Back on the Ground

Just a quick update:

I arrived bright and early yesterday morning (Thursday). My flight went well and I had THREE seats in a row. I was so spoiled and loved every minute of it! Well, as much as anybody can love being trapped at 40,000 feet. Upon arrival I made it through immigration and customs without any hiccups. Baggage did not go as smoothly. After retrieving my first bag and watching the same bags go round and round the carousel, it was confirmed that my second bag was lost in transit. This was not exactly what I wanted to hear after 15 hours of flight and a great deal of exhaustion. But I called in this morning and my bag had arrived and was there waiting to be picked up. God is good! 

Tomorrow morning (Saturday) we plan to head back to Soddo. I am eager to get back and ready to return to the normalcy of my Ethiopian life. Monday morning bright and early I will head back to the orphanage. I am SO very excited to wrap my arms around those sweet little ones. After all, they are the reason I am here and the reason I love what I am doing. 

In the coming days... you can be praying for my transition back. I did not expect my return to be difficult, but exhaustion and readjusting to life without my loved ones has brought about some struggles. Hopefully rest and return to routine will help, but in the meantime please keep this time in your prayers. 

THIS is Living

As I type this, I am sitting at my gate in the Washington Dulles airport waiting to board my plane bound for Ethiopia. Going back is bittersweet--but mostly sweet. I find myself looking forward to being "home" in the midst of what has become my normal. I am eager to see my babies.... Yes, MY babies! I am ready to see my family there, breath in the air of Ethiopia in all of its dusty-dry season glory, and to return to the life God has called me to for this phase in life.

Being home with my family was such a blessing during this time of losing my grandfather. I cannot imagine facing this hardship alone. I was showered with blessings upon blessings in my time with them, but there were still times when things were not easy. Times when I felt like I didn't quite fit in, times when I just needed to be face to face with the children I love so dearly across the ocean, and times when adjusting to 1st world life was easier said than done. Now, as I prepare to head back to Ethiopia I find myself in a state of extreme cultural transition. I want to be there, I want to fulfill the purpose for this phase in my life, and I want to live... Really live! In these moments of confusion as to where I really belong I reminded myself that God never promised me that it would be easy. He never said following him would come free of battles between the head and the heart, free of feeling out of place, or free from uprooting and replanting myself time and time again. In fact, in some strange way, I enjoy the challenge of all those things, because without fail they bring me to the feet of my Father. 

Six months ago tomorrow I was in this same place--at the airport preparing to hop the puddle formally known as the Atlantic Ocean. Now, as I sit here looking back over the last six months my mind is blown as to how much my life has changed. I am in awe of how far I have come and how quickly time has flown. Last time I was beyond excited to get there, and this time holds more of the same, but on a new level. Today, I know the faces and names of the children waiting for me on the other side. I know their hearts and the changes God has made in their lives. This time, I look forward to walking onto the orphanage compound and hearing them call out my name. This time, I look forward to greeting them with open arms, 3 weeks worth of kisses, and an overflow of built up love. This life, these children, this is living. 

Ethiopia Round 2 is in full swing. Looking forward to what the next 6 months will hold! 

Ups and Downs

     Wow, what a week. I have been on American soil now for 8 days and have been surrounded by love and support each step of the way. I arrived home safe and sound last Wednesday morning and was in the arms of my family by noon. My family has always been a source of comfort for me, but falling into Mom and Dad's arms that afternoon I felt the weight of the world come off of my shoulders. The weight of trying to be grown up and deal with death from across the world. In that moment I gave myself permission to fall apart, because here, with the ones I love most, I was safe and secure. I mourned the loss of my grandfather from Ethiopia, but being in PA with my family the process began all over again. It was difficult. I wondered more times than I can count when the tears would stop coming, but the beautiful part about being here was that when they came there was always somebody there who "got it" and would carry the hurt with me.


     The outpourings of love that I have experienced over the past week and a half have absolutely overwhelmed my heart. It seemed like every time I turned around I was getting another message from somebody letting me know they were praying for us. And at the funeral, I got the surprise of a lifetime as two wonderful friends traveled up to support our family. Blessings upon blessings!


     There is so much I would like to write, so many stories I would like to share... But it does not seem that words can do justice to what I have experienced this week. My heart has experienced its deepest hurt, and in the same breath some of its greatest joys. This week, I found myself simply beyond blessed. And now, as I prepare to head back to Ethiopia this coming week, I count it a blessing that I am eager to have those babies back in my arms! Thanks for all of your love and support during this difficult time. Your prayers and God's love got us through!

From Death to LIFE

This is perhaps the toughest post I will ever have to write. But I believe in the power of prayer so in sharing this I ask that you stop and surround my family with prayer.

Yesterday, my dear Pappy (my Mom's father) moved from death to life. The Lord welcomed him into heaven with open arms. Losing him here on earth is indescribably difficult, but thinking about him whole and perfect at the feet of Jesus brings comfort alongside the pain. His life was a testament to love and joy, especially the love of Christ. What more could we ask for? He knew The Lord well and all I can do is picture him closing his eyes here and opening them in the presence of the most high. 

I'll be honest, we have been spoiled in my family. We have not had to deal with death before. Can I just say... IT HURTS! I was reminded by a friend that this was never God's plan when he created life in us; His plan was never for us to feel this pain and hurt that accompanies death. There is the added layer of experiencing the shock, grief, and pain thousands of miles away from home. In this I am so grateful that God provided before I even left home for me to return to be with my family during this difficult time. I will be returning home on Wednesday morning in the arms of my mom by that afternoon. There is no place I would rather be. 

Please be in prayer for my entire family: especially my grandma, my mom, and my two uncles who just faced the loss of a husband and father. It will be such a comfort and blessing to be together during this time, and while it does not take the hurt away, my mom shared with me something that I love... She said, "Although the tears are rolling as I type, the smile of joy is on my face because my father knows MY Father and calls his Father too." 

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. -1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

To end on a happy note. Since being in Ethiopia I have had MANY treasured opportunities to Skype with Pappy, and each time, as awful as I thought I looked, he would say to me "Wow Sweetheart, you look so good!". More often then not, I didn't, but in his eyes I did. So one Skype date rolls around and he doesn't say anything. All I could do was laugh to myself and think "WOW, I must REALLY look bad today!" haha Thankful for the memories of a grandfather who lived a full life for The Lord. 

Puppies!

Guess who just joined the party in Soddo, Ethiopia! 

     ELEVEN adorable little puppies. After what feels like waiting forever, they have finally arrived and have already brought so many smiles. From milk comas to puppy wimpers, and piles of puppies to milk mustaches this crew is a welcomed bunch. 

Happy Weekend!

Melkam Genna

For the first time ever I get to enjoy TWO Christmases in ONE year! 

Merry Ethiopian Christmas! 

     Today, January 7th, is the day that all of Ethiopia stops to celebrate Christmas. It was such a great day spent with the kids at the orphanage. I was able to take in some little gifts, and the kids were SO excited! As soon as I walked in with a bag they just knew I had something special, so all morning they asked Quas alle? (Is there a ball?) Celebrating Genna (Christmas) also means sharing in special meals,  copious amounts of buna (coffee), and shai (tea). Shortly after arriving the ladies and I sat down to share a mid-morning meal. Two hours later was lunch with a coffee ceremony. THEN, just before I left they fed me yet again. Yepp, that's 3 meals in less than 6 hours, and yet totally cultural for such special occasions. 

     Why is Ethiopia just now celebrating Christmas? Because they follow a different calendar than we do in America. The Julian calendar has them in the year 2007 welcoming New Years in our September and celebrating Christmas in our January. 

 

     Above pretty much sums up how Ethiopians celebrate any holiday! The pan on the left is full of dorro wat (a meat dish in a spicy tomato sauce served over injera). On the right is a jebina. A traditional part of a get-together includes a coffee ceremony which starts with the washing and roasting of beans, and ends with a 3 round pour of coffee from the jebina. 

 

Melkam Genna (Merry Christmas) from me and my main man E! He is even sporting his new, room to grow, outfit. 

Lessons of 2014

     And now, for the typical December 31st post: looking back over the year and where I was on New Years Day 2014. What was I doing this time last year? Why, I was doing what every eager missionary would be doing.... Writing my support letter. To think, back then I had no idea how so many people would come together in support of my work and make this possible. I had no idea what I'd be doing or who God would bring into my life. I had NO idea what I was getting into. And now, I look back at a year of "God Moments" where time after time He was the only explanation I could come up with.

     

     I learned something when I offered God control of my life. I learned how small I am and how great He is. I learned I can't, but He can. I learned I don't have to know it all to trust. I learned blindly following is not always easy, but it is worth it. I learned that He is constant and will never leave my side. I learned that His plans are FAR better than any I could come up with on my own. Most importantly I learned that it is okay that I have failed, that I don't always turn to Him first, that I don't have this blind faith thing down fully, and that I mess up more than I would like to admit. Why? Because I serve a God of grace and forgiveness. What a year of growth and learning I have had! 

 

What a year, what a year! 2015 here we come!