe in Gambella, Ethiopia? I was encouraged by the number of American couples we met before boarding our Ethiopian Air flight who we traveling to Ethiopia for adoption purposes. I was encouraged by the young couple with their 18 month old girl who were traveling to Rwanda to see friends and to see if God was leading them there to be missionaries. It was clear that God was with us and was leading us.

There is so much to write, and I hope to continue to summarize and meditate on what God has taught us. We know He has great purpose in all that He does. We just need to stop and have a Selah moment to reflect on His message for our lives. What is He saying to you today?

For now we miss our little girl, but our hopeful to return to her soon. Based on other families' timelines, we expect to be back to her to bring her home around April 1. But in international adoption, anything can (and will) happen.

A few pictures of our trip......with more to come.

Thanks Tanya for your mad, packing skillz!

At the Omaha airport, all luggage was checked for free! Thanks Delta!

My new Gambellan friend, Purro

The Ethiopian flag in the DC airport

The snacks on the plane? Ethiopian Jet crackers. Fortunately, we avoided any bad visual images and all of them were intact.

What does a 13 hour flight do to an otherwise young and good-looking couple?

At Bole International Airport in Addis. We're here!

Our Hotel Shuttle. And you thought flying was scary.....wait until you hit the streets of Addis!

Coca-Cola in any language is a good thing....especially when you can't drink the water.

Matthew 10:29-31

29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30 But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

Only three days left...

2011-02-27T16:54:00.000-06:00

Only three days left until I see my parents and brothers again. In some ways it seems like they've been gone for an eternity. In others, it feels like they left yesterday.

My family has been so blessed with a supportive church body. I have been called and texted everyday to make sure that my younger brothers and I are not only surviving but also thriving. My younger brothers have been on several play dates and have also been occupied by gift bags that my parents so lovingly and thoughtfully put together. They open one each day and the hold things like toys, movies, activity books, etc. Opening one of those is something they look forward to. Being young and unobservant, I honestly don't even think they notice my parents are gone most of the time. I, on the other hand, don't handle it as well as my siblings. There are definitely ups and downs. But thankfully the Lord gives me new mercies every morning and I get through the day with His strength.

We have been blessed to be able to communicate through Skype calls to my family a continent away almost every day. It's so amazing to not only hear their voices but also see their faces. They are mostly tired due to jet lag, but, like their daughter at home in the States, they are also depending on God's daily showering of mercy and strength. They have loved getting to know Peaches. There have also been ups and downs with our precious, soon-to-be family member, but they are hoping that they see more attachment and affection. I have been reminded that she has had such tragedy and brokeness in such a short lifetime. Only God can heal her heart and so we must be patient and rely on Him to completely open her heart to us. I was so happy and encouraged to hear that when Peaches was looking at the pictures of all her new siblings, my mom would say the names of the kids and Peaches would repeat them. I'm so glad to know that even in a far away country, my soon to be sister is already saying my name :)

Please continue to keep my family in your thoughts and prayers. I will soon be with the rest of my beloved family and I just can't wait!

--Sunshine

Life Back At Home

2011-02-23T20:42:00.000-06:00

Note: This post was originally supposed to be published Yesterday, but due to technical difficulties it has been posted tonight. :)

I have been given permission by my loving and generous father to post about life with my parents gone. (a.k.a. a post that might end up being about me and my sorrows ;)

My family has been so important to me for my whole 17 years of life. Always supportive of everything I do, including all the wacky weird stuff I make them deal with everyday. Now my beloved parents and my twin brothers (who happen to be two of my Very best friends!) are on their way to meet my precious soon-to-be little sister. It was so hard to say good-bye to them this morning. There were many tears knowing that the people I have known the longest in my short life were leaving.

I know that they won't be away from me THAT long, but it's still difficult to watch four of the most supportive and loving people of your life leave you behind to travel an ocean away to a different continent.

I am so thankful for my church family who has been so supportive of my family and our whole adoption process. They have made it very clear that they will do anything to make my family's departure not so lonely. Also, my very best friend, who I've known for only two years, has also lovingly volunteered to be by my side this whole time.

Thankfully, my whole family AND my grandparents (who are thoughtfully caring for the little boys and me) were able to come to my choir/show choir/band concert last night. It meant the world to me that they were all there the night before they left on a jet plane. I have taken the liberty of posting a video of a show choir (or for the "older" audience, swing choir ;) song we performed. I happen to have a solo in it. I was so thrilled to be chosen to sing this solo and my parents were there to cheer me just like always. Enjoy the video and please keep my family and me in your prayers.

--Sunshine

Leavin' on a Jet Plane

2011-02-22T07:38:00.000-06:00

Leaving this morning on our 8,000 mile journey to go to Ethiopia to see our Peaches. Many emotions flooding our thoughts as we begin to physically travel to a place that our hearts have already emotionally traveled to. We land in Addis in about 40 hours. Hopefully we'll be holding our little girl not long after that.

New obstacles arrived Sunday night as we found out we would have to claim and recheck our luggage during our overnight stay in DC. While this would not normally be a problem, it became huge since we are taking so many donations. In addition to that, fear came upon us both as we realized we were getting ready to leave. Leaving children behind and heading on a trip that has endless emotions wrapped up in it is not for the faint of heart. But we are reminded that whether we are sitting in our living room or flying over the Atlantic, God holds us in the palm of His hand. He is our sufficiency, He is our satisfaction.

We are in need of your prayers and are thankful for an amazing group of friends here at home. They have reached into our lives in countless ways, especially over the last several days, and are with us as we board the plane today. We are truly blessed.

Well, gotta run if I'm going to make it to the airport 4 hours early!

Just four days left

2011-02-18T21:37:00.001-06:00

There are just four days left until we leave. There are still so many things left to do. However, we are thankful for many friends who have helped packing donations totes (all of the donations fit perfectly in all of the totes!), helping to get the house cleaned, helping with grocery shopping, helping with the kids, and on and on and on. We are blessed!

So, my mind is now consumed with what time do we get to the airport on Tuesday. That is a critical question that must be analyzed thoroughly.

Our flight leaves at 1:09 pm out of Omaha. In my mind, that means we should get to the airport at about the same time that they unlock the doors in the morning. We should be the first car in the parking lot, waiting at the door to be unlocked with all of our totes and luggage ready to rush to the check-in counter so that we can get to our gate at least 6 hours early. Ohhhh, it feels good to be early!

Now on the other hand, Heather's view of being punctual is slightly different. She figures that the whole process of getting from long term parking to the airport terminal with our eight pieces of checked luggage, then getting checked in for an international flight, getting through security, and getting to our gate should take a total of about five minutes. So therefore there is no reason to arrive at the airport prior to 1:04 pm. If the plane is not backing away from the gate, then we are not late.

As you can see, there is generally some healthy discussion whenever we fly somewhere together - especially on this trip since we are flying internationally with a lot of checked luggage! I won't go into the details of leaving her behind as we were changing gates in the Dallas airport a couple of summers ago. By the way, her side of the story will leave out the important details of how I was trying to make sure our whole family was going to be seated together and was therefore clearly wanting to provide for and protect my family and that is why I sprinted through the airport leaving her behind with the kids. I'm just hopeful that I will control my schedule-driven urges and not leave her behind in the Addis airport. That would be embarassing to show up at Hannah's Hope without her. We will need much prayer during the travel stages of this trip!!!

We are so thankful to be so close. We can't wait to see and hold and hug our Peaches. We're on our way to see you girl. Can't wait to see your smile.

Showered with Love

2011-02-12T22:49:00.001-06:00

As many of you know, our church had a Donations Shower for us today. Well, really the shower was for the kiddos at Hannah's Hope, our agency's transition home in Addis Ababa. The purpose was to gather donations for us to bring over on our trip to meet our Peaches (WHICH IS ONLY 10 DAYS AWAY!!!!).

The shower was a great success and was the best shower I've ever been to (OK, so it's the only shower I've ever been to). But, now that I know that they serve chips and salsa and amazing cake, I'm going to be going to more showers in the future.

A lot of thanks go to the ladies at church who put this together. They are amazing friends who are near and dear to our hearts. We appreciate your help and efforts in arranging all of it and allowing us to just show up, eat food, receive lots of donations, and feel loved. Thanks to all! We are grateful to be a part of such a loving and serving body.

Here are some of the pictures of the day's events.


The cool cake baked and decorated by Bugg

A bunch of da boys ready to eat. The second amazing cake was made by Cassandra...Wow!

The beautiful ladies posing with a picture of Peaches

Carol, Ella, Sherri, and Wendy

Sunshine and Giggles - Everyone wants to hold Giggles

Jaynie, Cassandra, and Bugg shellin' out the food

Nomie, L Jo, Cassandra, Tatiana, Cassandra, and Bugg

Bugg, Natasha, Bink, Oksana, and Sunshine

Joe, Rye Bread, Alexander, Big "C" (aka, The Ref), Levi "The Beat", T-Bird, and Speedy

Anna, Tata, and Sandy the Swedish Swami of Decorating

The Beavers, Sherri, and Giggles

Mrs. Beaver and Sherri

Here we are - thankful for donations, thankful for a loving church and ready to go see our Peaches!!!!

With totes and table overflowing, we are ready to head to Hannah's Hope and bring the love of Christ

Sunshine with her beautiful Peaches


Bugg, Sunshine, and Peaches - Who wouldn't love these three girls!!!

As we prayed over the donations and I shared about Ethiopia, orphans, and God's heart, it was overwhelming to realize where we are in this journey. It was an emotional swell as I paused to think of Where God had taken us. We are so close to holding the girl that God called us to. In 10 short days, we will get on a plane to travel 8,000 miles. We will see a poverty-stricken world that we cannot comprehend. We will finally walk through the gates of Hannah's Hope. We will run to our girl, hold her, and tell her everything's going to be OK. We will tell her that she is almost home. We will tell her that mom and dad are here.

We look forward to bringing the donations to Hannah's Hope. To see the faces of the kiddos as we show them the bouncy balls, bracelets, and other toys. To see the workers' faces light up as they see the diapers and other items we in the western world take for granted. To see Peaches' face light up as she begins to realize that she will have something of much greater value than trinkets and plastic toys - she will have a family, she will have love, she will have a home.

How and why God chose us for such an honor we will never understand. We are thankful to be part of His purpose, part of His plan, part of His blessing. We are thankful to be the ones who will welcome Peaches in to our arms, into our lives, into our home.

Thank you to our Church and thank you to our God.