"I FEEL LIKE I'M DREAMING"

Our oldest son from Ethiopia is pretty good at articulating his feelings to us. It took me a little time to notice the pattern, but after a family vacation or fun-filled family day or even a small moment of joy, he will say, "I feel like I'm dreaming..." It reminds me that he is still processing this 'new life' as a member of our family in America.
The greatest conversations with my children do not occur when they are planned out and prompted - they come sitting on the back deck on a sunny Michigan afternoon after lunch at the picnic table...

Muaz: "Mom, sometimes when I am playing in the yard with everyone, I feel like I am dreaming".
Me: "Why do you feel like that?"
Muaz: "I don't know, I feel like I might wake up and be in Ethiopia again."
Me: "Is it a good feeling to be here?"
Muaz: "Yes, I just sometimes feel like I am dreaming".
Me: "Do you ever wish you were still there?"
Muaz: "Sometimes - but only for Mama Medina and Meme, but I would miss you guys."
Me: (Misty eyed) "I'm so glad you are here, but I am sad you had to leave them, too."

Our son has been home for 2 years and experienced the joy of clean water, food in abundance, the love & of a mom & dad and the gift of time together, the bond of siblings, his own bed to sleep in at night, clothes and shoes of his own that fit (& he picked them out), a safe place to worship & grow in knowledge and love of the Lord, the joy of organized sports, safety & shelter. None of these items were available to him in Ethiopia and yet his heart continues to yearn for the one thing he left behind of value - his mother & sister, whom he loves. We cannot remove the hurt of being separated from them with our love, or the things or opportunities we provide him and my soul aches from a depth that I cannot describe for the way he wrestles with that. The very thing that allows him to love me as his mommy had to be taken from him to get here. After 2 years, it would be easy at times to just keep on moving forward, but I am reminded that in the depths of his soul, a grief that should not be ignored continues to dwell in his precious heart. He needs to be reminded that it is good to love Mama Medina and that we want to share his grief as much as we do his joy. It is an amazing priviledge to witness the work of God through adoption and the redemptive power of Jesus that dwells in the hearts of His once-fatherless & now found children.

WE'RE BACK!

Well, it's been almost 1 year since we posted on this blog - life got busy, we began facebook & the blog got left behind. I miss my bloggin' people and the opportunity to connect and share - so stay tuned, the Asperger 8 are back to the blog. It's been a great year, filled with God's grace, provision, challenge & joy. I will be working on updating the blog with new pictures and links - excited to get started again...

SACRIFICIAL LOVE...

SACRIFICE

"to suffer loss of, give up"

"the offering of something precious to a deity (God)"

"loss or deprivation"

(definitions from Merriam Webster Dictionary)

"An offering made to God for the purpose of showing respect"

(definition from Layman's Bible Dictionary)

LOVE

"Unselfish, benevolent concern for other persons"

"To love God supremely and others unselfishly are the two most important commands of Jesus (Matthew 22:37-40)"

(definition from Layman's Bible Dictionary)

This picture is a perfect representation of a mother's sacrificial love for her children. Our Ethiopian sons smile joyfully with their Ethiopian sister - 3 children, 3 families, 1 divine plan.

I count it a priviledge to sacrifice my time, my resources, my sleep, my plans, my person & even my sanity at times, but I praise the Lord each day that I have not been called to sacrifice as the birth mother's of my children have. This picture was taken for Mama Medina (Ethiopian birth mom). Our sons's sister's dad will be embarking on a mission trip to Ethiopia in October and plans to visit Mama Medina. It is my greatest prayer that she will be able hold this picture in her hands and feel the deep love of Christ that is growing in the hearts of her beloved children. That she would know her only requests voiced for her children, "to not forget their siblings" and to "go find your sister" have been honored. That her sacrificial love for them is the very love that has allowed them to be loved by us. The Lord has placed these words from Ephesians 3:17-19 on my heart as a caption to this picture & a blessing to Mama Medina..

"And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."

Asperger's Awesome Family Fun Day Adventure

Make a Smilebox slideshow

We had an amazing 24 hours - from Asperger's Awesome Family Fun Day Adventure...to a bit of sleep...to worship & then home for lunch and relaxation. What a great weekend - the gift of time spent together filled with joy & happiness and ending in worship on Sunday - it doesn't get any better than that this side of Heaven!

Bear's 2nd Bday

HAPPY 2ND BIRTHDAY BEREKET!!!

We are so blessed to call you son - we praise the Lord for the way He has worked in your life for the past year...we love you 'Bear'!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Summer Fun '09

Make a Smilebox slideshow

"The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace."

Numbers 6:24-26

MOBILE JOEY...

Our precious Joey is now fully mobile & crawling both forward and back! It is so fun to watch him crawl through the house and...get into EVERYTHING! Oh, sweet freedom for him & another reason to keep us on our toes! God is growing our sweet baby up right before our eyes & I praise Him that we haven't missed a moment.

Each day it is my prayer to be fully present in the moment so I don't miss a single blessing the Lord has for me...