The Young Family Farm »

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 stool samples, labs, 2 older kids wrestling / my 20 month old struggling with his new place and a precious new one that needs his momma to hold him most of the day. I woke up at 11:30pm after crashing at 8pm with Isaac in my arms in our bed…looked over at my precious hubby in the hallway folding clothes and said, “Could you lay here for awhile with him…I think I haven’t had a shower in a few days.” (He sleeps GREAT as long as someone is beside him.) Our bonding is happening…but there is definitely a cost.

Frank is struggling. I’m bouncing him on one hip and every opportunity I have with Isaac happy in a jumpy or napping, I’m holding Frank and smoothering him with kisses. And then…I find myself saying to the older ones a gazillon times a day, “Quiet voices please—you’re scaring the baby.” Where upon they lower their voices, giggle and eventually just get crazier. The cocooning phase for the older ones is making them a bit delirious I’m afraid. And tonight–I am simply reminded of the costs in knowing and following the Lord. And I hold back tears–while I type this.

And I tell myself—It. Will. Be. Worth. It.

Tonight, I find my encouragement from Philippians 3. Confession—I think I may have been too confident that *I* could do this. But that is confidence in my flesh. And I can’t. I need to know Jesus deeper and clint to His strength. Not sure where each of you are—but I hope this encourages you as well. Be encouraged by Philippians with me–and trust with me that the hard days of following Jesus can be counted as loss:

Philippians 3
No Confidence in the Flesh
Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you.
Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh. For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh— though I myself have reasons for such confidence.
If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless.

But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Pressing on Toward the Goal
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

So much goodness in these verses. I get to count the hard parts as loss of knowing Jesus more. Today I felt Him carrying me. Today I cried out to Him and He was present. It wasn’t me loving my children and keeping my cool—but it was the Holy Spirit and His power. And tomorrow—I will need Him again. In this process, I pray I am transformed to look more like Him and to have a heart more like His. I’m thankful my citizenship is in heaven, and that I get to press on to the goal that He has called me to. And I realize—many of you are right there with me…whether you are adopting or not, waiting, struggling with the hardness of your current calling…it looks different for us all–but we can be sure that if life is too easy—we just might be missing our calling because one thing we are promised is that following Him will never be easy. So…as you follow Him—will you press on with me?

Each day–is a new day.

I’m confident that tomorrow He will guide me and be my strength again. Oh my…did I just write that? Check out the power in scripture!

Truly, I don’t know how people do life without Jesus. Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus! Isn’t it amazing how He changes your heart from being tired—to being excited and hopeful for what tomorrow brings?! Wow…the power of the Holy Spirit. On a “wow, God is faithful note”, I was reminded today how far our little guy has come…really, I am reminded of that daily…but today–it came by a phone call. Our agency caseworker saw a picture of Isaac on my blog and she honestly couldn’t believe it was the same child we were referred just 4 months ago. You wouldn’t believe the work that God has done…really–it is UNBELIEVABLE (how I love serving an unbelievable God who does the unfathomable!) and we are so thankful. It is an answer to prayer that he is sitting before his 1st birthday which will come next month. He just started sitting—and I am amazed and thankful! Another good thing God has done…and we are so glad! In our babe’s referral—all we got was “he smiles…not holding his head up…BUT we see God’s power and grace in his face”. And we knew—he was our son! I am so thankful for you Isaac Temesgen. Isaac “he smiles” and Temesgen “Thank you God!”…such a fitting name for such a miracle! WE LOVE YOU SWEET SON!

Thank you for your prayers, your words of encouragement, and for trusting the Lord with me. May He “wow” you today as you trust deeper each day in Him. May you be reminded in difficult days that they are to be counted loss as you follow Him and to press on to the prize and goal He has called you to. Tomorrow is a new day…and I’m excited to get to spend it with 4 of my favorite littles:). Have a great day!

***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 won’t lie and say it wasn’t a hard day–it wasn’t easy. BUT I know as time goes by it will get easier:). Frank went to the cabinet and pulled out a bottle for himself every time he saw me feeding Isaac. So, much of the day–I had two babies laying in my lap…9 months apart and thankfully—Isaac would giggle through it. He thinks Frank is very funny. When Frank whines, he even giggles—which Frank doesn’t always see the humor in. P and L stepped up to the plate today–and I’m amazed at their hearts. They helped me clean up after the babies and even entertained them some while I fixed lunches. Today I’m most thankful…for Isaac’s sweet giggle, for Frank’s new march (he hits the music to our “Little Drummer Boy” book and marches around the room pulling only one leg up in a march stance…precious!), for Laney’s motherly heart and desire, and for Parker’s leadership and positive attitude. It’s amazing to see how adoption not only changes your heart–but all of your children as well. What a joy and blessing the Lord rains down on your family as you trust Him!

Also…I have had several people ask about the two special ones at Bethzatha. I’m contacting them to get more info on these precious ones, and as soon as I have all the information I hope we can advocate for them. They are precious in His sight!!! Thank you for praying for them!!!

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 they are even sensitive to Frank’s new role from baby to big brother. We are all making grand efforts to give Frank much of the same love and attention he was/is used to AND at the same time give Isaac Temesgen the extra love and care that he needs. Needless to say–it’s MORE than a full time job. MUCH MORE.

I can’t say I didn’t expect the MUCH MORE part–because I did. I have had the gift of meeting with many other adoptive mommies who have gone before me to tell me the efforts and time that are required of transitioning your children already in the home as well as new ones. I am up every 2-3 hours every night–and some times it’s hour to hour with our new one. Often he wants to eat. And other times–I think he just wants to make sure I’m still here. He is startled at sudden or loud sounds–and I’m constantly speaking softly and singing Jesus Loves Me reminding myself that He who calls us–will equip us–and deeply…He loves us.

I am still processing my time in Ethiopia–there is really so much to process. I keep seeing the countless faces of the children at Hannah’s Hope (our agency’s orphanage) waiting patiently and some even unknowingly for their mommies and daddies to also come. And that to me–is so HOPEFUL. It didn’t pain me to look in their eyes as I knew all of those children had been referred to parents back home who have so faithfully followed the Lord in this calling to parent through adoption. What did pain me…was the WAIT and Bethzatha.

As you may know, adoption requires waiting, waiting and more waiting. There’s red tapes—lots of hoop jumping and often programs change and even close at moments notice. With 143,000,000 orphans in the world–and almost 6 million of them being in Ethiopia–the wait doesn’t really make sense. BUT there is a wait. Our agency’s orphanage can only serve so many orphans at a time–and one can’t come to our private orphanage to be matched with a forever family until another one has gone. SO–while our private run orphanage serves betweent 40-60 children, many are simply waiting on court dates to come and pass so families can travel and another bed can be opened for a child from bigger orphanages like Bethzatha to come in. Most all of the children at Hannah’s Hope come from Bethzatha–and we had the amazing opportunity while we were there to visit Bethzatha…and this is what I am still trying to process.

Our Isaac spent a month at Bethzatha until there was a bed for him at Hannah’s Hope. I wasn’t sure how it all worked–and it is actually the staff at Bethzatha that chooses what children they will send to Hannah’s Hope while Hannah’s Hope simply tells them how many spaces they have open for new children they can serve. I love that the staff at Bethzatha can release the children who need families most desperately first–and while some only spend a few weeks there, others have been there for years and years. Really—I had no idea.

We walked in a room with SO MANY toddlers—that it overwhelmed me. (And the baby rooms–two of them…and they were full as well.)

You wanna know something else that surprises me?

Adoption statistics.

SO–since 2004, adoptions have cut in HALF in the U.S. There are MORE orphans in the world TODAY than any point in HISTORY–YET, there are fewer families adopting NOW than ANY year in the last decade. Seriously?! Yes, there is a wait. There has ALWAYS been a wait. It takes time for the red tape in the U.S. and then more time for red tape in foreign countries–and then of course more time for court and more time for empty beds. And yes–the wait for those of us who are following the call is beyond hard and frustrating…and for those of you waiting–DO NOT GROW WEARY…BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS…trust in the Lord and wait upon Him! But–it’s not the wait that has made those statistics drop. The rising cost? Well, we are supposed to count all things loss at the cost of following Him…right? So…I’m really not sure why the drop. Are we distracted…have we lost sight of what is really happening and that there are millions of children who need families or at the very least need believers to advocate and pray for them or visit them in their distress?

What I am having a hard time processing now…is if 2% of professing Christians adopted–the 143,000,000 orphans would be dissolved as they each became a son or daughter of someone.

No, we aren’t all called to adopt.

But I really—really—really believe…that we are all called to do something.

I am realizing I was called to wake up every 2 hours for this season in my life and to remind my son, “I’m here. I’m here. I’ll always be here.”

I am reminded of Almaz’s words, “You were not called to save Ethiopia. You were called to save Temesgen. Now, go be his mother.”

Being a mommy—it is my calling.

Praise Him! Praise Him! I love my calling.

My heart though aches…for more to be called…and to see more children become daughters and sons.

There are two specific children that my heart is just aching for at Bethzatha. One has been there 4 years and another 3 years. They are both handicapped and just lay there—day in and day out. I walked in the room and tried to sing Jesus Loves Me to them–but my voice cracked and I broke down in tears. The staff worker in the room came over and told me not to be sad and I just asked her, “Do they know they are loved? Do they know how much He loves them?”

She reassured me that they do–but do they???

Will you join me today/tonight…whenever and whoever is reading this in praying these verses over the children left behind?

“And Jesus said unto them … , “If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to younder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible to you.”
Romans 1:17

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear … “1 John 4:18

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.”
Psalm 23

“One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock.”
Psalm 27:4-5

And let us pray this in boldness for us to follow…maybe it is us that will sing them Jesus Loves Me each night…for really—in the big scheme of things…isn’t that all that really matters? Lord, I pray you call up a multitude of believers to follow you and love orphans and widows in a deeper way than they ever imagined doing. I pray that you would have many step out in faith and boldness to follow you–and to trust you in the hard wait and the difficult waters…help us Lord to live for what really matters.

“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” Romans 10:14-15

“But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear ; do not be frightened.” Take Courage 1 Peter 3:14

Rise up; this matter is in your hands. We will support you, so take courage and do it.” Ezra 10:4

Still processing…not sure if anyone really even reads my processing;)…but thanks for letting me process…goodnight. For at least 2 hours anyway;). But…oh so worth every waking.

And on a P.S. note–I have to add that Frank sweetly gave Isaac 2 kisses on the cheek today. AND he even shared his binky. Progress people. We’re making progress;).

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 my babies each month during their first year—so gotta grab them of Isaac as much as I can since we missed the first 10 months together. On another note—I have adopted the a double name “Isaac Temesgen“…I love how the Lord laid the name Isaac on our hearts. We were given his referral with lots of unknowns–the only thing we did know was that “he smiles”. So…Isaac it was. When I met with his birth mom and heard her miracle story of his birth and why she named him “Temesgen” which means “Thank God!”…the Lord spared both his birth mom and Temesgen in the beginning–so both names are dear to me. I think I can get away with it because we’re in the South…but no pressure if you can’t pronounce Temesgen (pronounced: Ta – Mess – Gin) …you can just call him Isaac:)

Here are a few pictures from our FIRST weekend home…

Isaac Temesgen is really a happy baby…

His big brother who has handed over official baby of the house status isn’t sure about all the changes just yet…

But make Frank a yummy dish—and you can quickly win him back over…

Big sister is absolutely in love…

And P-man is ruling the roost—and loving every bit of it…

We have a long way to go—and the house is a complete mess…laundry left undone and we are living moment to moment…hour to hour…but we are so thankful Isaac Temesgen is finally home…

Here are the 10 month portraits of our Beautiful, Beautiful, Beautiful Baby Boy…that I snagged today while Daddy had everyone else at church and we are here cocooning together…

(turn music off up top on blog before watching:)
And click the center to start the slideshow)

Isaac Temesgen – 10 Month Portraits
Isaac (“He Smiles”) Temesgen (“Thank God”)
So thankful to finally have our beautiful boy home…

Happy 4th of July!!! XOXO, Andrea

P.S. Here is another blog with some AIRPORT homecoming pictures!!! Thank you Julie for being there to welcome us!!!

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 waiting for her baby boy to come home from Uganda. She posted some pictures of our homecoming here.

All 4 babies are sleeping now…so I just had to take a minute to share some of our pics that are on a friend’s blog. Thank you so much for your prayers…please pray for our transition home–Frank (our 19 month old) is having the hardest time of all…so I’m walking around with 2 babies on my hips. The Lord will give us strength as we trust in Him to fill us with His love–so we may pour it out and into our children’s hearts and lives. Love to you all…and thanks for your constant prayers and support…and much needed encouragement during this sweet time.