Orphan Sunday/Birthmom

Today is Orphan Sunday. Just 2 years ago my two beautiful daughters were orphans in Ethiopia.

Three years ago, my heart was pricked to explore the possibility of adoption. I laughed to myself because I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that my husband wouldn't go for that!! We already had 2 teens, a pre-teen and a 2 year old!! Why on God's green earth would we want more children?! But, miraculously, God stirred my husband's heart as well. Since my family doesn't do anything in a small way, we decided to adopt TWO older children, as we knew that it would be more difficult to find a home for older siblings.

We sped through the paperwork, jumped through the hoops and were called with the absolutely exciting news that we had a referral of two little girls, ages 6 and 2!!! We got their info....our biological daughter was also 2 and just 9 days younger than the sweet little girl being referred to us! Perfect, we thought!! :) Of course we accepted their referral!!! We fell in love with two little girls we didn't even know and it broke our hearts each day to know that they were living in an orphanage halfway around the world.

We gave very little thought to the heartbreak of another mother also living halfway around the world. A mother who took her precious daughters to an orphanage, knowing that they would have a better life, but that she would possibly never be able to see them again. (My heart aches for that mother and her two daughters just thinking about it!!! Seriously! I can't even imagine!!)

This brings me to my discussion with my now 9 year old adopted daughter today. I was posting the video that I shared on my blog after we passed court in Ethiopia on facebook. Very rarely do we watch this video, but when we do it brings back memories and stirs emotions!! We remember that despite the difficulties we face daily, we fell in love with these girls and they deserve a mother and father who will give their best to them each day! But, that's me! Selfish, me!

When Faven watches this video, she remembers her birthmom. Remember...she was 5 when she was taken to the orphanage, so she remembers her birthmom very well. Her birthmom also visited her often at the orphanage. And so, as we talked this morning about her birthmom, I had a hard time wrapping my mind around how it must feel for her to miss her mom, knowing that her mom's life is in danger from lack of food and medical care, and to try to be happy with the family and friends that God has given her. So many times, I ask God, "Why?" I'm not even sure that my "Why's" can compare to hers! Bless my little girl's heart!

I share this with you, knowing that it was a private moment. But, I also know that if these pictures can stir anyone's heart to adopt, that this mother and daughter would be ok with that!!!

Saying good-bye.....and one last hug. Can you EVEN imagine?!!

I am so glad that this beautiful, strong-willed girl is in my life!! She is a survivor!!

Thankful

"When life gives you lemons, make lemonade." No thanks, life.....I'll just have water. You can keep the lemons!!
"What doesn't kill you will make you stronger." WHAT?! Is that really supposed to make me feel better?!
I've learned to dislike these sayings! In my most difficult times, they've never motivated or inspired me. They make me cringe.

This being the month of Thanksgiving, I would like to focus on the wonderful things in my life. Not the lemons I was given that I had to sugar coat in order to endure nor the fact that I'm stronger because I'm not dead!

What am I thankful for now? I'm thankful for my husband making homemade pizza(yum!), my 20 year old daughter still thinking her mommy's cool, my 18 year old son getting excited about college, my 15 year old son loving his little old truck passed down from his brother, my 9 year old daughter finally 'getting' math, my 5 year olds loving school and being great friends!! I'm also thankful that our new kitty (yeah, I know, I'm a glutton for punishment!!) is playful, sweet and litter trained!!!

Painting and Roger Ebert

EXCITING news!!! For me anyway!! :) My friend, Kelly Eddington, has completed the beautiful painting of my beautiful children. If you would like to see the finished product and the story behind it, go to her website!

I am also very excited that ROGER EBERT tweeted about her post!! So.....the way I see it, Roger Ebert tweeted about a blog post about my family that linked to my blog....it kind of makes me famous! :)

Regardless of fame, I love this painting and I love these kids!!! Here are some Halloween pictures of the littles......

More Angels

In my daily devotion a couple of weeks ago, I read, "A Christian worker has to learn how to be God's man or woman of great worth and excellence in a multitude of meager and worthless things......All of God's people are ordinary people who have been made extraordinary by the purpose He has given them." I was able to meet many people made extraordinary by God's purpose in their lives on my trip to Washington DC with my husband to be honored as angels in adoption. Their stories continue to inspire me!!

The first people I had a chance to meet were Mary Chew and her two beautiful daughters, Ruth and Naomi. Mary had been a missionary in Haiti when she met her daughters. To read her story, go here. Her gentle spirit and patience with her daughters was amazing. They were a joy to be around!

I was also honored to meet a couple, Ben and Kim Green, who had adopted 11 children, one which had recently passed away. Their children were adopted from Korea, Liberia and the United States. I like to visit Kim's blog which describes her daily trials and blessings of an adoptive mom of many!

I met Andrea Faris Roberts from Maryland. Since giving birth to her son with Down Syndrome, she has seen the beauty that Down's children can bring to a family. In 2004, Andrea started Reece's Rainbow, an organization named after her son which was established to reach out to new birth families of babies with Down syndrome. Now Reece's Rainbow raises money as adoption grants, making it possible for families in the U.S. to afford adoption. Andrea has helped to place over 300 children with Down syndrome and other special needs from 25 countries. I voted for her as People magazine's Readers Choice "Hero of the Year". She won!

I also met David and Ann Roth from Illinois. They have an adopted daughter from Guatemala and have been fighting to bring their son home from Guatemala for 4 years!!! Ann is the co-founder and Executive Board member of the Guatemala900 organizaton working to help the hundreds of Guatemalan children whose adoptions are in limbo...awaiting their permanent homes with their US families.

This is but a glimpse into the wonderful people we met in a three day period of time. Wow...talk about emotional!! It was good to see so many people, all using their talents and following God's will toward one passion.....making a better life for children!

"I chose you......." (John 15:16)








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