five years



Today it is our son’s birthday.  Does he even know it is his birthday? Is anyone giving him special attention and letting him know that he is a gift from God?    I wish that we were with him to celebrate with him or to somehow convey to him that he is loved.

We have yet to meet this son…yet the pain is very real. It surprises me when the emotions come.  When we signed on to adopting T& Y we knew that it would be around a year until they were home, we knew that our hearts would need to be guarded during the wait.  At points, I have kept my thoughts and emotions at a distance, but surprisingly, at times they come flooding in. Today was one of those days.  I woke up with a heavy heart praying for our sweet five year old son, who from pictures and video, seems to be so full of joy and energy. 

As the boy’s were making a card for him today, I walked up to my tender husband with tears in my eyes, asking him to reassure me that someday, the Lord willing, they will be home. Of course I know this, but I am weak and need to be reminded that this is a journey of faith and that in the Lord’s sovereign plan He has asked us to wait…to hope.   I know I can trust my gracious Lord to protect and provide for our sons in Ethiopia.  I know I can trust Him to prepare Zeke and Nime to have two big brothers.  I know I can trust Him to prepare us to be parents of these two precious lives. I know I can trust Him…He is completely trustworthy.

Today, I also think of a mother that because of tragic circumstances, that I do not understand, will not have the privilege to look on his face today.  My pain for her is just as real.  I truly can’t imagine the pain that she endures…it is a sacrifice of love.  There are no options for her…her hope is that someday they will have a second family that will be able to watch over them and love her sons.  Her sacrifice is our gift.  Though I don’t understand, I choose not to take this privilege and responsibility for granted. Our families forever joined together by these two lives…our legacies. 

This day is about to be over, but the result is a greater desire to pray fervently for our two oldest and their family in Ethiopia.  I want my heart to be open, daily asking and preparing our family and home to be ready for these treasures to be home.

Happy 5^th birthday my sweet joy!!  Tonight, I can only stare at your huge smile…but in just a few months we trust you will be home with us for good.

I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, My God, in him I

TRUST.

Psalm 91:2

The boy's making a card for Han Han's,

their nickname for Y, 5th birthday.