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Wednesday, May 27, 2009

first time





One year ago today, we saw this face for the very first time. I will never forget getting that phone call. I was still very raw from losing Wudassie and Biruk. I was super guarded on the phone and Michelle asked if she could send pictures of this 2 month old baby boy that she just knew was an Alexander. I reluctantly agreed. Moody happened to be home for lunch and all the kids were close by, but I didn't bother to tell any of them who was on the phone or why she was calling. I guess I was REALLY guarding my heart! Next thing I know, I'm screaming "he is wearing a double T, he is wearing a double T!!!" (you can read significance of that here)
This is one of the first things that we saw as we pulled into KVI last August.  One of the kids spotted it immediately.  We found out that the orphanage had purchased a large bulk of clothes for the kids at a market in Addis.  They "just happened" to have a Texas Tech onesie in a large market in the capital city of Ethiopia.  That shirt "just happened" to get to KVI and on my son the very day that Michelle was there photographing kids.  I don't for one second believe it "just happened"!  I believe in a Providencial, Sovereign Lord that knew the comfort this shirt would bring on hard days, days of reality that life had taken a different turn, days of uncertainty about the future........  He is good my friends.  

We can't begin to imagine our lives without Abe. He has changed our lives in every way. He makes us better. Abe shows such strength and determination that it makes each of us want to work harder as well. The Lord has so graciously blessed our family by this one little boy. He has shown us so much more of Himself, and for that we are humbled.  

Happy one year anniversary of entering our hearts sweet baby boy! You are such a gift. :)



30 comments:

Anonymous said...

I heart that day. :0) Always will. Love you Abey!

Love, love, love you guys

Candy said...

And I'll never forget getting the pic via Dad's Blackberry. We fell in love with Abe at first sight.
He is such a gift to us all! Thank you, Jesus, for this precious life.
Love,
Mom

Bethany said...

Ohhh Loves to Abe!!!

I enjoyed reading about your guarded heart after losing the 2 kiddos...that's how Jeff and I felt after we lost our first waiting child and then got the referral for Smurf. There is not enough written out there about this grieving process...because we do grieve for these children we lose. However much like you guys...we now understand why....

He's grown so much!! Love it!!

Wolfemom said...

What an affirmation from our loving father. It's just like Him to pay attention to the smallest of details. Your family is BEAUTIFUL!!!

Jen said...

I remember reading your blog when you got it. Before I was blessed with meeting your family. What an amazing journey it has been! I can't wait to see where you will be in a year. You have been such a source of inspiration and support for us, thank you.

HoodMama said...

Love at first sight! Love you even more today little man!

Henley on the Horn said...

What a sweet post. He is precious, indeed, as all of your children are!

Jillienne said...

Happy Anniversary!

Holli said...

I think Abe has made us all better!
Love to you all! Happy "first time" Aniversary!!!

Nicholas said...

Already a year? I'm right behind you sister... what a ride.

I'll never forget seeing that face and crying on the phone with you! Thank you for sharing your life w/me.

Susan said...

Thank you so much for sharing this story. I wasn't following your blog back then, and wasn't even in the adoption process). I've been following for a few months, though (I e-mailed you once!) and have been tremendously blessed by reading about your family and adoption experience. We are now about halfway through the process of adopting a little boy from Ethiopia, and one of my greatest struggles has just been trusting that it's GOD who is in charge of choosing this child and placing him in our family. You continue to help me trust this as I read your stories about Abe (including today's post). Thank you, thank you. God is using Abe and your family in ways you may never see.

mama becca said...

YAY!
this is awesome :)
Abe ROCKS!

Kate said...

So sweet! We are going to introduce Abe and Beau to each other very soon! We love all of you!

jenny said...

I cannot tell you how many times I have reflected on the story of Abe's onesie when I have read through your blog or prayed for your family. You are SO right that God gives us those "markers" to give us assurance of His hand on the difficult days. I won't go into it here, but we had an amazing story of how God orchestrated a certain couple to feel led to help financially support bringing our
3rd child home from Guat., and on the days when I have really struggled with his challenging communication delays, looking back on that situation gives me peace that Beckett was the child for our family. What an amazingly detailed God we serve! Abe is truly a gift!

Jenny C.
calcrew.wordpress.com

Kari said...

Oh what a happy day!!!
I can't WAIT to hold sweet Abe soon & meet your other angels!! We are so blessed that God has given us the amazing gifts of love...our children!!!
Celebrating in the Ozarks!!!
xoxo

steffany said...

Thank you for sharing this. How awesome is God

Tymm said...

I remember that day! Abe - we love you and your entire family man!

Watching your story has been a blessing to us in so many ways!

A Team said...

Hey Em!

I'd never heard the story about the Texas Tech shirt... I love that! What a precious gift from God.
When Abel was born on the anniversary of my mom's death, I felt like that was a WINK from the Lord... just remindind me that he brings beauty from ashes.
SO TRUE with you guys too.... The LORD is using Abe to bring such beauty... I see it and I am not even there to witness it first hand.
I SEE IT THROUGH YOUR BLOG and maybe one day, I'll get to meet that precious baby boy and hold him in my arms! Love u

Jocelyn said...

Happy anniversary. I remember that day as well!! He looks so tiny!

Anonymous said...

It's the day it all started...where so many people were HOOKED to see how God would move. And what a year. Abe's touched more lives than you'll ever know I'm sure. Waht a true gift. Praise God!

Tracy said...

i love shirt!! our God never ceases to amaze me!

thank you Lord for sweet abe!

Amy Jo said...

Oh my, your post just makes me want to cry. Isn't God amazing and oh-so-personal. There's no doubt that your son was hand-picked by the Creator of the Universe JUST for you and your beautiful family. He leaves me breathless.

Definitely a great reminder as I sit and await our "official" referral of our son this week/next. I guess they are just waiting for his paperwork to be completed. Can't wait. :-)

Sweet blessings,
Amy

Keisha Suzanne said...

What a family you have there... and to think that it was no surprise to God, as He selected you to be the Godly parents for each child and a witness to those eyes that are watching and waiting.
Happy First time to each of you and many more first times with each of them...

These Three Kings said...

Wow..this is a tear jerker...

Happy One Year!

The LORD has done great things for us and we are filled with Joy! Psalm 126:3

What a joy to remember all that the LORD has done!
cant wait till we meet face to face and I get to hold that baby!

Kristi J said...

oh, i remember that day too..I've known you over a year now..too cool!! What a cutie...Love the group shot..they are all so adorable, kj

Gwen Oatsvall said...

i so remember those pictures ... he has changed us too ... We love you Abe and one day we will hold you and give you big kisses here in TN ...

so need a Emily visit !!!!

Kim said...

What a sweet reminder of God's love!

A&W said...

sweet, sweet! Wow, the Tech onesie story! Our God sure is in those amazing details!!

I know the day my friend Alison showed me your Gotcha Day video, I was forever changed! I was broken by your family's emotions expressed on film. "Mighty to Save" will forever make me praise our Mighty God, and call me to remember Abe and your family!

Rebecca said...

What a sweet day! I just remember how much patience you showed during your LONG wait. Abe truly is a gift!

Thee Fit Sisters said...

Wow...what an amazing story...God is so GOOD and perfect!!

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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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