Hmmm...

A nice way of saying what I am thinking lately:

"I like your Christ.

I do not like your Christians.

Your Christians are so unlike your Christ."

Ghandi

Anyone beg to differ?

Great news!

I have been informed that Gladney Adoption Agency - an agency that has been supporting Kolfe orphanage for some time now - has provided beds for ALL the boys! I sure hope this is true. Hmmm...I may have to trek over there and confirm it. (big smile)

Hard to bear...

This is where MY SON sleeps...YOUR son might be sharing this "bedroom" with him.

Don't let ANY of these "forgotten" boys go another day without a Mama to call their own!

http://www.jobsdaughters.blogspot.com/

What now?

One of the benefits of being in your 40s is that you FINALLY realize that making grand plans is an exercise in futility...especially if you desire to follow HIS plan for your life.

So...what's next? I have no idea. But, what I DO know is that I am open to just about anything. (Okay, that is probably not literally TRUE in the whole sense of the comment...but I WANT TO BE! And I will work on it...)

I have a friend who has been talking to me about going with her to Ethiopia on a round robin basis. I think the initial thought was to flip flop with her family between ET and the US...to keep a ministry going on both ends.

Well, I have another friend who knew nothing of this dream...and approached me with a similar vision. She would love to see almost the same model...except she is thinking of FOUR families so two would travel and live in ET TOGETHER! {smart woman, she is!} Well, adding her family to the mix made THREE...and - ah! - we both thought of the same 4th family without knowing what the other was thinking!!! This fourth family has a similar vision.

As if that were not enough, my friend's MOM contacted me about a dream she has to start something for orphans HERE in the US. They live on 3,000 acres in a gorgeous part of our country. She is not playing fair, though...she emailed me a photo of "the farm" and is appealing to the outdoor passions of my husband. Hmmm.....

I am so glad God is in charge here!

Our New Son!

Here he is....I am already in love with him.

I have those mom thoughts like...he is too thin...what does he do during the day...is he safe at night...who is he hanging around with, are they positive influences?

I love the attitude in the full shot.

He would fit in just fine around here. Cute kid, lil bit of a punk!

I love how 5 year old Brogan thinks, "Mom, if you want to talk to him, just go there. And, can I come, too!?"

He sees the desolate photos of where his brother lives and it does not deter him...he wants to go to see the person. I love that his innocent mind can accept what some people in our narrow minded society view as silly or even insane.

We Have a New "BABY" Boy!!!

This is the email I received yesterday. I sent off my first email to our "son" right away. I cannot wait to hear back from him. We are excited about getting to know this new member of our crazy FAMILY!

Hello Lori,

How are you doing today? I am doing pretty well. This is the boy I recommend for you. His name is Hayleyesus Alebachew. He is 18 years old. He loves to draw picture and playing soccer. He had one brother but his brother is not live in kolfe right now. He is younger than him but in some reason he left Kolfe before a year ago. He studies in college. He studies to ge good result. He is hard worker. You can get the rest of his information. He email address is....

God bless you!!!

Solomon

Answered Prayer!

After some junior detective work and A LOT of prayer....(thanks to some people we do not even "know" courtesy of social networking)...HE IS HOME! If nothing else, his short absence made me realize how attached to him I am. (Good, bad or ugly...)

This is a photo I found from Christmas of me holding him. Hope he will still be with us NEXT Christmas!

Irony?

As I was posting my update entitled, "Done!"....bio mom was bolting with the baby. I have no idea where he is in the city of Chicago in the bitter cold. She left with no blanket, no coat, no snowsuit for him. I have to throw myself at the feet of God and know He is in control.

DONE!

So much has changed since my last post...

I was at my wit's end trying to accept the realization that - while we live in the communist state of IL, with a mean & vindictive person in the decision making seat who refuses to consider second chances - we will not be adopting internationally. I sent a one word email to Pete: "DONE!" I wanted to cry...but I think I was beyond that. I actually felt more numb than emotional.

I LOVE GOD! Less than an hour later, I received a call from an agency we work with to serve as a volunteer foster family to kids who are not really in a bad situation...their moms just need a break and some time to get on their feet. The beyond kind and compassionate voice I knew well on the other end of the line said, "Lori, I am calling you because we have an unusual situation. We have a baby who needs to be placed and we need a family willing to consider adopting him." I had to sit down. I asked when he needed to be picked up and was told he was still in the hospital - 6 days old! - and.....when could I be there?!

Ali and I looked at each other...took about one minute to let it sink in...and started making plans to go to Chicago. We both agreed it would be FUN to pick up this lil angel without telling Pete....try to get home before he did OR at least be able to send him a text photo of our new bundle.

Kane stayed with the younger kids and Pete thought we were at WalMart when he came home. Needless to say, he was quite surprised to see what we found at "WalMart!"

So began the last 2+ months with Little Bear. We do not know if God's plan is for him to stay with us permanently - but - we do know he is a blessing and FOR ME, he is a confirmation that God is in charge and His ways are not the ways of any govermental agency. He is continuing to show me that His plans for me are outside of the boxes created by any man....