Lucky # 7

Tomorrow will mark our 7th month of waiting. Maybe we'll get lucky.....come on referral!

Rescue and Redemption

Tonight we participated in "Orphan Sunday." For those of you who don't know, Orphan Sunday is a day the "church" has set aside to advocate for the orphans. It's the brutal awareness of what is the reality of over 160 million children both near and far. It is heart breaking, it is gutt wrenching in so many ways. This is what keeps me up at night! Circumstances this week have stirred my heart to pray more than ever. Let me share.....Scott and I started our week off with the 8-10 hours of Hague Training that is required before we travel to Ethiopia. This was a bold reminder of what these children have faced and often what it will take to heal their hearts. That brought me to my knees real quick! "God, you are the true healer. Please show me how to love and nurture my children as you would." As the week progressed, Scott began to prepare for his trip to Haiti, while wondering if his group was going to be able to travel due to the hurricane. Thankfully, the team was able to fly out as scheduled and landed safely in Haiti. This week they will be doing many things within the city and country side. Tomorrow they are heading to the orphanages to love and play with children. In fact, a friend of mine (Emily) will be meeting a Compassion Child that she and her family sponsor each month. How exciting! Engaging with a Compassion Ministry is one of many ways to help aid the Orphan Crisis. In fact, it literally keeps those kids from becoming orphans themselves. The team will also be setting up medical clinics and providing help and aid where needed. While visiting the tent cities, they hope to hand out whistles to women and children to use when in danger. You can't even imagine what goes on after dark. "Father, I know this completely breaks your heart. Please, please be the protector of these children." Last night, I was able to join a group of local families for dinner. These are families who have either adopted or are in the process of adoption. It was therapeutic to share in our commonalities. It was fun to share in the process, to dream of what is to come, and to pick the brains of those who have completed the adoption process. We have such a great community of people who are walking this road either through adoption or foster care. "Lord, I am so thankful that we are not alone in this. Thank you that you have given me local support, a community." I returned home to a sick child with over 101 fever. After giving her the care of TLC and medicine, I tucked her in a soft, cozy bed. I quietly prayed, " Father, thank you that I have medicine to give my child when she is sick. My heart aches for those babies who are burning with fever and have no means of relief, shelter, or loving arms to hold them. Please, please comfort them tonight." Tonight at Well Communities, we focused on several layers of adoption. We entered into moments of brokenness as we heard stories and watched videos of the realities of these children. It's too much! " Lord, what can I do, what can I do? Please show me how to be the hands and feet to the broken. Please stir the hearts of your earthly children to act." Some sweet friends of ours, Seth and Joy Primm are in the process of adopting a baby girl from Ethiopia. They have such great hearts and are completely talented! They have created a album to help with their adoption process, as well as advocate for the orphan. It is a MUST HAVE!!!! As they sang, there was not a dry eye in the house. The words of the song "Come Home Beautiful" spoke to my heart and will certainly speak to yours. Click on "this beautiful life" (under my blog list) to order one today! Lastly, we celebrate! We celebrated with the dedication of Sosi Elle Rusch. Sosi has been home from Ethiopia for 9 months now. A girl who was once untrusting and who never smiled, is now full of life and personality. We rejoice that she is no longer an orphan, but is part of a loving family who adores her more than you'll know. What a beautiful story! It sounds all too familiar.....without our Heavenly Father, we are all fatherless. Thankfully through Jesus, we have become adopted sons and daughters of the King. "Heavenly Father, my heart is forever grateful that You chose to extend Your love to more than just "Your own Son. " Wow! Now, that is rescue and redemption!

# 6

Yesterday marked our six month of "waiting". Time is slowly, but surely ticking away! I would really love for this process to be a bit shorter! Of course, I have a timeline of how things would look if it were up to me. However, I know I can't see the big picture. So I will rest in the Lord and try to be patient. I am reminded of Proverbs 16:9..."In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps."

"Show Some Love"

We are so excited that our shirts are in! It's so easy- you can click the size and color on the left side to order. We will gladly deliver your "T'" or ship it, if necessary. In selling these shirts, we desire not only to raise funds to compensate the new travel laws in Ethiopia, but to tell several stories. The story of our son who represents 1 of over 160 million orphans, along with the beautiful story of adoptioin. When thinking through the design of our shirts, I was reminded of an image that I see daily. Last year, one daughter painted a picture of the Ethiopian flag for one my Christmas presents. I have proudly displayed it on my kitchen counter, along with the sweet faces of my girls. This serves as a reminder that soon the flag will be replaced with the face of our son, when he joins our family. What a great day that will be! Our shirts were also inspired from the very simple, yet powerful command "LOVE." The front of the shirts display this word written in the Amharic Ethiopian language. Jesus is our ultimate example of this love. He lived it out and gave it #1 and #2 ranking in commands. LOVE GOD AND LOVE PEOPLE. "Show Some Love" is scripted on the back as a reminder that we have the opportunity to demonstrate love to those both near and far. We can be the voice for those who cannot speak for themselves. Of course, the color choices of red, kelly, gold, and aqua symbolize the colors in the Ethiopian flag. A heritage that will always be on our hearts. We dream of a sea of Ethiopian colors at the airport, when he meets all of you for the first time. This thought brings tears to my eyes! We truly appreciate your support and covet your prayers. YOU MAKE THE DIFFERENCE!

The Unexpected Gift

Scott and I feel extremely blessed to be surrounded with such amazing people here in NWA. We have a great network of friends, who love us and support us in so many ways. Furthermore, we are blessed with a community of friends who are like minded in raising our children. First, our desire is to raise them in a manner that will cultivate a love for God. Second, we want them to not only love others as much as themselves, but also view others in that manner. I have several other "Mommies" in my life that I feel privileged to glean wisdom from when needed (which is quite often). It is encouraging to know that they are praying for my children, as well as playing "another mother" role in their life. I wanted to take some time to share the heart behind one of these families, both parents and children. My oldest daughter, Kenzie, was invited to a birthday party for her friend Mary Katherine. (Everyone calls her MK) MK was turning 13 and wanted to have a pizza party with games, fun, and friends. This was not a typical birthday party, however. Most 13 year old girls would be concerned with ipods, cell phones, gift cards, clothes, and money. Not MK! In fact, she was thinking of someone else; she was thinking of Kenzie's little brother in Africa. You see, at the bottom of the fun, festive invitation it read: "NO GIFTS PLEASE. IN LIEU OF A GIFT, MARY KATHERINE WOULD LIKE TO BLESS MACKENZIE PAGE'S FAMILY, TO HELP BRING HER BABY BROTHER HOME FROM ETHIOPIA." Tears, right! How amazing is that! She not only sacrificed her desires for the good of someone else, but allowed her friends to be involved. What a beautiful gift from a beautiful girl! Our hearts are forever changed by such unselfish love. We can't wait to share this story with our son. He is already loved by so many!

Happy Birthday, Rosie!

Our sweet little "Rosebud" is turning two today. It brings happy and sad tears to think how my baby has grown! What a blessing she has been to our family. My prayer for you, sweet girl, is that you would "love the Lord with all your heart and seek His face always!" I can't wait to see how God uses this little girl for His glory.

5 Months!

Yesterday was the official marker of five months of waiting. Kenzie made all of us, bracelets in honor of "our little man." Each bracelet was woven with colors that represent the Ethiopian Flag. Until then....we are five hands praying, hoping, and ready to love!