Do Not Worry

Our Small Group Bible Study discussion Sunday night was about living like the church of the first century.  The questions were posed:  Why don't we give up our possessions and take care of each other like they did back then?  Is it because of our culture or society?  What keeps us from doing that?  The discussion that followed was the best I think we've had in a while...and well, it kind of evolved a little as most great discussions do.  Here's the gist.

Bottom line:  We like our stuff.

We are too attached to our things and our money to give it up.  We spend and spend and if there is extra, we store it away for later in life.  We like to be self-sufficient and 'take care of our own.'  We feel like we're weak if we can't provide what we would like for our family or need help.  We keep up with 'The Jones'.

Satan has us fooled into believing "The American Way."  I wholeheartedly believe that this way is not the way of the Lord.  Greed.  Envy.  Selfishness.  We don't get it.

God says if we give up our possessions and follow Him, He will show us the way and we have nothing to worry about.  Why is that so hard for us?  Why can't we use what God has given us to help others and shine His light on the world instead of storing up our treasures here on Earth?

Let's freely give...without worrying whether we will have enough for ourselves.
Let's seek out others who may be in need and give.
Let's not worry about retirement or the newest electronics or where we live or if we've tried the finest cuisine at the newest restaurant in town.

This adoption journey has been so wonderful in teaching us to trust in God.  It's certainly been a roller coaster of a journey!  Some of the lowest points have been when we weren't sure how to pay for the ever growing list of fees.  This is the verse I have hung on to for so many months...just so happens that a friend brought it up during our discussion.

Luke 12

22 Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24 Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? 26 Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? 

27 “Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! 29 And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30 For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Why have I worried?  He's provided exactly the amount of money we needed.  Why do I worry about our little guy?  We've received updated pictures of our beautiful baby who is growing strong, happy, and healthy.  Why did I worry?  We were able to provide a wonderful Christmas for our family.  Why do I not get it sometimes?

I have worked hard at trusting God for everything we have needed while working towards the adoption, yet I have failed at times.

Am I afraid that I'm not going to get what I want?

Oh, me of little faith.

It's not about me.

For the children

Donation Information for House of Hope or Bethzatha Children’s Home

House of Hope is the transition home run by our agency (Children’s Hope Int.) where our little guy is currently living.

Bethzatha Children’s Home is the rural orphanage where he was first placed before HOH.

Children’s Hope has given us the option of donating items to either the HOH or his specific orphanage if we would like.  We will gradually be gathering a few of these items to take with us.  If you would like to get a few as well, we can pack a full, extra suitcase of donations.  Please, do not feel obligated.  This is what we have been given as guidelines/ideas of what they may need.  If we find out any specific needs, we will pass along that information as well.

Here is a list of the kinds of items you might consider:

• Medical items (for children and staff accepted) - surgical masks, chewable and Polyvisol drop multivitamins, Neosporin ointment, band aids, Tylenol, thermometers, skin creams, toothbrushes, toothpaste, baby soaps and lotions, deodorant etc.       
• The donation of formula for infants and older children is always needed, as are diapers (cloth). Both diapers and formula can be easily purchased in Addis, so if you’d like to cut down on luggage weight, purchase these in country to donate to the House of Hope or your child’s orphanage. Since it is highly recommended to keep the children on the same formula that they are used to, this is another reason to purchase formula in country; also it helps to boost the Ethiopian economy.
• Developmental toys – picture or board games, books, wooden blocks, rattles, mobiles, coloring books and large crayons for older children, puzzles, jump ropes, etc. Shoes, either new or gently used, for the children at the House of Hope are welcomed and appreciated. Gender specific toys.  
• Other baby care items needed for donations may include diaper pins, new nipples (in all sizes – not nuk/pacifier shaped) and bottles, baby wipes, teeth rings, high-quality clothes (all sizes and seasons!). Coats, sweaters, jackets, pajamas. All clothes should be clean, comfortable and if used, gently worn. Bottles, such as the Playtex brand system work well; see that the nipple has only one hole so that the flow is not too fast; additional holes can be added if necessary, using a clean pin. Underwear for toddlers and older children. 

So far, we have gotten together some cloth diapers and clothing!

So much to do

Three weeks from tomorrow we leave for court!!  There are so many things I would like to have finished before we leave.  When we come home, we will have a few weeks for buying final things, making travel plans, and packing.  I won't have any time to get any of this done when we return from court.

The room:
Get closet set up/organized
Get down baby toys from my closet
Buy lamp and wall shelves
Redo chair cushion
Wall art
Sew bumper pad
Sew bed skirt
Sew quilt/blanket
Finish name hanging for above crib
Sew book slings
Hang wall art (Justin job)
Make toy shelving (Justin job)
Make fabric garland for above closet
Finish rag rug

Misc:
Gather donations for the House of Hope
Write packing lists for us and for Cooper...then get it all bought and packed!
Prepare a stack of clothing to be sold in consignment sale
Go wedding dress shopping with my sweet friend, Katie!
Make a Valentine box for Cooper (I'll explain later)
Update puzzle information
Finish sending out fundraising 'thank you' letters
Make a photo album for the birthmom, maybe a small gift
Embroider baby's name in his lovey to leave with him
CLEAN MY HOUSE!!!

Think this can all get done in three weeks?

Snow!

Cooper woke up from his nap yesterday afternoon to SNOW!!  We waited until after dinner to get outside and play so that there would be some accumulation to actually play in.

And he's ready!

He hasn't ever seen snow like this!

Getting a snowball lesson from Daddy.

Nice warm blanket to keep cozy!

We'd eaten chili for dinner, so what makes a snow day even better?  Homemade cookies!

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip 

We woke up this morning to a lot more!  Five or six inches, I think.

And of course, Mr. Potato Head had to follow us outside.

I could snuggle with that sweet face all day long.

We don't have a hill or a sled...so Coop and Daddy made a 'racetrack' in the backyard...read:  laundry basket and rope!

We're out of school again tomorrow so we'll see how much snow is left to play in!

Who dries his tears?

Last night, about 10:20, we heard Cooper SCREAMING from his bedroom.  I ran in there expecting to comfort a bad dream but there was something different about the cry...it was seriously a scream.  Weird.  When I opened the door, my heart stopped.  He had half-way fallen out of bed!  He was face down with his head between the night stand and the little stool he uses to get up in bed, butt up, and his legs still under the covers.  I tried to lift him up and let him catch his breath.  He was holding his face as I tried to calm him so I assume he smacked his face on his night stand on the way down.  After Justin gave him some Tylenol (we were afraid he'd wake up later with a huge hedache or bruised face/black eye), I wrapped him in a blanket and we rocked.  Slowly, his body relaxed as I sang to him and he fell back asleep.

This morning he's fine.  Redness on his cheek but no bruising.  No headache--he's running around, pumped that there's SO MUCH snow outside!  Seeing him face down like that, half-way out of the bed is a vision I will never forget, though.  I was literally nauseous for a few minutes because I was so shaken up.

As we rocked, I couldn't help but think about the baby.  Who comforts him when he hurts?  Does anybody dry his tears or sing to him?  Does anybody kiss it and make it better?

Happy New Year!

We spent the first day of 2011 celebrating the first day of what?  NO more paper route!  Yes, that's right.  Justin quit his paper route.  We are finally nearing the end of our money saving and he decided it was time to be done with it.  Sleep deprivation and exhaustion have caused him to not really be here mentally for awhile...I can't imagine how hard it is to wake up in the middle of the night and do a somewhat physically demanding job, come home, and go back to work at another physically demanding job all day, only to come home to a family who needs you.  It's been a rough year and we're so thankful for it to be over, yet even more thankful to have had the opportunity of the extra job.

We bought the baby a carseat and got $80 off.  Wooo hooo!  Another great part of the day!

By the way, the nesting instinct that is SO strong in most pregnant women is also present in adoptive parents.  I've been craving to organize and prepare the baby's room but there's been junk in there and it's been frustrating me.  This evening, we got our little helper involved and cleaned out and organized the baby's room!  We got the furniture in its place, baby belongings in their general area, and all ideas for the walls drawn on paper.  I feel so much better!  We have a long way to go but at least there's a good plan now.

It's so nice to have my honey with us tonight.  I'm not saying he's not usually at home, because he is.  I'm saying that we were able to work on a household project together without him being afraid it may 'bite him in the butt' the next morning for being too tired, and then we were able to snack and watch TV together after Cooper went to bed rather than him rushing off to get to sleep so he can wake back up in a few hours.  We actually had a chance to talk and be with each other today.  Hasn't happened in a while.

Like I said, 2010 was a very difficult year for our family.  We are reminded that there is an ending to every season and we're transitioning into the next one...it feels good.  We enjoyed our day of celebrating this and we are thrilled to see what 2011 has in store for us.