Amazed…

Enjoying an Unseasonably Warm Day at the Detroit Zoo

When I stand back for a moment from the very busy and often chaotic days, I’m amazed.  I’m amazed at how good and patient and kind our God is.  I am so blessed by my children.  I am also amazed (and shouldn’t be) at how different my expectations are from my God’s expectations.  I suppose that’s part of being molded into the image of God throughout our lives as we trust and live abiding in Him.  I amazed because I expected that when God led us specifically to adopt our boys, I thought we’d be doing the service of giving them a family.  I thought my biological children would serve as an example to them.  I had braced myself for many difficulties, especially with adopting an older child.

I am amazed that through the many changes and trials these precious children have gone through, they are so full of joy and life and love.  They teach us patience.  They teach us humility, service, and trust.  They teach us to persevere and fight the good fight of faith.

I am reminded that there is a much bigger picture than I see.  There is a real spiritual realm where a battle rages.  For believers, those who’ve trusted in Christ as their personal Savior, I believe this battle is for our faith.  Faith is seeing through God’s eyes - seeing His perspective.  Satan wants us to only see the world, the practical, physically visible.  He wants us to “make sense” of things, to think “logically”, to be “smart”.  When we do this, we lose sight of reality.  True reality is faith.  It is seeing God’s big picture.  Until I get to eternity,  I know I will never see this totally clearly, but I pray God would help me see as much as I can.  I pray I would be teachable and trusting and that somehow in God’s strength, He would use my desire and help me to be a testimony.

Right below are photos of Mark baptizing Katie and Yakobe on March 6, 2010.  What a blessing to have a godly husband and to be able to see my children obedient to Christ.

Mark Baptizing Katie on March 6, 2010

Mark Baptizing Yakobe March 6, 2010

Below are some other photos of memorable fun moments in March…

Thomas Learned to Ride without Traning Wheels!

Fun Dinner in the Tent

Little Ones Dinner in the Tent

Making Mud Pies

Watercolor Painting with Friends at our House

Nathan Engaged in His New Football Board Book

Checking Out the Animals at the Detroit Zoo

Orange Soccer Cleats

Getting to know my 8 year old son from Ethiopia, Yakobe, was a bit slow at first.  The language barrier coupled with Ethiopian cultural rules (children not looking at adults out of respect) made it tough.  After several months though, I noticed some distinctive character traits.  Yakobe is very smart.  Yakobe has a desire to please others.  Yakobe is kind.  AND, Yakobe likes bright, bold, different things.  Word soon got out that Yakobe wanted “big hair”.

Yakobe has a gift in playing soccer.  Last summer in our local sports store, he spotted some bright orange soccer cleats.  His eyes lit up.  We told him he had soccer cleats that fit.  We explained the difference between a need and a want.  He accepted “No” for an answer.  Every once in awhile though, usually before bed, Yakobe would ask politely about the orange cleats.  Any time there was a trip to the sports store, he would check to see if they were still there.  I kinda struggled with the orange cleats.  I mean his soccer team is maroon and gold.  They don’t match!  And, does Yakobe just want attention drawn to himself?  I didn’t want to encourage that.

In January, Yakobe asked Jesus to be Lord of his life.  Mark and I wanted him to remember what an important decision this was.  We decided to get him the orange soccer cleats.  Yakobe never had a pair of new cleats before.  In Ethiopia, many children don’t even have shoes.  Yakobe took great care even with the box they came in.   I can imagine him thinking, “No one has ever worn these before except me.”

Shortly after this, I studied the parable of the prodigal son.  The father welcomed his lost son by running to him and gave him three things:  new clothes - representing family honor, a ring - symbolizing family authority AND a pair of new shoes - the symbol of family membership.

I’m so glad we got Yakobe bright orange soccer cleats.  Yakobe was welcomed into God’s family that day.  I pray he is noticed - for his family identity with Christ.  I pray he is bold and loud and doesn’t match the world.  I pray he treasures God’s gift of family membership as much as he treasures the shoes.  I pray Yakobe and all my children help others receive shoes of membership in God’s awesome family.

“How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news” Isaiah 52:7