passions

I think there are lots of different ways that you can tell someone is passionate about something. For me, I feel like there are usually two defining responses to things I am passionate about:

(1) I can talk on and on about them endlessly.

(2) I am easily moved when hearing or thinking about them, often to the point of tears or, at the very least, a lump in my throat.

Adoption and orphans are things that evoke those responses in me. I think that is true about all three of us. God began stirring in us about going to Ethiopia this summer long before we actually had any realistic framework of what it might look like. It will be sweet to see ways that God continues to unfold His plans for our time there. The idea that we get to be part of something like this is overwhelming, humbling, and incredibly exciting.

Part of why I love love love adoption so much is because it is this beautiful, tangible picture of God's love for us.

Ephesians 1:3-8

³ Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. ⁴ For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love ⁵ he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— ⁶ to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. ⁷ In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace ⁸ that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.

In a world where things can seem so broken sometimes, I LOVE how smack-you-in the-face redemptive adoption is. God didn't just figure out some way for us to be saved from our sins; He went way beyond that. Through Jesus Christ's death and resurrection, I have the opportunity to be God's daughter.

I think that God has a heart for adoption, to see the lonely set in families (Psalm 68:6). I feel super honored that I get to be part of serving in a capacity that has to do with orphan-care. And, I know that can look like a million different things, but for us, this summer, it looks like going to Ethiopia.

On another note, we have been completely blown away by the generosity and support that people have given us since we sent our letters a few weeks ago and started sharing more intentionally about ways that God has been moving in our hearts about going to meet Ayehu and serving in Ethiopia this summer. Thanks to so many of you who have said such heartfelt and encouraging things, who have already begun faithfully praying for us, and who have given to help meet financial needs. This truly is not something that we could do on our own. Thanks for being part of the community that is supporting something much bigger than three girls getting on a plane and going to Ethiopia in a few months.

Part because I love reading books about adoption and part because I want my mind to (in whatever capacity it can) be prepared for June, I've been reading some different great books about adoption, God's heart for orphans, and Ethiopia. One book is Reckless Faith by Beth Guckenberger. I'll leave you with one section I found especially encouraging and challenging. In part, she talks about what it might look like to listen to the Holy Spirit and heed his direction. She says, "Sometimes that might look like stillness when we want activity. Sometimes that means avoiding activities that produce stress and self-importance. Still, sometimes that means working when you're tired, listening when you have other plans, or giving when you'd rather not. It means understanding that on your own, you cannot help or listen or serve or share or work or accomplish anything of value if it's not done with God's strength. His is the strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy."

~Julie

The Spirit of God, the Master, is on me because God has anointed me. He sent me to preach good news to the poor, heal the heartbroken, announce freedom to all captives, pardon all prisoners. God sent me to announce the year of his grace-- a celebration of God's destruction of our enemies-- and to comfort all who mourn, to care for the needs of all who mourn in Zion, give them bouquets of roses instead of ashes, messages of joy instead of news of doom, a praising heart instead of a languid spirit. Isaiah 61:1-3 (The Message)

In a little less than 3 months, Kate, Julie and I will be on our way to Ethiopia.

It was just over a year ago that Tem and Tessa came home, and almost immediately we started dreaming of some way that we could go back and meet Ayehu, to encourage her and support her, and to somehow, in a small way, tell her thank you for the sacrifice she made for her children. "Someday," I thought...

God is good. What started as a crazy idea in our heads is now unfolding before us. I am so incredibly thankful for the opportunity to go, and I know that this is HIS PLAN, and not ours.

"You are young enough to believe that anything is possible, and you are old enough to make that belief a reality." -Shauna Niequist

Our plane tickets have been purchased and we are excited about figuring out more details of our trip. We have been in contact with the Bethany Christian Services office in Addis Ababa and they are helping to coordinate where we will be serving while we are in Ethiopia. So far, it looks like we have opportunities to help with both teaching English to children in the nearby orphanages, as well as to help the nurse with medical assessments. We are so excited, and we know that God is going before us and preparing work for us to do.

Lastly, we want to say a huge THANK YOU to everyone who has financially supported us so far. We have been overwhelmed by the willingness of so many of our friends and family to give, and feel honored that so many of you are excited to be a part of what God is doing. We are in awe of the way that God is providing a way for us, and we trust that he will continue to do so.

Please continue to pray for us as we prepare for this... We know that this is so much bigger than the three of us, and we are so thankful for so many who are coming alongside us in this adventure. We couldn't do it without you!

Abby

Lyrics to "Our God Reigns" by Delirious?

40 million babies lost to Gods great orphanage,
It’s a modern day genocide and a modern day disgrace
If this is a human right then why aren’t we free?
The only freedom we have is in a man nailed to a tree.

100 million faces, staring at the sky,
Wondering if this HIV will ever pass us by.
The devil stole the rain and hope trickles down the plug,
But still my Chinese take away could pay for someone’s drugs.

Our God reigns, Our God reigns,
Forever your kingdom reigns.

The west has found a gun and it’s loaded with ‘unsure’
Nip and tuck if you have the bucks in a race to find a cure.
Psalm one hundred and thirty nine is the conscience to our selfish crime,
God didn’t screw up when he made you,
He’s a father who loves to parade you.

Yes he reigns, yes you reign, yes you reign,
For there is only one true God,
But we’ve lost the reins on this world,
Forgive us all, forgive us please,
As we fight for this broken world on our knees