Missing Eli, learning about giving.

I miss my child.
Does that sound dramatic?
I don't even know him yet.
I don't know his face.
I don't know where he lays his head at night.
I don't know how old he is.
But my heart aches for him.

I know that once I have him, I might long for my family the way it was...the ease of having only one child. I am not naive to know that we have a hard journey coming...
But the Lord has pushed my (our) heart(s) to adopt, and there is no going back.  There is no denying that we are bringing a little boy home from Ethiopia.  Right now we are trying to wait patiently

The andersons adopted sweet elsa earlier this year.  It seemed so dreamy and fairytale...but I know there are challenges ahead.  She says it well. Scary. But honest. I am scared to death of having to choose to love my child...through some hard things.  But, adoption is something that God has chosen to do for us. To adopt us into his kingdom. When we were orphaned, deserving NOTHING. He chose to send his son to die for us.  So, I strongly believe that he has called the body of Christ to do something about the orphan crisis in our world.  He says he will not leave us as orphans.  I think we're called to reach out. And specifically, in our case, we are called to bring one of these sweet babies home. And very possibly do it several times, maybe in the states next time.

There are tons of things I am scared about regarding adoption.  Will love come naturally? What if he doesn't love us back?  What if he remembers his biological mom and would rather have her? I know I will choose to love him no matter what, but I wonder what those emotions will be.

In other thoughts..

The Lord has really been pushing me lately. To give of my time and energy to the 'least of these'.  I'm not being cheesy, I just really have felt burdened.  I am looking for places in my town to invest, without just driving around and looking for homeless people. Although, i am going to buy some gift cards to mcdonalds, so at least I can give them out when they come up to me at the gas station (every day).




I think the urging to help was really pushed and challenged when I began reading this book.
Have you seen it?  Kisses from Katie...
 I have been following her story for years, Amazima.  You can find her blog there. Just incredible. And inspiring. inspires me to know God more. To pursue him more.  Brandon and I both have a heart for international missions, as well as meeting needs in the United States.  I wonder what that is going to look like for us in the next coming years.  It may be California.  It may be Africa. It may be Kentucky.  Who knows...but my heart is to continue to pursue meeting the needs of those who are less fortunate.  Katie makes me want to adopt 2 ,  10...

In other news, I snapped some pictures of Finn on our back porch.

taken by sweet Jessica Flynn: Capture Photography

Oh gosh, even looking at these, makes me long to meet my sweet boy in Ethiopia before he gets too big...I want to meet him now...when he is brand new.  Also: quick note; sweet finn has grown into his ears now :)

So, Santa...

I don't really love Christmas gifts that people ask for.
I'm not saying they shouldn't ask, it just doesn't seem as fun when they ask.
I mean, as adults, we can purchase most things ourselves.
I want to be SURPRISED.
I much prefer something with much thought behind it.
Something that doesn't necesarily cost much.
Something that lets me know the giver cares.
Isn't that what Christmas should be about?
Giving.
Loving.
Sharing.
JESUS.

I just like cute. Fun. unique. I like ministries. I think some of the best gifts are giving life. You could give WATER...

or an animal... Heifer Intl...you can give a flock of chicks for $20 to help a family in need, or a Water Buffalo to a family to provide milk, manure for soil and a transportation avenue....

So, since I don't like Christmas lists, I'll just be a nice hypocritical person and show you some the things on my Christmas List:
From Etsy


Old WW2 replica poster:


THIS adorable poster, framed:

I've been asking for several years to begin my WILLOW TREE nativity set. I don't like cheesy ones, so I only have ONE in my house, in addition to a sparkly silver nativity silhouette I found at TJ Maxx this year. So, I want this:


Enough of that. Just wanted to share.