World AIDS Orphans Day

I tend to be a bit late on getting things on my blog, but yesterday, May 7, was World AIDS Orphans Day.

15 million children, orphaned by AIDS worldwide.

Rich Stearns, President of World Vision, US said,

"I believe that this could very well be looked back on as the sin of our generation. I look at my parents and ask, where were they during the civil rights movement? I look at my grandparents and ask, what were they doing when the holocaust in Europe was occurring with regard to the Jews, and why didn't they speak up? And when we think of our great, great, great-grandparents, we think how could they have sat by and allowed slavery to exist? And I believe that our children and their children, 40 or 50 years from now, are going to ask me, what did you do while 40 million children became orphans in Africa?"

Please take the time to go read this wonderful post here.

Picking up my paint brush

Since our adoption of our baby is not legal yet, I can not go into too many details here. But I do want to share that the last few days have been hard. We first learned last week of a delay in our adoption process, with no certainty of when the issue will be resolved. Then last night we got a message that our baby was sick. Thankfully, he has since been discharged from the hospital and is stable.

We've had friends and strangers praying for us, which we greatly appreciate. We also have felt a sense of confidence and strength, knowing that this baby is worth waiting for and worth fighting for. We are not giving up hope and are trusting that God has a plan for this baby's life.

The past couple nights, after I've shed some tears, I've picked up my paint brush and have been working on getting his nursery ready. Although it may not make sense, and I definitely have other things I should be doing around the house, this small act makes me feel better. I am painting in confidence, that one day this room with be filled with our sweet baby boy, who from the moment I heard his story, I knew in my heart that he was to be our son. I am painting in faith, praying as I do so, and knowing that God has a plan for us. I am painting in hope, that tomorrow is a new day and that good news will come. And next week, we are setting up a crib, another act of hope and faith. Little by little, we will continue to prepare our hearts and homes for this baby and someday, we will have an amazing story to share.

Don't mess with mama

So here I am with a group of women I had the privilege of meeting and spending time with at the Christian Alliance for Orphan's Conference. These women are all amazing and have such great stories to tell. They have all experienced the blessing of adoption, many from Africa, and they are passionate about caring for orphans. In the short time we had together, we laughed and cried together, and their stories inspired and encouraged me.

These women are passionate mamas, and I am blessed to now call them my friends.

Full

The conference was amazing. 

 

I am encouraged, inspired, and challenged.

 

I have met amazing people and heard incredible stories. 

 

I have spent two days with people who were strangers who I now consider friends. 

 

Some tears have been shed and many prayers have been made.

 

My mind and heart are full, and I am beginning to have some clarity with my next steps.

 

I am still processing, but hope to share more. 

My burden

I'm going to step out and share with you about what has been on my heart lately. I've tried to keep this blog light and happy- pictures of our house, updates on my sweet Belachew. But my heart is heavy and I've struggled with the right words to try to express what has been going on. It's kept me up many nights, thinking and praying. It's brought me to tears many times. So here it goes.

143 million orphans in the world

This number evokes many emotions for me. I am saddened by this number, knowing there is a face, name, and story behind each one. I am angered by the injustice and suffering of our world. I am frustrated at why more is not being done- by the church, by the government, by individuals (myself included). I am moved to thought and action, reading as much as I can and learning about how to care for orphans and prevent children from being orphaned in the first place. Many times, I am simply overwhelmed. I know that I am not alone in these feelings.

I am constantly reminded of the orphans I have had the privilege of spending time with in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Children in the U.S. as well, who come from broken homes or who have been bounced from foster home to foster home. These children who I have held, played games with, listened to their stories, cried and prayed with. Children who have lined up, holding their arms up and waiting for their turn to be held or hugged by someone. Children whose pictures are in my home and whose stories are forever in my heart. Faces and experiences that keep me up at night, in prayer and in tears. Some children who I know by name, other children whose names I never knew, but who have made an impact in my life. I grew up in a Christian home, but it was through my time with these children that I really found my faith. I learned (a little) about Jesus' heart and what it means to follow him. Sure, following Jesus requires faith and sacrifice, but love is the greatest command He has given us.

Since I have become a mother, my mind and heart has been consumed with orphans more than ever. I've wrestled with what my response should be, personally and as a family. I've talked to some friends, my church leaders, and followed other adoptive family's blogs who are wrestling with some of the same feelings. And my next step begins tomorrow, with a trip to attend the Christian Alliance for Orphans Summit. There, I hope to learn from some people with much more experience and knowledge than myself, to get some ideas for launching an adoption network and orphan care ministry at my church, and to be renewed in my desire to advocate for orphans. I'm also looking forward to meeting some other adoptive families, who share my burden and passion and whose stories encourage and inspire me. I'll plan to share some highlights of the conference, once I get settled back at home. I'd appreciate your thoughts and prayers for my time at the conference.

(While there are 143 million orphans in the world, I do want to clarify that this does not mean that there are 143 million healthy babies lined up in orphanages, waiting to be adopted. This statistic includes many older children, children with medical special needs, and children who have lost a parent but may still have living birthfamily.)

My boy

We're stuck together

While we were waiting to bring Belachew home, I researched and talked to some friends about baby-wearing. I knew that lots of holding time was good for bonding and that holding Belachew in a baby carrier could be good for his attachment. He wasn't too interested in any sort of baby carrying when we first brought him home, he justed wanted to be held in our arms. I've been hunting down my baby carriers, getting ready for our new baby. Belachew noticed one the other week and wanted to be carried in it most of the day. He kept laughing and smiling and would say "We're stuck together!" He'd stare at my face, stroke my cheek with his hand, and snuggle into my chest. Although I had many things to do that day, I enjoyed every second of our bonding, thinking back to the first day we met and how far we've come since then. As he grows up, I want to remember these moments, when he wanted nothing more to be in my arms. We had a playdate with a friend last week to try a different style of carrier and had fun being "stuck together" again.