Country: Ethiopia
Orphans: 44 million
Distance between PA and Ethiopia: approx. 4,491 miles
Cost of bringing our child home: more than a bread box and less than a car ;-)
Cost to us: priceless!
There are no amount of miles between us and God's heart for the least of these. There are no amount of miles He won't go or a price God isn't willing to pay for a child of His.
Last night my heart felt the rawness of the video I shared with you yesterday. Here we sit while millions of children never have a birthday. They have no clue what it feels like to celebrate their life. The very life given to them by God. The One who has NOT forgotten them!
I set up the table and put balloons on Gabriel's chair excited for him to wake up from his nap to see it all - all there for him. He has been excited about his birthday coming for months now. He has watched as Lexi, Jordan, Naomi and Scott have all celebrated theirs. He has been thinking for a long time how he wanted his special day to be celebrated.
Toy Story and Aladdin theme. Sadly, they are not popular right now and no where to be found.
So instead, I settled for a Cars theme. Thank You God my choice did NOT disappoint his precious heart.
Dinner request: Pasta with sauce
Dessert request: Coconut milk ice cream
Check!
Camera ready after reading more up on taking pictures with candles and ready to try shooting in RAW. Well, at least I thought I was.
I'm not quite ready for the big time yet and have a lot of practicing to do before I shot that way again. I was able to capture many special moments but the quality of the photos is too grainy - some like them that way but I am crisp photo kind of girl.
I digress. Back to what God showed me during our night.
I sit here with tears filling my eyes and tears ready to splash over my bottom lashes.
Aching and longing.
Pain and suffering.
Loneliness and afraid.
Forgotten and passed by.
Hurting and broken.
Too young to understand their situation and too street smart to know how bad things really are.
Orphanages full and children wait.
Hoping.
Dreaming.
Wanting.
Needing.
Begging.
Waiting.
For a family.
January 17, 2009 Gabriel came home. One child no longer waiting! God has not forgotten you Gabriel. Nor has He forgotten any of the children waiting today for their forever families.
Two weeks ago - Lilly found out she was not forgotten despite her fears that she would be the only one of her friends without a family. God has not forgotten you our precious girl. Soon you will be here with us too forever n ever n always.
Jordan couldn't wait to celebrate Gabriel's birthday. She might have been as excited if not more than him for it. Because she knows what it feels like to be the birthday girl here and she embraces every minute of it being her special day. So with joy she went to get him from nap time and without asking me showed him the table and balloons. He didn't quite know what to think.
He came to me. Took me to the table and said, "Mom what are those things tied to my chair?"
"They are called balloons," I said. Forgetting he has not seen them before.
With sheer delight he said, "Mommy I love them, thank you!"
Daddy arrived home, squells of delight came from every child knowing soon it would be time to celebrate Gabriel's first birthday - his 5th here with us!
Children all sitting waiting for dinner to be served and the most precious smile arose on Gabriel's lips as he realized a present was sitting at his place.
A Cars theme digital watch.
He quickly thanked me and couldn't wait to put it on.
Gratefulness beyond his years. Joy that spilled onto every single person in our family. Understanding the depth of his heart saying thank You to God for bringing him here and not forgetting him.
I began to capture moments - all little ones to the world but enormous to this child and me. I watched and prayed that I was getting them all so one day I could sit with him and tell him the entire story of God's grace and mercy. The story of his redemption and how deeply God's love for him was the day we found out about him and even more the day we met him and brought him home forever!
Dinner is complete. Presents brought before him once again. He didn't expect anymore. He thought the watch was it and that would have been enough. He was thrilled to have one gift. Just like he is the gift of salvation from God. Literally it is that real in his eyes and heart. God has shown me once again to stop, be still and watch Him teach me through the eyes of a child. A child redeemed by the great and mighty God. WOW! There are no words.
Be content. Rejoice at the gift of life! My grace is sufficient. Walk in it and by faith you will inherit all of my promises.
Yes, Lord.
Each gift brought more joy and bigger smiles. Then he gave us the gift of laughter.
He began to play innocently as if none of us were there and yet he knew we were. He took his new dolls and brought them to life. He tells the funniest stories and embraces all that life has to give. This young boy is one day going to be a mighty warrior for God.
Candles before him on his desired dessert and without a moment notice he began to blow!
Once again joy filled his eyes and our hearts like a storm taking over a dry desert. We were captivated by this same look the day we set eyes on our son. Despite his circumstances and before he knew we were coming God knew. And in his precious and tender heart God placed a joy and peace that surpassed all understanding. It is the very same joy we are told over and over again about Lilly. Oh how I long to hold her and celebrate her life. Soon.
Oh sweet Jesus thank You for our son. Thank You that You never forget us and want us to be with You. That You will never stop wanting a relationship with us and that You pave the way for us to have one with Your Father.
My tears continue to fall as I write to you. I share these words and moments not to simply give you a look into my heart and our home. But to hopefully inspire you to seek God with all you have and NOT put Him in a box that is comfortable for you. Not put Him where you want to be or live - but ask Him how you can be used to touch the life of a child - yes one that might be 5 thousand miles away or one in your very own town. There are children waiting and hoping that your heart will be touched to action.
So is God - waiting for us to be doers of His word at any cost.
Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.
John 15:13
Sit and let His joy captivate you!
Come visit my photo blog to see the pictures I captured last night of our other children while they watched and rejoiced with Gabriel.
Through our children we see who He is - a loving, generous and awesome God. We praise Him and give God all the glory for them in our lives. For the opportunity to teach them more each day through our actions and His words - so that they may know God intimately. May it be well with their souls.
