Thursday, October 16, 2008
Introducing Malachi Abel "Baby Man" Britton
On October 16, 2008 an Ethiopian Judge showed favor on our case and granted that you officially are our son. Malachi Abel Britton!
We will be coming for you November 1st. We can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!!
Our God is Mighty To Save.
We Love you Malachi! (We hope you like us!)
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Thankfulness
Another woman in my YG challenged us all to list on our blogs what we are thankful for. In the midst of the heartache, waiting, pain, loss, frustrations, etc..... placing our focus on all God is and has done is going to get us much farther than the inward self focus.
1Thes. 5:18 - in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus
Here goes:
1) I'm thankful that His mercies are new everyday (every moment really)
2) I'm thankful that He knows and plans and guides my steps.
3) I'm thankful for the mountains in all their beauty.
4) I'm thankful for a roof over my head, and at least 1 car that works.
5) I'm thankful that I never go hungry, nor does my family.
6) I'm thankful to live in America.
7) I'm thankful that God has Malachi planned for our family.
8) I'm thankful for 3 wonderful children who are so easy to love!
9) I'm thankful for the opportunity to homeschool for today at least.
10) I'm thankful for the journey of life ... in all it's messiness.
11) I'm thankful for friends.
12) I'm thankful for family.
13) I'm thankful for technology.
14) I'm thankful that I belong to a solid church, with a pastor who preaches the truth, and a really hot worship pastor. (Um, the worship pastor is my hubby for those who just grew concerned.)
15) I'm thankful for those who make us part of their "family".
16) I'm thankful for those who take the time to mentor me ... I'm a mess!
17) I'm thankful for coffee and red wine (and margarita's if I'm being honest).
18) I'm thankful that God knows who is going to win the election.
19) I'm thankful that my husband has a safe hobby of playing play station and watching sports .... I'm thankful that he is healthy, strong, provides for us, and loves me to the ends of the earth despite the fact that I'm crazy.
20) I'm thankful for music that lifts my soul, music to dance to, and music to put the children to sleep.
21) I'm thankful for fall, and that my house decor matches fall!
22) I'm thankful for this wait, and that I'm not ever alone in it.
Your turn ..... GO !!!!!!! (Leave a comment if you do this so I can take a look at your list. Maybe it will remind me to add something to mine!)
1Thes. 5:18 - in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus
Here goes:
1) I'm thankful that His mercies are new everyday (every moment really)
2) I'm thankful that He knows and plans and guides my steps.
3) I'm thankful for the mountains in all their beauty.
4) I'm thankful for a roof over my head, and at least 1 car that works.
5) I'm thankful that I never go hungry, nor does my family.
6) I'm thankful to live in America.
7) I'm thankful that God has Malachi planned for our family.
8) I'm thankful for 3 wonderful children who are so easy to love!
9) I'm thankful for the opportunity to homeschool for today at least.
10) I'm thankful for the journey of life ... in all it's messiness.
11) I'm thankful for friends.
12) I'm thankful for family.
13) I'm thankful for technology.
14) I'm thankful that I belong to a solid church, with a pastor who preaches the truth, and a really hot worship pastor. (Um, the worship pastor is my hubby for those who just grew concerned.)
15) I'm thankful for those who make us part of their "family".
16) I'm thankful for those who take the time to mentor me ... I'm a mess!
17) I'm thankful for coffee and red wine (and margarita's if I'm being honest).
18) I'm thankful that God knows who is going to win the election.
19) I'm thankful that my husband has a safe hobby of playing play station and watching sports .... I'm thankful that he is healthy, strong, provides for us, and loves me to the ends of the earth despite the fact that I'm crazy.
20) I'm thankful for music that lifts my soul, music to dance to, and music to put the children to sleep.
21) I'm thankful for fall, and that my house decor matches fall!
22) I'm thankful for this wait, and that I'm not ever alone in it.
Your turn ..... GO !!!!!!! (Leave a comment if you do this so I can take a look at your list. Maybe it will remind me to add something to mine!)
Monday, October 13, 2008
Heavy Heart
Do you ever get to that point where your heart is so heavy, that you don't even know how to feel anymore? Maybe that's just an issue I have, since I'm rather heartless most of the time. :) Whatever though, that's where I'm at. All I know, is that these things called "tears" just keep coming out at random times with no rhyme or reason or advance notice given. What is that??? So, I suppose a "heavy heart" would be the only way I can think of to explain it.
First, there is the obvious - we HAVE to pass court this week in order for us to go get Malachi Nov. 1st as planned. I can't even tell you how afraid I am of this not happening. I realized this weekend that I have a bit of a trust issue here. In my head, I know that God is big and can make this happen. But for some reason, in my heart, I sorta think I haven't learned my lesson yet, so He's going to make me continue to wait. So then, not only do I realize I have a trust issue, but I think maybe God is out to get me ... which means I'm now doubting His goodness as well. Hmmmmm. I should deal with that. Anyway, perhaps that was too much information. My filter gets big wholes in it in the midst of heartache. Back on track .... the waiting in and of itself, the weight of this fear, and the heartache I already feel for if we don't make it through court is so much it hurts.
Second, I received a call yesterday from a dear friend. Her husband, Matt, was in a motorcycle accident yesterday. He had to be air lifted to the nearest hospital (which happens to be 5 hours from their home). They know for certain that he has a spinal chord injury, and are 99 percent sure that he will never walk again. His blood pressure hasn't stabilized enough for necessary surgery to prevent further damage. Oh, they have 3 small children. Again, my heart is just heavy. I don't even know how to pray for them. I can't imagine what she, as a wife and a mom, has to now begin to deal with for the rest of her life. I can't fathom the amount of fear that they hold that has got to be a million times greater than my son having to potentially wait 1 extra month to come home. There is nothing that me, or anyone can do, to make this just go away for them. My heart hurts more.
Third, I just read on my adoption yahoo group, that another family, the Forrest's, lost their precious child to pneumonia over the weekend. Their precious one was in Malachi's home as well. This is the second death in 2 months in his home. I can't imagine the pain they are now sensing of not ever getting their child - not because of a court date, but because of the sting of death. My heart hurts more.
While in my selfish humanism, I desire to curl up in a little ball, keep my eyes focused on my own pain and wallow in it - God pulls me out daily and reminds me that there is a world out there bigger than me and my heartache and my courtdate. He asks me to care for this world, others hurts, and others circumstances. He calls me to pray for it all. I'm thankful that I've not hardened under my hurt. I think that not knowing how to handle the hurts of this great big world, is a much better place to be than not knowing how to handle my own little hurts in my own little world. I find that in the midst of the heaviness of it all, especially the last few days, I don't even know how to pray. I don't know what to ask for. So I rest in remembering that He has given the Holy Spirit to stand in my place with groanings beyond my words. (Romans 8:26)
God has me in a really good, yet even harder place to be .... total and complete surrender. There is nothing I can do to change any of the above mentioned circumstances. There is no possible way in anything I could think, do, or say that will change any of it. There is only the ability to pray, and surrender, and trust. So, the lack of trust issue had to quickly be dealt with, as trust and faith is all I've got right now. I don't feel like the weight of these hurts are too much to bear - I feel broken alltogether by them. And in my brokeness, He is gently reminding me that He is keeping track of all the pieces, and will one day put me back together again, maybe not in the order I think everything belongs ... but sovereignly. He will one day put Matt back together again, maybe not physically ... but sovereignly. He will put the Forrest family back together one day, maybe not completely because their baby is now with Him ... but sovereignly.
Well, there it is .... there is me in my brokenness. Let me tell you what I know.
1) I know God loves me and Malachi
2) I know God loves the Jones and the Forrest Family
3) I know God has a purpose for everything that He does.
4) I know God works all things together for those who love Him.
5) I know He is there in pain, sickness, life and death.
6) I know that there is no where I can go that He is not already there.
7) I know that He will provide a way out from under this heaviness.
8) I know that I can come to Him, as I am weary and heavy burdened.
9) I know that He will provide rest for my soul.
10) I know that He is God, and I most certainly AM NOT.
Pray that what I know will saturate my thoughts and my heart so that I can stand up under it all for the sake of my family, friends and the glory of my God. (And so the tension headaches will go away already. 3 days straight is just silly.) Pray that I no longer allow my hurts to keep me from doing what I need to get done, not just for our up coming trip - but for today even. Pray that I regain my filter. haha
Read the stories of the Jones & Forrest Family, and keep them in your prayers as well.
First, there is the obvious - we HAVE to pass court this week in order for us to go get Malachi Nov. 1st as planned. I can't even tell you how afraid I am of this not happening. I realized this weekend that I have a bit of a trust issue here. In my head, I know that God is big and can make this happen. But for some reason, in my heart, I sorta think I haven't learned my lesson yet, so He's going to make me continue to wait. So then, not only do I realize I have a trust issue, but I think maybe God is out to get me ... which means I'm now doubting His goodness as well. Hmmmmm. I should deal with that. Anyway, perhaps that was too much information. My filter gets big wholes in it in the midst of heartache. Back on track .... the waiting in and of itself, the weight of this fear, and the heartache I already feel for if we don't make it through court is so much it hurts.
Second, I received a call yesterday from a dear friend. Her husband, Matt, was in a motorcycle accident yesterday. He had to be air lifted to the nearest hospital (which happens to be 5 hours from their home). They know for certain that he has a spinal chord injury, and are 99 percent sure that he will never walk again. His blood pressure hasn't stabilized enough for necessary surgery to prevent further damage. Oh, they have 3 small children. Again, my heart is just heavy. I don't even know how to pray for them. I can't imagine what she, as a wife and a mom, has to now begin to deal with for the rest of her life. I can't fathom the amount of fear that they hold that has got to be a million times greater than my son having to potentially wait 1 extra month to come home. There is nothing that me, or anyone can do, to make this just go away for them. My heart hurts more.
Third, I just read on my adoption yahoo group, that another family, the Forrest's, lost their precious child to pneumonia over the weekend. Their precious one was in Malachi's home as well. This is the second death in 2 months in his home. I can't imagine the pain they are now sensing of not ever getting their child - not because of a court date, but because of the sting of death. My heart hurts more.
While in my selfish humanism, I desire to curl up in a little ball, keep my eyes focused on my own pain and wallow in it - God pulls me out daily and reminds me that there is a world out there bigger than me and my heartache and my courtdate. He asks me to care for this world, others hurts, and others circumstances. He calls me to pray for it all. I'm thankful that I've not hardened under my hurt. I think that not knowing how to handle the hurts of this great big world, is a much better place to be than not knowing how to handle my own little hurts in my own little world. I find that in the midst of the heaviness of it all, especially the last few days, I don't even know how to pray. I don't know what to ask for. So I rest in remembering that He has given the Holy Spirit to stand in my place with groanings beyond my words. (Romans 8:26)
God has me in a really good, yet even harder place to be .... total and complete surrender. There is nothing I can do to change any of the above mentioned circumstances. There is no possible way in anything I could think, do, or say that will change any of it. There is only the ability to pray, and surrender, and trust. So, the lack of trust issue had to quickly be dealt with, as trust and faith is all I've got right now. I don't feel like the weight of these hurts are too much to bear - I feel broken alltogether by them. And in my brokeness, He is gently reminding me that He is keeping track of all the pieces, and will one day put me back together again, maybe not in the order I think everything belongs ... but sovereignly. He will one day put Matt back together again, maybe not physically ... but sovereignly. He will put the Forrest family back together one day, maybe not completely because their baby is now with Him ... but sovereignly.
Well, there it is .... there is me in my brokenness. Let me tell you what I know.
1) I know God loves me and Malachi
2) I know God loves the Jones and the Forrest Family
3) I know God has a purpose for everything that He does.
4) I know God works all things together for those who love Him.
5) I know He is there in pain, sickness, life and death.
6) I know that there is no where I can go that He is not already there.
7) I know that He will provide a way out from under this heaviness.
8) I know that I can come to Him, as I am weary and heavy burdened.
9) I know that He will provide rest for my soul.
10) I know that He is God, and I most certainly AM NOT.
Pray that what I know will saturate my thoughts and my heart so that I can stand up under it all for the sake of my family, friends and the glory of my God. (And so the tension headaches will go away already. 3 days straight is just silly.) Pray that I no longer allow my hurts to keep me from doing what I need to get done, not just for our up coming trip - but for today even. Pray that I regain my filter. haha
Read the stories of the Jones & Forrest Family, and keep them in your prayers as well.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
To-Do List
My to-do list before leaving for Africa:
1) Stop making lists on the back of receipts
2) Stop throwing away receipts
3) Combine receipts to form one big list
4) Remember to write things on the list
5) Post list on refrigerator
6) Try to remember what I was trying to remember by writing it on the list
7) DO IT
I'm so not a list person, but I'm finding that I won't get out of this part of our journey without one. Thus began my lists yesterday. One for packing, one to-do. It makes me cringe a bit to walk by my list and see all the things on it ... only to add more. BUT, I suppose it's all necessary, and will be worth it in the end. It's just too bad that tying a red string around my finger won't do the trick this time around.
1) Stop making lists on the back of receipts
2) Stop throwing away receipts
3) Combine receipts to form one big list
4) Remember to write things on the list
5) Post list on refrigerator
6) Try to remember what I was trying to remember by writing it on the list
7) DO IT
I'm so not a list person, but I'm finding that I won't get out of this part of our journey without one. Thus began my lists yesterday. One for packing, one to-do. It makes me cringe a bit to walk by my list and see all the things on it ... only to add more. BUT, I suppose it's all necessary, and will be worth it in the end. It's just too bad that tying a red string around my finger won't do the trick this time around.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Baby Man
"Baby Man" .... this is your new name according to Sam. Much better than Ronny if I do say so myself.
For some reason, the kids still think that what your name will be is up for discussion. So, last night, Sam decided on Malachi Baby Man Britton.
Just so you know, Sam's nick name (one of them) is "Little Man" ... I think in his determination to not surrender his place as Little Man, he came up with Baby Man for you. Or .... maybe he doesn't think about such things ..... :)
So, see you soon Baby Man!
For some reason, the kids still think that what your name will be is up for discussion. So, last night, Sam decided on Malachi Baby Man Britton.
Just so you know, Sam's nick name (one of them) is "Little Man" ... I think in his determination to not surrender his place as Little Man, he came up with Baby Man for you. Or .... maybe he doesn't think about such things ..... :)
So, see you soon Baby Man!
Thursday, October 2, 2008
I'M ON CLOUD NINE !!!!
I don't really know what that title means either ... but similar to last post, it seems to fit! :)
WE GOT TENTATIVE TRAVEL DATES !!!! Our agency sent us an email today stating that we can plan to travel November 1st through November 7th. All I have to say is AAAAGGGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so overjoyed, overwhelmed, over this waiting thing! :) While these dates COULD possibly change, we pray they don't. Would you please pray the following things over the next 2-3 weeks as we plan this trip :
1) That we would get through our court date as scheduled so we can actually travel on these dates. ( I do not know when our court date is scheduled, but I do know that our tentative dates are planned accordingly, as our agency knows when it is. Don't ask.)
2) That we would be able to use our frequent flier miles.
3) That we would be diligent in all that needs to get done for us to leave. (I'm a bit of a procrastinator, and that probably won't serve me well this month.) Pray that I have a clear head about all that needs to happen, and have the strength and energy and patience to actually do it.
I'll let you know if I think of anything else, because as I told you already, I'm on cloud nine! Meaning, mental clarity has not kicked in yet. I can't believe it's finally coming. We get to go get our baby!!!!!!!!!
WE ARE COMING MALACHI !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WE GOT TENTATIVE TRAVEL DATES !!!! Our agency sent us an email today stating that we can plan to travel November 1st through November 7th. All I have to say is AAAAGGGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so overjoyed, overwhelmed, over this waiting thing! :) While these dates COULD possibly change, we pray they don't. Would you please pray the following things over the next 2-3 weeks as we plan this trip :
1) That we would get through our court date as scheduled so we can actually travel on these dates. ( I do not know when our court date is scheduled, but I do know that our tentative dates are planned accordingly, as our agency knows when it is. Don't ask.)
2) That we would be able to use our frequent flier miles.
3) That we would be diligent in all that needs to get done for us to leave. (I'm a bit of a procrastinator, and that probably won't serve me well this month.) Pray that I have a clear head about all that needs to happen, and have the strength and energy and patience to actually do it.
I'll let you know if I think of anything else, because as I told you already, I'm on cloud nine! Meaning, mental clarity has not kicked in yet. I can't believe it's finally coming. We get to go get our baby!!!!!!!!!
WE ARE COMING MALACHI !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Be Still My Heart
I don't know what that title means, but it seemed to fit.
We got an update from Ethiopia today on Malachi. We received reports on his heath and habits. He seems to be doing well. We also got an ADORABLE picture of him. He's sitting in one of those bouncy seats. This cracks me up, as he can sit on his own now. My kids NEVER sat in those bouncy seats once they could sit on their own. Maybe that says something to Malachi's calm and submissive spirit. HAHA Well, a mother can hope. :)
This part cracks me up though ....... as is true to all the Britton children, Malachi has a HUGE head! :) I compared his stats with one of his little friends in the Transition Home right now who is only 1-2 months older than Malachi. hehe..... His friends head circumference: 40.5 cm. Malachi's head circumference : 45.2 cm. For those of you who knew Sam especially - this is hilarious to me!
Anyway, we are hopeful that we will be flying in just over a month ... perhaps even one month from today. Again, a mother can hope, right???
We got an update from Ethiopia today on Malachi. We received reports on his heath and habits. He seems to be doing well. We also got an ADORABLE picture of him. He's sitting in one of those bouncy seats. This cracks me up, as he can sit on his own now. My kids NEVER sat in those bouncy seats once they could sit on their own. Maybe that says something to Malachi's calm and submissive spirit. HAHA Well, a mother can hope. :)
This part cracks me up though ....... as is true to all the Britton children, Malachi has a HUGE head! :) I compared his stats with one of his little friends in the Transition Home right now who is only 1-2 months older than Malachi. hehe..... His friends head circumference: 40.5 cm. Malachi's head circumference : 45.2 cm. For those of you who knew Sam especially - this is hilarious to me!
Anyway, we are hopeful that we will be flying in just over a month ... perhaps even one month from today. Again, a mother can hope, right???
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
