We've been home with the kids for a little over a week now and are now starting to fall into a groove. It took about a week for jet lag to wane and for our bodies to decompress. After bearing the weight of so much emotional stress for so long... we feel light as a feather now. It is still surreal to us to realize that we are all under one roof and there are no more sad goodbyes and long periods of longing and waiting before us. The waiting is over. The victory has been won in this adoption and our kids are finally home- praise God!!
When you've spent time overseas for an extended period of time, you begin to realize just how clean, convenient, and free America really is. I've been revealing in the littlest things like going to Target, driving my car, and taking walks in the park with the kids. The sky looks bluer, and the air just feels crisper. Perhaps it's from inhaling smog for so long in Addis; or perhaps it's because of the great work God has done in my heart to cause gratitude to gush out all over the place these days. Maybe a little of both :)
Though it was painfully difficult to be in Ethiopia without Justin, there is so much good I can visibly see from my time away. The kids and I were able to form a very sweet bond, and now we can settle into life in the states and enjoy all the visitors we want. Many adoptive families who just arrive home with their kids often spend time "cocooning" at home and do not allow visitors to come over so that the children can establish who mom and dad is. The kids know who mom is. And it didn't take long for them to realize who daddy was either because we had talked to him over skype every day so they were familiar with his voice and face. We're now able to let others love on them and pass them around without fear of who they may attach to. They're attached to us, and that time that I had with them all those weeks by myself in Africa is now such a treasure to me.
I was reading in 1 Peter 5:12-13 this week and have been so encouraged by the ending of verse 13: "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed." The Lord has been so kind to us to keep us and preserve us through the weighty trial of this adoption. It has been a painful past few years, but we have fallen in greater love with Christ and that makes every difficult obstacle seem so worth it just for the fellowship we had with Him. God has shown us deeper insights into His character and amazing, unstoppable love for us more through this adoption than through any other trial we have ever walked through. As we walked through the arrival gate at the airport last week and our church awaited us with shouts of joy and the doxology, we got a glimpse of heaven where our heavenly Father Himself is waiting to scoop us in His arms. What a joyous day THAT will be- when He will wipe every tear from our eye, and make every wrong thing right. Where our adoption as sons and daughters will be complete and we will live with our Father forever and ever. We have seen His glory revealed as He has rescued Hosanna and Asher and brought them into our forever family... and our hearts are bursting with indescribable joy. Every day they're in our arms is a pure miracle that gives us a glimpse of heaven and what is awaiting us there. Praise God.
When you've spent time overseas for an extended period of time, you begin to realize just how clean, convenient, and free America really is. I've been revealing in the littlest things like going to Target, driving my car, and taking walks in the park with the kids. The sky looks bluer, and the air just feels crisper. Perhaps it's from inhaling smog for so long in Addis; or perhaps it's because of the great work God has done in my heart to cause gratitude to gush out all over the place these days. Maybe a little of both :)
Though it was painfully difficult to be in Ethiopia without Justin, there is so much good I can visibly see from my time away. The kids and I were able to form a very sweet bond, and now we can settle into life in the states and enjoy all the visitors we want. Many adoptive families who just arrive home with their kids often spend time "cocooning" at home and do not allow visitors to come over so that the children can establish who mom and dad is. The kids know who mom is. And it didn't take long for them to realize who daddy was either because we had talked to him over skype every day so they were familiar with his voice and face. We're now able to let others love on them and pass them around without fear of who they may attach to. They're attached to us, and that time that I had with them all those weeks by myself in Africa is now such a treasure to me.
I was reading in 1 Peter 5:12-13 this week and have been so encouraged by the ending of verse 13: "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed." The Lord has been so kind to us to keep us and preserve us through the weighty trial of this adoption. It has been a painful past few years, but we have fallen in greater love with Christ and that makes every difficult obstacle seem so worth it just for the fellowship we had with Him. God has shown us deeper insights into His character and amazing, unstoppable love for us more through this adoption than through any other trial we have ever walked through. As we walked through the arrival gate at the airport last week and our church awaited us with shouts of joy and the doxology, we got a glimpse of heaven where our heavenly Father Himself is waiting to scoop us in His arms. What a joyous day THAT will be- when He will wipe every tear from our eye, and make every wrong thing right. Where our adoption as sons and daughters will be complete and we will live with our Father forever and ever. We have seen His glory revealed as He has rescued Hosanna and Asher and brought them into our forever family... and our hearts are bursting with indescribable joy. Every day they're in our arms is a pure miracle that gives us a glimpse of heaven and what is awaiting us there. Praise God.
I'm just crying as I read this. What a joy to know that you guys are home together and what a thrill to see how the Father has worked in your hearts through everything. We love you guys and can't wait for the day when we can love on your precious little ones too!
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