A large crew heads out tomorrow to love and serve the people of Ethiopia.  This is the 4th large dental mission trip we have led and Moody and I continue to be humbled beyond belief that the Lord allows us this privilege!  Each trip brings new and returning teammates and each time we are awed at His putting the perfect team together.  This trip is unique in that it is over the Thanksgiving holiday.  We have entire families experiencing this trip together because of the timing,as well as many making a sacrifice to be away from their loved ones this week.

I am going to try to update (please disregard fact that last post was in May!) here for those at home.  You can also follow @ethiopiasmile on twitter

Below is the team prayer card.  We would appreciate your prayers while we are gone. Added prayers for our over 100 bags of supplies to get through customs!  Above all else, might His name be glorified in ALL we do.

I know, I'm a terrible blogger.  Seems like 140 characters, quickly posting a pic or status seems much easier these days!  I did read through the blog not long ago and was quickly reminded of the incredible graciousness and faithfulness of the Lord.  I like having this journal and wanted to do an update on our precious little man.

I don't even know if I mentioned that he got really sick in December and this resulted in a swallow study.  The study revealed that Abe was aspirating both purees and liquids.  Not good.  He was then allowed nothing by mouth, all nutrition and hydration had to go through the feeding tube.  It was hard but everyone hoped that a repeat swallow study 6 months later would show improvement and he would once again be able to resume oral feedings.

Oral feedings are "normal" and when you have a child with severe special needs you like to have a few "normals".......so it was difficult to let it go.  Our repeat swallow study was yesterday.  I just knew it would show my boy was a swallowing king! It did.not.show.that....

He is indeed still aspirating solids and liquids, even his own saliva.  Bam.  It hurt.  I was not prepared for how sad it would make me.

Abe on the other hand is just fine with this!  He made it very clear during the study that he did not want any of it...... he can't communicate with words but he made it known that he is not interested in resuming oral feeds!  He pushed his tongue out, gagged and bit the spoon to prevent it from going in his mouth.  So the problem is me.  The loss of a "normal". The worry of him aspirating his own secretions.

I have some amazing friends and family that sent encouraging texts, let me cry on their shoulders and phone, reminded me of an awesome song (Oceans by Hillsong), brought me wine and cookie dough and a precious hubby that took me to a patio with a margarita.  We sat out there and cried together and quickly reminded one another what a gift this kid is to us, to others.

I'm thankful the Lord is faithful to encourage.  Faithful to reveal truth.  Faithful to remind me that He is God and I am not.  Faithful to provide the right scripture.  Last night He gave me Jeremiah 33:3.  "Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known."

He always answers prayers.  He does not always answer them the way we would like.  I do trust, rest in the knowledge that His ways are good.  That He loves Abe and knows his deepest needs.  So we keep pressing into Him and pressing on..........

My sweet friend Heather gave me this song, such rich truth.  Interesting enough, she sent me her journal entry for yesterday am.  Guess what scripture He gave her??? Yup, Jeremiah 33:3!  Our God is certainly in the details my friends. :)





"Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)"

― Martin Luther King Jr.

― Martin Luther King Jr.

― Martin Luther King Jr.

― Martin Luther King Jr.

― Martin Luther King Jr., I Have A Dream

“Now there is a final reason I think that Jesus says, "Love your enemies." It is this: that love has within it a redemptive power. And there is a power there that eventually transforms individuals. Just keep being friendly to that person. Just keep loving them, and they can’t stand it too long. Oh, they react in many ways in the beginning. They react with guilt feelings, and sometimes they’ll hate you a little more at that transition period, but just keep loving them. And by the power of your love they will break down under the load. That’s love, you see. It is redemptive, and this is why Jesus says love. There’s something about love that builds up and is creative. There is something about hate that tears down and is destructive. So love your enemies. (from "Loving Your Enemies")” 
― Martin Luther King Jr., A Knock at Midnight: Inspiration from the Great Sermons of Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.

I think since I have become so horrible at keeping up with this blog, I should try to cover as much as possible in this here post.  I will use pictures to help get you up to speed.


 Seriously, have you seen two cuter Indians?  Abe came home from school wearing this and Eyasu was in his first ever school program.  Moody and I both fought back tears, not going to lie.



Pray each of you had a blessed Christmas and are off to an excellent 2013!  I personally think it is going to be a great year. :)