Two Months Home

     It’s been almost two months since we’ve been home with Lydia and Isaiah.  It’s been a crazy, exhausting, wonderful two months for sure.  So many sweet friends have been asking us how we’ve been adjusting.  We’ve been so appreciative of all the kind words and prayers for our family.  Both Lydia and Isaiah seem very happy and content with their new life in the States.  Initially, Isaiah had some stomach issues that we had to work through.  But after a few weeks, they are both eating well and sleeping pretty consistently through the night. Adam, Emma, and Nathan have been such big helps and absolutely adore them.  I love watching them all play together, laughing and enjoying being together.

     Lydia and Isaiah have blessed us so very much. I am so thankful for this journey the Lord called Keith and I on over the past couple of years.  He has taught us so much about His love and mercy.  Many of you know while we were in Ethiopia, we had the opportunity to meet Biruk, the boy we sponsor through Compassion International.  We were so excited to meet him and his family.  After arriving at the community center that day, they brought Biruk to us.  I gave him a big hug, but immediately noticed the sadness in his eyes.  He was guarded, quiet, and a reserved 15 year old.  As we talked, I learned for the first time that both his parents were in prison.  He was living with his two brothers in Addis… alone. As I listened to the interpreter, I tried to hide the tears in my eyes. On our visit, we were able to go to his house and meet his brothers. Solomon, who looked a little younger than Biruk, greeted us with a big smile. Their youngest brother, Nehemiah, was only five. They welcomed us graciously into their small home, made of mud with a tin roof. I looked around to find their only possessions were a small bed, a few dishes, a small table, and a few chairs. We asked how we could pray for them, and Biruk explained how they had very little money to buy food.  Their only source of income was their Compassion sponsorship ($38 a month), and renting out one of the little rooms in their house.  And the renters were not always reliable in making payments. Biruk was debating quitting school so he could make more money to buy food.  He explained little Nehemiah would wake up in the middle of the night, crying because he was hungry. Biruk said he often would not eat, so Nehemiah could have a double portion. As I listened, it was all I could do not to burst into tears. I looked into Biruk’s eyes. He had the weight of the world on his shoulders. In his eyes, I saw my son, Adam.  I tried to imagine Adam wondering where his next meal would come from…dealing with the burden of being the sole provider and caretaker for his younger siblings.  I could not fathom it.  I looked into Nehemiah’s eyes and saw our little Nathan.  This sweet little boy had no mom or dad to give him a kiss goodnight, comfort him when he scraped his knee or help him with his schoolwork. Our visit was so special, but honestly very sobering.

     The truth is there are over 5 million orphans in Ethiopia alone. One in six children will die before they turn five years old. 60% of the children there suffer from malnutrition.  How the Lord has broken my heart for “the least of these”. I pray that the Lord will use our amazing journey to bring glory to Himself and fulfill His purposes in the church.  I pray He would burden the hearts of others and cause them to show love to the orphan.

     So looking back at these last couple of months..Am I tired?  Yes.  Am I sometimes overwhelmed? Definitely.  Do I feel stretched thin at times?  Of course.  Would I change a thing? Never.  These two sweet babies now have a mommy, daddy, two brothers and a sister who love them very much. They do not have to worry about where their next meal will come from or being all alone. I pray the Lord would  USE ME UP in this lifetime. May I never become complacent or satisfied.  May I never choose to look the other way, whether  these sweet children are across the ocean or in my own town. God has given us every bit of strength we have needed. He has provided for us financially in more ways we could have imagined.  I continue to pray for whoever is taking the time to read this entry. What is the Lord calling you to do? Sponsor a child?  Foster? Adopt?   I pray He will break your heart.  And not leave you alone until you move in obedience.  And oh how He will bless you!  Trust me. I know. 

Referral! Originally written in 12/11

Well, a great deal has happened with the Johnson family during the last six weeks. On Thanksgiving weekend, we received a call from our adoption agency, stating that they had two sweet children available: a 9 month old litlte girl and a 2 month old little boy.  She wanted us to think and pray over it and let her know if we were interested. As I hung up the phone, many questions filled my head..."Could we really manage TWO babies?"  "Didn't we want them to be closer in age to the 3 we already had?"  All along, we had anticipated bringing home toddlers or preschoolers. Keith and I talked for several hours, and even consulted a friend who had recently adopted two small children from Ethiopia. At the end of our conversation, she said, "Just pray and seek God's face. Look to Him for that peace of mind in your decision." After further discussion, Keith and I knew two babies would be challenging. Going through the baby phase again would mean sleepless nights, changing of diapers, making bottles, etc. Yet, we felt a peace about these two little ones. The same peace that urged us to start the adoption process to begin with.  Very quickly, we got used to the idea of having them join our family. After contacting our agency, they sent pictures for the first time of our sweet babies. First, was Elsabet, our Lydia. She was absolutely beautiful with her curly hair and gorgeous eyes. I yelled to Keith to get our 3 kids out of bed to come see. Instantly, they came charging down the steps. Following, were screams of joy, jumping up and down, joyful laughter...Next came precious Endashaw, our Isaiah. He looked so little, frail and helpless. Repeated screams, jumping, and laughter behind me.
     I can not describe to you how surreal it is to see two children for the first time on a computer screen, and know they are meant to be yours. To know they were meant to be Johnsons before creation. That moment was just as exciting and joyous as the instant our other three were born and introduced to us in the delivery room. At that moment, I knew God had planned for them to part of our family. Instantly, I loved them, and that love has grown with each day we wait to bring them home.
     On December 28th, we learned our court date would be on January 16, pending a judge's examination of our paperwork. On January 4th, we learned we would definitely be heading to Ethiopia on the 12th. As this was earlier than expected, we ran around frantically trying to get everything done. However, we were so thrilled that the process was continuing to move forward. The sooner Lydia and Isaiah get to their forever family, the better! Please continue to pray for us on our journey.

An entry I had originally written in April 2011. Better late than never. : )

     Upon finishing our dossier in late February, we were required to pay another large fee of about $5,000.00  When we started this process, we had only a fraction of the amount needed to get us started. However, knowing adoption was God’s plan for our family and with His affirmation that He wanted us to start the process, we took a step of faith, not knowing where all the money would come from. Thus, when it was time to turn in our dossier, we had already used most of the resources we had saved.  With our tax refund, we were able to take care of part of it.

     As March approached, I knew that money would be tight after making this big payment. Just as I am known to do at times, I began to focus on what we needed and where the money would come from.  I began to focus on the problem and not how big our God is! During this time, I prayed intently, pouring out my heart to God about our needs. He graciously gave me the Scripture, Isaiah 46:11, “ What I have said, that will I bring about; What I have planned, that will I do. “   I was reminded of God’s provision in many ways during this time.

     During the first week of March, someone sent us a sweet card anonymously with a monetary gift enclosed. Upon receiving our referral, another big fee will be due. What a blessing that we already have a gift to begin saving for the next fee. How special that someone cares for our family’s finances during this time.  How thankful we are for our Christian family.  But even more special is that someone we love cares about the two sweet children that are soon to be part of our family. They’ve not even met them yet, but they wanted to help us in bringing them to their forever home. Someone cares about the orphan, the least of these. How thankful I am for that!

     So God has continued to provide for us financially, one step at a time.  It reminds me of the Israelites when they were in the desert (Exodus 16) God only gave them enough manna and quail for the present day.  Each day they had to trust God for their food, never able to rely on their own resources.  In the same way, God has provided financially for us, just what we need as each fee becomes due.  We have been forced to depend on Him each step of this process.  And He has always made a way for His plan to continue.  In April, we discovered we received a $3000.00 grant from Lifesong!

     In March, rumors began that MOWA (the organization that processes court hearings in Ethiopia) would be slowing adoption cases to 5 a day, supposedly a 90% decrease.  As this story developed, I became a little more anxious, but trying to wait patiently on the Lord. During this time, God ministered to me in such a great way through His Word.  In Isaiah 49:23, 25-26, it says, “ Those who hope in Me will not be disappointed…I will contend with those who contend with you, and your children I will save….Then all mankind will know that I, the Lord, am your Savior, you Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob. :”  There were moments when I just clung to these verses.  And it was during this time that I decided if the Lord did decide to bless us with a little boy from Ethiopia, I would want his name to be Isaiah.  During this difficult time, I grew in that I knew I could trust God’s plan for us ( not my own plan). And that my chief desire is to completely trust in Him, and see Him glorified…not that I would get My way for what I think His plan should be.