How Great is Our God

Yesterday the boys wanted me to listen to a song that they had heard with Ryan. So we gathered around the computer and were listening to this amazing version of Chris Tomlin’s song, How Great is Our God. During the song I turned around and saw Kaleah behind the computer chair sweetly holding her baby and doing her ultra-natural mommy sway along with the music.  It was extra priceless because of the song and her choice of babies:)

These are the moments that are like water to a mommy’s soul, which is such a gift from God because sometimes things can get a little (or a lot) dry if you are like me.  As a side note, the children in the background on the video are part of the Watoto Children’s Choir.  We had the great privileged of having 2 children as well as a leader from another tour in our home last year.  It is definitely a meaningful experience if you ever get the opportunity to go listen to one of their concerts.

brotherly love

And to think I used to worry about their future relationship because of how rough he was when she was younger! Whats not to love about a brother whose idea of obeying his mom’s request to “wake his sister up kindly” means taking the cat and the animal crackers and climbing right into the crib with her?!?

Adoption prep

Last week Ry and I both spent several hours completing an online adoption training that is a prerequisite to going to Ethiopia whenever we get a referral.  This covered a wide range of topics from medical issues to travel to paperwork.  During one of the sessions about potential and likely concerns and their warning signs the professional who was presenting spoke these words…

               “So, I’d say to any parent that’s preparing for the adoption, beef up on what you know about Sensory Processing stuff…” (Karyn Purvis) 

Wait a minute. I had to replay it a few times to get it word for word.  That is exactly what she said.  “Beef up on what you know…”  As in, attend therapy sessions, read books and articles, rub shoulders with other people whose reality includes SPD (sensory processing disorder)?!  I just had to sit and marvel for a minute at the fact that we are right in the midst of a 12 week session of Occupational Therapy for Ty because of some SPD symptoms.  I also had to revisit the thought that came to me as we were trying to decide if we should get any professional help for Ty, “I think God is using this to ready us so that we are not so overwhelmed or scared about special needs we may face in the future with our yet to be adopted child(ren).” Quite possibly the most powerful thing I have learned in this real life tutorial on sensory processing disorder, is the unbelievable depth of love I have for my boy, even in our difficult or downright ugly moments.  And, that his sad, angry, strange, unreasonable moments come and go but they never rob me of my inexpressible joy about his life and my urge to gush about everything that makes him who he is.  It is so powerful to me because it gives me a clearer understanding of God’s love for me.  I am grateful we are taking the advice of the pros and “beefing up on what we know” even though it means we are already walking the “SPD road” because really, I wouldn’t trade God’s bigger plan- or this little boy-for anything.

Gotta start somewhere…

OK, its time I jump back into this.  Especially because the only thing keeping me away now is that I’ve been away so long (does that make any sense?!)
In the briefest ever recap of the past 3 months (cringe:0) I will share a few highlights, get all caught up, and pretend this LOA never happened.

In December we aimed yet again not to get buried in all the Christmas hype and focused on having a simple, meaningful, and reasonable remembrance of the birth of Jesus.  One of the greatest contributions toward our aim was that I had to work on Christmas Eve and Christmas.  I work 32 hours out of a whole month these 2 days happened to fall on my days.  Turns out it was quite a gift.  Ryan and the kids came for part of the day and it was such a joy to watch my kids pass out gifts to the residents, sit on their laps or play instruments as we sang Christmas carols, call out BINGO numbers, snuggle on the couch next to dear ones who could very well be their great grandparents, and cling to pant legs of those in wheelchairs to beg for more freshly popped popcorn.  And then there was the sweet ladies flirting with Ryan.  That’s always cute:) Also on this special day, our church family came and sang carols around the piano with the residents.  I love to watch these dear people I have grown to know and love, many with advanced dementia, pick right up with a song they learned a lifetime ago.
I really can’t show many pictures from that day but my heart was very full.
   

In January we got a cat.  For those of you who know about Ryan’s affection toward animals (I mean lack thereof), I do still believe in honoring my husband and I didn’t go against his will to make this happen.  It came down to him loving his kids more than he dislikes animals.  In all reality the ultimate factor was after Ty had such a difficult December Ry decided that having an animal might be really beneficial to him.   Ty and the cat (“Stocking”) really are buddies but Jayce and Kaleah both love her just as much.

Also in January, I became a college student and I am currently taking an anatomy class.  It has actually been really fun for me thanks to Ryan’s great support and the wisdom God gave me before I began.   Basically, I knew that if I was going to do this and be true to myself as a mom then I would need to start going to bed earlier and getting up extra early to get all my studying finished by the time the kids get up.  So far, so good, but I have started to slack on the extra early part. Good thing next week is spring break:)  Another thing I credit to God, is the fact that a lady I had known started working for the college as a tutor and offered to add me to her tutoring schedule just as my class began which gave me some extra confidence going into this after being away from school so long.

Floor hockey for Ty and basketball for Jayce also began in January and continued into early March.  They both really enjoyed it, but Jayce especially.  That boy will spend hours drawing team logos, creating leagues and setting up brackets for all different sports-sometimes based on actual teams, sometimes made up ones.  The past few days it has looked like this…pages of international soccer teams with the actual country flags as logos.  And yes, I secretly counted this as part of his studying for the day though he had no idea…the best kind of learning:)

On March 5 Kaleah turned 2.  She is as sweet as can be and she keeps us all entertained.  She LOVES her brothers and has been known to stick up for them…last week Ryan was correcting Ty about something and she said on his behalf from the other room, “It’s accident.”  She also loves to give compliments and her favorite is, “I like your toes” (when she sees someone with nail polish on).  She is very often singing and her top requested song these days is “Jesus loves the little children of the world.”   I have learned that the only thing that could possibly be sweeter to my ears than the boys singing out their favorite song, “Mighty to Save,” is when Kaleah joins in with them.

As of today, we have been on the waiting list for our adoption for 8 months!  Last week we received a package in the mail from our agency with items that had been brought back from Ethiopia.  I was aware they had done this in the past for waiting families, yet I was truly encouraged by the verse they sent along with the gifts.

“But these things I plan won’t happen right away.  Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled.  If it seems slow, be patient!  For it will surely take place.  It will not be late by a single day.”  Habakkuk 2:3

chocolate and college

Today was an “eat nutella straight from the jar kind of day.” You know the kind?  One of those days that I wondered how acceptable it would be to put my kids in traditional school mid-semester, and furthermore , mid-week?!  haha.  I’m laughing now, as I was most of the day, but we had some ‘moments’ in there which were followed by apologies…and naps (for 2 of the kiddos), which really helped.  And because of said nap, Ty is still talking to me from his bed right now so I’ll quote his cuteness, “Mom, the only thing I want for Christmas on my Christmas list is Christmas lights.” (5 minutes later)…”Mom, but I want a lot, like 100 packs.”  (A few more minutes)…”and batteries.  That’s all I want.”

This evening I went to a pre-admission to nursing meeting at our local college.  It really isn’t as out of the blue as it sounds. I’ve never been able to completely get past my intrigue with the nursing field which began even before these days…

(There, now hopefully even if you’ve happened have a nutella kind of day like me, you have had a good laugh from this picture which was taken in 1994.  As you can see, this was the real, candy striper, deal!)  I consistently go back to the idea of going to school to become a nurse especially now that I am working as a CENA.  Add to it the fact that in my family there are 4 of the best nurses on the planet that I look up to, as well as a good number of my close friends.    I haven’t decided for sure though as I still have some conflicting thoughts to sort through.  But who knows, I just might be studying anatomy and physiology right along with our homeschool curriculum soon-since I was mostly kidding about putting the boys in school. But definitely not about the nutella…good thing I actually managed to workout this morning!

the winners- alternately titled, “My sons need haircuts”

Ladies, I’ll be in touch so I can get your t-shirts in the mail:)

A give away and a fundraiser and call it a wrap…for the month

Its give-away time:)  So, anyone who is subscribed to this blog or who simply leaves a comment by the end of Thursday, December 1st on this post will be entered in a drawing to receive one of our 1lessorphan t-shirts.  We will actually give away 2 cause both boys will want to draw out the name of a winner!

I’d also like to make everyone aware of fundraiser we are taking part in through an organization called Ordinary Hero.  They have a growing selection of adoption apparel as well as jewelry and other accessories-even the option to purchase product donations (a goat, blankets, rain ponchos, etc.) specifically for children in Africa.  40% of the sale of these items goes to people who are in the process of raising money for adoption or for a mission trip.  We signed up with them so for any purchase made, 40% of it will go toward our adoption fund if you select our name from the drop down menu during check out.  This is an ongoing fundraiser BUT, the top 3 sellers during December 1-11 will each receive an additional $500 grant for their adoption!

Oh and by the way, the webinar was good, there was science, spelling and some other subjects, along with sledding and shoveling today, but no snowman.  The snowplows did come so I could get out but the wall I’m re-decorating is still in process, and somehow Jayce managed to keep that tooth in one more day.  I did tuck 3 quarters under Ty’s pillow because I just love his hope and excitement for life and couldn’t resist going along with it but, even though he is keeping his trick, lego teeth under his pillow cause he wants even more money, the tooth fairy will only fall for that once!

At the close of this month I just want to express that I am thankful that there is a love that is deep enough and wide enough to embrace all of the orphans in all of the corners of this world.  It comes from Jesus.  And it will flow out of people like you and like me and like the friends I saw at the store tonight with their 5 beautiful, energetic boys who they welcomed to their family long after their other 6 children were raised.

Beyond Orphan Sunday: webinar

I am looking forward to taking part in a webinar tomorrow afternoon to learn about more avenues to practically be involved in orphan care.  You could probably still  jump on board…  if you are interested, follow this link.

And, in the midst of science and spelling we will most likely take time to play in the snow and maybe even build our 2nd snowman of the season-our first was built when the snow stuck during a brief window about 2 weeks ago.  It was also Kaleah’s debut in the snow as a ‘big’ girl and she really had fun-even though I didn’t get any pictures that capture that, and despite the fact that she could hardly move.

Then, if the snowplows come to our circle or if the snow melts so that I can get out of the house, (the latter being more likely than the former) I am hoping to pick up pictures for a wall I am re-decorating- which doesn’t really happen for me (re-decorating that is)  So, if it turns out, I just might have to post a picture…

Finally, at some point tomorrow,  we most likely will have a boy with one less tooth.  He called us all to the bathroom several times tonight to look on thinking it would be the big moment when he would pull it out, but he just couldn’t quite do it.  And of course, all this tooth talk has Ty scheming once again about how he can get in on the fun.  This morning he actually came to me with a couple small, white legos in hand, asking for a baggie to place them in. He told me he was going to trick the tooth fairy because he needs some money!

A note from Ryan

Though this adoption process began long ago for both Kristi and I (discussing it from the early stages of our marriage), and though we started the process nearly a year ago, I feel that my understanding of adoption, from God’s perspective, has been completely redefined within the past six months. Before that time I had known that care for orphans is a Biblical command, that God has adopted me into His family, that Kristi and I have a heart for children, that we have a heart for the nations, which is all good knowledge to have. But six months ago I began what can be best described as spiritual heart surgery (not just in the area of adoption, but in my walk with Jesus in all areas).

It began with reading the book Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream by David Platt. As I was reading Radical, I felt the Lord impressing upon me to focus on studying the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. chapters 5-7). As I focused on how my life should reflect these three short chapters (along with Radical and other chapters and verses throughout the Bible), I began to realize more than ever, our lives are not meant to be lived within the confines of safety, comfort, material gain, ease, mediocrity, health and wellness, our own views, or an American Biblical perspective (this is not an exhaustive list). We are called to a life that follows the example of Jesus, of abandoned obedience, extreme sacrifice, persecution, hardship, trials, giving, among other ‘unpleasant’ examples. Now, to experience these things for the sake of experiencing them is pointless, but to experience them for the glory of God and to make His glory known is the aspect of the Gospel that we as Americans prefer to leave out or assume doesn’t apply to us, for the simple fact that we are Americans and we are inundated with a comfortable, self-gratifying, sacrifice-less, materialistic, easy, and ‘painless’ culture, Gospel, and society.

So how does this apply to my view of adoption lately? My views regarding adoption have certainly shifted to a more Gospel-centered truth about orphans. This is something difficult to measure in concrete terms, so I will share a few practical actions this has led to. 1) Crunching our financial numbers to find any excess money we can give away for orphan care, through sponsorship, helping with other families adoptions, or special gifts to organizations focusing on orphan care. 2) Broadening our ‘child preference’ information to include special needs children, and sibling groups with more than two children. 3) Considering job options I hadn’t considered before in an effort to give more money away and to possibly adopt more children. 4) Laying down some dreams and desires to focus more strategically on inspiring others toward a more Gospel-centered life, including orphan care.

Advent Week 1: HOPE…and some Christmas decorating

This was my weekend to work.  I love my job.  One day I’ll post more about it other than what I already eluded to here.  During a morning service, which I lead each Sunday that I work, I read to the residents about advent, we sang Christmas hymns, each resident talked a little bit and then we said the Lords prayer together.  Advent wasn’t something we put a special focus on as I was growing up so I was thankful when I had the idea to share about it today because it is a tradition several of the residents recall.  I did have to do some homework beforehand.  I learned that  the word “Advent” means arrival and refers to the arrival of Jesus; God becoming flesh to dwell among us.  In a traditional advent wreath there is one candle for each of the four weeks leading up to Christmas, with a fifth and final candle in the center to be lit on Christmas. For today, just one of the candles would have been lit as a way of remembering our hope in the midst of this dark world.  I really enjoyed learning more about advent and plan to add it to our family’s way of celebrating Christmas this year.

After I got home tonight we decorated the Christmas tree.  This is a very quick and easy routine but fun none the less as each ornament or decoration gets pulled out one by one and someone tells the story that goes along with it if there is one.  Ty was of course leading the pack and excited about every single thing. Here he is lighting up our star…

I would say Kaleah was a close second with her enthusiasm.  She took the soft Mary and angel figures from the child friendly manger scene and talked to them and played ring-around-the-Rosie with them.  And then she wrapped Mary in in the ribbon we use to decorate our tree and rocked her.  Then she passed out a strand of the ribbon to each of us and asked us to wear it like a necklace.  She was thrilled with the newness of it all.

And Jayce, he kindly humored us and put up an ornament or 2 but mostly, he enjoyed the ice cream and watching a Christmas movie:)

So, the tree is up, but I just learned about these ornaments tonight and we just may have to add one to our tree as the finishing touch this year:)