Category Archives: Day in the Life “Be still in the presence of the LORD, and wait patiently for him to act.” We live in such a fast culture…waiting patiently for anything doesn’t seem to come natural. Through a crazy connection, I learned that the sweet one we are praying for isn’t available for adoption. Regardless of being a double orphan (both […]  If you’ve ever spent time in the third world, then you know the real culture shock isn’t visiting the third world–but rather when you return to fairy land back home. Richard apologized for not having time to go to the grocery before I got home and told me I’d need to go today. I opened […] I love your heart and what you’re doing and I think the things you are teaching your kids are the MOST important things! We want to have y’all over to our new place in the hood sometime soon! 🙂 Maybe after the baby gets here in a week or so . . . I love this post and I so relate. I find myself having the same feelings in church lately. We just finished a sermon series about how to be a spiritual graduate. Basically it was all sort of “self help” type stuff. Not wrong, but I can’t help but feel like we’re missing it… like we’re really not getting it – not living it. It makes my head spin. My hearts been going crazy over the last few weeks. I’ve wanted to post but I just can’t seem to get the words out right. Spending a lot of time on my knees with Africa in heart. Thank you for sharing what’s going on in you. I pray that we all get our pretty little American lives wrecked for His sake. I’ve watched the video you sent me about a thousand times and I am having culture shock just stepping away from my computer screen…so I can’t imagine what you are feeling right now. Uncomfortable is hard…but God can do the most through us when we bend low…so keep bending friend! You won’t be alone…He will meet you there!! Such a great post! I’m linking to it from my blog! We are leaving for Ethiopia this week and I can definitely imagine these feelings upon re-entry. Thank you so much for sharing, Andrea. We all need to live with our eyes OPEN to what is going on in the rest of the world.It is so GOOD for us to see the reality of what life is like for so many people and how easy we have it here. God has given us much and there are SO many ways we can give back, share and serve with what He has given. Thanks for showing us what life is like in Africa and giving us glimpses into your trip and the dear people there. Oh, these feelings are so, so good, but so hard. Only someone who has been on such a journey can fully understand. What a blessing that God lets us see our lives, His world and His heart with new eyes over and over. We are taking a team to Haiti on 8/6. So happy to be taking first time mission trippers. We are praying over their hearts, knowing the breaking that God is going to do. So glad though that a few more people will see the world with new eyes. Praying know that God will calm you and focus your heart on gratitude and action. Beautiful painting with you words…..the day we are not bothered and feel so comfortable is the day we know longer are the hands and feet of Christ Jesus. SO, yes, Andrea God made you different and in turn your family will be different and that is a “Good Thing”….Blessings and Pax,m Beautiful post, Andrea. Thanks for sharing your heart. You are not alone & if you’re crazy, I’ll gladly be crazy with you. We’re packing all of our stuff in a moving truck today, and I’m sitting on the floor in my empty office with boxes all over my house wondering why in the world we have all of this stuff. Why do we think it takes so much for a family of 5 in America? Please keep sharing about your trip because you’re right – we SHOULD be bothered, compelled, desperate to do something. Thanks again, friend. Oh, Andrea, I hope you don’t mind if I share this on Facebook. Andrea, Andrea, your blog is so beautiful. I traveled to Haiti last summer and know just how your feeling about culture shock. A year later, I still have moments where I am simply overcome by what we have and what others don’t. Mostly, I am struck by the people who aren’t even grateful. Traveling to see “the least of these” changes everything, and I personally think that is just how it should be. Blessings to you! So difficult Andrea…been following your trip and it makes my heart break. Since God opened our hearts and eyes to the sorrow so many children face…I do look at our life so differently…so many “things,” so much waste…it feels hopelessly overwhelming at times. I’m spreading the word about sponsoring Wiphan kids. As we are thinking about adding #5 to our family…I do know God is working…because this whole adoption thing has taken on a life of its own in our family. Have loved your journey…your heart encourages me to do more… It’s been 1.5 years since we returned from Ethiopia and I am STILL experienceing culture shock. I have a picture of our sponsor child above our FILTERED WATER on our refrigerator to remind us to NEVER complain about having “just water”. Christmas this last year was TOTALLY different than usual. Splurging on gifts for ourselves and our kids when it’s really all about Jesus and we could be sending that money to kids in TRUE NEED just made me literally ill. I got a gift card for my birthday for a pedicure and a massage and I still haven’t brought myself the go get the pedicure. I wish I could turn the gift card into money or bring a mother from Africa here to having her sore tired feet pampered instead. I CONSTANTLY think of Africa. I don’t buy new clothes unless it’s going to say something about the orphans, widows, or fatherless or bring awareness to the huge need in Africa. Oh, and my shoes are in mint condition compared to the shoes I saw in Ethiopia. I see life in a totally new perspective. Andrea, THIS IS HOW GOD WANTS CHRISTIANS TO LIVE. It’s NOT all about us. It’s about helping others. We can’t be conformed to the ideas of the world. We must open the eyes of those around us. One by one, we can do it. I so often get SICK, literally sick by the messages spoke IN CHURCH too. They are getting further and further from the TRUTH. I truly would LOVE to move to Africa, but my husband is active duty military. We’re sort of stuck here for a while. Can’t wait to see what the Lord has planned for us when he’s retired in a few years. Keep up the eye opening posts. Sponsored another child & sent e-mail to 100 folks encouraging others to do the same a few days ago for child sponsorship day! Praying for hearts to be broken & eyes to be opened. Praying for a sponsor for every one of those precious children! Maybe God makes us so incredibly uncomfortable so that we will realize just how much extra we have to give… This post said everything that I haven’t been able to say about my recent return from Ethiopia.. you hit the nail on the head. Praying for sponsors for every one of those children. Oh girl, we sponsor 2 Compassion children and I wish I could do more! Starting to sell Thirty One in hopes that it will help go for helping ministries and adoptive families and even maybe sponsorships – we’ll see how God works it out. Thanks for being real. My heart understands! LOVE This. I haven’t been across the world [YET], but I pray that God will rock my world even more one day by allowing me the opportunity to travel and love on the many orphans! Their lives break my heart and I pray daily for my heart to continue breaking! Thank you for sharing your story with us! Continuing to pray daily for these precious faces! I am behind on your blog, but catching up today. Thank you so much for sharing what’s on your heart and for being real. Thank you so much for reminding us that there is more to live for than this life.  This is Christy… Today has been a hard day. It is one of those “how can this be” days. Our day started at Mapalo school where we got to see the new bathroom facilities..oh how we take for granted our toilets!! We got to see a little of how Zambia works…if you do not develop […] My heart is broken……because no child deserves to be hurt….in any way. PRAYING for you all as you pour CHRIST into everyone there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Praying for protection and health for all of you & your families. Praying that God will just blanket that community with love and healing and provide for all of their needs. Praying that he will act as a shield against such abuse. It just tears me to pieces to hear that any child is being hurt. We will be praying that it is not a skull fracture and for miraculous healing. We just got in…and I’m about to CRASH!!! I’m roomies with Christina Boyce…another fun adoption momma! (Her baby girl and my baby boy are from the SAME orphanage through AGCI in Ethiopia! How cool is it we are serving in Zambia together AND roommies!!!) We got in to J-burg South Africa just a few hours […] YAY! So glad ya’ll are there safe and sound! Praying!!! Glad you are well! Can’t wait to hear what the Lord does this week. Hug those sweet kiddos for me! We have a funny little saying “only before Africa” that we like to say…as it seems the craziest things always seem to happen before leaving on a mission trip. For me, today was one of those days indeed! I now know I’m in the small percentage of people who are allergic to the malaria medication […] Oh Andrea, the enemy is full swing trying to thwart the great plans God has for this trip. We are lifting all of you up in prayer. Oh Andrea ~ that sounds just horrid. I am so sorry that you got THAT sick. Praying for complete healing, rest, restoration and protection. Oh, breaks my heart to hear the scare and unknown while it was happening. So thankful that the enemy was shut down and God brought you home in better shape. Yes, as always, sending prayers for you and your amazing team. Been there with some scary health stuff. SO THANKFUL you are ok!! Rejoicing with you in God’s faithfulness!!! Praying for your fam and your team as you prepare to leave! Oh my word, for heaven’s sake, Andrea. Sheesh. You sure go all out when you do something. Oh Man. One thing’s for sure: ther enemy must not like that you’re heading over there and that can only mean really beautiful things. Will beging praying NOW! love you. For goodness sake BE CAREFUL. xoxoox Praise God you received quick medical attention and are turning things around… Will pray for your continued protection! I know God is going to use you in a mighty way! God bless you… Will pray for a special day with your family tomorrow. Rest well, friend. So thankful you are ok! Get away satan, you will not prevail! Have a wonderful trip! Good grief!! So thankful you are better! Praying for all of you as you head to Zambia! Blessings! Oh Andrea, I am so sorry! That sounds awful! Will be praying for a full recovery for you! And for your upcoming trip! How entirely terrifying! I had a much less severe reaction, but similar – no thanks. I have heard that drinking papaya tea is a good anti-malaria route. May want to look into it! You are definitely being attacked – stay strong and guard yourself with the armour of God! Oh my goodness! You poor thing!!! I started reading your post and my eyes just got bigger and bigger. I so grateful you’re doing better! Medicine CAN BE an amazing thing. (Sometimes anyways!) Kelly |
|
by admin
this is SOOOO timely for me. Waiting on the Lord and not rushing through where he has me now… so SO what I need to be reminded of. THANK YOU!!
so sorry for the news you received. we just painted our girls room grey and as i was staring at it i was thinking how beautiful it is. not because of the starkness that white and black have, but because of the blending. so much blending happens in our lives during the grey. thanks for another poignant post.
enjoy your fun weekend with so many dear ones.
What a beautiful post, Andrea! I know this feeling of waiting on God so well…and when I can remember to be still before Him and leave the details up to Him, amazing things always happen. He is so good…always!
Today’s Jesus calling by Sarah young was this same verse…thanks for sharing it helped me to read this…
We’ve been in a holding pattern now for over 18 months…thank so much for the encouragement today! I know how disappointed you were hearing the news. So proud of your choice to find the joy in the situation and continue to listen for God’s leading!! We are praying alongside you continually for guidance. Sometimes waiting is easier too if you know you have a friend living through it with you!
Oh Andrea I am so sorry. I know how crushing it is to hear “not adoptable” yet orphaned. I just received the same news in the beginning of May and my heart still aches, still waits, still longs to hold these little girls that God showed me their face 11 years ago in a different country in the most remote part of a nomadic tribe. Yet the twins my heart tugs for look JUST like my little girl whom my heart was drawn to years ago. Hard part is, my husband despite us just moving, having a newborn on the way (which he is 3 weeks old now) and lots of other changes in our lives, was ready to move forward with the girls… in which he at other times had told me that he did not feel like it was our time to adopt. I know HE has not put this tug on either of our hearts for nothing. He is not cruel to allow us to fall in love just to rip them out of our arms. Although, some days I will admit it feels just like my miscarriages… as soon as i fell in love they got snatched from me. But when I really pull close to God I know that He has used, even the heartache in my life for His glory. I am praying for you today and when my heart aches for the girls He put on my heart, I will be praying for you and the one your heart is drawn to.
Love your JOY Andrea! I can’t wait to see what and how and WHO brings out of the grey. My heart broke when the Lord pulled us from Africa and showed us that a domestic infant adoption was where He would have us. It made NO sense. My heart screamed no! But 7 months ago today He placed 2 babies in our arms….and made all of “the rough places smooth.” Their story is one that I would have never imagined with a domestic adoption, and has opened us up to a future and is leading us down paths we never dreamed. We had to be out of the grey to praise Him for it…but now we do!!!!
Thanks for this precious reminder. We’re not in the grey right now, in fact, God’s call is so crystal clear right now. We know we are on the path He has called us on, but the wait is oh-so-hard! But their is joy and beauty in it too!
Andrea, I am so sorry for the news you got. So hard. There are so many thoughts and feelings…
And I also think you wrote this post for me, friend! I hope you have a wonderful weekend of celebrating God’s goodness with family and friends…Happy Birthday, Isaac!
I also get to the point where the heartache gets so intense that I want to rush in with both feet & run in the direction I think he is calling. However, this is when it is the most dangerous to run because we might run the wrong way, even if the cause is just. We NEED the wait, he loves the tears, he loves the heartfelt prayers, he loves that the pain of those in need breaks us down so low that we have no choice but to fall on our faces, pray, & beg for the answers. That SURRENDER is what pleases him. Then when we are all but broken down to nothing he begins to slowly reveal that the wait, the pain is what inspires us to BRING OTHERS ALONG WITH US. The pain we feel leaves us no choice but to CRY OUT to others to HELP SOMEONE, anyone…to be a VOICE for those who are too weak to cry out for help. Think of all of the people who cannot get Mumi’s story out of their hearts or their heads, so they had no choice either, they had to ACT…It’s all part of his plan…Praying for discernment & peace for you!
Girl, I hear you on the waiting! We have been there ever since my hubby’s eye diagnosis 2 1/2 yrs ago… knowing God is stripping us, calling us to do more for Him, watching others do amazing things, but it never being the time yet for us to act. I have been enjoying Alison’s blog posts on The Land Between book and if you have a Kindle, it was free – not sure if it still is? Praying for you, and thankful I’m not alone in the wait.
Your blog is always such an encouragement to me! Thank you for your timely reminder to wait patiently for the Lord to act. It is so neat to think that God already know the specific child(ren) He has for us.