365 days ago, at almost exactly this hour, I was getting into a tiny little blue car with people I had never met before to take me to see my daughters in person for the first time
I remember the buzz of excitement and yet the nervousness too of what those first few interactions would be like. And truly, nothing can really prepare you for the moment when your life changes forever by welcoming a child into your life. It was one of those surreal, movie like scenes where the camera pans the entire area, the music swells,and time is slowed dramatically as it gives you pause to consider whatever magic is happening before your eyes.
And the magic of that day was two little girls getting a forever family.
As the past 365 days have unfolded in their course, we have learned more and more of what it means to be a family and the amazing ways that God was answering prayers we didn't even know were being prayed. For example, when Bill and I got married our sweet little daughter was praying many nights for God to give her and her baby sister a family, and He did, but it's humbling to think she had to wait so long....
But even if God had told me in a loud booming voice in 2004 to go to Ethiopia and adopt a kid, ( or two) would I have ever considered it? Would I have thought I was hearing wrong? Perhaps. Probably! Who am I kidding?? I was enjoying marriage! I was enjoying being an adult!. And further, I was totally unaware of what God was doing behind the scenes.
Nevertheless, Bill and I both eventually heard the call and the rest is history!
The past 365 days have been wild, fun, hard, exciting, challenging, mind bending, hilarious, ridiculous and just amazing really.
As I reflect this evening, I'd like to tick off a few things that never got blogged, but that bless me, or make me smile about the past 365 days:
1. While on vacation recently, we had some serious gas problems going on which resulted in some conflict between the girls that ended with one girl shouting at the other "WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO, I CAN'T SEW MY BUTT!!! I know what you're thinking , how is this a blessing? Well, you see, I was blessed by the sisterly love that would even CONSIDER sewing ones butt shut to accommodate another! Bill and I laughed until we felt sick.
2. While driving in the car with some longtime friends, the girls were telling elaborate, albeit false stories about their boyfriends. ( neither one has a boyfriend , mind you, in any fashion. Telling random and ridiculous stories is just a way to pass time.) Our Friends were very polite, played along and asked questions that kept the stories going. That night before bed, while I was doing devotions with the girls, they began critiquing each others stories. " So wow, XXX I heard your story about your boyfriend tonight and it was AMAZING! ( heavily laden with Sarcasm)
Her sister's response, "Yeah, It was so AMAZING, I CAN FLY!" .....What the heck??? I started laughing so hard I couldn't stop. It's just so funny hearing people argue in a new language!
3. Many times over the past 365 days, the girls have directly asked us to pray for them or others....and we have. And we've seen some cool things happen. One time I was driving in a really bad snow storm, and saw a car behind me spiraling out of control and careening off the road. I instinctively called out to God out loud to steady the car while lifting my hands in the air in "Moses" fashion as he may have done when parting the Red Sea. The girls whipped around in their seats to see the car cover a significant distance and right itself completely, back on course. The girls whipped back around and looked me in awe. Speechless at first. "When you prayed mom, something happened!" They were talking about it for days. I think it gave us all a little faith boost really. :)
4. A number of times over the past eight months, we have sent packages, letters etc. to the girl's friends back in Ethiopia. ( At their request mind you!) It blesses me that our daughters gingerly select pieces of their own clothing, toy stash, and even candy reserves to give away. Freindhsip is beautiful.
5. In a short eight months of being in a new country, they've acquired the ability to ( Just to name a few) : Converse in English, Read in English, Ride a Bicycle, maneuver a Kayak,Swim alone safely, use silverware, check out at Kroger, floss daily, sing over 50 pop songs in English, play the drum set, play simple songs on the piano, do over 15 Zumba routines, use a vacuum cleaner without freaking out, make their beds in the morning ( This is a favorite of mine! Ha!), sleep through the night, write little reports on the computer, dialogue about important issues like abortion and war and healthcare, make some friends here, express feelings in healthy way ( much of the time) and the ultimate news of the hour..... Do a back handspring ( AS OF TODAY YEAH!!!!!!)
Girls, when you've got enough english to read this, know that Mom is VERY proud of you. I cannot wait to see what the next 365 days will bring!
Ewudeshallo!
Enay eh na tish nighn! Emeliya-yae and Oliviya-Yae, Anche Wudenesh!
Love,
Mom
