My Journal Entry, Saturday, December 6th

6:00pm Ulysses time...7:00pm Washington DC time...3:00am Ethiopia time....

We have lived an adventure and we haven't even left the country. We now sit in Dulles airport about to board in an hour for Rome, then Addis Ababa...a 15 hour or so flight. Let me flash back to this morning...

We took the shuttle from our hotel to the airport. We were so surprised that it only cost $10 to leave our car at our hotel for a week! What a blessing! We shuttled with an interesting man who originates in Kentucky, but currently lives in India, training pilots for India Air. He was in Denver, training Indian pilots at a simulator across from our hotel. He had several safety tips for us with foods and water.

We arrived at the Denver airport, such a lovely airport-windows through most of it, leaving a fresh, clear atmosphere. Bethany was wide-eyed. Our check in luggage was very close if not over the weight limit with all our donations. We prayed for favor and saw it immediately as the line we were directed to had a ticket agent right from Addis Ababa! He was so thrilled to hear our story and talked to us about Ethiopia for a long time. We showed him pictures of our new kids and he labeled our luggage, never once glancing at the scale! God's fatherly love makes a way for His children! He truly orders our very slightest step when we acknowledge and trust Him. With the heavy luggage checked luggage unburdened, we briskly walked toward security. Bethany was apprehensive, yet engrossed in the process as we took off our shoes, jewelry, and belts and emptied our pockets into the buckets that scooted their way into the imaging machine. We passed through easily, of course, and we were off to our terminal.

I am always amazed at the interesting people I see in airports, so diverse and vast. I gaze at them, pondering their stories. The young woman who stands out in my mind the most was shaved all the way around her head down to maybe a quarter of an inch. a lime green mohawk fluffy about her top and symbols and letters tattooed all the way around. Her shoes, over sized platforms with chunky six inch heels. How I longed to know her story! How interesting it must be!

Bethany did a little shopping, both getting a watch and some gum for the flight, got a bite to eat, and boarded the plane. Bethany held my hand tightly, tense with the nerves of the unknown as the plane exploded into the sky. She exceeded our expectations, not hyperventilating or panicking as we worried she might. With the window seat, she enjoyed her first ever plane ride.

We watched a movie and landed in DC in three short hours. Things were going so smoothly, I had no doubt our trip would be everything I hoped it would be.

Arriving in Dulles airport, my eyes were flooded with the most beautiful people. We stood in a long line for almost two hours surrounded by two types of people...adoptive parents and Ethiopians. The adopting parents were easy to spot and we all looked at each other knowingly. We talked with many of them and shared in the unique joy were were all feeling. One couple was from Oregon, adopting a five month old boy, another from Michigan, adopting a seven month old boy. We met a single mom traveling with her best friend, adopting a four month old girl. Eight to ten couples littered the line to receive boarding passes.

My eyes could not keep from drinking in the sight of the other type of passenger. Ethiopians are truly some of the most stunningly beautiful people on the face of the earth. The women are chiseled and elegant with smooth, chocolate complexions. They stand regal and posed, never slouching or sloppy. The men are always clothed in dress pants and nice shirts, very proud. Ethiopian eyes are famous among my friends in the adoption world. Their eyes are like no other, not even other African countries produce such a beautiful eye. Wide set, large, and almond in shape...almost sleepy with the rounded upper eyelid. Almost everyone of them had the same eyes, the most beautiful sight! As we sat on the plane, preparing to take off, Bethany and I marveled at the pure beauty of the Ethiopian women and stewardesses. Not one Ethiopian on our plane was ugly! We literally tried to find one,...just one...and from the youngest bright shining face to the oldest, deeply wrinkled woman, draped in a Muslim covering...we could find none. Beauty was in abundance.

Ethiopian people are very communal and social. They don't understand the concept of Americans not knowing and socializing with their neighbors. As we stood in line and sat on our plane, it was difficult to distinguish who was with who. They all mingled and talked as family would, completely at ease at first meeting. We imagined they viewed some Americans as rude and anti-social. We didn't want to appear that way and struck up conversations with many. One family of four was originally from Ethiopia and now living in Houston. The father worked at NASA and they were now vacationing for five weeks in Ethiopia to visit family. We helped another man with his luggage as he was over the weight limit and needed to readjust his belongings. So many gorgeous people, it was like walking through an art gallery. How blessed we are to bring such a joyous, beautiful culture into our family.

We are about to be served dinner and were supplied with sleeping patches, tooth brushes, and tall yellow socks! I opted out of the socks, although I saw alot of Ethiopians pull them clear up to their knees! Each seat can watch a movie from a list with screens in the back of every seat. Bethany is already very antsy and our 15 hour flight has barely begun. I have insisted she get out the new book I bought her and read. I wonder what the flight home will be like with two more kids!

My thoughts drift home to my kids there. Their piano recital should be over and they will be headed to work with my mom overnight. I pray their week is full of fun and anticipation for Joshua and Julianna. I will close...dinner is rolling down the aisle.

Lessons I've Learned today....God delights in shaping our journeys with creative surprises and favor. His favor makes each of us feel like His favorite.

God's intricate creation is full of beauty.

Americans need to learn something from Ethiopians in how we interact with each other. Everyone in Ethiopia is considered a brother or a sister. We, especially the church, need to rediscover this principle.

My Journal Entry, Friday, December 5th

As I chroncile this journey in rewind, I will use the little bit of journaling I did and then pick up with my memory from there. I debated whether to use all of what I wrote in my journal some of it is deeply personal. However, I am deeply personal by nature and have decided to open up to whomever wants to read it, sharing my deepest heart through this experience. I think only then, will God be able to bring some clarity and healing to my soul. So, with the good, the bad, and the ugly, I journal openly, inviting you in as a spectator into the recesses of my heart.



Friday, December 5th...

A vibrant sunset welcomed us into Denver this evening as we drove into the city. Deep orange hues reflected the sun underneath the low lying clouds. Streaks of red and ocean blue danced through the orange as if God ran His fingertips through a chalk drawing. The majesty of the mountains accenting our view seemed starkly beautiful to three Kansans accustomed to vast plains.



It's hard to grasp the reality of this moment. As many times as I try to live the moment, the truth of it eludes me. It is surreal. I've learned so many lessons through this journey about the character of God. As I sit in our hotel on the eve of flying to Ethiopia, knowing my life is about to change permanently with the addition of two children into our lives, I am thrilled at the depth of God's character I have discovered. He is not so far off from me as I once thought. My failures and weaknesses don't scare God off. He is so much nearer than I ever realized. The God I knew and adored as a three year old, long before I littered my journey with failures and shortcomings, detours and sin, is the same God in my life today. The voice who whispered, "Africa, Africa" into my tender heart as a preschooler now speak as closely, "Africa, Africa" as we are about to adopt two children from beautiful Ethiopia. The words He speaks, the visions He plants in our spirits, like a seed, like conception...He always, always brings to birthing! His Word never returns void! It always accomplishes what He wills it to. God opened my heart and I fell in love with the children of Africa as a tiny child myself. I thought I would be a missionary and I always knew I would adopt from Africa. Now, God unveils His breath-taking plan as we are not necessarily going to Africa, but God is bringing Africa to us.



Joshua Israel, my precious son....I have dreamed of you and prayed for you since I was your age. I have loved you for sixteen months, gazing into the pictures we've received and longing to see that precious, shining face in person. Now all that waiting and praying has come to an end in a cloud of blurred memories and we are here, about to see you, hold you, tell you that your family loves you. Caleb is so excited to have you as his brother! He has waited for you, his partner and best friend just like Caleb and Joshua of the Bible. The two of you will together change your world! We love you! Your Mommy can't wait to see you and take you home.



Julianna, what a gift you are to us...an unexpected surprise from Jesus! You are the most beautiful princess I have ever seen and you will, no doubt, light up our world! I have prayed for you since I was a little girl and when God gave me the dream with you in it, I fell in love with you. I knew you were somewhere in Ethiopia needing us and began to pray for you. Six months later, we saw your picture and were overwhelmed by God's love for us and for you. I cannot wait to put your little face into my hands and tell you, "Mommy loves you". You are like a kiss from heaven. Our lives will be so much fun with you in it!!



We leave on the shuttle at 8:45am to get to the airport by 9:00. Our flight leaves Denver at 11:30 to Washington DC. We are praying for favor with our luggage, hoping they meet the new weight rules.



This morning's goodbyes to Brooklyn and Caleb were so difficult. Both kids have been teary and emotional all week. They are so excited for Joshua and Julianna, but heavy-hearted with our departure. We got them ready for school, then joined hands in the kitchen, praying as a family. We all cried, but Brooklyn and Caleb sobbed. My mommy's heart broke. This isn't a quick ministry trip to Wichita. We are going to a different continent, halfway around the globe. It will, no doubt, grow our family in many ways. We left a package for Brooklyn and Caleb for each day we are gone and sent them balloons and candy to school today. Bethany is very anxious to hold the children and play with the older kids at the Care Center. She is nervous for the flight, but will do fine. Time for bed...tomorrow begins the adventure...

Missing Words

I am amazed that I have not posted since Dec.5th! Our experience in Ethiopia and the weeks following have been so intense that words have escaped me. Very slowly with time and adjustment and the touch of my Heavenly Father, words are returning. I thought I would step out and start 'speaking'.

I had so many hopes for Ethiopia. I was going to experience everything I could from the wonderful people, to the market, the culture, the children. I hoped to get into the streets and bless people who were in need, to take pictures of the beautiful faces of the land I have felt called to and the land my two youngest were born in. I bought a large, pretty journal I hoped to pour into, talking of everything I experienced and felt and all that God was showing me.

None of that happened. We arrived in Ethiopia late Sunday night and the very next morning, I was horribly sick. I was stuck in my room with both flu like symptoms and respiratory distress the entire trip and remained sick for weeks after returning. I left Ethiopia having seen almost nothing, giving to almost no one, purchasing only two crosses the last day from our guest house, but no keepsakes for my children. I was completely disillusioned.

As God has opened my inner word bank gradually to the descriptions and feelings of this journey, I have begun to be able to talk about it. I still have yet to view the video we took or to think back much and I have no earthly idea why the trip had to be as it was, however, I am trusting God for revelation about my experience. I hope to be able to begin to share our experiences as they were in the raw and what I can look back and 'see' as revelation as God enables me.

You have all been such a part of this process. We have not intentionally kept you from the finale, we've just been silenced by the sheer intensity of it all. Thank you for your patience and for how you prayed us through to this point. To God be the Glory!!

Here is a picture of all six of our kids. As I chronicle the experience I will go back to the beginning with pictures and video.

Much Love,

JoLynn