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amazing photographer
.......she captured our trip on film
Monday, December 17, 2007
God is in the details
Because a few have asked for a few more details on the D.C trip, here you go. We were blessed to attend a Christmas Brunch at the White House because my parents are friends with the President and the First Lady. My dad has been friends with the President since college. Our family had a fabulous weekend and hopefully the kids will remember the experience forever!
My mindset was pretty simple- I was looking forward to seeing the White House and having my children meet the President for the first time. I don't know why it would surprise me that the Lord had so much more for our trip.
Our sermon yesterday was on the Light of Preparation. I love celebrating Christmas and the anticipation of the coming of our King. Our Pastor said that we tend to look for the next BIG thing, though it is often in the journey where He is working, working through the ordinary things. He said that we still get surprised by the Light and what God can do! We still get surprised by the details. I know that I do. He used Luke Chapter 1 and the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth to illustrate his point.
Here are a few DETAILS that the Lord in His providence and sovereignty ordained for our trip:
1. My parents were at a dinner on Friday (brunch was on Saturday) and my mom said it is always fun to see who you will sit next to, as they don't seat you with your spouse. My precious mom always prays for these opportunities, that she would see why the Lord placed so-and-so next to her for a dinner!
She was talking to the lady seated next to her, and about half-way through dinner she mentioned something about her job.
Mom- "oh, what do you do?"
Lady- "I am the CEO for a company, I'm not sure you have heard of it"
Mom- "what is it called?"
Lady- "Product RED"
Can you believe that- sitting next to the CEO of Product RED! Mom proceeds to tell her about our adoption, and she says that she loves that and would love to talk!
God is in the details.
2. When we were at the brunch the President graciously asked Moody and I how things were going with the adoption. He said to please contact him if we get into any trouble over there:) I thought that was sweet, but we have no intention of seeing the inside of an Ethiopian jail. I think he probably meant more along the lines of embassy appointment, secretly I was hoping help with a referral!! I'm just kidding- he is the President of the United States, not a baby-placer.
He did mention that "Condie" (I knew he meant Condoleezza Rice) had just gotten back from Ethiopia!! I thought that was cool, but unfortunately she wasn't at the brunch.
I got a message from mom on Sunday afternoon that she was going with the First Lady and a few friends to dinner with Condoleezza Rice!! Are you kidding me?? I called her back to tell her that she had just gone to Ethiopia, and she answered her phone in Ms. Rice's apartment. My mom was great and told me she would get right on it!! She called early the next day to say they had a wonderful talk about Ethiopia!
God is in the details.
3. The first morning at our hotel we just knew that our cute waiter was Ethiopian. We asked him, he said yes and was immediately our new best friend:) Did you know that D.C has the largest population of Ethiopians outside of Ethiopia? We found that to be true very quickly.
Most of the staff at our hotel were Ethiopian. They were incredibly gracious and kind. They spent each morning teaching us Amharic and telling us all about Ethiopia.
I have to tell you about our new friend Fifi. She is a precious Ethiopian woman that also worked at the hotel restaurant. She has been in the states for 10 years. She has a 5 month old son and a 2 year old daughter that live with her mom in Addis. They were both born in the States, but she doesn't have anyone to care for her children, so she took them to Addis last month. Her eyes would well up with tears at the mention of them. I just can't imagine! The job opportunity for her is here, her caregiver is there. She is making an incredible sacrifice for her family.
We told her that we would love to take gifts to her children when we travel. I promised to love and kiss on them for her. I can't wait to meet Fifi's children. They are precious, she just sent us a picture yesterday.
This is our last morning and the kids are sadly saying good-bye to dear Fifi.
God is in the details.
We thought this was a trip to attend a swanky brunch at the White House, a chance for the kids to meet the President and First Lady and God had so much more!
As we wait for our referral, a.k.a- next big thing, I don't want to miss the blessings the Lord has for us along the way. Pray each of you see God in the details as we anticipate the coming of His birth.
My boys talking to the President with their Nanny and Uncle Joey.
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About Me
- emily
- "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from becoming polluted by the world." James 1:27
26 comments:
Emily..as always....thank you for your postings. I always think, "oh what fun stuff did they do!" And yes indeed your family does amazing fun stuff, but deep in your posting you find other unexpected suprises. Feel good words! I absolutley think your teaching at church was right on!
I know you are making me slow down today and look around me...not at what I can not see yet.
Once again....praying for your children in Africa.
WOW! WOW! WOW! That is amazing. I love the pictures of y'all with Fifi! How cute!! I'm praying you get your referral SOON!
Love,
Lindsey
God works mysterious ways. Sure sounds like you had a great time. I really liked the prayer your mom prayed. We never know who we will sit with. It seems to me that God is opening lots of doors through this adoption for us. I had amazing conversations with strangers and I have to say that I get the best reaction from people who are not Christians.
I pray you will get your referral soon. I don't like waiting and it seems you wait a lot with adoption. I know God is teaching me a lot and I am very thankful for it.
Lenka
How absolutly amazing our God is. Thank you for sharing your story of the WH visit.
I prayed for you this morning and I know that God will put those children in your sweet family in His perfect timing.
"Be still and know that I AM God."
Much Love!
That was a great post, Emily! What a neat trip you all had. Isn't it amazing to see God in all the details and in every step.
Wow, what an extraordinary experience from beginning to end. Boy, I feel like we're going to be among royalty when you guys come to LA for the blog union =) You have a seriously adorable family. You could be a Ralph Lauren ad!
tooooooo coooool!! every bit! btw will ya'll be able to go to the concert at my church tomorrow night? i know you may have a party OR it may be on thurs night! :O)
Praying for little Seth and Addy...Love you guys!
Em, that is amazing! You and your family are truly blessed!!! Wow!
You are a gift to me and to all your newly adoring blog friends... You have great wisdom and strength and it touches us all enormously.
I am thankful that we started down this path to the same continent at the same time together - Thank you!
As far as the WH info, you know what I think about that! ;) Fabu!
Love this! He is a masterful artist who leaves nothing out of his perfect plan! Can't wait for the call!
You are indeed being made aware of a whole new world during your waiting period. It is such a blessing to experience new cultures & people. You were a blessing to Fifi indeed.
I'm so glad you posted more about your trip! I've been waiting to hear about the divine appointments the Lord had in store. What an extraordinary experience for you and your family. I love that God placed your mother next to the RED CEO -- so, so cool! And, it's amazing that your kids got to meet W, too. What a memory! By the way, my cousins heard Ms. Rice speak in Ethiopia (they are missionaries in Uganda and adopted their youngest there). The kids and I prayed for you and your little ones this morning... Praying for your referral, Em! God has two beautiful gifts predestined for the Alexander crew and He'll bring them home SOON!
WOW!! That is CRAZY COOL! I truly love reading your posts - I agree - if we aren't careful we do miss the little things God has for us on the way.
What an incredible blessing your trip was. Referral is SOON to come! I feel it!
So very cool!
Em...
A great tapestry is in the works and it is so wonderful that your eyes are open and focused on all that God is doing around you! What a blessing to Fifi to have you guys to love on! How easy that makes our lives seem over here! Blessed to have you all - God weaves in remarkable ways!!!
Susan
Way cool! You're getting closer to your referral every day. Can't wait to see Seth and Addison's little faces!
wow! Isn't it amazing the way God sets us up! He cares about every single detail in our lives. Your trip sounds awesome!
I didn't know that you guys were naming your little girl Addison. I have an Addison. :) We called her Addie too when she was younger. Now that she's "grown" (HA...she's 7) she wants to be "Addison" now and not "Addie". She's so funny!
That is amazing... WOW.
Well, if you do end up in an Ethiopian jail, I'll remember this post and make a call to Jack Bauer.. I mean George Bush.
Thinking of you!
Tracie
I am a fellow blogger and more important a future Ethiopian mother! I have been reading your blog and praying for your family. This "story" brought tears to my eyes and a smile to my heart. I will pray for Fifi and her family..... and look for the details sometimes you just take for granite!
Blessings
holli
nationtonation.blogspot.com
I am a fellow blogger and more important a future Ethiopian mother! I have been reading your blog and praying for your family. This "story" brought tears to my eyes and a smile to my heart. I will pray for Fifi and her family..... and look for the details sometimes you just take for granite!
Blessings
holli
nationtonation.blogspot.com
THanks for this....I defintely needed the reminder today.
Oh My Goodness .. how did i miss this post ... you met the president !!! you are officially royalty now ... I love our president (and proud to say it) ... what a special trip and special friends ... God is in the details .. there is no big or small for HIM !!! I am praying daily for you .. my date picked is 12/29 !!! i need that $20 (lol)
Geez Em, I had no idea that you are such a Diplomat! My gosh! That is pretty amazing! What an experience! I hear the President and First Lady are incredibly nice people, it sounds like it.
Wow.
all I can say is Wow.
Jamie
Hi Emily and Merry Christmas. I wondered if I might be able to help Fifi in any way? I live about 35 miles from DC and we are traveling to Addis in the next 8 weeks or so to pick up our newly referred daughter from Horizon House. Do you think I could bring things to Fifi's children too? Let me know if you think it could help. God bless, Kristin Cushen
cushinus@aol.com (do you post things with the WHFC yahoo group? I don't recognize you.)
Now that's one heck of a brunch!
Mine usually consist of an Egg McMuffin.