Almost 9 months ago, I read these words on a blog called "A Bushel and a Peck"...in response the question "Is everyone called to adopt?" Here's her response:

"I think the question is really "How is God wanting to use my life?"
I don't think God has called us all to have large families (adopt...do orphan ministry...etc.), but I think He HAS called us all to have a place where we get our hands dirty and out lives messy in meeting the needs of hurting people. It might be ministry to single moms, prisoners, the poor, the homeless, widows, inner city kids, immigrants, the sick...but SOMEWHERE God has a place for each of us to serve that will complicate our lives, and our homes, and our personal space and time...and THAT place will be a place where we know a special kind of fulfillment and satisfaction and where we are used to have eternal impact. For the lucky ones of us, it is the call to parent children who need families."

I can't tell you how many times I have re-read those words.

And over the past week, I feel like those words have come into living color in our home. When I think about the changes that have happened in our home in the last couple of weeks, we have certainly "complicated our lives, our home, our personal space and time!!" But, as a family, we are also realizing a very special kind of fulfillment and satisfaction as we see a child....A LIFE....change before our very eyes!! It is an absolute joy and miracle to watch Derek learn more and more each day how to love, cuddle, smile, laugh, kiss, and TRUST the very blessed family that God chose for him before the beginning of time!!

Our family is so privileged to have been called down this path...

Fresh Start...again

I had a haircut this morning.
"Cut and Color" to be exact.

I thought about re-scheduling. We've only been home 6 days. But then again, it's only for 2 hours. So I went.

When we got home (Micah, Derek and I) the boys both went down for naps....((2nd day in a row for dual naps!!!!)) and I was craving a quiet time. So, I got out my Bible, and my journal. I turned forward several pages in my journal to leave room for some thoughts that I still need to put on paper....then I folded back the page and wrote "A new chapter, a fresh start".

Fresh start.
I need one today. It has been a little busy. Quiet times with the Lord have been lacking.
But if there is one thing that I know the Lord is soooooo good at....it is the offering of FRESH STARTS! I know, because I have begged for them often from Him...and He is always faithful to follow through.
So I dug into the Old Testament. Read a little. Wrote a little. Then decided to see what Ann at "Holy Experience" blog had to offer.

IMAGINE MY GREAT SURPRISE AND UTTER DELIGHT when I read THIS.

I hope you will take time to read it. It's deep (usually is on her blog!) but very worth the read.

And I smiled that I had gotten my haircut!!!!!
A fresh start to a new year.
Now, where did I put my trumpet??? Oh wait, the boys are still napping!!!
:)

Pictures...

I am finding it to be an IMPOSSIBLE TASK....going through our Ethiopia photos and selecting ones to share.
For several reasons:

1) There were TWO photographers on this trip...me AND Erica. And let me tell you, that girl can shoot some good ones! So....double the photos to look through!
2) There is SO MUCH TO SHARE!! so many people....so many places...so many memories!
3) It is hard to see with tears in my eyes. I am not kidding....as I look back through the pictures, I am overwhelmed. Overwhelmed is an understatement.
4) I don't know what to share first. I want to talk about Derek. I want to tell you about what Hope For His Children has done and is doing. I can't wait to introduce you to the AMAZING FAMILIES we traveled with! ((See, more tears as I type that!!)) And I want to tell you about the children: the street children...the CFI children...the children of Hannah's Hope...the children who came home to new families...our children. I. LOVE. THEM.

But, for today, here are just a few photos....

OUR VERY FIRST GLIMPSE OF DEREK...HE WAS SOUND ASLEEP...AND OH SOOOOOOO CUTE!!!


DEREK'S FIRST BATH IN THE HOTEL IN ADDIS


BROCK PLAYING WITH HIS NEW LITTLE BROTHER


ERICA LOVING THE SMILES!


MICAH AND DEREK SPLASHING IN THE TUB


Things are going well. We are all adjusting to the new time zone, the new little one, our new roles...
Each day seems a little more "normal". Today Micah, Derek and I even managed an outing to the office, the bank, Walmart and Mexican food (to go)!! Big day!

That's all for now. I hope to post many more details (I know, my track record on that is not great!!) ....Hold me to it!

Thank you for all the prayers and sweet words!!

We're home!!!

Just had to share two "firsts" pictures with you....first FAMILY OF SIX photo and first SMILES photo!

There will be lots more photos and details to follow, but we wanted to let you all know that we are home....we are doing well....we are so in love with "little Derek" already....and we are thankful for all your prayers!

We're headed home!!!!!

Hi everyone!

We are headed home!  and we FINALLY have an internet connection! (at the Addis Abbaba airport)

We have Derek in arms and cannot wait for you to meet him.

There are so many wonderful details to share with you, but for now we just wanted to say "hi!" and let you know that all is well!

Derek is adjusting great...and we think he is SOOOOOOO cute (ok, maybe we are biased)

 

OK....that is it for now.  We will see you soon in the very blessed USA!

 

:)

 

p.s. Thanks for all your prayers....please keep it up, we have a VERY LONG trip ahead of us!

Timmons family update

Hello all!

My name is Jana and my husband is in Ethiopia with the Timmons family (he is picking up our little girl).  They do not have email at the hotel, but they wanted everyone to know that they are safe, they have Derek, and everyone is doing well!  It sounds like they are all having a wonderful time over there!  I am sure they would appreciate continued prayers for good health and safe travel.

Thank you!

Jana

Update from Ethiopia...

We are excited to give an update from Ethiopa!!
Yesterday (Friday) we spent the day with Peter from Compassion Family International.  We have continue to work with this ministry since our trip here in January!  It was absolutely wonderful to get to play and visit with the children who are benefiting from what we have done so far!  These children would likely have no access to education or substantial food if it weren't for the work of Peter's ministry here!!

Today (Saturday) we met up with Ephrim #1....he drove for us back and January...a wonderful Christian man with a great business mind who is trying to start up his own driving-sightseeing business here.  Not an easy task in Ethiopia.  He drove us to do a little shopping.  Unfortunately, Micah didn't care much for the ride and proceeded to vomit several times upon our arrival at the shops.  He seems MUCH better now and is playing without any complaints.  Hopefully it was just the drive. 

We also went to watch some soccer!  Ephrim #2 (a different Ephrim) has an amazing soccer ministry for street (homeless) kids.  We will definitely have to fill in the details and show pics of this later!!

We are getting anxious to see Derek.  Tomorrow we will move to the hotel next to Hannah's Hope....and then this family of 5 in Ethiopia will quickly become a family of 6!!!! 

Please pray for our health.  My biggest worry is still that we will all contract traveller's sickness at the same time!!

:)

We made it!!!

We are one tired family of  travelers, but we are emailing you from Ethiopia!!
Our trip here was smooth....and they only lost ONE piece of luggage (the 700 diapers for Hannah's Hope!) but they said it should be here by Saturday!?!?!

Tomorrow we will spend the day with the Compassion Family International children...seeing what has grown since we were here last!  It is amazing for Chad and I to back...and AMAZING to know we will be meeting Derek SOON!!!!

:)
Please keep us in your prayers.