Thanksgiving Day will forever in our home hold extra special meaning. On Thanksgiving Day in China (yes they celebrated at PHF), Elijah found out that we are his forever family! Tim was so kind to record part of this and send it to us. Evidently Elijah was told that we were his family, then he opened the package and looked at our album and read our letters (from Dad and Mom, and one each from Michaela, Benjamin and Johanna). At the beginning of the video you can hear him say “Ni hao” to “Mama and Baba”. What a sweet, sweet voice! He’s also wearing the sweatshirt that we sent in the package. Tim said Elijah was so into the album and kept looking at everyone in amazement. It seems so much more complete now that he knows what we have known for so long. Oh my precious son, I can’t wait to love on you and welcome you into our family! It’s becoming more real every day. Also posted are scans of the album pages that we sent.
Archive for November, 2008
He knows!!!!
Saturday, November 29th, 2008
Missing him
Sunday, November 23rd, 2008How can I ache so much for someone I’ve never met? It’s this crazy thing called love, I guess. I really feel like I’ve done well with the wait, but I think it really hit me this weekend as I saw my friend with their new son. I am so happy for them and it was such a joy to see them together at church this morning (yes, they are crazy and came after being home less than 24 hours!). It’s not jealousy, but it just made me long to wrap my arms around Elijah and begin our lives TOGETHER. I’m also anxiously waiting to hear if he has received our package, to learn what his reaction was, to be assured that he knows we are his family and that we are coming very soon. Even though waiting is hard, I have learned to trust in God’s timing. He is good and wants to see our family together as much as we do.
“I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning.” Psalm 130:5-6
“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.” Proverbs 13:12
I’m hanging on to His promises and for this longing to be fulfilled. It will be worth the wait, well worth the wait.
He is waiting, too!
Welcome Home Titus!
Saturday, November 22nd, 2008I had the privilege of meeting one of my best friends at the airport this afternoon as she and her husband brought their son Titus home from Ethiopia. He is absolutely beautiful! And oh, so tiny! It was a very special moment to watch Titus be met by his very excited older brothers. I am in awe again of how our Father creates families. His ways are much higher than ours, His gifts so amazing. What a joy to be witness to God creating a family today! Welcome home, Titus, you are loved, and we are blessed to have you here.
Ami’s wonderful siblings
Friday, November 21st, 2008Okay, gotta brag on my older three kids. They have worked for a week to set up a special lunch for Ami. Today they presented her with a special invitation, a crown, a menu, music, video…. all this set up at a special table in the living room. They had all her favorite things on the menu to choose from, her favorite shows to choose from, even her favorite Keith Green music playing in the background. It was very sweet, they all love her dearly and would do anything for her.
Ami Adventures
Friday, November 21st, 2008Lest anyone think I am the perfect mom (ha, ha!) and that I have my kids fully under control and Ami busily working away on preschool activities while I am schooling the older children, I’ll make another post regarding the Adventures of Ami during school time. The earlier shower episode was just one example. Here’s another one.
Found Johanna's play make up - eye shadow - at least it matches her dress!
Found Michaela's nail polish, didn't know she could get it open!
Another one just for fun
Wednesday, November 19th, 2008Experimenting with video
Wednesday, November 19th, 2008Just trying to play around with getting videos off my camera. I guess this clip is an example of how Ami sometimes entertains herself while the rest of us are doing school. Don’t worry, she didn’t wipe out at the end. 
Fun new pictures
Sunday, November 16th, 2008Just saw these posted on a PHF staff link. This mission group was recently there and it looks like they had a blast playing with the kids. I’m sure the kids had a blast with them, too! Go, Elijah, go!
Elijah-o-lantern
Saturday, November 15th, 2008We finally got around to carving our big pumpkin last night. There wasn’t any question about what the kids wanted to carve.
Follow our friends to Ethiopia
Saturday, November 15th, 2008Some dear friends of ours are on their way to Ethiopia right now to adopt their son, Titus. It has been such a joy to be on our adoption journeys at the same time. You may follow their blog here. They hope to be able to post while they are on their week long trip. If not, I get to meet them at the airport when they return and will be sure to post a picture. If you are so led, please keep them in your prayers. They also leave behind two young boys with Grandpa and Grandma. We can’t wait to meet Titus and see him with his wonderful family!
