A Visit from Belachew!

Today we enjoyed a visit from Belachew and his sweet parents, who were travelling through town on their way home after Thanksgiving.

Belachew and SJ were in the CHSFS Care Center at the same time, we first met Belachew in Ethiopia when we picked up our girl. Cindy and Paul travelled to Belachew about a month after we were there. I called Belachew the "Big Man on Campus" as he strutted around the Care Center confidently and made sure the other kids ate their lunch and followed directions. It is beautiful to see him again now with his loving parents, Cindy and Paul.

The kids played together well and shared muffins and orange slices. We parents shared about our adoption experiences and future plans. We are so thankful for their visit and hope to see them again soon.

http://paulandcindyadopt.blogspot.com/

Thanksgiving Day 2008

1- Uncle Dom taking aim.

2- Jelly and SJ playing under the deck.

3-the 4 B family kids playing in the dirt.

4- SuperDaddy and Uncle Dom.

We had a lovely Thanksgiving Day, celebrating at Mamaw and Papaw's house as is tradition. The food was plentiful and amazing. Uncle Dom joined us this year, which was fun. Our Social Captain, Auntie Jo, was sick so we weren't forced-I mean- lucky enough to play board games. Instead, SuperDaddy brought the bows and arrows and we played outside, took a walk, and enjoyed the beautiful weather.

We were so grateful to have our SJ home this Thanksgiving. She enjoys a good party, and it was fun to have all of the kids together.

Thankful

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, what we are thankful for:

*clean, easily available water

*freedom of religion

*freedom of speech

*food

*SuperDaddy's stable career which provides generously for us, allowing Mommy to stay home

*access to education

*a warm, comfortable home

*our health

*our amazing beautiful children

*our church family

*our extended family who all live close by and help out so much

*friends, old and new, near and far

*God's love and forgiveness

We have been blessed, no doubt.

Caring for Orphans

James 1:27 NIV
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

You can-

-adopt! Really, you can! Domestically, internationallly, fostering, there are many options to bring a child into your family. Consider adopting an older child.

-support adoptive families. Be excited during joyful times, and stand by in the hard times.

-treat new adoptive parents just like you treat parents of newborn birth children. Bring casseroles, celebrate new additions, understand that they are tired, help out with the other kids.

-sponsor a child with World Vision, make Operation Christmas Child boxes, or mentor a child through Big Brothers/Big Sisters. Your involvement will show a child that he or she has NOT been forgotten.

-learn. Read, discuss, travel and explore this world. Open your eyes, heart and mind to those less fortunate.

-conserve. Consider buying less and giving more. Consider giving donations in a friend's honor rather than a gift. Consider giving Fair Trade goods and handicrafts as gifts.

-teach your children. Teach them about children around the world, to be thankful for their blessings, and that they can help too!

-PRAY. Pray that God opens your heart to ways that you can help, pray for these lonely children, pray for the workers who bring God's love.

Cardboard Testimonies

Costume Phase Update!

B is NOT growing out of his costume phase after all. He wore costumes the past 2 days and is getting SJ to wear them too. Yesterday we went to the gym and B wore his Anakin suit with cowboy boots and an Indian headband he made out of leaves. Today he's wearing his Robin suit and put SJ in the Superman suit.

I love his creativity and confidence, 2 of his many fine qualities.

<---- This is a homemade monacle with a toy lens and tape.

A Heavy Heart

As we approach the first anniversary of SJ's relenquishment, my heart is heavy for SJ's First Mother. We had the honor of meeting this amazing woman and it widens the gash on my heart as I think of what she must be going through at this time. SJ's First Mother made the painful choice to give her daughter more than she or her community were able to offer. I pray God gives her peace and the knowledge that her daughter is well loved. And, we will raise SJ to bring honor to Ethiopia and its people. Adoption stretches the heart more than humanly possible, this is God's work.