Sort of Feeling Normal Again

I am starting to feel back to normal after our trip. I have been grouchy and feeling guilty for it. It is due to adjusting back to US life. I saw so many things and met so many amazing people that it is hard to just process that and come back home to being a mom full time and doing all the necessary things mom does. Especially when you have jet lag and are just trying to readjust.

But today I feel somewhat normal. I got up this morning and went for a run outside in the mist, it was awesome. It was a great time to clear my head and talk with Jesus about how I was feeling and the things that I saw. One thing I love about Jesus is that He is good all the time. Then I came home and did MORE laundry and I washed all of the couch covers, they were pretty knarley! That took a long time to put back on. And I started going through summer clothes. My kids have seriously almost outgrown everything. The only one who can still wear most of their stuff is Max! He is so little. But that will be good on my checkbook.

During my bible study today I was wondering why I feel the need to shop? It doesn't matter what I have. I am asking the Lord to help me to stop the shop!:) Also, why do I care so much about my weight? Why can't I be content with where I am? I am also praying that the Lord will help me through that as well and show me where I need to change things in my life. I am doing the Beth Moore study on the book of James and let me just say it is excellent!!! It is really causing me to stop and think about a lot of things. I have so far to go in my life but at least God is faithful and forgiving. Without that I would have nothing!

Ethiopia 2012 Part 2

So it is 4:30 here and I can't sleep, I need to get myself acclimated to MO time again! I was so grouchy yesterday, it is hard getting back into the swing of being Mom to 4 little kids and all the household responsibilities and all of that good stuff when you have been gone for 9 days. I guess I was in "culture shock!"

So on to the rest of the trip. We went shopping on Church Hill Rd. I remember the last time I was there in ET and shopping just completely stressed me out. Children tugging at you, calling you Mamma, telling you your beautiful, just begging for you to buy something or give them something. Mamma's on the streets with their sick hungry babies begging. So many different sights shopping. I developed a massive headache and just wanted to leave. Once we got in the van I just lost it. It was too much. I cried and cried and my headache was gone. I had been so tense there just trying to process all of these super sad things I was seeing. But through the whole experience I was thanking God because I pray a lot that God would break my heart and give me a compassion for the orphaned, widowed and poor and He continues to do as I ask!

We went to a school called Trees of Glory which is affiliated with Children's Hopechest. The night before we had gone to Yo Abbsynia a traditional Ethiopian restaurant which was so much fun. I got to dance with one of the dancers there! Funny story, I texted Joe and told him that he and the kids don't think I can dance but my peeps in Ethiopia appreciate my sick dance moves!:) Anyhow the next morning I was feeling sick, but I really wanted to go TOG so I had thrown up and thought maybe that would make me feel better so I went ahead on the 2 hour drive. About half way up there I was feeling BAD, I laid down in the van and slept the rest of the way. When we got there I was shaking and so dizzy and I knew I was going to vomit. I ran to the "bathroom" and threw up. Ended up sleeping in the bed there and throwing up for about 4 hours. When I finally woke up I just sat and watched the team hand out care packages! That is one of my favorite things to watch. By evening I was feeling so much better.

One of the things that touched my heart was these kids literally have nothing, I mean nothing and when they would get their care packages, they would share everything with the people around them. They are so giving. It was so awesome to see. One precious sight I saw was the whole issue with clean water. One little girl had stolen my water bottle:) but I didn't care because I saw here pouring the water into the lid and sharing it with her friends! I mean really come on, there is A LOT to learn from that people!

On the last day we woke up and went to MIssion Ethiopia, it is a place where single moms, widows, the poorest of the poor come to work. They make paper and clay beads and make necklaces and such to sell and support themselves and their families! It was very cool. All the profits go directly to them. I loved that. We got to sit in on their devotion for the morning and it was a very touching time. The way they give themselves in worship is amazing to me. And they have this really killer rolling of the Rs sound they make.:)

After Mission, we went to do some more shopping and then to a fun restaurant called Island Breeze. On the way there, I dropped my water bottle and leaned over to get it and smacked my nose and head on the bar in the van, pretty sure it may be broken, it is purple and swollen. We got a great laugh and a great story out of that one. Only when I got to the states and I am out with the family it feels like people think Joe hit me and it's a little embarrassing!!! Going tomorrow to have an X-ray!

Our flight home was LONG!!! That is the worst part about the whole trip is the flight. But I try to make the most of it. By the last flight though, I was really about to lose it. I was so ready to see my family. It was an awesome trip!

The guys that were taking care of us were AMAZING. We had such a blast and they were so kind to us. I find myself wondering what they are doing during the day. Tesfaye was so sweet and had the best laugh ever. Mastie was a strong guy and the ET Reggie Bush. He was very kind. Habti was just awesome! "Who's house" Habti's house!!!" Henok was very good at what he did. He reminded me a lot of what Ade will look like. And Fikre has such a heart for those kids!

I ams o thankful and blessed that I got to go on this trip and form so many great relationships! Until next year!

Ethiopia 2012

I just got back last night from my trip to Ethiopia! Oh my was it wonderful! We had a such a great trip. God was doing wonderful things in our group and in my heart. I will try to write a few things down I am still processing a lot at the moment!

We went to an Ethiopian church service which was so much more charismatic then I was used to and I go to WOLC:). There was so much energy and love and faith in that church. It was called Beza, it was an international church. It was such a great morning of worship. Except for that fact that I was really feeling sick. And I threw up in the middle of service!:) But it was so encouraging to see the people who have so little and are in such dire circumstances lifting their hands and giving their all to Jesus! It was very humbling.

Later that day we went to the Layla House which is an orphanage. Oh my were those children precious! We saw one of the fattest babies I have ever seen and she was delicious! I just wanted to much on her chunky little thighs! So many precious children their waiting for their forever families! It was a great time.


We went to Kind Hearts school and handed out supplies and did small lessons with the kids. We also had 4 teachers with us that did some training with the teachers at teachers at the school and gave them flash cards and such to work with the children. We also handed out sponsor care packages. Each of the children there are sponsored by someone in the US so they can go to school and have a meal each day. They are from the poorest part of Addis and school is really their only stability! So sad. We also bought each child a new pair of shoes and it was great to see them beam with pride when they put on their brand new leather shoes. So many emotions. I met my baby girl if she ever comes up for adoption!:)

We also went to a Young Life meeting in Addis too, it was very hot in the building but very cool to see God working in those children as well. A very big ministry.

I will try to write more later but that is good for now!

MIA

Soooo I have been MIA lately. I don't know why, I just haven't written a lot lately. A lot has been going on, but just haven't felt the need to write about it.

We are all doing very well. We got through birthday season. Ella broke her hand on her birthday, she was spinning with a friend and let go and she flew back and whacked her hand on the Lego table of all things. So she has been a cast for about a month now and it not thrilled with the whole thing. She has had to miss out on a lot of basketball tournaments and she is so bummed.

Max has had a very nasty cough for some time now and he is getting really irritated by it. He is playing basketball and is active as ever.

Maya is going today to get an eye exam, she didn't pass the exam at school so we are going to get her checked out. She is actually hoping she gets new glasses because they would make a great accessory to her wardrobe! She has also been telling me she needs hearing aides! I really don't know where she comes up with this stuff! She is a riot!

Ade is growing up and not so much a baby anymore. He is talking like crazy and he love love LOVES basketball. He cannot get enough. He plays in the living room on a hoop, in Max's room and in his room. I feel like my house has turned into a basketball court! He is all about Daddy right now which is sort of heart breaking and warming at the same time. But he could want me a tad more!

Our high school basketball team has made it to the sectionals, both boys and girls and we have had so much fun spending time with Max and Ella and enjoying those games together. They play tomorrow so GO LIONS!!!

I am leaving for Ethiopia on Friday. We will be working with Kind Hearts and Trees of Glory schools. Also working with Ethiopia Young Life, I guess they have thousands of kids come out for that every week. We will be hanging out with the soccer ministry. I am so excited yet so nervous to go. I like to be at home and this will be the longest I have ever been away from Joe. But God has a plan and I am sure once I am there I am going to LOVE it. I really can't wait to get back to my sons birth country and serve the beautiful people.

Well, that about does it for now. Not sure when I'll post again, maybe after my trip.