Author Archives: admin Today was a hard day. That’s about all I can say as I hold back tears. I had passing thoughts through out my day reminding me that… 1. God called us to this. And… 2. It will be worth it. (because obedience is always better than worse case scenerio) Our day started off crazy—it involved […] ***Turn music off up top before watching… I’m just saying…that can’t be good for your neck;). Sorry…after my day—I needed a little humor:-). We made it successfully (depending on how you define success) through my first day home with all 4 kiddos (4 kids 5 and under…with 2 babies who like to be held)! I […] YAY to success! The best part of your blog was reading how you chose to look at all the positives of your day. “Step by Step You’ll lead me…and I will follow You all of my days!” lyrics by Rich Mullins … keep the tunes rollin’ and Praising God. Well done, Andrea and kiddos!! Oh wow! That is incredible! Can’t wait to experience it for myself. ouch! my head hurts just from watching that video! :0) Thank you for your awesome blog. An adoption friend from atlanta sent me a link. We also adopted a little boy with the last name “temesgen” 2 years ago. He was 6 months old and that makes 4 kids now in our family. It IS crazy, but it’s so worth it….Now we live in Oakland, CA and people really think we’re nuts b/c no one has 4 kids out here. Wow! Those were some fantastic figure eights with the hair:) HUGS… Andrea, I am thinking of you during these transition days and praying for His strength to carry you! He goes before us and we can rest in that! So excited to see how precious little Isaac is adjusting and just look at how wonderful this is for your family!!! Truly a gift to each of your children. I have sincerely enjoyed reading your posts from Ethiopia…you are a very good writer and your passion and love for the Lord shine through!! I related with this post b/c our daughters are three months apart. We thought they would be more like a year apart, but our wait time for our daughter got longer and longer and their ages got closer and closer. That first year was hard, but what a HUGE blessing. They are the best of buddies now and I cannot imagine one without the other. The Lord brought our daughter home at the perfect time!! But there were, and still are, days that I have both on my lap or hip and just have to smile (or I would cry !!!) I look forward to following your adventure with your newest son. Please stop by our blog, minus1project.blogspot.com Be encouraged and know that you have been such a blessing to others in your obedience! When my first 4 were all under 5, I measured a successful day by this: they were fed, safe, and loved…………being clean was an added bonus, not me, them. My showers were infrequent! 🙂 Just enjoy the time, I promise I can hardly remember those days now. Now the big kids help so much with the little ones, it is easier! oh my goodness! that lady looks like her head should fly off with all that movement! 😀 and that’s so encouraging to hear how P and L are helping you :)) praying for you today as you go through your day with 4 kids 5 and under. I have so enjoyed reading your blog. We are in the adoption process as well. We will be going to Hannahs Hope hopefully next summer. Keep posting! You are a such a positive influence on everyone that knows you. Only you could do this. I can’t imagine how hard it is right now but you can find something good in everything and that is so beautiful. I have enjoyed reading your blog for the past couple of months! We have just applied to an agency to adopt from Ethiopia. I was glad to see someone else adopting who already has young kids too! We have 3 yr. old twins and a 12 month old. Blessings to your family! Oh I just want to go to the chiropractor after watching that video. Oww..Praying for you as you and your sweet little ones adjust.  Isaac Temesgen and I have just been home for a full 3 days—and tomorrow (Tuesday) is my FIRST day all on my own as a mommy of 4. Laney (4) and Parker (5) are doing AMAZING with all of the changes–they are so sweet, helpful, loving and even supportive. They love Isaac Temesgen to pieces—and […] praying that over those kids. soooo heart breaking. but He is the GOD of the impossible 🙂 oh yes. amen. amen. amen. I read your processing! It is a huge encouragement to me as I am praying to begin my adoption journey SOON. I love reading your blog, and I am praying for all of the children, but especially the two you mentioned. -Lauren! I read all of your processing and I am so thankful for God sending You to Me in whatever fashion it took. Grateful for your wisdom, Andrea. Your sharing of orphans, widows, adoption, family life, the gospel, laughter, photography, joy … is well received by me. Praying for you, our calling, our focus to be on Him. Good Night Blessings to you, Sweet Friend! Oh I read your processing for sure!!! Once again I have tears!! So glad you made it home and your adjusting the best you can! Hoping someone is helping you do laundry and meals! Keep writing!! Through your words God is speaking!!! love this post Andrea. so close to my own heart and what I’m feeling tonight too and thanks for showing/reminding me even more. i feel like there is so much I want to say right now yet have no words. thanks for this post though! Tears overflowing…I too, LONG to see more called and more children in a loving, forever home. I will continue to pray for your sleep, your perseverence, for Frank and Isaac’s adjusting…and that the more families that travel to Ethiopia to pick up their little sweeties, the more hearts are changed for the cause of the orphans and the widows. I love your heart and your passion for your ministry. I love how even in your pain, even in your processing…you just ooverflow with the love of God. I have loved reading your posts about your trip. We returned just over a week ago from Ethiopia with our 2 1/2 year old son. We used Children’s Hope International and our son came from Bethzatha too. What an amazing orphanage that we also had the privilege to visit! Congrats on your new son! Beautiful words! My heart is breaking for these precious children…oh, the wait is so hard, but it will all be worth it! We just can’t wait to bring our Caroline Faith home! So thankful that God called us to her! Praying you get lots of sleep tonight!! Thank you for this. I wish every believer could read this. If its any consolation…we sent in our application to start our adoption on June 29th…so our waiting has just begun. We are leaving in the morning for GA. I’ll be thinking of you guys and praying for you as we are so close in proximity. PS- what I meant by any consolation was, soon there will be one or two less orphans. I love that you share your processing…I am challenged and inspired by your words! Praying for the adjustment-it will be no time before those two are the best of friends! oh, another beautiful post that speaks right to my heart…I had to link to it…it’s just too good!! we won’t forget what we saw…I pray every night that God will always remind me…I pray he’ll continue to break my heart..and sister, my heart breaks over the waiting children that you saw, kj I’m praying with you . . . praying for those little ones in Ethiopia you visited . . . for those orphans I was privileged to serve in China this past April, many of whom are over the age of 14 and are no longer “adoptable” by China’s standards. This was an amazing post. I would like to link it to my blog if that’s ok. My baby isn’t even close to being home yet, and I am up in the middle of the night thinking about her and praying for her. So, you are not alone. I am praying for you and Isaac tonight. I pray the Lord gives you all the strength you need to care for your 4 precious children. Love reading your processing. Love seeing your gorgeous photos. Still praying for your transition. When you were describing this to me the other night, I had a visual in my head. I have continued to think of that since talking to you. It truly breaks my heart. I pray that God continues to use each of us to bring these precious children home. They are so precious to him…each and every one. So happy that your boys are making progress. They will be best buds before you know it. Oh Andrea..thank you for sharing and of course we can read your processing. The “so many toddlers” set my tears rolling this morning as we wait for our little “Hope”. And..Yay for little Frank as he opens part of his heart to his baby brother. Thank you for sharing this, Andrea. I’m definitely going to link to it. Thanks especially for providing the verses to pray over the children. I will certainly join you in praying for them. Reading your processing with joy, anticipation, and grief as we “hurry up to wait” for our ET daughter. Thank you so much for sharing your heart. As a mama to one of those kiddos that most likely would have simply been left in a crib, my heart breaks. For them, for the families that are missing out on one of His greatest blessings, having a special kiddo in the family! Just breaks. Thanks for advocating and processing. I’m still having a hard time processing my trip and I have been home a few weeks already. Takes time………. Andrea – I feel SO much of what you write…yet you always put it more beautifully than I ever could. I was exhausted upon returning home…trying to love everyone well while tending to the “extra” needs of a new baby who had already been through so much pain and loss. Caleb was the same way…not sleeping much…just checking to see that we were there…very easily startled and very fearful. Hang in there. You are a wonderful mommy and God will sustain you as the exhaustion grows. I’m praying for all of you…that God will meet you with the strength you need in this time of adjustment. We have been so tired lately – feeling spent and not able to keep up – but your post already has me considering our next adoption. Crazy how God works. Thanks so much for processing! I’m a friend of Sonya Todds and have been following your blog the last couple months. We are WAITING on our baby girl from Ethiopia. Your posts have been such an encouragement and, many times, convicting to my husband and I. Thank you so much for sharing your heart and your family with us! I am so happy to see Isaac home with you. Thank you for your posts – they are encouraging. I love today’s post – so powerful and well written. My heart breaks for the orphan and how people come up with excuses to do nothing. You did a great job discussing the need… I am going to post a link to your post on my blog. I hope that is okay. Our little Zoe Mahlet was at Bethzatha, too-although we didn’t get to go there. But I know your feelings, I felt them, too. I would go around to all the babies at HH and pray over them and whisper, literally, in the ears of those I knew who were referred that their mommies and daddies were coming. And I cried, the whole time I did it, both of sadness for the world’s brokenness and for joy that these lucky ones had parents coming who could barely stand the wait. But for those without that, my heart hurts. I leave in a week for 10 days in Ethiopia, with “the least of these”–I’m BEYOND thrilled to be spending time at 2 HIV pos orphanages, but I know it will be heartbreaking. Can the 2 at Bethzatha you mentioned be adopted? Did you ask about that? b/c if so, I want to make it happen-somehow, someway whether us or someone else. Can we do that?? I understand how you feel. I work in a group home were many unadoptable children with broken families are and that alone griefs me. Can’t imagine what it will be like in Ethiopia. I am earnestly praying that God’s people will rise to the opportuity to truly live the Gospel out. Thank you sooo much for the window into the world of adoption. I am just starting out in the journey, we have 4 kiddos our littlest is 1 years old and I had to beg my husband who is an only child for each one – he has come so far! Now I’m praying and fasting and asking the Lord to open the door (really to soften my husbands heart for orphans) and show us the way… is it fostercare, or adoption? I don’t know but your posts are encouraging and thought provoking! Thank you for being willing to share! What a heartfelt and beautiful post. Thank you for sharing! I followed a link from Heather’s (and baby makes three) blog. Sending up a prayer. Just came across your blog the other day – what a beautiful time to read about God bringing your family together! We are just sending in our contract with AGCI today and can’t wait to bring our baby boy home. Thank you for sharing your experience and your heart. Your post about meeting Isaac’s birth mother is truly amazing Yes, the wait is a killer. I love the pic of the toddler room. Yet I will wait.. maybe a year for two older children… amazing…………. A lot can happen in a year with international adoption, so who knows if it will even happen. My heart aches, too. We are waiting for our court date right now. Aching for my baby girl and for the others who need a family. Praise God for this post. He is going to use it to draw others to Himself. Andrea, love this post and your little Isaac is ADORABLE! Cried over those same two babies when there in January…thank you for bringing them back into my mind and my prayers. How you find time to write such a beautiful post, I don’t know…but thankful. Your son is precious. I just wanted to let you know you along with many others here in adoption blog world are very inspiring and have been so helpful to many of us out here in the adoption process. My husband (who is adopted and has other adopted siblings)and I are adopting from Ethiopia and are in the beginning stages but my heart aches so much for all of these children and it is now our mission in life to do everything in our power to spread the word on the need to save these innocent children and adopt! I just wanted to let you know I feel and understand everything you said and want to save Ethiopia too but you are inspiring and you have not only saved your child but are helping myself and other families do the same. You are a beautiful writer. thanks for glorifying God through your words. My heart echos this post. Praying for those kids and for more to stand up and say “yes” to adoption! Praise the Lord you are home safely! I have LOVED following your journey! We just adopted from China in Jan. (#5) The wait for a healthy child in China is over 4 years right now. At one point it was believed that there were close to 30,000 dossiers there just waiting!! So let’s pray that these programs will speed up and get these children home with their families and that NOTHING will stop that from happening!! Will keep you and the orphans in our prayers!!!  Finally…I’ve managed to download all 1,500 pictures. Yes–seriously that many. SO…it may take me a week or so to actually make our official fun slideshow—but until then…I’ve been snaggin’ some “life at home” pictures and I just HAD to snag some of Isaac Temesgen while he is still 10 months. I always take pictures of […] Can’t wait to see all 1500:) my hubby cannot stop talking about Isaac. I think seeing him and talking to other adoptive dads as made the longing for our little one set in. He is BEAUTIFUL!!! So happy to see you all home, and can’t wait to hear more!! Thank you so much for sharing pictures and your inspirational journey with us! Isaac is such a miracle and a joy to see! I keep thinking about how you and your husband were so willing to trust the Lord through all the unknowns and were so faithful to listen to HIS voice and not the dr.s, etc. Well done good and faithful servant! I am inspired by your faith! Beautiful- I bet ya just get lost in those eyes. Glad you are all home… April Happy First 4th of July, Isaac Temesgen! You are a beautiful boy and a perfect gift from God. Keep smiling!!! Andrea, he looks like he is right at home! Like he’s been there all this time. So happy for him to have a loving home 🙂 Andrea, He is beautiful! I’m so happy for you and your family. I know you are so glad to be home with him. Happy Fourth of July! SO thrilled that Isaac Temesgen is finally home! Brian and I have loved following your journey- we can’t wait to meet him in person! Oh my word – soo cute! Loving them all but the picture of Laney kissing his sweet hand brought on the waterworks. I’m mush. =) Thanks for sharing and HAPPY COCOONING! Andrea he is so gorgeous! Love all the pictures. So happy you are all home together. Gorgeous! Welcome home! And thanks for reminding me of a song that I used to sing in Et but don’t think I have for a while. It used to stop my boy in his tracks. Oh, Andrea, he is so, so beautiful!! I just love the pics! It looks like ya’ll are all adjusting wonderfully to being back home! Welcome home, baby Isaac Temesgen!! BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Beautiful Boy, Beautiful Song, Beautiful portraits! Love it all, so happy for you guys! these pictures are Just AMAZING and our Isaac smiles so much too! The name truly fits these two boys! oh, he’s gorgeous….love that sweet boy, kj Isaac Temesgen you ARE a beautiful blessed boy! God be with you. Just wanted to let ya know friend that I was up around 5am this morning after feeding my Isaac and thought of you knowing you too were probably up in the middle of the night with your Isaac, so I prayed for strength for you friend! Hope you have a great day! Welcome home! What a fun airport welcome you received! So happy you are all finally together! And yes, you’ve got a beautiful boy (well, 3 beautiful boys!) Love the name Isaac Temesgen. Our oldest daughter goes by a double name and we’ve talked about using a double name for our future (African?!?) son. Andrea and Richard!! He’s beautiful! Congratulations on being home with him. This song was meant for Isaac Temesgen!! Thank you for sharing this beautiful story through words, portraits and music! Praying for more sleep and continued bonding for you all! Congratulations on your homecoming! He is beautiful! Andrea and Richard ~ What a precious gift from God ! A generation saved and such a gift to your family. I cannot even imagine the joy. Thank you for sharing these first photos with us! yes…and to Him be the Glory! such a handsome boy and a happy family! so glad to see you home! Absolutely precious! Congratulations to your sweet family! tears of joy for your family… pure, tears of joy!!!! SO happy to see all of you together, Andrea. Enjoy the cocooning & bonding with that precious little angel. Give the Frankster an extra hug from me.. those cheeks & those eyes.. your entire family is just beautiful! 🙂 Frank will soon warm up to the little fellow & will eventually have a little football buddy to play with 🙂 ….. Congratulations friend. oh, how i love his round little tummy! […] know some of you were worried about me when you saw how I reacted in a previous post to my little bro takin’ over the high chair…but times are changing people–not only am I OKAY with givin’ it […] It’ll probably take me a day or two to download pictures and post our home-coming—until then though…because I know some of you would LOVE to see…I’ll be directing you all to my friend’s blogs who were there to celebrate with us! Here is my friend Melissa’s blog who was there to welcome us. She is […] Beautiful, Andrea! Isaac looks so very happy and comfortable with you. I will pray for Frank; he doesn’t know it now but it won’t be long and he will be in love with his best friend and playmate. Get your rest and enjoy these precious moments of learning about each other; your new family. Soooo precious and exciting and powerful ! Isaac is adorable and will having so much fun in your family ! Little Frank is going to be fine..he just missed you tons! We will keep everyones transition lifted into our Lord’s hand. Pax to you all ! oh…the pictures are amazing. we just signed our paperwork today to adopt from africa….i have a huge lump in my throat as i look through your pictures…amazing. amazing. Praying for you all and especially little Frank. His little life will be upside-down for awhile – rough on him and on mommy for sure, but you have lots of prayers for extra strength going up to the Father! 🙂 Hugs! You better believe you have our love and prayers! You’ll be back to normal (or a NEW normal) in no time I’m sure. Looking forward to your pics, but in the mean time I’ll pop on over. Welcome home Andrea! Get some rest and enjoy your beautiful family 🙂 We will continue to pray for peace and serenity over the next few days as everyone adjusts to a new normal! Big hugs to Frank…it won’t take long for them to be fast friends I’m sure…once they realize how much trouble they can get into together! Big hugs! beautiful pix. what a celebration! can’t wait to see and read more! hope you have a good chiropractor…i needed one from just carrying one bag around constantly and you have two. praying frankie will be able to share his wonderful mommy. You will have to share how you transitioned your 19 month old through Isaac’s arrival – I always wonder how that would go with a little one of my own! 🙂 I will be praying! Frank may be having a hard time now, but just you wait, I foresee TONS of mischief in the making with those two together! : ) Can’t wait to hear & see how everyone else has responded. xoxo |
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by admin
You are doing AMAZING Andrea, hang in there! The LORD will be your strength….the LORD will be your STRENGTH!!!
Thank you for sharing the verses on your heart today….just had to share that God WOWED me today too….we are doing our adoption yard sale this weekend. 3 days ago we had a couple piles of clothes, some random vases and a few big pieces. Today, we have our unfinished back room stacked three feet high with NO walk way and boxes and furniture loaded outside out house and MORE COMING!!! GOD has provided, no doubt…and I can’t WAIT to see what this weekend has in store for us! 😉
love that god is strengthening you through his word. he smiles, for sure, and sits up now too! you have seen so many miracles, but it’s okay to be worn out too. i will pray for you right now as i am up late that EVERYONE in your house is sound asleep.
Thanks for being vulnerable! We had a tough transition when we brought our baby home over two years ago. So I know how hard it can be. You are right–it WILL get better! With any baby, its hard at the beginning. You will find your new normal! And you have such great perspective to keep your eyes fixed on the Lord to get you through. XOXO
I just wanted to let you know that I’m praying for you today. I help run an organisation in Australia which promotes parenting and adoption as positive alternatives to abortion and I came across your blog about a month and a half ago. Thank you for being so honest and vulnerable when you write. I’m praying strength, peace and complete surrender for you today.
Thinking of you and praying for you. You are right, He will provide the strength and love that you need. I will be in the same boat as you in a couple of weeks. We can talk each other through the rocking of the waves 🙂 Let me know if I can do anything to help you out.
Hugs,
Amy
Andrea – thank you for being so transparent and sharing your joys and struggles with us all. Praying for Frank specifically today – for him to be enveloped in his Father’s peace and to simply know that your love abounds for him. Praying for peace for you, because you are right – He will provide the strength that you need! Hang in there sweet friend!
I would like to have the perfect words to encourage you, from one who has been in almost exactly your shoes, but you already know where the best encouragement comes from…God’s word brings life, peace, and a hope for tomorrow!! We had some tough days that would continue through the night without a break when we first returned home…..God is faithful, that you know, and His mercies are new each morning (even when you haven’t slept). Keep filling your empty cup from HIs word and it will overflow!!!!!! Thank you for being real!! It is hard, no doubt, but obedience to the Lord is a beautiful thing and His promises are real. Love to you and your beautiful family.
I promise it will get easier. R was 24 months when E came home. It was soooo hard at first. But then, she started to see E as her sister and not someone trying to steal mommy. The first month home was very difficult in that way, but they love each other now and are doing much better.
Beautiful writing, Andrea! Your attitude towards these struggles is inspiring. You are making it work for your four more than you recognize from where you are at ~ “we” all see success ~ your steadfast faith is awesome. God, no doubt, is smiling upon you with great joy. Gather these days ~ you know how fast life moves with little ones.
I love your heart and your honesty Andrea. The adjustment will be trying, for sure. I too don’t know how people do life without Jesus…to face the struggles and trials without the peace and purpose – I can’t imagine. Praying for all of you, but especially for you…for discernment, patience and endurance as you love all of your little ones. Hang in there!
Smothering you with prayer today and calling on other prayer warriors to do the same! Hugs and Love sent your way!!!
Your blog has moved me and I’ve been praying for you throughout your journey. I know all too well how difficult it can be to be in the will of God. There’s no better place to be, but when He’s reshaping and stretching us it can be so difficult. I was raised Baptist and read a lot of Corrie Ten Boom’s writings. She touches me so much with her eloquence and this is one of my favorites, “It is not my ability, but my response to God’s ability, that counts.” God delights in you and it’s evident He is your strength. Continue to allow the gift of the Holy Spirit to fill and lead you. Your entire family is in our thoughts and prayers! ♥
Sleeping is big. My guy was the same barnacle sleeping on top of me clinging for MONTHS. It has been 6 mo now and he still sleeps with me but only periodically goes through phases of needing to cling. Keep praying. Those hard hard hard weeks…. well “hard” isnt a big enough word. Taking care of yourself can be swamped if you are not careful. Praying helps. Showering Helps. Clean bed sheets and clean side boards help. I swear. You have to feel like you are still in your own environment. So you have help in your family- but do not be afraid to ask for help with the basics around your home.
Routine in the day also helps. It helps him to know what is happening next and know that he can count on you all.
I remember praying similar prayers, seemingly hundreds of times a day. And when I was so tired and weak- He rose and held my child. It does get better. But it WILL TAKE TIME.
If you don’t have an ergo – get one. If you have one- see if you can borrow another from a family and carry one guy in front and one on the back. It is hard physically- but with only a couple times it may help your bigger guy feel more secure.
I will be praying and remembering how hard these weeks are. You really are doing great. It may not feel it. But you are doing exactly what you need to and praying is a big part of it.
You are on my heart and in my prayers! God is BIG!
Jenny
Thank you so much for sharing this Andrea.. I am praying. I so appreciate your realness. Thank you for being so open with us. I know God will use this in so many lives… but for mine it’s being used to open my eyes to reality. This won’t be all fun and games. But, like you said, following Jesus is always worth the personal cost. That scripture is wonderful and I will pray it over you!
Strength and persistence will come from God…lean on Him!!!! And don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it 🙂 I SO WISH I was closer to come and run a load of laundry for you…fix you dinner…or just let you vent. Praying from here though!!!
Jenn
My heart aches for you as you go through this difficult transition period. It’s so heart wrenching to have to divide yourself between your children when you want to give each one of them all of you. I’ll be praying for your little Frank as he adjusts to his new role (I have a 22 month old boy and can imagine Frank’s reaction to not being the baby anymore). Hang in there and know that people are being inspired by your family and prayig for them as well.
I wish I lived near you and could do something tangible like deliver a casserole and a cobbler, but know I am praying for your family. Don’t get discouraged! It WILL get better, and it WILL get easier! Everyone will eventually settle into their spots–even precious Frank–and you’ll develop a new family rhythm. You’re an awesome mama and you’re doing a wonderful job. xoxoxo
You are SO NOT ALONE! So many praying and being encouraged by your authenticity, your honesty. I was reduced to tears at the end. I remember reading your referral post, wondering if it was some sort of development delays you were referring to, then to read the quote. Wow. Girl, that is some kind of faith. I don’t know that I could have, and it makes me shudder to think of life without Abe. The difference, you knew, you could have said “no” and you didn’t. He was your son. As Abe is mine. I just didn’t know of the lack of head control part, but He did. So many ways that He didn’t allow that information to get to us- I see it now. I don’t blame anyone, the agency, the orphanage- it was just His plan. Love that He does ALL THINGS for OUR GOOD and HIS GLORY! Praising the Lord for Isaac T’s continued growth and development. What a testimony to His faithfulness.
Dear Andrea, How do I begin? For such an outspoken person, who responds first to people who I feel needs any comfort or encouragement, I have no excuse for not reaching out to you. I have followed your journey to be Isaac Temesgen’s mommy from “day one”, along with Melanie. I found myself using excuses, trying times, etc. and somewhat giving into my grief and depression. This past year I lost my mother, my brother, my sister-in-law, my mother-in-law, and more relatives of our in-laws and found myself, a proclaimed Christian, finding excuses not to pray, go to church, etc. My daughters continue to struggle with their own problems and I can’t fix them, only be there for them and offer advice and pray for them. Your blog has been my daily devotion and today, your words lifted me so very high. I feel God’s presence as I write this to you, holding back tears. Tomorrow is a new day for you and for me! You are an amazing child of God and I am thankful for you and your family and your new son. When you are struggling with the children, and I know it is so very hard, just know God is holding your hand as he holds the hands of all mothers and children when they need him. HE will give you the extra strength to get through this period of adjustment. You can do it!!! I will continue to follow your journey and pray more, and worship more, especially through your daily blog. Isaac Temesgen is more than adorable, as are your other three.
Love and blessings,
I hear your struggles. You have gotten a lot of wonderful Godly advice from all your friends. But God keeps putting your struggles back on my heart again and again. I am just another sister in Christ and a grandmother. What I do hear is your unbelievable love and concern for all your children. God chose you and your husband to love and care for one orphan. He will also be there through joys and struggles. Whoever said it was going to be easy to be a mother anyway. Having one child is not easy. Just trust that God will not leave you alone, you are in this together.
I will keep praying for you.
Beautiful. Thank you. I will link to this from my blog.
this was post ministered to me so much….yesterday we finished our home study…wow. we really finished it! now we start the international paperwork. my heart is so full….so full. we know we are called to this…and we trust Jesus…but, there are times that i think “can we, Lord?”….
thank you for reminding me that the power is there….a reminder i needed today….
Dear Great God, Andrea know your loving arms wrapped tightly around her these hard early days, may she know your shelter under your wings, may she know the strength of your hands holding her. Give her your almighty strength again and again today for all that she needs to do and be for all her 4 precious ones, as well as for Rich. Give her your stilling peace that passes all understanding, while these waves of adjustment and sleeplessness and intense exhaustion wash over her and just seem to keep on coming. Daddy God, you have promisd to give Andrea all that she needs for every day- please give her restful sleep when she gets it, words full of graciousness and overflowing with love and patience, and the courage to keep on going, each step at a time, for your glory’s sake. In Jesus’ precious name, amen.
Thank you. Your words were sweet to my soul today. God’s journey for us has been hard. He has been good. He has been faithful and we have seen His sovereignty and sufficiency for each day. Often times it is not in the way I imagined and I am learning much about my sin of self-sufficiency and trusting and clinging to Jesus is a precious lesson, worth every hard moment in this journey. In the midst of it all, our sweet children are learning and growing, too. Blessings to you this day!