Over the past few weeks I have felt the Lord's love and guidance more than ever; Alleluia, Alleluia!!!
I will begin by reminding myself (and everyone else who reads this blog) my life has been extremely blessed... I live a beautiful, full life. And yet, He continues to shine his light on my life!!! WOW! How eternally grateful I will be...
His path for me...(as I know it now)
Well, as many of you already know our family has been called to adopt. Initially, I thought the reason we decided on adoption was as a result of my two difficult pregnancies. BUT, now as we continue on this amazing journey, I firmly believe it because of SO SO much more!!!!
Why Ethiopia? Simply put, it is where God is leading our family. I am fully aware of the need for domestic adoptions, and well, maybe one day we will be lead down that path too?. But for now, our hearts are in Ethiopia and I very proud of that...
Before the start of our adoption, if asked, I would have told you my husband and I were devoted, honest, trustful people. What I would have failed to mention was how extremely materialistic we were, slightly selfish, and completely unaware (compared to our current knowledge) of the deprivation and need for the simple, survival things....like WATER and SHOES!!!
As a family, we have immersed ourselves in the NEEDS of Africa, and as a result, our WANTS have changed dramatically!! We have re-evaluated our lives... So now, if you are to ask me about our family, I will tell you we are still devoted, honest, trustful, but now completely DEDICATED to making AFRICA a nourishing continent, DEDICATED to educating our children on the injustice in ALL of the worlds, and DEDICATED to teaching our children their voices matter....so they need to use them!
For that alone, I will be forever, FOREVER merciful!!
We are using our time of waiting very constructively! Our children are learning simple Amharic words, are understanding (at their simple level) their privileged lives, and are anxiously awaiting their arrival of the brother or sister!!
I cannot wait for the day I hold my child in my arms, and this wait will make it so much sweeter....but in the meantime, the Lord, the Giver of Life, has yet blessed me again! He has given me Chase! Chase is a miracle baby, a miracle that I get to hold and love and nourish, all while he nourishes my void...
Chase was born at 28 weeks weighing in at 1lb. 10oz and 13 inches long (yes, folks he was smaller than the length of a barbie doll.) He may have been small, but he clearly is a mighty little boy. He flourished while spending over 60 days in the NICU. He graduated from the NICU at 38 weeks and now spends days with me while his mommy works.
You see, I desperately want a baby, another child...and while I wait patiently for my own; the Lord graciously shined his light on me and blessed me with Chase and his Mommy, Sandy. I am grateful to have them in my life!
It is these amazing miracles, that my faith continues to thrive and grow!
