Abby and Sam both went to 3 full days of school! We had kids home sick almost every day this week but we have survived. No school Friday or Monday so it is a 4 day break! Sam and Abby got to meet their Papa Ron for the first time. That was VERY EXCITING! Abby ran right up to him and gave him a huge hug. Sam waited as everyone squeezed in for a hug but he was very excited to meet his Papa.
Valentines Day is a first, filling out cards was great practice for writing our letters, passing them out was good pratice for sharing! Last night Abby was so funny. She loves to punch people and she started punching Dad in the kitchen. Abby punches, Dad punches back, Abby punches, Dad punches back. About the third time Abby pretends to be hurt and Dad says "Show me the tears Abby" Abby replies "Wait!" She runs to the sink and splashes water on her face, "See Dad, see!" It was hysterically funny. It has been amazing how quickly they are learning english!
Over all things are going well, Abby is starting to become accustome to American food. It has helped a lot that she likes to eat lunch in the school cafeteria. So now Mom's food isn't so bad after all! We have found several things she really likes and a lot of stuff she will eat anyway. Sam on the other hand has found food he doesn't like; including school food! He love cheddar brauts and still laughs with such sheer joy at the silliest things! It really helps when we are having a bad day to be able to listen to that laugh.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Thursday, February 7, 2008
The Tax Collector & Us
I have recently picked up an old study that I did on the book of Mark years ago. I love the book of Mark, I got as far 2: 13 - 17 today; The Calling of Levi. Levi is a tax collector and Jesus simply said "follow me" Levi wisely chose to follow and it changed his life forever! Levi is also the apostle Matthew.
This is such a meaningful passage to me right now because I keep hearing comments about how wonderful we are. Honestly don't feel wonderful at all. I know people are saying it kindly but we are nothing special; we are tax collectors whom Jesus called and chose to follow. We have not done anything grand, nothing extordary. We are failing the calling god has put before us in so many ways. We are simply living out the grace that God has bestowed upon us. It is not easy, it is not always fun, it is work just like anything else worth doing well! But there are certainly great rewards. The smiles of our children, the life lessons of compassion, grace, patience, and sacrifice. Comparing the first pictures of the kids we got to the pictures we take now. That is priceless....truely, honestly, and humblingly priceless.
This is such a meaningful passage to me right now because I keep hearing comments about how wonderful we are. Honestly don't feel wonderful at all. I know people are saying it kindly but we are nothing special; we are tax collectors whom Jesus called and chose to follow. We have not done anything grand, nothing extordary. We are failing the calling god has put before us in so many ways. We are simply living out the grace that God has bestowed upon us. It is not easy, it is not always fun, it is work just like anything else worth doing well! But there are certainly great rewards. The smiles of our children, the life lessons of compassion, grace, patience, and sacrifice. Comparing the first pictures of the kids we got to the pictures we take now. That is priceless....truely, honestly, and humblingly priceless.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Good Stuff
The good stuff; Sam's all out laughter at the smallest of things. Abby's love of every thing she comes in contact with (with the exception of food:) Praying together, growing together, learning together. Celebrating a new life and a new family unit.
Abby started going to school on Tuesday, we went for math, Wednesday she went for math and lunch with Dad! Today we are going to leave Abby in the class room, it is a big step. I think Sam and I will go all the way down the hall to the library! Sam met his teacher after school on Tuesday, he will start going to school for an hour or so on Monday. They are both anxious to get going. The teachers and kids have been wonderful every time we have gone to lunch or visited the school they have been so friendly and kind.
They are also excited about learning to ride a bike. We have two trundles (they hook on to a regular bike and have the back wheel, pedals, and bike handles) so Rob hooked those up out of sheer insantity last night. It was very lightly snowing by the time we got tires aired up and everyone ready to go. We rode for around 15 minutes (the trundles are great for helping with the idea of balance) by the time we got home it was really coming down. We have about 5 inches out there this morning. Normally I would not go biking in snow no matter how hard the kids begged, most of the kids went though, only the two oldest (wisest) stayed home:)
It is incredible to watch all of us growing together. I am so thankful that we have been blessed with 6 little lives to guide and direct. May God give us the wisdom to guide them well and keep all of their hearts soft towards Him. I pray constantly that each of them will have the grace to forgive us too, as parents make mistakes too, who doesn't need forgiveness!
We are so very blessed, even in the hard times that I can not express the joy growing can be. It is not always easy or fun but it is good, very good, for all of us.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Remember Me
"Remember me" that is what Sam's ET father told him the last time he saw him. It has been very hard for all of us as Sam's memories are not good. How do you tell a 7 year old who doesn't speak your language that he can remember his father but he doesn't have to live in the past? Sam has shared with us some things that happened with his father even with our limited communication we knew it was not pleasant. We were blessed with a visit of some older children who moved from ET 2 years ago and when Sam began to tell a very wise 16 year old what his memories were the young man ask him to stop. He very wisely told Sam that he didn't want to hear those things and that Sam needs to focus on all the opportunities he has now and not the past. We are so grateful for his wisdom!
Yesterday was very difficult for Sam as he struggles to figure out does he follow the advice of his new friend or his father's last request. It was a long day filled with mood swings, temper tantrums, tears, and mostly confusion. He is having a better day today for which I am exceedingly grateful! I will be so pleased when we have better communication with him.
I think now, that at 7 he bears an awful burden, choices that only he can make. Will he chose to participate in our family or be sullen, depressed, moody, and angry forever? To be faced with this choices that many adults struggle with; to forgive or hold on to anger, live in the past or for the blessings of today? To us it seems clear, embrace the family that has prayed for you, loved you, and sacrificed for you. Not to make you forget your past but to give you a future! Yet I know adults who chose to hold on to all the bad not seeing that there could be so much good if only they would let go of their hurts.
Yesterday was very difficult for Sam as he struggles to figure out does he follow the advice of his new friend or his father's last request. It was a long day filled with mood swings, temper tantrums, tears, and mostly confusion. He is having a better day today for which I am exceedingly grateful! I will be so pleased when we have better communication with him.
I think now, that at 7 he bears an awful burden, choices that only he can make. Will he chose to participate in our family or be sullen, depressed, moody, and angry forever? To be faced with this choices that many adults struggle with; to forgive or hold on to anger, live in the past or for the blessings of today? To us it seems clear, embrace the family that has prayed for you, loved you, and sacrificed for you. Not to make you forget your past but to give you a future! Yet I know adults who chose to hold on to all the bad not seeing that there could be so much good if only they would let go of their hurts.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Food!
Food is with out a doubt our biggest issue with Abigail. I was feeling frustrated yesterday as I offered her at least 20 things and "no Mom" was the response to all of them. But then she looks at me and says "Eat Mom?" It is frustrating after almost a month home and still not being able to find stuff she really likes. The bigger perspective; that is our biggest issue! She has attached well, is communicating effectively, and seems to be adjusting with out any major hitches. Not to mention she will let me do her hair! I am not great, and certainly not fast, but she is tolerant.
Sam has some food issues too but they are getting better. He is the complete opposite of Abby, he eats everything! At first he struggled with hoarding, over eating, and sharing (even a loaf of bread). Sam has suffered sever hunger and his reactions were nothing that we had not been prepared for thanks to a wonderful and informative conference by Kingdom Kids. We have made food available at all times and this last week Sam actually said "no" to food when it was offered to him! That is huge; we didn't expect him to trust that we would care for him and meet his needs so quickly.
In short the fact that food is our biggest issue is a blessing and an answer to the many prayers we sent up while we were waiting. They are happy for the most part and have blended pretty well with the family. There are small things to look at but they are small; not all consuming huge issues. I will continue to remind my self of these things as the familiar phrase "America food bad" is repeated for the thousandth time. :)
Sam has some food issues too but they are getting better. He is the complete opposite of Abby, he eats everything! At first he struggled with hoarding, over eating, and sharing (even a loaf of bread). Sam has suffered sever hunger and his reactions were nothing that we had not been prepared for thanks to a wonderful and informative conference by Kingdom Kids. We have made food available at all times and this last week Sam actually said "no" to food when it was offered to him! That is huge; we didn't expect him to trust that we would care for him and meet his needs so quickly.
In short the fact that food is our biggest issue is a blessing and an answer to the many prayers we sent up while we were waiting. They are happy for the most part and have blended pretty well with the family. There are small things to look at but they are small; not all consuming huge issues. I will continue to remind my self of these things as the familiar phrase "America food bad" is repeated for the thousandth time. :)
Friday, January 25, 2008
Communication
We have been able to communicate with Abby & Sammy more and more everyday. We have been using Amharicdictionary.com and it is proving to be an amazing tool. We are finding out about their family history and about their life in Ethiopia.
We now know that Sammy has a little brother who still lives in ET with his dad. We are now praying for him (Abraham) and his safety, not sure of what his dad plans to do with him. Sammy thinks it would be a good idea for us to go get him. We will put that in Gods hands and pray that his will be done. We also found out his leg was taken later than we thought. Sammy still remembers the surgery very vividly. He is excited about the possibility of getting a prosthetic. We have an appointment with the Shriner's in February to have him evaluated and will be advised of a timeline after that.
We also learned that Abigail graduated her first year of Karate. She would love to get into it here in the State's. She loved her little brother very much. We have not been able to find out why she was removed from the home, but she will tell us when she is ready. Every day she is using more English in her communication. We are amazed at how quickly she is picking it up!
We are looking at starting both of them in school. Our local school got together with all their teachers and councilors to put together a game plan on how to make this successful. We are thinking that we will put them in Math Class, Gym, Music, Recess, Art etc. We are thinking that it will make the transition easier, and allow them to get more exposure to learning our language without a lot of pressure.
We now know that Sammy has a little brother who still lives in ET with his dad. We are now praying for him (Abraham) and his safety, not sure of what his dad plans to do with him. Sammy thinks it would be a good idea for us to go get him. We will put that in Gods hands and pray that his will be done. We also found out his leg was taken later than we thought. Sammy still remembers the surgery very vividly. He is excited about the possibility of getting a prosthetic. We have an appointment with the Shriner's in February to have him evaluated and will be advised of a timeline after that.
We also learned that Abigail graduated her first year of Karate. She would love to get into it here in the State's. She loved her little brother very much. We have not been able to find out why she was removed from the home, but she will tell us when she is ready. Every day she is using more English in her communication. We are amazed at how quickly she is picking it up!
We are looking at starting both of them in school. Our local school got together with all their teachers and councilors to put together a game plan on how to make this successful. We are thinking that we will put them in Math Class, Gym, Music, Recess, Art etc. We are thinking that it will make the transition easier, and allow them to get more exposure to learning our language without a lot of pressure.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Routine
We are finally starting to get into some kind of routine around here. It is good for everyone to know what to expect from the day ahead. Today we had a translator and Sam's desires, "I don't have enough clothes or games and when do I get my leg?" Don't you just love human nature! I have not let the kids go shopping, in an effort to keep them from getting into the mind set that they can have everything they want but they are certainly NOT without clothing! Sam alone has two drawers stuffed with pants and plenty of shirts. He collects shoes no matter the size, he has at least 8 that he has claimed as his own. It reminds me of my self and how God has granted me so many gifts and I still don't say thank you often enough. Instead I come whining for something else.
Abigail seems to be content except that we have not let her call her ET Mom. She is allowed to write but are not to sure about telephone calls just yet. It is hard to have your heart in two places at the same time! We need to be sure that she is part of our family before we foster a continued relationship with those in Ethiopia. Speaking of phone calls Sam called 911 the other day, at least they called before they showed up at the door. It only takes a minute and with 6 kids in the house it is easy to slip away. We had to explain that 911 (the prefix for any calls in Addis Ababa) calls the police in America! He hasn't done it again at least:) well not yet!
Abigail seems to be content except that we have not let her call her ET Mom. She is allowed to write but are not to sure about telephone calls just yet. It is hard to have your heart in two places at the same time! We need to be sure that she is part of our family before we foster a continued relationship with those in Ethiopia. Speaking of phone calls Sam called 911 the other day, at least they called before they showed up at the door. It only takes a minute and with 6 kids in the house it is easy to slip away. We had to explain that 911 (the prefix for any calls in Addis Ababa) calls the police in America! He hasn't done it again at least:) well not yet!
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