soli deo gloria

Friday, September 11, 2009

18 months old!

Abe is 18 months old today. He continues to work hard in therapy and we continue to marvel at him. The progress continues, though very slowly. He is still working to sit up, but has recently done much better baring weight on his arm. He gets so proud of himself. Look at him sitting on the bench and supporting himself with his right arm! He knows he is doing some tough stuff here. :)

Sleep, well, we still struggle, but some nights he will surprise us. The Lord continues to meet each and every one of our needs and for that we are thankful.

He got some stylin' new shoes. Actually, he got orthodics and the shoes are worn over them, but they make him look so old and grown up! The last 2 little clips in the video are from a trip at the end of the summer to the Porter's lake. It was a blast. Abe had a permanent grin on his face. We took the whole crew out on the hot dog. (look closely and you can see him sitting at very front) Those in the boat looked terrified, but it was just one of those moments- one we ALL got to experience together. Abe does so much observing, so it was a blessing to have him participate on this activity. :)

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Monday, September 7, 2009

braces and charity water

You know the old saying "the cobblers children have no shoes"? Hill just got his braces on last week and we have often laughed at the above statement being true in our house. Poor guy just went to the office with me while Issy got her braces off (she had some major issues and got them early for a phase 1) and Moody said, "hey, get in a chair. He was a real trooper about it!

It is surely a blessing to have a husband that LOVES his work. He has the best patients in the world as well. They have wholeheartedly embraced Abe, Ethiopia and our family's journey back. Everyday Moody has someone ask about Abe, lets him know they are praying, keeping up with the blog, etc. So it is no surprise that they have fully supported the practices effort to build a well in Ethiopia.

Moody has partnered with Charity Water to build a well. At each appointment a patient has the opportunity to earn up to 4 wooden nickels. They get them for good hygeine, wearing their t-shirt, being on time, etc. They can save their nickels and trade them in for Target gift cards, webkins, etc. He asked those that were interested to put their nickels in the jug instead. Once they have 5,000 nickels, the well can be built. They started in June and almost have 2,000 nickels. Moody said it is the best sound to hear them fall into the jug as patients leave each day. It has been so encouraging to hear the various stories of patients as they forgo a prize for themselves and give the gift of clean water to those far away from them.

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Tuesday, September 1, 2009

new school year & roomies

We officially started another year of Alexander Academy yesterday. We were all sad that summer was over, but excited about a new year! The Lord has provided for us this school year by giving us a new teacher. :) Hill is in 7th, Wick 6th, Avery 5th, Issy 2nd, sweet baby Abe has therapy 5 days a week and prayerfully we will be adding an active toddler to the mix soon. Lauren is a gift.

We met a precious couple this summer at family camp. They were on staff and loved on our kids so well. We found out that Matt was starting at seminary in the fall and she was looking for a teaching position in the area. Moody and I both felt led to ask them to stay with us until they could better determine where they wanted to live, etc. We were thrilled they agreed. We also asked her to pray about being our teacher, but trusted that the Lord may have another opportunity for her in a school.

We are blessed that He wanted her here, with us, helping educate our kiddos!! They came in mid-August and don't move into their apartment until mid-October. We have had a BALL with them being here. We play crazy-loud card games, laugh, swim, go on ice cream runs, cook, and just do life together. God in His graciousness, sent them to us at such a difficult time and they have helped in so many ways to lighten the mood.

They are the best! They love our kids and our kids love them- just a gift all around. We love you Matt and Lauren. Aren't they the cutest?? :)

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Monday, August 31, 2009

gobena coffee

I start every day with at least 1, sometimes 2 cups (and on occasion 3 if Abe had a particularily rough night) of Gobena coffee. It is the best coffee that I have ever had, comes from Ethiopia and the 100% of the proceeds go back to make a difference there.

Try it- you will love it!

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Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Happy Abe Day!!!!

I can't believe that ONE YEAR ago today our precious boy was placed in our arms. It has been a year rich in so many ways, hard in many ways, but full of the Lord, His grace and tender mercy.

We love you Abey!!

* the children in this video are NOT available for adoption, praise the Lord most are home with their forever families*

35 comments

Friday, August 21, 2009

didn't happen

We are sad today as the uncle did not appear in court. Courts are closed now. We will wait till Oct 5 and pray that will be the day. We are trusting in His sovereign grace and perfect timing. Our hearts are broken.

66 comments

Thursday, August 20, 2009

peace

Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27

I'm so thankful this morning as the Lord has so graciously extended an enormous amount of peace to me through His word. A sweet friend gave Moody and I an old devotional that she "happened" to find yesterday and thought it would be of encouragement to us right now as we wait upon the Lord to send us back to Ethiopia to get our son.

Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. Proverbs 21:19

The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. Proverbs 16:9

I am reminded that His plan is always better than my own, His timing is always perfect, He is always working in our lives and His purposes are always served!

The verse that has ministerd to me and taught me throughout the entire process is from Isaiah 55.

For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth: it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. Isaiah 55: 8-11

He will bring our precious son home at His perfectly appointed time. I need to rest in that.

Oh, the depths of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgements and how inscrutable His ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been His counselor? Who has been given a gift to HIm that he might be repaid? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.

Romans 11: 33-36

It is my prayer that the uncle would return to the courts in Addis with a new ID, that we would be able to travel in September and bring our son home and that the Lord would be greatly glorified in the process.

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