Chosen

I haven't blogged in quite sometime, not because my heart wasn't in it, but because I was taking time to reflect.  Everyone needs time to reflect every now and then.  As I was reflecting on the journey I kept thinking how my life is full of "next steps."  Next steps consist of ministry steps, home life steps, career and also with my personal relationship steps.  Have you ever thought about what it takes to complete the next step?  Well, this is what I have been pondering....what does it take for me to take the next step and be victorious.  As long as I pondered I always came back to one word and that is FAITH. 

I am convinced that my life is full of faith to faith steps.  God designed it this way.  I started off on level 1 and I had to believe God for what I would consider the small things.  I had no ideal that He was tailoring me to have faith for the humongous steps in my life.  Faith, "is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen."  As I resight that verse in my head I begin to think about the wonderful up and down journey that Shawn and I are learning to embrace. 

When you embrace something you are encircling the item that you are embracing.  For some, I know that this journey is still a little weird.  And honestly at times it is overwhelmingly humbling.  I am humbled at the choice God has made for our life.  Because God has chosen this route for us we are learning to trust Him through the process.  The process to obtain a promise is not always an easy one, however, any thing worth having is worth fighting for.  Embracing the next step is the phase in my life that I am in. As I am embracing the next step I am totally engulffed in the will of the Lord. 

Many of you have asked "How did we end up here...at the decision to adopt." "And specifically adopt internationally?" I thought I would share our story with you.  Well, some of it. :-)  Before Shawn and I were married, we talked about the option of adopting.  I told him that it has always been something in me that was interested in helping a child that has little to no hope.  Little did we know that conversation would spark a seed that began to grow and grow.

Here we are six years later. Over the course of life's troubles and blessings God opened up the door for us to adopt internationally.  (Many people are not knowledgeable of the benefits of an intercountry adoption opposed to a domestic adoption. There are some vast differences involved.) I began to research and pray about the many countries available, and my heart was drawn towards Ethiopia.  Many people might remember the famine in Ethiopia in 1984, but it wasn't the devastating circumstances that caught my eye.   I was drawn towards the culture, their own way of living (13 month calendar year), and the vast hills and wildlife that one can find there. It doesn't stop there,  the beautiful country of Ethiopia has a rich Judea-Christan history. 

It's amazing as I started to research the country I fell in love with it....hence my blog title.  So we began this journey a little over 4 months ago. During the 4 months we have experienced many great moments and also moments that push you into prayer even more.

This week Shawn and I received news of a possible wait time increase.  At first Shawn and I were devestated. I asked a few close friends and family members to pray.  And today, four days later I feel that God has strengthened us even more for this journey.  All things work together for the good of those who love God and are the called according to His purpose.  With that said, I know that God specifically called us for this work. He has chosen our two Ethiopian jewels to travel half way across the world for a purpose.....to be saved. 

What an awesome God we serve.  He is so mindful of the smallest things!

Blood and Words

 I love blogging, but I also want to make the most of it. So I have been praying about what to "talk" about on a regular basis and thankfully =) The Lord reminded me of this, Revelation 12:11
"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death."

When I began to reflect about this scripture I thought man...I should begin Memorial Day Saturday.  I have created a memorial box that I treasure very deeply.  It is displayed in a prominent place in my home because it's at the heart of my home, my family and my faith. Here's the background:

In Joshua 4 God tells the Isrealites to collect stones and set them as a Sign (Memorial) to remind them of God's power and provision. He then tells the Isrealites to use those stones as a memorial; that everytime they see them to tell their children and their children's children the stories over and over again, continually reminding them of God's faithfulness.

 

I paraphrased this chapter,  but please take time to read Joshua 4 : 4 - 24!

((He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the LORD is mighty and so that you might always fear the LORD your God."))

 

I thought that this is a great way to share my testimony  Sometimes you never know why God takes you the way He does but you must know that it all works together for the good of those that love Him and are called according to His purpose.  The word of my testimony......I don't really know where to begin.  As I look back I know that this All-Powerful, All-Knowing, All-Capable God has done so much for me! Each of these little testimonies that come to mind represent times when God has miraculously provided, supernaturally healed, or powerfully met a need. Each time I talk about these things I am reminded of all the magnificient things God has done for me.

 

 

When tough times come (like when I heard that the Womens Minstry of Ethiopia had decided to close even more orphanges) I can look back at my many testimonies and be reminded that, "He was faithful to make a way out of no way when we began this journey..., I can surely trust Him to move on my behalf again!"

God's Word, my testimonies and yours are the reminders of God's faithfulness.  This is the fabric of my faith.  Each and every time I think of a memory it reminds me just how much God loves me and how He is #1 in my life.

So I was thinking.....from today on this blogging gal will be dedicating Saturday's to remembering God's faithfulness - calling it officially The Word of My Testimony Day.I do give God praise everyday but this is a special time that I can share with my blogger friends what God has done this week. Maybe this will also cause others to reflect and take a part out of their day to give God praise.

 

Now, for my first official Saturday Testimony:

 

 

 

I have been extremely busy witih home, family and ministry obligations.  I will admit it.....sometimes I get too busy that I forget to enjoy the simple things that God has blessed me with. Today was a monumental day for Shawn and I, and we hadn't really shared it with anybody.  In this process there is a ton of paperwork that must be approved by the agency, local government, US government, translated in Ethiopian and then approved by the Ethiopian Government.  This is one reason why the process may take over a year to complete.

 

So on today, Shawn and I finally completed the initial paperwork that was due to our agency.  It should take a week or so from the time they receive it to call with feedback.  Can you imagine how I feel during this period.  At times I become nervous, anxious and even scared.  Shawn mailed the paperwork as I was on my way to cheer practice.  I entered the gym and was greeted with big hugs from my girls. And then something truly amazing happened.....one of my besties bought some clothes for my treasures, my babies. 

 

 

I was so amazed.  She had no idea that today Shawn and I mailed off more paperwork for the adoption.  We finally completed all of the initial paperwork and our next step is to finalize the dossier.  On this monumental day for Shawn and I...God, my all knowing Jesus, layed it on my besties heart to buy something for our treasures.  God is faithful.  He always gives me what I need to keep pushing a little futher in this journey.

 

 

I know that one day, after they are home and safe, I will look back and think how this process was amazing and how God NEVER failed.  I can't wait to do that.  But for now I can stand firm and say, "My God is AMAZING!  He has provided, stepped in and granted me peace, comforted me when no one else had the words to say, and most of all He has loved me."  I am in love and in awe with this God that I serve.  If you have a testimony from this past week.  Please share it with me.  After all, Revelation 12:11
"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death."

A World Away....

Many of you in blogger world have been asking me more and more about the Ethiopian lifestyle. I know that many of you have mentioned that you really don't know anyone who has gone through this process.  The truth is until I began this process, there was no one close to me who ventured out into the world of adoption as well.  However, since we began this journey I have found that many people adopt internationally monthly.  It's almost like many people thought the world was flat...until they were proven wrong.

International adoption is an outlet that God has used for many people to help those in need.  The great thing about adopting Internationally is that most of the infants and children are healthy.  They have just lost one or both parents due to HIV/AIDS.  I thought I would share pictures of Ethiopian treasures with you.  I know Ethiopia seems like a world away to some.  But actually Ethiopia is not that far away in our hearts. 









Although the children in Ethiopia don't have much...They still make the most of what they do have. 
This picture was copied by UNICEF.

So as you can see there are different variations of Ethiopian child life.  From those who have been adopted to those children who reside in Ethiopia.  If you  have time...please watch the below video.  Although the people that are interviewed are speaking Amharic and Oromigna the sub titles are in English.  This is a phenomenal video from the perspective of Ethiopian citizens.  The plight of the orphan is a severe issue.  One that should not be overlooked.  I hope you have the time to watch it.  I promise not only will it be educational but it will open your eyes to the severity of need in Ethiopia. Lastly, thank you for all your prayers for me, my family, and our children.  God is good.  I love reading all the comments, emails and even listening to encouraging words on the phone. 

I began this blog to be an outlet and to document the journey to share with our children.  I never thought that people across the world would end up reading it.  I was very surprised to see how many people are following me.  From the USA to Germany I am completely humbled by Jesus allowing my testimony to reach and encourage others.  Please continue to pray for me and my family and I will remember yours in prayer as well.

In My Corner

I have a wonderful little girl who has been in my corner for the past four years.  From the time she was born until now she has never let me forget how wonderful she thinks I am.  She, herself, is absolutely fabulous.  Not just because she is my niece, but because God has truly blessed her with so many outstanding talents.  She not only is the smartest four year old that I know but she dances, sings and also can hold a conversation better than most. 

She is divalicious and I love it.  I love her.  In order to be divalicious you must abide by several rules.  They are as follows....

1. You must know that you can not do anything without God.
2. You must be confident in knowing who you are and trust that God will guide you everyday.
3. You must have your own swag on 10.
4. You must act like a lady at ALL times
5. You must appreciate those around you.

For all these reasons and many more my niece, Makaiya L. Cheshire is one of the most fabulous little princesses I know.  Happy Birthday Makaiya.  Auntie B and Uncle S love you very much.

Makaiya as a newborn

Makaiya all smiles as a baby.

Makaiya at Easter

Is that Minnie Mouse?  No It's Makiaya 3 years later.

My 2 nieces: Makaiya and London having fun with Papa...my daddy!

One Tiny Pebble and Tons of Ripples

I began my day today with a great praise in my spirit.  The song, "I Give Myself Away" by William McDowell was resonating in my spirit.  I quickly got ready for work.  Jumped in my truck and off I went to start the day.  I arrived at school still singing "I Give Myself Away."  Entered my classroom and began repeating over and over again "My life is not my own. To you I belong."

The students entered the room and I was greeted with many hugs. I quickly ushered them on their knees to pray.  My class starts the school day everyday in prayer.  I walked around the room and as I was praying I heard someone say, "Help me give you more."  Wow!  A second grader pleading with God to increase in them to give more.

As the day went along I had a fantastic day at school. At home I began to reflect on my day and yet again the song began to resonate in my spirit , "My life is not my own. To you I belong."  And that prompted me to open up my prayer journal and read entries from the past five years. I am so grateful that God had me start this journal becuase I documented my request before God, When He answered, and also When I saw the request fulfilled.

God has been good to me.  Over the past five years I have proof that He has never failed me.  At times even when I was in despair, I could turn the pages and see how God himself showed to be mighty in battle.  The ripple effect.  See some people use the ripple effect in regards to business.  The ripple effect is a theory that if a pebble is dropped in the middle of a pool of water, the pebble would ultimately create several ripples that expand outwardly from the point of origin.  

The pebble in my life was the day that God saved me.  From that day to this...I have chosen to live my life in His plan.  The expanding ripples are the events that have occurred from me bowing my will to His and living by faith.  This faith walk has ushered me into a new level of faith and inturn has me trusting God with me, my life, my thoughts, my actions...all of me.  I have quickly realized that even this adoption has been ordained as such a time as this. Adoption is not our second plan to having a family but I am quickly realizing that it is God's first plan for my family.

I began to think about how for the past five years Shawn and I parented our neice.  We had the amazing opportunity to impart into her Godly princples while all along God was preparing us to love someone we did not birth. God in His infinite wisdom knew that we would have to learn how to love someone whole heartedly before he could trust us with our own treasures from Ethiopia. 

I can recall the day when one of my good friends pulled me to the side, and hesitantly told me that God is demanding that I love like he is calling for me to love. Wow....as I think back I can see how that one conversation changed how I viewed my life at that point. See, I had to learn how to love and take care of a child that was not my own before God could allow us to start this journey. 

 I am fully aware that my first two children will come from two people who graciously humbled themselves and made a really hard decision to give up their babies for various reasons.  And then I started searching the scriptures about adoption and I found that God chose adoption for many people in the Bible to save them.  I then found this video which I thought was great!  Check it out.  Isn't God AMAZING!

  

Ignorance has a voice.....

So here I am again.  Unfortunately just like my last post I have waivered about how to begin this one.  Someone said something to me yesterday that was so wrong on so many levels.  "Are you going to adopt the dark black nappy headed kids?"  How do you even respond to such ignorance as this?  Well ...... here you go.

To this particular person and others who feel the need to judge me, my children, and the process that God is taking us through I sincerely apologize.  See, the thing I have learned is that when you don't understand something it is much easier to say ignorant things opposed to standing back prayerful and watching God move.  Ignorance is a powerful thing.  Ignorance can blind you from seeing what God is doing right in front of your face.

This person has no clue how God is providing for my children to come home.  It's funny to me that as God is fulfilling his word the nay sayers are rising up evermore.  I have stepped aside and I am watching God do this thing.  I truly believe this is not even for me, but God wants to save these two BEAUTIFUL babies whether they are black, purple, lime green or orange.  I love these babies and it doesn't matter to me their outward appearance.

This year the word that God spoke was "order." I am awed with God becuase as we go through this process one thing that I am determined to do is to do it right.  And not just do it right but be so in God's will to where the ignorance of others becomes non effective darts.  The kind of darts where as they are thrown they don't even make it my way because they are defective. 

I believe that God is God. Unfortunately, not everyone has the mind and heart of God.  I am striving to do His will and to live this life as a living sacrifice.  I would employ others to do the same.  The heart of God is pure.  Love is pure. 

So please, I'm asking, begging, pleading with you....and you know who you are. Let your ignorance be silenced.  I am determined this year to live in the face of my enemy with much joy, peace, and happiness knowing that somewhere in a place called Ethiopia, where there are over 5 million orphans.....God has two treasures in mind just for me.

One Little Penny

I have tried to start this posting several times and I keep erasing the introduction.  Lately, I have been very emotional about this process. It seems like whenever I began to feel overwhelmed God will allow me to come across something to encourage me and to confirm that this adoption is in His will.  So many people ask me the following questions:

1. Are you gonna get 1 or 2? (in a synical, non believing voice)
2. Are you going to work once they get here?
3. Where is the money coming from?
4. So....when are they going to get here?
5. You have to go to.....Africa?
6. Isn't this just a lot....
7. Are you sure you don't want to adopt domestically?
8. Why not just 1?
9. So what is going to happen when you bring them home?
10. How are you going to adjust..is your family moving back to help?

It's so many questions that I become so frustrated.  But then God steps in and reminds me of his word.  God has a heart for the fatherless.....He put the burden to adopt in our hearts.  This is the desire HE gave us.  Many people don't understand....and unfortunately I can't really explain it.  All I know is that one day God spoke and we answered the call.

On this journey one thing that continues to come up is the cost.  For about a week, I have been thinking heavily about this.  It is quite expensive.  In my prayer closet today I finally gave it to God and I reminded Him this was his promise and I will not worry any more how this is going to come together.  And then so sweetly I came across this story.....This is how faithful God is to me!

"One Little Penny"

So many of you have written and wondered how in the world - with this economy will you/ could you/ should you afford to bring home a treasure or two? 

I have a story I have been meaning to share.  It's a story from the heart of God.  See, He's not limited to the economy.  He's not limited to a loss of job.  He's not limited to the rising cost of food.

He loves the orphan.  He longs for every.single.one. to be in a home.   

And He is definitely not a deadbeat Dad.

If He loves the orphan so much, do you think that a job loss is a surprise to Him?  Does a loss of income come as a surprise to Him? Or how about the rising cost of food?  

Not a chance!!

Sweet friends, if need be, He will bring money out of seemingly no where.  And yes, you could wake up in the morning and find a stack of money on your front lawn.  He owns it all!!   And nothing is too difficult for Him.  He can truly bring money out of nowhere, from the down right craziest places, to provide for each treasure of His to come home.  

And here's a personal story of Ruby's 'pennies from heaven'.  

In early summer, I had gone downtown to 
have coffee with a friend.

We grabbed our drinks and decided to walk Main Street.

Walking, talking and eventually praying together. 

Walking back to our cars, we hugged and as I stepped off the curb to head to my car I saw it.  A penny laying on the ground.  I laughed and called to my friend, "Look!  A penny for our next treasure to come home!  We always pick up every penny we see, because enough pennies can bring a little one home and besides - Dw and I always say, "each penny is a reminder from the Lord that HE WILL PROVIDE EVERY PENNY needed."

My sweet friend, Kathy, laughed and agreed with me.

A couple months later Kathy texted me.  

She said she had something she needed to bring me.  

When we were able to meet up she wondered. 
 She went on -  she needed help carrying "it."

Huh?

She actually came to the hospital where Karl was.  She visited awhile and then went to her car and lifted "it"
 out of the trunk and carried toward
 me the prettiest box ever
{wish I'd taken a picture of the box, you'd have loved it.}

Inside the box was this:

 It was filled to the brim with change she had gathered from all over her house, her husband's pockets and every nook and cranny she found.  Yes, it was filled.

 

I am sure that you can imagine my amazement after reading this.  My response was "Thank you Jesus for being so mindful of me."

I was dumbfounded.  I had completely forgotten about my penny comment when we had met for coffee a few months before. 

She then handed me a wad of bills too.  She and her sweet husband wanted to help little Miss Ruby {and SJ} come home.    
Dw and the kids almost passed out when they saw it.  

It was full.  

Completely full.

It was one of the coolest things we have ever received.  A clear reminder that God uses pennies to help bring treasures home.  He uses people and crazy circumstances {like finding a penny on the ground while stepping off the curb saying good-bye to a friend having coffee} to prompt someone to share what they have so that a much-valued little person {or persons} can come home forever.

Now the adorable piggy is too big for our Memorial Box but a penny is not.  It serves inside our Memorial Box to remind us that every penny should be picked up, because in the long run, a penny makes a lot of pennies and all those pennies 
put together work wonders.  

Faithful God.

Faithful generous, orphan-loving friends.

Baby girl laying in my arms shrieking and cooing as I type.

Do not let money ever stand in the way.
Ever.  
He will provide every.single.penny.