Sorrow and Joy

Today...
We lost our mom/mother-in-law and Mimi.
We cried a lot.

We tried hard to imagine what it might be like for her NOW, now that she's not on this earth anymore. That made us smile, and also made us dig deep.

We felt so loved by the too-many-to-count messages we've received.
We felt exhaustion like we've never known before.
We looked at our kids differently.

Today...
We received an email and a phone call from our adoption agency.
Our number on the wait list in Ethiopia stayed the same for the month of September. To quote our contact person, "We hope October is a more fruitful month..."

Ahh yes, after today, we longingly look forward to more "fruitful" months as well. But, we know that September was fruitful in ways we just don't quite understand yet.
Because today, we are reminded of why we are adopting...it's not about the wait...it's about expanding our family and bringing a life into our home that needs us as much as we need him.
Today, we are reminded of how short life is.
We get one chance at it.

So yes, today we tasted sorrow, and we can taste joy. We GET to live today. We get to press on to a more fruitful day tomorrow. And we continue to long for our "little Ethiopian dude," as Ellie said tonight, to sleep in the room down the hall.

7 year olds think in SQUINKY language. Today, Ellie chose joy as she laid these little people out on her floor and imagined a more fruitful month. From left to right: "Ethiopian cuteness, G-boy, Rosie, Me, Mom and Dad"
Pretty sweet.
:)

Not Every Day...

Ryan is on his way to Columbus, OH as I write this. He's going to visit, most likely for the last time, his mom. Very soon, she will be with Jesus. Ryan and I just talked on the phone as he drives, and he told me to remind him that someday he wants to write a book called Not Every Day that Your Mom Dies. Gulp.

After I hung up the phone, I looked at Emma and Griffin dancing to The Fresh Beat Band, chomping on string cheese, faces smothered with peanut butter. I imagine Ellie on the monkey bars at her school's recess right now. And...I excitedly think about the fact that our family is about to grow bigger...

There is so much to celebrate.

Our Great God gives...and He takes away.

Just reminded on this lunch hour on this September day that there's a lot to rejoice in. Ryan and I are trying to choose to rejoice in these little lives that fill our home (or will soon fill our home), as we are also both fully aware that this life is intense and quick.

Savor your people today!
And continue to pray with/for us as we are in-between the strange world of RECEIVING (through the adoption) and LOSING, all in the same season.

Why Africa? Why Ethiopia?

The main question we are asked is this: "Why adopt from Africa?"

Ryan and I have never been to Africa, so nope, it's not simply because we think the country is beautiful and like the idea of seeing wild zebras and elephants. Although that will be cool, it's probably not a good enough reason. :) And nope, we aren't heading that direction in hopes of a superstar runner, although Ryan would certainly love a running companion!!

In all honesty, we do love Africa. There are approximately 48 million orphans in Africa; 5 million orphans in Ethiopia alone. That is devastating news whether those kids live on the streets, with a decent stranger, or in an orphanage. Orphans are everywhere in this world, this we are burdened by and well aware of. We have a few sweet African friends who reside in Toledo for 8 months of the year and Kenya the other 4. These friends have brought such joy to our family! One of my lifelong friends brought her daughter home from Ethiopia in 2009. Meeting her, loving her and knowing her has been life changing for Ryan and I. Several other dear friends have brought home sons/daughters from Africa...a blessing to know all these kiddos. What it boils down to is that we've just known Africa was the place God put on our hearts... we said yes...and we are thrilled for the life change it will not only bring to Ryan and I, but our three children now. The little guy out there that will someday be a Snow is in for a crazy ride, and because of that special kiddo, adoption is already part of our family story.

As of August 6, 2012, our "file" is in the hands of the Ethiopian government. The waiting game begins.

4 Seasons Make a Year

This excerpt below is from one of my favorite authors, Ann Voskamp. I found it on her blog, www.aholyexperience.com
It's such a good, strong reminder as we begin the waiting process (possibly 4 seasons of waiting) to finding out what our son's face will look like. And, we still do life in the meantime...

"No matter where you — it’s never all easy. 
A crop is made by all the seasons and the only way to have it all — is not at the same time… but letting one season bring its yield into the next.

This is how to have no fear —
each season makes a full year."

3 Great Books on Orphan Care

Kisses from Katie by Katie Davis

The Connected Child by Karyn Purvis

Adopted for Life by Russel Moore