The Young Family Farm

My friend Addie really should have a blog. Really. She should. BUT I get to learn things about mommyhood with her…and while I waste time updating my blog…she is really getting all the insight and I get to hang out with her and contemplate that good stuff with her. WELLLL…we planned a playdate for Monday at her house…only I got there BEFORE she did. SO…while I played at her house waiting for her to get to her house (she was pickin’ up her crew at preschool)—we just played in her playroom. What happens when *I* get bored at one of my bestfriend’s homes without her there? I get out my iphone of course and start takin’ pics. And today–one that I took from Monday just playing with my iphone cam perfectly goes with today…

Another precious friend, Courtney, made this sweet pillow featuring one of Ad’s favorite lines from one of her favorite songs. Today, as I learned of MORE recent changes with the Ethiopia adoption program–I am sticking to the race the Lord called me to and trusting HIM to be the writer of my story. I believe in the end, the wait–the hurdles–the unknowns–the heartaches–will all not only be worth it…but in the process of being refined and standing by what I believe the Lord called us to–we will not only be blessed but also more Christlike. Amen?!

Due to approximately 41 families revoking their adoptions in Ethiopia once they got there (for whatever reason) and recent CBS reports about an agency which is now being questioned (not ours)—new policies have been put in place…which will ultimately delay our adoption by they are guessing approximately 7-8 weeks (2 months). Two trips will also now be required. One trip will be made by BOTH parents immediately after referral (approximately 2 weeks after) and parents will stay in Ethiopia for approximately 1 week to “bond” with the child and at that time sign papers and officially accept the referral. THEN, both parents will journey home with their hearts full of trust that they will pass court—hopefully the first time. After court, an embassey date will be set–and only one parent will be required to travel at that time to get their child. AND THEN at that point can you make plans to come cheer, cry, jump up and down, PRAISE THE LORD, and do a happy dance WITH ME at the airport!

There are risks. There are unknowns. And I won’t go into details on those—simply because—they are risks and unknowns. And I’m not concerned with them—because I just happen to serve the God of risks and unknowns. Yes, I do. When I trusted Him as my Savior and He said, “Follow me” I knew there would be risks and unknowns. In fact, all I saw were risks…and the unknowns—gosh, they were everywhere. BUT I serve an all powerful mighty God. AND God also knew–because He is writing my story and I have told Him I will follow Him regardless…always…no matter matter the risk or uncertainty…that He would remind me before this call with my agency that He is the one writing my story.

So…within 24 hours of this phone call…check out these “God moments” in my normal day…

1. Walked in a conference room and sat down with pastors of my church and presented an idea…to start a churchwide new ministry for the poor, orphans and widows. God guided me through the details…and He also blessed the meeting by giving full support, excitement and agreement from the pastoral staff. PRAISE JESUS! He reminded me of His call.

2. A friend of mine told me the founder of Hobby Lobby might be looking at my blog. Ok…I just thought that was really cool! Are you reading this Mr.Green? Don’t you think it’d be great for me to create fun crafts from my favorite store. You don’t even have to pay me. I’ll happily agree to do crafts for a Hobby Lobby craft voucher each month;). Ok…so that would probably never happen—but just think Mr.Green if we got other families not only doing your cool crafts—well, because they promote family time…but what if we promoted serving the poor, loving the orphan and blessing the widow while we were at it? You know it’d be so cool! God reminded me that He can do anything for His glory.

3. My NEW FAVORITE AUTHOR emailed me today!!! If you haven’t read any of Carol Jo Brazo’s books…AHHHH…they are the BEST! They are out of print currently, but if I Mrs.Brazo if you are reading this…you have GOT to reprint!!! Everyone I recommend your books too…LOVE them! And Mrs.Brazo I find it at no surprise that your book on home-making is valued at $143. You have got to reprint!!! I have talked to people recently who are buying your book for $50 and more—$143 is a little steep;) Getting an email from you today blessed my soul! Thank you. OK…so she doesn’t read my blog I’m sure—BUT I did get a random email from her this morning. FUN! God reminded me He just likes to make me smile:)

4. Trip to Home Depot—bought rope to make an art display in basement (see bottom pic w/ rest of iphone pics at Addie’s house;). Got to the front and was worried how much all that rope might be. He looked at me—and GAVE ME the rope for me. Completely didn’t make sense. But, not everything has to. I just smiled, thanked him and thanked God for showing up and blessing me in yet another day. He just wanted me to see Him again and again and again! God reminded me how He likes to take care of me.

So…I love the way God writes my story. And then—I get home so excited about my “God moments” and see a message from my agency that I need to call if for a phone conference where I’m joined by 92 other families. Am I bummed about the changes? Oddly, not one bit. Do I question my standing in this line and wonder what to do? Not one bit. God has shown me today that He is always writing my story. Always. His ways are not my ways—they are BETTER. And how can I be thrown off after God reminded me ALL DAY LONG of His goodness and grace…that HE is the author…and praise Jesus that He is!!!

So today I rest. Today I, yet again, lift up my hands on this journey and say, “I trust you.” And I even smile thinking that this ONLY makes the FINAL homecoming EVEN SWEETER! Harder always ends with sweeter when you are trusting and following Jesus. I count all things loss for the sake of following Jesus.

So to end on fun—because Addie will never Facebook, blog or even rarely be online…here are some cute things from her playroom. If you have questions for her playroom…you can ask them and I’ll have make a guest appearance! HA! Seriously—everyone needs an Addie. Addie, I’m sorry that you have a friend who takes pictures of your house with her iphone when you aren’t there and then posts them on her blog.

Please excuse clarity of images due to iphone…
How Addie displays her kids’ art…(rope from Home Depot and clothes pins from Hobby Lobby…see Mr.Green–Addie shops there too;)

How Addie organizes dress up…

How Addie encourages tech savy children…

How Addie lets her kids write on the wall…

How Addie rocks it out…don’t think she doesn’t ever get behind these and rock out herself…

And when we toss all our kids in the playroom to do all these above things…this is where we hang out, veg out and even chase birds. Yes, I’ll have to blog some time on our playdate where a birdie joined us in this room and we had to scare him outside with broomsticks. One of my ALL TIME FAVORITE memories!Just had to share this picture so she can laugh at how much fun I was having with my iphone at her house while she wasn’t there!!! AND this is one of my favorite rooms in her house. Thank you Addie for letting me blog about you today (without your permission) and most importantly thank you for the MANY days and nights of brainstorming Wiphan and serving with me on the Wiphan board. I love doing life, play…and especially Africa with you!!!

Hope you all have a great day…off to play at Addie’s:)

XOXO!

andrea

If you missed yesterday’s post, check it out and join us in helping refer readers to our Wiphan site! SO FAR…the top 3 winners in the running for the MOST visitors for our new fun TEE are…

The contest goes to Friday and we’re going to do the most hits from the week—so be a voice for the voiceless ON YOUR BLOG and take a minute to share Wiphan with your world! YOU ALL ROCK BY THE WAY!!! So thankful:)

And we have our OFFICIAL March numbers!!! YAY! Can you believe I shared Wiphan first?! Well, OF COURSE, I did! Those kids are the HERE and NOW…and they need us NOW!!! Did I tell ya I’ve officially decided to head out on a jet plane this May?! Oh yeah—our adoption is movin’ slow these days…and I’ve got ants in my pants to give hugs to our kids!!! SO…I figured going now is best as I’ll be working on attaching and bonding to our Babe come Fall. Yes, I can’t think summer…this mommy has to protect her heart and say Fall:). SOOOOO…enough ALREADY! Gimme the numbers you say?!

Our boy number is…
Dueteronomy 16:11 “And you shall rejoice before the LORD your God, you and your son and your daughter…and the stranger and the orphan and the widow who are in your midst, in the place whre the Lord your God chooses to establish His name.”

Our girl number is…
Dueteronomy 26:13 “You shall say before the LORD your God, ‘I have removed the sacred portion from my house, and also have given it to the Levite and the alien, the orphan and the widow.”

Have trouble seeing those numbers??? Well…if you do–you just might be colorblind! I’m just sayin’. So…our boy number is 16 and girl is 26. Several referrals have gone out which aren’t included in these numbers–so we are already a bit lower. If I had to guess I’d guess we could/would/just might get our referral in August. Just a guess! My prayer now is that we will miss the court closure in August and September. Regardless…THY WILL BE DONE! And in the MEAN time…I’m jumpin in Wiphan and pouring my heart into the widows and orphans who need us to do that RIGHT NOW. I love living in the now:)

Still reading? Still with me?! Today’s reading was historical and cultural–but don’t give up!!! He is shining in every piece we read. And what a blessing to have others to be accountable with!

I know as the weather warms up…well as anything changes…it can be very easy to get side-tracked. Let us not give up on the reading of His word!!! Did you know that less than 10% of professed Christians have ever read the entire Bible?! Is it important to know and understand His Word if you are a professing believer? What happens any time in life when you just hear part or tidbits of a story? I don’t know about you–but if I only know tidbits of a story, I’m not ENGAGED. Just tonight on the phone I spend hours getting to know one of my dearest friends better. Her story–her and her husband’s courtship…and I feel so much closer to her knowing more of her story. Did you know the Lord loved YOU so much that He didn’t leave ya out there to wonder or wander. From front to back–His Word is simply amazing revelation of WHO He is. Do you know Him?

Before I left for China after graduating for college–I memorized Dr.Shadrach M. Lockridge’s speach on WHO HE IS. THIS is who you will find HE is when you READ His Word…EVERY SINGLE DAY. Ohhh…He is EVERYTHING. He is ENOUGH! Watch this…and know Him just a bit more today! He is real! He is alive! AND…HE IS MY KING! And this momma…will follow this King ANY WHERE! AMEN! And what a sweet memory it was when I couldn’t think of how else to share Him with my Chinese friends than to have these words also stored in my mind…