God is Good!

I have gone to write about our time in Ethiopia, and every time I try, I get caught up in the timeline.  We are home.  We have all fallen, hook, line, and sinker for our sweet boy. He is funny, smart, sweet, and busy.

When we adopted Bella, Bella preferred me to Jason.  So we knew to expect that Efa might prefer one of us over the other.  I just did not expect that to be someone other that me!  Well, it gave each of us perspective on the other's experience.  Hard.  My feelings were hurt.  Truly wrestled with what the other parents on the trip would think of me.  Aren't all kids suppose to love their mom?  Childish, I know.  Because we went through it before, I was patient.  Efa rewarded my patience with such sweetness that it got me through the next day.  When we got home, he started to warm up to me.  He wanted me at 3 in the morning.  He wanted me when he ate.  So I went to bed earlier than I have in years and was up at 3 to feed and snuggle.  We have built on that time and now, I would say he is pretty balanced between us, Jason and me.

Efa loves his siblings and they adore him.  Bella needed to be reassured that we would not have to bring him back to Ethiopia.  After that, it was lights out.  She loves that they are both from Ethiopia and that they both have curly hair.

He loves:

our grace that we sing before every meal...so we inevitably have to sing it several tiems.
cream of wheat, mashed potatoes, cheerios, buna
balls (he sleeps with one)
playing jokes
books
a baby doll that he has named Mamita (after his BFF at the TC)
moving his eyebrows in funny expressions

Watch out!

Got you!

Big sister, finally.

We are truly blessed to be his parents.  Like labor, the pain of the process has lost some of its edge.  We will be working to get all 5 children (or at least 4 of the 5) in same spot for a complete family picture.

It is over!*

Someone got a haicut!  It makes him look so old.

Yes.  I am coming to get you, Efa.  God is Good, always.  Thursday night, I was not feeling well, battling a sinus infection that is kicking my tush (as Bella would say) and just sad that another week was coming to a close without being cleared.  We saw this boy 5 months ago to the day, we were referred this little boy 9 months ago.  He is turning into a little boy right infront of my eyes but through pictures.  I could not do my bible study.  I could not read scripture.  I could not study for Global Health.  So I listened to a sermon.  One on...when God appears to be absent, inattentive, or uncaring.  Just listening to Andy Stanley be able to hand feed me scripture, was a gift.  It gave me peace that He had this covered, too.  No matter the outcome.  No matter the timing.  No matter how hard.  I knew that but I needed to be reminded and encouraged not to lose heart.  This is the scripture Andy Stanley kept coming back to "Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.  Matthew 11:6"  I woke up to an email that we cleared.  I wish I could say I have not stumble....I did.  I had moments of incredible grief for the time we were missing needlessly.  I yelled at God and sobbed.  But after all the energy expended at each episode, like a child, I would go back and know that He knows best, and that I wanted whatever He wanted.  Even if my worst fear (that Efa would not come home to us) was realized, His plan is always bigger and bettter than what I can imagine.  My dad once said, God always answers prayers.  Always!  His answer is...Yes; No, not yet; or No, I have something better in mind.  I have no idea and may never know the reason He allowed it to take this long....but I do know His way is not ours.

The other day I was picking up a little gift for a friend in Ethiopia that I have never met.  She has worked tirelessly to help bring Efa home.  When the lady behind the counter found out why, she said, "I have always wanted to adopt."  I shared with her our two adoption stories and ended it with....as hard as adoption has been, it is soooo worth it.  My sweet baby boy is coming home!

Be still and know that I am God. Ps 46:10


*sorry for the tired ramblings.