Our kids are such a delight to our hearts. We smile more since the Lord brought them home to us.
September 29, 2010
September 25, 2010
Loving Children "Not Our Own"
A great post from friends Dave and Stacy Hare:
To those of you who have adopted, you have probably had to read state-required materials which talk all about attachment, bonding, and the like. The main goal behind such literature (in my mind) is to give adoptive parents tools to create a relationship that is unnatural (ie two strangers coming together through the process of adoption) into something that is natural (the bond between parent and child). Because of these readings, and before adopting Kaden and Makyra, I wondered to myself, "Will I be able to love a 'random' child from across the world in the same way I could love a biological child?"
As a Christian, I would say, "Definitely." And it isn't because of the tips that were suggested in these adoption materials (although these materials have their place) but it is because I know Love himself.
"God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him." 1 John 4:16b
If God is the very source of all true love and God abides in me, then I have the ability to not only genuinely love my adopted children, but I even have the supernatural ability to love my enemies. I can truly love my children, because I have been truly loved by God.
"We love because he first loved us." 1 John 4:19
And these words have been proved true in my life. I am surprised by how much love I have for Kaden and Makyra and I wouldn't change a thing about them. I love the fact that the Lord has picked out children for us from across the globe, put them in our home to care for, and given us a heart that is eager to "bear all things, hope all things, endure all things." We can't imagine loving them any more than we already do!
So, to any out there who may be (secretly) wondering if you should adopt because you just don't know if you could love a child as much as your biological child or whatever, I assure you - if you know the Lord then you can! Love for anyone, whether that be a spouse, an enemy, a biological child, an adopted child, or whomever is possible for those who have been loved by God. Love for an adopted child may not be natural, but the Lord loves to give grace to do things that are supernatural.
May the world look at the Church's love for adopted children and know that there is a supernatural love at work!
September 24, 2010
Standing Up
It seems like every time I turn around one or both of the kids have pulled up on something. They can get from crawling to sitting, sitting to crawling, and as you can see, they can stand up all by themselves! Now that they've figured it out, they love to explore all day long. They motivate each other too. If one sees the other standing, the other isn't far behind. And they're fearless. The other day I started singing the Itsy Bitsy Spider while they stood next to something they had pulled up on, and they clapped -- which means they weren't even holding on!
September 23, 2010
September 21, 2010
In Every Nation, Anyone Who Fears Him
I've been going through a study of the life of Paul in the Bible, and this afternoon I read something that was really encouraging.
As many of you would know, shortly after Jesus rose from the dead God intervened dramatically in the life of a man named Saul, who then became a follower of Christ (and renamed Paul). He describes his conversion in Galatians 1:15-16, saying "He who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son to me, in order that I might preach Him among the Gentiles." God describes Saul's calling in a similar way in Acts 9:15, where He said "He is a chosen instrument of Mine to carry My name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel."
A ministry to the Gentiles would have been revolutionary to Jews at this time. And Saul, of all people, because of his upbringing and profession, probably had not had a high opinion of Gentiles before he became a follower of Christ. Jews generally thought of Gentiles as unclean and not chosen by God. But Saul joyfully obeyed the Lord and took the good news to the Gentiles that everyone who believes in Jesus receives forgiveness of sins through His name.
Other disciples of Christ might have been reluctant to hear that the word of the Lord was going out to the Gentiles. But God revealed to another leader of the early church, Peter, the same good news of salvation to all who would believe. Peter said in Acts 10:34-35, "Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears Him and does what is right is acceptable to Him." What a verse!! And listen to what comes next...
"As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name." Acts 10:36-43
Everyone who believes! In every nation! Anyone who fears Him! What beautiful words.
May we also show no partiality, but freely share the gospel of God's grace through Christ, which has been extended to us, with all people.
As many of you would know, shortly after Jesus rose from the dead God intervened dramatically in the life of a man named Saul, who then became a follower of Christ (and renamed Paul). He describes his conversion in Galatians 1:15-16, saying "He who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son to me, in order that I might preach Him among the Gentiles." God describes Saul's calling in a similar way in Acts 9:15, where He said "He is a chosen instrument of Mine to carry My name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel."
A ministry to the Gentiles would have been revolutionary to Jews at this time. And Saul, of all people, because of his upbringing and profession, probably had not had a high opinion of Gentiles before he became a follower of Christ. Jews generally thought of Gentiles as unclean and not chosen by God. But Saul joyfully obeyed the Lord and took the good news to the Gentiles that everyone who believes in Jesus receives forgiveness of sins through His name.
Other disciples of Christ might have been reluctant to hear that the word of the Lord was going out to the Gentiles. But God revealed to another leader of the early church, Peter, the same good news of salvation to all who would believe. Peter said in Acts 10:34-35, "Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears Him and does what is right is acceptable to Him." What a verse!! And listen to what comes next...
"As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name." Acts 10:36-43
Everyone who believes! In every nation! Anyone who fears Him! What beautiful words.
May we also show no partiality, but freely share the gospel of God's grace through Christ, which has been extended to us, with all people.
September 18, 2010
September 15, 2010
Sometimes It's Hard Too
Our adoption agency has a message board where adopting families can be in touch with each other, and it's been such a neat resource for us. Recently there was an interesting discussion about some of the challenges families have faced once they bring their children home.
We've been really fortunate. I think most of the little things we've struggled through with our kids are regular new baby things. The Lord blessed us by allowing us to bring them home when they were very young, and I'm sure that made a world of difference. They also had a great, great orphanage. But people whose children were at other orphanages or whose kids were older when they came home may have other difficulties -- adjusting to new foods, language barriers, developmental delays, desire for constant attention, trouble bonding, throwing fits, fear of bugs, etc.
With all this in mind, one mommy had some encouraging words to share:
God has been so kind to give us a fairly easy process and adjustment. We hope to adopt again, and probably more than once. It's very possible that our process and adjustment won't be this easy the next time around. Of course we'll pray that it will be and trust God that He can do it if He desires to! But it will be worth it, and a picture of the gospel, either way.
We've been really fortunate. I think most of the little things we've struggled through with our kids are regular new baby things. The Lord blessed us by allowing us to bring them home when they were very young, and I'm sure that made a world of difference. They also had a great, great orphanage. But people whose children were at other orphanages or whose kids were older when they came home may have other difficulties -- adjusting to new foods, language barriers, developmental delays, desire for constant attention, trouble bonding, throwing fits, fear of bugs, etc.
With all this in mind, one mommy had some encouraging words to share:
Redemption is costly. Adoption is wonderful, and it is an incredible picture of the gospel, but we have to remember that our adoption through Jesus Christ cost him a lot (namely His life) and we can't expect things to be wonderful and easy all the time! It is really tough, but really worth it.I hope our adoption story inspires many others to consider adoption. But I want to paint a realistic picture too. Our case worker told us that our adoption was the fastest one she'd ever seen. (Does God answer prayer, or what??) Of all the other families I've seen on the message board and blog list, our babies were some of the youngest that anyone through our agency has been able to bring home. Just look at how little they were on day one...
God has been so kind to give us a fairly easy process and adjustment. We hope to adopt again, and probably more than once. It's very possible that our process and adjustment won't be this easy the next time around. Of course we'll pray that it will be and trust God that He can do it if He desires to! But it will be worth it, and a picture of the gospel, either way.
September 13, 2010
Just Hanging Out
The kids are getting so big and active... here are some recent pictures of them playing around the house. They're such a joy!!
September 11, 2010
Melkam Addis Amet!
Happy Ethiopian New Year! Or, as they would say, Melkam Addis Amet! Today brings Ethiopia into the year 2003.
A google search tells me that's because "Ethiopia still retains the Julian calendar, in which the year is divided into 12 months of 30 days each and a 13th month of 5 days and 6 days in leap year. The Ethiopian calendar is 8 years behind the Gregorian calendar from January to September and 7 years behind between September 11 and January 8."
The first day of the Ethiopian new year is called Enkutatash. And get this -- "Enkutatash means the 'gift of jewels.' When the famous Queen of Sheba returned from her expensive jaunt to visit King Solomon in Jerusalem, her chiefs welcomed her by replenishing her treasury with inku or jewels." How fun that the holiday has its roots in the Bible!
A google search tells me that's because "Ethiopia still retains the Julian calendar, in which the year is divided into 12 months of 30 days each and a 13th month of 5 days and 6 days in leap year. The Ethiopian calendar is 8 years behind the Gregorian calendar from January to September and 7 years behind between September 11 and January 8."
The first day of the Ethiopian new year is called Enkutatash. And get this -- "Enkutatash means the 'gift of jewels.' When the famous Queen of Sheba returned from her expensive jaunt to visit King Solomon in Jerusalem, her chiefs welcomed her by replenishing her treasury with inku or jewels." How fun that the holiday has its roots in the Bible!
September 10, 2010
Makes Me Cry Every Time
I happened this morning upon the adoption story of friends we knew from college, and I cried as I read about how two years ago a birth mom had chosen them as the parents of her newborn son and saw pictures of this brave young girl handing her two week old boy to his new mommy and daddy.
It gets me every time.
There is just something unique and special about adoption. Giving birth is beautiful and miraculous, don't get me wrong. Those stories usually make me cry too. But in this family's case (and ours), there are more emotions involved. God walked them through the grief of childlessness to the joy of parenthood.
I was just talking to hubby last night about how thankful I am for God's incredibly gracious gift to us in these two sweet babies. We've never given birth. And yet we have a son and a daughter. They are not our flesh and blood. Yet we love them more than words can express - they have completely captured our hearts. We don't deserve them. And yet our God has been so good. We'll never stop praising Him for His kindness to us!
It gets me every time.
There is just something unique and special about adoption. Giving birth is beautiful and miraculous, don't get me wrong. Those stories usually make me cry too. But in this family's case (and ours), there are more emotions involved. God walked them through the grief of childlessness to the joy of parenthood.
I was just talking to hubby last night about how thankful I am for God's incredibly gracious gift to us in these two sweet babies. We've never given birth. And yet we have a son and a daughter. They are not our flesh and blood. Yet we love them more than words can express - they have completely captured our hearts. We don't deserve them. And yet our God has been so good. We'll never stop praising Him for His kindness to us!
September 9, 2010
Happy Girl Hair
One thing that seemed daunting when we started the adoption process through Ethiopia was hair. How would I know what to do with it, especially if the Lord gave us a girl?? Well, I'm pleased to report that so far it's actually been easy! Don't get me wrong, my girl's hair isn't always tame. But really... is mine?
One of the things I wasn't expecting is that our kiddos' hair doesn't need to be washed nearly as often as a white baby's hair would. And there are tons of resources out there with tips on everything from products to styles. Here's a personal fave: Happy Girl Hair, from a mommy of two Ethiopian girls. I'm sure that as our sweet pea gets older I'll be a regular visitor to the site.
So if you've been intimidated too, don't be scared of the hair!
One of the things I wasn't expecting is that our kiddos' hair doesn't need to be washed nearly as often as a white baby's hair would. And there are tons of resources out there with tips on everything from products to styles. Here's a personal fave: Happy Girl Hair, from a mommy of two Ethiopian girls. I'm sure that as our sweet pea gets older I'll be a regular visitor to the site.
So if you've been intimidated too, don't be scared of the hair!
September 7, 2010
A Day in the Trash Dump in Ethiopia
Today I am feeling very aware of the fact that there are children in the world that are hungry. It might be because when I watch this video I can see my children. It might be because I read about an email this week that quoted a little girl waiting to be adopted. She said, "I just want to go where I won't be hungry anymore." How very sad!
Luke 3:11 And Jesus answered them, “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.”
Matthew 25:35-40 Jesus said, "For I was hungry and you gave Me food, I was thirsty and you gave Me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed Me, I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you visited Me, I was in prison and you came to Me.’ Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? And when did we see You a stranger and welcome You, or naked and clothe You? And when did we see You sick or in prison and visit You?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to Me.’
Luke 3:11 And Jesus answered them, “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.”
Matthew 25:35-40 Jesus said, "For I was hungry and you gave Me food, I was thirsty and you gave Me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed Me, I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you visited Me, I was in prison and you came to Me.’ Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? And when did we see You a stranger and welcome You, or naked and clothe You? And when did we see You sick or in prison and visit You?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to Me.’
September 5, 2010
Celebrating Five
Good friends of ours came by to watch the kids while we went out to dinner on our fifth anniversary. It was one of the few times we've been out alone together since we brought the babies home, and I'm so glad we did it! Hubby opened doors for me, he kept his arm around my shoulders as we walked down the sidewalk, and we ate dinner somewhere other than our dining room table. It was such a nice date!
Here's to a lifetime of anniversaries with you!
Here's to a lifetime of anniversaries with you!
September 3, 2010
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
