Giraffe

Monday, February 22, 2010

Sharing our news


A couple of weeks ago we began to tell our family and friends about our decision to adopt. I underestimated how fun it would be telling people. Everyone we have told has shared in our joy and excitement and it has been a relief to be able to openly talk about it now. Our families have been wonderful and supportive, not that we thought they would be anything but. The night we told Matt's mom she told us that just that very morning when she was at church she had gone to the front of the sanctuary with her granddaughter to hear the children's message. After the message was over the congregants at the front of the church were told to place their hands on the child's head in front of them as they prayed. Jan placed her hand on an African American boy and as she prayed over him she thought to herself that we truly are all God's children, and he loves everyone of us. Little did she know that we would call her that night and tell her that we would be adopting a child from Africa through the agency named All God's Children!


Two funny reactions came from my 5 year old nieces. One of them thought that we were trading in Brooke for an orphan and fled the room crying as Matt's sister was explaining what we were doing. Luckily everything was straightened out in a few minutes! When my other niece heard we were adopting a child from Ethiopia she said to her mom with wide eyes, "They are getting a child from Genovia!" If anyone has seen the Disney movie, "The Princess Diaries," Genovia is the land in the story where the main character in the story comes from. Luckily, her confusion was shortly made clear as well.


The day after I shared our news with one of my dear friends, Lisa, she came over the next day and gave me a picture frame. The words on it reads, We loved you before we knew you- even when there was just the hope of you we loved you. Those words couldn't be more perfect because that is exactly we feel! Even though we don't know our daughter yet, we know that God knows her and it is amazing for us to think that halfway around the world is a precious child who will one day be a part of our family. We do already love her. One verse that come to mind during the past two weeks for me is Ephesians 2:10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Our paper pregnancy begins


Well we were officially approved by our agency (hooray!) and have now started the paperwork process. Otherwise referred to as our "paper pregnancy." I was very excited to receive our big packet of the initial information in the mail. I squealed when I saw the fed ex truck coming up our driveway because I knew what he was bringing me and I couldn't wait to tear open the contents of the envelope. It was exciting for me to read through everything and I really want to take the time to enjoy each step of the process. Matt and I had to read through everything and then have a teleconference with someone from our agency. We were on the phone with her for about an hour and a half this past Tuesday. She did a great job going over all of the information and answering any questions we had. Matt and I got off the phone and agreed that it was mentally exhausting as there was so much information presented, and we realize that it is only the beginning!


Last week Matt and Andrew were able to attend a meeting with an adoption group and hear a family present their story of adopting a baby boy from Ethiopia. (I had to stay home with a sick Luke). I was so glad that Andrew was able to go because he was very moved by what he heard and saw. He came home and told me that it made him want to adopt all of the children there. He told Luke all about what was shared since he had to miss it. I am very thankful that my children will be able to have this experience.

Thursday, February 4, 2010


The Starfish Story



Once upon a time, there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work.

One day, as he was walking along the shore, he looked down the beach and saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself as he thought of someone who would dance to the day, and so, he walked faster to catch up.

As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young man, and that what he was doing was not dancing at all. The young man was reaching down to the shore, picking up small objects, and throwing them into the ocean. He came closer still and called out "Good morning! May I ask what is that you are doing?"
The young man paused, looked up, and replied "Throwing starfish into the ocean."
"I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?" asked the somewhat startled wise man.

To this, the young man replied, "The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them in, they'll die."

Upon hearing this, the wise man commented, "But, young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can't possible make a difference!"

At this, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he said,"It made a difference for that one."


Matt and I have officially begun our journey into adoption! Our family is in the beginning stages of adopting a little girl from Ethiopia. I mailed our adoption application on Monday, January 25th. The kids had off of school that day and we stopped by the post office before heading down to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. Andrew took this picture of me with the envelope in hand. It was a wonderful feeling placing that envelope into the mailbox! An overwhelming feeling of excitement rushed through me. As I got back into the car, we said a prayer and went on our way. When we arrived at the museum we couldn't believe how many artifacts and displays there were of Africa. It had been a few years since we had been there and it was fun for us to look at all of this and think that our child would come from this amazing continent. There were also articles and information specific to Ethiopia. What perfect timing!


When we got home that day, I learned that about the same time that I was mailing my envelope an Ethiopian Airlines plane had crashed killing everyone on board. As I thought about the victims I wondered, too, if this would be one of the many events that would instill a sense of fear in me. Would Matt and I be flying this airline to go pick up our daughter someday? Was this a "sign" that we weren't supposed to be doing this. Thankfully that thought only entertained my brain for one second. I have full confidence that this is what God has called us to do. One of my dear friends told me about a book that Matt and I have both loved! The title is In a Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day - How to Survive and Thrive When Opportunity Roars by Mark Batterson. It is a wonderful and timely book for us. One of the verses that was included in the beginning stood out to me. It is from 1st John 4:18 - There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear. I will cling to this verse as I experience those moments of fear.