He Made IT!

Ben is in Uganda.

Africa or Bust

Ben left yesterday for Africa. He's going to Uganda and then on to Ethiopia. He hopes to post more about his trip on the blog so stay tuned. Last I heard they landed in Brussels about 3 am. He is visiting several orphanages, they are hoping to meet some their immediate needs and talk with the directors about how they can better support them in the long term.

Listen to Abe

I had just finished cleaning the bathroom, while Isaac played in the bath tub. Sam and Abe came in to brush their teeth. I said, "boys i don't want to see any toothpaste in the sink when your done." Sam starts looking around, all perplexed, like leaving the sink without a big blob of toothpaste smeared somewhere on it is an impossible task. Abe stares right at Sam and says in the most authoritative Abe voice you've ever heard, "Sam you better pray about it!" Abe is so right. Even the smallest things can be brought before our Father in prayer. Abe has been learning about the power of prayer and he can attest that it is working in his own life, so if your wondering what to do about something big or small. I suggest you listen to Abe and pray about it.

Here they are Sam and Abe.

On a funny note. Isaac came out the other day with his lip colored red with a magic maker and declared that he was ready to go. I guess he put on his lip stick and was ready to paint the town red!

W..W..W...Where baby Jesus?

Owen and Abe had wonderful Christmas programs this year. They both had parts and really enjoyed getting to perform. Both plays had a nativity, complete with Mary, Joseph, animals, shepards, wise men, and of course baby Jesus. Isaac especially liked watching his brothers and their friends on stage. He would point them out excitedly, but then he would always come back to the same question. He would stare intently at the stage and say w..w..w..where baby Jesus? I would respond he's not there yet but soon he'll be in the manager. Again and again with great expectancy in his voice Isaac would ask W..w..w..where baby Jesus? Finally toward the end of the second play I took Isaac up the the manager to see Baby Jesus, he looked at the baby doll lying in the manager and then he looked at me and said, W..w..w..where baby Jesus? It was clear he knew that wasn't baby Jesus, he expected more. His persistence and expectant attitude were a lesson to me. He greatly anticipated Jesus arrival and he expected so much more.

...He will precede the coming of the Messiah, preparing the people for his arrival. He will soften adult hearts to become like little children's, and will change disobedient minds to the wisdom of faith. Luke 1:17B

I want to be like Isaac this Christmas season expecting great things and a great celebration as we anticipate the coming of our King as a tiny baby!

We've been doing an advent calender this Christmas season. Inside it are little books, one for each day and it tells the story of Christmas. Boys really enjoy it and look forward to their turn to read the book and hang it on the tree. On day 8 the book is titled "The Journey". Here is what it said,

"Joseph helped Mary climb onto the donkey's back. Then he led the donkey slowly away from their home, down the streets of Nazareth and into the countryside.

The road took them through fields filled with screeching birds and wilderness areas inhabited by howling jackals. Now and then, Joseph and Mary felt afraid. But they comforted each other and spoke of their faith in God. Clip, clop, clip, clop went the donkey's hooves as they plodded up steep, dusty trails.

Clip, clop, clip, clop went the donkey on steady hooves down winding rocky paths. The stones hurt Joseph's feet, and the sun made Mary drowsy. How she longed to stretch out on a soft bed. But the road to Bethlehem was a long one, and they still had many miles to go.

Finally the trail led them down to the sandy desert with its long hot days and cold nights. Joseph and Mary prayed they would be safe."

As I read this story I was moved to tears. How much the mother of our savior suffered and sacrificed in order to fulfill the prophets words that the Savior would be born in the City of David. She labored, and struggled, frightened and exhausted, doing her best to keep her baby safe and alive. Her journey reminds me of the J
journey so many birth mothers make to place their children in a safe place, that they might live. They travel through a hot dry land parched and afraid, crying out to God to save them and their children and when they finally reach "Bethlehem" they make a great sacrifice and leave their children in the hands of others in hopes that their children will not just have a better life but just so that child might live. As we wait for our children to come home I feel the Lord impressing on me the need to pray for their safety. I wonder if they are on a dangerous journey right now, filled with howling jackals and suffocating heat, and so I pray. Would you pray too?

" He brought them out with mighty power and upraised fist to strike their enemies, for his loving kindness to "my babies" continues forever. Praise the Lord who opened the "the sea of red tape" to make a path before them, for his loving kindness continues forever, and he led them safely through, for his loving kindness continues forever-- Psalms 136:11-14

Waiting

We're still waiting for a referral, but we are waiting expectantly for the Lord to move in His timing and bring us news of our babies. here are a few pictures you might enjoy.

First Owen 3rd grade, Abe 2nd Grade, Sam preschool and Isaac is still with momma.Day of school

That"s all for now.
Leigha

Update anyone?

It's been awhile, I know! We're still here, everyone accounted for. The boys are growing and changing everyday. They keep me on my toes, and though there are days when I wonder how I'm going to get everything done and will there be enough of me to go around, I am reminded with a sweet smile from Isaac, a loud whoop from Sam, a strange language from Abe or a unbelieving head shake from Owen, that God has called me to this amazing adventure and if he has called me then he has equipped me as well.




Owen is in 3rd grade, doing great, enjoying his buddies and soccer. His heart fof the least of these continues to humble me.

Abe is in the 2ND grade, studying hard, enjoying soccer and piano. Abe has an innate sense of rhythm, which totally baffles me, I do well to clap with the beat. His teacher and I are both impressed with his abilities.

Sam is in pre-school this year. He loves it. He's also playing soccer, but it somehow looks more like football, he's always on the ground or in the process of taking someone else to the ground.

Isaac is with Mama most of the time, although he does spend some time in the Y nursery, aka "his school", which he enjoys very much and Mama enjoys time to herself in the pool exercising.

No news on the adoption front. Our dossier has been in Ethiopia almost four months and our agency has told us it could take a year to get a referral, so we wait and pray. If you would like to join us in praying our children home, here are a few verse, I feel like the Lord has given me while we wait.

Psalm 121:5-8 (The Living Bible) Jehovah himself is caring for you! He is your defender. He protects you day and night. He keeps you from all evil, and preserves your life. He keeps his eye upon you as you come and go, and always guards you.

Psalm 37:19 (The Living Bible) He cares for them when times are hard; even in famine, they will have enough.

As some of you may know there is a famine in the Horn of Africa which encompasses the southern region of Ethiopia.



Spending a little time on the potty, but far from being potty trained! That's all for now.
Blessings,
Leigha