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Thursday, February 19, 2009

i miss ethiopia

I miss Ethiopia. I had such a difficult time processing all that we had seen and experienced in Ethiopia when we first returned home. I felt as if a piece of my heart were missing, and I longed to return to the country and people that we fell in love with while there. We were planning a return trip for this summer and then got Abe's diagnosis. Everything changed.

Immediately we dove into doctors appointments, therapy sessions and making progress. I feel like we have now settled into our "new normal" and that dull aching to return is back. I love to live vicariously through families that are traveling to pick up kids, organizations that are doing mission work or groups committed to charity work in Ethiopia.

I saw this video last night and the tears just flowed. Happy tears for the people that hold such a special place in my heart and tears that simply long to go back, set foot on Ethiopian soil and reconnect with people there. This is such a wonderful picture of the impact that one family can have in the lives of many.

Our kids watched the video with us, and as we were putting them to bed, Wick prayed for this family, thanking the Lord for the difference that they made in these Ethiopians lives.  How great that the gift of this family is still making an impact here! :)

23 comments:

Amy said...

Tears here too... Much love for Ethiopia and much desire to get back there!

Erica said...

Tears. Amazing. I watched it with Silas, he proudly announced, thats Eteeeeopia. ;) Despite just being there three weeks ago and still processing much I'm ready to go back. Again. Longer. More often. It doesn't change. Love.

Nicholas said...

YES! I loved this too! I'm hoping to go back next year...

xoxoxo Lor

Gretchen Magruder said...

Oh, how beautiful!! thanks for sharing the video!

Anonymous said...

I haven't even been there yet and feel the tugging of my heart to be there! We are hoping and praying to be there as missionaries one day! Thank you for your blog.

Tracy said...

amazing how ET totally captures our hearts forever! what a precious family!.....wouldn't it be wonderful if we could all go back together!!?? :)

Cheryl said...

ooohhh... how I understand that longing to return...

thank you for sharing this video... it's a joyous thing to watch God use His people to touch the lives of so many.

Kate said...

Tears here too, Emily! Thank you so much for sharing. I'm going to post it on my blog to spread the love. Your heart is so big. Give it time, you'll return.

{{Hugs}}

HoodMama said...

Saw this this morning! Love it! You'll go back, friend.

mama becca said...

oh my.
as you know, i miss ethiopia, too. i want to do that. to God be the glory...

Kari said...

Emily,
I loved this video & was deeply touched by the beautiful faces of our Ethiopian family. We are planning a trip back in July....we just want to be back there & minister.
The Neals are in Dubai:)))) Cruz is almost home!!
I hope we can meet the next time you're in Branson:)
Kari

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing!! Is there a way I can embed this in my blog??

-Lindsey

Gwen Oatsvall said...

How is it that I love a country I have never been to ??? Thanks for sharing again your heart ...

I am w/ Tracy .. let's all go together ...

Lori S said...

WOW! That was truly an amazing video. My husband watched it with me and said, "let's do it!"
I miss Ethiopia, too. I miss the people. My heart is truly there!

Lori said...

We saw this video this week too and found it impossible not to be moved.

Katie said...

Hi Emily! I can't see the video, it takes awhile to upload in Africa...sounds like it is impactful. I wanted to say hello and let you know that I pray for you and your family. I think about you guys pretty often actually since I live at a children's home. A good friend of mine is about to move to Eth. for a few years, oh you might know her name! Courtney Tardy (like Tardy Orthodontics?) =) If you'd like to be on her email list, let me know and I'll get you connected! She lived in Addis. a few years ago for 4 months and has been looking forward to going back since. Also, if you don't mind giving Dr. Moody an update, I'm switching to my 3rd retainer this week, haha. My teeth are looking much straighter! =)
Blessings to all of you,
Katie Thornton

Jen said...

thank you for sharing!

Josh Turner said...

Hey I am Rileys Dad thank you for your post....Please, let me know if there are any resources that we may be able to help you with....doctors, Childrens Medical Services, whatever

Josh

Anonymous said...

Hi, Emily! Yes, we are in DFW (basically McKinney)! I would love to hear about the growing DFW Ethiopian group. How exciting! Fantastic video... We cannot wait o step foot on Ethiopian soil when its time!

Kristy -Mom To 9 Blessings said...

That was such a beautiful video! "How beautiful are the feet of those that bring good news." WOW! I am so thankful that you had such a wonderful and fun weekend with your dear friends!
Blessings,
Kristy

Holli said...

I watched the video before reading what you wrote...... Dear Wick- bless him.....bless him....
I CRIED when leaving Ethiopia last month....I DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE. I knew I would be back 2 more times "SOON"- it didn't make it any easier..... PRAYING that it will be in the next year but not wanting the second trip to come because I know it will be a while before we all go back together.....
Processing, grieving, transforming, transitioning and back to processing....and here I am still processing and longing!
How about that we meet in ET!? Wouldn't that be great! Hopefully our first trip will be Aug-Nov. Wanna come?:)
sorry for my rambling I guess I can't process very well!;)

Melodie Monberg said...

I've been following your blog for a while now. As you've shared your journey with your youngest son, I remembered another family who is going through the same issues with their daughter, adopted from Ethiopia. Her latest blog post was about the complexities of these issues. Her blog is: http://youbettermakeitadouble.blogspot.com

If you want to read more.

Melodie Monberg

Anonymous said...

oh my dear god !!!
This is the village where my father is from and i am crying .too emotional can't write more .

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"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
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