Little Flying Bugs--

Turning away from thinking about bugs and dirty water in Ethiopia has helped to keep my fears of the unknown at bay. However, yesterday we received a 24 page letter about things we "Need" to know about moving to Addis this summer. One of the larger sections detailed shots we need and the growing problem of malaria. Not just regular malaria, but drug -resistant malaria...It used to be that malaria was not a problem in Addis because the elevation was just too high for mosquitos, but now those buggers are coming higher and higher. Then we also received a special email explaining how malaria is becoming resistant to the regular meds given BUT that the newer ones are causing so many health problems. Recently a family had sold all they owned and went overseas with Wycliffe and within two weeks they had to return to the states since the wife had significant mental health complications due to the malaria meds.

We also have to get yellow fever and RABIES shots very soon. We were told to get these at different times as they will make Aser and I pretty sick and we will need to tag team caring for our family.

After my last bout with getting sick, from not receiving a shot I thought I had, I take this pretty seriously. VERY SERIOUSLY! If I am honest it pretty much scares me at times. I know how fragile our bodies are, but I have also experienced God's amazing healing. So we move on in preparing and I will have my moments of uneasiness with this and thinking of my children's bodies, but hopefully can keep things in focus. I have a prefield coordinator always telling me to count the cost. Today she emailed me to encourage me and reminded me that we can do only so much to prevent things in our lives and then we must leave the rest to the one who is really in control. So I am trying to count the cost, but move on looking forward to our future. We will be on a plane in TWO months exactly from today.

Here is a picture of Kary from this past year during his time of remission from the beast. He is fighting hard and is contagious with his optimism and faith. He is one strong man! I did not realize my brother was made of such steel. If you think of it we appreciate your prayers for him.

Rounding out the rough edges

I have not posted in a long time. I have been busy with teaching this year and truthfully it is hard to know how much to bear on a public blog and knowing I can never really take my words back. So often I have a thought or something I want to write about, but then decide it is best kept to myself. So many changes on the horizon and yet so much happening now. It is a challenge to know how to keep life going here and yet start planning to move to another country in maybe about 8 months. I am grateful for the here and now. I have seen God put this together in such a fashion that I would be a fool to not see that this is where we are to be today. I hope God knows I am thankful even with my less than smooth heart. I still have So much to learn.

In three short months Malachi will have been home for 2 years. In so many ways it seems like it has gone too quickly and then some days it feels like I wish I could speed up time for him. He is still screaming when frustrated and I wish I could just help him talk and share his feelings--I want to rush this for him. At home it is so much more comfortable and fun. He loves routine and sleeping. He loves to laugh and dance and play and play. He brings such joy to our home and can not imagine our lives without him. Yet there are those nights when defeat and weariness truimph. There is a certain lump that creeps up my throat as I wonder will it ever all be ok. We had a school event and it was so hard for him tonight. He yells and fights when he is in public places. His sense to save himself and fight to survive is still so very alive. He does not always feel and believe that we are there for him and will meet his needs and take care of him. He becomes someone we hardly know and all of us struggle to make him happy and quiet to avoid looks filled with questions of why??? I fear someone asking me what have I done to him or why is this not better yet. I am sure it is all in my imagination, but the parent guilt is real. He always lets me hug and kiss him-- he LOVES being close now. That is a huge gain that took over 1 1/2 years. He listens and follows directions at home and sometimes wish I could make our whole life at home. But with four other angels there are many events to attend so Malachi must press on to learn how to trust us and not let his senses become so overwhelmed. This may just be who he is and not even adoption related, but it helps me understand when I put it into that frame that he just needs more time. So I am off to run and walk with my star.Aser does everything in his power to shield me from the sadness I feel when we are out with our little one and I even see my older kids try to help soften the edges. My mom is a true hero and is so willing to watch Malachi to help him avoid being put into situations that are uncomfortable. I wish the lump would go away, but am sure with time,just as for Malachi, this will also become less noticable. Thankful for life today despite times of me being tattered and learning to be a better mama for my little Angel.

From Baby to Toddler to....Little Boy xo

Shoe 'Tude

Can you tell who the serious big brother is??? The girls have no idea how lucky they are to have him to keep things in order for them. I am always amazed at the back to school shoe hunt. It reveals so much about your child and I think is a valuable peek inside their mind. Anna chose her shoes because of the Ethiopian flag colors-- These are totally her personality. Nehemiah chose the latest basketball shoe that I could afford to buy. Rebekah and Lydia chose my favorite shoe -- CONVERSE! I wear mine whenever I can get away with it.

The big news for us is that we are now pushing moving to Ethiopia to July. This will give us time to get our support in order. It is going great and in just about 3 months we are 70% supported for two years. We think this is a miracle given the state of the economy. Wycliffe is then wanting to see our funding coming in solid for about 3-4 months before they send us out, so we think this puts us at about July. We were on the phone with the school and were going over many different scenarios and this one just gave us the most peace and made sense in light of the kids and school. We are very excited now to charge forward with this plan.

Out of the blue a few weeks ago Beaverton schools called and asked if I wanted to come for an interview. They had laid - off over 50 Special Ed teachers this past spring so I never would have dreamed they would have any openings at all. When they called I thought I was in trouble since our kids were not enrolled in a school yet... I did not even have a complete file with my application and had not applied. After much prayer and stress I decided to go to the interview and just see what God was up to. I still can't believe they offered me the job and honored all of my previous years of teaching. So for this year we will have awesome insurance and really get things ready to leave with many dental and vision appts. God COMPLETELY worked this out and I could not have even if I had tried. It is part-time and not even a mile from where my kids go to school. So I still get to drop them off and be there for pick up. I am still in wonderment how this worked out. We also were not planning on having the kids return to the school we have been at for 9 years as we thought we would be in Ethiopia... but the day I was offered the job we found out that there was only one spot left in two of the their classes and room for two more. With a humble heart we are so grateful for the way the board and principal have made it possible for our kids to be there this year. BEYOND GRATEFUL ----

I have such peace in my heart even though our plans have been rearranged a bit. After seeing God just lay-out things so perfectly this fall how could I or dare I question where I am supposed to be ...

Thank you for your continued prayer and encouragement with us through this process.

Time is so sweet! My babies are growing up...

First Day of School! We have kids in the following grades: 8,6,5,and 3rd. They are all off to a wonderful start. I have more updates to post soon as our PLANS are coming together and I have total peace---

15 Years Ago --

Thinking back to 15 years ago I don't think I realized the enormous decision I was making. I think I thought I knew it all, but in reality marriage is so much more than I thought. It has to be the deepest, most meaningful relationship I have ever been in. It is not that things are always bliss and roses, but the determination to make it better and to be there for our kids have kept us focused on each other and God. I can't believe how much grace Aser has in his life for me. I can be a handful:) , but he is ALWAYS loving and kind. Even when I don't deserve his sweetness he is there. I would marry him all over again. I hope I can even begin to thank him for just how wonderful he has been to me and our babes. I am grateful to God for allowing me to marry Aser. There were voices that would say we would never make it. THere were people who wanted to tell me stats on biracial marriages, but for some reason I knew we could be different. I am amazed at how quickly these years have gone and wish I could slow down time. My heart beats for this man. I hope we can both still be alive to celebrate 50. My mom watched the kids so we could head to the coast for a night... fantastic!!! We saw about 100 pirates in Depoe Bay (it was a special game the town puts on) and even saw a whale. The walks and talks on the beach are the true treasures I hope I never forget.

Bingham Academy-- This is Where I will Teach and We Will Live

This is a promotional video done about two years ago I think. Murray Overton is the man we met with when we were in Addis. I love the part that shows life right outside of the gates. Also, you can really hear the hearts of the teachers by watching this. We will live on this campus in an apartment. Right now in Addis they are only allowing power every other day. I know this will be an adjustment as I think about cooking, teaching, and hairdryers:) It is so exciting and we are still praying we can make it there this fall. |
Enjoy!

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We have an opportunity to move to Ethiopia-- The video explains it all:)

We have an opportunity to move to Ethiopia this fall. The video explains the details and hope you can watch this. If you would like more information please email us or leave a comment. We are needing prayer partners to pray that we can raise support to make this happen. Thank you for taking the time to listen. We will be posting updates as they happen. We can not do this alone and know God can make it happen.

Can't Get Enough

Malachi could not stop screaming with JOY today when he saw Barney! When he came home last year often a Barney video was the only thing that would stop his crying. I KNOW many of you are probably disgusted that we would let him find comfort from a purple dino and his yellow counter-part, but those were some tired days and he had an exhausted mama who did not know what to do to make him happy. Often those videos were the only time in a day when he seemed content or could be calm. I am not sure if it is the music or seeing talking animals, but it worked.

Today our neighborhood Pump It Up had Barney night, please don't hate me, but we took Malachi. When he saw Barney he could not believe it. I am surprised Barney did not file a restraining order against Malachi as he could not leave his hands off of him. He hugged and hugged him and then would pull his tail to get his attention again. He was so happy. Only two of my big kids would come as the others did not want anything to do with the purple guy:)

It is a strange thing how when you are in a public place with other parents there can be a weird silence. I am not sure if it people trying to decide how these kids with different shades are mine or how at my age do I have a little one??? Sometimes I can be so strong to just ignore, but then at times I can't keep my skin so thick and I wonder why??? And probably in all truth it had absolutely nothing to do with me.

Rebekah took all of these herself with her own camera. Thank you BoBo!