Author Archives: admin Oh how I love Christmas…and today we are celebrating it in our hearts knowing that guess what??? It’s CHRISTMAS DAY in Ethiopia! Here’s a fun little informative article excerpt I found this morning to share written by About columnist Tanya Davis: Christmas is a major holiday in Ethiopia. More than half of the population of […] Adopting For Life Conference- Friday & Saturday, February 26-27th 2010 from Southern Seminary on Vimeo. Where is this? Drew and I want to go. (I might just be missing some very obvious information but I didn’t see where it said this was taking place.) I like themes. Don’t you? So…if today’s post were to have one—it’d be just that! Happy day! I have all kinds of great stuff to share…still haven’t even gotten around to showing you the fun/funny auction purchases from last weekend. One day–they will make it on here;). But better stuff just keeps getting put ahead […] Your heart is soooo big and I love your enthusiasm! Hope to connect again sometime soon! Happy New Year!!! I finally read this morning — rather than at night — so I can perhaps contribute to the discussion. 🙂 I have to say that what floored me over and over again in today’s reading was the reminder of how sinful even the “righteous” are. I grew up learning about the fathers of our faith — Abraham, Issac, Jacob, etc — as sort of “supermen” with whom God was so pleased because they did everything right. Reading through it again and again as an adult, that image has definitely faded… but coming to the forefront is just HOW MUCH God can do with SO LITTLE. These men weren’t heroes; they were fallen, depraved, greedy, selfish, scared silly… just like ME. And if God can use them in the mighty ways He did, then surely I have hope. Praise our merciful and gracious God! Nikki I am so happy for the families that received their referrals yesterday. Such beautiful stories that only God could put together. I posted about our Bible in one year goal on my blog today. I hope others will join us 🙂 I sooo enjoyed reading the stories of the families at #1 and #2!!! Happy that your name is going up on the list….or is it “down” as in the countdown? 🙂 So excited about more referrals! Yay!!! Talk about answered prayers!! I just have to thank you for this post today. My heart just wasn’t really into the reading today, and then I come here and you are so upbeat, enthusiastic, and you learned so much! It made me rethink through the three chapters. I guess that’s why its important to do it as a group. When you are having a bad day, you can lean on those around you. So anyways, thanks! Thoughts I had: when I was reading ch. 18, in the commentary it was talking about how it was custom in those days to invite strangers in your home so that you could show how your beliefs and how you live your life so that they might believe too. I just thought that was cool and made me think…I’m often hesitant about inviting people into our home. And although you do have to protect yourself and your family, we need to think also from the perspective of showing people through actions what it means to be a Christian. The whole story of Lot was a little disturbing to me. Just full of preverse characters. I forgot how “real” the Bible is. Somehow though, it is kind of comforting to know that the world has been preverse since Genesis…sometimes I get so discouraged with how awful, sinful, ect. people are today. But it’s good to read stories like that, and see God’s forgiveness and how he blesses the rightous, and I guess just know that there is hope. Do you know what I mean? I had similar thoughts on ch. 20…REALLY? Claiming she’s your sister, AGAIN? Some people never learn…hahaha! =) Thanks again, and have a great day! Oh ANDREA!! With all the excitement I haven’t had a chance to really break down and let the tears of joy flow….but reading this and hearing our story from another person…oh it is just so much sweeter and the flood gates are open!!!! Thank you! Can’t wait to squeal over your call!!! Good grief! Whenever I think that our world has become as bad as it could, you just have to re-read these chapters! I love that Abraham was bold enough to plead with the Lord like that! Sometimes I feel as if my prayers are wimpy prayers. Like I am a begging child. Abraham approached the Lord and boldly asked Him. That shows the depth of closeness they had. Then Abraham decides to pull his favorite half-lie again. She’s my sister! same story..different king. Goodness Abraham, don’t you learn? How often do I repeat the same mistakes, just with different circumstances? It’s a boy! Isaac is born and named. Laughter…what a name. After Abraham is old and Sarah is worn out. (her words) Love it!! Is anything to hard for our Lord? (Gen. 18:14) I think of my friend Dawn with these words…Praying for you..Nothing is too hard for our God! I can so sympathize with Hagar not being able to watch her son die. After reading so many words from Ab’s mom and how she felt giving her son a chance at life. My heart breaks with those words. I feel her heartache and pain. So much enthusiasm! You basically said it all! One thing I noticed though, is that Lot’s daughters had been affected by where he chose to live. He chose what “looked” best, & look where it got him! His daughters were probably used to that life style because of where they grew up. They carried out the sinful ways of Sodom & Gomorrah by what they did to their father. They’re not all to blame though. Lot should have seen what his girls were learning. And I am amazed by Abraham doing the same thing again…lying about Sarah being his sister! But, how many times do I repeat the same sin over & over? I’ve just started following your blog today, and I must say I am astounded by your love for GOD’s Word, and I cannot wait to continue reading on :)) Hey Andrea! Just saw your facebook link to the simply love shirts…I am returning a Christmas gift to buy one for my hubby…his first adoption shirt! SO excited!!!  For the body OK. I wish I could say I’m a health nut. I’m not a health nut. I wish I cooked like my husband. I’m not a Bon Appetite reader. But give this girl a hotdog or hamburger–and I’m a happy camper. I’m also a shameless Adam Sandler fan. Sorry, I like his humor. […] Andrea, I agree on the obeying today! The neat thing that I read is that Issac was born a year later…after circumcision…kinda neat. My head was in a fog this morning…but here are my thoughts: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.” Do I feel as if God is my very great reward? Do I live my life like He is? “You are the God who see me” I am so thankful that God sees me…all of me..my hurts, my dreams, my passions, my desires, my areas that need refining, and the things that I have finally relinquished control of. He rejoices with me and He hears my cry. I love that about my God. Abram and Sarai had trouble trusting God with His promises…not unlike me at times…so they decided to take matters in their own hands. Never a good idea. Sometimes I think that poor Hagar really got the short end of the stick with all this. I would love to know more about how she felt. Abram became Abraham and Sarai became Sarah. I love this part of the story…total name change to go with everything that God was establishing in your life…do you ever want to change your name? “I am God Almighty: walk before me and be blameless” My desire for 2010. THANK YOU for posting that sloppy joe’s recipe. I know that sounds super silly but my husband grew up eating them and well…i did not. He always suggests them but the culinary student in me can’t say yes. That recipe sounds really good so maybe it will go into next week’s menu. He will be so excited! And we were out of town for the first few days of the new year but I have been reading. I’m a day behind right now but I hope to be up to speed by today or tomorrow! I am loving it though and getting so much out of it! Thank you thank you thank you! Keep the tips coming. I will soon be upgrading my camera and I hope to get better and better at taking pictures. I’m a slow learner. Thanks for sharing all your wonderful photography secrets. It will come in handy as I am still trying to figure out the manuel mode on my camera. It no longer has an auto button which I am thankful for. What kind of camera do you have? I have a DS 300. I was amazed at how Abram heard what God told him, that he would have many nations born of him, & he believed. Then I guess he & his wife thought God was taking too long. They tried to fix it on their on or make it happen when they wanted. It seems it was Sarai’s idea & Abram went along with it, so they were both at fault. How many times do I not have patience to wait for God’s timing? Thank you for the kind words on my blog. I am so glad you found me so that I could find you. I have only read the first post and I am excited to read more! Your photography is amazing!! I feel the same about a flash…hate them! I have turned into a health nut over the last few months… if I wasn’t one already for the past 10 years. A really delicious snack I’ll recommend to you is this: Vanilla Yogurt, pour plain or almond granola on top generously, then sprinkle dried blueberries and small thinly sliced Gala Apples (Can’t find Gala? Go for Golden Delicious). Mmmmmmmm…. Soooo good. Shot with my Nokia. Hahahaha.. I love you, Andrea!!!! -KT I have turned into a health nut over the last few months… if I wasn’t one already for the past 10 years. A really delicious snack I’ll recommend to you is this: Vanilla Yogurt, pour plain or almond granola on top generously, then sprinkle dried blueberries and small thinly sliced Gala Apples (Can’t find Gala? Go for Golden Delicious). Mmmmmmmm…. Soooo good. Shot with my Nokia. Hahahaha.. I love you, Andrea!!!! -KT (http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs017.snc3/12460_194161371681_698751681_3506678_738097_n.jpg) Thank you for the sloppy joe recipe. I love me some sloppy joes:) I will have to try out your recipe. On the Bible reading, Paul and I are really enjoying our reading and discussions at night. I also feel a step ahead because I have your insights before I read it. I have never thought about the renaming of A & S being a renewing of hope…like adoption. I love that thought. Oh man! Those sloppy joes look amazing! Thank you so much for sharing…that will be a must-try in my home. And btw – you seem to cook JUST like I do! It may not be a professional’s style, but hey! It gets the job done and tastes good! =) Loved your insight on chapter 17! Tears graze my cheeks…once again! (And if you know me, that happens to be quite abit!) Thank you for your photography 101 helpful hints. I have always loved the light in your pictures. I love Adam Sandler too, and Napoleon and Will Ferrell are also favorites. I think I’ve seen Elf a hundred times and it never gets old! I’m definitely giving the sloppy joe recipe a try…looks yummy! Onto the reading…so full of good stuff to reflect on. Everytime I read the story of Hagar I feel so sad for her. I totally agree..how did she go back and serve Sarai? And it so speaks to my heart in the sense that I often try to *help* God along with His plans…Ha! I struggle with waiting and patience and ask why not my timing Lord? I think I’m deserving because I’m asking for “good” things. But time and time again he shows me how perfect His plan is…I am so grateful. I have read this verse before, “Do not be afraid…I am your shield, your very great reward.” but you got me all sorts of excited about it! Great writing! BTW, I love sloppy joe and anything sweet! I am copying this recipe and will cook it up this weekend. Thanks for sharing!!! -Alisa Hope For the body OK. I wish I could say I’m a health nut. I’m not a health nut. I wish I cooked like my husband. I’m not a Bon Appetite reader. But give this girl a hotdog or hamburger–and I’m a happy camper. I’m also a shameless Adam Sandler fan. Sorry, I like his humor. […] |
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by admin
I love thinking about our sons both celebrating their first Ethiopian Christmas. The only better thought is that next year they will be celebrating the Ethiopian Christmas in our homes 🙂
Blessings,
Amy
All right stop collaborate and listen
Ice is back with my brand new invention
Something grabs a hold of me tightly
Flow like a harpoon daily and nightly
Will it ever stop yo I don’t know
Turn off the lights and I’ll glow
To the extreme I rock a mic like a vandal
Light up a stage and wax a chump like a candle
Dance go rush to the speaker that booms
I’m killing your brain like a poisonous mushroom
Deadly when I play a dope melody
Anything less than the best is a felony…
I won’t continue. But I could. I still *heart* that song. 🙂
Merry Ethiopian Christmas!
Amber
I LOVE LOVE LOVE the quote by Lucy on Aslan! I even used it in worship one Sunday!
No, our God isn’t “safe”….but boy, it sure is wonderful, wild, crazy ride!!! I wouldn’t want any other. You just have to hold on tight when you give your whole life to Him!
Chap. 23- well of course this is all part of God’s plan. I believe that when people would die in the Old Testament, they would bury the body back in their hometown. Abraham stayed where God had promised him his land. He asked for a place to bury his wife, paid them (which I think they would’ve given it to him anyways), and buried & mourned for his wife. She was 127 years old! Can you imagine how long they were together!? That had to break Abraham’s heart!
Chap. 24- I love this chapter too! Abraham sent out his oldest servant to find a wife for his son Isaac. The hand under the thigh oath, I believe is meant to be a personal oath. A study Bible that I read says that Abraham sent his servant back to his country to find Isaac a wife because the people of Canaan were pagans & his son was the “seed” & he wanted a godly woman. So here’s the awesome part! Abraham’s servant prays very specifically! He is waiting at the well & asks God to make it clear to him who he should take back to be Isaac’s wife. So he asks that the girl offer to draw water for him & his camels! WOW! The first girl that came up, Rebekah, did just what he asked! Before he even finished asking God!! He goes to stay with her family & he wants to leave soon. They want more time with her & ask her what she wants. She wanted to go with Abraham’s servant! Wow, don’t know that I could’ve done that. & by the way, Rebekah is Isaac’s cousin!!!!! She seemed to be respectful & submissive to her husband. Rebekah comforted Isaac in his grief for his mother.
Later in the next few chapters we’ll see that one of their sons, Jacob marries his cousins (Leah & Rachel) as well. Their father, Laban, is Rebekah’s brother!
All right stop, Collaborate and Listen.
So much good stuff I’m not sure where to start! I guess first by saying “Merry Christmas!” I learned so much from your post about Christmas in Ethiopia-thanks for sharing. Second, both my husband and I were born in the 70’s and grew up in the 80’s…and still love the music from that era…especially my husband. I think he believes it part of his mission as a parent to teach our children to love and appreciate music from the 80’s. Even our 3 year old will occasionally give us an “ice, ice baby” tune. Now to the really good stuff! So much to this reading today, I love what both you and Charisa shared. I found myself once again grieving for Hagar and Ishmael-and for Abraham too. It makes me feel better that Abraham was distressed about the situation. It would be so disappointing if he easily let them go. And I can’t help but feel a little upset toward Sarah. Wasn’t she the matchmaker to begin with. I am so thankful that God came to Hagar. Jump to chapter 22…I can’t even imagine the incredible pain that Abraham must have felt when Isaac asked him “where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” Ughhh…it almost takes my breath away. Yes, please let me look crazy in the eyes of the world if it means I’m being obedient to my Savior!
Merry Ethiopian Christmas!
And wow, I’m looking at Hagar’s story in a whole new way thanks to you!!!